Outside peers can be valuable connections.
Listen for outside peers to connect with.
Professional Benefits From Outside Peers
One type of connection could be people at your professional level in other companies. Research by professor of management James D. Westphal, University of Texas, found that rival CEOs who form friendships are at a distinct advantage over those who go it alone. Since this works with rival CEOs, it should also work with people at your professional level in other companies.
Business peers in different marketplaces can offer:
Fresh perspectives
Guidance
Constructive criticism
Business peers in different age groups can offer other value:
Older peers learn new developments from younger peers
Younger peers learn proven tactics from older peers
Business Benefits From Outside Peers
Quilt shop owner Marty Childs called another quilt shop owner, Marianne D’Eugenio. Childs asked D’Eugenio if she could visit her shop. D’Eugenio said yes. Reassured by what each other said, they have since become friends. They refer customers to each other’s shops when the other shop carries what customers want.
Chris Mara, a Business example in my Strategies For Inviting Loyalty blog, created a network of outside peers. He sends referrals to peers who are in his marketplace, but in the geographic area as the customers. His peers send similar referrals to him.
Listen for outside peers at any professional or social event you attend.
“How your peers can be allies for better business”
James Fields
The Tennessean
April 16, 2015
“Let’s Be Friends”
Alison Stein Wellner
Inc. Magazine
March 1, 2005
“The Strategic Impetus For Social Network Ties: Reconstituting Broken CEO Friendship Ties”
James D. Westphal Steven Boivie, and Daniel Han Ming Chng
Strategic Management Journal,
27: 425-445 January 23, 2006
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