March/April 2006
Art of Networking
MexicoBNI's Next Stop: Mexico
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| Mexican National Directors with Ivan Misner |
At a time where I'm making big changes in my life, like retiring from politics after 20 years, I wanted to find ways that I could keep working for my country. While trying to determine how to do this, a friend stumbled across the BNI web page and mentioned it. I thought it was a very interesting concept. I felt strongly that it might be a good way to help achieve cultural change in Mexican through small business entrepreneurs.
I contacted Dr. Ivan Misner and he invited me to the International Conference in Long Beach, California in November 2005. During this visit I was able to watch how an actual BNI chapter works and it was very exciting to witness the members passing each other referrals. I thought that if BNI was being so successful in different countries around the world, it could work in Mexico - too.
Today my daughter, Lorena, and I are working to launch the very first chapter in Mexico - this year, yet. I'm very optimistic and think that BNI will grow fast spreading the "Givers Gain" philosophy all over the country.
If you have any questions regarding BNI-Mexico here is our contact information:
http://www.bni.com/Default.aspx?DN=1053,4,1,Documents
Submitted by Senator Carlos Medina, León, Guanajuato, México
CanadaBNI Transforms Walls into Hope
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"It all started with Sera," says Karen. "She was painting a young boy's room and began to think about all of the parents who couldn't afford to do such a project for their own children. I owned a paint store at the time and had collaborated with Sera on a number of projects. When she explained her initial idea to me, I jumped right on board. The 'givers gain' philosophy holds true for both of us, so we put a plan together to offer our services to those who normally couldn't afford such a luxury."
With the help of a local organization, Karen and Sera identified a family in need almost immediately. Two of the four children were born with cerebral palsy and confined to wheelchairs. Living on one income in community housing, their home was in desperate need of repairs.
"Initially, we were only going to spruce up two rooms," explains Karen. "But when we got there, we realized that they needed so much more. We knew at that point that we couldn't handle the job by ourselves, so we called on local businesses and other members of our BNI chapter (The BNI Referral Professionals) to help."
With a dedicated team behind them, the decorating divas transformed an entire house into a family-friendly, functional space. While the decorating team worked tirelessly the family was housed in two rooms of a local hotel - which was donated. The mother and oldest daughter were treated to full makeovers, day spa, and new wardrobe. BNI members worked together to obtain two twin beds for the girls, who had been sleeping on the floor, from a retail store. Those who didn't have a particular service to donate spent the weekend cleaning. Former BNI members were even on hand to help out.
Since its initial launch last summer, Walls of Hope has helped a second family over the Christmas holidays. To learn more about this truly wonderful organization, please visit www.wallsofhope.ca.
Submitted by Linda Forte-Spearing, BNI Assistant Director-Oakville, Ontario
CanadaCanadian Net Ski
In honor of the Olympics, and in order to have a lot of fun, BNI Canada - Central North
Region of Ontario hosted the 8th Annual BNI NET SKI Day on February 2nd. You will notice from our graphic that our members are busy at work, keeping the "fun in the fundamentals" by staying in touch with referral clients while building relationships with fellow BNI members.Global warming was a great concern to the 65 BNI members and guests, as the weather was balmy preceeding the event. But Canadian north winds prevailed and several days prior to the event snow blanketed the slopes. The NET SKI day was a sunny, snowy winter land for the BNI gang - proving once again that optimistic attitudes win out all the time!
Submitted by Bill Becks, Central East Ontario BNI Region
United StatesPlatinum Club
The inaugural Platinum Club (PC) meeting was held in May 2005 and our second meeting was held on January 19, 2006. Held twice a year at BNI HQ, the day-long meeting concludes with dinner and drinks at Ivan and Beth Misner's home.The top 20 Executive Directors in the US that meet PC criteria are invited. (Go here to read the PC criteria.) The purpose of the BNI Platinum Club is for the BNI Chairman, CEO and Executive Directors to have a forum to discuss key issues surrounding the running of their franchise(s). The club's mission is to help BNI Executive Directors understand and develop their BNI regions. This process includes addressing both strengths and weaknesses in a positive light.
United StatesShipwreck at the Bottom of the World
In 1914, a group of 28 men led by Sir Ernest Shackleton left England with the goal of walking across Antarctica. The expedition failed to reach the continent because their ship became trapped in and consequently crushed by the Antarctic ice shelf. Their story is one of tremendous hardship, awe-inspiring courage, and dedicated leadership. More than two years after leaving Britain they were ALL rescued alive and well.
Below is the advertisement Shackleton placed in The London Times calling for volunteers. More than 5,000 men and women applied!
"MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."
That advertisement prompted me to write the following vision statement for BNI in California's Central Valley:
"BUSINESS PEOPLE WANTED FOR REFERRAL ORGANIZATION. Time commitment necessary, must be able to help others succeed, constant learning required. Not for everyone, but essential for those who wish to develop positive, life long business relationships."
Submitted by John Lisle, Executive Director, BNI California Central Valley
United StatesWake Up '06
Twenty-five BNI Directors and Ambassadors from Northern and Central Illinois met in Chicago for a day long "Wake Up '06" training session. The regional staff studied how to implement Chapter Power Teams, improve leadership training, and a host of other ideas to help increase the quality and quantity of chapter referrals.US District Director Woody Woodcock joined National Canadian Director Don Morgan to help Executive Directors Peggy Nuelle, Tom Gosche, and Alana McKinney with the training.
Submitted by Don Morgan, Senior Executive Director, BNI Chicago
United StatesKick-Off Boosts Sales for Everyone
Our Chapter, Rivers Edge Referral's launched on January 5th and chapter members have seen a huge impact on business. According to the VP's report, to date we have passed 129 referrals, 45 inside and 54 of them outside worth $9500.00.I personally have seen my business increase by 20% through sharing my story every week and creating a new ways to talk about insurance - not an easy thing to do!
We have a strong dedicated team of professionals who want to see each other's business grow and prosper. We are looking forward to this coming year and the results it will bring to each of our professions.
Submitted by Deborah Lee, AAA Insurance, Secretary/Treasurer, Rivers Edge Referrals Chapter, La Crosse, Wisconsin
United StatesEnergize Your Business with BNI
"Energize Your Business with BNI" was the slogan used by BNI Minnesota to promote their chapters at the Minnesota Conference on Tourism.As Assistant Director for Southern Minnesota and a professional meeting consultant, I have made it my mission to attract more businesses from the Hospitality & Tourism Industry into BNI chapters. I realized there was an acute lack of participation from the Hospitality Industry within my BNI region. By speaking to other chapter members and leaders at the International BNI Conference in California, I realized that it was not just a category lacking in my own region but all throughout BNI.
My first stop was the Minnesota Conference on Tourism, held in St. Cloud Minnesota, January 24-26. In partnership with Executive Director Nancy Giacomuzzi, Team Minnesota registered for an exhibit booth at the conference. Members from chapters in St. Cloud, Brainerd, and Duluth participated in helping to staff the booth. These members were able to promote BNI membership and their own businesses. Meanwhile I took on the role of the 'Energizer Bunny' and roamed the exhibit hall, drumming up interest in visiting the BNI booth. The team received twenty solid leads on new members and sparked interest for three new, to be formed, chapters.
The 'Energizer Bunny' keeps going and going and going…hoping to help the hospitality industry energize their businesses with BNI.
Submitted by LuAnn Buechler, Assistant Director, BNI Southern Minnesota
United StatesParty Showcases Member's Work
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| Jeff & Marsha Browning, Joe Dickey and Dr. Susan Ridgell |
Submitted by Patty Ford, Carol Wilson, Business Builders Chapter, Knoxville, Tennessee
United StatesFunny Things Happening in Alabama
I just have to share some of the awesome things that have been happening to us here in northern Alabama the last few weeks. For the Trail Blazers chapter kick-off we used a process developed by Dan & Penny Georgevich, Co-Executive Directors of BNI Michigan and Directors of Chapter and Member Development. The process holds people to high standards - expecting 40+ letters of invitation. It worked! We had 143 RSVPs, 80+ visitors, and 16 new applications.
This is what is happening as a result of our successful kick-off and good assistant directorship:
Story 1
A woman called into the office and asked, "Can you tell me what this Trail Blazers thing is all about?"
She was told it was a new chapter of BNI in Pelham that had just kicked-off on February 3rd using the Georgevich process.
When asked, "What do you know about BNI?" She answered, "Nothing really. But I hear great things about it, and I want to start a chapter."
Never having been to a BNI meeting she was able to recruit 8 people into her pre-core group within 6 days. Our BNI chapter has never been able to get someone to fill out an application without seeing a meeting, and she rounded-up 8!
Story 2
The Central Walker chapter in Jasper, (population 12,000, chapter size: ~35) was having their regular meeting on Tuesday morning at a restaurant. At the end of the meeting, the owner of the restaurant said to the chapter president, "The lady and gentleman in the back of the restaurant just paid for all of your meals." When the chapter president approached the couple, the man said he wanted no recognition. He just liked what he saw the group doing. He said breakfast was a gift because they wanted to support something that works!
Submitted by Meaghan Williams, Executive Director, BNI North Alabama
United StatesReciprocity A Ringing Success!
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| Bob Moses with one of the Reciprocity Ring participants |
A Total of 178 contacts were developed during the workshop and a potential of $341,400.00 in business was passed out in 3½ hours. Several members mentioned that there had been absolutely unlimited income sources generated from the Ring Workshop.
Here is one of several testimonials received:
"The training and experience I received at the Reciprocity Ring training was far more than I could imagine. Having the opportunity to see how "The Ring" works was more valuable than the workshop fee. Anyone who didn't attend January's workshop really missed out on something that truly makes a difference. Thank you for making this available to us!"
Submitted by David Zemer, Executive Director, BNI Eastern Wisconsin
Ivan Misner says, "If your Director has not done the Reciprocity Ring in your region, ask them to bring it to you soon!"
United StatesHelping Those in Need
BNI Paradise Valley Success Chapter continued its tradition of helping those less
fortunate during the holiday season. Debra Davis and her family were relocated to Phoenix from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Stephen Deubel, long time BNI member, relocated Debra and her family, mobilized his BNI chapter, and tapped into media contacts to get as much assistance to the family as possible.Paradise Valley chapter has definitely made a difference for this family!
Submitted by Stephen A. Deubel, Image Home Improvement, Inc., BNI PV Success Chapter, Phoenix, Arizona
