Nimble CRM Tips & Updates – August 19, 2026

Articles, Nimble CRM Updates,

Nothing new to report today other than I know that the dev team is working hard on AI Sequences in preparation for a formal hard release. So … let’s talk a bit about sales and my favorite sub-topic …. 

How to Give and Get Great Referrals!

Let’s start with this. Great referrals are earned. They are not the result of just showing up. Nor are they your God given right. 

My business model has always placed an emphasis on giving and getting great referrals. In a previous life, I owned and operated professional networking (leads) groups where B2B professionals would meet weekly to share opportunities. 

While giving referrals will potentially benefit all three parties … the referee, the referrer, and the referred, there is also an element of danger in the process. If I refer you to one of my best customers, and you don’t perform, I’m toast. Burnt toast. 

Therefore, it is incredibly important to vet those folks who you will be referring to. When I say that “referrals are earned”, most of this is based on the fact that you have earned my trust.

I am a student of observable behaviors. How I see you perform in engagements with me and with others, I will assume that you will act the same with whoever I refer you to. Unfortunately, more often than not, folks will fail my basic test. 

Just last month I had two referrals in que for two individuals contingent on my one-on-one meetings with both and … neither earned those referrals. I had gone as far to ask my folks if they were interested in being referred (read on below) and both had said yes. I got back to them with a no. We can discuss this more at another time.

Elements of Great Referrals 

Give to get – Read Bob Burg’s “The Go Giver”. When you give a referral, or even anything that can be recognized as an item of value, this will automatically activate the law of reciprocity … the desire to give back.

Good referral vs. bad referral framework – “I gave your name to someone and they should be calling you” is not a good referral. Instead, follow these steps …

  1. Ask your client if they would be interested in being referred. Tell them about who you would be sending their way and confirm that they are o.k. with you sharing their contact info.
  2. Perform a digital introduction including telling the referee about your client, the challenges that you think that they may be able to help them with, and letting them know that they are expected. Provide additional contact info where appropriate. This might include their websites, phone, and LinkedIn profiles. Both parties are copied on this email.

After you receive a referral – Would you like to earn more?

  1. Respond quickly, copy the referrer, and thank them profusely!
  2. Exceed this referral’s expectations!
  3. Keep the referrer informed of your progress with their generous gift!
  4. Figure out how you can return the favor!

One last thing. You can teach people how to give you great referrals by showing them exactly how it is done. In addition to my leads groups, I developed power partner relationships with individuals who called on my same prospects. Do you like embarrassingly high closing ratios? Start here!

Nimble Pro Tips – Create a workflow in Nimble to track your power partners, tag them, set a stay in touch reminder for each (out of touch = out of mind), and consider a newsletter (group message) to keep them informed and to educate them about your business (provide items of value/interest).

If you would like to explore whether or not Nimble CRM, my sales training, or Sales Coach Pro  might be right for you, please book a free 30-minute Zoom consultation with me by going to my calendar. 

To learn more about our Nimble training and implementation services, please visit our Nimble CRM training services page. 

I would also be happy to connect you to a marketing professional who I know and trust or to an automated yet personalized and human-to-human LinkedIn prospecting system. Please reach out to me at craig@adaptive-business.com for an introduction!

Craig M. Jamieson

Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services
Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!
Craig M. Jamieson

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