The How To Get More Referrals Guide - when easy to ask, is no longer a task

In programs working with highly diverse, multicultural populations, it may not be possible to be intimately familiar with all the details of each group's customs and culture. In any case, it is probably more important for providers to be aware of what they do not know and to have access to resources that can help, such as local community centers working in collaboration with their program.

Moreover, a delicate balance is needed between a client's current circumstances and the historical and cultural issues that come into play. Some cultures may be relatively "closed" to nonparticipants. One must sometimes maintain a presence for years until he is accepted as a participant or observer.

Although outwardly some groups may seem more approachable, gaining the trust of any client takes time. Substance abuse treatment that is both client-centered and client-focused is more likely to improve the lives of clients. Collaboration among agencies providing requisite services is an initial step toward client-centered care.

Referral can be a way for agencies to hold each other accountable for getting results for clients. Referrals are necessary and appropriate when the substance abuse treatment program cannot provide special services needed by their clients. If the rationale for integrated treatment is a successful outcome for the client, there must be some way of measuring whether the referral is successful.

From the referring provider's perspective, referral represents an act of faith, hope, and trust that the agency to which the client is referred will be accountable and will share the goal of client success along with the referring agency.

Referrals also represent an opportunity for change, growth, and development. Far too often, however, a referral consists merely of handing a client a list of names and telephone numbers and assuming or hoping that the client will take the initiative to make the necessary contacts. Distinct from this traditional model is one in which collaborations are fostered and maintained among agencies providing services to clients with overlapping needs, such as substance abuse treatment, employment, housing, education, and child care.

In this context, the multidisciplinary team approach comes into play, but rather than coexisting under one roof, team members work within the various agencies engaged in collaboration. Referrals are negotiated among interlinked and interdependent agencies that share mutual goals and outcomes.

These authentic connections and shared outcomes can then serve as an agreed-upon basis for the involved agencies to measure their results instead of merely going through the motions of collaboration. Figure lists the characteristics of authentically connected referral networks. In general, an authentically connected referral network is composed of a set of defined relationships formed as clients' needs dictate, using sound principles of case management and building in flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of individual clients see also TIP 27, Comprehensive Case Management for Substance Abuse Treatment [ CSAT, a ].

Although authentically connected referral networks share several features such as those listed in Figure , this similarity does not constitute a mandate for all treatment programs to form identical referral networks. Rather, in order for such an authentically connected network to be effective, each program must understand its own mission as well as those of the other agencies.

The authentically connected model calls for a communication mechanism that allows the timely dissemination of information to all agencies and stakeholders. An authentically connected network also includes continually updated information about available resources. For example, a network might use a Web site to post referral information, which can readily be updated see the "Inventory" section later in this chapter for more information about electronic communication.

Focusing on communitywide outcomes allows community leaders and agencies, as well as clients, to set priorities based on client populations in individual communities. Authentically connected referral networks also educate the larger community about substance abuse in general. In so doing, they encourage responsiveness on the part of the community and the network as a whole, rather than from the agency only.

The use of a community scorecard is one method to rate a community's responsiveness to treatment issues. Authentically connected referral networks are vision driven and have client needs as the primary focus of the agencies' existence. The emphasis is on shared purpose while acknowledging the organizational "cultures" among collaborating agencies.

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In contrast, "rule-driven" systems are agency centered and tend to be focused on agency policies. Mutual provider credibility and trust are at the core of the referral relationship. In the absence of trust, even the most sophisticated system will fail. Clients' trust must be built on the reliability of the provider and the provider's ability to be a consistent, accessible presence for the client. To be otherwise is to risk reinforcing a history of repeated abandonment and disappointment. The need for trust speaks to the credibility of providers and whether they are truly client oriented or are merely protecting the status quo of the program.

A sense of uniformity and cooperation is fostered by effective referrals. In a well-coordinated referral system, providers have some sense of being part of a systematic network rather than one of many disparate and independent agencies. Clients and providers alike find it easier to work through a collaborative, uniform system. Fostering collaborative interagency relationships in the community is only one step in the development of an authentically connected network.

Once the participants in the network are identified and information about them gathered, the collaborating agencies can then begin to develop an interconnected service system that reflects the needs of the local community. The next step is to form a focus group involving all the agencies. This group will develop a shared vision of the services the community needs in regard to substance abuse treatment.

Lastly, the collaborators can then determine which provider is best equipped to offer which services; this step takes the form of resource mapping, which is discussed below. Resource mapping consists of gathering information about agencies and programs in the community with which linkages can be made to provide collaborative services to clients. This mapping of available resources should include the funding sources of these programs. In a collaborative effort, money can be pooled from the various funding streams and then "decategorized" so that it no longer drives the roles of service providers.

A proposal can be sent to Federal, State, and local funding sources for approval of small demonstration projects or experimental initiatives. If these efforts are successful, this model might be accepted on a more global level. Many agencies that are willing to make referrals find that they may not know of all the resources and services available to meet their clients' needs.

To fill in knowledge gaps, some communities maintain a database or inventory of available resources and geographically map them with computer software to facilitate the logistics of referrals. Such an inventory needs to include not only programs and agencies but also collaboratives. One way to make this information useful is to create a directory that is updated periodically. This directory could be posted on the Internet and also include information on eligibility criteria and available slots.

For substance abuse treatment providers, an inventory of the full range of vocational opportunities available in the surrounding area can be a useful resource. Computer technology can be a valuable resource for managing and updating information and matching data across systems and agencies, within the limits of confidentiality see Chapter 7 for discussion of confidentiality issues. Organizational alignment means that a service provider's vision, structure, mission, and policies are all based on the same underlying philosophy.

All the activities and services the organization provides must be evaluated to determine the degree to which they contribute to client success. Having a mechanism for measuring client outcomes is important; information systems that track referrals and fiscal responsibility play key roles in identifying successful referrals as well as troubleshooting for cases in which needs were not adequately met.

Capacity building is the process by which organizational alignment is achieved; it involves elements such as program assessment and staff development. For substance abuse treatment programs, capacity building includes changing the way in which assessment is viewed. At the client level, assessment involves determining a client's needs and assets and viewing the individual within the concentric contexts of family, culture, and community. At the agency level, assessment means evaluating the collaborative network of service providers and determining how well they are serving clients.

This allows the collaborating agencies to better understand their missions and how they overlap and support each other. There is a potential pitfall, however, that must be monitored. As an organization begins to engage in capacity building, it will find that its initial costs may be higher than under the old method. It has changed the way that people shop, the way that they interact with one another or with brands and it has paved the way to a new era of marketing.

The internet has significantly changed the corporate world: At the moment, there are countless of avenues online that can generate far better ROI as well as significantly higher customer satisfaction at the cost of ingenuity and perseverance. Ecommerce, also known as electronic commerce, is the most comprehensive method for maximizing marketing efforts online. But there is one thing that online stores can rarely do better than an offline one: Back in the day, people would visit a store, have a shopkeeper tend to their needs, complete a purchase and tell their friends about it.

Talking to a friend or family member about a positive experience in a store was the normal thing to do then. The same rules do not apply to the online medium. Why are these things important?

The ideal marketing campaign should not be centered on the selling process. In other words, you want people to purchase your products without having to convince them. The only way to ensure that this happens is through referral marketing. To put it simply, referral marketing is when you encourage customers to spread the word about your products. In addition to this, the marketer wanted to find a faster, cheaper and more effective solution of promoting products and services to the right audience.

Going through traditional conversion cycles can be very tedious, especially for small businesses. This is where referral marketing shines. Ironically, a strategy based on referrals, will be far more effective than one based on affiliation or aggressive promotion techniques.

Close and follow up the sale

The concept is simple: Your customers have friends and family. These friends probably like the same things your customer does. They probably also tend to act a lot like them. They probably also dress the same way, shop at the same places and live in the same place. Your entire referral marketing campaign will be based on the fact that the friends of your customers will enjoy your products.

Add to this the fact that referrals and recommendations made by people are 10 times more powerful than impersonal ones. Sure, you might thing that all marketing strategies are hard, but referral marketing is a special kind of hard. It requires you to give back to the community, to listen to your customers and to create offers they cannot refuse. You might think that offering a special gift to a customer who brings referrals is a good idea, but what happens when you have thousands of customers?

This is exactly why we want to explore the ups and downs of referral marketing, to uncover the most successful strategies and to fully understand the nature of the process. Direct marketing and cold calling are effective to a certain degree. On the other hand, referrals have great chances of being successful. Your mission is to create a package so irresistible, that it will sell itself. As we already said, people are less likely to recommend a product online, and your referral marketing customer acquisition campaign will only be as effective as your ability to promote it.

Constant promotion and timing are incremental to the success of your referral marketing campaign. In the following guide we will take a closer look at some of the best referral marketing strategies, best practices, referral marketing software and case-studies of businesses that have succeeded through referrals. Internet consumers are usually active on social media channels. The problem is that they will only share information that they find interesting, that will impress friends or that will help them build social capital. This tells us a lot about the power that referral marketing has.

The problem is that it is very hard to obtain a referral. Social media scrutiny can discourage even the most active user from posting blatant referrals. This means that you will only be able to promote your products through referral if you target the right people. Finding the voice of your brand and empowering it through others is the biggest challenge of referral market. Arguably the most important step in a referral marketing campaign is educating customers about your product.

1. Ask for referrals at the right time

This will make it easier for them to pass on information to their friends and family. The idea behind educating a visitor or customer is trying to transform him into a brand evangelist for your services. Understanding that it is not the customer that offers the opportunity, but his network of friends and family, who may also convert into customer, is key. It's easier to understand referral marketing if you understand the three distinct categories of referrals that are typically used online.

Each of the following strategies works differently; therefore, it should also have a different approach:. I recently conducted an experiment on my social media account. I asked one of my friends, with whom I share over contacts, to refer the same company as me. In other words, the more people talk about your brand, the higher the chances of converting more customers.

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This story told me that, when it comes to referral marketing, experimentation is key. There are countless of creative ideas that you can use to encourage referrals such as letters of introduction, advisory boards online, connecting people, educational workshops, giveaways, contests etc. In the marketing world timing is everything.

Your Employee Referral Program Guide: The Benefits, How-tos, Incentives & Tools | SnackNation

It should be treated as an ongoing process. With this in mind, you should also understand how important it is to capitalize on the key moments in your relationship with a client. Have you ever ordered a product online? There is a sense of excitement and anticipation right before you open it up. The first time a visitor comes to your website, the first time he talks about your company to a friend or even the first time he takes part in a contest are only a few examples of opportunities that you can seize.

Your offer is the bread and butter of the campaign. An irresistible offer is characterized by four things: People must be motivated by reward. Joe Auer, founder of Skill Voyage, believes that conversions can be boosted with this strategy. A great example in this case would be Groupon, who gives great discounts to customers who refer their friends through social media or email. Financial incentives give a sense of urgency to users.

If implemented correctly, this strategy can be extremely effective. This task can become more difficult for a larger company. It is recommended that larger companies hire referral marketing experts for these types of tasks. Our company offers a monetary incentive for referring. Interesting alternative ideas in this article. You can have a program, but you need to build awareness and engagement around it. Sharing success stories is helpful, and follow up to those who have participated is a must. We offer money for a referral after they have been hired and complete a successful 90 day evaluation.

Our company offers tiered referral bonuses: All places that I have worked have given monetary compensation and the amount depends on the level. Most of our employees already are based on referrals… it may be difficult to implement an incentive program now without acknowledging everyone who was already brought in. Great information to consider!

SnackNation is a healthy office snack delivery service that makes healthy snacking fun, life more productive, and workplaces awesome. We provide a monthly, curated selection of healthy snacks from the hottest, most innovative natural food brands in the industry, giving our members a hassle-free experience and delivering joy to their offices. Your Employee Referral Program Guide: Establish and record goals for your employee referral program. Is it more important that you save money on recruitment or that you fill the newly created virtual reality team with qualified, committed candidates?

Would you rather streamline the interviewing process or boost employee engagement? Allocate time, staff, and budget for the program. Answer key operational questions, such as: Who will manage this program? How much company time should we allocate to managing and growing the program? How much money do we have to spend on the program? Are there other areas we can borrow from? Figure out how the program will actually work. Making referrals Most experts agree that a successful employee referral program depends on an easy referral process. Take referrals through one of the helpful tools below.

Create a simple online form for referring employees. Create an email template for referring employees. Accept referrals in the form of an emailed LinkedIn profile. Put a referral resume drop box in the Human Resources HR department.

The bottom line

Plan a solicitation program that involves directly asking existing employees in the same age range and field of the target if they know any qualified candidates. Managing referrals Take some time to map out the journey of a referred candidate from start to finish, especially if you have to integrate the process into an existing employee tracking system. Announce the program and provide detailed instructions or training materials.

This step involves two simple, yet mission-critical, goals: Make sure everyone knows about the referral program. Collect metrics on any online communications so you can try to gauge interest. Make sure everyone knows how to make referrals. Establish an incentive structure for inspiring employee referrals. Create a plan for communicating with referring employees. Quantitative How many referred employees were hired?

How many employees are making referrals? How many positions are you filling with referrals vs other tactics? Are the numbers in the previous questions increasing or decreasing over time? How do referring employees feel about the program? How do referred employees feel about the program? How do managers of referred employees feel about performance? How does the company as a whole feel about the program? Referral Program Incentives How do you get people to participate in an employee referral program?

Watch the video here. Factor referrals into annual reviews. Offer high profile networking opportunities. Send them to an event. Let them choose a charity. Keep it simple and develop a low-cost way to recognize employees who make referrals. Here are some ideas: Let them shadow a person of interest. Help them develop new skills. Put together a list of educational or talent development offerings for employees to choose from. Referral Program Tools What tools help manage an employee referral program?

Boon Boon leverages semantic matching algorithms to identify relevant candidates in the collective network of all your employees. Rolepoint Rolepoint software streamlines the employee referral process. Referagig Employees can dive right into this friendly platform to see what jobs are open and easily submit referrals. Jobshakers Jobshakers enables employees to make quality referrals using their smartphones.