Give me a curry-puff for RM25 but...

Today I had an interesting conversation with a client and partner in my Referrals Generation Service.

The issue was still, unfortunately, the time when the meal is served in our official meetings.

However, this was at a different level where this person, who is a building contractor confided that he will be happy to be served a curry-puff for RM25 as long as he receives a good quality referral each week. He is also prepared to reciprocate the same level of commitment.

He defined the 'good referral' as a lead that can be converted to a business transaction yielding to a profit of RM500 at least, each and every week.

'Who cares for the menu!' he boomed.

Now that was an interesting conversation, where now we have an avenue to move ahead.

We are sick of partners in our referral generation team who are under the bar: giving bullshit referrals. If you yourself don't want to receive a referral like that, then stop giving these kinds of referrals.

Now here is a clue on how you can determine in two seconds, if a referral is indeed a quality one.

It depends on the conversation that preceeded it.

Did the person who is referring you call you to find out if you can do so and so for their contacts? Did the person ask if you can deliver on time a project or a sale?

They would certainly find out about this if their referral is genuine.

Why?

Because their reputation is a stake.

If I referred to my good friend a contact who cannot deliver a desirable service, what would my standing be? Can I afford to risk this?

That's how you can determine if a referral is genuine or not. Be wary of a referral you receive that had no preceeding conversation.

So, give me a curry-puff for RM25 but give me a good referral!