Warm Introductions: A Trusted Approach Post-Covid

We have continued to improve the 'warm introduction' process at Global Chamber® to add more and more value to our members, including post-covid.

What a time to be living, and connecting and growing! Unprecedented!

These new times require a little shift in the way warm introductions are done to facilitate optimum success.

This post summarizes some ways we've modified our approach to meet market needs. Through the last 1-1/2 years we've learned that warm introductions help nearly every business, and for many doing international work, they are an essential supplement to all the other ways we meet people - through Linkedin, cold calling, the web, other networks and more. During these days, trade shows and events have been less available and effective.

Which approach is best? That's hard to say without knowing your business, because it depends. And it almost always requires a marketing mix.

For most of our members, it's a combination of techniques that make the magic. And warm introductions are nearly always an essential part of global business, because we're looking to reduce risk when growing across metros and borders.

The idea of Global Chamber® came to me after a particularly ineffective 'live and in person' wine and cheese event in Carlsbad, California that was supposed to be 'international business networking'... it was terribly disappointing from start to finish. There had to be a better way, and now there is.

The world of global business is actually quite small, because if an exporter, or importer or business resource does something wrong, word spreads quite quickly. That person or company will have a hard time thriving if they're not capable, professional, honest or ethical.

Conversely those who are capable, professional, honest and ethical thrive at some point. It might take a little while, and they need to be armed with the right product or service, but invariably these kind of folks - our global tribe - get it done along the way, and their patience is rewarded.

Because we all don't want to be surprised by a deal that turned out not to be how it was explained. We love our global tribe because they are transparent about what they have to give, even sometimes with both advantages and disadvantages, to make it easier to decide and not be surprised.

We only like good surprises!

Our warm introductions have evolved post-covid in 5 ways.

First our database to pull from has grown significantly - to over 100 million executives and professionals. Our access to more extraordinary clients and resources has grown as we've grown around the world, and the value of what we provide entices more leaders to join us.

Second we work even harder to understand each Global Chamber® member and who they wish to meet. Typically we'll be asked to introduce prospective clients, and so we like to know some deep details about those prospects - and so we ask a lot of questions. Thanks for your patience!

Third we really don't subscribe with the old Silicon Valley technique of an old boys network of only the guys at the country club. We love to introduce fresh people and ideas because the world has evolved past that old style, and the world is changing rapidly with new market opportunities.

Out with the 'old boys' network - and in with what's HOT, good and real. Because post-covid - nearly everything has changed except the need for trust. And so within our trusted network, we're always introducing new people and ideas from different countries, of different gender and more.

When we ask a lot of questions and make a sincere warm introduction between two people we feel should know each other, over 90% of the time there's a conversation, and invariably something good happens out of that, including a deal benefitting both parties.

Fourth we've made it easy for members to jump into meetups that are facilitated by trusted members of Global Chamber® and we let what happens, happen. Multiple ideas from different global leaders create opportunities to explore new market opportunities and resources to grow.

Markets have evolved so rapidly in this period that new opportunities are everywhere. Keep your eyes open in our meetups and globinars, along with other research that you're doing, to be aware of when you need to pivot, and when new opportunities with a good fit are available.

Fifth we keep building your network and we encourage you to as well. Count on Global Chamber® to supplement all that with key, strategic warm introductions that make a big difference in your business and life. It's what we do every day, with a big smile.

Doug Bruhnke - Global Chamber®