July/August 2005
Art of NetworkingBNI Goes to the Top
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| Michael Macedonio atop Mt. Rainer |
We planned the climb shortly after BNI announced it would hold its U.S. Conference in Seattle. The notion of the Rainier climb started with over a dozen interested BNI Directors, but only my friend Bob Warren and I ended up on the climb. Robin Schuckmann, Dawn Pastores, Bob Warren and I also hiked around Mount St. Helen before the Seattle BNI Conference began.
A number of BNI Directors and I have been adding outdoor adventures to our BNI conferences and training events. Mike Garrison, Michelle Donovan, David Holzer, Eric Dieckmann and myself have mountain biked in areas such as Southern California, Sonoma County, Maine, Ireland, Virginia, and Wales.
Here's proof that BNI can take you to the top!
Michael Macedonio, President, Referral Institute
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Experts Write Articles
I attended a BNI meeting in Upland, California not as a member but as a guest. It was not the type of "networking" meeting I expected. This was actually a training class for members. It was my good fortune that Dr. Ivan Misner was the speaker/trainer for this particular session.
The topic was "Identity Building." As a marketing consultant, I was keenly interested. The subject could be applied to my own business as well as the businesses of my clients. "You can be an expert but not perceived as such," Dr. Misner said. "Write articles," he told us. "Publication exposes your expertise to the readers. If something you've written is printed, the perception is affected. When people begin to perceive you as an expert, they will seek you out. Submit your written work to small local newspapers to get a start."
This struck me as something I could and should do. The next day I began to write. Since my work is advising business owners about managing and marketing their businesses, I decided to use a true event that happened early in my career and had a positive effect.
I sent my article to three local newspapers. I'm happy to tell you it appeared just five weeks after I attended the BNI meeting. A weekly publication printed it and asked me to become a regularly featured columnist.
Since my article appeared, I've had numerous positive comments from my friends and calls from interested readers. Dr. Misner is right. This will help build my identity; not in my mind, but in the minds of my prospects. I'm working on my second installment now. My first BNI experience was definitely a good one!
Brooke Fix, Fix Marketing, www.modularmktg.com
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Bloomin' Sweets — Bloomin' Sales
My name is Laura Hendrickson (21) and I, along with my sister Kelli (19), run our mother's business called Bloomin' Sweets of Oklahoma City. We make candy, cookie arrangements and gift baskets.
In February of 2005 Mom volunteered to serve in Iraq in the Army Reserves so she could be near our father, who has been serving there since January 2004. My sister and I have put our educations on hold in order to run her business in her absence.
Our mother was a member of Business Builders Network in Oklahoma City before she left. We were invited to take her place at a meeting by one of the other members in the chapter. Skeptical at first, after two meetings we were hooked. We have been a part of BNI for 6 months and continue to be shocked by the number of referrals we receive.
We are in our "slow time of the year" but we have yet to slow down. A steady stream of customers has been sent our way since joining BNI. I never realized how much "word of mouth" could do for you. BNI has introduced us to new people and business opportunities that we never would have otherwise had.
Laura Hendrickson, Bloomin' Sweets, Business Builders Network Chapter, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma — West Area Director Rita Yates, who first suggested Laura's story for SuccessNet had this to say: "Laura serves as Vice President of her chapter and is doing great things. I've never seen such seasoned business skills in such a young person."
Good Work and Good Luck, Laura and Kelli!
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What do you know?
I became a BNI member 4 1/2 years ago and just recently stepped into the roll of Area Director. I went to the BNI headquarters in California for training in April and met a fabulous woman named Lana Sharp - an Area Director and Realtor from Pine Top, Arizona. As we chatted she mentioned a friend of hers, Alyssa Samulson, who bought Lana's previous business, Apartmentsource.com. After I returned home Alyssa and I met and hit it off famously.
Since then I have introduced my friend Mike Sullivan to Alyssa because she mentioned she needed help to grow her business. I thought Mike and Alyssa would be a perfect fit. Mike is now working with Alyssa full time—all thanks to BNI.
It's not what you know, it's who you know!
Heather Lundervold, BNI Area Director, Phoenix Region
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Help from an Ocean Away
I am a member in one of the BNI Israel chapters. My family and I were looking for a house in Norman, Oklahoma. Before signing the contract I decided to email the realtor of the BNI Business 2 Business Chapter in Norman for professional advice. By the way, I found his contact information on the B2B Chapter website. What a great resource!
Stan McLaughlin, the BNI realtor, took time to research the property my family had selected from an ocean away. He worked efficiently, professionally and generously. His services saved me much time and trouble. I would recommend him to anyone!
Thank you Stan for being such a great help!
David Davidi, Tel Aviv, Israel
Submitted by Rita Yates, BNI Area Director, Oklahoma
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Wherever You Go, BNI is There
My name is Shanna Reed, and I am a long-time BNI member and current Area Director in Phoenix, Arizona. I truly do not know where I would be personally or professionally if I had not found BNI almost 12 years ago in Des Moines, Iowa. It's such a long and exciting story, but I'll boil it down to a few events, that have led me to where I am today.I started with BNI as a Bridal Consultant in a chapter in West Des Moines, Iowa. I quickly became not only partners but also friends with every person in my chapter and recognized the value of BNI and building a referral based business.
I soon moved to Fargo, North Dakota, with my new husband and decided to embark on a new career. At that time there was no BNI in the area. I called headquarters and quickly became the Regional Director and then Executive Director for the whole state of North Dakota. And with the help of BNI, I became a successful realtor.
Running a full-time real estate business and a whole state for BNI was challenging, but very rewarding, and it led me to my "calling" in life…training and coaching.
I am now in the banking/mortgage lending business and have worked as a sales person, sales manager and now sales trainer. I use the skills I have learned in BNI every day, and now I teach them to hundreds of new sales people every month.
BNI has been a huge part of my success!
Shanna Reed, Countrywide Mortgage, BNI Area Director, Phoenix, Arizona
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The Italian Mafia in BNI?
I recently renewed my BNI membership, after a decade off, and have for the first time heard Chapter leaders use the word "mafia" to describe what would (in my mind) better be described as "affinity groups." Being a native Italian, "mafia" has always carried a negative connotation in my mind.
Concerned with this terminology, I sent a question in to "Ask BNI" and Ivan Misner replied to my inquiry:
"Nice to have you back in BNI! You might find it interesting to know that the word "mafia" originally had nothing to do with the Italian crime organization. The original definition (and part of its present-day meaning) is: "a tightly knit group of trusted associates."Submitted by Patricia Weber, Cut to the Chase Coach
I'm not sure how your Chapter is using the phrase. I have used it in one of my articles relating to Contact Spheres or groups of businesses that have a symbiotic, non-competitive relationship. They are, in fact, "a tightly knit group of trusted associates" — the true meaning of the word. You can find that article at this URL:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,302585,00.html
Its use was not meant to offend. I hope that helps explain where your chapter leaders may have gotten it from. I recommend that groups be careful in its use. It clearly can rub people the wrong way.
All the best,
Dr. Ivan Misner
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I deal with real estate and property law. Thirty percent of my income in 2004 was due to referrals from Metropolitan Group Chapter in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Vered Kawka
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Dear Dr. Misner,
I am Andrew Cavanagh from Australia. I am amazed at the incredible organization you've built and the fantastic quality of your business service. Your expertise is remarkable and your willingness to share your knowledge is commendable.
It really is heartening to know there are still genuine giving people like you in the world today.
Andrew Cavanagh
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Awards and Recognition
Gold Club Badge Recipients:
Becky Formby - Accounting Express, Business 2 Business Chapter, Norman, Oklahoma
Joyce Burch - Coppermark Bank, Business Builders Network Chapter, South Oklahoma City
Dr. Kristina Sipe - Advanced Back Care, B3 Chapter, Edmond, Oklahoma
Submitted by Rita Yates, Area Director, Oklahoma-West
Ed Gaskey - American Express Financial Services, Greensburg Chapter, Western Pennsylvania
Betsy West - Northwood Realty Services, Washington Wealth Builders Chapter, Western Pennsylvania
David L. Holzer - Holzer Financial LP, Business Nexus Chapter, Western Pennsylvania
Submitted by Deanna Tucci Schmitt
Steven Kalinowski, West Houston Chapter of Houston West Region
Pamela Doolin, President, Tomball BNI Business Builders of Houston West Region
Submitted by Kathleen A. Mathy, Executive Director, Houston West Region
Black Badge Recipients
Chris Manske, Winners' Circle Chapter, Houston West Region
Alison Blankenship, BNI Midday Money Makers, Houston West Region
Submitted by Kathleen A. Mathy, Executive Director, Houston West Region
