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About TB3 You're probably sick and tired of chasing dead leads that don't produce results - spending hours at networking functions, eating not-so-great food, listening to dry, boring speakers, and walking away empty handed or with a fistful of business cards that get you nowhere. Sometimes it seems like everyone wants to sell you something, but nobody wants to buy what you have to sell. Sound familiar? Business referrals are important for your small business because they provide you with a way to grow your business with less effort. TBBB knows how tough it can be to grow a small business. The very best way to increase your small business is through word of mouth marketing. We are Tampa's Premier Referral Group. Tampa Bay Business Builders was established in 1991. Members of TBBB strive to bring qualified referrals to each other. The Best Lead Is Not As Good As The Worst Referral. That is why successful networking in a referral network is different from a leads clubs. A lead is a mere step up from a cold call. Ugh! That's why so many leads go nowhere and just waste your precious time. When you receive a lead, the person sending it your way thinks they are sending you to a prospect who may need what you offer. A referral is a warm contact. The person referring you has confirmed that the prospect not only needs, but wants what you offer and the prospect is ready, willing and able to talk with you. A leads club typically requires a group of people to bring one or more leads to each meeting. These leads are not qualified and could come from a vast amount of sources that you could have looked up yourself. But there is no personal contact involved. These so-called leads are "suspect" rather than a prospective business client:
Tampa Bay Business Builders approaches this situation differently. No one is compelled to bring a lead to a meeting. TBBB members work for each other through friendship and reciprocal favors rather than quotas. We try to eliminate cold calls through referrals. We don't just make referrals--we work to make QUALIFIED referrals for one another. A referral from a member of TBBB is a quality referral for the customer -- who doesn't like receiving cold calls any more than making them! The reputation of the TBBB member making the referral is on the line with the customer as well as with the TBBB member being referred. That fact alone gives the customer a feeling of confidence. When you call on a member of Tampa Bay Business Builders for products or services, you can count on the integrity of the business and the professionalism of the TBBB member! Take comfort in knowing that there is a supportive network at work. Ethical business people who trust one another and who actively seek new business prospects for each other, inspires trust. When customers need services or products, they like knowing that their new contact is reputable and likely to stay around! Doing business with people, you know and trust is best. TBBB referrals are customers and business partners who are potential friends and colleagues. Our Code of Ethics is the basis of TBBB membership that strengthens our business relationships and gives our customers confidence in our referrals. Our geographic reach covers the West of Coast of central Florida from Apollo Beach in the south to Lutz in the north. Member businesses operate in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. Attendance is of paramount importance! You can't reciprocate if you aren't present. TBBB members often do business with one another, but our real focus is to know exactly what each member is looking for in a qualified referral. We seek out the connections for each other. Membership in TBBB is on a non-compete basis. Realistically speaking, we look for ways to be inclusive -- there are many business opportunities in the Tampa Bay area, and we know there is strength in numbers! We determine if a prospective member represents direct competition to a TBBB member by asking members. If a conflict of interest may exist, the final decision may be determined by the member whose business interests could conflict with the candidate, and that decision usually is accepted by the Board of Directors. A potential members can ask to be put on a "Waiting List" and called if a category becomes available. We are more than happy to do that, too! Most often, a category opens up when a TBBB member's business demands make it impossible for the member to attend meetings regularly. Many of these members rejoin the group when the press of business allows them to schedule our Tuesday meetings once again. And yes, returning members sometimes have to wait for their category to open again! TBBB members are affiliated with these organizations:
Whether you're looking to join Tampa's Premier Referral Group as a member or looking for local resources with business people who value colleagues and customers alike, please attend a meeting of the Tampa Bay Business Builders and you’ll see why we are Tampa’s premier Business Builders. Like what you read? Contact TBBB today and you’ll find a warm reception and total professionalism! |
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