June 2008
Art of Networking |
| Photo courtesy of Spectrum Photography |
Dr. Jeremy Ciano can't thank his BNI network enough for helping him open his private practice, RevolutionEYES, in November 2007—it's his dream come true.
But it was actually Ciano's fellow members who wanted to pay tribute to the Network Masters chapter member by awarding him the 2008 BNI Member of the Year Award.
Fellow chapter member Bridget Gurtowsky says, "Ciano genuinely believes in Givers Gain, and is always working hard to generate business for other members. He is a solid representation of the ultimate BNI member."
Ciano joined BNI in 2003 and he quickly realized there was a direct benefit to being an active participant. Because it was risky putting his reputation on the line for a business owner he didn't know, he made it a point to get to know everybody. He even branched out and visited other chapters on a regular basis.
"I made appointments to have a personal meeting with a BNI member virtually every day until I got to know everybody," he said. "They became my friends, and I felt more comfortable sending them referrals. I think they felt the same way."
Ciano says the direct referrals are a big reason he continues to schedule meetings with every new chapter member; but it's the fringe benefits that are beyond measure.
"Having the peace of mind to know that things will be done correctly, when promised, and at the prices quoted, is a huge value to me," Ciano says. "But, best of all, these are my friends, and I'm happy to be working with them."
Submitted by Jill Bode, Head PR Chick - BNI Central Indiana
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Based on other networking group experiences, BNI has given me the best return on my investment. In the eight months I have been involved with BNI as a founding member of the BNI WealthBuilders chapter in Western Pennsylvania, I have had more sales from BNI than that provided by other networking groups over a five year span.
I made Givers Gain my #1 goal, and it is the main reason for my success.
Brian J. McKee, Publisher McKee Magazines Inc., www.mcmags.com
Submitted by Mel DePaoli, BNI Director - Western Pennsylvania
Constructing Success
After working out of the back of an ophthalmologist's office, our company, Calsea Vision Aids Inc., decided to move into an adjacent building, which was larger. I had just recently joined the BNI Flying Fish Chapter and decided to use the group to help us with our challenge. We needed to complete the upgrade and necessary installations all within five weeks.
"We make wood look good." That was the hook of BNI member and carpenter Adrian Powlett of Adrian Powlett Enterprises. Since I found this memory hook captivating, Adrian was the first person I contacted for help.
Adrian had never refurbished a doctor's office before, but he was definitely up for the challenge. We had a very limited budget and many big ideas—Adrian took them all into account. With little compromise, he was able to set up two new offices by finding products we could afford and, where possible, reusing the material from our old office.
During the process, Adrian changed his category from carpentry to construction and we immediately sourced his services to install a wheelchair ramp for patient access. He worked long, late hours and was always there when we needed him. The support he offered was unimaginable—he was able to construct our dreams!
The directors of Calsea Vision Aids Inc. thank and fully recommend Adrian Powlett. We know that we would never have been able to complete our project at the price and in the timeframe we had without "the man who makes wood look good."
Submitted by Eugene Holder, Calsea Vision Aids Inc., Education Coordinator - Flying Fish Chapter
Achieving the Impossible
Not long after the Sheridan chapter in Wyoming began, one of its members, Mark Pixley, was involved in a serious auto accident. A lover of hunting and the outdoors, Mark was unable to walk and regained only limited use of his hands and arms.
Devastated by the news, the Sheridan chapter rushed to support his efforts to recover and some time later, joyfully welcomed him back to meetings. Attending in a motorized chair with his dog companion at his side, Mark was able to resume his membership and just recently finished his duties as chapter president.
But the desire to experience the outdoors and continue hunting did not leave him. Testing out a series of options, Mark found that he was able to successfully operate a crossbow. With the help of his brother, Mark spent many hours practicing and eventually learned to place his trigger finger all the way through the guard and use a wrist movement to "pull" the trigger. Last year, he took a buck deer from about 50 yards.
Mark is now working to form a Handicapped Sportsmen Companion Club, which would pair able-bodied sportsmen to assist disabled sportsmen when they are in the field to fish or hunt. He has informed the chapter that next he intends to conquer fly fishing.
BNI is more than a group of people passing referrals. It's about compassion, trust, and wholehearted support of one another. The Sheridan chapter is always there to encourage and cheer on Mark as he refuses to let an accident that occurred four years ago slow him down.
Submitted by Paul D. Gray, Executive Director - BNI Wyoming/S.E. Montana
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The following poem was written by Ann McKenna, Education Coordinator for the BNI Synergy Chapter in Western Pennsylvania. She delivered the poem as an Education Moment at her chapter meeting.
The BNI Way
By Ann W. McKenna
We meet every Friday promptly at seven.
Chatting and greeting in networking heaven.
The meeting is structured, minute by minute, with announcements and reports,
About 1-to-1s, referrals passed, money made, but never about sports.
In my "Marketing Moment" it's all about me.
I want to teach you about what I do, so you can refer me to all who you see.
The "I have" portion of the meeting allows us to share wisdom…perhaps a pearl,
To share a testimonial or, better yet, to pass a referral.
Promptness and attendance are essential and we are held accountable.
But BNI has proven that the success these rules lead to is clearly insurmountable.
Members are creative, driven, focused and full of energy.
What else would you expect from a group who calls itself Synergy?
"How can I help you?" "Who's your best customer?" "Who do you want to meet?"
We're here to network, not net-sit or net-eat.
Leads, advertisements, cold calling—what a pain!
None of these are done at BNI. It's all about Givers Gain.
Submitted by David L. Holzer, BNI Director - Western Pennsylvania
Big Thank-You
I want to say THANK YOU to Dr. Ivan Misner for BNI.
Without BNI I would not have been fortunate enough to have ever met our Executive Director Glenn Kirkwood. I am confident all BNI Directors are proven leaders and have the highest core values (in fact, of the directors I do know, this is absolutely the case).
Having said that, Glenn Kirkwood is an absolute standout. Glenn has given me so much without any thought of how, when or why he would gain.
I've known Glenn for a short-time, and in that time he has really helped me develop my business by maximizing my potential through the BNI system.
So again, I want to say a really big THANK YOU.
Luke Munro, BNI Starship Chapter, Narellan, Australia
Thanks from the UK
I joined BNI last November in the Black Pear Chapter in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, UK.
I was fairly new to running my own business and can honestly say BNI has been the best thing I have done to help me expand my business and build my personal skills.
Thank you to BNI.
Jamie Jenkins, Black Pear Chapter, Bromsgrove, UK
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