Guanxi 1.0

I think only aspects of relationships can measured. For example, the positive and negatives or the good days vs. the bad days. These are the things that one could look at to see if a relationship has been a success or a failure.

Longevity of relationships could be another unit of measure. Whether relationships last long or end quickly can determine if they have been a success or failure. I agree with you when say relationships are key to the success of everything. These are just a few of my thoughts hope they help.

Daryl, that was a very interesting post and it really made me think. After analyzing the question, I think a relationship is measured according to the effect it has on you and how you value the relationship. A relationship that you tend to value the most is going to have a big impact on your success. A relationship that you value very little is going to receive little attention or consideration when it comes to evaluating the effect it has on your success.

On the other hand, there are those relationships that you don’t necessarily value, but they still exist and can have a noticeable impact on your success. Negative relationships can have an uncontrollable effect on your personal success. Often times they can prevent or hinder success from occurring. After dealing with situations such as these, you learn from them and these lessons can help you to avoid the effects from that particular negative relationship in the future.

Therefore, you are always going to feel the effects of both negative and positive relationships on your success. You cannot have one without the other, but then again you can’t have success without failure. So I guess in the end both are necessary.

I think that while the significance and personal meaning of a relationship is intangible, relationships can be mesured to some extent. If you ask a person to name the characteristics that contribute to a positive or succesful relationship or a negantive or unsuccessful relationship, every person would be able to write something down. Relationships can be measured by committment, loyalty, trust, enjoyment, etc. People’s opinions on what makes a good relationship can vary. But a positive relationship is measured by these things, and a negative by the lack of these things. The problem you encounter with this method is defining the characteristics that people measure relationships by.

On the other hand the relationship you have with your best friend, your family, your boyfriend or girlfriend really can not be defined or measured. You can conclude that it is a postive functional relationship but what it means to you on a personal level is uncomparible and seemingly unmeasurable. Relationships are imperative, yet hard to define.

Throughout my learning journey in Public Relations I have been taught different ways in which relationships can be measured. You can measure trust, commitment and relationship satisfaction. I have also learned that in order to manage a relationship you must have measures of that relationship. I believe that determining what aspects of relationship you measure is important, maintaining the relationship takes precedence.

A relationship is not a one-time measurable thing. People, ideas, personalities and relationships change. I agree that relationship is the critical success factor for all things and that without it, it is impossible to take the next step. But in order to take consecutive steps the relationship must be constantly maintained. So though it is important to measure the intangible relationship, it first must be maintained so that you have something to measure.

Relationships can be so simple, but often we make them so complicated. Maybe the reason for the complexity is because we are in fact trying to measure them but cannot seem to put a finger on how to do that exactly. There are plenty of ways I tend to guage relationships. The words I regularly use include healthy, deep, strong and the list can go on.

It’s true that you can measure something in a cup. A relationship, however, is not able to be measured so concretely.

How do you think being able or not to measure relationships affects PR and its concentration on building these relationships with people?

I believe that relationships can easily be measured. You can measure a relationship based on your perception of what you are looking for in a positive relationship versus what you have seen to be bad relationships. Relationships can be measured according to time spent to mold and shape them, the type of consequences that may come from them, and what society around you views as being a pertinent relationship.

I believe it’s up to the individual on what could be high and low expectations within a relationship. This could turn into a biased point-of-view. However, everyone has their own interpretations of what type of relationships they are looking for, and what are the key elements that will create that aspect that’s sought.

I’m not sure which you are referring, but I think that relationships between businesses would be fairly easy to measure. A lot would rest on the outcomes that come from the relationship. If there is a bad relationship between companies, not many transactions are going to occur. With personal relationships it can be measured by the level of trust and confidence that you have in that person to keep a secret, help you do something, be by your side in tough times, etc. This isn’t a quantitative measurement, but in the situation you can tell the degree of a relationship.

I definitely agree with the idea that “what gets measured gets managed.” The reason being that we never know if we make progress without quantifiable evidence. But can something as elusive as a relationship be measured? And how would one go about doing it? To me, a successful relationship is defined by loyalty, trust, and length. A strong relationship cannot be built in two days. Staying power is part of what makes a great public relations executive. Relationships are built over time. A long term relationship brings about the other parts that I mentioned, loyalty and trust. These two aspects run deeper than any surface level relationship, and I doubt that public relations execs would trifle with measuring relationships that lack these three aspects. Having said this, I believe that a relationship can be measured by the ability to maintain it, rather than the ability to create it in the first place.

I don’t think there is a way to scientifically measure a relationship. But, it is usually easy to tell what kind of relationship people have by the way they treat each other. An employer may treat one employee better than another if they have a better or closer relationship.

Relationships are important. Business relationships can help you leaps and bounds or it could come back to haunt you (if the relationship wasn’t so nice). Plus, I think it is good to build healthy, strong relationships with coworkers. Oh, and burn as few bridges as possible.

Relationships are always measured. We measure our relationships with others on a daily basis, often even subconsciously. Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it is more about who you know.” I have and when I think about relationships in terms of a career this is the first phrase that comes to mind. As human beings, and especially as PR practitioners, we are constantly networking and constantly making contacts, or relationships. The most important thing about relationships is that they are mutually beneficial. There is no exact scale or tangible way to measure any relationship; it is one of those things you just know. You know a good relationship vs. a bad one. We all do.

I think relationships can be measured by what may come out of that relationship. If it is unhealthy, it wil most likely be easy to catch on that its unhealty simply because it is producing negative outcomes. However, if the relationship is healthy, it will be viewed as productive because of its positive outcomes.

There can also be shades of gray as well. No relationship will necessarily be all good or all bad. Most likely, there is always some negative aspects of a positive relationship and vice versa. However, I think you have to look at the long-term outcomes. Are they beneficial and positive, or are they disturbing and negative?

I think that although a relationship is intangible in itself, there are still certain ways you can measure a relationship. You can measure what you put into a relationship, such as time, effort, etc. You can also measure what you get out of a relationship, such as happiness, pleasure, pain, etc.

Relationships also measure other intangible concepts, such as trust, commitment, and devotion. Because we can determine the impact that each of these factors has on a relationship and also the individuals involved in that relationship, we have some method of measurement when it comes to determining if the relationship is good or bad.

I think the only accurate measurement of a relationship has to be made by an outside, impartial party. I don’t think that persons participating in the relationship have the ability to separate themselves from biases that they have about the relationship. For example, women often stay in abusive relationships when it is clear to outsiders that the relationship is unhealthy. In spite of the abuse, the woman is convinced that the relationship is normal.

In one of my classes we are studying communication audits. I think these are a great way for an outside professional to measure relationships within a company. The audit essentially measures how well messages are sent and received among members of the company. If said messages are not being adequately sent and/or received, there are obviously areas of the relationship that can be improved, etc.

I think that relationships can be measured in several ways. I do believe though that they can only be measured from within the relationship. The importance of relationships only lie within those that are participating in it. They are the ones that choose to continue or discontinue the relationship.

Negative relationships are a tricky situation though. I think that they should be measured in a different way since the outcomes are completely different. The matter of negativity causes varying factors that confuse the possibility for measurement.

I have lots of interest in this area and I even made a model for evaluating the relationship.My paper was published in American Society for Quality ( ASQ Journal).
There are two parameters in a relationship
-Keel
-Strength
Keel will indicate if there any subjugation.There is a saying in English that relationship should be on “even Keel”

Strength indicates how well we understand each others need and how well we fulfill the need.

I have tried this method in more than 100 cases ( between individuals, between groups, some time really conflicting) with great success. By the success I mean that not onlyI could measure numerically but also found out what the two groups/ individuals should do to improve relationship. Improving “Keel” should precede “strength” improvement

If you find the concept interesting I can provide more details with one condition that you must let me know the results of the application to support my academic interest in the area.