Getting referrals and connections starts with your Mission Statement

Here are a few myths about Referrals.

1. If we provide satisfactory or even excellent service, the referrals will happen.
2. If we do enough networking, we will have a constant flow of qualified referrals.

Sure – it could happen.

But it is more complex than just providing value, satisfactory service or products (or even excellent), or networking your tail off.

When someone refers another person to you, as a client or a strategic business alliance, they are taking a risk. Are you worth the risk?

This is not myth – this is real…believe it or not…

…you are not top of mind inside everyone one’s head (client, networking buddy, etc.) They think about you only when the need for what you do arises. UGH – gut shot!

AND they think about YOU and what you stand for BEFORE they think about the way, the how, or what exactly you do.

THAT, my friends, starts with your Mission Statement and Core Values.

NBG Mission Statement:

To provide a community to entrepreneurs, professionals, and thought leaders for personal and professional development. We strive to energize, engage, and inspire them to amplify their business, their growth, and their impact.

Our Core Values – the ABC’S

A – Abundance Mindset: Be generous with out rime, wisdom, resources, network, and talents. Collaboration above competition, To Seek to learn something everyday form the abundance of knowledge available.

B – Be Impactful & Inspiring: Strive for excellence in all execution. Be dependable and respectful. Make a difference in the lives we touch.

C – Candor with Communication: Straightforward, honest and friendly communication. Open and frank dialogue free from negative or demeaning tone.

S – Strategy with Intention: Drive and determination to create a life and business that has purpose, focus, impact and reach. Simplification and maintaining a harmony with all aspects of life.

Our belief is that success comes through helping others to reach their goals. We all, to some extent, are selfish – yes, all of us are, it is part of human nature. Yet if we place that on a shelf and commit to providing for others we in turn gain more than if we had not.

You may be thinking – “But how can I help others reach their goals when I haven’t reached mine?” – you’re not getting it.

Or “No one is helping me! That must be why I am not successful.” – still not getting it.

YOU have to help others first, THEN you will see the return.

If we ALL do this, then the circle continues to produce valuable connections, referrals, and assistance.

Here is the kicker – you have to help for the sake of helping.

You have to connect and refer simply for the sake of connecting others and providing referrals. If you are doing it for a thank-you or for a reciprocation, or for them to appreciate and be impressed by you, then you have missed the whole concept.

Simply take joy and pleasure from helping, connecting, and referring others. That should be reason enough…leave aside the selfish motivation and feel great about helping them to accomplish one of their goals.

You need a strong Mission Statement and Core Values to guide your behavior, set your boundaries, and dictate your actions.

When you have this, people see your mission and values in addition to the great service or products you provide. They will feel a different sort of connection to you and your business and that will make you more tip-of-the-tongue and top-of-mind.

It will not feel risky to refer or connect you to people they know because they have a better sense of who you are, what you stand for, and feel like they really know you.

They will not only be willing but eager to provide you help, assistance, connections and more. It is like they have a personal investment in your success because you personally invested in theirs.

BEWARE! If your Mission Statement is selfish in nature, if it does not include how you and your business affect others, or if it does not have a positive outlook – this will not work and you probably need to rethink your Mission.

If your Core Values are self-centered or are not valuable and positive characteristics…again, this will not bode well for you in the marketplace.

What does it take beyond displaying your Mission Statement and Core Values consistently?

Others need to see evidence of your referral culture and mindset. If you are not giving referrals and connections then you are not showing your mindset of abundance, helpfulness, and willingness to assist.

Too many people are tied up in their own goals, the ‘what is in it for me’ mentality.

We recently had one member decide to quit the membership and he stated, “I have not received even one referral from the membership.”

I asked him, “How many have you given?”

He went quiet, contemplated, I thought he was counting up the multitude of connections he had made, then he simply said, “None”.

Point made.

Another member recently approached me and said, “If it wasn’t for the Community in NBG I would have needed to take a job. NBG is why my business has grown over 200% in 2022. The referrals, connections, ideas, and support I have received has been a game changer.”

Again, I asked (after I congratulated them), what made the difference. She simply said, “I made a conscious effort to be open with the value I could provide, gave multiple connections to others, and a few referrals, and it came back 10 fold.”

Point made.

Next, you have to take the time to know what they need and want.

It is not about asking everyone what your business can do for them, or trying to get them to see what you can provide based on what you want for them (or think they need), but rather taking the time to hear their goals or challenges and finding how you can support. Find out WHY they want that, what success looks like to them, what a good connection is to them. 

That starts with being involved, listening with non-selfish ears, and being open and generous with your talents, wisdom, and connections. It doesn’t mean giving your stuff away. It also doesn’t mean coercing them, pushing them, or trying to convince them of something you think they need or should want.

It doesn’t mean only helping them if they can help you.

It does mean thinking outside the box on how you could help, who you could connect them to, what resources may be of value to them. It does mean encouraging them, sending them ideas or feedback, possibly holding them accountable, or just being a helping hand.

At NBG we are here to help all our members and guests. We are walking alongside you, cheering you on and hopefully providing the resources and connections you may need. Not for our gain – for yours. We take great delight in your achievements and successes. We enjoy watching you all strive to help each other, collaborate, and come together to mastermind around challenges.

Our ABC’S are front and center in all we do – and we see evidence of our mission and values in our members at the events and in the platform, It is exciting to see you all embrace the Mission of NBG as we watch your businesses grow.

We appreciate you all, and, as always, How Can We Help?