BNI SuccessNet - November/December 2004


	Marlborough Leadership Team from left to right: Ken Kahn (President), Emily Greenwood (Vice President), Larry LaChance (Treasurer), Richard Bloom (Assistant Director BNI Mass)

Marlborough business group receives award for growth, and is largest in the region

Press Release: Business Network International (BNI) of Massachusetts has awarded the Marlborough chapter Platinum Status for exceeding 50 members consistently for the past quarter. BNI Massachusetts is comprised of 83 chapters in the greater Boston and Worcester area. The Marlborough chapter was launched in August of 1997 with 20 members, and last year generated $1,300,000.00 in referral business.

The formula for BNI's success is the "Giver's Gain Philosophy". The "Giver's Gain Philosophy" is an unselfish attitude that is contagious and promotes creditable, profitable, and lasting business relationships. The group functions as a sales team for each other by serving as each other's eyes and ears. The group meets every Thursday morning at the Holiday Inn, Marlborough from 7:00 to 8:30 AM with the primary objectives of making money and having fun.

BNI only allows one business per classification in each chapter so there is no competition. The meetings are always open to visitors, and you are welcome to attend any chapter meeting twice before making a decision to join. The Marlborough chapter is currently seeking individuals in the Commercial Real Estate, Building Trades, Family or Estate Planning Law, as well as anyone in the Wedding Industries.

Submitted by Patti Salvucci, Executive Director, Greater Boston Region

Founder's Award Winners

The Founder's Award is a prestigious award given to no more than ten percent of chapters in a Region, during any given year. The award is a tabletop sign announcing a chapter's meeting at the restaurant location. The sign has a reposition-able arrow that points the way to the meeting room.

The Founder's Award is given to a chapter which is:

nominated by their regional Director and
in the top ten percent of the country for performance relating to referrals, visitors and new members.

UNITED KINGDOM
London North West U.K. Region
Concord (Northwood) Chapter
Stanmore Chapter
Barnet Chapter
Connexions Chapter

Irelan
Dun Laoghaire Chapter

UNITED STATES
Massachusetts
Boston Region
Golden Triangle
Marlboro Chapter
Metrowest Networkers Chapter
Monument Square Chapter
Minuteman Chapter
Golden Givers Chapter
Quintree Chapter
Wakefield Chapter
Old Colony Chapter
Business Connectors Chapter
Hilltoppers Chapter

South East Region
Hilltoppers Chapter
Business Connectors Chapter

Pennsylvania
Southwest PA Region
Airport Chapter

Oregon
Sunset Chapter

Rhode Island
Newport County Chapter
Old Colony Chapter

Texas
Houston West Region
Westchase Chapter
Downtown Chapter
Inner Loop Chapter

Virginia
Southwest Virginia Region
Hill City Founders Chapter
Big Lick Chapter
Danville Founders Chapter
Star City Founders Chapter
New York
Upstate Region
Greece "A" Team Chapter
Canalside Trailblazers Chapter
Premier Professionals Chapter
Brighton's Best Chapter

Vermont
Champlain Valley Business
Network Chapter

Alabama
Friday's Funds Chapter

Arizona
BNI Advantage Chapter

Gold Club Members

Peter Osborne, D.C., First Colony chapter

Submitted by Kathleen A. Mathy, Executive Director, Houston West Region

Brian Wals, Edwardsville chapter
Virginia Muzquiz, Kirkwood Lunch chapter
Barb Lane, River City chapter
Rick Freund, St Charles chapter
James Hawkins, Westport chapter
Jim Feltmann Jr., Washington chapter
Fern Rosen, Central Corridor chapter
Jay Taddei, Belleville chapter
Judy Henry, Metro East chapter
Terry Gallaher, Belleville chapter
Mary Britsch, Edwardsville chapter
Dan Payne, Lake St Louis chapter
David Freyman, Spirit of St Louis chapter
Ed Meyer, Twin Cities chapter
Heidi Sever, Richmond Heights chapter
Lyn Lawshe, Kirkwood Lunch chapter
Jim Muench, Columbia Lunch chapter

Submitted by Scott Simon, Executive Director, BNI Eastern Missouri—Southern Illinois

The True Spirit of Givers Gain

I want to tell you a story of three BNI members in the Western Pennsylvania region.

On Friday, September 17, 2004, Hurricane Ivan dumped over six inches of rain on western Pennsylvania, leaving behind complete and utter destruction for many. The three BNI members I wish to tell you about have all been affected in different ways.

Three days after the waters subsided, I went to my Airport chapter BNI meeting and here is what I found; Lynn, the business lawyer for our group, was there with referrals in hand after losing her entire office to the flood on Friday. She must have spent the previous three days trying (in vain to some extent) to recover all her paper work that was caught under five feet of water while still attempting to conduct business.

Then there was Doug, the disaster recovery contractor and President of our chapter, with a smile on his face, ready to run the meeting. I am sure Doug slept very little over the previous seventy-two hours because he responded to some sixty-eight calls from flood victims, including Lynn. In my opinion this man should have been sleeping at 7AM on this particular morning.

And last but not at all least, there was Erica, the scheduled ten-minute speaker for the meeting. Erica holds the hotel seat in our chapter. She had just spent three tiresome days working with the Red Cross to supply as many rooms as possible to flood victims. At the appropriate time in the agenda, Erica got up to do her ten-minute presentation. After giving her bio, she said she wanted to spend the remainder of her time not on business, but to ask each and every one of us to reach out and lend a hand (however we could) to the victims of the flood.

Now one would think that would be enough selflessness for one day; but after the meeting, Lynn gave Bryan, the office supply person of the group, a list of items she needed. Bryan agreed to fill many of her supply needs from his own free manufacturer's samples.

I am proud to say I am a member of a group that demonstrates this type of service among its ranks. These people truly exemplify the spirit of Givers Gain!

Submitted by Keith Jackson, Side by Side Construction, Inc.

Givers Gain


	Linda Macedonio

Linda Macedonio, BNI Executive Director for SE Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island, was recently recognized at Fenway Park in Boston by the Jimmy Fund as the Council Volunteer of the Year. Linda has also been serving as the President for the Rhode Island and SE Massachusetts Jimmy Fund Council.

The Jimmy Fund supports the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise the chances of survival for children and adults with cancer around the world. They have raised more than $300 million since it was founded in 1948. The Jimmy Fund raised a record $39.4 million in 2003. An average of 88 cents per dollar raised is directed toward Dana-Farber's ultimate goal—eradicating cancer and related diseases and the fear they engender.

Submitted by Michael Macedonio, Executive Director, SE Mass, Rhode Island and Maine

9/11 and BNI — A Lost Friend Is Found

I am still constantly amazed by 9/11. As I watched the towers collapse, three years ago now, I realized that a great friend of mine worked in the towers. Immediately, I went to the phone to call her and could not get through. I was frantic.

I was scheduled to travel to New York at the end of September. Sadly I went, hoping to look for my friend, Polly, at the "wall of shame" where hundreds of pictures were posted. None of my NY friends could bear to go, so I went alone—hopeful, but only to leave discouraged.

In April of 2004 I received an email titled, "Wow, I finally found you". It was from Polly! On the advice of a friend, she had "googled" my name and I popped up as a BNI Area Director. Well, the emails and phone calls flew. I discovered she was remarried and had not worked in the towers but two blocks away.

As we talked and shared about our lives since we had last been in touch she became increasingly intrigued by BNI and the business potential. I helped her to find a BNI chapter in her area. Her husband, Ken, decided to join. They were very excited and have reported they get a fair amount of business from their group.

They love BNI! At this time Ken is on leave from his chapter to help those suffering great loss from the Florida hurricanes. But he says he can't wait to get back to his chapter after the first of the year.

I haven't seen Polly in person yet, but I'm thrilled to have her back in my life. Thank you BNI!

Submitted by Rikki Meier, Area Director in Charlotte, N.C.

Reciprocity Ring Success Story

Sam Schwartz had his Virginia team of Ambassadors meet with Jerry Schwartz and the Maryland Leadership Team to demonstrate the Reciprocity Ring after international training.

When it was my turn to request introductions, my request was for the General Manager—by name—of a hotel in Washington, DC. One of the participants said her assistant had worked for that hotel and believed her boss was the person I asked to be introduced to!

As a result I am a firm believer in the phase "Be specific to be terrific!" The more specific you are with your request, the better the referral.

Submitted by Roxanne Sistrunk, The Business Forum of Fairfax chapter, Northern Virginia

For more information on the Reciprocity Ring, members can go to: http://www.bni.com/default.aspx?DN=884,661,1,Documents

Thank You, BNI!

"I credit the vast portion of my business success to being a member of BNI. No less than 70% of my current repeat business comes directly from BNI referrals! Within eight months of joining BNI my business doubled…twice! Simply from the BNI referrals I received.

"But BNI has done much more than help me grow my business. It helped me grow as a person. With the education and knowledge I gained through the training opportunities BNI provides, I have improved my public speaking skills, fine tuned my "sales message" and became much more effective and confident when dealing with potential clients and the public.

"Thank you BNI!"

Constable Greg Pearce, Norfolk County Constables' Office

Submitted by Patti Salvucci, Executive Director, Greater Boston Region