Referral of a Lifetime, The MP3 CD – Unabridged, January 24, 2017

In this world of technology and social media, we can tend to forget the real interaction of people voice to voice or face to face in building business. A strong business is built on trusted relationships and those are built on people actually knowing each other and doing work that can be depended upon. Then if you know anything about the principle of multiplication, it goes from there and thrives. What real sense does it make to contact a million people all at once? What would you do with them if they all knocked on your door?! This book is written in a strange way in order to get your attention so you get the point—it's a very strong point and true, so don't miss it. This is the day to build your business in a real way.

This book was referred to me and it has definitely given me a sense of direction that I needed. Sales is a new adventure and I am way out of my comfort zone...ready to call it quits but at the same time, not wanting to because of the money and time already invested in getting my insurance licenses and the business start up costs. This book just confirmed that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm not alone in my frustrations and fears that I made a bad choice. I just need to stay the course and give it my all...remembering the Golden Rule!!!

If you're new to sales or think you have no sales skills, this book is for you. If you love networking and meeting people, this book is for you.I've purchased this book several times and gave it to folks who are new to sales or who just need to generate business. This book shows how to leverage your existing relationship. Read the book and then make the process your own. With email and social media--this just got so much easier.It's a fast read--and you can take action immediately.

As a business coach, one of the main concerns of my self employed professional clients have is how to get enough customers to fill their practice. I belong to a referral based business club and recently, I have had an opportunity to see the toll taken by business people who have a "hunt and kill" mentality. The premise of "The Referral of a Lifetime" is that by nurturing a loyal client base in similar and related businesses, more like farming, you are able to build a self sustaining business that will reap rewards years ahead.Now this is NOT the multi-level marketing model where I get you to produce to my benefit with the only promise is that you get OTHER people to promise benefit to you. (Don't get me started down that road!)The key here is reciprocity. I give business to you and you will want to give business to me. Templeton talks about building networks of friends and business relationships that will last a lifetime based on excellent customer relations, integrity and generosity. Too often I have seen people in business so desperate to make a living that the wreck havoc where ever they go. I wonder to myself, do they really know that this won't work forever and that their "scorched earth" business plan will ultimately backfire?I make this book required reading for my serious coaching clients and it is in my top 3 books that I recommend to any business person for long term success.

Going to networking events and exchanging business cards is a great way to meet other people, but what happens next. How do you turn this STACK of business cards into loyal customers? This book shows you how! This is a great step by step process of how to track and continue to be on the tip of the tongue of everyone you meet. Networking is not only about who you know, it is about who they know that counts.

I am not someone who likes or gets excited about sales. This book helped me to see that offering people what I do in business can actually be a part of the bigger picture of the relationship that I have with them. I am looking forward to using the strategies of this book to help me connect with people and add more and more value to their lives. Thank you Tim Templeton!

This book was terrible, but I should have seen it coming. Here were the signs:1. The large print, spread over a scant 130 pages (that stretched out 4 sort-of points into a "story" on about a 3rd grade reading level)2. Ken Blanchard's intro that says this is a "short, easy-to-understand, parable-type book"3. A book for adults that has a character named "Susie"4. When I got to page 23 and then 40 and then 66 and there were still only 1 or 2 points made and wanted to drive a fork into my own eye.I'm going to finish this book because I can do it in one sitting and because I already spent the money (and because I have a goal of reading 3 books a month and this is an easy one), but I gotta tell you, SAVE YOUR MONEY! I don't know what all the 4- or 5-star reviewers see in this book. It's way too basic to be useful. You're probably already doing everything it suggests (which isn't much):--Make a list of everyone you know--Prioritize your hottest leads (my words, not the author's)--Tell people what you're doing and ask for referrals--Promise to take good care of said referrals--Create a system for keeping in touch with them that's not all about the sale (while asking for referrals)I mean REALLY?!?!Move on. Nothing to see here.

Networking has gotten to be a catch phrase for going to meet-ups and collecting as many business cards as possible while talking about yourself and your business. In this book, you learn to turn this system upside down and serve others while staying true to your own gifts and talents. The system requires commitment but it is relatively simple and rewarding. Can't wait to put it into practice.