CHAPTER BRAGS
Givers Gain
Within the last month I have already submitted applications to my company that would represent an additional $100,000 and am currently working on finalizing three proposals that represent considerably more.
I'm only talking about that portion of my business that is BNI referral-based. The pending proposals are approximately $50K, $120K and probably $1.25 million (web site—more difficult to project). Although these are in the proposal stage and not actual cash-revenue received, it is important to note two key factors: 1) I'm a new member, and (2) the proposals wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for BNI.
At this point I would project that BNI referrals will probably represent one-fourth of the revenue I bring to my corporation. Since my income is partially determined on a revenue based system, once could further project that my income should (eventually) reflect a 25 percent increase as well. That doesn't take into account all the other benefits I've experienced as a result of my membership.
I truly believe it is the sincere and professional synergy of the Ventura Beach Chapter and its BNI Ventura County Executive Director, Linda McCarthy, that make it possible!
Submitted by Karrianne Broman, Ventura Beach Chapter, Ventura Beach, California
I can't believe we paid $290 to be involved BNI. Do you realize that we have captured more than $1,100 in sales since joining?
What has it been? Three months! As far as sales return on advertising investment, if you broke it down for the first quarter of our membership, BNI has paid us roughly $3.79 for every dollar we invested. I'm not exactly great when it comes to numbers, but I believe that is a 275 percent sales return on our investment. Now you know why I have been bragging to everyone about BNI!
SuccessNet Online is 'Awesome'!!! Thanks for another great tool!
Submitted by Vanessa McClary, Bloomington One Chapter VP, Ambassador, Health & Wellness Concepts, vmmcclary@msn.com
I have been a member of BNI less than a year but my contacts there have already been responsible for about 45 percent of my new business generation. The 7 A.M. start time has gone from a chore to a pleasure in a very short time. I think BNI is wonderful!
Submitted by Donna Costelnock, Prudential Preferred Realty, Greensburg Chapter, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Hello from Manchester East—"Centre of the Universe."
I'm Alistair Macdonald, Regional Director since last April. I would like to tell you some of the success stories from this region. Not only does Manchester have the best soccer team in the world (Manchester United), not only is it the finest Victorian city in the world, not only is it the place where the first computer was built—it also has what must rank as one of the most successful new BNI chapters!
Stockport 1, launched in July 1999, has done around £1.4million of business already:
- a car rental and leasing company secured a £1million deal with the help of another chapter member,
- a commercial vehicles sales company has notched up £130,000 of new business,
- the hotel where they meet, £90,000,
- an electrical contractor, £60,000,
- a small design company, around £40,000,
- a printing consultant, around £30,000,
- even a nurse expert witness (a very unusual category over here) has notched up £4,000,
- plus many other smaller success stories.
Stockport 1 has 24 members and growing, Stockport 2 has 24 members and growing even faster (launched early November), and I have two other core groups that will have launched by the time this is released!
Submitted by Alistair MacDonald, Regional Director, Manchester, England
I invited a guest to the Masters of Networking dinner; I introduced him to members from my chapter and other chapters. My client was in my office the following Tuesday, and after conducting business with him (which, incidentally, consisted of a $1,000,000 life policy to protect him and his family from disaster on buying out his relatives' business), I had him look through my BNI card holder. I mentioned that if there was someone in my chapter who could be of service to him, I would like to give those people a qualified referral.
Immediately he started to pull cards out of my file on people he would like to do business with. He picked four people to contact him now and six more people he would like to contact within the next three to six months. I won the door prize at the following meeting after writing up these referrals, which was just by accident as there were a number of members who gave out multiple referrals. All in all it was a great meeting and a great feeling to know that I was able to generate new business for my fellow members.
THE GRASS IS GREENER IF YOU WATER IT!
Submitted by H. David Holzer, LUTCF, Compensation Consultants Inc., Mt. Lebanon Chapter, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
I am a member of BNI in Seattle, WA. We have the most extraordinary Area Director, Pauline Martin. I am so amazed by her integrity and passion for helping others and me in BNI. She is an incredible combination of solidity, humor, wisdom, tact, leadership, and resourcefulness. Every single time, without fail, that I needed her advice and opinions, she was there. In addition, the scope and depth of her experience with BNI itself is outstanding. She is so unusual that she deserves an award of some kind! Thanks so very much!!
Since its Kick-Off in September, the Crossroads chapter, located in Johnson Creek, WI, has passed $490,000 worth of business. Now, granted, they only started with 7 and have grown since, but with 18 members currently (and potentially 2—3 more after today), the math comes to $27,200 worth of business generated per member in 4 months. Extrapolating through a year would bring the total annual value per member to $81,600.
Submitted by Jim Knoflicek, South Central Wisconsin Area Director
BNI has had a very positive impact on my business. I have gotten to meet and come to know many business professionals through BNI, more than any other organization. BNI is a great place for anyone who wants to expand his or her business through the most powerful marketing tool—word-of-mouth marketing.
Submitted by Sean W. O'Neill, Attorney, Ablan Law Firm, La Crosse—River City, WI, chapter president, www.Alban.com
This story is for any BNI member who has ever told a client that their job is too small for them:
John Whitaker gave a ten-minute presentation to his St. Kilda Rd. II Chapter in Australia on his promotional products business. He was asked a question about minimum order levels—he answered by relating this story:
A lady rang up about 12 promotional product companies to see if she could have one coffee mug printed. Each said no. She then contacted John's Impress Promotions and they agreed to do one for her at a price of $60. At $60 there was still no profit in the job. He maintains a policy of never saying no unless everything else fails. The client had the mug printed, decided that it was what she was looking for and placed an order for thousands of mugs. It was only when she placed the order for the mugs that Impress found out her job title and company.
This lady simply wanted to see what a mug would look like first before she committed herself. She also wanted to find out who was willing to provide her with a certain level of service and commitment, somebody willing to go outside the square.
This is an example of Impress "walking the talk." Its actions resulted in a relationship with a client rather than focusing on the short-term gain of a single contract. Givers gain!
Submitted by Ian Pendlebury, BNI Australia Executive Director, www.bni.com.au
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