The DEATH of "Generic Networking"!

I have nothing against the "BNI-type" groups out there, but...

I built my business on NETWORKING and referrals (mostly GIVING referrals...) . I loved (and still do) helping other business owners. Anyone who knows me will agree that it's my passion- and I treat it as such. Back in the days, when my company tried to be "everything to everyone", those groups were GREAT. Anyone was a potential client. I had no focus, so I was able to serve anyone with an IT issue.

I found that while there are great groups like BNI and LeTip and about 100 other ones in each state, those groups are a WASTE OF TIME for people like me in my business TODAY.

Why? 

Because I mostly service lawyers and law firms, and what good is it for me to meet weekly with a Melaleuca sales lady, residential landscaper, a chiropractor, and a home-smart residential realtor?

The groups I was part of allowed me to GIVE a lot of referrals, but I was wasting my most valuable asset - my time, and I found myself looking for the next best thing: a B2B group.

I found a few, and here is what happened:

1. I RSVP'd to one B2B group and drove 40 minutes during lunch time. Showed up to the meeting where only 2 other people showed up (even though the group has 45 members...)
2. I checked out another B2B group and found a RESIDENTIAL landscaper, a HomeSmart realtor and a life coach. Back to square one (AKA BNI).
3. After few more disappointing visits, I finally found a group where 25 people showed up, and they were real B2B professionals. WOO HOO!

I immediately volunteered to help with the board, committees, etc. (if you don't know- that's one of the best ways to HELP others, HELP the group, and increase your ROI chances.)

I called that group my "new home" for about a year. I got some great friendships out of this group, and was able to give TONS of referrals and connections for the members. I even got some paying customers from members of our groups.

But about a year later, the organizers of this group wanted to reach a quota or make more money, so they started accepting anyone with a pulse- even if they were not B2B.

As soon as the first residential realtor was accepted to the group- I knew it's my time to go.

When I asked why he's accepted as a B2B member to a B2B-only group- the reply was: "He's selling homes to business owners". HA!

Regardless- I found myself rethinking this whole B2B group adventure, and realized: I now network with a COMMERCIAL landscape company in a B2B group, and I can connect them with commercial paying customer every couple of weeks, but how many LAW FIRMS do you think they can connect ME with?

Nothing I found was what I was looking for.

I'm a networker. I'm a relationship builder. I'm a referral giver, but I have a business to grow, and employees to pay, so an ROI is a must! I must see results, and the issue is not with the groups. Those groups work GREAT for many people who have no focus. It's 100% my fault. I know what I need, and i'm looking for it in the wrong places, and blame the places...

So I searched for a more specific group, and couldn't find one that answered my needs:

• A group with members who are ALL LEGAL VERTICAL FOCUSED! (If they don't service lawyers/ law firms on a regular basis, they will not be allowed to join)
• Experienced professionals with proven track record
• Monthly meeting (weekly is not doable for most business owners imho)
• A speaker who can help the members with good business advice, so we don't just hear "commercials" for 2 hours
• Evening/ After hours meetings so people can show up
• Professional attire
• Membership dues that are actually used to HELP the members!
• STAY focused on growing the RIGHT WAY (adding qualified members only, who service lawyers and law firms as their main vertical)

Well - you probable guessed it: I couldn't find any group that has these basic requirements! So- I decided to create one!

If your business provides products and/or services to the legal vertical (lawyers/ law firms), I would like to invite you to join our "realistically priced", growing and focused group of professionals in Arizona!

Apply for FREE here, and attend one meeting for FREE (including dinner, speaker and networking)

By the way- we teamed up with Attorney At Law magazine and Sandler Sales training, to bring our guests AMAZING exposure, training and education!