My BNI Story
Sell your chapter seat on eBay?

Dr. Misner has created a powerful organization with BNI.

I first heard about BNI from a friend who stumbled into the Beverly Hills BNI chapter unsure if it was worth his time or money. Two months later he was convinced that it was the place to be. He made me a believer when he shared that he was receiving 2-3 leads per week and earning roughly $50k per year just from BNI referrals. I was doubly convinced when I attended Brian Buffini's "By Referral Only" and heard him say that BNI was top notch.

I knew what I had to do. I got on the phone and called BNI Regional Director Cys Bronner and told her I just had to get in to BNI—even if it meant building my own chapter. Why my own chapter? Because I know that mortgage brokers, like myself, either sell their chapter seat on eBay or will it to their kids, because it works so well. It has been eight months and the launch of the Bel Air/Brentwood Core Team chapter is just around the corner!

Submitted by Roger Vetruba, www.RogerV.com, Bel Air/Brentwood Core Team


Unique Referral Request Gets Results

My company is Sharp Solutions. I am in the category of Content Development (Copywriting) for corporate and small businesses (brochures, web copy, press releases, advertorials, feature pieces for trade and national magazines, etc). I also am an HR consultant. Recently, I decided to combine my knowledge of writing and HR to form a resume-writing/career counseling business. I did my 10-minute presentation one day on my resume writing business, Resumes for Change, as the new logo, collateral materials, etc. was ready for debut.

I decided not only to define my "ideal client or referral" but to actually give the members an opportunity to help me in a slightly different way, yet count their help as a referral. I had designed postcards to be left at universities, recruiting offices, or other places. As a busy, self-employed person, I could not hit all the places myself.

I asked the members if they "knew" or "had contact" with any of these types of places. The response was overwhelming—there were many alumni of area universities who offered to take cards to the offices on their next visit. The chiropractor said she would put cards in her center—another member put cards in her coffee shop. From those cards, I have received at least 30 resume jobs. The members got a referral, they helped me a lot, and business was generated.

It was a "think outside the box" sort of request that has had great results.

Submitted by Julien A. Sharp, Sharp Solutions/Resumes for Change, South Beach Chapter, Miami, Florida


Better Net Income

I am a founding member of the Circle of Excellence chapter which is now four years old. This has been the best investment of time and money I have ever made.

I have definitely benefited from the BNI philosophy of "Givers Gain." From the beginning I have tracked all the referrals I have given and received. I have also recorded the amounts spent and the income made. As a result I am way ahead of the game financially. The percent of my total income from BNI, for the past three years, has grown each year: 2003 = 26%, 2004 = 37%, and 2005 appears to be on track for 40%. It's true what they say: BNI = Better Net Income!

Another benefit that is almost as good is that when a client has a need or asks for help I have trustworthy people I can refer. I didn't have that before BNI.

Knowing how important BNI is to my business has motivated me to attend every single meeting for the last 49 months.

Ed Hall, Padgett Business Services, Circle of Excellence Chapter


Business Card Collector Seeks Help from BNI Members

My name is Greg Saperstein and I am 15 years old. I'm like any other kid who enjoys cars, plays video games, and enjoys school. I also spend my time doing something a little less common - I collect business cards. I first began collecting them four years ago when I picked one up and thought they were interesting. I said to myself, "I'll go around and get more." Then my grandma picked some up for me. I now have over 20,000 in my collection. I have been featured in The Bergen Record, The Star Ledger, WMBC-63, and on 101.7 K-Lite Radio in Santa Barbara, all because of my collection. I have cards from 20 different countries. I have received envelopes of cards from people who saw me in the paper. Someone even offered to send me 13,000 business cards he'd been collecting for the past 40+ years.

After purchasing Dr. Misner's book, It's in the Cards, I called him and spoke to Dr. Misner personally and asked for one of his. I also asked him if he knew anyone who would be kind enough to send me one of theirs. He said, "Sure, I'll put it on the website and in SuccessNet."

To anyone who reads this: If possible, can you please send me one of your cards and/or any extras that you no longer use? Anything will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Greg Saperstein
PO Box 730
25 Dogwood Lane
Alpine, New Jersey 07620.


Stick to the Program

I have been a member of BNI for nearly two years and to date I've been averaging over $1500 a month in revenues from referrals generated by BNI.

How did my experience start out? It was very scary. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I had just opened up my own business and was told the best way to build my business was through word-of-mouth referrals. I went to a Chamber meeting and was invited to attend BNI. I was thoroughly impressed. Over time I discovered ways to implement more of the "tried and true" elements that create that smooth and effective structure.

  "How did you do it?" you may ask. I just followed the guidelines in the Member Success Program: be on time, get a sub if you can't make it, know what a good referral is, script how to invite visitors, and learn how to do an effective 10 minute presentation and 30 second commercial. It's true it has been done before and done right—it is effective.

Has anything changed about me or my business? I have become more self-confident. I have learned how to be self-promoting and not timid.

Do I recommend BNI for a growing business? I certainly do!

Dr. Hercules Real, Champions Chapter, Fullerton, CA


The Best Referral

The following was on the back page of the wedding program of two BNI members—Cathy Zink of the Chambersburg, Pa. Tuesday B chapter and Joshua Moore of the Chambersburg, Pa. Wednesday B chapter. They were married on September 10, 2005.

"On June 4th, 2004, Cathy received a single pink carnation from a Secret Admirer. The flowers continued—two the next day, three more the next, etc…A week later, Joshua revealed himself and Cathy called him. They had known of each other through their own respective business networking referral groups called BNI. They spent their first date eating at Rosalie's, playing mini-golf, and hitting the batting cages. Cathy & Josh have been joined at the hip ever since. BNI works—the best referral they ever received was each other!"

Submitted by Jerry Schwartz, BNI Executive Director


Dear Dr. Misner,

I attended the BNI Members' Day recently and was utterly enthralled by your presentations. You will be pleased to know that the other four members from our chapter felt the same. We will take back all that we learned and actively put it into practice as we continue to build our chapter.

Richard Poole, BNI-Lindum Chapter, www.bni-lindum.co.ukLincolnshire & Notts Region, UK

 
Dear Dr. Misner,

I really must thank you for giving me the opportunity to enrich myself and my company with the BNI way of doing business. My life has changed positively because of your methods. I have been the chapter director of the first Amsterdam chapter in Holland. I use your methodology of networking almost every day. Thanks again!

Richard van Houten (Amsterdam/Holland)