It’s interesting that we all know that the best sort of business to get is Word of Mouth. You are automatically trusted.
However, it is often the case in New Zealand, that we don’t like to refer people on, or give names to others in business. Now there maybe some very good reasons for this, but more often than not the truth is sometimes quite different.
Often it may be that we have to think about it too hard (who else would need this service or product offer?) and we aren’t programmed to do much more than think about our own concerns in business. We are very busy people.
Or we decide and believe that others we know may not be looking for the type of service that the person in front of us has to offer. So we do a bit of self-censoring on behalf of our clients, suppliers and our networks, because we don’t want to think that we have bothered them.
My point? – remember, what goes around comes around, if you want more Word of Mouth, then you have to practise Word of Mouth referring yourself.
In otherwords. Pay it forward and you will get it back.
Denise,
Good points here. Much of the guidance and advice for businesses to make referrals comes from the US where the practice is extremely common and individuals don't feel they have to hold back in any way. Not the same the world over though.
Paul
Hi Denise, good point! You know I have wondered about exactly this very thing since setting foot in NZ. My boss has told me not to refer other businesses in town as not to be seen favoring any etc. It's just not "policy" to refer anyone. I was baffled being a Dutchy. I have no trouble referring anyone or any business I trust/appreciate under the sun, competitor or not. What you send out returns to you and I have always felt that sharing more, instead of less, does one more credit. I also tend to receive more help -and referrals- in turn without even having to ask. I guess being genuine and more or less an open book helps, people sense I have no secrets, what you see is what you get and apparently that is reassuring for kiwis
.
Very good points. Share with others and other will share with you.
I have just finished reading an awesome book Go-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg. The main point in the book is that first you have to give. The rest will take care of itself. I think its a case of a mindset shift. I don't think kwis are not capable or interested in referring, I just think its a conscious choice we need to make. Most members of Venus go through a process of moving from 'It's all new and it isn't natural to refer' through to 'I find i can refer business every day'.