Today’s customer has the internet at their fingertips with their hands full of what you want-cash. How cheap and how fast can you deliver whatever product or service it is that they need or want? It seems that this is the only set of questions that matter to the consumers willing to part with their money these days. If you don’t meet their needs, it’s no problem; someone else is just a click away. It’s really that simple.

It all begins to feel a little bit like speed dating; almost as if they are picking the right relationship for a one night stand. What happened to meaningful relationships? Are ideals like romance, courtship, seduction and commitment a thing of the past? Is it really just all about price? Where is the loyalty in that? Has cheap become a deity to be worshiped?

Think about this: Imagine you show up at a speed dating event and proceed to take too long at each table, demand that things slow down and insist on long deep conversations-what would happen? You would be asked to leave because you’re gumming up the works. The same holds true for your business, make sure you’re giving your customer what THEY want and expect at this very moment. After their immediate need is understood and met, only then can you begin the process of relationship building, not before.

The conundrum is that cheap has its place, but odds are your business was never designed to withstand long periods of price cutting. You may still believe in value added and concepts like quality work and long term relationships. You might be old school and refuse to be sucked into the black hole of the price wars. After all, who can’t name a competitor that rose like the sun based on price only to burn out like a super nova when the sales slowed? Having said that, something feels out of whack-the old methods and beliefs are failing to deliver during this tough economic cycle and you are losing sales or worse yet, customers. What should you do?

The answer may lie in a hybrid of the two opposing points of view. In other words, if a product or service you offer becomes commoditized you only have one real option-sell that product or service based on price and adjust costs accordingly while seeking out new, more profitable products and/or service opportunities. You see, if you are a complete slave to either model, right or wrong, you are losing.

Make adjustments to cater to the speed daters, they have little time and want instant gratification. Also, don’t forget the relationship work; which takes time, effort, loyalty and sincere concern for the other party. The important point to remember is that a speed dating encounter could end up as a long term caring relationship! What you need is a speed dating plan that works its way into a relationship plan.

The answer is not simple; you need two sets of plans. The first step is to identify speed dating trends in your industry and adapt to that model quickly. At the same time you need to look for relationship opportunities and train your staff in the art of becoming a Professional Services Firm. Remember the old retailers’ adage-the profit is in the corners. In this case, the profit comes from identifying relationship opportunities and guiding your client away from the false god of cheap and into the power of working and trusting in you.

From a United States, Canada and Western Europe perspective, we can examine the demand factor for foreign brides, and it doesn’t take long to uncover the reasons explaining the interest. For some of those living in the leading developed world, find something different or “exotic” can be the appeal. For others, the appeal may be to find someone from a different culture, who offers a fresh perspective, and arguably, a more natural and pure mentality not driven by the West’s competitive economics. The physical attraction is easy to pinpoint, as some of the world’s developing nations offer the most incredible women in the world – this is not debatable. Countries such as Russia, Romania, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela produce what many consider the best female talent available on the planet.

The potential reward of a woman from a foreign country and culture is real, but so are the risks. Some in nations such as the Philippines, Colombia, Russia and others in Eastern Europe have begun to cash in on this foreign interest, scamming foreigners out of millions of dollars each year. Scammers mix themselves in with the honest women on websites, typically, sending beautiful photographs and gaining the foreigner’s trust before asking for money, and more money. In addition to the relationship, advance fee and Internet fraud, there is the risk of blending two cultures in the form of language and cultural barriers, and pulling one away from his or her own home country to live. As in the financial markets, the risk-reward relationship here is directly related. For those willing to take sizeable risks, the potential reward can be substantial. On the other hand, it is wise to proceed with caution and do your homework to avoid the many pitfalls.

Is obtaining a beautiful and honest woman from Russia, Colombia or Brazil really an option? If so, what is the best way to make it happen? Based on experience we recommend visiting the country of interest in person, seeing not only the country’s women but also the culture first hand. If you don’t speak the language, seek out a woman in the country who speaks your language, at least basic conversation. This hurdle alone can save a great deal of money and heartache. Remember that with poverty (as in Russia, Colombia and Brazil) comes cases of women seeking financial gain, and nothing more. Approach women with a skeptical eye, and if visiting the country isn’t an option, use utmost caution and due diligence in screening these women. We recommend a confidential background check from a firm like Wymoo once any relationship starts progressing – before any money is ever sent. Too many people have lost big. That being said, there are no shortage of winners out there who are happily married.