September 2008
Art of Networking |
Most everyone makes a New Year resolution; mine was to shake the hand of Dr. Ivan Misner. Not only was that goal realized, it was better than imagined. Just a few short weeks ago our region was given the opportunity to have a workshop with Ivan as he was visiting Vail, Colorado. The two-hour seminar slipped by as I heard powerful stories of personal experience, answers to questions, and most importantly an extended introduction. Ivan spent time getting to know all of us as individuals, and then reinforced that by letting us get to know him as an individual.
We each received a signed copy of Ivan's new book, The 29% Solution, as well as a newfound excitement for the power of BNI. The entire experience has started ripples in our BNI community that will have far-reaching results. Ivan, thanks for making us all feel welcome!
To read the entire story, please visit: http://www.bizopoly.com/a-rare-bni-gem/
Jennifer Kettlewell, BNI Fortune Chapter, Grand Junction, Colorado
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Truthfully, I had no real idea of what I was getting into when I joined BNI last November. My husband and I own a tree service company near Branson, Missouri. After doing some work for a customer who was pleased with our work, she invited us to visit the "Show Me the Business" Chapter of BNI. She told us that we would benefit from and be an asset to this team of business owners, which was vague yet intriguing at the same time.
What I haven't told you is that I came to this first meeting very discouraged and with no real vision for the future of my business.
Read this blog post.
Luise Bird, Show Me the Business Chapter, Branson, Missouri
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I had never heard of BNI before I set up my own marketing and public relations company, Achieve, in 2004. At that time I was in remission from advanced colon cancer. I have since had the "all clear."
During my first week of trading, when I had one client, I picked up a newspaper on a train that someone had left behind. In it was an article with the heading "I never do any marketing because I have BNI."
As a result of this article and the ensuing welcome and energy of my first BNI Canterbury Chapter meeting, I joined BNI.
I got a £1,000 worth of work at my first meeting from another visitor. This project helped build my company's reputation. I now do the marketing for a number of BNI members and have benefited from some incredible referrals.
I was very privileged to be part of the Organising Team for and a speaker at BNI's International Conference, KL08. I am also helping BNI in the southeast of England to raise its profile and thereby attract more members.
In 2007 I was very honoured to win the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, after being a finalist the year before. Over the last year Achieve has also helped three clients win top business awards.
I really love what I do for a living, and a large part of that is because I work with such nice clients—most of whom have come via BNI. I have supported myself solely from my business from week one and that is largely due to BNI.
Anne Ray, BNI Canterbury Chapter, United Kingdom
The Pros Behind Givers Gain
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Within two months of attending my weekly chapter meetings, I was receiving quality referrals. I began to realize the true meaning of Givers Gain and the importance of one-to-ones and Marketing Moments. I am truly fortunate because everyone in my chapter is "real." There is no lip service, and I now have an arsenal of professional individuals whom I can refer to my clients.
Everything from the Member Success Program to the Advanced Training has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I have had the privilege of attending Member Success Program with Emil Heintzinger, who is my mentor, friend and colleague. Advanced Training with David Holzer and Weston Lyon has been an enlightening experience. The return on your investment when you attend an Advanced Training Session with them far exceeds a few hours of your time.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deanna Tucci Schmitt for all that she does for BNI. If you have not had the privilege of getting to know her, I would suggest that you make the effort. The philosophy of Givers Gain is evident in everything she does.
Rita Yunker, Penn Mutual, BNI Network Connections Chapter, Western Pennsylvania
How BNI Saved My Business in 10 Minutes!
We read a lot about how BNI members' businesses expand over time thanks to referrals from BNI. However, how many members can say their business was saved by BNI in just ten minutes?
I was just finishing up at my BNI meeting when my mobile phone rang. It was my wife (we work together) telling me we received a letter from our landlord stating that he was shutting down the office centre where we are based. He was giving us 60 days notice.
Under normal circumstances the bottom would have dropped out of my business world! We are very busy and don't have time to look for new premises.
However, within ten minutes I had found a new office.
How?
Well, for the last month or so one of our BNI members has been wanting to rent a suite of offices he owns. I went to see the offices that afternoon, and we'll move in September.
This same person is a member of my Rotary Club, yet I've never heard him mention the vacant offices. It just goes to show networking and BNI works.
Instead of pulling my hair out, I can calmly sit here and tell you "My BNI Story!"
Ashley Price, BNI Lewes Priory, Sussex, England
Success with the Referral-Based Marketing Plan
BNI is a great organization for developing your ability to network. I have been a member of a local BNI chapter for eight months and have noticed a vast improvement in my networking skills.
Through BNI, you practice networking in weekly meetings and in one-to-ones with other professionals. The skills you learn through these activities can be applied outside of BNI.
In particular, I highly recommend BNI's Advanced Training Courses, through which you develop 60-second marketing moments, keynote presentations, and other components of a referral-based marketing plan. Your referral-based marketing plan serves as a cornerstone for your overall marketing plan.
I realized the value of BNI membership during a recent one-to-one with someone who was not a BNI member. This person was not trained in conveying information about the types of services that his company offered. As a result, it was difficult to determine whether we could pass referral business back and forth to one another.
However, through my BNI training, I was able to coach him to provide me with the information that I needed to learn about his business.
I started to think about how much more efficient it would have been if that person had participated in a BNI chapter!
Thomas M. Joseph, BNI Upper St. Clair Chapter, Pennsylvania
Have you listened to BNI's weekly internet recording, also known as the BNI Podcast?