The Referral of a Lifetime: The Networking System That Produces Bottom-Line Results...Every Day!

by Timothy L. Templeton

The premier book in the new Ken Blanchard Series Describes a simple approach and system for getting a steady flow of new business through referrals from existing customers-no more cold calls! Nobody likes cold calls. And nobody really needs to make them. The Referral of a Lifetime teaches a step-by-step system that will allow anyone to generate a steady stream of new business through consistent referrals from existing customers and friends and, at the same time, maximize business with existing customers. Your customers and clients already know every new contact you will ever need to succeed-by applying Tim Templeton's system they will naturally refer them to you. The Referral of a Lifetime uses an entertaining fictional story to emphasize the importance of "putting the relationship first"-building an ongoing relationship with customers based on genuine respect and caring, rather than just making the sale and moving on. More than just teaching a system for increasing business success, The Referral of a Lifetime crystallizes people's desire to practice "the golden rule" in business and to be accepted as a professional with integrity and character. This straightforward and powerful book will ultimately change the way you look at all the relationships in your life. The Referral of a Lifetime is the first book in the brand new Ken Blanchard Series. Each book in this series will be hand-picked and introduced by Ken, and will offer simple truths and profound wisdom in Ken's trademark storytelling style.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Relationships, Buisness

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[January · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was terrible, but I should have seen it coming. Here were the signs:

1. The large print, spread over a scant 130 pages (that stretched out 4 sort-of points into a "story" on about a 3rd grade reading level)
2. Ken Blanchard's intro that says this is a "short, easy-to-understand, parable-type book"
3. A book for adults that has a character named "Susie" (Apologies to my actual friend named Susie)
4. When I got to page 23 and then 40 and then 66 and there were still only 1 or 2 points made and wanted to drive a fork into my own eye.

I'm going to finish this book because I can do it in one sitting and because I already spent the money (and because I have a goal of reading 3 books a month and this is an easy one), but I gotta tell you, SAVE YOUR MONEY! I don't know what all the 4- or 5-star reviewers see in this book. It's way too basic to be useful. You're probably already doing everything it suggests (which isn't much):

--Make a list of everyone you know
--Prioritize your hottest leads (my words, not the author's)
--Tell people what you're doing and ask for referrals
--Promise to take good care of said referrals
--Create a system for keeping in touch with them that's not all about the sale (while asking for referrals)

I mean REALLY?!?!

Move on. Nothing to see here.

[Pavel Annenkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

О ЧЕМ КНИГА:
Умение получать рекомендации - это важная часть маркетинга в компании. Мы знаем, что самые лучшие клиенты обычно приходят по рекомендациям. Но я встречал мало компаний и предпринимателей, которые системно занимаются процессом получения рекомендаций от своих текущих клиентов. Автор дает нам простой фреймворк для получения рекомендаций.

Иногда книгу стоит прочитать ради того, чтобы узнать один новый подход или одну интересную идею. В этой книге для меня этим стала матрица «Отношения-Бизнес». Она дает определение к какому из 4 типов относится ваш подход к ведению бизнеса:
1. Отношения - отношения
2. Отношения - бизнес
3. Бизнес - отношения
4. Бизнес - бизнес
Эта матрица похожа на 4 окна через которые мы видим бизнес и отношения с людьми. Сразу начинаешь лучше понимать после неё поведение бизнес-партнеров и клиентов вокруг.

Как всегда читая американские книги я понимаю, что у нас много культурных различий и некоторые вещи из книги нам не подойдут. К тому же книга написана давно и не учитывает распространение соцсетей и мессенджеров. Но в целом модель работы с рекомендациями в этой книге рабочая.

Книга написана в виде бизнес-романа, поэтому читается очень легко.

КАКАЯ БЫЛА ЦЕЛЬ ЧТЕНИЯ:
Найти идеи для построения системы получения рекомендаций в моих текущих бизнес-проектах.

ГЛАВНЫЕ ВЫВОДЫ:
- Хорошее правило "Не так важно то, кого знаете вы. Важнее то, кто знает вас". И еще одно хорошее правило "Важно не только, кого знаете вы. Важно еще кого знают ваши клиенты".

- С каждым годом мы всё больше становимся теми, кем мы есть на самом деле. Надо усиливать свои сильные стороны и использовать их в отношениях. Ни в коем случае не надо притворяться и становиться кем то другим, копируя чужие подходы.

- О нас судят не только по людям с которыми мы сотрудничаем, но и по тем, с кем мы отказались работать.

- Если мы вспомним все наши значительные достижения в бизнесе, то контакты, через которые мы их получили, пришли по рекомендации от других людей!

- Чтобы успешно строить отношения с другими, надо сначала самому себе честно ответить на вопрос - «Нравится ли мне то, что я делаю?».

- Бизнес переходит на уровень личного общения только после того, как вы произвели впечатление общаясь на профессиональные темы.

ЧТО Я БУДУ ПРИМЕНЯТЬ:
Матрицу «Отношения - Бизнес»

ЕЩЕ НА ЭТУ ТЕМУ:
Dan Kennedy «Maximum Referrals and Customer Retention»

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really dislike business or development books told in this cheesy, over simplistic, fictional style.
Good case studies with real people and businesses are so much more effective and compelling.

However, I always take something from a self development book. Even a bad one.
I took three applicable learnings from this.
They fit on a post-it, but still they are learnings.

Would be much more helpful for anyone who is trying to get their business going who is allergic to social media.

[Tyler McCart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have been in sales for the last 18 years. I have known that a referral based business was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but I did not have a system or clear path to get me there, well all that has changed now! Thank you, Tim, for writing this book.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think people underestimate the power of simplicity especially in today’s world of information glut. The book has brought me back down to Earth to focus on a system that I can reasonably manage rather than a technology that I’ll have to spend years learning how to use only to be thwarted by a newer technology.

[jjuan Hakeem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall decant concept of book, only read it for a book club. If I could go back I probably wouldn’t read it again. Story based sales books can and will be cringy. This guy took the golden rule and wrote a book about it. So if you’re going to read this book look no further. “treat others the way you want to be treated” - The end.

[Joel Ungar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read and follow. I especially liked how all of the various tools and scripts are repeated at the end were it is easy to use and find.

[Brian Halpin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much better book than Dan Kennedy's No B.S referrals in my opinion.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful introduction to networking, its effects and how to apply it successfully. Not only in a business context, by the way.

[Xi Xi · Rating 4 out of 5]

some good stuff

[Stephanie K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Save your money (and time). Very basic suggestions that span over 100+ pages of a story about “Susie.”

[Jonathan Minnick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is poorly written and very mechanical in its storytelling attempt. I came into it with high hopes, having been recommended to read it. I had hoped that it would be like other stories with a great point such as The Go Giver, The Go Getter, The Dream Giver, or many other stories with a bigger meaning. This book was disappointing to say the least. I won't bemoan the fact that it could have been condensed into 3 or 4 pages, because the same could be said for other similar format books, but the storytelling in them really enhances and helps drive home the point. The main issue with The Referral is that every encounter and point is very forced, using the main character Susie to repeat and reinforce the "storyline" by saying and doing things that are not believable. The book also adds unnecessary and distracting detail to attempt to make it sound like a thoughtful story (the brown bricks, etc (this is probably not an exact quote, but there were so many forgettable details that I can't pull one from memory)).
The second edition may be attempting to resolve some stated issues of the original, but the true issue here is a very poorly written, unbelievable, forced story. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because the nuggets are valuable, but I had already learned and incorporated them, and they could have been stated much better.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone in business, looking for an easy way to grow your business, this book has it. Easy to read and follow story. Not a typical business book which spells out a formula. This book tells the story of one person learning this system and makes it easy to understand. It totally changed my way of thinking and convinced me I need to put my own system in place to make this work for me. I am in the process of creating my lists, systems, and follow up in place and can't wait to see the results!! I have already started using many of the tips and ideas in my own marketing. Just let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!!

[Adrienne Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AWESOME!!! I recommend this to EVERYONE - Realtors, mortgage loan officers, small business owners, self-employed, and everyone else!

If you read this book as a story and let it all sink in...then put the simple and easy four steps into practice you WILL increase your business!

It's a great way to understand business and personal relationships and how to network without taking advantage of others.

Read it - you'll be amazed. I was amazed at how many over 250 I had. (Read the book and you'll know what I mean.)

[Lisa Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like parables and this was a good one. I love his thought for businesses of "creating a web of appreciation." Tim Templeton gives solid instructions on how to show more gratitude to customers and I appreciate his work.

This book is one of the books on the recommended reading list of my book,The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude which can be found here: http://amzn.to/NjNs06

[Darlene Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Some very practical step-by-step processes to manage your client base in a way that creates value and respect in both directions. Terrific. I took copious notes and have the checklist in my to-do list! Looking forward to seeing it in action.

As an aside, if you decide to set this up, the best "next step" is the book "Networking Is Not Working" by Derek Coburn. The two go together beautifully for a powerful referral system!

[Jake Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just re-read this book for the third time and finally reviewing it.

This is a great book that talks about the importance of service first and profit last. These are not new concepts but a wonderful retelling of the foundation for successful networking in the form of a story.

A short and east read, I recommend this to anyone wanting to learn how to become a better servant to your industry and gain lifetime clients in the process.

[Clayton Tune · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're doing sales... you need this book. Breaks down the simplicity of networking but also touches on the element most salesmen leave out which is building a relationship with your clients. I would rather spend 10 minutes building a relationship with my client than 10 minutes trying to sell them something.

[Lee Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loaded with gems for businesses with heart

While I found the storyline a little kitschy, it did help make the assimilation of the business process & steps very easy and even fun. I was able to read through and do the assignments pretty quickly myself and am excited to implement this process in my own business.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, easy read and nice story to go along with the principals in the book. Great for business, sales professionals and anyone looking for more insight into how to more effectively develop relationships in life.

[Olwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A systematic instruction manual for businesses who want to develop their own customer relationship management system. Built around the story of a fictional client, which makes it easier to understand.

[Mary Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - one reviewer suggested it was "corny" but I found it easier to read as a "story." It's made a difference in my business. I'd recommend it to anyone that needs to connect with people in order to make a profit.

[Katie Vienot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the storyline and voice is kind of cheesy, it is a helpful guide to relationship-based marketing. Even though sales is not my job, I was able to glean helpful strategies for staying in touch with referral sources in an authentic, service-oriented way.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was told in a narrative story format, as opposed to a telling of research findings, which was interesting. There were some great advice in here, like building a categorized customer list and customer avatar, and also being authentic.

[Sarah♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must get past the juvenile story-writing style, because it's an excellent basic layout, for all people on all levels! Highly recommend to take action notes in each chapter that they have "Suzie" do, and mirror it! I will be going back through and doing the same thing, myself! EXCELLENT

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone in sales. Or looking to get people to like you. Easy read

[Joe Lopardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read to long ago to remember, I think it was a decent read. But obviously nothing worth remembering.

[Kim Abernethy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story woven into some practical and compelling steps to making things happen in business.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/2013 -Great system, now how to apply it for me!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book no referrals, as it helps you realize that all referrals are good, but you can truly hit paydirt with a few.