You are as good as your contacts

Is this true? I believe it is and in this closely networked world, who you associate with or refer and endorse, defines who you are

This is an area where we have all made mistakes. It is impossible to know precisely how someone will perform given any task but we do try to have a rough idea but even when we have a degree of confidence, you can find that people soon show their true colours. A dismal experience with a “turnaround specialist” (who is quite high profile) demonstrated that my initial slight misgivings and slight warnings I received about him were justified. More than justified…

That referral was in good faith and I will always consider the needs of my clients first and foremost. If I refer a very capable lawyer or mortgage broker and the feedback is as I hope for, then I have obviously gained credibility in my clients eyes. If I refer someone for the sole reason that they happen to be in the same tacky networking club, then the question has to be asked, who is really seeking to benefit? And thats even before we consider whether those at the top of their trade really needs to be in networking groups where everyone is shouting at 6.45am

The other delicate curse is the “lead for a lead”. I do not refer expecting leads back but clearly I hope to be prominent in thinking when all things were equal and vice versa but the client and task is the over-riding consideration.

It sounds simple but people often put their own short term perceived gain ahead of long term credibility and some have a slight habit of always considering the last person they met to be the very best they’ve ever met. Also, at the risk of sounding puritanical, heavy “socialisers” are liable to refer equally “heavy socialisers” who can only be recalled for their football conversation and being a “good bloke” rather than an accurate diligent sober professional.

Im lucky to know a good range of professionals across a number of disciplines. Unbelievably perhaps, I even know a truly excellent Business Broker

All my contacts tick the above boxes. They work in very much the same way as I wish to and are, in my opinion, ahead of their peers

Thats all I ask for