By Margie Fisher
Networking groups are not new. At any given time in nearly every community throughout the world, you can find scores of meetings taking place where members eagerly exchange business cards and provide one another the most precious of commodities, qualified referrals. While networking groups, themselves, may not be new, one group’s approach takes networking to a whole new level--the globe.
On the surface, Global Referral Network (tm), founded by Dr. Lynda Falkenstein (Portland, OR), looks like other networking groups. Members meet regularly. One-of-a kind businesses are represented in each group to avoid competition among members. Most of all, qualified referrals are required. The similarity ends there, however, with two major differences putting the GRN in a league of its own.
The first big difference is that instead of members being across town from one another, they are across the country or even the world. Meeting regularly just as in conventional networking groups, GRN members provide each other valuable referrals which open markets previously only dreamed of.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about GRN is how all this happens. You might be thinking, "the Internet, of course." Wrong. By harnassing an old technology for a new purpose, Dr. Falkenstein has found a simple way to put geographically diverse business people together. It’s all done by telephone conferencing! If you can dial a phone--even one at 37,000 feet--you can attend a GRN meeting. Dr. Falkenstein is quick to emphasize that the GRN is also utilizing the resources of the Internet, but she adds "Telephone is so simple...there’s no substitute for hearing another member’s voice. Especially when it’s providing a great referral, which is what GRN is about."
The Global Referral Network was created by Dr. Lynda Falkenstein, also known as the "Niche Doctor." Dr. Falkenstein has conducted in-person workshops and teleseminars throughout the world. For more information about the Global Referral Network, visit www.falkenstein.com/grn/grnmain.htm.
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