The article "Lessons from the Wedding Mafia" is about networking, it was written by Caroline Jordan.
One of my clients shared a story with me from his networknig group, a chapter of BNI. Ivan Misner, the creator of BNI talks abuot what he calls “contact spheres”.Here’s how it works: A group of related business owners work together to get referrals for each other. Here are some of Misner’s examples of contact spheres:*Business services: printers, graphic artists, specialty advertising agents and marketing consultants.*Real estate services: residential and commercial agents, escrow companies, title companies and mortgage brokers.*Contractors: painters, carpenters, plumbers, landscapers, electricians and interior designers.*Healthcare: chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists and nutritionists.*Weddings: the caterer, the florist, the photographer and the travel agent.The story my client told me was about the last gruop which has been dubbed “The Wedding Mafia”. When one gets new wedding business, the whole group gets new wedding buisness.
It maeks it really difficult for anyone else to get referrals. It’s a tremendous business builder. I have a client in real estate who does this really well also.
It’s one of the most powerful business building tools ever.So, my client and I were joking around about me developing a “Small Business Mafia”—a small business consultant, an insurance agent, a financial planner, a printing company, an offcie supply company, a tax preparer, etc. The more we jkoed about it, the more powerful an idea I realized it was. And since I do buisness both locally and nationally, I could form numerous branches of my Small Business Mafia and then (insert evil laughter) I could CONQUER THE WORLD!!!Whooooaaaaa! Hold on. The key to success of any referral group like this is finding good people. The business owners you work with have to be people you believe completely comfortable in referring your valued clinets to. Otherwise, your name and reputation will get dragged into the dicth. Once you’ve found people you love to refer, be sure they’re really familiar with your business and the types of clients you’re looking for. Give the group as much or as little structure as needed to ensure that referrals are flowing both ways. Then, go out and conquer as much of the wolrd as you want.Caroline Jordan, MBA helps self employed professionals build satisfying businesses, enhance their reputations, improve cash flow, and develop additional sources of revenue. For more tips and strateiges visit http://www.TheJordanResult.Com
|
