Comments on: Looking for More Referrals?

By: Eli Deutsch

Eli Deutsch — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:56:14 +0000

A key observation was made on this post concerning chapter turn over. From my vantage point, I believe this is due solely to not really communicating to the guests we bring to our meetings, and to new members, what it will take to achieve their goals with BNI. There are some people I have brought to my meetings as guests. When I follow up with them, I ask what questions they have for me. Most only ask questions about the investment. I immediately get them to think about goals they want to achieve and what committment they will make with respect to the discipline of attending all meetings and strategies to get to know their fellow chapter members.
Most visitors see the program structure, and referrals being given and stop there. Setting realistic expectations needs to be emphasized so that the potential of BNI in their businesses is seen as a job in itself.

By: Rita Wilhelm

Rita Wilhelm — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:37:31 +0000

It’s definitely true that the more you put into it, the greater likelihood that you will give and receive referrals. One-to-ones are key to establishing the trust and relationships necessary to help your BNI sales force and allow them to help you!

By: Roofers in MA

Roofers in MA — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:42:29 +0000

I’m sure most chapters see as much turn over as we do’ It’s inevitable that the people who don’t get it are missing one or all of these points. As the educational coordinator I’m trying to get these sentiments across to our group especially the newer and less established members.

By: Julian Tan

Julian Tan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:48:54 +0000

I am very please that I saw the press editorial on my local paper citing how a certain chapter of members call BNI met regularly and were very passionate about their members.
It immediately hit me that I needed to join such a group. Less than 2 weeks later, I attended my 1st breakfast meeting and I have never stopped since. I am now into my 11th week with my chapter and I must add that it has been the highlight of my weekly events.
I started learning everything I could about BNI and every single methodology of its system has wow me. I am so stupid not to have understood this system sooner.
Referrals from my fellow members started pouring in from my 4th week onwards. I am a true believer of this system and I am looking forward to many more years contributing to my chapters growth. Givers Gains, I am totally sold on this motto! I salute & thank you from the bottom of my heart, Dr.Misner.

By: Alper Behar

Alper Behar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:41:12 +0000

I am in my second year with BNI. So far my biggest customers came through BNI referrals.

By: Norb Hoppe

Norb Hoppe — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:28:20 +0000

I’ve been active in BNI for 5 years now in two different states. The very first thing I did upon relocating 3 years ago was to find a strong chapter to join. My chapter is my business, suppling at least 70% of todays business which is amazing in the economy we are in. I am in the construction business and in 23 years of business, last year was one of our biggest. Thank you BNI!

One to one’s are the key. Not just for new members but also for those of us who get caught up being one of the old dogs on the porch who believe they have it all figured out. I have had dance cards with some members over 5 times and still learn more with every visit as do they (I hope).

Also one thing that I didn’t see mentioned in the above comments and most important with new members and attrition. Mentoring!!!!!!! We work so hard to get these visitors to come in and then to join but after that I think too many people feel the work is done and just expect the added the referrals to come in that a new member brings. They need help “getting it”. This goes beyond the required “MSP Training”. They need mentoring. We need to lead them to the water. If you take the time with this new member they will soon become part of the groups foundation and will than bring in quality referrals, visitors and new members.

Someone asked me a short while ago, “How are you so lucky?”. My reply, “The harder I work, the luckier I get”. Truth is I have over thirty highly experienced salespeople in BNI working for me.

Again, Thank You BNI.

By: Looking for More Referrals? « Critical Thinking

Looking for More Referrals? « Critical Thinking — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:37:19 +0000

[...] By remembering the GAINS exchange, you can make sure you don’t overlook this essential information about your networking contacts. Called the “father of modern networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is a New York Times bestselling author. He is the Founder and Chairman of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. His latest #1 bestseller, The 29% Solution can be viewed at http://www.29PercentSolution.com. Dr. Misner is also the Senior Partner for the Referral Institute, an international referral training company. He can be reached at misner@bni.com. Visit http://www.iLearningGlobal.tv/Networking for downloadable content by Dr. Misner. Original Article (click here) [...]

By: Wendy DeWitt

Wendy DeWitt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:24:50 +0000

Add in the value of helping your BNI partners on projects and small favors. This is a great way to get to know people better and creates incredible good will – and if you have fun doing it people will talk. Good news does travel, and what better context to have folks talking about your work?

By: Naresh Patel

Naresh Patel — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:06:15 +0000

For BNI to work you have to have get into an attitude that it is my business to get to know my fellow BNI Members business. As a result I am able to bring most referrals and turn in the most one to one dance cards slips every week.

I also visit many chapters and at first, in some chapters I did feel I didn’t belong there. Instead of waiting for them to come to me I go to them, this resulted in a $16000.00 referral from my competitor’s marketing director.

As I GIVE referrals to many BNI Members I do GAIN lots of $$$$

By: Ursula Theuner

Ursula Theuner — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:48:59 +0000

It is my fourth year of membership, I have had several jobs in my chapter and learned a lot in the workshops and in general. I am still fascinated by the personal development of every single new member and also by the intelligent platform of important rules that make BNI so successful. And: I love it!