FAQs
- Q: What is a business referral group?
A: Business referral groups (BRGs), also called business referral networks or leads clubs, are networking organizations with a difference: They’re all about giving and getting referrals. For business owners who want to get fast results, a business referral group can offer a proven way of expanding your customer base.
A key component of BRG is that of industry exclusivity, which allows only one person per profession per group or chapter.
A business referral group typically restricts membership to one person from each profession, specialty or industry. This prevents members from competing against each other for business. For example, if you're a plumber, you can’t join a business referral group that already has a plumber. Each group determines what constitutes a conflict of interest. For instance, an attorney specializing in personal injury law and an attorney specializing in estate planning may not feel they are competitive with each other, so both could be in the group. - Q: Is membership FREE?
A: Yes, membership is free. You pay 5%* of the gross sale or commission only when any referral (generated by our biz or homeowner members) converts.. However, if you're attending (optional) quarterly or yearly physical meetings, you may need to share expenses in advance for the conference room (and food if any) with other local members.
*Note: Some businesses or professions that can't pay referral fees, due to federal or state laws, don't pay any fee. Check this website for the list.
- Q: What is the difference between Maxment business referral group & other referral groups?
A: Maxment is the only business networking company that sets up a business referral group for your business at no upfront cost to you. - Q: Who can join a chapter?
A: Maxment is exclusive: only one person per professional specialty is permitted to join a chapter. If your specific "business category or niche" is no longer available for your chosen city, you can't join. - Q: What is required to join the group?
A:
—Everyone applying must be sponsored by an existing member.
—If you're a real estate agent, you must be in business for 3 years & have closed 12 clients total in the last 3 years & 4 of those clients should be from the last 12 months.
—All other home service providers must be in business for 3+ years and must be generating $100,000+ per year gross business or $50,000 per year gross profit.
(Note: If you own a franchise, then there is no minimum gross sale/profit or time limit.) - Q: How do you know new members are reputable?
A: This is an invitation only group. All members must be invited by an existing member. Once you're in the group, your local chapter's membership committee may also ask additional questions about your business, ask for references. We may also ask for your license number—if it's required by the state or federal law. - Q: What if a member receives a referral, but performs the work poorly?
A: Maxment local groups maintain a high code of ethics that all members agree to uphold. Any member unsatisfactorily handling referrals must be reported to the membership committee for investigation. In addition, all members must maintain average Net Promoter Score or customer ratings for their categories. - Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?
A: Residential real estate agents & home service providers from 100+ categories. In addition, Financial Advisors, Insurance Brokers, Real Estate Attorneys & Mortgage Brokers also benefit most. For a complete list of approved business categories, check all 100+ categories on biz.maxment.com. - Q: Is my network large enough to bring consistent referrals?
A: Although there is no guarantee, but, once your group reaches 50+ members (which may take 6-12 months for a new group)–as per national average–it should generate $100k /year referral business for each member. - Q: Are members supposed to sponsor new members?
A: Yes. If your group has less than 50 members, then, each existing member should actively sponsor upto 5 new members. - Q: Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in Maxment?
A: If Maxment's general rules could potentially violate a professional's ethical code, the professional's code of ethics supersedes Maxment's rules. A primary objective of Maxment is to educate members in ways that will market and grow a business. - Q: My profession does not let me directly solicit business. Is Maxment still right for me?
A: Yes. Maxment's primary objectives: assist members in ways to improve their business, and educate them to become more proficient at networking. Professionals earn business when their expertise is known, and when others reach a level of trust with them. Maxment provides a valuable forum that can facilitate introductions, build credibility, and increase profitability. - Q: In my profession, my area of specialty is more narrowed. Am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my trade?
A: No. Maxment understands that many professions are broad and that people often specialize in their profession. Maxment does not expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate in an area in which the professional does not have expertise. On the contrary, Maxment prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities. - Q. What is the Roadmap for 2 other referral systems and 7 other systems in 6Q10S?
A. Here is the summary:
MHOS-20k & Top of Mind System will be active once Maxment has setup 2,000 local business referral groups for 2,000 cities.
- Q. Is there any Guarantee?
A. NO GUARANTEE of any kind. Disclaimer: Although Maxment stated goal is to signup 50+ biz members & 20,000+ homeowners from each of 2,000 U.S. cities listed on our website. However, there absolutely is NO GUARANTEE that Maxment will be able to signup 50+ biz members or 20,000 Maxment Homeowner Subscribers (MHOS) for its Maxmentpro directory from your chosen marketing area or city. - Q. Which countries are allowed?
A. At this time, only the U.S. companies are allowed.