BNI SuccessNet - September/October 2003


	Receiving the award are: (left to right) Sherry Frick, President of the Grand Rapids chapter, Nancy Giacomuzzi, Minnesota Executive Director and Tom Schmoll, Assistant Director for Northern Minnesota.

The Rapid Referral chapter is honored to have been presented with the Founder's Award so soon after their chapter kick-off! This enthusiastic and hard-working chapter began with just 20 members. During the recent Membership Drive they qualified with 19 new members, becoming Executive Director, Nancy Giacomuzzi's top-qualifying chapter.

Congratulations to the Rapid Referral chapter!

The Founder's Award is a table-top sign that announces and points the way to the chapter's meeting location. Founder's Awards are issued to BNI Chapters that represent the top 10 percent of organization in terms of attitude, performance and commitment. They must have a minimum of 20 members and must be nominated by the local BNI Director and approved by the Founder. Chapters that receive this award are recognized both in SuccessNet and on the BNI Website.

Dr. Misner's New Book Available Now

All that money you spend on advertising: does it work? Of course it does. But what form of advertising is the most effective of all? Television? Radio? Newspaper? Billboards? Networkers know the answer, and it may surprise you, because it's one of your least expensive and smallest ads, dozens of which will fit easily into your pocket or purse: your business card.

When you hand someone your business card, you're setting in motion a chain of contacts that can become a new branch of your network. That's why you want your card to be attention-getting, pleasing, informative, and memorable—so people will look at it, comment on it, pass it around, and keep it handy. And the next time someone needs your products or services, they'll remember you.

Dr. Ivan R. Misner and two of his BNI colleagues, Candace Bailly and Dan Georgevich, see and collect thousands of business cards each year in their networking activities. They have learned from business owners that an attractive, well-designed business card can be a very effective marketing tool.

When they began examining the business cards in their files, it became obvious why this was true. Many of them are, by almost any standard, works of art. The three networkers decided to select the best of the best and write a book about them so businesspeople and fellow networkers around the world could see what a great card looks like and why it works.

"It's in the Cards: Getting the Biggest Impact from Your Smallest Ad" is the result. Dr. Misner, Ms. Bailly, and Mr. Georgevich present, in full and glorious color, examples of the art of business cards that will entertain you, inspire you and show you how to realize the full potential of this small, but mighty, business tool. Order now by clicking here.

The "Certified Networker Program" Expands Around the World

The Certified Networker Program (CNP) is expanding worldwide! A new Southern California location, the Greater Los Angeles/Inland Empire area, has joined in offering this unique and valuable networker training. Classes were to begin on Monday, September 8, 2003, and will run every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., ending on October 15.

Now administered by the Referral Institute, the program has its roots in BNI. The networking course materials offered are, to a large extent, based upon the writings of BNI's founder and CEO, Dr. Ivan Misner. The CNP is a highly customized curriculum designed with tips, tools and techniques to help you become a more effective and productive networker and to generate more qualified business referrals.

To sign up for Certified Networker Training in the Greater Los Angeles/Inland Empire, please contact Mr. Leroy Gaines at: (909) 305-1818. To learn more about CNP Course Offerings in locations in the United States and other countries, please visit their website at: www.certifiednetworker.com

Don't Miss the New Business Course: "Networks and Social Capital"

This unique course is offered exclusively through Cal Poly University, Pomona, California. "Networks and Social Capital" begins in September 2003, on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 9:50 p.m. This class is available to everyone through the "Open University Program" even if you are not enrolled in the University (subject to space and availability).

Visit www.bni.com for more information.