Are You Referral Ready?

Your networking activity becomes more focused and effective when it is consistent with your business goals. Goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Driven) carry the most impact for you and your business.
Without clear business goals, your networking activity loses its strategic advantage. Meeting more people will not necessarily lead to more connections, referrals, or closed sales. As long as this is out of alignment, the results you gain will be minimized.

Can you think of 3-5 SMART business goals that you want to reach over the next year? Try to determine how networking can contribute to reaching each goal. Who can help you? Who can introduce to someone else who can help you? What networking organizations are best suited to connecting you with those people?

Referral Ready means having a networking plan that is integrated with and supports your business goals. It starts with knowing what you want and reaching out to others to make it happen…while at the same time helping others get what they want.