Are you familiar with the concept of business networking? Do you know of any local business network groups? Have you ever attended a business network meeting or event?

The concept of business networking has grown tremendously in recent years. Almost everyone will agree that nothing can beat a solid, word of mouth referral, as a business lead. Business referral groups have formed in nearly every town of the United States. Many groups meet weekly, usually a breakfast meeting, held for the express purpose of exchanging solid business referrals with other like minded, local business people. These weekly face to face meetings give members the time needed to bond with each other and form strong business ties as a group. As these relationships strengthen, it becomes easy for members to think of, and refer other group members whenever an opportunity arises. A referral may be to a friend, relative, neighbor, business associate, or anyone in a member’s sphere of influence. The concept is good and the idea has flourished since an unsolicited personal referral has the greatest chance of becoming a done deal!

We have taken this proven concept a few steps further and have modernized, using the latest technologies, allowing us to operate more efficiently and with greater results. This bigger, better business network group is called “The GoTo Network”.

The GoTo Network is a connected organization of business network groups. Local chapters are formed and weekly breakfast meetings take place lasting about 1-1/2 hours. Only one member per business type may join a chapter; example: only one accountant, one plumber, one chiropractor, etc. Each week every member gives a brief description, of who he/she is, what his business involves, and explains what a good referral will be for that week. Chapter members exchange referrals obtained by communicating with their own spheres of influence.

Now, this is where The GoTo Network is different. First of all not just anyone can join, since membership is by invitation only. A new member must be sponsored by an existing member. The GoTo Network is an elite group of the top 10% of business people, who operate with very high standards of business practices. These are the people who return phone calls, mean what they say, and deliver what they promise at the price they have quoted, with honesty and integrity. Those who conduct their business with the customers/clients best interest in mind. Members all agree to an annual background check to help insure you are not referring a convicted felon or an unethical business person. All members agree to conduct their business based on The GoTo Network’s “Code of Ethics”. Violation of this may result in the revoking of ones membership. The idea is this, we all want to do business with people we know we can trust; those who exceed the expectations of their customers. The kind of people you will gladly refer again and again. 
 
The next big difference is our use of technology. To compliment our weekly, face to face meetings participants use The GoTo Network’s resource rich website, a tool used to promote business referrals between members. Our website connects members on both a local and global level. The giving, receiving and tracking of all referrals is conducted through our internet based website. Communication is very easy between members with our own private messaging system. Each member has his/her own customizable webpage with pictures, videos, contact information, testimonials, links to existing business websites and other vital information. This information is easily obtained by other members and consumers who are eager to do business with members of The GoTo Network. Consumers also have the ability to post ratings, after doing business with members. Our rating system is a powerful means of insuring that members provide goods and services as promised to consumers. Members with positive ratings are rewarded with higher rankings and more business from eager consumers. Consumers have the ability to search our website, for needed goods and services, by area and business type. They decide who to use based on information gathered, including other consumer ratings, testimonials, etc. This is quite empowering to the consumer, allowing one to make decisions based upon results rather than chance, and preferred over using an obsolete system like the yellow pages. Consumers appreciate the ability to post ratings. As our consumer base grows direct referrals to members of The GoTo Network also grow significantly.

Members of The GoTo Network pay annual and monthly fees for membership and for the use of our advanced website; similar to the fees required by other business network groups. Large business referral organizations currently exist and operate as a business franchise. This means an individual may pay a franchise fee to secure an area, then organize separate chapters with paying members. A percentage of the membership fees are then paid to the franchise owner for growing his chapters. The individual members are not compensated for introducing new members. The GoTo Network operates under an entirely different structure. We are not a business franchise. Our growth is based entirely on the success of our members and the idea that successful members will sponsor other like minded business people into our group. As a result we compensate our members for bringing in new members. Recruiting new members is not a requirement. Most members of The GoTo Network are quite satisfied with the additional business they receive through our referral system. Some may never recruit a single new member. Others are more willing and able to sponsor new members and they are rewarded for their efforts with a recurring compensation plan. Our growth and success is shared amongst our members.

The overall idea of The GoTo Network is that hard working, honest business people want to do business with others who believe in their same high standards. As participants in the same group, members will naturally share solid referrals with each other at a surprising rate. They also become the top percentage of business people whom consumers seek to work with. Our website empowers consumers as a way of finding the right business people and a means to hold them accountable by their ratings. Our growth and success coincide with the growth and success of our members; it only makes good sense to reward members for introducing new members. The GoTo Network is a fair system helping everyone, our members and the consumers they serve. Truly a win/win situation for all!