So, how many of you saw this heading and thought, “Oh no - not a financial planner!!!”  Many of us walk into networking events, networking groups and leads groups knowing that there will be a financial planner in the group.  It was true of every group I was a member of.  If there was not an opening for them in a leads group in the area, they started their own group.  Anyway, I do not want to rag on financial planners. 

I met today for a one-on-one with my friend, Chris Long of Long Financial Planning.  I have known Chris for almost a year now.  We are both in Vistage together where we work together with other key business professionals and CEO’s once a month on business issues we may have in our companies.  Chris and I have not had the opportunity to sit and really get to know each other until today, so I learned a lot.

Of course I used my C-O-N-N-E-C-T form to keep track of all the important information I was asking Chris.  You have to use strategic relationship networking tools to really understand their business.  THAT is how I learned about the different types of financial planners.  Chris happens to be a fee-only financial planner and a member of NAPFA which is strictly fee based.  Many financial planners are not fee-only which I did not know.

Chris also relayed a story to me about his dentist.  As a national speaker on the skill and art of Boomerang Networking, one of my niche markets is the dental industry.  He relayed to me how wonderful his dentist is.  She remembers so many facts about him, both personally and professionally.  I then asked him if she has ever referred anyone to him.  He said no.  I asked him if he has told her that he is always willing to take on new clients within his niche, and again he said no.  I finally asked him why not.  There was no reason.

My point - let everyone know that you do business with that you are open for referrals.  Listen for their niche market, and what makes them unique so you can then refer back to them quality referrals.

Boomerang Networking is an art and a skill that can be learned.  It just takes practice and a willing to listen, ask questions, and give and give and give unconditionally.