Last week I heard on a French radio journalists talking about some companies that are successful. The programme lasted less than 15 minutes, but it was worth it.
The angle was simple: some areas of activity are currently hiring people: IT, bank… when others are not. Giving us this positive information was an excellent initiative.
However, if the statement is true, I can see on the field, every day, entrepreneurs who are doing well (this is happening today, in 2009, and in France) no matter what their profession is, and some don't! True!
I simply disagree with the common idea that no matter what you do, if you are in the wrong area, you are doomed, and if you work in IT life is wonderful! Such an area simply does not exist. Clients have needs and some entrepreneurs are proposing products and services that respond to these needs. Do you think all these clients are in these magic areas that are not concerned by the recession? No!
Simple : it is your responsibility to change your reaction to the economy.
I work with entrepreneurs, and what I see everyday day on the field is this: Some entrepreneurs seem to walk through recessions easily, and they are growing their businesses significantly! Yes! Right now at the moment!
They all have a strong referral network they started to build years ago! And they are working their network in a very systematic way.
What do they have in common? You'll recognize them easily :
- They are experts
- They are truly passionate about what they do
- They focus on solutions
- They see opportunities where others see problems or competition
- They all work by referral
Some of them are also working in a team of entrepreneurs to grow their businesses together. They know how many referrals they are going to receive, when it's going to happen, and they have a clear vision of their referral business.
The real good news is: it's happening now, right in the middle of what some experts call the most serious recession ever!
Here are some ideas you might want to think about, because these successful entrepreneurs are using them on a daily basis.
They have:
- A referral marketing plan (in writing) and they work their plan
- Specific goals for their referral business
- A strong referral network
We know for sure that networking is the response. What we often miss is how to do good and effective business networking.!
Do yourself a favor : Start setting some specific goals, and join a strong referral group to do focused networking.
Bottom line, our brains work like a GPS. If you set up the destination, chances are you'll reach it!
Just give it a try!
Thierry Mazué
Maisons-Laffitte
France
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1 comment:
Thanks Thierry! I have been doing what you are describing for the last 2 years and am consistently amazed at how well networking and getting referrals has helped to build my business. Even my Salsa dancing brought me to a local journalist who will be coming to my book signing in April. Today the surprise was the meditation class had a substitute teacher who turned out to be a nurse at the local hospital who I had had lunch with last year and she gave me the phone number of the person to talk to about my book and speaking possibilities. It's all about relationships and a good attitude!
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