Most entrepreneurs are familiar with the concept of networking or
leads groups. They are in cities all across North America and
around the world.
These groups typically meet once per week for the purpose of
exchanging leads among their members. Usually only one person
per occupation is allowed to join the group so there is never
any competition for referrals.
Lots of people join these groups, and most people prosper
tremendously from them. If you're serious about increasing
your business, you'll find no better team to help you than
the dedicated members of your leads group.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your
association with your local leads club:
-- Most groups have a structured system in place that is designed
specifically to maximize the number of leads exchanged every
week. The more you work the system, the more that system will
work for you.
-- Members who understand that their leads group is NOT an
extracurricular activity and treat is as seriously as they
would any other business meeting tend to be far more
successful in generating leads.
-- Belonging to more than one leads group at a time can have a
very negative effect on your ability to generate leads for
yourself.
If your groups all restrict membership to one person per
occupation and you have a lead for an accountant, for example,
to which accountant in which group will you give your lead?
The members of each group will begin question your loyalty to
their respective group members and your ability to generate
leads for yourself in each group will be diluted by the number
of groups to which you belong. You are far better off
belonging to just one leads group and spreading your other
networking activities out in different areas.
-- Regular attendance is essential if you want to not only
reinforce who you are and what you do, but also if you want
to be seen as someone who cares about the other members'
presentations. Remember, you're there to give as well as to
get. When you show people you care about them, they, in
turn, will care about you and your business growth.
-- The most successful members are those who get together outside
of the meetings and actually go to one another's places of
business.
A restaurant might be a nice place for a social meeting,
but nothing beats a referral where you can actually give
directions, describe the office, and where you have had the
opportunity to meet managers, staff, etc. Meeting in an
office also prompts people to dig into their databases for
referrals. I've seen it happen time and time again.
-- Serving on the group's leadership team not only develops
strong leadership skills, it showcases your talents as a
businessperson. The work you do as a volunteer is indicative
of the work you do professionally, so roll up your sleeves,
dig in, and knock everyone's socks off by doing an outstanding
job.
-- Generating leads from group members comes from forming
relationships with them. This takes time. Use this time
wisely to get to know the other members and understand how
you can best serve them and their needs. It's all about
giving, and remember, what goes around, comes around.
-- Becoming proactive in recruiting new members does wonders
for your business growth. Don't forget that while you're
extolling the merits of your leads group, you're giving out
your own business card. Also, every new member exposes each
and every one in the group to scores of new opportunities.
If you gather that I think leads groups are a great way to garner
new business, you're right! :-) I would strongly encourage every
solo professional, small business owner, and entrepreneur to seek
out and join a group that best suits their needs.
Bottom Line: You reap what you sow and there's no more fertile
ground than a group whose success is based upon your success.
Copyright Leni Chauvin
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