Across the Globe - Europe
France
5th Parisian Chapter Launched

Gavin Bain and Marc-William in front of The Wheel of Success painting made for the event

The Kick-off of the Chapter "BNI Saint-Germain-des-Près"

The 5th Parisian chapter was launched February 3rd at the very prestigious "Racing Club de France." Over 100 members and guests attended the most artistic meeting ever in the town of the Eiffel tower. The modern art painter of the chapter, Catharine Cary, produced an exclusive creation called "La Roue de la Réussite" (The Wheel of Success) which includes photographs of all the 13 founding members of the chapter "BNI Saint Germain des Près." The graphic designer produced a special brochure to present to the members of the chapter as well as the other Parisian chapters. Several testimonials were done which proved clearly to the audience the efficiency of the chapter. This "givers gain" attitude was so well received that several visitors who weren't able to join this chapter decided to visit one of the other chapters.

A special thank to Chantal Romney, France's first AD, who made this outstanding kick-off possible and who created an obvious family spirit within this new chapter. Gavin Bain and Marc-William Attie, Co-National Directors, were both delighted as well as several Leadership Team members of other chapters who came to support their fellow members.

Submitted by Marc-William Attie, Co-National Director, BNI France


Portugal
Holiday and Business Celebration

This year's Christmas Dinner was held at the prestigious Quinta da Camarinha, the best corporate venue in the North of Portugal, last December, 20th. The business cocktail hour was kindly sponsored by BNI, Ecademy, and OpenBC, after which a gorgeous dinner was served accompanied by a soloist and pianist.

Everyone in attendance was invited to do a 60-second presentation. Fifteen corporate tables were set up to showcase products and services from BNI members, as well as, other companies from all over the country. There were even a few international visitors from Malaysia who managed to do some business!

A total of 50 companies were represented, making this a truly successful business networking event! The next holiday dinner is scheduled for January 24th, and we are expecting over 100 people!

Submitted by Hélder Falcão, National Director, BNI Portugal


Sweden
Only BNI Led to Success

Eivor Andersson with Diana INC discussing BNI with a chapter visitor and potential customer.

Diana INC is a company in the telemarketing business with ten employees. The company offers telephone sales, order receiving, answering service, updating of customer databases, and marketing research.

Starting a telemarketing company in the northeastern part of Skåne county is not the easiest thing to do in today's competitive market. The Yellow Pages, MSN, and web hosts with search engines were all quick to offer their services and talk about the amazing results their clients achieved. But how many leads did the telemarketing start up get? Not a single one!

Eivor Andersson with Diana INC said, "One day Johan from SPC, our financial systems supplier, was visiting. He suggested that we join him to have breakfast with BNI. Johan told us all about the BNI concept and we agreed to go to. At the meeting we decided on the spot that BNI was the right thing for the company. We found that BNI is a great marketing tool and the referral system works like a charm. In January 2005 Diana INC joined BNI Grand Chapter in Kristianstad."

Diana INC received nine referrals during the spring. Eight of them developed into business assignments. Eivor Andersson says, "It was nice knowing that we have assignments already booked for fall. Thanks to BNI the company is up and running successfully!"

Submitted by Gunnar Selheden, National Director, BNI Sweden


United Kingdom
Referrals Going Loopy in Glasgow

Iomart Chapter with their ever-growing referrals 'snake.' Photo courtesy of Anthony D'Arcy, Kappa (Kilmarnock) Chapter.

Members of Glasgow's Iomart chapter have found a novel and highly visual way of demonstrating the business power of BNI to their visitors.

Instead of banding all their pink referral slips into the usual 'bricks' or putting them into a plastic bag for the statistics section of their weekly meeting, they add their latest referral slips to a large and ever-growing snake-like 'Referral Loop.' The loop is comprised of a BNI-coloured rope around which are entwined all the referral slips passed since the chapter's launch more than five years ago.

The idea was dreamt up by former leadership team members Robert McGroary and David Smith and found immediate support from Scotland West's Executive Director Hugh Lee who said, "It's a phenomenal idea. The 'Referral Loop' is like an anaconda and weighs an absolute ton. Visitors can't help but be impressed when they feel the sheer physical weight as the end of the loop is passed round the room, especially knowing that every single one of the thousands of individual slips represents valuable new business."

Since sharing the power of their referrals 'snake' with other BNI members during leadership team training, Iomart has received a number of visitors from other chapters wanting to see it for themselves.


United Kingdom
Olympians Wager a Pint of the Best!

Olympians Chapter and Jackie Osgodby from the Lincoln Cathedral Centre in front of their historic BNI venue.

At barely six months old, it may be one of the youngest BNI groups in the country, but that hasn't stopped Lincoln's Olympians chapter from throwing down a tasty wager to every other chapter.

The Olympians meet in the former sub Deanery of Lincoln's majestic 11th century cathedral, occupying buildings erected in 1272 - where parts of the ancient walls can still be clearly seen - leading Chapter Director David Walters to claim that it is possibly the oldest BNI venue in Britain.

He said, "We are so fortunate and happy to meet in such a magnificent historic setting, that we're offering this challenge to every BNI chapter: If you can prove your meeting venue is older than ours, and part of its original structure is still standing, we'll invite your members to be our guests and serve them all a pint of local ale and a plate of sizzling traditional Lincolnshire sausages."

Jackie Osgodby, the venue's manager added, "It's a pleasure having BNI meet in our centre. The chapter contains such a wide range of skills that we actually gave members five referrals before they'd held their first meeting here. I'm adding to their wager by offering a free tour of the Cathedral and associated historic buildings to any BNI member who comes to Lincoln."

If you think your chapter members can stake a claim to Lincoln's beer and sausages, contact David Walters on 01522 839549. Jackie Osgodby can be contacted at 01522 787267.