I listen for new information that I didn't know. The tool of my choice is my tablet. It allows me to write down and capture the information. Not only that, I have each Powercore Meeting under a separate page where I download the weekly agenda, if I am subbing, their informinute, my informinute, and there is space for my handwritten notes of the days meeting. My tablet syncs automatically with my desk top. Also it has been show that when we physically write something down, it is easier to remember. 

I am looking for new information that will make sense to a potential referral when looking for that service. I will typically send the SBT to myself in an email after the meeting, which is why you will see me sitting in my truck after a meeting. If I forget this step, then I have to convince myself that what I captured wasn't really important. Otherwise, the email is available for me to review before my next meeting because I setup a rule that sends it to a specific folder where I can find it easily before the next meeting.

For me a Single Best Thing is physical - I feel my back straighten! That's my clue.

Then I write it down - the writing helps me internalize it, and very often while I'm writing I'll think of someone I want to share it with.

When I know it's something that will bring me long-term benefit, I add it as a note in my phone (I use Google Keep) and tag it so I can get to it quickly.

Here's a recent example from Jill Pullen, who is diving deep into AI. 
She gave me the prompt: "I want to create an invitation to an event. My goal is to have people not only register for it but to actually show up."
This is a massive learning tool for me about how to communicate with the gpt. 
All Single Best Things are valuable, like that, for me and for the person I'm going to share them with.

With single best things I always focus on new information. That can be about the person individually, or about their specific line of work. Either way it has to fall in the "New Information" bucket for me. When it's about the person I always want to hear something that wouldn't naturally come up in regular conversation. For example, I dont care that you got a new dog. If that new information is you spent a summer in college teaching base jumping in Peru... Now I'm interested. Helpful pieces on the business side would be; hiring new people, picking up new territory, a new product/service, or some accreditation specific to what you do (IE, you're growing with any of these).  All of these are interesting to me and prove that we share the same mindset. 

When I listen for a single best thing, I am looking for something that helps me visualize the type of client my teammate is looking for. I am also listening for something that helps me with a connection to my team member, so that when I refer them, the person I am giving the referral to knows that I really know the person I am referring, and am not just giving them a referral to someone who does whatever service they need.

I feel I listen differently to Infominutes and 7-Minutes as compared to PowerBrews. In the first two, I tend to highlight new information as the Single Best Thing.  During a PowerBrew with the back and forth interation, I find that the Single Best Thing is learning what obvervable characteristics would help me identify their prospects and the prospect's purpose is if they are in need of the product or service we are discussing during the PowerBrew.

For single best things, I am listening for new tidbits of info and things I can use as kindling or follow up questions in a conversation with someone who could become a prospective client/customer for my teammates. I make a note of it on my agenda during the meeting to repeat during the referral portion of the meeting as well as on the feed forward cards during seven minute presentations. 

I am always listening for a new nugget of information, whether it's from an InfoMinute, a 7-minute presentation, or during a PowerBrew.

When that tidbit comes, I will write it down.  If I'm in a team meeting, I will jot it down next to their picture on our agenda. If it's during a PowerBrew, I always bring a small notebook with me to jot down information.

This process is best for me as I can always refer back to a meeting for the information if something is said that triggers that SBT and I can share it.

At our Women's PowerCore Picnic, Suzy Life, was our sponsor and she said, "I cannot guarantee outcome but I can guarantee the experience." She was talking about what she does for her clients.  I listen for what a person "can do" for their clients and I write it down immediately. It's like hearing something for the first time. This is fantastic because the "experience" makes it all worthwhile!

My clue for a Single Best Thing is hearing something that clearly connects a problem to a result. I listen for moments where the speaker makes it easy to understand who they help and how it changes something for that person. If I can quickly picture someone I know while they’re talking, that usually tells me I’ve heard something useful. I capture it by writing down a short phrase in their words, usually the problem they solve or the result they create. Sometimes I’ll also jot down a name if someone comes to mind in the moment. That works for me because it keeps things simple and actionable. I’m not trying to remember everything, only the one thing that will help me make a connection later.

1. What do I listen for?

I listen for friction points in performance and life - not just problems, but where something is slowing someone down.

Things like:

- inefficiency ("this takes me forever...")

- stress or overwhelm ("I've been meaning to handle this...")

- avoidance ("I know I should, but...")

I'm not trying to match services - I'm listening for where someone's capacity is being limited in any area, whether that's financial, legal, home, or business.

2. How do I capture it?

I keep a simple running not in my phone organized by category or profession.

I'll write:

- Name

- Friction Point

- Possible category (who on the team this connects to)

For example:

"Sarah - overwhelmed with bookkeeping- CPA"

It's quick, clean, and easy to revisit before I reach out or make a connection.

3. Why does that method work for me?

Because it allows me to connect people based on real needs, not forced referrals.

When I follow up, it's specific and intentional:

"Hey, you mentioned you've been overwhelmed with bookkeeping - would it help to connect with someone I trust who specializes in that?"

That approch works because if feels natural, relevant, and helpful - not like a sales pitch.

I don't listen for what people do - I listen for where they're stuck.

I listen for a problem someone mentions.

I write a quick note: name + problem + partner i should connect the client to

Because it’s simple and focused on real needs.

During 7-Minute presentation, I usually try to find the link/bond between my line of business and the presenters line of business.

I scribble notes and also try to engage in a quick question after the meeting.  This allows me a proper "engaging question" for the prospect I want to connect my Power Core team member to.  Sometimes it takes time, before I feel I can effectively introduce them to propect.....I  ask my team member if they are interested in the referral I am about to connect them with.   I ask the prospect client if they want to be referred at the moment.  I connect them via Zoom, or a call and followup email.

I want to make sure the referred person is open to listen to them.  I was thought that one has to see through a task until the very end.  I want my referral to be a happy and positive end.

When listening to my teammates and those I have coffees with, I am always looking for those Ah Ha moments.  Those moments when I can visualize their "best client" and moments when I understand how they differiatiate themselves from the competition.  This works for me because when I am speaking with someone I am triggered to remember the person and the conversation flows naturally.

For example, when Kenitra is speaking about her Handyman business she always speaks of her customers as Neighbors.  This continually reinforces to me that she has strong customer service and creates trusting relationships.  This is so important to me as a Realtor, because when I recommend someone, I want them to care about my people as much as I do.  

1. What I listen for:

I listen for new information, specifically moments where my team has exceeded expectations. During InfoMinutes, 7-Minutes, or PowerBrews, I pay close attention to examples of what went better than expected, how it happened, and what made the difference. Those moments usually highlight something worth repeating or scaling.

2. How I capture it:

I write it down right away in a simple note, focusing on what was done, what made it successful, and any small detail that contributed to that outcome. I keep it short so it’s easy to revisit and apply later.

3. Why that method works for me:

This works for me because it keeps me focused on what’s working, not just what needs improvement. Capturing real examples of exceeded expectations gives me practical ideas I can better refer my team

I listen for information that surprises me.

I listen for new information or information that reminds me of a potential referral or situation that I can use to refer the person speaking/presenting.

I will write down the information or what I learned along with a potential referral name to remind me to call that person after our meeting.

Hearing the information and then writing it down helps me to remember.

• What is your clue for a Single Best Thing? Anything Novel or new, Particularly, new perspectives to problems facing each of us. I especially like quotes, adages, and stratagems.
• What do you listen for during Infominutes, 7 minutes, or a Powerbrew? I listen for the story that a short stratagem punctuates!
• How do you capture it so you can use it later? I need to write it down, I try to take notes on every speaker.
• Why does that method work for you? It combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning methods. If I write it, I own it. I call myself an idea pirate, Harr!

Dr. David Renner

404.567.6102

I listen differently to an InfoMIn & a & minute than a PowerBrew.  During the first two, I am listenging for a service level, product, price or some new information.  I write it on my agenda.  Later that day I will add that to my notes for that presenter, in my phone notes and in my Referral database. This works for me, so I can always find it when I am out and about with a client or sitting at my desk.  If the presenter gives a handout, I will file that in my filing cabinet under PowerCore presenters.  For a PowerBrew, I am looking for lots of details and back and forth to  build a rapport. I take a quick note for an action that I need to take such as a referral or a contact that I will send them as a follow up.  After the meeting, I do a quick brain dump into my notebook and then later put notes into my contact in my phone and client mgmt database. 

1. I listen for a very specific pain point someone has helped a client overcome, especially if they share the story behind it.  That gives me something real to hold onto, not just what they do, but how they actually show up when something goes wrong.
2. I capture that by making a quick note tied to that person’s name, usually one line that reminds me of the situation they handled.  That way, when I’m in a conversation later, I’m not trying to remember details, I can recall a real example that connects to what someone else is going through.
3. That works well for me because people relate to stories. It allows me to share a human example instead of a service description, which makes the referral feel more natural and more trustworthy.

When I am listening to a Infominute, 7 minute or a Powerbrew I feel I listen alittle differently during the infominute it is more about the service and how they helped but not alot of detail. When I am listening to a 7 minute the go more into how they proform the service so now I can give my client more information on how they can help them. Where with a Powerbrew you get to know them personally and you get info that helps you connect with them and there for trust them.

The was I capture the information is by writting it down for later I take notes on the agenda and when I get back and have a few minutes I go back thru and write them in my notebook. I read them often so that it stickes with me.

The reason that works for me is because I have the info at hand and it helps me remember the info.

1. What do you listen for?
I listen for how what someone is saying could connect to someone in my network. I’m always thinking, “Who do I know that needs this?” because my goal is to make meaningful referrals.

2. How do you capture it so you can use it later?
I write things down constantly. And as I’m writing, names start to come to mind. For example, this week I began working with a client who wants to build a Kosher bakery and needs to maximize a smaller space. I spoke with them Monday night—and then Tuesday morning, in a 1:1 with an architect, she described that exact specialty. That connection only happened because I had captured the need right away.

3. Why does that method work for you?
Because I have a large and diverse network. Writing things down helps me connect the dots in real time, so I can identify the right opportunities quickly and intentionally.

My process for identifying Single Best Thing. I listen as I categorize incoming information in real-time to find the one "hook" that makes a connection urgent and personal. I identify, capture, and process those insights as follow: 

The clue is almost always a conflict or a specific emotion. I tend to ignore the general stuff and wait for the speaker to mention a hurdle. During an InfoMinute, I run every statement through three filters:

The Trigger Event

The Emotional Driver and

The Ideal Profile. 

This process works for me because it focuses on retrieval, not just storage. It Prevents Information Overload - by hunting for only one thing, I don't get bogged down in the "fluff" of a presentation. It Creates Immediate Context: When I look at my notes later, I don't have to re-read the whole page. The Single Best Thing is isolated, making it easy to use in a follow-up email. And, at best It Mirrors how Human remembers things -  We remember stories and specific problems better than general facts. By identifying the "problem or Single Best Thing, I anchor that person/events/problems/solution in my memory.

My clue for identifying a Single Best Thing is when my light bulb comes on.  It captures my attention and I have that "ah ha" moment.  Their strongest referral opportunity lives in the moment of the presentation when the member clearly solves a very specific problem for a very specific person. 

Like when Wayne Thompson was able to help a client who was graduating from Med School and he was able to get them approved for their new home with a loan created for thelr profession and based on their offer letter for employment.  That immediately stood out to me and I remember the situation not just the service.

That makes it easier for me to recognize referral opportunities later because I’m listening for the problem they solve, not just their title.

I focus on key differentiators—what makes someone different from their competition and when I would actually refer them.

I use the weekly agenda to take notes during the meeting, then keep all the past agendas saved in a folder. That way if I ever need to recall something, I can go back and find it pretty quickly.

It works for me because it’s simple and consistent. I’m not overcomplicating it, and over time it builds a solid reference point so I can actually make better referrals instead of trying to remember everything off the top of my head.

1) I listen for what the presenter says are the problems the product/service solves, i.e. how does the product/service helps others. That is why examples of the benefits a specific person gets is so important. 

2) I try to write it down

3) Because I may forget it, I read the notes later over and over asking myself who can benefit from this product/service. 

1.  I listen for what people feel passionate about - what they naturally lean into, get excited about, or are emphasized. That usually points to what really matters to them and what sets them apart (and what makes them the best).

2. I keep it simple, one quick note tied to a person and what they care about. Just enough to remember the feeling behind it so I can connect them to the right people later.

3. Because passion is a strong signal. When someone genuinely cares about something, they’re more engaged, more open, and more likely to act on a connection.

It also makes referrals feel more personal. I’m not just connecting based on a need. I’m connecting based on what actually matters to them, which leads to better conversations and stronger follow-through.

1. 1. What do you listen for during InfoMinutes, 7-Minutes, or a PowerBrew? 
   
   
2. I listen for problems they consistently solve.
3.  
4. 2. How do you capture it so you can use it later?
   
5.  
6. I write down the key phrases they use.
7.  
8. 3.Why does that method work for you?
9. 
   It makes referrals faster because I am not guessing

My single best thing, I listen for during an infominute or 7-Minutes Presentation are those little nuggets or trigger words that connect to someone I know or a situation I’ve seen before. I’m always thinking, “Who do I know that needs this?” or “Where have I seen this problem show up?” When I’m listening to an InfoMinute, a 7-Minute, or a PowerBrew, I’m not just listening to understand what they do, I’m listening to make a connection.

The more examples they give about what they do, the easier it is for me to really grasp it and remember it. Those details help me lock in what I’m hearing so I can either connect them to someone right there in the moment or think of someone later who could truly benefit from their services. It works for me because I’m listening with intention and I am always looking for a way to match what they do with a real person or need.