Referring Within Your Industry

i have more than a few colleagues who think i’m crazy for referring business to one of my competitors. i strongly disagree. in fact, i did it again this past weekend. the way i see it, there’s no reason not to help someone who tried to work with you. they saw something valuable in your business. they got an estimate from you. it simply didn’t work within their budget. since i’m not in the business of devaluing my work, i see no problem with returning the goodwill and helping s/he along to someone who could potentially work at a rate that meets his/her needs. think of what this communicates to the prospect. you’re confident in your work. you’re busy enough not to haggle down. this work is being bid within acceptable market rate. you have integrity. you can’t force someone to work with you just because s/he called you for an estimate. better to let go and see if s/hecomes back. if s/he doesn’t, then make someone else in your market a touch happier for the day/week. there’s nothing wrong with that!