Comments on: BNI Light–Just Isn’t Right

By: Website Design Darlington

Website Design Darlington — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:40:31 +0000

Great article Ivan, BNI is a great influence on me!

By: Ethnie Weekes

Ethnie Weekes — Sat, 29 May 2010 09:24:54 +0000

You are so right, Ivan. I suppose we are in the age of instant gratification and expect things to happen immediately. As someone else mentioned and I have always said, BNI can work but you have to work it and that means attending the meetings every week, organising dance cards and lots of networking.

By: Patti

Patti — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:38:59 +0000

I cherish my BNI membership….and LOVE the reminder that like my garden, it needs attention to produce results! There is very good reason we are your “followers” your insight is fantastic..you’re a great leader! Love BNI! My membership is 8 years strong….and my chair will never be vacated! Keep educating us Ivan—IT WORKS! Thx much, Patti Brown, Business Boosters Chapter, Yucca Valley, CA

By: Graeme C. Halloway

Graeme C. Halloway — Sat, 08 May 2010 17:17:40 +0000

At 59 I’m am not the ‘retiring’ sort though some may say I’m ‘shy’. BNI is like a responsible family; enthused, we are striving together to bring the best out of each other with the same high goals.
I love Alan’s ‘cake’ analogy and find once again that you, Ivan, re-educate with a common sense approach, supported by further stimulus from the threads above.
I’m currently on holiday but cannot miss MY 10 minute opportunity to further educate others about MY business on Friday, 14th inst.(Not that I’m rushing back early from anywhere, it’s too ‘dusty’ to fly)!!
Many more should be spurred on by Frank’s observation that:
“The only time Success comes before Work is in the dictionary”.
So many little gems, I only wish I had a good memory!!

By: Jody Lende

Jody Lende — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:26:45 +0000

This is so true! Thanks for telling it like it is! I am a hairstylist & I have seen so many co-workers through out my career, who have sat around waiting for the “busy bus” to pull up outsite the salon, moping about how broke they are & complaining about the boss not doing enough to help them grow a clientele!
Now I’m a salon owner & I see it in employees too! The ones who get out there & network to bring in clients, ask for refferal & then treat people right when they do come in are very successful, while those who wait for it to happen nerer are. YOU HAVE TO WANT IT BADLY ENOUGHT TO GO & GET IT!

By: Bob Nicoll

Bob Nicoll — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:10:38 +0000

Great article Ivan. I believe your Ph.D. could also be one in “Hitting the Nail on the Head”. I have been associated with BNI since 1989. Even with a 10 year absence, I have been to over 2700 meetings,(as an Ambassador, Assistant Director as well as a member.)

Bottom line—- the concept works when we work it.

Thank you for your vision.

Bob Nicoll
Chief Paradigm Shifter
Remember the Ice
Eagle River, Alaska

By: Sampathkumar Iyengar

Sampathkumar Iyengar — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:49:33 +0000

A great article and a grim reminder to those who take the easy way out. I have been a member for about a year now and I am thoroughly enjoy the meetings and its great structure. The eductation that BNI imparts to business owners in tremendous and a welcome change in this competietive world.

Sampathkumar Iyengar
BNI – Fortune
Bangalore, India

By: Dermot FitzGerald

Dermot FitzGerald — Thu, 06 May 2010 06:45:55 +0000

Dear Ivan,
A great article. My brother is Rory McIlroy’s caddy. After winning the Quail Hollow Championship last week , I posed the question to him on what changed in order to win this PGA event. His answer was simple….Practise….BNI is the same. There are no shortcuts…

By: Rob Haskins

Rob Haskins — Thu, 06 May 2010 04:05:18 +0000

I recently visited several BNI chapters, looking for the right fit for me and my business. I was amazed to find a chapter that didn’t seem to have much structure. (Having been in BNI leadership before, I knew what to look for). Come to find out, the chapter folded a few weeks later. They had lost their way. I found a chapter that seems awesome. Their interview to see if I was a fit for them was exausting but in a way refreshing. What a difference.

It takes commitment to build real long term relationships or trust. Meeting only once or twice a month, does not give you enough time for those roots to go deep. I am still friends with BNI members from my old BNI of years ago.

Here is the key: Are you prospecting for business or networking for relationships? The latter will bring quality business for years.

By: Ian C. Weekes, Trident Chapter, Barbados

Ian C. Weekes, Trident Chapter, Barbados — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:34:49 +0000

Thank you Dr. Misner for sharing your response to the “BNI Light” model, it is aptly put. Shawn McCarthy’s reflection on the success quote, “The secret to success without hard work is still a secret” sums it up appropriately.

A list of prospects does not equate to qualified referrals!

The “BNI Light” model is for those persons who are interested in “Sometimes Business” i.e. you conduct business sometimes, like once a month. While “BNI The Real Thing” caters to those who are interested in building relationships to assist others in growing their as well as growing your business too!