CHAPTER BRAGS
Givers Gain
Vancouver British Columbia's First Chapter with 36 members has not dropped below 500 referrals exchanged per month for six months; they just passed their 7,000 referral mark for the year. During October they generated 1033 referrals for the month.
Submitted by Don Morgan, National Director, Canada
Sixty to 70 percent of my work comes from BNI.
Submitted by a BNI Member, Bay Area Chapter-Mobile
In 2000, I billed over $50,000 out of my practice directly from BNI or it's legacy referrals.
Submitted by a BNI Member, Bay Area Chapter-Mobile
My dog and I were walking in the park one block from my house when a golden retriever followed us home. She stayed with us for 2 days before her owner and I connected. When the owner picked her up at my house/clinic she saw my Different Drummer Acupuncture sign and she asked me if acupuncture could help her sore knee. She became a patient. She referred her boyfriend who is a personal trainer to me. He has become my personal trainer and my patient. He has referred 4 of his clients to me. One of those clients has referred his mother to me. Meanwhile the owner of the dog has now referred her running partner to me. So in one year I've gotten 8 patients from a dog!
Submitted by Marcia Mueller, Portland, OR chapter
The North Dayton, OH chapter, with 25 members, has generated 1,217 referrals year to date!
See the following letter from the Children's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. The North Dayton, OH chapter donated $300 to purchase two computerized Spinoza Buddy Bears.
April 24, 2001
Ms. Amy J. Stose
Vice President
Member, North Dayton Chapter of Business Network International
National City Bank-Corporate Banking
6 North Main Street
Dayton, OH 45412-2160
Dear Amy:
On behalf of all children who need to visit The Children's Medical Center, I would like to thank you and members of the North Dayton Chapter of Business Network International for your recent gift of $300. Per your request, this money will be used to purchase two Spinoza Buddy Bears. These bears will be purchased by one of our child life specialists and used in the best interest of the children.
As you know, child life is a truly special program at Children's. I have enclosed a brief description of our child life program for you to share with your membership. Thanks for your organization's commitment to child life at Children's, and for your recommendation to direct this gift to us. Your loyalty is truly valued.
Please don't hesitate to call me at 641-5960 should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jodi Barnard
Chief Development Officer
The "Child Life Program"
When children are hospitalized, they face new experiences in an unfamiliar environment. Children's child life specialists focus on a number of goals:
- Making hospitalization a positive learning experience
- Promoting normalcy
- Helping children express feelings
- Enhancing children's self-esteem
- Providing a stimulating environment
- Allowing children to have a sense of control
- Helping alleviate stress and anxiety
- Providing emotional support to children and their families
- Promoting understanding of hospital routines, staff rules and medical procedure
Wally the clown or Carmey, a special dog that is loved by all children, visits the child on a regular basis. The hospital also houses two fully-equipped play rooms called our child life rooms and the Cyber Zone, a room equipped with six personal computers with access to the internet, games and much more.
Once a child is able to get out of bed, the nursing staff encourages the child and family to visit one of the playrooms or take a walk out into the courtyard to get some fresh air and go down a slide. As well, cable access is provided in each patient room and Nintendo is a popular distraction toy in day surgery as well in the emergency department. Whether a child is here for a day surgery or admitted into the hospital, each is gifted with toys, new stuffed animals and lots of wonderful care. |
 |
I've been in BNI for about 3 years. I joined BNI shortly after I opened my massage therapy business, because referrals are the only way I get business. In the fall of 1999, one of our members had a substitute at our chapter meeting. The sub (whom I'll call Michelle) gave me a referral to do chair massage in her office building, which I did. As a result of that appointment two people bought gift certificates, and Michelle came to me on a personal basis (and became a semi-regular client). I was asked to come back to the office two more times. On those subsequent times, I brought my office mate, who offered reflexology. She picked up several new clients, and two more people came to me on a personal basis.
In the spring of 2000, a gentleman (Mark) who is a marathon runner was complaining to a friend how much his legs hurt after running the Boston Marathon. His friend happened to receive chair massage from me on one of the above occasions and recommended me. Mark came and was so pleased that he recommended me to one of his friends (Julie). She, in turn, sent her son, her niece and one of her friends, Sally, to me. The niece bought a gift certificate for her mother, and referred one of her friends to me. I was able to refer Julie and her son on to the chiropractor in my group, and they became regular clients of us both.
In the fall of 2000, Michelle referred two business associates to me.
In March 2001, Sally referred me to her office manager, who brought me in to do chair massage during a particularly stressful time.
In April 2001, Mark referred Ron, who had a prescription for massage, 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Mark returns to me following another marathon and decides to commit to massage every 2 weeks.
In May 2001, Mark refers another marathon runner to me, Susan. Mark also refers the owner of an athletic shoe store. This particular storeowner is highly respected in the running community and holds regular workshops for runners. I have been invited to speak at some of these workshops and he wants to refer several runners to me immediately. My new office mate, a chiropractor, will also be involved in these clinics.
How much business would I have missed (let alone the 2 chiropractors and the reflexologist) if that chapter member hadn't had a substitute that day? And the story isn't over yet! I know I'll be receiving referrals for months, if not years, to come.
Geoff Scanlon, Executive Director in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, recently was awarded the Small Business "SUCCESS" Award for demonstrating growth, financial stability, resourcefulness and creativity to excel in his chosen industry. Scanlon & Associates, Inc. is located in Covington, KY, and offers a complete, comprehensive spectrum of financial plans, coverages and administration services for business. Congratulations, Geoff, on this recent honor!
|
|
