Apprentice Programme - A New Approach to Networking

5 years ago, photographer John Welburn was looking for something different in the world of networking. Tired of the traditional networking groups, John set his sights on finding a fresh alternative that would provide plenty of business contacts and focus on relationship-building. The result, Refer-On, is proving so popular there are groups springing up throughout the region.

What makes Refer-On different from other networking organisations? For a start, the emphasis is very much on establishing a network of business contacts and alliances – ‘friends in business’ as John calls it. There is no pressure to refer business to other members each week and membership is not restricted to one person per trade or profession. Instead, members are encouraged to explore synergies within the group – a process which ultimately leads to business changing hands in a natural, organic way.

“If you meet with the same people regularly” John explains, “you build trust, you get to know that person, and you get to know the sort of business they are looking for”. It takes time to build each Refer-On group and to develop the dynamics between members, but the results can be powerful. Some networking groups insist on restricting membership within each trade or profession. Refer-On realise that, in the real world of business, it’s rare to find two accountants (for example) who deal with exactly the same clients. Therefore they actively encourage multiple members from similar businesses as in many cases they end up passing referred business back and forth.

Meetings are based on a 4 week cycle, with a Visitors’ Day every 4 weeks. The intervening weeks are allocated to members’ meetings. There are group ‘think tank’ sessions to help members with any business-related challenges they may be facing, and a regular 20-minute ‘In the Spotlight’ gives members the opportunity to learn more about a specific member’s business.

Since John and CEO Paul Bolton took over Refer-On on 1st October 2006, they have successfully trebled the size of the company. They are flattered that some other networking groups have begun adopting their methods.

To find out more about Refer-On, please see: www.refer-online.com

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