Orb Member Guidelines | How Orb Business Networking Works

Our principles

Orb works because of the way our members approach networking.

Relationships First

Strong business relationships create the best referrals.

Credibility Matters

Members are experienced professionals who care about their reputation and the reputation of others.

Referrals Are Earned

Members refer each other because they trust each other’s work — not because they feel pressured.

Everyone Contributes

The most successful groups are those where members actively participate and support each other.

Membership

One Member Per Category

Each Orb group allows one member per business category.

This ensures members are not competing directly with each other and helps maximise referral opportunities.
If a category is already filled, you may join a waiting list or be offered a place in another Orb group.

Member Eligibility

Orb is designed for credible, established professionals. Members should:

Have at least 12 months of business or industry experience
Operate a legitimate business or professional practice
Maintain appropriate insurance or certifications where relevant
This helps maintain the high level of trust within the network.

Membership Commitment

Building strong relationships takes time.
Members are encouraged to commit to at least twelve months, although most members stay much longer once they experience the benefits of the network.

Meetings

Fortnightly Meetings

Each Orb group meets once every two weeks for around 90 minutes.
Meetings are structured but relaxed and typically include:

Open networking
Member introductions
Business education
Member presentations
Referrals and success stories
Meetings are usually held in local cafés or meeting venues at convenient times.

Attendance

Regular attendance helps build trust and strengthen relationships.

Members are expected to attend meetings consistently and inform the group if they cannot attend.

Occasional absences are understandable, but regular participation is important for the success of the group.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome at Orb meetings.

Once a group is established, visitors may attend one meeting to experience the group before applying for membership. The cost to visit is $45 +GST, which the group donates to charity at the end of the year.

Member Participation

60-Second Introductions

At each meeting, members briefly introduce their business and explain what type of referrals they are looking for.

This helps other members recognise opportunities to connect you with potential clients.

Member Presentations

Members occasionally present in more detail about their business.

These presentations help other members understand how to confidently refer you.

Business Education

Each meeting includes a short Education Brief designed to help members run stronger businesses.

Topics may include marketing, sales, productivity, or networking skills amongst others.

Referrals

A referral happens when one member introduces another member to someone who may benefit from their services.
Orb encourages quality referrals rather than forced referrals.

Members should only recommend someone when they feel confident doing so. This protects everyone’s reputation and strengthens trust within the network.

Members are also encouraged to share success stories when referrals turn into real business.

Professional Standards

Orb members represent both their own business and the wider Orb community.
Members are expected to:

Act with integrity
Treat fellow members with respect
Communicate professionally
Deliver excellent service to referred clients

Maintaining high professional standards benefits every member.

Online Member Directory

Every Orb member receives a profile listing in the Orb online directory.

This allows members to:

Increase their online visibility
Be discovered by people outside their local group
Receive additional referral opportunities

Leadership & Support

Each Orb group is supported by:

A local leadership team
The Orb head office team

Their role is to maintain meeting standards, support members, and help groups remain positive and productive.

The Orb Way

Orb is built on trust, collaboration, and genuine relationships between business owners.