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 Asia Cup in Brisbane, after Australia lost their final group game 0-1 (they ultimately went on to win the tournament), a disappointed Tim Cahill, the Australian Captain, was walking towards the tunnel as fans were calling his name hoping that he would accommodate them with an autograph or a photo. Most people just blended into the noise and it was clear that he just wanted to get back to the dressing room but I’d promised my son that he would get to meet his idol.
So in that moment I shouted “Hey Timmy, any chance of a photo for a Blue Nose?” (For the Everton supporters out there, you’ll know exactly what that means.)
And guess what? He walked straight over, smiled, and posed for a photo.
Right words. Right time. Right place.
One sentence — personal, relevant, and perfectly timed — cut through all the noise and I got exactly what I wanted. Referrals are the same.
Think about it, a referral isn’t just about knowing someone. It’s about knowing:
✔ Who in your network can help
✔ What problem they solve best
✔ When the timing is right
✔ How to phrase it so it resonates
Say the wrong thing, at the wrong time, to the wrong person… and you’re just another voice shouting in the stadium.
Say the right thing — maybe even a little unexpected or funny — at the right time, and you’ll be the one they remember.
Because in referrals, as in stadiums, it’s not about the loudest voice. It’s about the smartest one.
Because whether it’s Tim Cahill on the pitch or a potential client across the table, your next opportunity may only be one perfectly timed sentence away.
When you are ready to build a referral network that works even when you’re not in the room, create a free Local Recommend profile and experience the power of Smarter Connections and Stronger Referrals for yourself.
