Givers Gain
This morning, I went to a business networking event by an organization called BNI (Business Network International)
One of the main core values in the BNI community is the concept of “Givers Gain” when it comes to business referrals. It basically works like this: You get together once a week for breakfast with others you want to pass business referrals to. If, for example, you offer recording studios services, like me, you’ll be placed in a group with Electricians, Catering services, photography, furniture manufacturing, etc. And no other recording studio will be allowed in the group. Everybody then tries to get to know the product or service that everybody else offers and you will try to find business referrals that might need their particular product or service. This is the main thing you should focus on: giving high quality referrals that have a good change of resulting in business for your BNI chapter members. You don’t have to do it right there on the spot. You can take all week to go through your friends, family and colleagues and pass that referral later in the week. Eventually, when your friend closes a deal thanks to your referral, there is no commission for you. All that is expected is a “thank you”.
Planting the seed
What happens next is interesting. Now that you’ve helped them with new business, even if it’s a small one, that person will most likely will want to spend a little extra few minutes with you at the next breakfast meeting and get to know what YOU do a little better. and this will start to build rapport between you.
They’ll start to like you a bit more and they’ll start to know your business a little better too.
Sooner or later, they’ll come up with someone who might be looking for the service you’re offering, and they might just put you in contact.
Hey, you know what? my friend Peter as a ad agency that is looking for some voiceover work and since that’s something you specialize in, I thought I’d put you two in contact and maybe you can do business together.
Why, thanks Allan! I’d be delighted to talk to Peter about the voiceover work!
And that’s your cue to shine.
Allan has offered to refer you to someone from his network; treat him or her like an important customer.
Allan will find out from Peter how well you did your work. How your customer service was and how appropriate your pricing is for the work you did. Since Peter will give a raving review of what it was like to work with you, you have now gained some of his trust and he will more easily refer you to more members of his network.
People do business with those they know, like and trust - Ivan Misner.
Givers Gain in HIVE
I was listening to @taskmaster4450 on Crypto Maniacs Podcast #143 with guest Jimmy Adames
And he mentions the “Givers Gain” philosophy on HIVE in this episode.
