Local Business Referral Group Rules
Basic rules and guidelines are important for the operation of a business referral group. Here are some suggested concepts to help you develop rules for your group.
Member Categories
For an effective referral group, allow only one member from a particular industry. Don't allow members who may have overlap. For example having a family lawyer and a personal injury lawyer in the group is fine. However, if a generalist litigator who sometimes takes on family law matters or personal injury matters would not be an acceptable member for this group. Your objective is to have the right members in your group. There is no pressure to "take all comers" like the revenue focused institutionalized referral group organizations.
Meeting Format
Use a meeting format that enables your members to learn about their respective businesses and provides opportunities to communicate desired business opportunities and contacts. For example, you could have one or two presentations per meeting where a member gives an educational presentation about his or her business. Presentations could also be about an interesting customer experience, a recent business challenge or a noteworthy opportunity.
Participation Expectations
Objectives
Success Measurement
Membership Administration.
Member Categories
For an effective referral group, allow only one member from a particular industry. Don't allow members who may have overlap. For example having a family lawyer and a personal injury lawyer in the group is fine. However, if a generalist litigator who sometimes takes on family law matters or personal injury matters would not be an acceptable member for this group. Your objective is to have the right members in your group. There is no pressure to "take all comers" like the revenue focused institutionalized referral group organizations.
Meeting Format
Use a meeting format that enables your members to learn about their respective businesses and provides opportunities to communicate desired business opportunities and contacts. For example, you could have one or two presentations per meeting where a member gives an educational presentation about his or her business. Presentations could also be about an interesting customer experience, a recent business challenge or a noteworthy opportunity.
Participation Expectations
Objectives
Success Measurement
Membership Administration.