A friend of mine, Melinda Potcher, adapted some of my material and created the 10 Commandments of Business Networking.

She did a great job and I thought I'd share it with everyone here on my blog.

1.       Thou Shalt Not Sell To Me.... If we are trying to help one another get more business, you tell me your target market, I tell you my target market, and when we are out in the world, we speak well of one another and refer one another, do not try to sell me - I am your referral resource.  If I need your product or service, know that I will call you.  Use our relationship to sell through me, to get to those 250 + people I know.

2.       Thou Shalt Understand The Law of Reciprocity.... If I am sending you business, please keep me top of mind.  Giving me a new client is the best thank you that I can receive, and I will continue working to find you referrals if I know you appreciate me.

3.       Thou Shalt Not Abuse Our Relationship.... Sending me a bogus referral just to use me, my expertise, or my resources for free without asking permission first is the fastest way to lose my respect. 

4.       Thou Shalt Not Be Late .... If we have a meeting set to get to know one another and strategize  how we can refer each other business, do not reschedule our appointment more than twice.  I blocked a chunk of time in my schedule FOR YOU, and I respect you enough to be on time.

5.       Thou Shalt Be Specific .... Specific Is Terrific!  If you tell me your target market is "anybody" or "everybody" that means nobody to me.... the more specific you are, the easier it will be for me to find you business.

6.       Thou Shalt Take Your Business Seriously .... As your networking partner, I need to know your intentions.  If your company is a hobby business, it will be difficult for me to assist you.  If it is part time, you are limited in the time you spend working on your business and working to find me referrals.  However, if you are working your business part time with a goal of making it full time, I am there for you, 100%.

7.       Thou Shalt Follow Up On Referrals... When I send you business please follow up with that prospect in a timely fashion - say 24 hours - if you are going out of town, or will not be available for some time, a quick email or phone call to the person to let them know when you will be available will preserve your credibility and protect my reputation in recommending you to someone I know and care about.

8.       Thou Shalt Communicate...  If I do something to upset you, send you a "bad" referral, or cause you to have ill feelings toward me, please communicate with me as soon as possible.  I may not be aware I have caused a problem for you, and if you tell me, I can try to fix it.  Referral networking is about relationships! Relationships and Referrals are at the heart of my business.

9.       Thou Shalt Protect My Reputation... Most people would rather die than risk their reputations.  If I receive feedback from a referral I have sent you that is disparaging or derogatory, it is as though you cut me off at the knees.  Please do what you say you will do and live up to the ethical standards of your profession.

10.   Thou Shalt Prepare For Success...  If you really want to grow your business, then prepare to receive it.  I will move mountains for my networking partners to ensure they get referrals on a consistent basis.  I am a Ninja Networker - you may not always see me working on your behalf.

Thanks to Melinda.  You can visit her website at:  www.HomeLoansAlbuquerque.com.