Tri-Lakes Business Accelerators
Member Handbook
This Member Handbook gives you the tools you need to gain the maximum benefits from your membership in the Tri-Lakes business Accelerators. Please read it carefully and refer to it frequently.
The benefits you’ll receive from your membership are directly related to your ACTIVE participation in the Tri-Lakes Business Accelerators. Should you have any questions regarding this handbook or your membership in the Tri-Lakes Business Accelerators please contact the leadership group.
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
WHO CAN JOIN TRI LAKES BUSINESS ACCELERATORS
Any person who wants to increase their business success by meeting with other people for the purpose of giving and receiving quality referrals.
A member must have a reputation for, and practice, good business ethics.
There is only one member for each business category. Each chapter is limited to 30 members.
Business Opportunity (Multi-level) is considered a category in conjunction with a product or service. It is important to note that only the first business opportunity business to join may promote that aspect. Other multi-level businesses may join; however, they may represent ONLY their product or service.
You may be a member of only 1 chapter at a time. This policy protects the members in a chapter from competition with members in other chapters.
Any other businesses or entities you are affiliated with are not given time nor permitted during the meeting. In addition, it is considered unethical to promote these during the “captive” time before and after the program in the general area of the meeting place.
MEMBERSHIP FORFEITURE:
Forfeiture of membership will occur when a member has not adhered to the terms of the membership application/agreement.
WHAT CAN TRI LAKES BUSINESS ACCELERATORS DO FOR YOU?
As a member of Tri Lakes Business Accelerators , you are invited into an organized, structured, and positive advertising environment…
- where the emphasis is on generating quality leads and referrals
- where there is a focus on your business
- where you can practice and improve upon the sales and educational delivery of your product or service
- where you have no competition
With set guidelines, policies and procedures, Tri Lakes Business Accelerators provides its members with a quality, effective networking opportunity in a controlled atmosphere that provides worthwhile results.
Although there are imitators, Tri Lakes Business Accelerators remains the most efficient and results-oriented networking system in whole world. By maintaining a closely monitored system, Tri Lakes Business Accelerators is able to uphold the level of quality and consistency which provides your business with the exposure it needs to be successful.
GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL MEMBERSHIP
- Exhibit a positive attitude
- Participate enthusiastically
- Use good business ethics
- Attend regularly
- Attend meetings in appropriate business attire
- Use best efforts to provide leads for fellow member
MENTOR PROGRAM
The purpose of this highly effective program is to provide personal assistance to new members which will help them…
- Quickly learn Tri Lakes Business Accelerators policies and responsibilities of membership
- Establish realistic expectations about their membership
- Develop an effective 30-second promotion and 10-minute presentation
- Experience their first “one on one” visitation
- Identify their Power Partner categories within the chapter (Power Partner categories not currently represented in the chapter should be invited to visit and join.)
4 Simple Duties Of A Mentor (first three months)
- Sit next to new member at meetings/introduce them to existing members.
- Review the Member Handbook with the new member.
- Help with their 30-second promos and 10-minute presentations.
- Visit one-on-one to build a relationships and offer assistance.
Who will make a Great Mentor?
- Member who brought in the new member
- Former leadership team members
- The new member’s Power Partner in the group
- A long-standing and/or founding member
FEE STRUCTURE
Fees: There is an initial joining fee of $15.00, and an ongoing monthly fee of $5.00.
Payment of Fees: Fees are paid at the first meeting of the quarter. Fees are paid in cash to the leadership recorder and is held by that officer.
Although not a Fee, there is a weekly monetary consideration. Each member is required to purchase breakfast at the weekly meetings.
BUSINESS CARDS
Within one week of joining, give each member 50 of your business cards.
Give an ample supply (approximately 30—50) to the Assistant Director. These are placed in the club’s business card file box and are used to give to visitors and for members to replenish their supply of your cards in their Business Card Holders.
It is the responsibility of each member to replenish their supply as needed.
WEEKLY BUSINESS PROMOTION
With Tri Lakes Business Accelerators method of spaced, timed, repetition of information, automatic recall of your information will occur. Automatic recall of information will occur. Automatic recall of information helps the members meet your requests for leads.
Keep the information simple and repeat it at the beginning and end of each meeting, every week.
The IDEAL 30-SECOND PROMOTION includes:
- Name/business
- Business location
- Type of business
- Cost of product or services
- Lead request and good sources for those referrals, i.e., places, people, business, key phrases, and situations that my produce leads.
For example:
- businesses moving to a new location;
- people unhappy with present service;
- those unaware of available information;
- people interested in travel, self improvement, etc.
30-Second Promotions Samples
First 30-second Promo:
“My name is Jim Amato. My business is called Amato’s Home & Deck Repair. I specialize in helping the homeowner solve their home repair problems. I work in the Tri-lakes area and northern Colorado Springs. I save my clients money and aggravation by working with them to solve the problem at minimal disruption and expense.
I would like referrals of anyone that owns a home or a property that is in need of a Handyman.
Amato’s Home & Deck Repair serving the Tri-Lakes area
My Phone number is __________
Second 30-second promo:
“My name is Jim Amato. My business is called Amato’s Home & Deck Repair. I specialize in home & deck repair.
My fees are competitive and I save my clients money by repairing the problem the easiest and best way possible.
When you hear somebody say my light don’t work or my deck is in bad shape or my fence is falling down. Please think of Jim Amato and Amato’s Home & Deck Repair.
You can reach Amato’s Home & Deck Repair at __________
10 Minute Presentation
You will have the opportunity to give a 10– minute presentation on your business at least once every 2 to 3 months. The Assistant Director schedules the weekly speakers.
This is your opportunity to educate the members on your products/services, to share with them why you are unique from others in your field, and to instruct them on the best ways to generate quality referrals for you. A professional presentation, prepared and rehearsed by you prior to the meeting, will help insure the quality results you expect.
Begin by deciding what materials you want to prepare for the members, what kind of displays or charts would be helpful,etc. (Remember, visuals and handouts are important.)
Consult with the leadership team and/or your Mentor on how to make the most out of your 10-minute presentation.
Prepare your presentation in such a way that you leave some time for members to ask questions.
The Assistant Director will notify you when you have used up 8 minutes and again when your 10-minutes are up.
Sample Outline:
(An outline will assist you in the preparation of a
professional presentation.)
- Introduction (brief personal/professional background.)
- Explanation of product/services: Scope, benefits, cost, territory
- Demonstration and/or visuals
- Hand outs
- Specific lead requests
- Final 2 minutes to answer questions
From time to time the Assistant Director will send out news releases concerning the member speakers. It is helpful for the Assistant Director to have the topic and title of your presentation at least 2 weeks in advance.
When you are prepared, you will find your 10-minute presentation an enjoyable experience and the members will be eager to learn more about you and your business.
Introduction card and sample outline
Introduction card: You will receive an introduction card from the Assistant Director.
Take a few minutes and write a brief introduction about yourself. This should be approximately 75 words. The Assistant Director will introduce you at the beginning of your 10-minute presentation. You may want to include:
- Name and business name
- Length of time in business and/or field
- Motto or business philosophy
Lead Generation
Outside Lead: A lead from a member who is referring someone “outside” of the membership.
Inside Lead: A support lead where a member utilizes the services of another member.
Ongoing Business: Repeat business that originates from an Outside or Inside Lead.
A quality lead is one that provides the recipient with enough information to proceed directly to the decision maker. It is the responsibility of each member to specify what a good lead is for them.
In the early stages of your membership, it can be expected that you might pass more inside leads then outside leads. (This is a great way to get to know the members and establish a reference for referral.)
As you progress in your membership, Outside leads become the focus with Ongoing Business taking place throughout the course of membership.
Preparing Your Lead Presentation:
- Fill out Lead Card completely.
- Bring to the next meeting. (If lead is timely, call the member immediately with the information and pass the lead card at the next meeting.)
- At the meeting, present a 20-second explanation about the lead; how and where you acquired it.
- Follow up with the member on lead progress.
In order for you to confirm that the Tri Lakes Business Accelerators is a viable marketing resource for your business, we encourage documenting your results. On the back of the lead card , write the dollar amount for that lead. For example:
Realtor: Sells $200,000 home.
Receives 3% commission = $6000.00
Documents $6000.00 as value for that lead.
Retail & Service Total of sale
Documents total of all sales for the initial sale/ service as the value of the lead, to date.
Continues to document and report ongoing receipts from the original lead.
Financial: Invests $100,000 for client.
Receives 1.5% commission = $1,500.00
Documents $1,500.00 as value of the lead.
The dollar value of generated leads is an important aspect of membership. Tri Lakes Business Accelerators members record the dollar amount on the Show me the money slips available in the business card file at every meeting. This can be done anonymously by giving them to the Assistant Director.
The weekly goal for each member is to continue to bring in a minimum of 2 Outside Leads that will connect your members with outside referral sources.
How To Generate A Lead
- Hand out the member’s business card.
- Share knowledge of the member’s expertise and business successes, your personal experience with the member’s product/services, etc.
- Arrange for the two of them to meet.
- Present every customer with the Tri-Lakes Business Accelerators Brochure
MEET THE MEMBERS (ONE-ON-ONE VISITS)
During the first 10 weeks of your membership, make arrangements to meet every member outside of the Tri Lakes Business Accelerators programmed meeting time. This is a one-on-one time for you to learn more about their businesses and for them to learn about you and yours business. It will also speed up the process of giving quality leads.
Call each member and make an appointment to have coffee, lunch, or stop by their place of business. When a new member joins make a point to meet with them also, in the same manner.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
YOUR PRESENCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROCESS TO WORK!!
This advertising system relies on each member receiving the full impact of every member’s information and taking action on the information during the following week. The members rely on every other member to participate fully in this process. When a member is not at a meeting or at only part of a meeting, the rest of the members are not being treated fairly. Everyone loses when you are not there.
Absence Limits:
A member is permitted no more then 12 unexcused absences in any 12 month period, 1 a month. A substitute can fill in for you 4 times a year. Forfeiture of membership occurs if this is not adhered to. A member may rejoin after 6 months, if their category is not filled.
Incomplete Meeting Attendance:
Members are recorded absent when they arrive 10 minutes late or leave 10 minutes early.
Creed
As a Tri-Lakes Business Accelerators member:
- I speak honestly and use good business ethics.
- I am strong, courageous and resourceful.
- I know conscious cooperation produces results.
- I make a commitment to the success and
- prosperity of myself and Accelerators members
Mixers
Once a quarter, members hold a mixer for business associates, prospective members and friends. The purpose of a Mixer is to give an additional opportunity to spotlight members’ businesses at their business locations.
Mixers are usually scheduled on a weeknight between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. They are held at a members place of business on a rotating basis. As many as 3 members may sponsor a mixer at the same place and time. A display table is provided for business cards and brochures of the attendees. The 3 sponsoring members display samples of their products and/or examples of their services. They are spotlight businesses for the event. Every member will have the opportunity to sponsor a Mixer during the year.
Refreshments are simple with the main emphasis on relaxed business contacts. (attendance is optional, but is recommended for your success.)
PROGRAM PROCEDURE
PROGRAM BEGINS PROMPTLY
- 30 seconds for Director remarks and announcements.
- 30 seconds for each member and visitor to give their promotion. (See pages 12 & 13 for ideal 30 second promotion and example.)
- 10 minutes reserved for: exchanging leads; brief information on how leads were obtained; recognition and thanks for past leads; and update on progress with those leads.
- 10 minutes each for in-depth presentations by 3 members. (see pages 14– 16 for information on 10 –minute presentation.
- 30 seconds for each member and visitor to repeat their 30-second promotion.
PROGRAMS ENDS PROMPTLY
1 hour, 15 minutes
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