My BNI Story
What is My BNI Membership Comparable to?

For the past few years, whenever I speak at a Visitor's Day or a New Chapter Kick Off, I like to put the annual cost of a BNI membership into a perspective that all of the guests can relate to. It not only answers the question in all visitors' minds ("What's in it for me?") but it also shows how they spend a lot more money on everyday items compared to BNI.

I explain to the audience that at $295.00 a year, the cost of a BNI membership comes out to $5.67 per week.

That means for the cost of a BNI membership they can also purchase:

• 2 tall Café Lattés at Starbucks or two Big Macs at McDonalds.
  
  
• About 2 ½ gallons of regular gas for their car.
  
  
• Less than 2 packs of cigarettes.

For a small investment of $295.00 they can get:

• A marketing team of 15-40+ members that promote their products and services throughout year resulting in exclusive, qualified business referrals. To hire a marketing team of 15 people would cost almost $1 Million in salary, insurance, and other benefits alone!
  
  
• A 1 minute commercial every single week, and at least two 10 minute presentations a year that are designed to teaches others to find business for them. To produce and distribute a 1 minute radio or TV commercial can cost upwards of $50,000 in most major US markets.
  
  
• Access to the unlimited wealth of information provided by BNI in the form of the Member Success Program, Advance Trainings, Seminars, SuccessNet, Trade Show participation, and so much more.

And most importantly, they get opportunities to develop long-term relationships with other quality business professionals that want to help them succeed.

Timothy Houston, BNI Area Director - New York City Outer Boroughs


Become a Millionaire with BNI

In May 2005, I attended a Visitor's Day after countless invitations from BNI member Kelvin Koh of Amega Computers.

  In June 2005, I joined. I had already received approximately RM20,000.00 worth of business as a visitor. I immediately attended the Referral Workshop and the Member Success Program which helped me in preparing my 60-second presentation.

  By July, I had received almost RM30,000.00 worth of business from my chapter members. That same month we had a few guests from BNI Singapore who visited our chapter and I gave my usual 60-seconds. Because of my presentation, one of the visitors asked me to evaluate a software product called Kai Office. I reviewed the product and decided to sign-up as the sole distributor for Malaysia. I then went to BNI and began asking for referrals to software and computer dealers.

Winson Hiew, our 19 year old recycle member, gave me a referral to see a major software distributor in September and I had the opportunity to present to the distributor in October. Within a month the software distributor signed a year's contract for RM7.2 million!

Thank you BNI!

Gerald Kong, Midas Chapter, BNI Malaysia


Putting a Face on Giving Thanks

Every business faces challenges. But I learned what real challenges are about at the International Directors Conference for BNI this fall.

Part of the conference consists of one-on-one meetings with other directors. The one that moved me the most was a meeting with Bill Hudlow, an Assistant Director from New Orleans, Louisiana. He told me about how business was just now starting to come back after hurricane Katrina and the problems they were trying to overcome.

He said that the members of the BNI chapters were starting to meet again, but most were unable to work or do business. But hope was in the horizon, because between December 1 and January 1 a new BNI office space would open along with a few cubicles where other members (still without home and/or office) could come to work or have business meetings with their customers.

On my way back to Las Vegas I had an idea. I oversee six chapters in the Henderson/Green Valley area. I had scheduled a joint meeting as a large networking event to meet other local members before Thanksgiving. This was my opportunity to make a difference.

I stood up in front of the 63 people in the room and proceeded to tell everyone about the BNI members in New Orleans and the office space that was opening soon. I said I would personally contribute a dollar for every $5 collected that day.

I now have $700 and have purchased a gift certificate from Office Max to help get the office up and running. I hope that others will think about the fact that we have so much to be thankful for and that we have an obligation to help others who have fallen on difficult times.

Steve Goldstein, Assistant Director, BNI - Southern Nevada


Understanding "Givers Gain"

This past year was my first in BNI and it took me a little time to understand the "Givers Gain" philosophy. In the first four months of my membership I received only a handful of referrals. It wasn't until I began giving quality referrals that I began receiving quality referrals myself. Even with the slow start, BNI is responsible for approximately 60% of my business. That is the strongest testimonial I can give—Results!

Dan Hall, CFIC Mortgage Broker, BNI Volunteer Chapter, Knoxville, TN


Simple Yet Profound

I have only been a BNI Member for three weeks. With each chapter meeting I attend, I'm more impressed (enthused, too) with the giving nature of my fellow members. I just read "Givers Gain" and "Masters of Networking." Dr. Misner, thank you for your simple yet profound 'givers gain' concept plus your dedication to an organization that you have successfully delivered to business professionals worldwide.

Gordie Allen


Dream Realized

After four years in BNI, I had an opportunity recently to reflect on the successes it has brought to my Disc Jockey business and how BNI has become a valuable component in my everyday activities.

The biggest accomplishment has been the publishing of my first book: "Table 7, Your Centerpiece Is On Fire!" a collection of short stories about the most bizarre things that have happened at weddings over the last 12+ years. From its inception, BNI members past and present have been involved in achieving my dream, including:

• Life Coach Dan Wilson, who provided encouragement from day one
• Illustrator Michelle Hogan, daughter of former BNI member Paula Hogan
• Printer Alan LaBranche of Loral Press
• Marketing and PR Specialist Traci Bisson of Bisson-Barcelona

Many additional BNI members have helped by displaying the book in their places of business. Without the valuable friendships and connections I have made through BNI, no doubt this book would still be sitting on a dusty shelf in the back of my mind.

"Table 7, Your Centerpiece Is On Fire!" is available at: www.SteveGamlin.com

Steve Gamlin, Ramblin' Sounds Entertainment, Tri-County Chapter, Derry, NH