Did you know that there are three different types of networks that your contacts belong in?
How people are put into these networks will help you to define your relationship with them and also improve your communication and expectations from them.
So, what are these networks? They are your:
1. Information Network
2. Support Network
3. Referral Network
Information Network
As business professionals you need a constant supply of information to help you achieve success. You must stay aware of trends and issues and keep up to date with economic and technological changes to stay competitive.
The information component of your network consists of your most knowledgeable sources and the people or the resources that can provide you with the knowledge and expertise you need to run a successful operation.
So, categorise your contacts into who would belong into your Information Network Members
Support Network
Sources of help and encouragement are closer than you may think!
Learn to rely on the people who respect, admire and love you; they have the purest motives for helping you. They may not have the knowledge or information you need or the ability to bring you new clients but if you direct their willing efforts they can hep with emotional, physical or financial support.
Members of your support network can help you at crucial times in your business. They are the people you can reach out to when you are having a difficult day or need a sounding board for ideas or when you want to go on holiday and need to take time out!
Who would you put in your support network? Write down the names of people you would turn to or who would help you out no matter what when you asked.
The last of our types of network is the one that people know and normally only concentrate on…..
Referral Network
Our referral network are our key sources business opportunities and provide the quickest way to success. Referrals are your most profitable network component and the only way to get them is through other people.
It’s important to remember that all referrals result in closed business. The likelihood of a sale depends on the method used by the referral source to contact the prospect, qualify the lead and the quality of their business relationship with the prospect. Some are more likely to encounter good prospects than others; some will be more motivated to give you referrals.
Savvy business professionals who know and cultivate their most likely Referral Sources get the larges number of high quality referrals and the more referrals they get, the more revenue they generate in the long run.
Success breeds success.
So, who is in your Referral Network? Write down the names of people you think would make good referral sources.
We will be covering more of how to identify good referral sources in our next article.
But in the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to know more then please send me an email or give me a call.