January/February 2005
Art of NetworkingJoint Chapter Meeting
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| Leroy Gaines presents Outstanding Service Award to Laura Wilkerson |
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| Awards Breakfast |
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| Guest Speaker Beth Misner |
"Diversity Bingo" got the crowd mixing and introducing one another. Guest speaker, Beth Misner, gave a motivating presentation on the topic of BNI's Vision and introduced the new "Givers Gain, the BNI Story" book. Continuing Leadership Teams, those who have served for two consecutive terms, were honored and given Outstanding Service Awards and thanks for their contributions to their chapters. Recent Certified Networker Program graduates, including Donald Perchlak, Teresa Harrison and Brian Booth, received their CNP Certificates and gave effusive testimonials to the CNP Program.
Most remarkable of all, Leroy kept the meeting on task, and even with 80+ attendees, the meeting adjourned promptly at 8:30am!
$1.23 Million in New Business Passed in Just One Month!
The Richmond Referral Foundation chapter in Staten Island, NY is pleased to announce that it generated $1,235,750.00 in new sales during the month of September 2004 through first generation referrals given by its members.
"Ever since we started tracking referrals that have turned into sales, the meetings are more energetic, the quality of referrals has increased, and we have been able to attract a higher caliber new members," said Anne Louise DePalo, President. "September was our biggest month yet and we anticipate that we will close approximately $4 Million in sales by the end of December 2004."
Submitted by Timothy Houston, Area Director, NYC Outer Boros Region
BNI Minnesota Trade Show
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| David Sheridan, lead instructor for Certified Networker Program at the BNI Minnesota Trade Show |
Our purpose was to help promote BNI members' products and services. It proved to be a great marketing tool. It also gave BNI members the opportunity to meet one another in a fun casual networking environment.
The Trade Show was marketed through various channels:
- An email was sent to all 1800+ BNI members.
- An e-postcard was placed on the www.bni-mn.com website for members to personally send to their various clients, colleagues and friends.
- All pertinent information was listed on the UpSwing Business EXPO emails and distributed to a database of over 11,000 and then posted on their website www.upswingexpo.com.
- Information was listed in the National Association of Women Business Owners (MN Chapter) emails and distributed to over 6,000 people. The Trade Show was also marketed on their website.
- The event was listed in the business calendars of the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and The Business Journal.
Submitted by: Beth Anderson, BNI Minnesota/Western Wisconsin
Rookie of the Year Award
I wanted to share an idea I had for our Short Hills chapter. On the last day of my Presidency, I prepared several Notable Networker Awards for Most Referrals, Most Visitors, etc. When I was done, I realized that nearly all the awards went to seasoned BNI members. I concluded there are some advantages to being an experienced BNI member.
I wanted to recognize the efforts and outstanding work of those new members who joined our Short Hills chapter within the last year. New members are the life-blood of any chapter and I wanted to recognize and present an award to the most outstanding new member to keep that "new blood" excited about BNI. Therefore, I came up with a Notable Networker Award called the "Rookie of the Year". All members who joined our Short Hills chapter in 2004 were eligible.
Chapter records detail statistics from each week's meeting. Determining the "Rookie of the Year" honors were calculated and based on the point system in the "BNI Game": 5 points for referrals, 10 points for bringing in new members, and so on. It was very exciting and seemed to give our entire chapter an emotional boost. We were definitely fired up!
By the way, the Short Hills chapter's "Rookie of the Year 2004" is…Robert O'Connor with Minuteman Press Print Shops.
Bruce E. Cebula, former President, Short Hills chapter
Submitted by: Claudia MacDermott, Area Director, Northern New Jersey
Third Anniversary Marked with Two $100,000 Referrals
The Referral Masters chapter of Federal Way, Washington recently celebrated their third year as a BNI chapter with some big money referrals. Core Group members often visit this South Puget Sound Showcase chapter for a lesson on "how to do BNI the right way." Proving they earned their Showcase status, The Referral Masters proudly announced that this fall two members were awarded $100,000 projects from chapter referrals.
Phil Germer, principal consultant with Avidity Group, LLC and Kendilyn Reeves of Emerald City Graphics, both received referrals from fellow members that will result in approximately $100,000 of new business for each of them over the next year. Year to date, The Referral Masters have generated nearly $450,000 in revenue for its members.
Connie Hinton, Executive Director BNI Northwest said, "As two of the chapter's best referral givers, it's extremely gratifying that Phil and Kendilyn got such dream referrals – it's a great example of "Givers Gain". I don't think anyone wonders why Referral Masters is one of our Showcase chapters."
Submitted by Mavis Lamb, Director PR & Special Events, BNI-NW
BNI Minnesota Hears Brian Tracy
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| BNI Minnesota's booth at Brian Tracy seminar |
Submitted by: Beth Anderson, BNI Minnesota/Western Wisconsin
Window Decals Promote BNI
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The decals were made by Neil Britt, a member of the La Verne, California Chapter. His business is Fineline Signs and Graphics, and he can be reached at (877) 392-3660.
Tony Dalia, BNI Regional Director, San Gabriel Valley West
