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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How does this club work?

A: By meeting weekly over a meal, members get to know one another personally, become familiar with each others' services and products, and build trust and confidence in one another's products and services. Each member has opportunity to describe his or her business and what constitutes a good client or customer.

The club operates on the principle that by attending and giving referrals to other members that one will in turn receive referrals. We do keep records of referrals given or received. We accept that some members have less opportunity to find referrals for others. By helping these members grow their business, their sphere of contacts will in turn grow and they will, in time, become better able to find references for others.

The expectation is that each member will strive to bring a warm referral for one or more other members each week. A 'warm referral' constitutes having communicated to a potential client that his or her name will be passed on to another club member, and that he or she will be expecting, and open to, a call from the member.


Q: What kind of Memberships does SBR offer?

A: SBR offers two types, a Chapter Specialty Membership and a Power Membership.


Q: What is unique about a Power Membership?

A: Power Members (PM) do not belong to any chapter and do not hold any specialty title, so they are not required to attend every week. PMs may visit any Specialty Chapter Meeting where there specialty is open. PMs may also participate in Peer Mixers, Outside Peer-to Peer sessions, and receive discounts to SBR Events and Services.

 

Q: What is unique about a Specialty Membership?

A: Specialty Members (SM) belong to a specific chapter and hold a specialty title. SMs may visit any Specialty Chapter Meeting with no limit. SMs may give infomercials and Showcase Presentation at Specialty Chapter Meetings, on any open specialty topic. SMs may also participate in Peer Mixers, Outside Peer-to Peer sessions, and receive discounts to SBR Events and Services.


Q: Can anyone join a chapter?

A: We only take one person per professional specialty. So if you are a Life Insurance person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or allow you to open another chapter.  Of course, if you are a Auto Insurance person, you could be eligible to join this chapter.

 

Q: Who is allowed to Attend/Join?
A: Guests are most welcome. Come and see how this club will help you grow your business.
To ensure cooperation, not competition, among members, only one representative of a business/professional category may be a regular member of the club.

Where there is potential competition between an existing member and a potential new member, acceptance of a new member will be at the discretion of the existing member. The potential new member may be accepted into membership by emphasizing only those aspects of his or her business which are not in competition with the existing member.

Q: What happens during a typical meeting?
A: At each meeting, each member gets a few minutes to describe their business and what clients they are looking for, and anything new that may be going on with their business (promotions, specials, events, etc.)

Each week, one member gives an extended presentation about their businesses/expertise. Through these special presentations we better understand the details of the presenter's business and how to seek referrals for that member.

Here is the basic structure of a meeting:

00:00 Pre-Meeting Networking Time – Mingle and place meal order……Get there early!

00:13 Welcome Introductions and Membership Presentation by Founder and/or President

00:15 Infomercials, Questions and Business Card Exchange,

Groups of   2-10 Members:  Each Member gives up to a   3 Minute Infomercials

Groups of 11-20 Members:  Each Member gives up to a   2 Minute Infomercials

Groups of 20 +   Members:  Each Member gives up to a   1 Minute Infomercials

00:45 Additional follow up questions on Infomercials, please limit to one dialogue at a time.

00:55 Speakers of the week, Two member can give a 6 minute presentation or General discussion led by President or SBR Ambassador

01:07 Introduce New Members & Guest

01:12 Five Minute Business Builder (Networking Tips) by SBR Ambassador and/or President

00:17 SBR Chapter Enhanced Benefits Presentation by President or Ambassador

01:18 Formal exchange of referrals, announcements, special events...

01:29 Official Adjournment

01:30 Post-Meeting Networking Time – ……Stay and Mingle!

 

Q: Does it Work? Yes!

A: Throughout the course of the week, most businesses run into people looking for services or products which they themselves don't supply. SBR Referral Club members connect the consumer to the needed business by way of a referral.  When you are part of a group of 12-30 business people who know what you do, and are actively listening to find leads for you, this can add up to significant additional business.

 

Q: What's it cost to join?

A: About a dollar a day, collected with your application. Your chapter may also collect a fee to cover meals, services and facilities. Talk to your Sponsor who invited your or to an SBR Ambassador about joining today.

 

Q: Are there any discounts or recruiting incentives?

A: To help promote the growth of a chapter, we will provide a $100 discount towards your membership when you bring 3 new members into your chapter – or refer a total of 5 new members to the SBR organization – even if they join other SBR chapters.  You will be eligible to receive this discount annually, if by your anniversary month, you have brought 3 New members into the chapter or 5 new members into any chapter during the previous calendar year.

 

Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?

A: You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open, after the visitor has been prescreened, if they're a viable candidate. It's pretty much a closed meeting except for potential members.

Q: What's the difference between a LEAD and a REFERRAL?

 A: The difference between a "lead" and a "referral" (worth 1 points) is that the person giving the referral has spoken to the customer about you and the customer is expecting your call.  Leads are worth 1/3 as much in SBR Bucks as a referral. We strive to pass REFERRALS!

 

Q: What if I don't know anything about networking?

A: SBR will provide training. It is really a simple process. Certainly much simpler than the day to day operation of your business. Groups will have training sessions and materials to help you succeed.  Within 90 days of joining a SBR Referral Club, you will attend a Networking Success Training to insure your success.

 

Q: Can I also participate in the local Chamber?

A: Of course! We encourage our members to be active in their local community, in the Chamber of Commerce and in service clubs. Although, we do ask that you not join any other "industry exclusive" group while in a leadership position in a SBR chapter. Your Chapter may give you an exception to this rule with approval of the SBR Ambassador.

 

Q: Can you be a member of more than one SBR Chapter?

A: Only Founders and SBR Ambassadors may belong to more than one Chapter, under the same specialty. However, regular members may belong to special purpose SBR Power Groups in addition to a traditional Chapter and may visit any chapter as long as their category is open.



Q: What if I can't make it to the meeting?
A: To hold one's position in the club, the expectation is that each member will attend each meeting. We do take an attendance to gently monitor which members are coming consistently. If you, as a member, are unable to attend the week's meeting, simply send a stand in or substitute. Your name will be included on the attendance sheet as "qualified excused absence" and won’t count against you.

 

Q: How do you know new members are reputable?

A: The application asks for references and we have a membership committee that checks them, for this very reason. Our membership is by word of mouth, so before they even come to a meeting they have to have spoken to someone or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned to them, and they will interview them.

 

Q: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?

A: We have an ethics committee, for this very reason and it is imperative that anyone who gives a lead and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the membership committee, who will inquire and provide coaching to the member.

 

Q: What if my cell phone goes off?
A: You are welcome to leave your cell phone on, preferably in silent mode. If your ringer is heard, you will be expected to make a $5 donation to the chapter sunshine fund. If you must answer your cell phone during the meeting, please be considerate and leave the table. The idea of this club is to help you get more business. We see little reason for you to ignore your clients when the whole idea of the club is to promote business!

 

Q: Why only one person from each profession?

A: It makes sure that each person gets the maximum benefit from their membership. SBR Members are top professionals, who are backed-up by references. When they become members, they lock out their competition in that particular club.

 

Q: If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?

A: SBR understands that some professions are broad and that people often specialize within their profession.  SBR does not expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate in an area in which the professional does not have expertise.  On the contrary, SBR prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities

 

Q: Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in SBR?

A: SBR understands the importance of the ethical concerns governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can differ by location or other factors.  As such, SBR therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the professional’s ethical obligations.  In the event that SBR’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, SBR’s rules are superseded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code.  Significantly, a primary objective of SBR is to educate its membership in ways to market and grow business.  

 

Q: My profession does not let me directly solicit business.  Is SBR still right for me?

 A: SBR’s primary objective is to assist its members in ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning how they can effectively generate referrals and expand their professional network.  Business people get business when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level with them.  SBR provides a forum that allows members to meet other business peers who need to know effective and efficient business people.

 

Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?

A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you're focused and you have a dream and you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.

 

Q: When does a Provisional Chapter become an Official Chapter?

A: Once a new start up (Concept Chapter) has the recommended 6 paid members, it becomes a Provisional Chapter. At this time each provisional member locks in their professional specialty. The Provisional Chapter, upon reaching 12 members gains Official status, as a Classic or B2B chapter.

 

Q: When are checks collected from applicants?

A: Checks should be collected with each application, and not be cashed until accepted by the membership committee. In a Concept Chapter, the check will be held un-cashed, if requested by the members, until 6 members have joined

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