Howick Orb has met just three times, and already the referrals are flowing.
As exciting as that is, we’re actually more interested in how those referrals are happening than how many there are.
When it comes to business networking, we believe there’s an important distinction between creating opportunities for referrals and trying to manufacture them.
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that referrals can simply be generated through targets, pressure, or obligation. In some networking environments, members are encouraged to pass referrals regularly and referral numbers are closely tracked.
While accountability can be a powerful thing, it can sometimes create an unintended consequence: people start looking for referrals because they feel they should, rather than because they’ve found the right person for the job.
The result? The client doesn’t receive the best recommendation and the person making the referral risks damaging their own reputation.
A referral should never feel like a box-ticking exercise.
Of course, the opposite approach has its own challenges.
Many informal networking groups are friendly and enjoyable, but because there is very little structure, members may only see each other occasionally and opportunities for referrals can become inconsistent.
At Orb, we’ve found the best results lie in between.
We believe structure is important, but we don’t believe referrals should be forced.
Instead, we focus on creating an environment where trust can develop naturally.
Because trust is what sits behind every great referral.
The best referral you’ll ever receive probably won’t start with:
“I need to give someone a referral this week.”
It starts with:
“You should talk to Alex. He’s brilliant at this.”
Or:
“I’ve worked with Lexi before. She’ll look after you.”
Those referrals carry weight because they’re backed by genuine confidence.
The person making the recommendation isn’t just passing on a name.
They’re putting their own reputation behind it.
At Orb, we believe the strongest referral cultures are built when people:
Because in our experience, the best referrals aren’t manufactured, they’re earned.
That’s the kind of referral culture we’re building at Orb.
