Today’s topic is a simple one, but an important reframe. It’s on the topic of networking in business, which I’ll be teaching in-depth within the Learning Community starting June 30.
Here’s the simple reframe: don’t network for clients, network for referrals.
That might be enough of an aha, in which case, you’re done! Go take a nap, or, reach out to have a networking conversation.
I’ve become pretty passionate about the importance of networking in business, and it has nothing to do with ice waters in hotel meeting rooms, or gladhanding everyone, or the need for everyone to become an extrovert… ugh. None of that, please.
Rather, one of the medicines we really need for all that we’re facing today is for us to know our neighbors, for us to have tapestries of supportive relationships. The isolation that the current culture tries to enforce is lonely, painful, more expensive, and just is not life-affirming.
Whereas connection, community, at whatever level your personal introvert/extrovert calibration can handle, is such an important element to what is needed, what we’re yearning for.
I just got off a networking call with someone else who is also working with spirituality in the context of business, and the space created there is so different… when we’re not networking for clients, but for referrals.
So let me explain a bit more this simple thing.
The honest truth is that a business wants clients/customers. I want them, you want them. You want to do your work and be supported financially, as do I. That’s honest.
However, bringing that need to a person you’re meeting is uncomfortable, unfair pressure. This energy of, “Will you be my client?” that can be either explicit, or present but unspoken, does not feel good, if the other person did not bring that intention into the connection, that is, they weren’t already looking to hire or otherwise engage you as a provider.
When you network for referrals, you are standing in the honest need of your business, but you are removing that nonconsensual pressure from the conversation entirely. And, in fact, you are being vulnerable in asking for help.
People love to help. We do. If you ask me to potentially refer folks to you, my mind is already thinking about it. But if you ask me if I will hire you to work with you, my stomach tightens, and my guard goes up.
It’s such a more honest, more open way of relating to people that you meet. And, what’s even more wonderful… if the person you’re networking with is intrigued by your offer, then they can self-select. “Why yes, I think I want to refer myself! Can we have that conversation?”
This one shift can make a huge difference. What do you notice in your heart, if you embrace this shift fully?
with love,
Mark Silver, M.Div.
Heart of Business, Inc.
Every act of business can be an act of love.
Of course, what I didn’t cover in the article is the how… how do you make referrals in that situation effective? What does it look like?
And, even more, how do you take it beyond one person at a time, to having networking put you in front of larger audiences of potential clients?
That’s what I’ll be teaching within the Learning Community starting June 30. And the doors close to new members tomorrow, June 18.
I want you to get referrals. I want you to have many people who are supporting your business. And I want it to feel beautiful, and easy, and without any awkwardness.
And whether networking and referrals is a big need for you or not, I want to invite you into the Learning Community, if your business could use some help to develop, if it would be great if it brought in more money more consistently, if it was easier to run, and if it was fully in integrity and love, in alignment with your spirit.
Deadline tomorrow. Pay from the heart pricing. Support that is wide and deep.
Take a look.
Ask questions if you have them.
