Referrals PDF Print E-mail
ReferralsAsk any established business how they promote their business and there's a good chance alot of them will say 'word of mouth'.

There's no doubt that 'word of mouth' works. So many things spread by word of mouth without us even realising.

'Did you see that new salon opened up?'

'Where can you buy a good sandwich around here?'.

Two simple examples of a couple of businesses who may have just got a new customer and they dont even know it. All they have to do is be good at what they do so someone who knows about them will recommend them.

This is how business is generated at the Business Generation Group Lincoln, except in a more structured way. Each week during your 1 minute presentation you may choose to tell the group what you are looking for that week. For example you might ask the group for a contact at a particular company that you'd like to do work for, but need to know the name of someone who works there to introduce yourself and your business.

Each week before the meeting comes to a close we conduct the referral section. This is where we go around each member of the group to allow them to pass any referrals they have, provide a testimonial for another member or provide a positive comment about the meeting.

If a member has a referral to pass it may take one of four forms:

Tip - You hear of a company who has just taken on three new field sales people.
This is a good tip for a company that provides vehicle leasing. If the company has just taken on three new field sales people, one of the first things that those new sales people will want to do is choose their new company car. This is the perfect time for the vehicle leasing company to 'coincidentally' call and introduce themselves.

Lead - A bit stronger than a tip. You hear about someone has decided to set up their own business.
New businesses need everything. Brochures, computers, websites, telephone systems, insurance, legal protection, business advice, you Referralsname it. They are likely to have already got most of this in order and we're not suggesting that everyone from the group calls the new business owner offering their services thats not how BGG works. But depending on what type of business it is and at what stage of startup it is will depend on who you would tell about this new business.

You might even invite them to BGG. After all, the thing a new business needs most is supprt and more importantly sales.

Recommendation - A bit stronger than a lead. You know of a business that is in the market for a product or service that a BGG member can provide and have recommended that company.
The difference with a recommendation as apposed to a tip or a lead is that you have actually spoken to a potential customer about another member of the Business Generation Group Lincoln. You've recommended them because you know the Business Generation Group Lincoln only accepts memberships from reputable companies and you will have personally got to know the ins and outs of each members business by attending the weekly meetings and conducting regular one to ones.

Referral - The strongest and most qualified of all business generators. A potential customer is expecting your call.
The referral is the one we all love to recieve. A referral means that you've spoken to a decision maker within a company who has an immediate need for the services of another member and the potential customer is expecting them to call.

The reason this is the best type of business generator is that although the person recieving the referral may never have met the potential customer before, the person passing you the referral has so you're being introduced meaning there's an existing level of credibility you have, making the job of making a sale that bit easier. You'll still have to work hard to show the potential customer your business is the right choice but you'd have a much harder job if you'd approached the potential customer cold.

So now you know how our referral system works its time we showed you how its done for real so get in touch.

Once we recieve your enquiry we'll invite you to a complementary meeting so you can see how a real meeting works.
 

Opportunities

Forward thinking, quality business owners to join our dynamic group:

  • Alternative Health
  • Architect
  • B&B/ Hotel
  • Banks
  • Builder
  • Business Consultants
  • Car Hire / Leasing
  • Carpet & Flooring Contractor
  • Corporate Clothing
  • Couriers
  • Electricians
  • Fire, Alarm & Safety Systems
  • Hypnotherapist
  • Insolvency and Business Recovery
  • Joiners
  • Landscaper
  • Locksmith
  • Mobile Phones
  • Plumbers
  • Public Relations
  • Reception Services
  • Restaurant
  • Secretarial
  • Security Products
  • Sign Company
  • Tradesmen
  • Travel Agent
  • Windows / Doors / Conservatories
  • Wine Importer
In fact, if you not in the Members list, then you should join BGG Grimsby..