My BNI Story
BNI through a Child's Eyes
A view from the other side of the balance sheet.



This drawing was made by 6 year-old Mariah Davis, daughter of Jennifer Davis, BNI Referral Masters in Austin, Texas. Mariah has heard her mom talk about BNI and knows that she has more business because of BNI referrals. Mariah says:

"The best thing about BNI is the friends and partners you make.
BNI+ Hardwork+ Partners= MONEY!!!"

Submitted by David Crumbaugh, BNI Area Director - Austin Region


Don't Be a "Category Hog"

I have been a member of Westgate Chapter for close to eight years. For the first seven of those years, I was a category hog. As a financial planner, I supplied both investment and insurance services.

Several times, I thought of taking only one of the classifications; however, I always found reasons to keep both. After all, I was getting a good amount of referrals. I feared I would lose quality referrals by limiting myself to one category.

My attitude changed when I chose to take the investment category and invited a friend to take the insurance category. Though I never imagined I'd say it, I'm glad I did.

Our membership has grown significantly, and my referrals have grown as well. In fact, my friend—the new "insurance guy"—and I regularly share referrals. We have made the pie bigger for ourselves and everyone else in the group.

David Bodner, Westgate Chapter, Toledo, Ohio


BNI International Exchange

Keshav is welcomed by Pinecrest Chapter Director Michael Abella

In March 2005, BNI India was just a few months old. Only one chapter was launched and I was part of the core team for the second chapter - the Alpha Chapter.

When I travelled to Miami to visit my family, I took time to visit a local BNI chapter - the Pinecrest Chapter - where I was made to feel like an honoured guest. New to BNI, I learned by observing how BNI meetings should be conducted: always with an element of humour yet strongly following the given agenda.

In June 2005 the Alpha Chapter was launched in Mumbai, India, and I became its first Chapter Director. The tips I picked up at the Miami meeting were indispensable.

In April 2006, I visited the Pinecrest Chapter again. This time I was received like a long-lost cousin. These visits have taught me that BNI does and will work anywhere in the world as long as the Givers Gain concept is properly taught and accepted by the members.

Keshav Rao, Alpha Chapter, Mumbai, India


The BNI Surprise

Sonja receives the referral of a lifetime from Sabine

By nature, I am a cautious businesswoman. I thought nothing could surprise me anymore; enter BNI.

The BNI set-up appealed to me. Having just been given the mandate to do business acquisition for my organization's PR department, I thought BNI would help. While I did not have any expectations in terms of new business, I wanted to spread the word about Momentum through the 60-second commercial. My attitude was wait and see.

My friend, Sabine, on the other hand, had just started her new business and was actively seeking new contacts through BNI. I met her through business seven years ago, when she was working as OEM Manager for Microsoft. But we never mixed business with pleasure; we wouldn't have dreamed of talking about business when we met for coffee.

Well, BNI changed this.

During one of our BNI meetings she talked about a general manager whom she met at a birthday party for her son; she thought he needed our services desperately. A week later, she handed me the referral slip with the details and I followed up with a phone call. Within four weeks, I wrapped up the deal of a lifetime. A multi-national company gave us the contract to do all their PR and marketing for the entire Middle East and North Africa.

If Sabine and I had not been members of BNI, this would never have happened. We would have been best friends, gone to birthday parties and dinners and never have seen the referrals we could give each other.

Thank You, BNI!

Sonja Ohly, Secretary/Treasurer, BNI Early Bird Chapter, Dubai, UAE


Global Referral
One small-town businessman makes an international connection.

As a small printer in Herndon, Virginia, I never entertained the notion of doing business globally. But BNI's referral system has proven that the unimaginable can be conceivable.

Through a one-on-one meeting, Executive Director Sam Schwartz (also the National Director of BNI Israel) became familiar with the capabilities of my company. On a trip to Israel, a BNI Member asked Sam if he could find a printer who could help him with their printing needs. They needed 10,000 full color fliers printed and delivered to a conference in Atlanta, GA. Sam put the two of us together. Things went so well the first time that we received a second order for a conference in San Francisco.

These two orders alone have more than justified my membership in BNI. Yet these two orders are just a small part of the business I receive through BNI referrals. Over the last four months, referrals from my BNI chapter have been responsible for nearly 15 percent of my total business this year. I consider my BNI membership to be my most valuable marketing and sales activity.

Jim Swiatocha, President of Chantilly Printing and Graphics, Member of Reston Referral Network


It's a Wonderful Life!
How BNI helped one man turn his life around.

1998 was a particularly difficult year for me. I was laid off from an executive position where I had worked for many years. I lost everything: beautiful home, company car, expense account, and a six-figure salary.

My sense of failure only intensified when I tried to reenter the job market and found that no companies were lining up to offer a 42-year-old an executive-level position and salary. Since no one would hire me, I decided to hire myself.

The first year was very tough. There were many months when I had to decide between making my car payment and paying the electric bill. The only way I knew to get new business was through cold calling. Once while cold calling, I happened upon a dentist's office. The receptionist listened to my presentation and then asked how effective this method was for me in getting new business.

It wasn't effective, so she politely suggested BNI.

The Great Turnaround
At my first BNI meeting, I learned how, for less than a dollar a day, I could hire a sales force of 25+ motivated entrepreneurs who would actively look for quality referrals for me. That was the beginning of my rapid climb to business success. Soon, I had as much business as I could handle. I took on a partner, opened an office, and hired a staff.

In November 2003, my business partner offered to buy out my share of the company—which has led to financial independence. I'm able to travel extensively and have bought a dream home. At the depths of despair, BNI rescued me—giving me a life I never dreamed of.

David Cherney, Damar Merchant Services


The Value of Membership
Why you need to stick with it to see your profits increase.

At some juncture, most BNI members wonder: Is it worth being a member?

That question was spawned in my mind after colleagues began to complain about the business they were unable to generate through their BNI chapters. I felt differently, but didn't have the concrete facts to back up my intuition. So, I decided to do some research.

BNI makes clear that most people can expect a relatively small amount of business their first year, a spike in business their second year, and continued growth the following years. In my case, business generated by BNI referrals grossed approximately $11,806 the first year; $15,300 the second year (a 30 percent increase); $37,700 the third year (146 percent increase); and over $28, 000 in just the first month of my fourth year.

BNI has been very profitable for me, and it is a direct result of "sticking it out" and building incredible relationships with my fellow chapter members.

I believe all BNI members should take the time to analyze the monetary impact of their BNI membership-in addition to the friendships and support you receive. BNI is a business first, and if you stick with it, you should see the results BNI talks about. What a great value for a very small investment!

Ann Padover, Early Birds Chapter, SF Bay Area


The Talent Runs Deep
Members of a BNI chapter work together to develop a new product.

Maybe you haven't thought of BNI as a product development and marketing organization. Maybe you should. We did, and we have a product to show for it!

"Winning the Game of Life - Get & Stay Organized" is a set of CDs and a desk calendar of 52 tips on getting/staying organized, and 52 more tips on reducing stress - at home or in the office. The CDs, which use hypnosis, are designed both to help you get or stay organized as well as reduce your stress caused by disorganization.

The product is the brainchild of Sue Nordemo (Healing Crossways Hypnosis Center) and me (Sue West of Space4U organizing services). Nordemo invited me to her BNI chapter about a year ago. Working together, we learned more about our businesses and came up with the product idea. Sue Noel of Marketing Matters, also a BNI member, worked with us on product development. Steve Gamlin, of Ramblin' Sounds Entertainment, recorded our product in his recording studio.

A total of six BNI businesses from more than one chapter directly contributed to the product's development, and another three people promoted us online. Some of our BNI chapter members have even offered to display the product in their offices.

Pulling together, we've made a product we're all proud of. You can see our product at www.OrganizeNH.com.

Sue West, Space4U, Gate City Chapter, Nashua, New Hampshire


Savvy Start-Up
How one new company used BNI to create sustained growth.

GRD being presented with their shield by Janine Sibson of the CITB and Mr. David Wakefield, director of Investors in People.

GRD Building Contractors Ltd, based in Pudsey, Leeds, recently was presented with the Investors in People award. GRD Managing Director Gavin Duffy is a member of Leeds Royal Armories' Thursday BNI Chapter.

GRD was a start-up company when Duffy joined BNI. Duffy found that the systems and processes of BNI, plus the advice and support of fellow members during GRD's formative years, helped GRD attain the Investor in People award.

It is our aim to staff every job every day and complete each project on time. We deal with our clients honestly, produce a quality finish that looks and functions as promised, eliminate the sources of frustration associated with building works, and realise a fair and reasonble profit at a reasonable cost to the client.

All of our work comes from personel recommendations from past clients and business associates within the BNI structure. We have no need to be listed in the phone books.


Business Takes Flight Because of BNI

In 2005, I received the Product of the Process Award by the CEO of Six Advisors™—given to the person who most exemplifies the Six Advisors™ coaching program.

I attribute my success to BNI, through which I've acquired most of my coaching clients. BNI provides the right opportunity to meet people from different professions and introduce my business to them. Many of my fellow chapter members have experienced the Six Advisors™ Assessment and have gone on to participate in the 90-day Coaching Program. Because of their positive experience, they regularly refer potential clients. Consequently, my business is growing.

Last July I was at a crossroads when I was offered a full-time teaching position in a local private school. Two years ago, I might have accepted. However, because I knew my Six Advisors™ business was on the verge of taking off, I turned down the job. BNI has been my vehicle for transforming my business. If I can do it, you can do it!

Dale Miller, Distinct Advantage, Education Coordinator, Fortune Fifty Chapter, South Charleston, WV