August 2008
Art of Networking |
As a B&B owner, my job is supporting our guests during their stay. This often involves connecting them through referrals with the resources they need while they stay with us here at Mayor Lord's House Bed and Breakfast.
I was recently pleasantly surprised to be on the other side of a referral when a fellow BNI member, Steve Pyne from Starn Technologies, referred two guests from outside the country for two separate rooms for 5 days.
To put this referral into perspective, this was my first referral received, and it pays for my BNI membership for two years!
Submitted by Sherry Vardaro, BNI Eagles Chapter, Western Pennsylvania
Connections to Success
How do I find a 5x7 photo of myself in the business section of the state's largest newspaper, featured in an article on my most exciting business venture ever? It's all due to one motivating question by a fellow BNI member.
Seven years ago, the writer in my BNI chapter approached me and asked: "Ted, why don't you write articles for your trade magazines? You have so much to offer with your experience." She saw potential and opportunity I had not considered—up until that moment.
That comment motivated me to write and submit an article for publication focused on my BNI experience and how it can be used as a successful marketing plan for others in the industry. While the article did not get selected for publication, it did open up a connection. I was requested to present a workshop on marketing at an industry trade show for the region. It began my business as Your Salon Coach.
The class met with such success that it was requested the following year. My reputation as Your Salon Coach connected me to continual educational events and coaching clients. I continued writing articles, and many were selected for publications in the national trade magazine. With the aid of the graphic artist in my chapter, magazine ads were the next step, along with a CD label featuring a new coaching tool: "Coach in Your Car."
With each endeavor I undertook there was support and connections through BNI. I have used my coaching business with my BNI experience and connections to grow the project, which is now being nationally recognized.
To look back and think a fellow BNI member saw potential and prompted me to action makes me continue to keep my ears open to listen. I'm also motivated to pay it forward by prompting other BNI members to see their potential and go for it.
Ted Halone, South Metro Chapter, Richfield, Minnesota
Race Car Referrals
I'm a sales support assistant, but in my spare time I am a technical inspector for amateur car racing in Ontario. I had a race car at the beginning of the 2008 race season that was non-compliant with our rulebook, but would pass a certification from an engineer. The owner of the car was unable to find a qualified engineer to do the certification for him.
I contacted the South-Western Ontario BNI Director—Bruce Elliot—and asked him if we had any structural engineers in Ontario BNI Chapters that had experience doing load certifications on race cars. I figured that what I was looking for was so specialized that there wasn't much chance of finding one. But a slim chance was better than no chance at all.
Within 48 hours of my sending Bruce the email, I was on the phone talking with a structural engineer who works on and is familiar with race car roll cages. He understood the problem and what was required right away. Twenty-four hours later, he was in touch with the race car owner.
I've concluded that there's absolutely nothing you can't find someone to do for you in BNI. That's the true power of referral networking—I can find a way to refer businesses, even those that arise out of my personal hobbies and interests.
Colene Allen, BNI Twin-Cities Chapter, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
Orlando Conference a Hit
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I have attended many insurance conferences when my husband was an employee of a large insurance company, and I can say from past experiences that the BNI conference was very professional, educational, and entertaining.
The highlight of the conference was personally meeting Dr. Misner and having my photo taken with him. He was a very charming, unintimidating man, and it was my pleasure meeting him.
The picture is our group from Sarasota, Florida: Area Director Mark Stough, Sondra Conk, Sharon Cirillo, Michelle Donovan, Dr. Ivan Misner, Linda McConnell, and Andrea Page.
Sharon M. Cirillo, Vice President - BNI Referrals in Paradise Chapter
A Referral with Family Ties
After standing in front of Tonbridge Chapter, giving my first-ever BNI 10-minute presentation, I received a referral from a chapter member to contact an accountant (I am a bookkeeper).
The accountant and I had a very pleasant conversation, and I hoped he would help me develop business. It just so happened that he had a client in need of a bookkeeper.
He told me the client's name. When seeing my face, he asked, "Do you know her?"
"Goodness yes! She's my cousin!"
At first I wondered why my cousin never came to me, but I understood that most people are skeptical about mixing business with pleasure. All she needed, however, was a call from the accountant. Soon I was walking to her office, thinking about how my first local, high street client was family!
Jacqueline Brown, Tonbridge Chapter
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During these tough times, BNI chapters are truly "Islands of Prosperity in a Sea of Recession."
The 29% Solution is a great read.
Gordie Allen
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Dick Rasmussen of Juice Plus was an amazing BNI member. People are still getting referrals from him. People he spoke to before he passed away are contacting BNI members. He truly is an inspiration to us all.
We lost Dick very unexpectedly. Our chapter now finds ourselves striving harder to do all the things that Dick would do in order to make up for his absence.
Dick was a simple guy who used common sense and applied common knowledge in uncommon ways to go out of his way to give to others. I know if he were here he would tell you himself how blessed he was both in life and in business because of it.
Arriving early before every meeting, Dick met us at the front door of the building. He opened the door with a smile and an exuberant greeting—not just for the BNI members but for all the guests arriving at the hotel. He invited people he met at the door to join our meeting.
If a fellow member needed a ride, a package delivered, a phone number, or just a friendly ear, he was there to help.
Dick invited people to BNI meetings all over the state. His focus was not just to increase the membership in his own chapter, but to truly help other chapters succeed. He knew BNI could help them grow their business. He brought in the most new members to our organization in the entire state of Minnesota. He did not worry solely about the success of his own chapter, or of himself.
It will take all of us to bring in the results that Dick did and make up for the lost referrals. So, with this brief statement we remind ourselves to think in every situation, with every choice we make … What would Dick do?
"Love what you do and add value to people's lives." —Dick Rasmussen
We will miss you!
Submitted by LuAnn Buechler, Assistant Director, Southern Minnesota BNI
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