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Raising the Bar

Will this be your response in the new year?

By Dr. Ivan Misner

What does "raising the bar" mean for BNI? What does it mean for you? What does it mean for your prospects and customers?

While most of the world is shouting about the sky falling and the difficult times we are experiencing, I believe that right now we have an opportunity: to focus on the fundamentals of what we do best. Both you as a business professional and BNI as a referral marketing network can raise the bar in 2009.

For BNI, "raising the bar" transcends growth-although the company will continue to grow as entrepreneurs and professionals around the globe embrace networking and word of mouth marketing to thrive, especially in the midst of international economic challenges.

As stakeholders in this company, we must strive to reach out to people around us and share the BNI story with them in compelling ways. Tell the testimonies that will excite them about business growth through word-of-mouth marketing. Be concrete as you outline how BNI membership can help them. And be a skillful listener: heeding their concerns, questions, and dreams.

"Raising the bar" for BNI means celebrating the success and contributions of every member and chapter-even as we lay the groundwork for success in brand new regions.

Most simply, it means looking to our future with clear vision, clear minds, and clear dedication to BNI's methods and principles.

A Commitment to You; A Commitment to Others

And you? What does "raising the bar" mean in your life, your business, and your BNI chapter?

While only you can answer that question, I see you as a business leader who believes in the power of raising your game while others retrench. I see you as an action-oriented mover and shaker who expects even more of yourself than those around you.

I see you as the kind of person who understands how the success-focused energy available through each BNI chapter boosts your ability to exceed even your own high standards for achievement.

That reality, in turn, impacts your prospects and customers.

How? Look at yourself through their eyes. You influence them more than you might think-in the ways you conduct business, attend to their needs, and help them pursue success. By raising the bar for yourself, you help them--by your example--to also raise the bar in their own lives.

Raising the bar? It's the commitment BNI makes to you. When you do it for yourself, it's the gift you give others in your life and work. And it's what we all must do for the health of the global economy in the coming year.

The economy is serving us lemons. We choose to make lemonade. My marching orders to directors around the world this year are to focus on the fundamentals. Get back to basics. Do what BNI does well and do it better than we have ever done it before. We are committed to making BNI an even better organization in 2009.

Because of that we are moving forward with the most comprehensive project in the history of the organization. We are investing the most capital we have ever invested in a single project and we are doing it now during a recession. Why? Because I believe there is an opportunity for BNI and for you as BNI members to excel while others stagnate.

By the end of 2009, we will introduce a comprehensive online social network to support BNI members throughout the world. The project is called BNI Connect. For some basic information about the project, feel free to go to www.BNIConnect.com and take a look at our vision for this program.

BNI is "raising the bar," moving forward with a plan that will reinforce BNI's position as the world's largest business networking organization. This will help members around the world to make effective use of our global network.

Help us "raise the bar" this year in your chapter. Focus on the fundamentals, get back to basics, and immerse and engage in a culture of learning within your group. Through BNI, you can have a great year in 2009.

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 (www.bni.com), the world’s largest business networking organization. His latest #1 bestseller, The 29% Solution can be viewed at www.29PercentSolution.com. Dr. Misner is also the Senior Partner for the Referral Institute, an international referral training company (www.referralinstitute.com). He can be reached at misner@bni.com. Visit www.iLearningGlobal.tv/Networking for downloadable content by Dr. Misner.

Tags: commitment, Ivan Misner, January 2009 edition, opportunity, vision

12 Responses to “Raising the Bar”

Norm Levasseur Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Great article. Hope this will be shared by the leadership teams as we prepare for a new year and a new fiscal BNI year.
Raise the bar, attend at least one network event monthly
Raise the bar, bring two visitors to meetings monthly
Raise the bar, aim to give 3 quality referrals monthly
Raise the bar, have four one to ones monthly.
Flynn Nogueira Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Dr. Misner’s article in this issue, Raising the Bar, is such a great way for all of us who are entrepreneurs to see how to leverage the opportunities we have with BNI and, even in these tough times, the opportunitiy we have to grow not only our busineess – but our skills as professionals. While everyone is crying – DOOME AND GLOOM – Dr. Misner, once again gives us the fresh perspective that it’s up to us to make it happen and guess who is there to support us all along the way! BNI. Thank you Ivan and thank you for access to an incredible culture of learning.
Nik Williams Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Dear Dr Misner,

Rasing the Bar and your strategy as outlined above is exactly the right move for the current global climate. Your approach is clear and inspirational to companies wanting to make the most of the opportunity that is there for everyone. The key is focusing on the basics, doing what you do best. Over the Christmas break we have been embracing the opportunity that is out there for our company and I wish BNI continued success in helping businesses develop to their full potential. BNI Connect is a great move and I hope that it will be up and running before the end of 2009. It is a brilliant idea and we want it now. I hope you have an exciting year.

Best regards,

Nik Williams,
London, England
Paschal Rowland Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Enjoyed the article, very motivational
Pamela H. Says:
January 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Good to find this website and be convinced anew that there are other likeminded individuals who believe in networking to leverage on one another’s strengths instead of common perception by public – as that of computer networks. All the best & may we turn the tide by working together towards a common goal in 2009!
Wishing all a Blessed New Year!
Amelia Tee Says:
January 8th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Many had forgotten their business and/or chapter fundamentals when the economy is doing well, and some lost their vision along the way. This article is so close to heart and couldn’t come at a better time.

Wishing all BNI members and directors a truly happy 2009.

Best wishes,
Amelia Tee
BNI IZAQ Singapore
martin wright Says:
January 8th, 2009 at 4:04 am
i have been raising the bar for the last three months and this has increased my postive approach to business and friends and has brought in more business for me.
So come on and get out of your comfort zone and raise your game.

Try it, your see the changes it brings.
Ian C. Weekes Says:
January 8th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I would like to endorse your concept and strategy of “Raising the bar” as the theme and focus for 2009. You clearly define for us what this means.

Two years ago our president of the Trident Chapter in Barbados presented members with a trophy for “Raising the bar”.If you brought the most visitors or passed the most referrals you earned the right to have that trophy display in front of you for that meeting. This worked because our membership increased and qualified referrals increased and those who participated increased their business revenue.

Thank you for keeping us motivated, positive and focused.

Wishing all good health, the strength and courage to conquer the challenges of 2009.

“BNI works if you work it”

Ian
Morgan Rothwell Says:
January 14th, 2009 at 9:27 am
The ethos of ‘Raising the Bar’ is undoubtedly well timed for 2009!

We are challenging all our members to raise their bar in everything they do. I have no doubt that BNI members who adopt this concept will excel beyond their successes of recent years!

It’s also a powerful message for visitors to BNI and really sets the tone!

2009 will be a great year!

Morgan
Karen McKinney Says:
January 14th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I’m ready to raise the bar in 2009. Thanks for the article. I jumped on the band wagon NOT to participate in a recession in 2008 and my business grew. Can’t wait to see what happens this year. Here’s to raising the bar!
Y M Tan Says:
January 21st, 2009 at 11:12 pm
“You become what you think about!”

While we focus back to fundamentals and solutions, the opportunities will show up by themselves. We have seen this happening to our chapter members in year 2008.

We’re very much looking forward to year 2009 — a year of challenging and interesting.

Raise the bar!
BNI Rainmaker » Raising the Bar. Will this be your response in the new year? Says:
May 6th, 2010 at 4:54 am
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12 Responses to “Raising the Bar”

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