Different opportunities to network…
Over the break we will be out of routine and in different locations with different people. This could be BBQ’s, dinners, beaches, baches, events, with friends, families or strangers
Listening and participating in conversations where people are bragging, planning or complaining opens up all sorts of referral opportunities. Planning, bragging and complaining capitalises on the fact that as human beings, if you’re doing a good job at listening to others, you will usually hear someone planning, bragging or complaining about something.
For instance, at this time of the year, many people reflect on life and are planning a change of job, house, car etc. Or they may brag about a holiday they want to take or complain about an existing supplier they intend to change.
In each of these scenarios, opportunities for fluid conversational referral generation can present themselves.
Ask your chapter if anyone can think of other referral opportunities might come up over the break…
Planning
People talk about their plans all of the time. Their next big vacation, next big purchase, a holiday or next big life goal. The list can go on and on. Each big plan someone has can present many referral opportunities that naturally go hand in hand with their plan.
If they’re are planning a big move, have they considered using a moving company to make the transition easier, or renters’ insurance for their new apartment? If they are planning a big cross-country trip, maybe they’ll will need a travel agent or small trailer to make things easier?
Bragging
Bragging is another regular of life. We brag about our kids being accepted into school, a new car, a new promotion etc. Even if it’s not about themselves… people love to brag and in each one lies an opportunity to offer up a connection to someone.
Expanding on the example of their child being accepted to a great college, a dozen natural questions can come up:
Have you considered the value in buying a place instead of campus living for them?
Do you know a good travel agent in case you want to plan a last-minute trip to see them?
Do they need a reliable car to get around town?
Complaining
Complaining is another thing a fair amount of people do daily. Noisy neighbours, small home bathroom, wasted time on any number of daily life tasks, or maybe the cost of a necessary service.
One simple question can quickly change the tone of this whole conversation: “Is this something you would like to find a solution for, or are you just venting?”
Either answer and you open the door to offering a solution to that problem and create a potential referral opportunity for your referral partner.
An example might be someone complaining about the project management software they use at work and how inefficient it is, costing the company time and money. That could be a great referral opportunity for your project management consultant partner.
Bring on 2020!
So, talking about plans for 2020 may
bring up referral opportunities to BNI members that will help them get the
plans across the line.
Wouldn’t it be great to start the BNI year with a fistful of referrals to give, and maybe receive some as well?
So keep your BNI Radar turned on this summer and listen out for all those referral opportunities
Reference/Pre-learning:
Online Member Success Program training course – MSPTM Referral Generation: https://www.schoox.com/691209/msp%E2%84%A2-referral-generation
