‘Build bridges, not just contacts’

 

 

“Build bridges, not just contacts, and give value before you seek it,” remarked Mohammed Master, while addressing members at the “Hum Saath Saath Hai” session organised by the Vidarbha Management Association (VMA) at the Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines, Nagpur on Sunday. The interactive session was entertaining and enlightening, filled with real-life examples that simplified essential concepts of relationship building and communication. Sharing his insights on creating meaningful business connections, Master explained his practical formula of VCP — Visibility, Credibility, and Profit.

 

“Visibility is how you exist in people’s memories, Credibility is the trust they place in you, and Profit is the natural outcome of both,” he said. He further elaborated on the C.A.R.E. model — Companionship, Acceptance, Respect, and Empathy — as vital principles for fostering positive interactions within teams and professional circles. Emphasising the importance of personal branding and communication, Master advised that one’s introduction should reflect value, interest, and purpose. He encouraged professionals to listen more than they speak, to follow up consistently, and to focus on giving before asking, as these habits help in nurturing genuine trust and long-term relationships. Encouraging participants to take immediate action, he posed reflective questions: What one step will you take to grow your network this month? Will you attend a new forum, reconnect with an old contact, or plan a weekly coffee meet? The session was moderated by Sudhir Laturkar, with Shantanu Shende serving as the session in-charge.