A simple rule that has made business life easier: "Always strive to give value before you ask for value."

I enjoy the energy of the meetings in the early morning, particularily at Team Whitlock. With that energy comes distractions if I am not focused. One of the systems I use in the meeting is a sheet I keep updated called, "Team Referral Phrases." This started as a sheet of paper that simply had every Team Member's name on it.  Whenever they say something that strikes a referral cord in me and I believe will resonate with the people I come across, I write it down. This valuable information can come from their delivery of an InfoMinute, 7-Minute or great answer to a "Say To Get" Referral Trigger. Monthly I update it on my PC, which helps me re-read and re-hear the information to use for a referral. I bring the sheet to every meeting, keep it updated and share with Teammates at our coffees what I believe their most effective referral phrases have been.

Outside of the meetings, I ask Team Members to share their "One-Pages" with me digitally. These are generally their best general snapshot of their services and products. I keep them in my iPad to share easily and efficiently with prospective referral clients.

The sharing of the Team Agenda and roster has also proved a valuable tool for gateopeners and business collaborators.