Contact Spheres – Symbiotic Relationships
A contact sphere is a group of business professionals who have a symbiotic relationship. They are in compatible professions, not competitive. For example, a lawyer, a certified public accountant, a financial planner and a banker. If you put those four people in a room for an hour, they’re going to do business together. Each of them is working with clients who have similar needs but require different services. Therefore, they are working that symbiotic relationship.
My favorite example of a contact sphere is the caterer, the florist, the photographer, the printer, the wedding planner, the tuxedo rental company, the wedding dress store, the videographer, and the travel agent. I call this the “wedding mob”! If one gets a referral for a wedding, everyone gets a referral for the wedding. These professions, more than most, have truly learned to work their Sphere of Contact.
Examples of contact spheres
Here are some other examples:
Business Services: printers, graphic artists, specialist advertising, marketing consultants, web designers, public relations firms.
Real Estate Services: residential and commercial agents, escrow companies, title companies, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, insurance agents, home-stagers.
Contractors: painters, carpenters, plumbers, landscapers, electricians, interior designers.
Health care: chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, nutritionists, massage therapists, personal trainers.
Let’s take a computer sales and service company as an example. That group may include: sales representatives from telecommunications (hardware) companies and copier companies. Additionally, contractors who specialize in wiring installations can be part of this team to help with wiring installations. Also, don’t forget about computer trainers who work with people on a daily basis with their computers and even business trainers and accountants who may have clients who need to improve their business performance.
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Make the most of your sphere of contact
1. Identify as many professions as possible that fit into your own company’s sphere of contact. Take a look at the professions your industry tends to work with for “reciprocal” and “reciprocal” referrals. Create a list of these occupations.
2. Identify specific people who might fit into your Sphere of Contact by going to various networking groups, consulting your business card file and database.
3. Invite these people to participate in networking groups with you so you can formalize your relationship and have a way to stay in regular contact. Maintaining the relationship is key. A good way to do this is to participate in groups that bring you together on a regular basis.
4. Evaluate the professionals on your collaboration team that you are currently referring. If you don’t reciprocate, you may have the wrong profession or the wrong person. Fill the spot with someone who is willing to reciprocate.
Contact spheres are a start
While the effective development of strong contact spheres will greatly increase your business, you must remember that alone is not enough. Because they consist of small groups, you likely won’t get exposure to a large number of people. So work on developing your general network at the same time you develop your Sphere.
Good luck. Contact Spheres is a great way to get started and continually build your professional network.