A Note From @Tos.Boss

Good Morning! ??

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Welcome to the Sunday Brief.? Each week, I share insights and experiences from my entrepreneurial journey, along with a short article designed to resonate with fellow small business owners and support our growth together.

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I hope you had a good week.? Mine was one of those weeks where you are really busy but you don't feel like anything actually got done.? There's that word again, "busy." Everyone is busy.? What exactly does it mean anyway?

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Busy: being actively engaged in a task or having a lot of tasks to complete. It implies a sense of being occupied or unavailable due to the amount of work or activity happening. (Thank you ChatGPT.)?

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I say we find a different word.??

1. Engaged – suggests meaningful or purposeful involvement.
2. Productive – focuses on results rather than the amount of work.
3. Occupied – conveys being involved without implying stress.
4. Focused – highlights concentration and purpose.
5. Immersed – indicates deep involvement, especially with something fulfilling.
6. Active – reflects constant action or movement, without the hurried tone of “busy.”
7. Hustling – captures energy and drive.
8. Juggling – suggests handling multiple tasks at once.
9. Booked – indicates a packed schedule.
10. In demand – conveys importance and value.
11. On the go – implies constant movement without feeling too formal.
12. Maxed out – adds a bit of emphasis and personality.

I vote for #7.? Reply with your vote and let me know what you think.?

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Today's brief is about something quite different though. Referrals vs Recommendations. Let's open that can of worms. ?? - Dida

Building Trust or Transaction?

Choosing Your Network Culture

By Dida Clifton

In the small business world, referrals and recommendations are part of the fabric of how we grow. I’ve found that recommendations are more about a shared trust and belief in someone’s abilities. For over two decades, I’ve recommended people and services without expecting anything in return.

I do it because I believe that connecting someone to a professional, who’ll deliver quality work, benefits everyone. What you put into the world has a way of coming back, often in unexpected ways, and for me, that’s always been enough.? ?

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Referrals, however, often come with a more transactional approach. In some fields and with large companies, ADP for example, offering a referral fee is standard practice.? Some businesses belong to structured referral groups, such as BNI or LeTip, where connections are made with the specific purpose of generating business leads. These groups emphasize the value of sharing contacts in exchange for reciprocal referrals, often with formalized systems for tracking and compensating introductions. They can be effective for those looking to grow quickly through network connections, and joining one is required in our franchise model.? It's a great jump start on learning to network.

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But even within these referral networks, it’s important to consider what kind of business culture you want to build. Are you focused on the value of genuine trust and mutual respect, or are you driven by incentives alone? The distinction may seem subtle, but it speaks volumes about your intentions and values.

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I believe there’s a big difference between sharing a connection out of genuine trust versus expecting something in return—and that difference can shape the kind of culture we create in business. There's that "c" word again.?

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Building a culture of genuine trust and collaboration can make all the difference. When we focus on connecting for the sake of helping others, we strengthen our own reputation, foster meaningful relationships, and create a ripple effect of goodwill in our community. So, as you go about your week, consider the connections you’re making—are they driven by trust, respect, and the shared goal of mutual success?

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Here’s to building a culture we can be proud of—one connection at a time.