BNI HAPPENINGS — Canada
World's Largest Chapter Proves Productive
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| WIT Leadership Executive Team: VP - Patricia Contenta, Secretary/Treasurer Jason Hamilton, and President Paolo Vena. |
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| WIT Chapter at work. |
West Island Team (WIT) set out to be the largest chapter on this planet. One of several chapters in Montreal's West Island district, WIT initially thrived, surging to over 30 members under the leadership of Mike Polak (today a member of the BNI International Board of Advisors). In its second year, the chapter went through a retrenchment period when numbers dropped to under 20. Since then, however, WIT has been growing steadily. A determined new-member drive under Stephen Hindelang's leadership drove membership from the low 30's to almost 60. Jim Wyant, who succeeded Stephen as President in 2002, focused the effort of his team on developing structures and protocols that could support the huge membership. Today, with 80 members, WIT is Canada's—indeed, the world's—largest chapter!
And the chapter is proving to be productive—which of course is most important. In a typical week, the members of WIT will exchange over 120 referrals, host ten or more visitors and report over 60 dance cards. Meetings open each week with a half hour for open networking, starting at 6.30 a.m. The formal part of the meeting begins at 7:00 a.m., and by 8:30 a.m., President Paolo Vena is bringing things to a close.
When asked what makes WIT work, Paolo points to the leaders, official and "unofficial," who strive to ensure that all members participate equally. He takes great pride in the strong organization that he leads at WIT and is quick to credit the contribution of his executives, Vice-President Patti Contenta and Secretary-Treasurer Jason Hamilton, in making the chapter what it is today. He also notes the importance of a strong and active membership committee: WIT's has eight members who meet weekly as well as a large, dedicated mentoring team, focused on rapidly training new members to be fully operational in short order.
Submitted by Nancy Morgan, BNI Executive Director.
BNI HAPPENINGS — United States
Reciprocity Ring Takes Off in SF Bay Area
The Reciprocity Ring presentation was given on July 21st by Executive Director, Dawn Lyons, at The Views chapter in Sunnyvale, California. Lyn Savage, Assistant Director, along with fifteen of The Views chapter members were in attendance for the event.
The presentation focused on getting the members to be more specific as to what they are looking for as referrals or introductions to referral sources. The outcome was the best part of the presentation. Using the data collection sheets, we were able to calculate that the members would have generated $110,850 from the referrals passed in just 90 minutes. On average each member received 4.86 referrals, and there was a total time saved of over 612 hours that it would have taken for the member to generate the referrals themselves. The presentation was rated extremely high with 10 of them saying it was a very valuable exercise.
Here are a couple of member testimonials:
"Let me start by thanking you for sharing this method with our chapter. I personally found that this is a very effective way to become detailed in acquiring referrals. We are specifically asking for a particular referral, versus asking for a general referral. Not to mention, we found that referrals were passed out more during this exercise than a regular weekly meeting. This exercise taught us that we all had referrals for one another, we just did not know we did. By being specific in asking for referrals, we made it easier for one another to think of someone we knew."
—Jesse M. Dumadaug, Prestige Processing Solutions
"Thank you so much for bringing the Reciprocity Ring to our Sunnyvale BNI. Being new to BNI, I was already feeling a bit frustrated that I had been unable to bring quality referrals to the table for other members. After this exercise, I felt more empowered to help certain people I had no idea I could help. In return, I also received prospective leads from so many people that it will take a good two weeks to follow up on them all! If every one of those prospects turned into a sale for me, I estimate an immediate realization of $10,000 income would result.
"There is no other meeting I have attended that created such terrific results by having the group brainstorm in a safe and structured environment. It was easier for us to think outside of the box for each other, while also making us get very definite about what we wanted. I recommend that every BNI use this tool at least once a quarter."
—Holly Pelking, Alliance Representative - Licensed Insurance Agent.
"Thanks to Humax and Dr. Misner for putting this program together. We are definitely excited to present these materials to the rest of our chapters here in the Bay Area, and we look forward to continued success with the Reciprocity Ring!"
—Dawn Lyons, BNI Executive Director, San Francisco North, South, and Easy Bay.
Dr. Misner Visits Orange County
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| Dr. Ivan Misner and Sue and Bill Mills, OC Executive Directors. |
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BNI founder and CEO Dr. Ivan Misner spoke to nearly 500 BNI members and guests at the Irvine Hilton on July 27. Dr. Misner's presentation was developed around themes from his latest book, "Masters of Success." The purpose of the presentation was to explore ways that people can create their own opportunities and successes.
For many BNI members, this was an introduction to the man who is called "The Networking Guru" by Entrepreneur magazine. As an added treat, accompanying Dr. Misner were Andrew Hall, Executive Director from the United Kingdom, and Hall's wife Jihong, who is opening Hong Kong to BNI.
Following are some comments received following Dr. Misner's presentation:
"Excellent presentation. Worth getting up at 4:00 am. Bought all the books."
—Lynne M. Geyser
"It was my first time hearing Dr. Misner. I loved it. I got inspired all over again."
—Alan Herman
"Thanks for putting the event together. It was just as important to me to know that almost 500 people came out to hear his message on a Tuesday morning. I am involved with the right group of people!"
—Cedric Ferrell
"I found the talk by Dr. Misner very impressive. He said that if you can leave a meeting of this kind with just one nugget of insight or advice that can help improve your life and/or business, you have attended a successful meeting. This was a successful meeting for me."
—Don Burkhead
"I thought the event was fabulous! In fact, I felt like I was at a Pre-paid Legal event (that's a compliment!). Great minds think alike! I'd never heard Dr. Misner speak before. He was very positive, informative and motivational. I'll definitely have to put his books on my 'must read' list!"
—Dawn D. Fleming
"What hit home was when Dr. Misner spoke about passion. We all need to stoke the fire every once in a while, and I know that I had a more productive day as a result of hearing him speak."
—David Bates
"It was what I expected—impressive inspiration and motivation. I came out of there with some quotes that I have passed along. Thoroughly enjoyed the energy of the morning."
—Sharyl Anderson
"The BNI event was practical, motivating and surprising all at the same time. My belief factor in BNI increased, which I didn't think was possible!"
—Isabelle Leibig
"Being in a room of 500 networkers, listening to the guru of word-of-mouth marketing, feeling the energy in the room and hearing people's stories, was the best forum for business I have attended in a long time. I left there renewed, ready to conquer my world, and spread the idea of BNI everywhere!"
—Shelly Kelly
"The event was really great. It was my first time to hear Dr. Misner in person, and it was an inspiring morning."
—Christine Dillon
This meeting of BNI's Orange County chapters was one of the best business meetings I have ever attended. This confirms my feeling that BNI is the most effective source of referral business that I have found in over 30 years in business. In addition, Dr. Misner's talk was direct, honest and entertaining. I took copious notes, and came up with four solid things that I can use to build my business in the coming week. Thanks for your leadership that gives so much support and advice to us on the chapter leadership teams."
—John Kuykendall
Denver Weekly Bulletin
I created the Weekly Bulletin to give the members of our chapter literature they could identify with and distribute to prospective members. The digital photo of a recent Speaker was later added to show "face-time" in action and to hopefully elicit questions from interested parties. The contact information of the members is listed alphabetically (by profession) to facilitate and encourage communication & referrals within the chapter. It also shows prospects the diversity of our group and openings we are looking to fill.
Originally, the Bulletins were handed out and later sent as a "Word" attachment. However, since not all people use the same software, I started sending them in a PDF format since most people have (or have access to) Adobe Acrobat. After each meeting, I download the most recent photo, add it the bulletin and update the relevant data such as new members, upcoming speakers, chapter happenings, etc. The whole process generally takes about an hour. This is not one of the listed responsibilities of a Chapter President but I think it has been helpful to me in building our group. Thus, I have already volunteered to our incoming President to continue my activities as Weekly Bulletin Editor when he takes over in October. He'll be busy enough without adding that to his list of chores.
The most useful by-product has been the Email template with the Bulletin attached that I use to introduce BNI to prospects. After a meeting at my Chamber of Commerce or some other networking opportunity, I scan the business cards received into my database and have the "BNI - INTRODUCTION to our Hampden Avenue Chapter (see attached)" email sent to all parties that had email addresses. Since we met recently, the response rate is often positive. It is also takes less of my time than the phone calls to those prospects without email addresses.
It is extra work but to me the rewards have been more than worth it. If I can be of assistance to other chapters in implementing our approach, please contact me at LarryK@taxonly.com.
By Lawrence Kopf, President – BNI of Hampden Avenue, Denver, Colorado
Dues Increase
Membership Dues in the United States are scheduled for an increase June 1, 2005. Details will be available at Leadership Team training in October.
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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