referrals refers to the process where existing clients or partners recommend a business's services or products to other potential clients or partners.
Example: A management consulting firm excels in providing services to the financial sector. One of their satisfied clients, a large bank, refers the firm to another financial institution looking for similar services. This referral comes as a highly trusted suggestion, effectively bypassing initial stages of client acquisition and establishing a level of trust from the outset.
Understanding referrals helps businesses create effective strategies for leveraging their current client base and partnerships to grow their network and increase sales or collaboration opportunities in a cost-effective manner.