January/February 2006
Art of Networking
From the FounderWe All Speak the Language of Referrals
The idea of growing your business through word-of-mouth marketing is a concept that crosses cultural, ethnic, and political boundaries. It resonates with entrepreneurs all over the world. It resonates in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas—because we all speak the language of referrals.
As I helped develop BNI around the world over the last two decades, I frequently heard this type of networking wouldn't work in other countries. In fact, the first very time I was told "this won't work here, we're different" came from a business person in Southern California talking about people just 25 miles away in another part of Southern California! | Read this article
To the Next Level
Capitalize on Opportunities
Make BNI a part of your business marketing strategy. Many business professionals view BNI activities as separate and distinct from regular business activities. This is often evident by the lack of eager participation in chapter activities including planning sessions, growing the chapter, Leadership Team meetings, Membership Committee meetings, attendance, and timeliness, etc. Difficulty in scheduling meetings or activities outside the 90 minute weekly window and getting everyone there on time and prepared suggests that these activities are not seen as valuable or as valuable as other business activities.
Why lay awake at night thinking of ways to do more profitable business when a proven system is available and you are already a member? BNI was specifically designed and is continuously dedicated to helping people succeed in business. Yet how often is "BNI time" viewed as an obligation of 90 minutes per week instead of a primary key to business success? | Read this article
Art of NetworkingThe BIG Deal About SMALL Talk
The national belittling of small talk has a long history. For years, people have denigrated small talk as phony, laborious, and boring. It's so important that I included a chapter on it in How To Work a Room® and wrote a comprehensive book on conversation, What Do I Say Next? All of my presentations and keynotes have a 'small talk' component so that my audiences can start with it and then comfortably move on to BIGGER talk. My research surveys of 100 great conversationalists yielded two results that stunned me.
The first is that 75% of the respondees, people whom I considered to be great conversationalists, still thought of themselves as shy. I was shocked. Several of those surveyed admitted to working through shyness but still feeling uncomfortable. Could have fooled me! In fact, they did. They worked through it so well that I found them to be exemplary at conversation. | Read this article
Breaking News2005 International Director's Conference
For two consecutive years BNI's International Director's Conference has been held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, California. From November 7th through November 12th, 2005, more than 725 participants enjoyed fantastic presentations and speakers—as well as plenty of open networking with fellow BNI peers.
Read this article
BNI in the News
Learn how to ask for referrals—and grow your business
Eagle-eyed BNI member Jason Jarrett spotted BNI mentioned in this article on the Microsoft Small Business Center website.
Marketing by getting referrals is not only simple, it's wonderfully cheap.
The idea is to find new customers just by asking peers, associates and existing customers to recommend likely prospects for you to target.
View the article
