Great Referrals: Giving and Receiving with Impact

In business there is plenty competing for your attention. Creating strong referral partnerships is the life blood of your business. Even seasoned business owners can benefit from revisiting what it really means to give and receive referrals with intention.

This month, Jeff Ramsey led a Lunch and Learn focused on the power of impactful referrals. He highlights that simply sharing a name or passing along a business card isn’t enough. Meaningful referrals come from making real introductions - offering a brief testimonial or better yet inviting them together to meet. These extra steps not only elevate you as a connector, but also set the stage for genuine, lasting business relationships.

How often are you making connections that truly matter?

When was the last time you introduced two people who went on to become referral buddies?

Most of us have hundreds of contacts. Friends, neighbors, former classmates, colleagues, each with their own interests, hobbies, passion projects. Carving out even a little time each week to nurture those relationships can open the door to unexpected opportunities. Think creatively outside the box. That neighbor who loves to golf, the old classmate active in Rotary, the DIY enthusiast down the street; any one of them might be the perfect match for someone else you know. When you are the one who brings people together, you naturally stay top of mind. projects. They will remember you as the connector, and ultimately and the next time they are at a lunch, meeting or community event and someone mentions a need for your product or service you're the first name that comes up.

When you help build connections for others, it’s human nature to want to reciprocate. So don’t just give customers create connections. That is how you become a referral partner with impact.

If you want to listen to the full presentations, visit the Wappingers Falls Business and Professional Association Facebook page and give a like, comment and share.