If you are a small business or sole trader and have larger competitors who have their own premises and employ staff? Have you ever considered approaching them and asking them whether or not they could refer the work that they do not do to you?
Lots of larger companies take work on from a particular starting price as they have overheads, staff, bills, rates to pay etc. If you are looking for work you could always approach them and ask them to take on the work that is not appropriate or relevant for them, or is under their start price limit (not sure what the correct phraseology is for this!).
This way you can, if they say yes get work from them, remain onside with your competitor(s), they get to know you and vice versa and everyone gets work – this also works the other way round as well; if you get work that you are unable to handle or is outside the scope of your experience you can then pass or refer it to them. This way no-one has to turn work away…
If you are not happy with this you can always negotiate a referrals agreement, if both parties are happy to do so – but DO check out the contract side of doing this BEFORE you sign anything.
This also keeps work local and increases the scope of work on offer as well.
Has anyone ever considered this? Does anyone have a successful relationship that works on this basis? Or on the downside has anyone ever had a bad experience working this way? It would be good to gather some views on this.
