In any profession, industry, sector, walk of life, there is a distribution curve of performance.

There's that 2-3% of people who bring up the rear. They never do anything and they're tough to manage. Like pushing milk uphill. These people sell the least, object the most, create the most problems, take up most of their bosses time and are the least motivated.

Likewise there's that top 2-3% of star performers who are simply world class. These people make the most money, sell the most stuff, have the most influence, get the best results and seem to have the most luck.

Then of course you've got that middle swathe of people who are average. Perhaps slightly above, perhaps slightly below. As well as applying to certain industries, it applies to certain skills. In every team there will be the best performing networker, presenter, seller, typist, coffee-maker etc.

If you want to be a better networker, you can do it. If you want to be world class, that top 2%, here are three world class tips...

Let's talk about referrals. You do all this networking to either win direct business or cultivate relationships that will lead you to direct business. This second strategy is referrals.

The problem is that few people can tell you what a referral is.

Getting terms mixed up can make you sound a bit confusing when you ask for help. What you think is a referral might be a lead to someone else. You can see how it will help to get people on the same page. Would it help you to get a definitive answer on this?

If you want to achieve anything of significance in life, you usually have to take a risk. Came across this great video this week while looking at Peter Winick's blog on Thought Leadership Leverage.

If you want to be the number one, 'go to' compelling and obvious choice for what you do, you're going to need courage. You're going to fail, so you need resilience to come back. And you're going to be walking into unknown territories, so you'll need to take risks.

It doesn't matter if you're an accountant, lawyer, banking professional, entrepreneur, writer, coach, consultant or motivational speaker. You have competition. People can choose not to use you. Which means you're going to hear the word 'no' once in a while.

Why do people go networking? Forget the silly reasons like 'because we have to' or 'because everyone else is'. Forget 'because I have nothing better to do' or 'because it's the only way to win business'.

I'm talking about developing your networking strategy so you have proper, strategic reasons to attend networking events and spend time with online networking sites. I'm talking about walking into networking events with a real purpose, a proper reason for being there and a set of networking goals or objectives. In other words, a powerful 'reason why'!

There are lots of good reasons to do business networking, but every single one boils down to either PLEASURE, PROFIT, PROFILE or PROVISION.

Let's break these down for you so that you can make that transition from amateur networker to professional networker...

Just been reading a great blog post The Most Valuable People in Your Network by Rob Cross. In Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, he talks about the critical number of 150.

When companies, churches, gatherings, networks and communities expand beyond that point, it takes a different level of managing to make things run smoothly. But with technology, online social networking and mobile tools, the networking landscape is changing. So in 21st century networking, what is the optimum size of your business network?

Ever considered that your best customers can still be prospects? If you've got something else to sell them, or you need to sell them again, you can't take it for granted that just because they've bought from you once, they'll do it again, no questions asked.

You've got to take them through some kind of sales cycle and treat them like prospects. They need woo-ing, romancing, nurturing, qualifying and questioning.

Came across this great story from a Christian website - they do a really inspiring and motivational ‘Word for Today'. It's a story that tells you the power of a well-worded question!

Pretty much everyone in business tells you that they love referrals. When you ask them how they build their business, they say 'referrals'. When you ask them what kind of business they want, they talk about one based on referrals. When you quiz them on their chief business development strategy, they say referrals. But very few know what that actually looks like!

What they are really saying is that they'd LIKE more referrals, and by being good what what they do, they think they'll get them. WRONG!

Simply being good at what you do means you won't lose the customers and clients you already have! You've got to be a little better than good as a starting point. Then you've got to find ways to leverage your 'goodness' into positive word of mouth. That's what will bring you the referrals, recommendations and introductions you're looking for.

If you want the easiest way to get more referrals in your business, it's to spend some time educating yourself on how to do it properly. Don't spend wasted time hoping you're going to get more. Invest in yourself and your business with some proper referral education. Here's your answer:

"Abundant Referrals Masterclass"

It's the only way to raise your game and wrap what you do around a proper referral based strategy. It's also the easy way to get more referrals. Book your place here or give Referral Expert Rob Brown a call on 0115 846 2127 today!

I'm a member of TED, where I watch at least one great video a week to inspire and educate me to raise my game constantly.

As an authority on business reputations, I'm always hungry to learn what makes some people successful (and usually well-reputed) and others fail. This video by Richard St John lasts 3 mins and 30 secs. It shows that many of the things that lead to success also lead to a great reputation. Watch it now.

If you're going to make an impact, leave a legacy, create a disruption, become a leader worth following or be so irresistible that people always come to you when they need what you do, you need to watch this!

Now what are you doing that will lead to success, whatever success looks like for you?

When you achieve success, people take notice. You begin to impact lives. Success is rarely an isolated event. And your reputation acquires an aura, a compelling attraction that makes you irresistible. When you're successful, you increase the likelihood that:

1. You'll create more wealth.
2. You'll attract more opportunities.
3. You'll get more interesting work.
4. You'll make more interesting connections.
5. You'll have more choices.
6. You'll be more influential.

All of these are the pay-offs for a reputation as the number one choice and trusted voice for what you do. Now isn't that interesting?

Strive for success, and it's likely your reputation will take care of itself. If you want to attend my forthcoming Masterclass on Building a Great Reputation, click here>>