The philosophy of Givers GainⓇ sparks positive notions when Dr.Ivan Misner, the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, says the happiest people in life are the givers, not the getters.
How does this philosophy influence business professionals? When business professionals care to Give a kind word, advice, or learnings from their experience, they go that extra mile to understand your needs or challenges. Eventually, both benefit from a good initiative from one person. Here are some subtle nuances of the art of giving good business referrals.
Take Consent
If you would like to introduce a referral partner to a person in need, be sure to take their consent privately. Find out if your friend or colleague can call the prospect. Whether the prospect denies it or not, it’s a good start toward a long-term relationship.
Be a Good Listener
Your patient listening will give you an idea of their need for a referral. Depending on the urgency, you can probe better and suggest a good referral that quickly comes to your mind. The time you take to listen will probably bring a quality referral with whom you had connected a long ago. Ultimately you feel good about helping someone in need, the prospect appreciates the referral, and your referral partner feels grateful.
Be Honest
Sometimes the referral partner you suggest could be more expensive than what’s affordable. Don’t hesitate to give this information to the person in need because it clearly shows your benevolence. BNI believes in the strength of deep-rooted relationships built over trust. It can help a business owner struggling all alone amidst pounding competition.
Don’t Wait
When you realize an immediate need, connect the people involved together. This way, you don’t let the heat cool down. Sometimes the person may want a quick response, so make hay while the sun shines.
