Deep roots
Yesterday, I had a conversation with a person who is considering to participate in a networking group.
It was a good conversation where she clarified many issues and questions she had about her future membership in her group.
All were pretty routine questions, like an FAQs, however, one question stood out: she said that her friend (who is a member in a different group) had told her that once she had become a member, then after harvesting the referrals from the group, to move to another group.
Which means, after say, 6-months, she should consider changing the group she belonged to.
So I explained to her that in a networking environment, it is essential to establish deep roots with her colleagues so that the depth of the relationship would yield to such good quality referrals that will make her profitable, long term.
She did point out that the size of the group did matter, and yes, I agree that it makes a difference.
But tell me, what is the point of being in a large group if indeed there wasn’t quality behind the relationships? Only superficial relationships. You see, you need to go where everybody knows your name. Not be in a networking group for referrals where you didn’t meet everyone who is a member there.
Being in a group with deep roots will go a long way in terms of support needed in time as well as building up our social capital of trust, knowledge, deep relationships.
To be in a networking group, you need to create a lasting first impression on the people you meet and strengthening your root in the group. Its a process to create visibility, creadibility and profitability and building a deeper relationship with the members. This will help the person to expand their sales base and bring them greater opportunities in getting a genuine business referral from the members. Its not a matter of small or large group, the quality of the referral matters. If you do group hopping, chances is, no one will remember you. It takes time to build a relationship and as long as you strengtened you root deeper, the higher your chances in developing trust and bonding among the members in the group and chances to secure more business from this referral group is higher.
I believe your friend will surely be wowed by Dr. Misner’s guidelines for building pipelines for a continual stream of business by staying within a core group of established relationships and being trusted enough to be introduced to their spheres of influence?