BNI HAPPENINGS — NEW ZEALAND
Thanks for the Coverage
Congratulations on another great issue of the International Newsletter-and many thanks for the coverage of New Zealand. Keep up the good work!
Graham Southwell-National Director
BNI New Zealand
Email: gsouthwell@bni.co.nz
www.bni.co.nz
Left to right: Leanne Beard, Stuart Chrisp, Dixie Finlayson, Andrew Allen, Sheena Haywood, John Ewart, Ronald Biddock, and Alan Sims. (see below)
BNI HAPPENINGS — NEW ZEALAND
BNI is Growing!
Sheena Haywood of Sheena Haywood Photography, CBD chapter, has recently opened a photographic gallery on Auckland's Princes Wharf, Outthere, which focuses on inspiring New Zealand imagery. Not only was her vision made possible by investors, but also by many BNI members of her chapter who had direct involvement in the project:
Leanne Beard of Leanne Beard Design handled the design of the gallery. Andrew Allen of the National Bank is Sheena's bank manager. Alan Sims of Graphic Impact provided the opening night's invitations. Dixie Finlayson of Framing Matters has provided framing for the photographers. Ronald Biddock of RJB Design trained the gallery team in retail selling. John Ewart of Courtney Ewart helped with staff contracts. Stuart Chrisp of Low Yim Partners shows some works at his office & encourages people to visit the gallery.
"The BNI people have been very supportive," says Sheena, "they were always asking how everything was going and were very understanding because I was working long hours."
Outthere is aimed at the discerning tourist market, displaying truly stunning images of New Zealand from landscapes & flowers to sports and even your everyday lamington! Sheena welcomes all BNI members to stop in and look around. And if you're looking for the 'wow' factor for your next client function, ask Sheena about hosting your event at the gallery.
BNI HAPPENINGS — NEW ZEALAND
Wear Your Badge for Referrals!
A great opportunity for two BNI members to do business together came about from a chance encounter. It was due to the humble little maroon and white BNI badge we are given when we become members.
One Sunday afternoon while standing at the check-in counter at the airport, Robyn Radomski (of Conference Works in Wellington) noticed a very familiar badge adorning the lapel of the gentleman next to her.
"I recognise the BNI badge and spoke to him, saying I was a BNI member in Wellington. It was then that we realised that we had a common link with our businesses. His name was Bill Potter from Howick Chapter. He is a speaker at conferences and describes himself as a Business Humanist & Maverick."
Robyn's business organises conferences-managing the whole conference for clients, from beginning to end.
"Meeting Bill, and knowing a bit about what he does, means that when I am assisting a client in selecting speakers, I can recommend him when appropriate."
"I would not have begun speaking to a 'stranger' had I not seen the badge-which made me feel there was common ground between us," says Robyn. "Since then, I have been diligent about wearing my BNI badge, as I have seen the benefits first hand!"
BNI HAPPENINGS — NEW ZEALAND
Research Shows Satisfied BNI Members
I am a perception researcher and public relations practitioner based in Auckland, New Zealand. The New Zealand director of BNI, Graham Southwell, suggested I pass on to you the results of some research I conducted recently.
In order to show members of my Albany chapter the type of work we do (and to assist the NZ and chapter leadership teams), we conducted a survey of members. The important results were:
- More than half of our members have provided seven or more referrals in the last six months, and the same proportion have received seven or more referrals in the last six months.
- While the small sample size makes detailed analysis less reliable statistically, there is a strong correlation between the number of referrals provided and the number received ‹ those who provide a large number of referrals are more likely to receive a large number. This group is also more likely to have been members longer.
In other results, we found:
- The largest group of members has been part of the chapter between 1 and 2 years (48 percent), followed by a smaller group (33 percent) in the 6 to 12 month category. Fewer than 10 percent are new members (less than 6 months).
- Most members (76 percent) first heard about BNI from friends or business associates.
- Most members (71 percent) were attracted to BNI for new business.
- Around half (52 percent) were looking for more leads and around half (48 percent) thought they had achieved their goal "fairly well."
- All members would recommend BNI to a friend or colleague.
- Most members (81 percent) were firm believers in networking.
- Around half (52 percent) sometimes refer customers or friends to other businesses outside BNI, usually because that service is not represented in BNI.
Members like the Leadership Team's friendly, relaxed approach, and its sense of humor. There is also appreciation of more serious aspects commitment, attention to detail, firm leadership, pro-active in building the chapter.
Various suggestions for improvement were made, including more BNI training, more elbowroom at the table, and more variation in breakfast fare.
John Shattock, APR
Director, Shattock Communications & Research Ltd
email: shattock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.writerfind.com/shattock.htm
BNI HAPPENINGS — NEW ZEALAND
First Ever "BNI Dance" on Water?
As soon as the Ponsonby Chapter's meeting was over, John Channings and Guy Edwards rushed off to the edge of Auckland Harbour to launch their kayaks for what is believed to be the first BNI dance on water!
John, a business coach, and Guy, a garden and car maintenance expert, discovered their mutual interest in matters boating at a recent meeting.
Guy regularly paddles across to Auckland's famous landmark, Rangitoto Island, races to the top of this extinct volcano, and then paddles back in time for dinner.
They found their "dance on water" most productive! So far, no other Chapter members have offered to meet either of them in the middle of the harbour!
Tony Benner
Ponsonby Chapter, BNI
Corporate Focus
Public Relations & Internet Marketing
PO Box 109014, Newmarket, Auckland, NZ
Tel (09) 523 3661
Member of PacificNet PR Group
Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne & Canberra.
www.pacificnetpr.co.nz
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Writer's Guidelines for SuccessNet
We want to hear from you! SuccessNet Online needs your input. SuccessNet is truly YOUR newsletter. We ask you to consider the following tips when preparing your submission for SuccessNet:
- Writing style should be clear and concise. Keep your sentences short and give us details. Be specific.
- Use the inverted pyramid format, with your information leading us to the point, rather than giving all the details up front.
- Use dialog in your submission: John said, "BNI made a huge difference in my business."
- Be sure to include your name, chapter name and business name. When applicable, list your web address and we'll insert a hyperlink to direct readers to your website.
- If appropriate, give us dollar values for your chapter brags and testimonials.
- We would like digital photos of your chapter or regional events! As you can see from this first issue, we are able to have many more local-flavor articles and reviews. With your photos, include a brief description of the event, who's in the photo, and the name and city of your chapter.
- Please also include your web address with your submission, so we can direct our readers to your site.
- Please send your submissions to newsletter@bni.com
The types of submissions we are seeking are for Chapter Brags, Memory Hooks, BNI Happenings (your regional news), any other special announcements, success stories, or things your chapter has tried that have been successful.
Thank you!
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