About Our Referral Group
Who We Are & What We Do
Welcome to MRN!
Building business relationships one referral at a time.
Manhattan Referral Network is a group of local business professionals that meet on a weekly basis for the purpose of growing each other’s businesses. We do this by networking with each other, as well as passing referrals of potential clients to each other’s businesses.
For example, if a member has a client that is looking for car insurance, they will refer their client to the insurance agent in the group. Referrals can take place at any time during the week, but the referrals are formally passed at our weekly meetings, in order to keep records of the group’s effectiveness.
We pride ourselves on passing “quality” referrals, meaning that both the person being referred and the person receiving the referral is aware that the referral is being passed. “Cold call” referrals are discouraged.
Manhattan Referral Network is also unique in that there can only be one member allowed into the group per agency (i.e. one insurance agent, one attorney, etc.) This is so that members aren’t competing with one another for the same type of referrals.
Outside of our weekly meetings, we also try to have a few “social” events during the year, so that our members can get to know one another in a more informal environment. Manhattan Referral Network has also helped sponsor a few charity events, and try to get involved in the community as much as we can.
If you would like to know more about Manhattan Referral Network, check out our about us page. To inquire or send us a message fill out the contact form below.
Our Meeting Flow
How Our Meetings Function
Our meetings take place every Tuesday morning from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Most weeks, the meetings are held at
1880 Kimball Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, in the 2nd floor conference room, however, on occasion, we will hold our meetings at other locations for socials and special events.
01.
Open Networking
The beginning of our meetings start out with open networking time, usually from 11:45-12. This is where our members have “mingle” time, to talk with other members informally before the meeting officially begins. This is useful so that members can catch up with the events going on with each other’s businesses.
02.
Meeting Called to Order
We call our meeting to order around 12:00 noon.
03.
Welcome & Introduce Visitors
Welcome and introduce visitors to the group.
04.
MRN Purpose
The Manhattan Referral Network exists so that area business professionals, exclusive to one professional from an industry, can come together to grow and foster business
relationships. MRN also exists so that members can refer potential customers and clients o one another. The referrals can take place anytime but are formally passed to each member during our weekly meetings. The meetings allow our members to learn what other members are doing. the kinds o f business they hope to gain, and how best to pass them referrals. Our goal a s a group is to add as much value to your business each week as possible.
05.
Educational Minute
The “educational minute”, delivered by our educational coordinator. These educational minutes are focused on how to grow your business, as well as how to help the group be more successful.
06.
Guest or Member Speaker
Every two weeks, a member has the opportunity to give a 10 to 15-minute presentation, going into depth on the different products or services that their company provides. This allows the other members to understand more about
the presenter’s business, and how to better refer possible client’s to them. We also have guest speakers on occasion, from other businesses i n town to well-known figures i n the community. This allows our members to get an outside perspective on business, as well as general motivation and knowledge to help their businesses grow.
07.
Introduction of New Members
If there are any new members that have applied to join Manhattan Referral Network and are accepted through a vote by the group are officially inducted into the group. The presenter’s business, and how to better refer possible client’s to them. We also have guest speakers on occasion, from other businesses in town to well-known figures in the community. This allows our members to get an outside perspective on business, as well as general motivation and knowledge to help their businesses grow.
08.
Referral Focus Minutes
Each member gives a prepared 60-second “infomercial” on the type of client they are looking for that week. The structure of the referral focus minutes is as follows:
- Stand, state your name and your business’ name
- Give a brief description of the services and products your business provides
- Explain the type of referrals you are looking for that week, being as specific as possible
- State your name again, as well as your business’ slogan
10.
Leadership Reports
Each week, the vice president of Manhattan Referral Network gives an update on how many referrals were passed among the group the previous week, how many have been passed in the current month, and how many referrals have been passed for the year. This educates the group on how effective Manhattan Referral Network is while allowing them to set goals for the future.
11.
Passing Referrals
Members who have referrals to pass fill out “referral slips” with the name of the person they are referring, the contact
information for the person they are referring, and which member they are referring them to. They then give the
referral slip to the member that is receiving the referral, and explain why they are referring someone to them (if the information is not confidential). A copy of the referral slip is given to the vice president, for the purpose of keeping track of each referral passed. Guests are also allowed to give and
receive referrals.
12.
Announcements & Close Meeting
At the end of the meeting, announcements are presented
either about Manhattan Referral Network or announcements related to another member’s business. The meeting is then adjourned. If you would like to know more about the process of our meetings or to join our group. Contact us by filling out the form below, reaching out to a member, or stopping by one of our meetings.