About Connector Groups

The Connecter Groups program is a systematic, structured and disciplined practice. In it, business people of the highest quality, meet regularly to talk about business opportunities they've discovered so that others can benefit. Implicit in these discussions is trust and faith in people helping each other succeed.

When interviewing people for a Connector Group, I look for two character traits---generosity and authenticity. Without these, little will come from participating on any business referral group let alone a Connector Group. Why is this? I believe that without generosity and authenticity, one's mindset is highly influenced by scarcity, meaning there isn't enough to go around. I firmly believe and trust you align with me and believe there is in fact enough to go around---enough business, enough strategic alliances, and enough opportunity to succeed. Not everyone does though. You know as well as I, an attitude of WIIFM dominates human behavior. Couple that with a mindset of scarcity and people tend to view others as a means to an end---a transaction.

However, when you are present to someone of the highest quality, there's no mistaking their authenticity and generosity. These folks hang out with similar, like-minded people. We want to be around them, learn from them, perhaps model our behavior on theirs. We like them and they like us because we share similar traits and interests.

Imagine if you had an opportunity to be in regular communication with such people.

I've made it my business to bring together this type of business professional by creating Connector Groups. My proprietary system enables me to pick the best people in the market; not only those who want to succeed, but also want to help others succeed. Connector Groups are not a substitute for or replacement of networking or prospecting, but I promise you, Connector Groups will compliment and build upon your current sales efforts. I will save you a lot of time sorting out who to talk with in order to further your interests in finding new customers. With an open mind, shaped by generosity and authenticity, you are a perfect candidate for Connector Groups.

About Tom Vance

Before founding Connector Groups, I worked five years at a well-known and respected Chamber of Commerce struggling to figure out how to bring value to members. What I discovered was that business owners, business development & sales people wanted help getting more customers. What I did was create  a practical tool to enable them to maximize referral selling and get more customers. The outcome was to have more word-of-mouth introductions to qualified prospects. Through a great deal of trial and error, I tried all kinds of 'carrot & stick' approaches to get people to work with each other to share leads and build partnerships---to get more qualified prospects.

To accomplish this end, I created a framework in which people could meet and share market intelligence, connect with each other, develop rapport and trust, and provide introductions and referrals. It was business development focused---helping companies grow their business, and it achieved my goal of bringing value to people's membership.

My professional network grew because day-to-day tasks at the chamber put me in touch with a lot of really good people from all over eastern Massachusetts. Mentors helped me shape my business development program. I got to learn what’s important to business people, how they prefer to find customers, and how much of a role other people play in their sales and business development process. My framework and practices, done regularly over time, contributed to member's success. They stuck around. The leads program grew to ten groups and ran continuously for five years, impacting the lives of 130 to 150 people during any given year.

With my chamber tenure coming to a close in November 2009, and along with a great deal of help from my friend Stephen Labuda of Networked Events, we developed and launched Connector Groups. Connector Groups encompass all my best practices described in detail under Join Us.

I invite you to reach out and call me at 617 398-0683, or send me an email.