How to chose the right Networking group for you.

This afternoon I was interviewed by Debra Simpson with North San Diego Business at Large. On the way back to the office I realized that I had forgotten a key point in our conversation; When visiting potential Referral Marketing groups, focus on the people. Since it's all about building relationships and business friendships, make sure that you like and respect the people in the group you chose to associate with.
In Leads Club we have reciprocal approval. Other organizations do not. They'll gather 50+ people in a room, collect monies and commitments without the new Member knowing what day, time, location or Chapter type they have committed to.
In Leads Club, we know the value of visiting a Chapter and meeting your potential business partners prior to making a commitment.
If you've visited a Networking Group lately, let us know how you were received and what did and did not work for you.
To your Success!
Lisa Bentson

What is a "good" business referral?

Thank you to Linda Burroughs, Design Solutions-lb, a Chapter Consultant in the Bay Area of California for sending this article.

This article makes a number of good points and includes a sample dialogue for you to use with your clients in asking for referrals. What I like about his comments, is that he is respectful of a new client relationship and suggests taking the time necessary to build trust.

Here's the link: The San Francisco Chronicle Article On Business Referrals

Please feel free to leave your comments and opinions below.

Networking in the rain

Jill is a former Leads Club Member in Philadelphia who was mentored by Ali Lassen and Lisa Bentson. This is her story.....

My biz is a little quiet in the summer, but have several new customers lined up for the next few weeks/months. I'll have 19 families when it all comes together...more than ever before. I got two of them because my (brand new) cell phone flew off the top of the car during deliveries. It had been teeming rain, and I was soaked to the panties. I looked like a nut-case, no doubt, when I heard a loud thud, realized that I had left the phone on the roof. I stopped, put the car in reverse, and saw a car coming that was set to run over it. I jump out of my car and run to grab my phone. The woman (passenger) rolls down her window and says, "Are you alright?". I told her that I was delivering food and that I had placed my phone on the roof of the car because I was talking to someone on my ear bud, blah, blah, blah....her husband wanted to leave that moment, as I'm sure I seemed and looked like a complete moron. She wanted to know about my business. I had no cards with me because my car was being serviced and I had Robert's car. Now, he REALLY wanted to leave... he was actually pulling away as I was saying, "My name is Jill, and my number is 215- ---_----, and she was saying," I'm going to call yooooouuuuu". Anyway, I called an old (occasional) customer whose house is right there (where this happened), and asked if they could call this woman and give her my number. They agreed AND they also want to start regular service.

How's that for networking? I learned from the best!!!

Ali Lassen's Leads Club President, Lisa Bentson, interviews Richard Sapper, Member and Director of Leads Club Highland Griffith Chapter in Indiana

Ali Lassen's Leads Club President, Lisa Bentson, interviews Richard Sapper, Member and Director of Leads Club Highland Griffith Chapter in Indiana