I have to give my second 10 minute BNI Presentation in a few weeks and I'm not sure what direction to take it. The first 10 minute presentation I did was a general overview of what my business can do for small businesses and busy people. I felt I needed to educate them as to what a virtual assistant is. Now, after the general overview, I'm not sure where to go with it.

I would love to hear about what other people have done! I would like to take a creative approach to this and I think that's why I am hitting a road block.

Thank you in advance to your feedback!

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Nichole Holm
Optima Business Solutions, LLC.

I gave a couple of BNI presentations as a VA. Since I also touted myself as a technical expert, my first presentation was on keyboard shortcuts.

I spoofed them a bit. I started by saying, "Rats! I forgot my mouse & I have such a great presentation to show you. Oh my, what can I do?" I then went to work & showed them how to get to the Windows desktop, how to open Explorer, how to open an application, basically how do everything that you do with a mouse, without a mouse. I included a handout with a list of the shortcuts. It was a hit. Months later people would comment "Oh, those keyboard shortcuts saved me the other day!"

The 2nd presentation was like a mini play. I got two other BNIers to participate as actors. Don, a business coach & Patricia, a Send Out Cards rep. I set up a table with my laptop, some files & a phone, to look like an office, at the front of the room. I sat there 'working.'

Don enters the room, dressed professionally, walking hurriedly. while looking at his watch. He mutters about how much work he still has to do before his plane leaves that evening. An idea comes to him. "I'll call Laserdog!" He pulls out his phone & "calls" me. We have a very specific conversation about what tasks I can help him with. I did a similar thing with Patricia. In both cases, I specifically targeted some skill set that I offer that small businesses could use. It was a hit too.

Make it fun & you'll be fine! Good luck & let us know what you do.



on edit: How's BNI working out for you? I found in spite of the stiff fees I still made more than it cost.

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

Lezly,

Love your ideas for both the shortcuts and the role play! Very creative, and visually memorable for your audience, I am sure!

Thank you for sharing.

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Cynthia Bastian, Brass Ring Administrative Solutions
www.BrassRingAdmin.com

Lezly, thank you for the ideas! I am still brainstorming but will definitely let you know what approach I decide to take.

In regards to how BNI is going, I joined in June 2012 and recouped my fees by September and in the positive since. I am in a leadership position and love how BNI continues to challenge me to be outside of my box. Are you still involved with BNI?

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Nichole Holm
Optima Business Solutions, LLC.

I am also preparing for a 10 minute presentation with BNI and I love your ideas Lezly. Thank you for sharing! I think the skit will be entertaining and will really get people thinking about what my businesses can do for them. Thank you!

My partner is in a BNI chapter and as soon as we have some more funding, I will be joining a different chapter so we can really get some great exposure. I find it to be a very worthwhile investment.

Originally Posted by nicmaggie05

In regards to how BNI is going, I joined in June 2012 and recouped my fees by September and in the positive since. I am in a leadership position and love how BNI continues to challenge me to be outside of my box. Are you still involved with BNI?

I love BNI. I think it can be incredibly beneficial. Last fall, my BNI chapter moved to a location I could not get to via RTD. I was disappointed, but I filled my networking with technical Meetup Groups, instead.

Two weeks ago I got a call from a former BNI member. His .NET developer wants out & he needs a new one. What is so funny is that in our 1-2-1, he told me, "I will never send business to you because I have my own developer."

I had done websites for two other BNI members & they were out there saying good things about me. Even after I was gone, it paid off. This is actually an incredible opportunity! I am

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

I think this is sooo interesting to hear about BNI. I went to a Small Business Development Center and one thing they said to me was to stay away from BNI. I can only imagine it is due to the fees. I wish I would have asked him why? But, was kind of taken aback that he would be that direct.

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Christina
CyberScribe Virtual Assistants, Inc.

I miss doing presentations! I'm a Toastmaster but taking a break now. Nichole, do a presentation on one of your services and show them how you can solve a problem they have. Give as many details as you can. Good Luck! ~ Lena

You could have the audience do an exercise, have a handout, have them circle items they hate to do at work.......things they wish they could delegate...etc.

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Chelsey Washington
Payton Jade Productions, www.paytonjade.com