February 2008 Summary
Ms. Nikki Lewallen (Rainmakers Director of Membership Development) introduced us to Rainmakers, an organization dedicated to helping people establish strategic business relationships. Rainmakers helps inventors (among others) succeed by presenting informative business programs and by helping members meet those who can help them. The effectiveness of Rainmakers is evident from its rapid growth in membership - doubling every year (since its founding 5 years ago by Tony Scelzo) to 1200 members today.
Through its philosophy of winning and putting others first, Rainmakers:
- S - creates Strategic relationships
- H - creates a culture of Hospitality
- A - has members hold each other Accountable to a higher standard
- R - is always Recruiting new members
- E - Encourages and inspires members to achieve their goals
- Sharpen your focus. Create a message that identifies, as specifically as possible, what you need and who you want to meet.
- Find your power circle. Attend a meeting and introduce yourself to a meeting organizer (someone wearing blue beads). Based on your focus, the organizer will help you find people (at that meeting and at meetings held in other locations) you can work with to solve your business problems. For example, a photographer and a baker may collaborate to promote weddings or anniversary celebrations.
- Establish relationships; don't sell. You want referrals from a lasting business relationship.
- Understand your target market. You and your closest competitor may want to specialize within a market so that you both benefit.
- Get personal. Get to know those in your power circle by sharing recreational activities.
- Customer service. Do your best in all work referred to you - reputations (yours and the referrer's) depend on it.
- Continue promising relationships. After the meeting, call someone with whom you would like to collaborate, and set up a meeting. Even though it may be months before you can collaborate, be patient and stay in contact.