Across the Globe

United Arab Emirates
BNI Middle East Debuts New Video

George Jacob, member of BNI Middle East, created a video that was showcased at the International Networking Week Luncheon in Dubai. As a result, Jacob, who specializes in the production of corporate training videos and ad films, received referrals and inquiries from non-BNI members that have since converted into substantial business—a leading courier company has contracted him to do their induction video.

Jacob joined the very first chapter in Dubai (Falcon Chapter) upon its launch in September 2005. Since then, he has been a very passionate member—one of our top ranking members in terms of attitude, participation, and contribution. He truly believes in "Givers Gain."

As the video was being shot, members from different chapters were able to meet and get to know each other better, as well as witness Jacob's expertise firsthand. We've been using the video at core group meetings and the sign-up rate so far is 100%. We plan to share the link with members for their use to invite visitors. To see the video, click here.

Submitted by Bijay Shah, National Director, BNI Middle East


Sweden
Ivan Misner Visits Scandinavia

On his April trip to Scandinavia, Dr. Ivan Misner visited 7 cities in 3 countries—Denmark, Sweden, and Norway—and held 13 seminars in 5 days. About 1,000 people listened and learned about networking. Those present surely learned why he is referred to as the world's leading expert in business networking.

Not only did he meet with BNI members— he visited with university students and community and business representatives. Dr. Misner talked to as many people as possible and signed books. This was highly appreciated by those in attendance.

At the end of his visit, when visiting the Scandinavia BNI headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, he summarized his meetings and stated that he had met representatives from business categories he had never met with before.

It was a great pleasure for Ivan Misner to visit us!

Submitted by Gunnar Selheden, National Director, BNI Scandinavia


China
An American in Hong Kong

In February, I visited the Success Chapter in Hong Kong. Although the meeting was spoken in Cantonese, half of the members did a 60-second presentation in English. Although I didn't speak the language, I knew exactly where we were on the agenda! I had an awful cold that day, and Maria (a chapter member) was gracious enough to give me vitamins and a fabulous acupressure session before I started training. This is one of my most memorable moments of my 2-week vacation!

I conducted a MSP 2.0 program with Stella, the area director, as my translator. Some members from the other chapters came for the training. Cecilia and Mary-Ann, the assistant area directors, were in attendance as well. There was some great interaction and some very good questions when we were talking about the different approaches to creating a 60-second presentation.

At the end of the training, I spoke with the members who stayed for the training. We took photos and collected business cards—I made many new friends. Many members invited me to their places of business and out for coffee. I am very thankful for BNI and the opportunity to connect with the Hong Kong BNI chapters!

Submitted by Amber Wick, BNI Lake Superior Chapter


Australia
An Avalanche of Givers Gain!
Sydney BNI director a hero

Glenn Kirkwood, Executive Director of BNI Sydney South West region, arrived in Japanese Hakkoda ski resort on Valentine's Day. He and other members of Thredbo's elite Ski Patrol were looking forward to enjoying the snow on one of Japan's remote mountains.

Little did they know that by the end of that day, they would have been actively involved in a rescue attempt to save the lives of 22 Japanese skiers caught in an avalanche that killed two men, buried one for almost two hours, and severely injured another eight people.

The Japanese authorities plan to formally thank the Aussies in Sydney. Glenn and the team have been featured in numerous print and television stories for their heroism.

To read one of these articles, click here.

Well done Glenn and team!


New Zealand
BNI CEO Norm Dominquez Visits New Zealand

BNI CEO Norm Dominquez recently joined the BNI New Zealand crew for the launch of the southernmost chapter of BNI in the world. The whirlwind trip included golf at the foot of a mountain range known as "The Remarkables" and an afternoon crewing and match racing an authentic America's Cup boat (NZ41) with BNI support staff, directors, and longstanding members.

According to www.newzealand.com, New Zealand is the first nation outside of the United States to successfully defend the America's Cup trophy in its 149 year history. "The Cup has only ever left the United States twice, the first time in 1983, when Australia broke the New York Yacht Club's 132-year monopoly, the second in 1995, when Team New Zealand wrestled it away from the San Diego Yacht Club." Unfortunately Norm and the BNI crew couldn't quite do it either, going down narrowly to their rival boat, NZ42.

Submitted by Graham Southwell, National Director, BNI New Zealand


Spain
BNI Pioneers Launch in Barcelona

First chapter in Barcelona.

The chapter was launched on March 27 with the help of a core group of 14 members from different international backgrounds. It is an international chapter where the language spoken at the meetings is English.

During the launch process 450 invitations were sent out. We had 100 people in the room on the launch day where the meeting was between 8-9:30AM. It took place in a hotel in the new technology and innovation district in Barcelona.

Three new members signed up on the day and we expect to get about eight to ten after the follow-up calls. Five to six potential members are waiting to sign up for a Spanish chapter. We received good feedback from visitors saying we were organized, held a highly dynamic meeting with good presentations, featured a professional set-up, and they felt welcome.

Submitted by Robert French, BNI Executive Director, UK; Director Nacional, España; National Director, Malaysia


United States
Passing the Box

The Pinnacle Hermitage Chapter in Tennessee has found a great way to manage "passing the box" of members' business cards during their weekly meetings. Member Katrina Neylon, owner of Chocolate Graphics, has customized one of her company's wooden chocolate boxes to house business cards. The boxes can be custom engraved for any BNI chapter. The box pictured at left has the chapter mission statement engraved onto the lid.

Specific to the needs of BNI, Chocolate Graphics produced a box similar to one which is being used by the Pinnacle Hermitage Tennessee chapter. All business cards for each member are placed within a section in which the member belongs—for example, Chocolate Graphics is under "Specialty Gifts." The box is passed at every meeting for two purposes: 1) all other members look through the cards to replace the ones they have passed out to potential customers and referrals through the previous week; and 2) each member looks for his/her own business card section and replenishes the supply. The box plays an important part during each weekly BNI meeting. It holds two rows of business cards, so there is plenty of room for placement of many business cards as each chapter grows.

Submitted by Katrina Neylon, Chocolate Graphics, Pinnacle Hermitage Tennessee Chapter
katrina@chocolategraphicstn.com
www.chocolategraphicstn.com


Ohio Awards Breakfast

The third annual Ohio BNI Awards Breakfast was held at the Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront. This event was sponsored by the Business Courier, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Action Coach, and Akers Packaging. Ivan Misner presented awards via web cam to over 300 area members in attendance. He was engaging, motivational, and funny! More than 95 awards were passed out to area members recognizing them for referrals, attendance, and visitors to their respective chapters. The Rookie Chapter of the Year Award went to the Liberty Township Chapter for increasing their membership from 13-28 in 90 days. The Kenton-Boone Chapter won the Highest Referral Producing Chapter Award for passing 2,016 referrals in 2006. Finally, Bill Lendl of Liberty Township, Jim Hilgefort of SMART, and Scott Malof of Commonwealth had a three-way tie for the Referral of the Year Award. These members passed 3 referrals that resulted in a combined $4,300,000 in business!

Submitted by Brennan Scanlon, Executive Director, BNI Ohio


Marlborough Chapter Tops 70 Members

In February, the Marlborough Chapter in Massachusetts inducted its 70th member!

The chapter maintained 60+ members throughout 2006. How do they do it? By keeping to the basics: constantly practicing Givers Gain, focusing on quality referrals and one-to-ones, and partnering with one another to ensure success. In addition to making money, they have fun in the process!

Marlborough chapter member Jack Cutone offered the following secrets to their success:

"We have a number of Power Teams that share business brochures and actively promote one another's businesses. The Health and Wellness Sphere run health fairs, and the Real Estate Sphere purchase booths at home shows. The secret is to be constantly in touch with your sphere, and frequently in touch with your chapter.

"Nine of our members sit on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and many of us serve in a variety of leadership roles in Rotary, Lions, and other community groups. We have had several recipients of the Massachusetts BNI Givers Gain Award, and two of our members have won the MVP award. Our chapter is a yearly recipient of the Founders Awards.

"We seem to have more fanatical champions per square inch than most chapters. We have more members willing to perform any task to perpetuate the success of our chapter, and that formula makes things happen."

Submitted by Patti Salvucci, BNI Executive Director, Massachusetts


Dr. Ivan Misner Speaks at BNI Houston

Dr. Misner during his presentation

Dr. Misner was this month's featured speaker in the High Achiever's Network lecture series presented in Houston on Monday evening, April 2, 2007. Followed by an hour of open networking, Dr. Misner shared his presentation "Networking for Cave Dwellers" with the attendees at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Afterward, he answered additional questions and hosted a book signing. Earlier in the day, Dr. Misner was featured in several radio interviews on Houston Business Radio, including one hosted by Houston West Region Assistant Director, Steven Kay. Event details were handled masterfully by Gail Stolzenburg, another of our Houston West Region Assistant Directors. Great job by all; we were excited to have Dr. Misner introduce networking and BNI to this audience of Houston area High Achievers!

Submitted by Kathy Mathy, Executive Director, BNI Houston West Region



BNI Missouri-Illinois Hosts a Night of Networking and Knowledge

Over 200 people attended the BNI Missouri and Illinois annual spring success conference. It was a huge hit! Members were able to network with other members from Branson, MO, Southern Illinois, Springfield, MO and Columbia, MO.

The conference opened up with a "drum circle" facilitated by member and BNI O'Fallon/Tri-County chapter president Jeff Mozingo of Mozingo Music. A drum circle has a facilitator who guides the group to become a team through the musical percussion instruments on each member's chair—very exciting!

The next presenter was Director John Suarez, who gave a presentation on being "referral ready" or "referral Red-E" (buttons were made to go along with the talk that had a red "e" on them). This presentation spoke on the actions BNI members can take to increase the way other members are able to pass referrals to them on a regular basis.

Ben McConnell, author of Citizen Marketers, was the evening's featured presenter. The overall message was this: technology is changing the way people communicate and promote each other. "Social Networking" sites, once just used by teenagers, are slowly starting to revolutionize how people promote and communicate with each other in the marketplace. An example of this would be our area director's regional newsletters, or blogs. Check out BNI Southern Illinois/South St. Louis at www.bnisuarez.blogspot.com or BNI Central and Southern Missouri at www.bnitobin.blogspot.com

Overall, it was a great night of networking and knowledge. Presenters of the past have included our very own Dr. Ivan Misner, author Ron Sukenic, and author Scott Ginsberg.

Submitted by Mike Tobin, BNI Director, Central and Southern Missouri




Meeting Stimulant

Here is a new meeting stimulant inspired by a quote in the BNI Director Manual.

Distribute or read the following quote to the group:

"Why join an organization? You don't buy a newspaper … you buy news. You don't buy glasses … you buy sight. You don't buy awnings … you buy shade. You don't buy a lamp … you buy light. You don't buy a membership into BNI … you buy cooperation with people to accomplish goals you cannot accomplish alone."

To properly educate and train your BNI sales force, you need to be able to clearly articulate just what it is that you sell. During the 60-second commercials, using this quote as a model, have everyone state their product/service in terms of what their clients really buy from them. (Example: "You don't buy insurance … you buy peace of mind" or "You don't buy chiropractic care … you buy the ability to bend and stretch without pain.")

Submitted and created by Doug Comin, Greensburg Chapter, BNI Western PA




Austin Live Oak Network Chapter Awarded

Bob Moses, Managing Area Director, presented the Founders Award on March 14 to BNI Austin Live Oak Network chapter, Austin, Texas. Live Oak has led the region in referrals, visitors, and one-to-ones the last two years.

Pictured are Bob Moses with founding members Melinda McKenna, Carolyn Boerger, Steve Armstrong, Grady Bible, Stephen Levy, Bob McKenna.

Submitted by Shelli Howlett, BNI Executive Director, DFW/Austin/San Antonio