Your Network Sucks, That’s Your Problem a Steve Doyle Story

Brad's Friday game night exists because he got uncomfortable during COVID and started networking. That group of strangers a travel agent, Microsoft expert, idea coach, and HR consultant became the friends now playing ridiculous word games together. More importantly, they became the network that solves real business problems.That network paid off when a client texted Friday at 10:30 AM needing 2,000 square feet of outdoor storage space by Monday. Brad connected them with a trucking client who had yard space, solving the problem in hours. Business owners who don't build networks miss these opportunities constantly.Most business owners default to Craigslist or calling their CPA for referrals instead of developing real relationships with their service providers. The commercial insurance agent, financial planner, and even personal insurance broker are sitting on valuable networks but only if you actually build relationships beyond paying invoices.Brad challenges all the bankers, lawyers, and CPAs listening: stop accepting "I'm too busy" as an answer. Go have coffee with your blue collar clients. Learn who they are beyond the annual meeting. This tight-knit community rewards those who show up and provide real value.For technicians going into homes, be curious about the homeowners. They know tons of people and run businesses. A simple conversation about their work can lead to referrals neither party expected. The window installer who showed up with a trailer organized to the nines got Brad's referrals because that trailer opening signaled competence.Highlights:Brad solved a client's emergency storage crisis in hours by connecting two people in his network.Most business owners only contact service providers when paying bills or fixing problems not building relationships.Your commercial insurance agent, financial planner, and banker have networks you're not tapping into.Technicians should be curious about homeowners - they run businesses and know people who need referrals.Is your network limited to the people you already know? Your net worth really is your network but only if you invest time building real relationships.Make sure to subscribe to Blue Collar BS for practical advice about what actually works in business.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpOP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy