What do you do when referrals backfire?

I recently offered a referral to a colleague who informed me she wasn’t impressed by “that person”.  

Rather than argue about my experience, I asked why she felt that way.

Was the person incompetent, bad at communication, slow to respond?

Did the person not do what they said they were going to do? Did they do it 

badly?

Did they do something untrustworthy or unethical?

Hearing the answers, I realized there weren’t any tangible problems, just a bad fit.

The person’s style simply didn’t suit my colleague.

While I hadn’t done anything wrong, I still felt I had to redeem myself, to make-good.

I sent the colleague’s name, bio and contact to a couple reporters—and copied her on the emails-- introducing her to people who could do more for her than a single referral ever could. 

For more information, contact us at (916) 455-4790 or www.dellrichards.com.

Comments tell you about the person

Despite years of zip code, demographic and in-depth research on predicting behavior, a person’s reaction tells you as much about them as you.

I am often amused by facebook comments, especially recently.

I posted an item about sleeping on the porch because of out-gassing from an old paint—a perfect match for a touch-up—but alkyd-based.

There were five responses, four facebook comments and one phone call.

• One said it sounded lovely to sleep in the open on the porch.

• Three told me I should use water-based paint.

• One called to offer the guest room.

Family dynamics would tell us:

• A few romantic, child-like ones are going to sail through life, seeing the bright side and enjoying your product or services with few problems.

• Others are going to be “parents”, no matter what their age, quick to point out flaws and make suggestions.

• A few will be activists, offering a solution to the problem and often leading others.

How people respond to you is often as much based on a role they learned as your product or service.

It’s still valid, but it’s only one viewpoint.

For more information, call us at (916) 455-4790 or visit our website at www.dellrichards.com.