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Here are the simplified steps for conducting successful business meetings with co-members:

1. Plan your meetings in advance and schedule 1-2-1's with one member per meeting. Try to meet at their place of business, if possible, to see them in their work environment.
2. Remember that these are business meetings, so act professionally and focus on the agenda. Treat your co-member as you would your biggest client and be on time. Avoid distractions, such as phone calls and texts.
3. Prepare and share your objectives for the meeting, which could include getting to know the person, sharing target markets, identifying their current referral sources, exchanging success stories, and establishing a method for qualifying referrals.
4. Commit and agree on goals, and aim to have at least one short-term and one long-term referral on your to-do list before leaving. Also, consider inviting people from your partner's contact sphere list to the following week's meeting.
5. Make notes and review them the day and week after the meeting to help remember important information.

By following these steps, you can effectively train your co-members to give you referrals and build strong relationships with them.

Identifying your target market is essential for any business, as it allows you to better focus your marketing efforts and reach the right customers. When joining a networking group, it is especially important to be able to clearly and succinctly communicate who your perfect customer or client is, as this will make it easier for your referral partners to provide quality referrals for you.

For businesses that serve consumers, important demographic information to consider includes:

gender, family structure, household income, location, and education level.

For example, a childcare business might target families with young children who live in a specific geographic area and have a household income above a certain threshold.

For businesses that serve other businesses, important factors to consider include

location, number of employees, years in business, specialty or type of business, size of company, number of departments, industry, and whether the company is public or private.

For example, a web design company might target small businesses in a specific geographic area that have been in business for less than 5 years and operate in industries such as hospitality or retail.

By knowing exactly who your target market is, you will be better equipped to develop effective marketing strategies and make the most of your networking group. Remember, the clearer and more specific you are about who you serve, the easier it will be for others to refer you to the right people.

Referrals make a great impact on any business, and following these steps, give you an edge in providing quality referrals.

First, listening actively to identify a need shows the individual that you care about their situation.

Second, letting them know that you know someone who can help also shows that you have a network of professionals and can be trusted.

Third, if you have experience with the member or their services, give a personal testimonial to add credibility.

Next, giving out the member's information or business card is crucial in closing the loop. Without providing contact information, your referral might not turn into business for the member you've referred.

Finally, asking the individual when it would be a good time to call the member ensures that the member is contacted and the individual's needs are taken care of.

It's also important to have an idea of what makes a good referral, like the examples provided, with a detailed description of their needs or services desired. Testimonials establish credibility and make an impact on the referred member's reputation, so making them specific and unbiased helps the individual make a decision.

To further boost testimonials, try offering your services for free to members. By doing so, it can encourage more members to have first-person experiences and testimonials, thus improving the quality of your referrals. By following these steps, you can ensure the referrals you make will have a positive impact on both sides - the one who referred and the business that gained a new opportunity.

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During the Holidays many professionals find it difficult to get any work done but actually it is a great time to take advantage of the opportunity to meet people you would not ordinarily get a chance to. The connections you make can be on a more personal level so that when it's time to get back to business a bond has already been made. Below are some tips on how to take advantage of the season.

Relaxed Atmosphere

When meetings take place at a Holiday party, the atmosphere shifts. Instead of suits, there are jackets and ugly Christmas Sweaters. People laugh with each other instead of impatiently checking their watches. It also allows people to really get to know one another and how they react to certain situations before doing business with them.

More Time to Talk

Business conversations in a corporate situation are always rushed. People are in a hurry to get to done and get to their next meeting. This leaves little time to hash out details. However, when meetings take place during a casual Holiday event, there is an entire afternoon to discuss important information. You can easily get several hours of your contacts time in one afternoon, which is often unheard of in a conference room.

This also gives individuals an opportunity to get to know who is behind the sales pitch and decide if they want to do business with them. While the deal may not be signed right then and there, it’s more likely to happen in the future.

Stand Out

Professionals attending a holiday party can help a company stand out and says something about that business. This sends a message that remains impossible to top with a sales pitch. It tells potential clients that they are valued, that the brand is successful, and can set them apart from competitors which is necessary in the cluttered corporate world.

Do business with a friend

Celebrating the holidays with others helps to create a bond that has the potential to last years. When this bond is created, more deals are signed, and more contracts are renewed. Participating in events on a regular basis also gives you the potential to meet new connections. Most company executives attend end of the year holiday parties, making this one of the most relaxing ways to build a network.

Team Building

Meeting outside the office for a Holiday get together isn’t just for high-powered executives and closing deals. They’re also for building a rapport with existing team members. Holiday get togethers often are filled with laughter as associates form bonds with one another. Back in the office, team members are more likely to collaborate with and support one another.

Business Holiday parties are not only a time-honored tradition but they’re also a necessity. They help build strong bonds with important people and getting vital one on one time with associates or potential clients. This is something traditional conference room meetings simply cannot compare to.

As a business professional, you already know that businesses need people, you cannot do this alone. No matter how smart your ideas are, no matter how much wealth you have, you cannot succeed in a bubble. That’s why we network; because we know that people are stronger together and that cultivating solid working relationships is the ultimate key to success. That’s why we need symbiotic relationships. Relationships that bring something to the table that benefit each person. Professional connections we form because aligning ourselves with that person is advantageous for our success. This can be beneficial in a variety of ways. For example, one relationship might be valuable by the contacts it brings in. Another might be beneficial because of the money it can bring to your business.

So, if you invest in building relationships with a variety of different people, you’ll build a solid network that can bring you varied benefits. Everyone’s networking needs differ, but no matter what your network brings to the table, it can help you get a boost in the business world and motivate others to respect and admire you.

We know diversity is important in the workplace and we all want to provide others with equal opportunities. But we don’t always seek diversity when it comes to our closest partnerships. In other words, although we might have friends from a variety of different cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life, we still gravitate towards people who share our preferences and values. It’s human nature, after all; we’re more likely to get along with people who like what we like and we assume that commonality will lead to closeness. But what if we built our professional relationships on the same principles we use to cultivate our circle of friends? Do you think this would lead to a more harmonious company culture or disaster? If you chose the latter option, you’re exactly right! When any network is bereft of diversity, it becomes myopic, close-minded, and flawed. That’s because we need to be pushed beyond our comfort zones. We need to be challenged and motivated by perspectives that are different from our own.

So, if you want to create a network that’s truly healthy and mutually beneficial, then you need to cultivate diversity. For example, if you’re an older sales executive and you grew up doing things “the old-fashioned way,” you might not be inclined to connect with the hip millennial that runs an up-and-coming vegan cafe. Maybe you worry that the two of you have nothing in common. Maybe you’re uncomfortable with new technology and you’re afraid of looking stupid in front of the new generation. Or maybe you feel as though the chasm between your generations is so great, there’s no hope of closing it enough to find commonalities. This can be especially true if you feel as though your generational business practices are superior or if you’re automatically dismissive of “those darn kids and their technology.” But although they sound divisive, those problems are actually just a list of reasons why you should go talk to them! In this case, both of you have something new and exciting to offer, and you can both benefit from a change in perspective. A simple conversation is a great way to learn new things, make new connections, and develop a healthy network. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to contacts whose values, areas of expertise, or attitudes are different from yours. Instead, be open to new opportunities. You’ll be surprised at what it can do for your network!

Are you constantly struggling with your weekly 60-second introduction, use the following outline as a guide to help you be effective.

60- Second Commercial Outline

1. Introduction- (Name, Company Name, Profession)

2. State a Product or Service (break down your business/profession to its critical parts)

3. Benefits of your business (Success stories, Experience, visual aids, incentives, good vs. bad, etc.)

4. Ask for a specific referral, the more detailed the more success in referrals

5. Call to Action (what would you like the members to do to get you a referral)

6. Repeat your name and company