“Hey Jim, who do you know that does…” 

I’ve been getting that question asked of me for over 20 years. Ever since 1994, it has always been my goal to be the resource of first trust for my clients. I want them to rely on me for referrals to quality businesses that can meet their specific needs. It helps me deepen the relationships with my clients and my professional network.

However, it takes years to develop a network of professionals who you can trust with your customers. It takes years to filter “IN” the professionals that will do what they say they will do! In 1994, that was easy. I had lived in Minneapolis for 20 years.

When I moved to Tampa in 2003, I barely knew anyone. I had to start all over again. I had to find those vendors, those businesses that were trustworthy and reliable, reasonably priced and kind. I looked far and wide. I made many mistakes. Got involved in over a dozen different networking groups, asked a lot of people who they knew. Searched for people on the Internet (something I couldn’t do in 1994). I researched and tested so that I could be that resource all over again here in Tampa Bay.

The good news – If you are looking for a reliable vendor of almost any type, I have a person. In over 112 categories of business services, as well as local ministries, I have connections that I know, like, and trust. You don’t need to go through the pain and suffering of finding the right professional. I already have. This is one of the services we provide at Trust Services. We provide small business owners with referrals to professionals that will get the job done for you.

All you have to do is ask, “Hey Jim, who do you know…”

Maybe you want to do this for your business as well. You want to surround yourself with a network of people you can trust your customers with.

How do you do it? Trial and error: asking for personal referrals, joining networking groups, utilizing LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with people you already know. However you do it, your “Rolodex” of names could be the most valuable business asset you have.

Focus first on professionals that have the same target customer group as you and your business, and then branch out to other ancillary services. For me, ancillary services are services like: car mechanic, A/C repair, Plumber, General Contractor. None of those people are directly business-to-business folks, but they can provide services and peace of mind to my customers personally, which endears my customers to trust me more.

Most of us learned the Golden Rule when we were kids.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

This is a command based on the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. I practice this in business and it is never a waste of time.

Enjoy the second week of the year. It’s already moving fast.