The BNI sub-themes we are tackling for this issue are "opportunity" and "professionalism"—what appropriate themes for a networking organization such as BNI!
Anyone who, like me, has been involved in running BNI chapters for a period of time is likely to have been asked on at least one occasion, "What are the benefits to me of joining a BNI chapter?"
In the early days, when I was first establishing BNI in New Zealand, this question could sometimes catch me on the back foot. Before I knew it, I found myself seeking to justify the cost of membership, listing the tangible benefits such as the card file, books, orientation CD's, listing one's business on the Australia/New Zealand website etc., as if these in themselves were reason enough for joining BNI.
Today, with some 46 chapters and over 1,100 members, I find that I have a very different reply. Without a second thought I am likely to tell them that membership of BNI gives you the "opportunity" to grow your business as well as your "professionalism."
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HUDDLE TIME
Be a Giver and Gain
By Ivan Burnell
Why would you choose to be a giver? This is a vital question for you to ask yourself in reference to your profession or business. The answer is quite simple, although it may seem difficult to understand. The answer: because you will make a greater profit, sell more product and if you work for someone else, you will have a job for life. Besides that, you will also feel good about yourself.
How do I know that this is true? Because I did it and it worked. I was a struggling life insurance salesman when I decided to become what I call a giver. To do that, all I had to do was to tell the whole story about my product to prospective clients, never leaving out any facts or information. At first I was terrified. Would anyone buy anything from me if I told him or her about all the good points as well as all the possible bad points of the product?
The results were exciting. Within six months I had doubled my sales and then doubled again six months later. After the first six months I stopped asking for leads and references because I was getting more than enough without even asking.
So it paid to be a giver. In my workshops, I make a joke about this by saying that the greediest person should learn to be a giver and make a lot more money with a lot less trouble.
Personal Peak Performance
Why be a giver? Because if you aren't a giver now, you either already are or you will become a taker. And what's wrong with that? Ponder this statement for a moment: "Givers are given to and takers get taken!" It may not happen immediately, but that is what eventually occurs.
You can prove this point by observing people around you. Observe the givers as well as the takers. Watch their attitudes and their actions. Then take note of what happens to them along the way.
Takers tend to be critical and judgmental of the success of others, which leads to their becoming resentful and angry. Anger clouds the mind and confuses the problem-solving capabilities. That is why otherwise intelligent people will do something foolish and will needlessly get themselves into a lot of trouble and become vengeful.
Givers tend to be accepting of what is. They know how to let go of past problems and hurts while learning from the experience and applying that knowledge to present situations. Givers tend to be happier and healthier because they are not burdened with resentment or bitterness for what should be. Once you have observed both the givers and takers, decide which you want to be and then stick to it.
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