Recommend others; you will be so glad you did!
Do you actively recommend your peers?
Do you suggest additional sources to your clients?
I do.
Not only is it good business, it’s good fun!
What a privilege to speak at the SHRM Volunteer Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, it was even more fun because it was with four of my speaker friends – I frequently recommend them others.
For many years clients often hired us together to speak at their events. At this event, we had so much fun because we made up the entire leadership track for this critical Human Resource professional event.
Some of our favorite comments received were from the meeting planners and attendees — all sharing how much they enjoyed watching us support each other in the sessions.
The format required two of us to present simultaneously in rooms beside each other.
As there are five of us, we would help the others when we weren’t presenting by providing handouts, moving chairs, and doing whatever needed.
Here’s what you need to know: people are always watching.
And they pay attention not only to what you say but what you do.
We all enjoy each other’s company, we love seeing others succeed, and we love serving clients together.
Behaviors follow beliefs.
We all believe in the other presenters and providing the most valuable experience for our client and audience.
If you want to get attention for your products, projects, or team, consider referring others.
It’s a win-win-win-win-win.
Here are five ways you can get attention by referring your peers:
Create a strong network. Know who you can trust, what their strengths and talents are, and who you can recommend to clients, customers, members, friends, and colleagues. We even have a secret page on our website for speaker recommendations we share with our clients.
Explore client needs. Know your clients’ challenges, concerns, and big-picture goals, then make suggestions for them. When you do, you become their trusted advisor and go-to resource.
Make connections. Don’t just mention people to each other; make an actual introduction via email. Give a few reasons why you think there might be a good fit between them. Make it easy for others to do business together.
Follow up. Don’t stop at introductions. Be sure to follow up to see if those you recommend were able to connect.
Build advocates. When you actively refer others and constantly strengthen your network, you can build strong relationships with people who will become advocates for you and your work. Foster those relationships, contact them regularly, and keep them informed of what you are doing. When you do, you’ll often find yourself on the receiving end of a referral of your own!
Pay attention to the needs of your clients, members, patients, and team members and colleagues.
Actively look for the connections that could be opportunities for others to play a role in someone else’s success.
In doing so, you’ll elevate your relationships with all of the above to being both an expert at what you do – and a positive facilitator for connectivity. Have some fun with it! I can tell you that I sure do!
Want to learn more ways to identify opportunities to recommend others when you can’t be all things to all people?
Here’s how to have a network of professionals you know and trust to recommend and refer when your area of expertise isn’t the best fit.
This video will guide you on how to:
– Recommend the right professional to fit your customer’s needs
– Make connections between professionals so cold calls aren’t necessary
– Build trust with your clients and contacts to become their go-to resource for professionals
When you pay attention to your client’s needs, you can be a hero by recommending others who are experts ready to solve their problems.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you are in the market for a good referral or think I might have some connections that could help you with an event, project, or problem, please don’t hesitate to call me today. I’d love to assist!
