Consider the quality of the services you received. If you don't have firsthand experience with the business you are referring, indicate that. Also, before making a referral(s) determine the geographic location of the B2B contact. While I am open to referrals from the west coast, due to the time difference it can be challenging to do business with there due to the distance and time factor.
There seems to be a great deal of confusion distinguishing a referral from an endorsement. All you are doing by referring someone to another business is essentially pointing them in that direction. Endorsing the business on the other hand, is basically giving them your personal stamp of approval.
So refer here to your hearts content! It could lead to your company getting endorsed by someone who is glad you have been so helpful!
It’s extremely important to refer people you trust will do their job very well and with professionalism. You are referring them to help your client. Their work is a reflection on the company that referred them and the client remembers this!
I learned the hard way that you don't give out a referral just because they've been a client. I did this and the person blew it big time and the other client ended up suing them and they lost a lot of money causing their insurance to skyrocket. Not only that but I then lost credibility. I don't give out referrals now, unless I've thoroughly investigated one's business and I've hired them for myself and I can vouch that they do a good job. I'm much more cautious now, and for good reason!
Great question. Make sure the referral is credible and the party receiving the referral is well able to perform the task at hand. Referrals can be sometimes tricky as it is difficult to control the outcome on both ends. it is important that expectation is discussed thoroughly as your reputation can be affected in a negative way. I would also suggest that the referral gets 2 other opinions and not only rely on the one. Do your due diligence and verify all information and that can help you to make the best informed decision. Hope this helps.
Generally, I like to meet the person before writing a referral. Sometimes this is not possible. For me, making a referral is not a transaction. A referral is about supporting and helping one another achieve our respective goals whether they are professional or even personal. Through community, we build each other and we build our communities. Finally, the most important character attribute that I must see is a moral and ethical compass.
I refer and connect. A referral would be more as many have stated someone I know and trust, a connection however, maybe just a basic introduction of two people who I met or know slightly that I think would be good synergy partners. I belong to various business groups, and this has worked well for those that I have connected.
Business from Scarborough Southwest Toronto, ON
Answered on Feb 3rd, 2020
Quality of service before and after transaction. Good quality work or products. Sustainability. Honesty.
When I started out in sales 20 years ago, I had old-school "sell everything to everyone" sales managers. The real "hard sell" types. I rebelled against this approach, but I didn't know any other path to success. That's all I'd been taught.
One day I was with an elderly lady. I could tell that she'd buy anything I told her to, because she was relying on me to be the expert. That's when it struck me - I'd treat her like I'd want any other salesperson to treat my own mother. The same patience, the same honesty, the same dedication and care. I'd try to treat all my clients that way.
That's how I discovered the power of referrals, which quickly accounted for the majority of my business. It's important to me that I make referrals the same way: "If my own mother required this service, would I assure her that she's safe to place her trust in this business."
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Answers (11-20)
Consider the quality of the services you received. If you don't have firsthand experience with the business you are referring, indicate that. Also, before making a referral(s) determine the geographic location of the B2B contact. While I am open to referrals from the west coast, due to the time difference it can be challenging to do business with there due to the distance and time factor.
There seems to be a great deal of confusion distinguishing a referral from an endorsement. All you are doing by referring someone to another business is essentially pointing them in that direction. Endorsing the business on the other hand, is basically giving them your personal stamp of approval.
So refer here to your hearts content! It could lead to your company getting endorsed by someone who is glad you have been so helpful!
It’s extremely important to refer people you trust will do their job very well and with professionalism. You are referring them to help your client. Their work is a reflection on the company that referred them and the client remembers this!
Referrals are a great way to improve your relationship with both the client you refer and the colleague you refer to. Remember these 5 tips:
I learned the hard way that you don't give out a referral just because they've been a client. I did this and the person blew it big time and the other client ended up suing them and they lost a lot of money causing their insurance to skyrocket. Not only that but I then lost credibility. I don't give out referrals now, unless I've thoroughly investigated one's business and I've hired them for myself and I can vouch that they do a good job. I'm much more cautious now, and for good reason!
Great question. Make sure the referral is credible and the party receiving the referral is well able to perform the task at hand. Referrals can be sometimes tricky as it is difficult to control the outcome on both ends. it is important that expectation is discussed thoroughly as your reputation can be affected in a negative way. I would also suggest that the referral gets 2 other opinions and not only rely on the one. Do your due diligence and verify all information and that can help you to make the best informed decision. Hope this helps.
Generally, I like to meet the person before writing a referral. Sometimes this is not possible. For me, making a referral is not a transaction. A referral is about supporting and helping one another achieve our respective goals whether they are professional or even personal. Through community, we build each other and we build our communities. Finally, the most important character attribute that I must see is a moral and ethical compass.
I refer and connect. A referral would be more as many have stated someone I know and trust, a connection however, maybe just a basic introduction of two people who I met or know slightly that I think would be good synergy partners. I belong to various business groups, and this has worked well for those that I have connected.
Quality of service before and after transaction. Good quality work or products. Sustainability. Honesty.
When I started out in sales 20 years ago, I had old-school "sell everything to everyone" sales managers. The real "hard sell" types. I rebelled against this approach, but I didn't know any other path to success. That's all I'd been taught.
One day I was with an elderly lady. I could tell that she'd buy anything I told her to, because she was relying on me to be the expert. That's when it struck me - I'd treat her like I'd want any other salesperson to treat my own mother. The same patience, the same honesty, the same dedication and care. I'd try to treat all my clients that way.
That's how I discovered the power of referrals, which quickly accounted for the majority of my business. It's important to me that I make referrals the same way: "If my own mother required this service, would I assure her that she's safe to place her trust in this business."