A plumber joined one of my networking groups. On the surface, nothing unusual — except this plumber turned up to the weekly meeting dressed immaculately in a well-tailored suit, a crisp shirt and freshly polished shoes. After the meeting, I noticed him head out to his van, open the back doors, and change into his … Read more

Fifteen years is a long time. New house, different routine, different stage of life. Last week, after working overseas and moving suburbs, I thought it would be nice to resurrect an old Friday night tradition, curry from my favourite Indian takeaway. The counter looked the same, the smell was the same and to my surprise, … Read more

When setting business goals, it’s easy to focus on revenue targets, marketing plans, or systems. However, one of the most effective and measurable growth strategies is often overlooked: building and nurturing the right professional network. If referrals are important to your business, your network should be treated as a core business asset, with clear goals, … Read more

We all hear that networking is the key to business growth. That building a strong referral network will bring a steady stream of clients. But here’s a story that shows just how fragile those relationships can be if you take them for granted. A few years ago, a plumber joined my networking group. Over time, … Read more

We all heard the old phrase: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But in today’s referral-driven world, the real advantage comes from understanding what you know about the people you already know. Anyone can collect business cards, attend events, or stack up LinkedIn connections. But the people who consistently generate meaningful referrals … Read more

Everyone talks about “networking luck” — meeting the right person, landing the right client, being in the right room. But here’s the truth: opportunities don’t come from luck. They come from saying the right thing… at the right time… in the right place. And sometimes, the best lesson isn’t from a boardroom. At the 2015 … Read more

There’s a common assumption that every weekly referral group works the same way — rigid structure, high annual costs, a burn and churn business model, and a system designed to fund the organisation more than the members. But that’s simply not true. Local Recommend looks like a weekly referral group on the surface, but operates … Read more

There’s something timeless about meeting people face-to-face. The handshake, the smile, the spark of connection when you realise you can genuinely help each other — it’s the foundation of trust in business. Yet the future of networking isn’t about abandoning these human moments. It’s about amplifying them with smart technology. Imagine walking into a room … Read more

Have you ever wondered why some businesses get a steady stream of referrals while others can’t seem to get any traction, no matter how good their service is? Here’s the truth: people refer to people, not companies. It doesn’t matter how polished your logo is, how professional your website looks, or how many years you’ve … Read more

Let’s be honest — we’ve all had that introduction. You know the one: “Hey Sarah, meet John — you guys should chat. I think you both do something in marketing or something.” And then… silence. 😅 No context. No reason. No warmth. Just two awkward humans staring at their screens trying to figure out why … Read more