BNI in the News

Word-of-Mouth Marketing on a Shoestring
One of the satisfactions—and sometimes thrills—of being in business for yourself is unexpectedly meeting or getting a call from someone who wants what you offer. But for this to happen, you need to get the word out that you're in business.

Click here to read this article at entrpreneur.com by columnists Paul & Sarah Edwards, who give great advice about how to do business. The Edwards have been BNI supporters for 20 years and have repeatedly highlighted BNI as a great resource for business people in their books and columns.



Certified Networker course helps accountants obtain strong referrals

"I deal with people's confidential information, so when they come to me they have to be able to trust the person that I am and they gain some of that trust through the referral source," said Karen Vidt, a self-employed Zelienople CPA.

Last year, Vidt took a course called Certified Networker to learn how to develop a strong network of referral sources to send clients her way. The course was developed by the California-based Business Network International and the Referral Institute, both of which have chapters throughout the United States.

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BNI Chapter Wins Award, Seeks Members

The Washington Business Networking International (BNI) chapter has claimed the Founders Award for the second year in a row.

The award, named for BNI founder Ivan Misner, is awarded to chapters that excel in various categories.

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A changing Russia provides opportunity in America for one young woman.

Tanya Zakharova wanted to learn about economics and business and "I always wanted to study in America," so with just a suitcase and a backpack headed to the State University of New York at New Paltz. In 1996, she received a graduate degree in finance. She then started working for Merrill Lynch at its Poughkeepsie office. She now is a financial adviser at the Merrill Lynch office in Mount Kisco.

While working in Poughkeepsie, she helped start a chapter in Ulster County of Business Network International, a networking organization. "It was very motivational to get together. Russians don't understand the concept of networking. They are not that proactive. I hope that changes."

To read this article in its entirety, click here.