My BNI Story
Be a Resource Centre for Your Clients

Recently I started carrying my BNI card holder everywhere I go.

At a catering function for the opening of a new office, I had the opportunity to use it to impress my client.

The client told me they needed to upgrade their telephone service, so I gave her one of my fellow chapter member's cards to introduce his services. I overheard the ladies in the office talking about safety, and I gave another card for installing a security system at the office. When my client asked me to be careful of her new carpets, I introduced our carpet cleaner. I noticed a fish pond in the office, so I gave her another card to introduce our FengShui Master.

By the end of the day I had also given her cards for the computer service, printer, and mechanic in my chapter. I could not have done this if I wasn't carrying all of their business cards in my card holder.

Before I left my client's office I said, "Call me if you need any information. I know where to get almost anything." I also invited her to an Affinity chapter meeting. Before I left, the client gave me a referral to cater for a bank.

The moral of this story is: "Be a resource for your clients and be a conscious marketer for your fellow members."

Fong Muntoh, BB Deli - Catering, Affinity Chapter, BNI Malaysia

To purchase a BNI card holder like the one mentioned in this testimonial, click here.


Whole Power Team Profits

One of the best "BNI Success Stories" for the Peak Professionals Chapter in Queens, New York is a referral to me that ended up with business for our chapter's entire Home Services Power Team.

Diallo Stevens, our chapter's Realtor, referred a potential mortgage client to me back in December 2004 as a pre-approval. We finally closed on her home purchase in July. That's not the big deal—it happens all the time—but this client ended up using the services of every member of the Home Services Power Team:

I did the mortgage.
Diallo Stevens was her Realtor.
Kathryn Richards became her closing attorney.
Jesse James Burke was the attorney for the bank.
Adi Yacar handled her moving needs.
Tony Christoforu did her home inspection.
Saul Belsky is changing the locks on the house.
Karen Keith is going to be installing an alarm system.

When all was said and done, the entire Home Services Power Team chipped in and sent the client a thank you-basket from chapter member Lydie Pellissier, who is on the Events Power Team.

This one referral generated business for nine members of the chapter totaling over $750,000 in gross sales. This networking stuff is pretty cool!

Mark Dana, Mortgage Officer, H.S.B.C. Bank, Peak Professionals Chapter



The Perks of BNI Membership

My company, BNS Enterprises, is a diverse technology business including computer sales and service, internet services from dialup to DSL, cable and satellite. Our services include consulting, trouble-shooting, and problem solving with spam, spyware and virus work. We are located in Centralia, Washington. I am a member of SWWC - SouthWest Washington Commerce Chapter.

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Perks Unlimited out of New York. They are contracting with companies for their Perkscard program. This program allows businesses, like BNS, exclusive access to the employees of large corporations. In this case, Safeway Corporation will issue 5,000 Perkscards to their employees directing them to my website where I will offer a discount to them, based on their employment with Safeway.

What a great way to cut through the clutter to be seen exclusively by 5,000 people! After reviewing the opportunity presented to me, I asked how Perkscard found me. I was told that they look for businesses associated with BNI. (SuccessNet contacted Perkscard and was told their Director of Operations, Chris DiRusso, was once a member of BNI and has made contacting local BNI chapters part of their strategy when developing a Perkscard program for an employer. Perkscard President Bob Dow said that they are always on the lookout for reputable businesspeople who are engaged in the community and eager to actively promote their company's products and services. BNI chapters help them find such businesspeople.)

My conversations led to Perkscard requesting other names of BNI businesses that could be added to the exclusive discount program for Safeway employees. I referred fellow member Jim Green of Pioneer West, and this opportunity may well extend to other businesses in my local chapter. I am anxious to see how all of us might prosper from this program.

Without BNI, no one would have contacted BNS out of Centralia, Washington for such an exclusive opportunity!

Bob Killillay, BNS Enterprises, http://sipnsearch.com, SouthWest Washington Commerce Chapter, www.bniww.com



Lowest Common Denominator Doubles Quality Referrals

It's difficult to sell intangible services. It's especially difficult if members do not have any real world exposure to your services. My challenge when I joined BNI was to figure out how to communicate our numerous service capabilities in a comprehensive yet succinct manner.

As an outsourced human resources service firm, we provide a myriad of services for clients from organizational development to application forms. What kind of commercial could I develop that would 1) summarize our multi-faceted business and 2) provide an avenue for an introduction?

One of the key principles of a successful 60-second commercial is to break down your service or product into its most basic form or Lowest Common Denominator. So, I decided to highlight our training grant writing and tax credit services in my commercials. Within a few months of joining BNI, we gained 5 new clients. I then developed a cost/benefit sheet and handed it out to the members to demonstrate how HR services not only help save employers money, but also help employers obtain valuable quality employee training. As a result, quality referrals increased to 70%.

The success of using LCD has led us to expand our training grant writing and tax credit services on a national basis. LCD Works!

Joyce Maynard, SPHR, Vice President and Treasurer, HR Xpress, Inc.
Providence Chapter Mentor and Ambassador


Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Make the most of every opportunity. With that said I would like to tell you how I got a referral for my colleague Michael Royce of Realty World, the President of the Englewood-Clayton BNI Chapter in Ohio.

Wednesday evening, June 1st of this year I started having severe pressure in my chest. I was concerned because I had a recent treadmill stress test and did not "do well". Although I was scheduled to have an angiogram and potential angioplasty the following week, both my husband and I felt we should call 911 - so we did.

The Emergency Medical Technicians were kind, caring and efficient. During my ride to the emergency room at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, I talked with Ed and Tim who were caring for me in the ambulance. As it happened, Tim was planning to buy a house in the Englewood area and I mentioned Michael Royce as a great realtor to whom I would like to refer him. Tim was very receptive. Unfortunately, in my haste to go to the hospital I didn't grab my BNI card carrier, so I could only tell him about Michael Royce.

After a two-day stay in the hospital, some tests and a change of medicine I was released and was able to go to work the following Monday. On Monday, I called the Fire Chief for the City of Englewood and told him how pleased I was with the treatment I received while an emergency squad customer and asked him to give Tim my number. Tim called me and the next day at our regular BNI Chapter meeting and I gave Michael the referral. He has contacted Tim and they are working together to find a house.

So even though I was in an unexpected situation - I was able to find a referral for Michael and indirectly help a young man who was kind to me during a difficult time.

Jackie Hill, BarryStaff Inc., Englewood-Clayton Chapter


There's No Time Not to Join

I was approached by Lesley Perchman about 3 months ago to visit a BNI chapter meeting. Feeling particularly busy, I declined. However Lesley kept after me and I am now a member of the brilliant Alpha chapter. I now realize I should have made this decision immediately!

I recently moved from Johannesburg to Hillcrest and knew virtually nobody. The move required that I start my image consulting business all over again. Redeveloping my business demanded long hours, high advertising costs and no personal time - or so I thought.

BNI taught me that by being part of an active chapter allows me to achieve results - quickly. My image business has now expanded to include HONEY jewelry as part of the accessories segment of my presentations with great benefit. I have merged the two businesses of image consulting and accessories into a single enterprise.

I am also now in a position to recruit HONEY consultants. HONEY gives small business opportunities to unemployed, physically disabled and housebound people helping them regain their confidence.

Gwenythe Seymour, Alpha Chapter, BNI South Africa


Since joining Eden chapter in Penrith this past January, I have received referrals for £3-4,000 for my service as Toastmaster/Master of Ceremonies.

John Dawson, Info@itsthevicar.com.


Gold Club:

Andy Cohen, Success Express Chapter, RI
Pamela Borges-Hawes, South Coast Chapter, MA
Teresa Occhiuzzo, Newport Chapter, RI
Dianne Langer, North Attleboro Chapter, MA
Janet Letourneau, Providence Chapter, RI
Joe Lomastro, South County Chapter, RI
Donna Sawyer, Team Advantage Chapter, MA
Chuck Hull, Hyannis Chapter, MA
Dan Caouette, Team Platinum Chapter, MA
Lisa Asendorf, Team Platinum Chapter, MA
Richard Mead, Roma Referral Group, ME

Dave Kantelis, Hockomock (MA) Chapter was recognized with having sponsored 12 members!

Submitted by Linda Macedonio, Executive Director, RI, SE MA, ME

Bronze Chapters

BNI Emerald Chapter
22 Members; July 2005
Greater Oregon Region
Area Director: Jayne Williams

BNI Bend Chapter
22 Members; July 2005
Greater Oregon Region
Area Director: Joyce Nihoul

Submitted by Robin Schuckmann, Executive Director, BNI Oregon & SW Washington