Your greatest asset may be the company you keep, especially in terms of networking. Each of us has a handful of networking connections that can send tons of referrals our way, and, in turn, we can send them tons of business as well. These people are your power partners.

An example of such a power partnership might be between complementary health care providers: A naturopathic doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist, and acupuncturist could all refer to each other’s practices in helping their patients get fully well. Likewise, a wedding planner and a photographer could be a good match; or a real estate agent and a mortgage professional.

I asked a realtor and networking pro in my town about power partners, and she had this to say: “When you have a good understanding of each other’s services or goods, it becomes an almost seamless service experience. When we can trust each other to provide a complimentary level of professional assistance, it's a time saver and less stressful for everyone.”

I love the idea of saving time and minimizing stress! And, it’s true: When you have a power partner (or two) sending referrals your way, that’s less time you need to spend actively promoting your business to keep a steady stream of customers or clients. The key to making this relationship work is that both parties can send referrals in the other person’s direction. Sometimes, by the nature of your businesses, it may be a bit lopsided. You’ve got to be okay with that, too. However, if the referrals are too lopsided, it might not be your ideal power partner relationship.

What to look for in your power partner

Picking a power partner is more than just finding someone in a complementary business. You need to find someone who fits the way you do business as well as your outlook on life. If you “click,” there’s a good chance you’ll be great power partners.

Qualities you may consider in your power partner might include:

• Professionalism
• Level of commitment
• Customer service style
• Ethics
• Passion for their work

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits to a power partnership is that it feels good to give – giving referrals that you know will benefit someone else's business. There’s room for all of us to achieve our dreams, so why not be a benefactor for another person’s success!