July 2008
Art of Networking
South AfricaBlend of the Best at the International Conference
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We have a great presenter line-up, including overseas directors Norm Dominguez (CEO of BNI), Geoff Kirkwood (Australia), Sam Schwartz (USA), Robert French (UK), David Bullock (UK), Niraj Shah (India), and Alice Ostrower (USA).
Yvonne Duke (Executive Director, KZN) and John Williamson (Nelspruit) will share their expertise and successes in the South African context.
The international conference will take place at the Protea President Hotel in Bantry Bay, which is just a 10-minute drive from Cape Town's world-renowned Waterfront area.
Friday, August 1st, is reserved for directors, and Saturday, August 2, is open to everyone. It will be a day full of inspiring lectures and workshops culminating in a black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony. A networking brunch on Sunday morning brings the conference to a close.
A leaflet giving full details of the various accommodation packages and activities is available for download here.
Or visit the South Africa BNI web site.
Submitted by Mike Levin, National Director, BNI South Africa
United KingdomBath Parade Chapter Piles on the Pounds
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Huw Grove, Director of the Learning Grove—a business providing high quality training and development solutions—was introduced to a client of Ann Tanner's. Grove took the opportunity to introduce his services and suggestions, resulting in a six-month programme worth £30,000. Not bad for a simple introduction!
(Pictured above is Huw Grove's development team putting up a marquee without any plans, demonstrating their skills in planning and team motivation.)
Also, due to a famous Leeds-born artist's desire to install a Video on Demand system throughout his six-bedroom guest house, Bath Parade Chapter member William Wood of Datasharp was able to pass on the lucrative business. Andy Bray, owner of Blue Sky, a company that delivers a broad range of innovative audio, visual, and security systems, not only benefited from the referral resulting in a contract worth £84,000, but now has a potential piece of work worth £200-300,000!
As a longstanding member of the Bath Parade Chapter, Grove believes that the chapter's success lies in the dedication of its members:
"With just 12 core members, the Bath Parade Chapter may be small, but it's an effective chapter when it comes to passing quality referrals that really make a difference. We have great members who work really hard at securing business for each other. This is where our success lies."
Submitted by Kirsty Williams, Making Words Work, Bath Parade Chapter, Batheaston
United KingdomThe Wayward Paddlers
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| Photo courtesy of Paul Glendell |
Bobbing around in their multi-coloured kayaks, their expedition got off to a shaky start with one member, who shall remain nameless for "street cred" reasons, getting a serious attack of the wobbles—all in the name of "team building."
Deciding from the outset that it would be somewhat risky to venture any further than the harbour limits, Jim Thomson, Managing Director of South West Colour Laboratories and part-time canoe instructor, kept the wayward paddlers in check. Following two thoroughly enjoyable hours, only one member let curiosity get the better of him and insisted in taking a closer look at the underwater sea life, resulting in a nose dive straight into the icy water.
Once all were safe on solid ground, the group was eager to set a date for their next expedition. Following a successful start to the year, BNI Exeter members have seen countless referrals passed around the group helping their local businesses continue to grow in strength. With a great team spirit and a deep understanding of their fellow members' needs, BNI Exeter has a healthy recipe for success.
Submitted by Fiona Wellstead, The Olden Group
FranceBNI Appears in France's Prestigious Newspaper, Le Monde
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The BNI Saint Germain Paris Chapter received a visit from Bruno Caussé, a well-known Parisian journalist who decided to relate his exciting experience. He was very surprised to see a number of people getting together for breakfast over café and croissants to generate business. Furthermore, he noticed the diversity of the professions represented. He met a lawyer, a physiotherapist, and a writer. He was also very interested by the topic of the day: sustainable development.
Impressed by BNI's methods, Caussé asked Alain Lescure, the chapter's president and one of the first Parisian members, the difference between BNI and other networks. Lescure told him, "We depend upon our contacts to develop new business."
In France, people are ashamed to say that they want to make profit. Now this is what the French need: Business done in a convivial atmosphere.
It was a great day for BNI. Le Monde prints 540,000 editions daily. Following this article, BNI received many calls.
Click here to read the article.
Submitted by Marc-William Attie, National Director, BNI France
AustraliaXing Connects BNI Members
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With around 600 conference attendees all wanting to network, we've set up a special group within Xing, one of the popular global online networking sites. This will allow many of our new overseas friends to make contact with Aussie businesses.
We invite you to register to join this online networking site at: http://www.xing.com/group-19849.986d49
Submitted by Tony Benner, Executive Director - BNI Sydney Inner West
United StatesBack to the Basics Brings Success "Home"
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| Swearing in of new members |
Before you know it absences are up, referrals are down, and the energy is gone. That's where BNI Homestead (Miami/Dade) found itself about a year ago.
With membership hovering between 13 and 18 members, Assistant Director Jeffrey Davidson asked that famous BNI question, "So, based on results, how's this working for you?" The members could only reply with an "OK."
It could have ended there, but the members looked around their region (with a little prompting) to other successful chapters and understood that if BNI could work so well for other chapters, it could work for them. It wasn't the system but the application of the system that was broken. Both Davidson and Miami-Dade Executive Director Jeff Stay had been pushing a "Back to Basics" approach to success, which the chapter eagerly took to heart.
Their focus shifted to running an energetic meeting, strictly adhering to the attendance policy, increasing 1-to-1 dance cards, reaching out to visit other chapters and networking events to meet new people (and potential visitors), and showing the value of BNI to each visitor.
So, what's been the result of their efforts?
Membership is currently at 34 members, they pass 70+ referrals each week, and they are tracking 50+ 1-to-1 dance cards. Those are basics that impact the bottom line for every member.
In fact, the chapter is so excited about their newfound energy, passion, and results that they've set their eye on being the next chapter to be awarded the BNI Founder's Award at the region's annual Member/Chapter Recognition Awards this coming December. Executive Director Jeff Stay and Assistant Director Jeffrey Davidson are confident that with a continued focus on the basics, Homestead—now the fastest growing chapter in the region—will attain their goal. Success has indeed come 'home' to BNI Homestead.
Submitted by by Mavis Lamb, PR Coordinator BNI Miami/Dade
United StatesSixty Second Showdown
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Penalties were assessed if it was under 45 seconds or over 60 seconds. In the event of a tie, those members had to do a new, different Sales Manager Minute. This contest really got the creative juices flowing in the chapter and made for a very energetic meeting! The winner was Chapter President Sara Blumenfeld of Send Out Cards, and runner up was Jim Butcher of Capital One Realty. Try it in your chapter!
Submitted by Tracy Hautajarvi, BNI Houston East
United StatesConnecting SC Members through Publication
BNI South Carolina Assistant Director Gail Smith felt her organization needed a little togetherness, so in May of 2008 she published the first edition of SC Connections: A Newsletter for the SC Lowcountry Business Network International Chapters.
After its successful publication and receiving affirmation from Ivan Misner, Gail explains, "My purpose for starting an area BNI newsletter is to inform the local chapters of what other chapters are doing in the area. This gives them ideas for their own chapter. It can also stir up competition between the chapters to increase chapter growth and in passing referrals.
"The chapters can also submit requests for help in finding professions they are looking for. Showing recognition, I feel, is very important. A newsletter is also a great way to provide members with more education and reference information to better their success." Gail is confident her newsletter will continue to grow and aid in member retention and recruiting.
Click here to read the newsletter.
Submitted by Gail W. Smith, BNI Assistant Director - South Carolina
United StatesFighting MS One Step at a Time
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| Photo by Daniel Stockfield |
Submitted by Rebecca Maurice, President, BNI Business Prospectors