March 2007
Art of Networking(See Breaking News and BNI In the News for more coverage of International Networking Week™ events.)
AustraliaSydney's First International Networking Day Event
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| Peter Papagianakis from BNI Long Island with speaker Candy Tymson |
Over 75 people attended a luncheon addressed by Australia's leading gender communications specialist, Candy Tymson, who discussed the notion "Are Women Better Networkers than Men?"
One of the guests was business lawyer Peter Papagianakis from BNI Long Island, New York, who flew in to hear the address with the hope that he would get some ideas on how to boost the number of women members in his chapter.
Another long distance traveler, Elzette Bester, a graphic designer from BNI Essendon Chapter Melbourne, made many creative connections during the luncheon.
A summary of Candy's address (with the answer as to who are, in fact, the better networkers) is available from Sydney Inner West Executive Director Tony Benner at tonyb@bni.com.au.
Shopping and Networking Share Common Grounds
25 members from Sydney Inner West region joined their directors in operating a BNI Information Booth at the huge Rhodes Shopping Centre with Sydney's only Ikea store.Over the next few weeks, chapters in the region will be welcoming many of the people introduced to BNI at the International Networking Day Luncheon and the Information Booth event, and from newspaper publicity.
Submitted by Tony Benner, BNI Executive Director – Sydney Inner West
IndiaInternational Networking Week™ - India Big Breakfast
The BNI Big Breakfast was a watershed event for BNI India! Nearly 200 members and invited VIP guests were in attendance.There was an air of excitement, with practically all members arriving by 7:15 a.m. Members turned up with a stack of their own cards and left with a pile of new cards.
Everyone got a real glimpse of BNI. Often when we attend our weekly BNI chapter meetings we forget that we are part of something much bigger!
The BNI India figures are a testament that networking works. Since our inception we have passed:
- 10,119 referrals.
- Generated Rs12.28 crores of business (including Rs 1.04 crores worth of money slips handed in at the meeting).
- This equates to each seat being valued at over Rs 7,00,000.
Submitted by Niiraj R Shah, National Director, BNI - India
SingaporeInternational Networking Week™ - Singapore Big Breakfasts
BNI Singapore held its Big Breakfasts on February 6, 2007 at four different locations with a total turnout of 560 business people.Two new chapters were also launched in two different locations on that day - BNI Raffles Chapter and BNI Rhapsody Chapter. Welcome to the BNI family!
Submitted by Sim Chow Boon, National Director, BNI - Singapore
South AfricaInternational Networking Week™ - Durban Breakfast
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Two huge screens highlighted the logo of the major sponsor, Loucar Investments, as well as the other sponsors. BNI table displays were more creative than ever, and there was a lively buzz as people connected with each other. Table seating had been planned so competitors were not sitting with each other, and so new contacts could be made.
Prince Sifiso Zulu, Vice Chairman of the World Chamber of Commerce and Industry, addressed the delegates, emphasizing the importance of influence. People listened attentively to Dr. Misner's message and appreciated hearing about VCR—Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability. Les Welch, the 2006 National BNI member of the Year spoke about BNI and members from other networking organizations spoke about their programmes and confirmed the need for solidarity amongst all networking groups. Professor Bonke Dumisa, CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, rounded up the formal proceedings; then the networking began.
Eight wonderful prizes were donated and our lucky draws were scattered throughout the morning. We were fortunate to have the SABC present, and radio interviews took place after the breakfast.
With the help of our sponsors and a great organizing team, the inaugural International Networking Day exploded its way into the business sector of Durban.
Submitted by Yvonne Duke & Wendy Wixley, Joint Executive Directors, KZN 1 & 2, South Africa
International Networking Week™ - East London
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| National Director Mike Levin and BNI Biz Exchange Chapter President Derek Myburg |
Submitted by Butch Coetzee, Regional Director, BNI East London
Elsewhere in South Africa …
In Cape Town we divided the suburbs and have had three meetings. The Southern Suburbs went off very well. One visitor arrived as a result of surfing the net. Other visitors were impressed, and I believe we will see more of them. Members were pleased to discover how much exciting talent abounds in other chapters, and if nothing else we are all stepping out of the box in future. The whole event has been extremely beneficial.
Submitted by Butch Coetzee, Regional Director, BNI East London
IsraelInternational Networking Week™ in Israel: A Success
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Nearly 500 people from diverse backgrounds and organizations dedicated six hours of their time to participate in a networking conference. They came from far and wide to learn different methods and fresh ideas about networking. They also came to make new business connections.
The event was honored by the attendance of Silvan Shalom, a member of the parliament of Israel. The former Israeli deputy prime minister, foreign minister and minister of the treasury spoke about the importance of networking in the political world. Following his address, there were lectures by various speakers from banking, communications, and academia. The lectures were wrapped up by the practical tools of the ten commandments of networking presented by Sam Schwartz.
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| Sam Schwartz presents The 10 Commandments of Networking |
Following the lecture and workshops, the participants were asked to move to a big dinning room. The seating was designated in advance to ensure a good mix of the participants. The event ended with a delicious working lunch, where participants had an opportunity to practice the theories they had learned in the earlier session.
So, how can one define International Networking Week™ success? Great attendance, great speakers, great networking activities, and delicious delights.
Submitted by Sam Schwartz, Co-National Director, BNI - Israel
United Arab EmiratesBNI Dubai Enjoys Big Breakfast—with Big Numbers
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- All 4 chapters got together – total of 75 members attended – 100% attendance!
- Invite your best client/supplier meeting stimulant used.
- 50 visitors were invited.
- 135 attended the breakfast.
- 20 members presented with 1-year membership ribbons.
- All 50 visitors were introduced by their member host and the 60 Second Introductions focused on the value of their relationships.
- The Chapter Directors of each chapter also had 60-second slots to introduce their respective chapters and entice visitors to attend their chapter breakfast meetings; as a result, 2 new core groups have sprung up for BNI Dubai.
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The tickets sold out well in advance, and 225 business professionals described it as one of the best networking events yet to have happened in Dubai.
BNI members also were encouraged and given the opportunity to book tables of ten, whereby they could brand their table. Nine members took this opportunity, and this is what one of the invitees had to share with one of the members:
"I left the function motivated, and have already used what I learned. I am convinced that it is very effective and will be beneficial to my organization."
The highlight of the event was Dr, Misner's video. Other speakers included Lou Scotto, GM of Emirates Bank (one of the largest local Banks), and Bob Farrow, GM of Hertz Car Rental.
The event sponsors donated grand prizes, which included two Virgin Atlantic Airways Tickets, Hertz Car Rental Vouchers, and Hot Air Balloon Safaris from Blue Banana.
International Networking Day 2007 has not only raised awareness of business networking amongst the local business community but also raised BNI's profile in the Middle East as THE networking organization to look out for!
Submitted by Bijay Rajnikantt Shah, National Director - BNI Middle East
CanadaInternational Networking Week™ - Networking Masters TeleSummit
BNI Saskatchewan (Canada) is pleased to announce successful completion of their inaugural Networking Masters TeleSummit, held February 8-9, 2007, in conjunction with International Networking Week™. The event featured 16 hours of high impact educational presentations from 17 Networking Masters.
See this year's expert line-up, access this year's audio recordings, and view pre-registration information for 2008 at www.networkingmasterstelesummit.com.
Submitted by Steve Bell, Executive Director, BNI Saskatchewan
United StatesInternational Networking Week™ – San Antonio
The Friday before International Networking Week™, the daily newspaper in San
Antonio, TX, the San Antonio Express-News, ran a feature article on BNI. The article in the print edition appeared on the front page of the Business Section above the fold and was about 40 column inches in length.
Read the article.In addition, San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger signed an official proclamation designating February 5-9 as International Networking Week™. Read the proclamation.
All San Antonio Area chapters featured a special event for International Networking Week™. Most held a "Bring Your Best Client to BNI" day on their meeting day that week, and the 10-minute presentation was given by one of the chapter's Power Teams.
Submitted by Susan DeLoren, BNI Executive Director
International Networking Week™ - Wisconsin
Our goal in Northern Wisconsin through International Networking Week™ was to host an introductory
networking night, so we invited business professionals from an 11-county area where our BNI chapters and core groups are prevalent. The event was organized in conjunction with an area B2B magazine and featured an excellent speaker and 35 booths. It was a great way to introduce BNI to many people who were not previously aware of the organization.We had over 200 attend the event, with 157 of them non-BNI members. Consequently, all the chapters in the Eau Claire area are following up with the guests through a series of Visitors Days in February and March. We gained significant PR through planning the event, including two magazine articles, a television interview, and a front-page feature in the business section of the local paper.
To read this article, click here and here.
The response was phenomenal, and due to the excitement we created, we have two more Networking Nights planned for May and September.
Submitted by Craig Campana, BNI Wisconsin North
International Networking Week™ - Northern Nevada
BNI Northern Nevada hosted a morning event in honor of International Networking Week™ on February 7, 2007 at the Peppermill Hotel. BNI members, along with chamber members and members of the other networking organizations, attended. In all, 235 people came together to enjoy a great presentation and have an opportunity to network with each other. Dawn Lyons, South West District Director, was our special guest.Mike Macedonio was our guest speaker. He presented some concepts from the New York Times best-selling book, Truth or Delusion: Busting Networking's Biggest Myths, which he co-authored with Dr. Ivan Misner and Mike Garrison. He was assisted in his presentation by Bob Belknap, one of our Ambassadors. The audience enjoyed being able to vote on each statement about networking as to whether it was truth or delusion.
We also received a proclamation from Jim Gibbons, Governor of the State of Nevada, officially recognizing February 7, 2007, as International Networking Day in Nevada.
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| Presenters Mike Macedonio and Bob Belknap |
"I really enjoyed the meeting. It was very dynamic and it was a great way to get audience participation. Both Mike and Bob did an excellent job at captivating the audience and showing us myths about commonly used sale techniques. On a rating of one to five stars with five being the best, this was five stars. (That's the truth!)" Linda Danaher, Sierra Executives Chapter
"I met some terrific professionals and collected contact information from several people to whom I am sure I can send some business, as they represent trades and professions not currently represented in our own chapter. I eagerly look forward to next year's gathering!" Rick Williams, Noon Networkers Chapter
Submitted by Willeta Kerschner, Executive Director, BNI – Northern Nevada