March 2007
Art of Networking
From the FounderTouch-point Networking
6 effective follow-up techniques.
Good networking is about building relationships. And the people who you know and trust will most likely repeatedly refer you. This means you must build and maintain their trust.
That's why "touch points" are critical to the networking process. Touch points relate to the occasions in which you "touch" one of your clients, potential clients, and/or referral partners. Touch points are communication mechanisms, such as a phone call, email, newsletter, correspondence, personal meeting, greeting card, etc. | Read this article
Breaking NewsBNI's Inaugural International Networking Week™—A Worldwide Success!
The first-ever International Networking Week™, which took place February 5th—9th, 2007, has generated great interest in BNI.
As of the week after, there were over 40,500 documented Google hits for International Networking Week™. Going from 0 to 40,000 hits in a matter of months, International Networking Week™ was a proven success—and its phenomenal publicity and branding power will continue to bring more exposure to BNI. | Read this article
Art of NetworkingBuilding Your Networking Community
Why your success depends on the relationships you build.
"I am a rock, I am an island": These lyrics are from Simon and Garfunkel's 1967 song, "I Am A Rock." Paul Simon wrote the song while he was "finding himself" in London, but I'll wager he would now agree that success in life can't be found if you isolate yourself. So how do you make sure you don't become an island? Build community.
Think about that word—community. Webster says community is "a unified body of individuals." Now let's take it to the next level by making it possessive, like this: my community. This is the community of people who know, support, and depend on you, wherever they may be. | Read this article
To The Next LevelVisitors and Referrals
Settling the controversy about visitors.
A topic for debate among BNI members is whether you should pass referrals to visitors. On the surface passing referrals to visitors seems to be a perfectly logical idea. After all, we as BNI members would like to encourage visitors to join by showing them that they too can receive valuable referrals. All they have to do is join and show-up, then their business by referral expands dramatically—as if by magic.
But is it in the best interest of individual BNI members and the chapter to pass referrals to visitors? Let's consider the following. | Read this article
BNI in the NewsInternational Networking Week™, Feb. 5-9
BNI (Business Network International) is the largest business networking organization in the world. Last year, BNI members passed 4.9 million referrals, which generated almost $2 billion in business for its members. If BNI declares that February 5-9, 2007 is International Networking Week™, then, by George, it is! | Read the article
