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Chapter Brags
Good Point!
The St. Joseph, Missouri, chapter has so much fun. We're having a contest and have split the chapter into two teams. Each team gets points for bringing guests, new members, referrals, etc. During the contest we have meeting themes such as Hat Day, Hawaiian Day, Movie Theme Day, Baseball Day and even Biker Day! Whichever team scores the most points will receive a picnic/pool party from the other team. When you're having this much fun, how can you lose? Networking in the Great Outdoors On the Kick-Off Day for the BNI Kruse Way chapter in Lake Oswego, Oregon, we had a few minor setbacks. Most importantly, we picked up the wrong key to the conference room. By the time we realized the mistake, there was no one available to exchange the key to allow us into the room until after 8:00 am. While we patiently waited for the key to arrive, everyone hung out in the elevator lobby. When the lobby started to heat up (literally) from so many people, we journeyed out into the parking garage. Not letting anything get in our way, we started the meeting outside in the parking garage. So, guess where the Kruse Way chapter of BNI was officially chartered? Outside! This unique experience really energized the chapter members, and the guests were impressed that we could overcome any obstacle, no matter how challenging. 1st Anniversary in Arizona This August, the Tucson, Arizona, Advantage chapter celebrated its first anniversary by noting that they are one of the select chapters in the Southwest Region to reach over 40 members. We started with 14 dedicated founding members a year ago, and because of the energy and quality of our people and their commitment to the 'Givers Gain' philosophy, other quality professionals have been eager to bring their talents to the group. In its first year, the Advantage chapter generated 960 referrals, participated in 1,039 Dance Cards and had 174 visitors attend their weekly breakfast meetings. Brenda Griffin, the aesthetician of the chapter said, "Building relationships and getting to know each other personally through our Dance Cards have really proven to be the major key to our success." The second key to their growth and success is the development of the chapter's Power Teams. The chapter has four Power Teams. Each team has elected a Team Captain and each team meets two times a month, independently of the weekly breakfasts. At these gatherings they explore better ways to give each other referrals and which open category on the team they will target next for recruitment. This dual approach of heavy emphasis on Dance Cards and Power Teams has created great enthusiasm and synergy within the group. Many friendships have resulted. One of the other factors that has helped the chapter's development is our commitment to follow all of the policies set out by BNI. The BNI concept is alive and well in Arizona! Givers Gain BNI Transforms Business
"I believe that Dale's thinking was that she should keep her 30-second commercial more generic because the people in this group were business people and wouldn't have much contact with the people in the nonprofit sector," he recalls. "And at the same time she was thinking that we wouldn't know anyone who could help her, I was sitting there thinking, 'Wow, she writes grants for nonprofits; I can refer people to her!'" Tony's employer, Compu-Tutor has several non-profit clients that use custom databases that are maintained by his firm. It is a true testimony to the fact that we shouldn't hold back during the marketing of our businesses by assuming that others won't understand. After she received a couple of referrals to nonprofit organizations that needed to secure grants, Dale switched gears and started specifically to promote that aspect of her business. Referrals started coming in, several turning into projects and/or long-term contracts. "In 2003 over 80 percent of my revenue was a direct result of referrals through BNI," Dale says. "And so far in 2004 (through May), 100 percent of my business has come either directly or indirectly from BNI referrals. In 2003 my receipts went up by over 50 percent, and in the first five months of 2004, my receipts are up by about 130 percent from the same period in 2003. I actually joined BNI for the collegiality, since I work from home. I never really expected it would become my primary source of business." She is now a professional fundraising counselor registered with the State of Pennsylvania, doing business as DZD Development Associates. One of her associates is event planner Debrah Anmuth, another member of the Flourtown chapter, whom she met through the group. Along with a direct fundraising consultant, they have the capacity to provide full service development assistance to nonprofits. Her BNI membership not only increased her revenues, but her vision of her capabilities as well. Says Dale, "If I hadn't joined BNI, I might not even be in business now. And here I am with a registered name, an employer identification number, and a congenial group of people to have lunch with every Monday. Wow." High Standards Set Dave Lamb, with his wife and business partner, Karen, a graphic designer, own the Fast Signs franchise on Broadway, in Mesa, Arizona. While they have owned it for just a few years, in that time they have become a significant business influence in the area. They are constantly on the lookout for opportunities and have added many things to their basic business products—:signs. Since joining the East Valley/Apache BNI Group, Dave and Karen have established a standard for word-of-mouth advertising that the rest of the group has tried, in vain, to emulate. In 2003 they provided a total of 55 referrals to fellow BNI members and brought in 7 visitors, half of whom have subsequently joined our group. In recognition of Dave's success in providing referrals and locating visitors who actually came to the meetings, we prevailed upon him to provide a half hour discussion where he shared his secrets for success. The effects were to spur fellow members to achieve record referrals the remainder of the year. This year, they are on track to beat last year's numbers, with 40 referrals to date and 4 visitors, one of whom has already joined our group. Dave and Karen's attitude and hard work demand to be recognized as the outstanding example of the rewards possible through word-of-mouth advertising and the epitome of the BNI philosophy. Givers Gain—and Bless Others The Knoxville, Tennessee, Bearden chapter of BNI recently showed a lot more than their savvy business skills. Our 15-year-old son was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last fall. I decided to change chapters after seven years to be closer to our home in Maryville, and the chapter I joined was a newly formed group of professionals. On April 10th, after ten days of being in St. Louis, Missouri for surgery and recovery at Shriner's Hospital, the Wings of Hope airlifted our son home in his body brace, unable to sit up. We transported him from the airport by ambulance. His care was difficult and very intense at first. My former chapter of BNI, the Bearden chapter, brought prepared foods of all kinds and flowers every week for eight weeks after their Friday morning meetings. It was such a surprise to receive their heartfelt generosity every week. This is more than a strong business chapter of professionals. These are friends, with whom I've done business, and they care! We felt so blessed to be the recipients of their kindnesses. It really freed me up to be with our son and spend very little time in the kitchen. Now, twelve weeks later, he is beginning to walk again. Soon, we plan to make a surprise entrance when he'll walk into a Bearden BNI meeting. Diane Browne Earns Performance Award Congratulations go out to Diane Browne from PostNet. She has been awarded the prestigious Carlson Craft outstanding dealer award, which recognizes exemplary dealer excellence. This is awarded to a few select dealers for outstanding performance and exceptional sales achievements. This is the second year in a row that Diane has received this award. Diane is a member of the Midland (Texas) Business Builders chapter of BNI. Congratulations, Members! BNI Members Earn Reader's Choice Award Recognition The Midland Reporter-Telegram (Texas) recently announced the winners of its annual Reader's Choice Awards. The Midland Business Builders Chapter of BNI was fortunate to have five of our members and/or their companies recognized. They include the following: Favorite People Category: Favorite Accountant—Russell Bennett of Bennet, Vincent & Co., PC (Russell Bennett, BNI member). Media: Favorite Newscast—NewsWest 9 (Donna Cooper, BNI member). Favorite Services: Favorite Electrical Repair & Service—Corey Sly Electrical Service, Inc. (Corey Sly, BNI member). Favorite Services: Favorite Home Mortgage Company—Pioneer Mortgage Company (Laura Moss, BNI member). Favorite Services: Favorite Mortgage Company—:Pioneer Mortgage Company (Laura Moss, BNI member). Gold Club "Congratulations, Member!" Gary Norris of XL Lending Group, Team Referrals chapter, Western Pennsylvania, is the latest member to achieve Gold Club Status. Thank You, BNI! I have gone full-time into investing in real estate. I now have a several multi-family units and a number of residential homes. The interesting part of this is that the team I have built around me of BNI members: closing attorney, mortgage broker, CPA, etc…) They are people I've known for a long time. I couldn't have done it without them. The skills and contacts I learned and obtained in BNI have far outweighed the dollar benefit. This organization has taught me a tremendous amount. I would not be where I am today without BNI. I am writing to personally attest to the influence BNI has had on my life and career. As a newly licensed insurance agent in San Francisco, I moved to Southern California, where I was originally from. Though I was not new to the Newport Beach area, I had not lived here for over eight years. I was practically starting over again in terms of contacts and a natural market. Joining BNI was the first thing I did. The chapter not only provided the much needed customer referrals, but also provided the camaraderie that I was lacking by being in business for myself. It is solely because of BNI that I survived my first six months of being in business. All other marketing methods and networking have taken 6 months to a year and counting to develop. When first starting, I couldn't afford that kind of time. The methods of BNI helped alleviate that "startup pain" and get my business off the ground. I met Dr. Misner at the Chicago meeting with Chapter Presidents. I asked him about specific tactics that can be used to get referrals because I'm not an experienced networker, even though I have twenty-five years of business experience. I used a tip Dr. Misner gave us today for the first time. I handed the BNI business card binder to one of my retail clients and told him that I did a lot of business by referral. I indicated that these business cards were people that I did business with and I'd like him to take a look at them to see if there was anything that might help his business or that was of interest to him. Lo and behold, he said he wants to advertise in Oak Park and would like to talk to the Wednesday Journal representative about newspaper advertising. Bingo, a referral! Just like he said there would be! I also found out a useful piece of information that I might not have known otherwise, that he wanted to expand his area of advertising. VALUABLE STUFF! We have ten employees in BNI, and fifty-four new sales from BNI year-to-date. BNI generated eighty-seven referrals in the second quarter of 2004 alone! So far this year (7/14/04) BNI has put $357,675 in my company's coffers – a personal gain to me of over $120,000. THANK YOU for the Masters of Success book seminar in Colorado! Wow! Dr. Misner's presentation is one of the best I've ever experienced. In The News
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