August 2007
Art of Networking |
My name is Mac Bond, and I am a CPA in Clemmons, North Carolina. Unlike most CPAs, who are basically tax collectors for the IRS, I'm proactive with my clients. I help minimize their tax burden and help grow their business.
I thank my BNI chapter for helping me develop a 60-second commercial and slogan, "We Translate Accounting into English™," for my start-up accounting firm. The slogan is now my registered trademark.
When I started my firm, I had a small, guaranteed stream of work. But I knew that wouldn't pay all my bills. After joining a BNI chapter in Clemmons, NC, I quickly realized that BNI had circles of influence I was trying to create on my own. My BNI chapter members offered encouragement and support, and the BNI courses I took helped me develop a marketing plan based on Givers Gain.
Thus far, I've received four new clients from radio and print ads. BNI brought an average of one new client a week to my firm. (Each new client averages about $1,000 in annual revenues.) After looking at these numbers, I realized that referral-based marketing is the only way to advertise my services.
Thank you, BNI, for being there as I started my business, and for bringing highly professional business associates to my sphere of influence. Because I believe in Givers Gain, I have become an ambassador for BNI and am planning to take the director's training course this September; I hope to become an assistant director for BNI.
F. Mac Bond, Goal Seekers, Winston-Salem, NC
http://www.fmacbondcpa.com/
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My name is Sandeep Nanu, and I run a creative agency called CBEYOND, which specializes in creating newsletters.
Joining BNI made me forget my most urgent need of hiring a marketing team to generate business. I used to believe it was absolutely essential. But today, through BNI, I've gained six new clients in just four months, including a client I was trying to win over for almost two years!
Success through BNI is not restricted by regional boundaries. I've received immense support from fellow BNI members of the Business Genies chapter in Mumbai, who offered to help us start our new branch there. I was amazed that everything—from finding an office space to generating business leads in Mumbai—seemed so simple.
When it comes to generating business leads, BNI is exactly what an agency like ours needs. We have more than 30 leads—and all without the help of a major marketing agency.
Sandeep Nanu, BNI Awesome Chapter, Bangalore, India
Wise Advice for My Nephew
Recently, I attended my nephew's graduation from Northwood University in Texas. While there, he asked me for advice on how to successfully build a business. My first thought was "Join BNI." I shared BNI's website, the things I've learned from the Master Networker class, and my personal success story.
Later, he let me know that my advice helped him nail the job he wanted at Wachovia as a financial specialist. Keep in mind that there were ten other applicants for this position, and they've only hired an applicant "direct from college" one other time. One question they asked was, "What would you do to help build new business for Wachovia?"
He explained that he would join BNI so he could build a sales force and be able to offer the services of others to his potential clients. He wanted to be a valuable resource to his new potential client base, anticipating that they would come to trust him—which would open doors for building a relationship and gaining their trust and future business.
He was offered the job before they even finished interviewing the remaining candidates. Because of BNI, I could give my nephew valuable advice.
Lisa Forss, Temecula Business Consierge Chapter, Temecula, CA
Chapter Members Reach Out to BNI Fire Victim
Dora Corby of the Trailblazers chapter in Danbury, Connecticut, had a fire in her office building. This is an excerpt from an e-mail Dora sent to fellow BNI members:
"Thank you all for your calls of concern and offers to help! I really appreciate it. BNI is a great organization. BNI members from other chapters have e-mailed and offered temporary office space, use of computers, and anything and everything else. This truly is a great group of people, because even those from other groups are stepping in to help out."
Alice Ostrower, BNI Connecticut
BNI Referrals Bring in Big Business
This month, 13 out of 19 contracts for my firm were a result of BNI referrals!
Dennis Jeter, ASSI - A Sound Strategy, Inc., Stroudsburg, PA
85 Percent BNI!
I am a three-year member of the Kemphill chapter. Eighty-five percent of my business comes from BNI.
Herman Kluck, The Dutch Hill, Spencerville, Ontario
Incentive to Refer
The president of the Houghton Downtown BNI chapter offered this suggestion: When a member comes to the chapter meeting without a referral, they must sing, "I'm a little teapot."
Kathy Mathy, Executive Director, BNI Houston
