Call it what you will, it’s all pretty much the same. Any time you can
build a team of people who call on like customers, and refer those
customers to each other, develop a win-win for all involved. It’s
formalized/structured networking.
BNI groups do this better, on a
general business basis, than any others I have seen – they say “Givers Gain”. The giver, by making the referral, is building trust
within the customer by recognizing a need and assisting outside their
normal business scope. The customer, by receiving the referral has
saved time by receiving it from someone they already trust thus
shortening their search effort (even if they need to evaluate multiple
suitors – one down). Finally, the receiver of the lead - a warm lead - a
sale that is theirs to lose. It still takes follow up with the lead and
making the sale –
Sales Is All About Numbers – I call this an easy
number.
Collaboration multiplies your efforts, reduces risks and creates more opportunity - Why Pay Twice!
Don't play well with others? Learn.
Bob
Great Blog Bob....Unfortunately the business world does not teach us to "play well with others"....if they did we would all win!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I do disagree as there are people that don't play well with anyone. People that don't play well with anyone, in my opinion, have limited growth opportunity. When an electrician and a plumber "collaborate" their growth opportunities (each of them) are greater. This does not mean the electrician has to "get along" with a competitor electrician.
ReplyDeleteMy business world taught me to play well with others; I can think of more success (and successful people) from "playing well with others" than "not playing well with others" - Many.
~B
BNI India is India's largest and most successful business networking organization
ReplyDeletevisit: bnievolvelucknow.com