Focused Networking - Fequently Asked Questions

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	Frequently Asked Questions
	Printer-friendly version 1> What is included with my membership? Exclusive representation (no competition) within your group A listing on our website as well as a link to your web site An opportunity to present to the group: your company profile, this is done on a prescheduled basis a spotlight of your services a product spotlight a spotlight with your complementary industry/ies Each group is required to partake in networking exercises to help build solid business relationships. You also learn how to network more effectively and how to get quality referrals; how teambuilding and good solid business relationships can help build your business. You learn how to build a team of complementary industries and how to work with them effectively to increase your business 2> Why do we do exercises in Focused Networking? Our members’ success is based on solid business relationships. We believe most people already use some great tools for this and because it’s important to refresh, build on and add new things to the repertoire, we’ve incorporated focused "how to" exercises to help you do just that. We also know the power of a team and some of the exercises will help you brainstorm solutions to problems and challenges from tag lines to ideal client to marketing ideas – all the help you’ll need to build your business 3> What is the difference between a complementary Industry and a prospect? A complementary industry is a company/person who is prospecting into the same demographic as you. Building a relationship with a complement is a great way to give and receive quality referrals. A prospect is someone you are targeting as a new client. This is usually done through advertising, telemarketing, tradeshow promotions, cold calling, and/or sales staff. 4> Can you give me an example of complementary industries? That’s easy. An accountant and a bookkeeper would make great complements as would a graphic designer, printer and marketing expert. 5> Why do you focus on having complementary industries within the network instead of just letting anyone join? Having four, six or eight complementary industries within your network is like having your own sales team or Board of Directors.　Working within at team of complements maximizes your ability to provide solutions to a prospect. This makes your sales cycle easier for you and your team. Some of our members have even found that sharing common marketing tools helps reduce expenses. 6> What makes Focused Networking unique? We’ve been told it’s the personal way business is conducted among the members and how referrals are given to clients.　Focused Networking members develop relationships between themselves as well as outwardly towards clients and contacts. When dealing with a member of Focused Networking, clients are not just getting a business transaction of goods or services, they receive more: the value-added component called relationship. Members within Focused Networking are recognized for knowing how to introduce themselves effectively at events – we teach you how to do that. Our members are taught how to ask questions, listen and see how they can help other people instead of working the room with a "what’s in it for me" approach. 7> How long does it take to build a good relationship? That’s up to you and how much time you put into each relationship. You will find you get to know some members of your group better than others because of the complementary nature of the relationship. That’s okay. The important thing is to build the relationship so the referrals that are given are done so with trust and integrity. Your reputation is on the line every time you give a referral so we encourage you to do it when you’re comfortable. Relationships – that is why it takes longer to give and receive referrals in Focused Networking. Your whole – so we want you to build the relationship first. 8> What is the best way to build a solid business relationship? The best way is with our Buddy-Up Questions. These really help you get to know the person, and vice versa. When you feel you would like to take this further, we recommend you have strategic/business alliance meetings using our well-prepared quality Strategic/Business Alliance Questions to keep you on track to building a great relationship. 9> I’m not getting referrals – what’s the problem? Focused Networking has a great checklist for people who are not getting referrals. This list of 10 simple steps will help ensure you get quality referrals. 10> How many referrals do I have to give month or a year? At Focused Networking we believe in "I want to" rather than "I have to".　You are part of a team that has taken the time to build solid business relationships and the result is you want to help each other.　If you are not giving referrals you are letting your team members down. It is the policy of Focused Networking that members get to know each other before giving referrals because quality referrals are much more effective and lucrative than just leads: quality versus quantity.