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HUDDLE TIME
The Successful Invitation
by Carol Grebe, Executive Director, San Francisco North Bay, CA
It's not always what you say but what you don't say. When inviting someone to your chapter, don't tell them too much. The less you say the better. Here are 6 things not to say and one, sure-fire way to attract visitors to your chapter.
6 "Don'ts"
Never mention the following, whether on the telephone or face to face:
- 7:00 a.m.;
- Breakfast;
- Weekly Meetings;
- Business Network Int'l—it is often associated with multilevel marketing schemes;
- The word join—you are not trying to get them to join but to visit; and
- BNI's meeting agenda—you want them to experience first-hand the excitement you first felt.
One "Do"
"John, I am working with a group of local business people who are looking for a plumber [insert the profession of the person] to give their business to. Would you like to come and meet my colleagues?"
Your job is only to get people to the meeting. Let the BNI meeting sell them. If they see a structured meeting with supportive members who help each other and get business done, they will be attracted to your chapter.
HUDDLE TIME
The Skills behind Word-of-Mouth
by Norm Dominguez, U.S. National Director
In developing your word-of-mouth program, the many forms of communication play heavily in establishing relationships. For example:
- Inviting visitors to your chapter is dependent on verbal and possible written communication.
- Making a presentation blends verbal, visual, and written skills, and the use of body language to deliver a message.
- Generating referrals requires verbal and written skills, as well being comfortable with the unknown, as we learn to open doors for each other and over time strengthen our ability to produce qualified referrals.
As we become seasoned in making word-of-mouth a daily part of our lives, the forms of communication produce the greatest rewards. Thus, regardless of form, one constantly polishes and refines his or her communication skills.
HUDDLE TIME
Tool to Improve Your Strategy
by John Meyer, Executive Director, Ohio
Education Coordinators and members alike are finding the free weekly newsletter, Monday Morning Motivators (MMM), a quick and informative way to educate their chapter and improve their own business strategies. The newsletter contains a tip every week on networking ideas and strategies, various sales and closing techniques, and helpful tips to run a business effectively. Also included is a schedule of teleclasses taught by the authors.
Monday Morning Motivators has been in existence for more than a year and a half and is e-mailed each week to more than 800 people. To subscribe, simply send an e-mail to mmm@coachingcards.net with the word "Subscribe" in the subject line.
The weekly newsletter is provided by John Meyer (me), Debby Peters, and Linda Fayerweather. I am the District Director for the Mid-West Region of BNI and also the Executive Director for Ohio. Debby Peters, owner of Sales... and More! is a sales coach and member of the Madison Ave. chapter of BNI in Toledo, Ohio. Linda Fayerweather, owner of Fayerweather Consulting, is a business coach and a member of Maumee Bay chapter of BNI, also in Toledo.
Join our free e-zine, Monday Morning Motivators, to help you design your game plan. If the goal is success, you'll use the information to score a win!
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