In the world of referral networking, there’s a simple truth: you get what you ask for. The specificity of your request can shape the opportunities that come your way—and ultimately, the growth of your business. Take the example of two IT consultants. The first consultant, eager for work but unsure of his niche, asked his … Read more

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

When Sarah launched her boutique digital marketing agency in Brisbane, she spent her first six months obsessing over Google ads, Instagram content, and SEO rankings. She got a few leads, but most ghosted her after the first conversation. Then one Thursday morning, she reluctantly attended a local networking breakfast. “I’m not really a networking person,” … Read more

When Jake left his corporate job to start his own IT consulting business, he had expertise — but no clients, no brand, and no connections outside his old employer. He started where most people do: cold emails, LinkedIn messages, and the occasional business expo. But everything felt… forced. Then, over coffee, a mentor told him: … Read more

When Priya started her graphic design business, she thought networking was just another word for prospecting. At every event, she’d hand out business cards like confetti, pitch her services within two minutes, and leave disappointed when no one called back. After her third event, she vented to a friend, “Networking doesn’t work — it’s just … Read more

When Laura took over her family’s printing business, she had one goal — modernise everything. She updated the website, rebranded the logo, and even launched social media ads. But despite all the upgrades, sales stayed flat. One of her regular clients, Mark, invited her to a Local Recommend meeting. “You’ll meet great people there,” he … Read more