Do you want to be recommended?

[Michael]

Hi

Ive only been a member for a short while representing smartnumber.co.uk though I also do a bit of sales and retention training and consultancey.

I often have managers asking if i know of anyone in a particular field that I could recommend. Does anyone work together on perhaps a commision or joint recommendation basis?

If so does it prove to be a benificial way of working?

Any thoughts?

[Coding Monkey]

I've recommended a fair amount of people on these forums, yet have never asked for anything, and work in the same way. I'd always send a gift as a thank you to the person referring, but I hope they wouldn't expect something. However, if I was utterly desperate to break into a specific industry, and all else failed, I'd give commission to a referral once it turned into a sale.

[fastfences]

I believe part of the foundation in promoting our companies is the challenge of marketing ourselves to the most beneficial sector(s). Sure, we trip over at times, but in so doing, we forge further ahead in our quest to capture the best market.

I'd shudder at the thought of a 'fellow colleague' asking for a 'commission' in exchange for a referral. As Mac has stated: I too have referrred others on this forum most favourably, but I would neverask for nor expect a commission.

A 'token of appreciation' is a different matter, though. It is acknowledging the gesture 'after the event' rather than commanding a gratuity in exchange.

Of course, we're all different. That's why this forum is so beneficial that you'll receive a variety of 'possibly' extremely opposed view.
Cheers, Nigel

[Jayne]

If I find out someone is good at something on here, I tell the whole world and would never expect a penny. Sometimes it's nice just to be nice. :D

Jayne

[Mwebb]

Tom/Nigel,
I would have to agree with you. I recommend people from this forum, to people outside and inside the forum all the time. And all i hope for in return is that IF they come accross someone who needs the service i provide, they will at least say..."check him out", if nothing else.

I don't expect anything for referring potential customers, But like was mentioned before, if someone sent me some business that really moved me forward, i would do the "done" thing and send them a "drink" so to speak.

I am currently trying to get people from east Anglia to actually send me some business cards so that when i meet people i do business with, and services come up that are needed, i have people from this forum to reccommend. All i have asked in return is to be able to send some business cards back. Whether they are used and distributed, i am obviously leaving up to the integrity of the individual.

On that note. CQUEEN; i posted some to you today. HAYLES: Maybe in Colchester on monday, will call if i am poping in.

Thanks Michael

[Michael]

Perhaps i shouldn't of mentioned the dreaded 'C' word commission!

I dont really even mean formalised working relationships. I guess i was just wondering if you end up recommending organisations knowing that they'll do the same for you?

[Jayne]

I would only recommend people who I knew would do a good job and if they recommended me that's fine, as long as they recommended me for the quality of my work, not just because they know me.

Jayne :D

[Coding Monkey]

Perhaps i shouldn't of mentioned the dreaded 'C' word commission!

I dont really even mean formalised working relationships. I guess i was just wondering if you end up recommending organisations knowing that they'll do the same for you?

Still a no. I pay my lawyer £195/h and have never got any referrals from him. I wouldn't choose him for anything other than skill, which is the reason I recommend him. Ultimately, as you build up a relationship, my name will be more prominant if someone is ever speaking about the subject of website design. I've given Creacom work, and they've returned the favour later on, even though we work in the same industry.

[Michael]

So really the general feeling is that if it isn't a pre arranged deal you would stay away from casual working relationships.

It either done on a professional basis or purely as a form of business etiquette?