Customer Reviews

Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales, New & Updated Edition

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I chose to read two books, one right after the other - Endless Referrals by Bob Burg and Business by Referral by Misner and Davis (also reviewed). Endless Referrals takes a very "real world" approach to the business referral process. It's direct, hard-hitting information. Bob Burg gets to the point immediately. I became very enthusiastic about Bob Burg's system and immediately began integrating it into my referral process. His ideas about making the initial contact and following up with that individual are a must for anyone in the business of generating referral-based sales. The book is full of examples of good and bad business actions, which Bob tightly weaves into the specific element of the process being discussed. The chapters on home-based businesses were very good, and even though I am not in home-based sales, I gleaned a few good ideas which I can apply. I found only one shortcoming. Bob Burg didn't really take the process far enough. I think he fell short in the systematic follow-up process of utilizing the information you have gained from a contact to build your business and your contact base.

I give a solid recommendation for this book; it is a must read for anyone wanting to generate referral-based sales or anyone who is in the selling business for the long haul. Utilizing Bob's techniques, you'll begin immediately to build a solid foundation for referral-based sales.

Because I spent more than two decades in fundraising, I thought I had mastered the art of networking. Like many other development professionals, I was fairly aggressive in meeting people, remembering their names, and establishing rapport. Annually, I filled my desk with business cards.

Now networking is even more important for me as an entrepreneur. And in the last month, Bob Burg has given me valuable guidelines about networking. He taught me that I was a dedicated networking novice, and showed me how to become a skilled professional.

First, I attended one of Bob's dynamic seminars in Atlanta, Georgia. His novel-and highly creative-approach to networking prompted the audience members to think: "So. . .that's what I should have been doing all along."

Then I read Endless Referrals, which reflected Bob's comments in the seminar, and added many other tips. As is the case with his speaking, Bob Burg writes quite clearly, often entertainingly. Vivid case histories and anecdotes make his points memorable.

The book would be well worth the price if it contained only Chapter Eight: "Begin Your Own Profitable Networking Group."

Readers will welcome Burg's game plan for establishing and maintaining a systematic network. I know I did.

You must buy this book! As a self-confessed 'how to..' book junkie, what puts this book head and shoulders above the vast majority of similar books is this: in the past when reading a 'how to' business book, I would find myself thinking "I should try that" and then never actually getting around to it. With Bob Burg's book however, I found myself thinking "I can't wait to try that" and (this is the best bit) I actually have successfully implemented a number of Mr. Burg's ideas. For example I set up a business network group according to the principles set out in 'Endless Referrals' and although in early days, it is working exceptionally well for me and the other participants.

Another really great thing about this book is that it has improved my selling skills to the point where I don't actually sell (in the traditional way) anymore. All I do is what Bob Burg suggests; I help people to achieve what they are aiming at and this results in them giving me business. This has made me feel that I am not actually in sales anymore, rather I'm doing what I've always been good at (relating to people) and this leads to sales. You would be surprised how liberating it is to approach a prospect not thinking about how you are going to sell them but thinking about how you can help them. It really takes the pressure off. I was never very competitive because I always felt that for me to win, someone else has to lose and I was never comfortable with that. Now Mr. Burg has helped me to realise that the best way to win is by helping others to win.

I have read over 250 sales and marketing books. I earn a nice 6 figure income selling and when I read a book that reveals timeless truth I can feel it.

This book teaches a priceless skill that is needed for becoming successfully profitable in sales; how to work with prospects that are already open to your message. The referral is already open to you because the referrer has transferred the trust they have established to you, the valued professional. This book will show you how to tap that trust that others have built and set you up for a successful, and profitable, sales experience.

Buy this book, take it chapter by chapter, internalize all that it teaches and, most importantly, ACT on it! You will see commission checks growing larger and it will be easier than you ever imagined.

Bob Burg's style is positive, upbeat and entertaining. I refer to "Endless Referrals" frequently. The ten questions in the second chapter, along with chapters eight and nine have contributed tremendously to my success in various endeavors. These parts alone are worth more than the price of the book. With that said, however, ALL the material is outstanding; the ideas for achieving success in all areas of life are pragmatic and energizing. Bob Burg's work stands out in that way certainly, but also couples the road to success with making the world a nicer place by promoting respectful interaction. This book is not to be missed!

I am brand new to the "network marketing" arena. I have spent my entire adult life working as a Registered Nurse and have just recently switched gears and started up my own business. So, networking is new to me and so completely out of my previous realm. As a nurse, I never needed referrals! People were bound to have babies... whether I asked them to or not!

Mr. Burg's book came highly recommended to me by one of my business colleagues. Am I ever glad I listened to this recommendation! This book is very well written. It is clear, concise, and to the point. Even for a novice networker, like myself, the concepts presented here are easy to follow. It just makes sense that these approaches would work. Bob teaches people how to be non-intrusive, how to play nice in the sand box, and how to get the referrals in a professional manner. This is the thing I love most about this book. Not only does he show you how to network, he is also teaching people how to be true professionals.

Lastly, I have to say that I know for a fact that Bob not only teaches others how to follow these concepts... he actually uses them!!! As I was reading, I had a question about where I could purchase the notecards and scratch pads he talks about. So, I went to his website and was unable to find the information I was looking for. Well, I decided to click on the "contact me" icon and ask my question. Within a few hours, I had a personal response from Bob in my email inbox. I was impressed beyond words that he took the time to personally respond to me AND he did it in a timely manner!!!! To me, that spoke volumes about the man behind the book.

I will definately be recommending this book to others in my organization. I believe this is a must read for anyone that depends on networking to fuel their business!!!!

In "Endless Referrals", which I refer to constantly (I am a 15-year veteran in the financial services industry, and do not cold-call, so all my business is based on the generation of referrals), Bob Burg states what some would call the obvious: concern yourself with the welfare of others first, and it will come back to you in a big way. I believe this to be true, and Burg provides several strategies - mostly through the use of questions - designed to break down barriers and build rapport in a short period of time.

In garnering referrals, I often go point-blank with many of my clients, asking them the traditional "Who do you know....?" question. However, this is obviously not useful when meeting someone for the very first time. That's where Burg's strategies come in handy. That's not to say that this book doesn't contain ideas geared toward those you know already; it does.

I bought two copies of this book and gave one to one of the rookies in my office. My copy is highlighted from start to finish. I refer to it constantly. The book is an easy read, an enjoyable read, and an excellent source of extremely useful information.

The only requirement: You must ACT, and apply the ideas found within. If you do, nothing should stand in the way of your gathering many new sources of business.

I recommend this book highly - and I've read many on this subject.

People think they're networking when they hand out a business card and slap a new acquaintance on the back. However, true networking is all about getting people to "know, like and trust" you. After all, says Bob Burg, this is why people will buy from you. How do you become one of these esteemed people? By encouraging people to talk about themselves. By being the first one to do the referring in a relationship. And, by using Burg's easy-to-apply strategies for attracting and qualifying prospects, getting first appointments and following through. Burg constantly reminds us that if you help others selflessly, you will reap the benefits. In fact, he argues many of his points long after you are nodding your head in agreement, but the points are usually well worth making. If you want to become a high-powered networker rather than an occasional networker, we recommend this book to you.

This book is a must have in your tool box! If your business is built by meeting more people, would you rather do that through referrals than by prospecting your cold market? Bob does an excellent job of teaching you how to cultivate a network of referrals and he gives you the tools that he used to build his. This is a great resource for any business type no matter whether you are working with business networking groups or hosts for in-home parties. If you want to meet more people and build your business with less effort then you must understand the benefits of referrals and the system for getting them. It works!

This book helped me turn my Networking business around overnight! I bought & read this book in one day. I immediately started using what I had learned from this book and found that people really wanted to talk to me. You do what this books teaches and you will have a much easier time finding others that will truly want to help you by sending you referrals or becoming part of your business. Example: From one contact with a Sales Manager I recieved 23 referrals a week after we had met.