Is anyone familiar with a networking group called BNI? I've been invited to a visitor's meeting to learn more about them. It sounds good, but it is fee based & I hoped that someone on VAF had experience with them or knew of someone who has. I searched the site & came up with nothing.


BNI

Quote:

Our Philosophy The philosophy of this organization is built upon the idea of "Givers Gain(R)": By giving business to others, you will get business in return. This is predicated on the age-old idea of "What goes around, comes around." Our Mission The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth" program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.

Thanks!

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

Try their initials and .com. You'll find tons on their organisation. They have thousands of chapters worldwide and have been around for a long time. I was a member here in Australia for 5 years, had leadership roles and was an Assistant Director for a period of time too. Would still be except their meetings clashed with client meetings I had so something had to give and it wasn't my clients. I highly recommend the organisation and it will help you learn how to speak to others about your business without doing a hardsell. Other members will also help you gain new clients. Well worth the effort.

Thanks for the response, Kathie. I've been combing their website & it sounds like a great organization, but it's always nice to hear it from others. Now I'm really looking forward to the visitor's meeting!

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

You're welcome Lezly. Make the most of your time there. Some tips for you:

• Arrive at least 10 mins early so you can see who's there in advance and get a feeling for the room and the people. The Visitor Host, if they're doing their job properly, will ask for 2 business cards from you to give to the President and the Membership Officer. They will introduce you during the meeting.
• Have a notepad and pen with you and listen to the members as they introduce themselves and give their introduction. Make a note of any you are interested in or things that you could say during your short intro. You'll generally be asked to do similar when it's the visitors' time to do so. Your name, what you do and were you are is most likely what you'll be asked to say, plus what a good referral would be for you - think about this. What type of client are you trying to attract?
• Take enough business cards with you for all members of the group, so at least 30 cards if not more.
• Seek out those who interested you and collect their card, or take it from the business card box as it passes you.
• Be prepared to stay after the meeting for awhile to chat to anyone who shows an interest.

Have fun!

Wow! Thanks so much for the advice, Kathie! I've copied your pointers into my Outlook appointment so I won't forget. I will definitely post back after the meeting & let you know how it went & what I thought of the group.

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

Will be looking forward to hearing how it went.

I was invited to one of these meetings a while back but didn't go. If I understand correctly, as a member, you're required to bring at least one referral name (or visitor) to each meeting and send a substitute to the meeting if you can't be there. Is that how it works, Kathie?

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services

I think different chapters might set slightly different rules. The chapters I've belonged to didn't require that although they would have liked it. But you do need to commit to the weekly meetings for the duration of your membership - it's the only way everyone can get to really know and understand everyone else's business. The substitute thing is correct and if you're networking regularly anyway you'll always have someone you can send in your place.

A friend of mine just asked me to go with him to his chapter meeting to see if it would be something I would be interested in. He didn't realize that I was so far away from him and couldn't go with him. I looked into it in my area, but the closest meeting group is a 4 hour drive from me! It would be worth looking into, nothing to lose but maybe something to gain. Just my two cents

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Amy
www.porterofficesolutions.com

If you ever get to go to a meeting - perhaps when you're out travelling, I highly recommend it. Just meeting a positive group of people focused on helping one another in their businesses and all of them keen to meet you is a fantastic experience in itself. The commitment is high - weekly attendance and the need to provide a substitute if you can't go (unless you're ill which tends to be last minute, rather than planned), however that provides opportunity for you to send a client, colleague or associate and open them to possibilities. I really do enjoy BNI and have located a chapter about a half hour away from me in my new surroundings and have been going now for about 3 months.