My BNI Story

BNI Makes a Believer Out of Doubtful Writer

When I joined BNI five years ago, New Hampshire Executive Director Mike Roberts shook his head. He welcomed my decision but was almost incredulous. "I never had anyone check us out the way you did," he said.

I visited three separate groups, asked questions, read every piece of material I could, asked more questions, attended an evening open house, asked more questions, discussed BNI with family and friends—and asked more questions.

I would join as a technical writer, creating user manuals for high-tech companies. But who in BNI would refer a technical writer?

The results were astounding. In the first year, I earned enough from referrals to more than reimburse membership. From then on, the income generated by BNI referrals kept increasing.

As I defined my business for everyone else during my weekly and 10-minute presentations, I realized that I hadn't defined it correctly for myself. I wasn't a technical writer, creating only user manuals; I was also a marketing writer, creating web sites, brochures, articles and newsletters. I shifted my emphasis, and BNI soon accounted for 25% of my business.

Now, nearly all of my local business comes either directly from BNI referrals or indirectly from a growing local reputation. One customer said, "I kept asking for a writer and people kept mentioning you. I couldn't get anyone to recommend anyone else."

That kind of word-of-mouth takes a BNI sales team.

Sharon Bailly, TWP Marketing & Technical Communications, Vice-President - Greater Peterborough BNI Connection Chapter


Wining and BNI-ing

Networking is critical to my success. I joined BNI even before I opened a WineStyles store. In the first six months, I received $11,656.58 in referral business. I'd estimate that 80% of these sales would not have occurred had I not been in BNI.

I feel so strongly about BNI and networking that I paid for my store manager to join a different BNI group in the area. In less than one month he's received $213.48 in referrals, and his chapter is going to have an anniversary gathering at our store. That will be 20 new faces in my store for a wine taste. I'm really expecting the referrals to kick in for the holidays. Most BNI members do some sort of holiday giving, and what better gift than wine?

Mark Rhodes, WineStyles – Northern Ohio Area Developer


How BNI Builds Transformational Relationships

I am a business ethics educator and corporate culture specialist and have enjoyed a rich friendship with Dr. Ivan Misner for almost 20 years. In the early days of my consultancy, Ivan recruited me to be his first Colorado Regional Director. Two years later I handed the Colorado operation back to him with eight stable chapters in the Denver & Fort Collins areas. The friendship has continued ever since.

But this isn't the only thing I've learned about relationships from BNI. BNI's training accelerates the process of growing strong, trusting relationships over time.

James McGregor Burns, one of the great leadership thinkers of our time, draws a sharp contrast between "transactional relationships" and "transformational relationships." The later is the kind that moves both people to a higher functional level and purpose. With BNI, chapter members get to know each other in depth—both as business associates and beyond. Expertise and experience is shared, including passions for service causes in the greater community.

In a subtle, gentle way, BNI transforms individuals and groups into better businesspeople and members of the community. They take a fresh group of people with diverse enterprises, personalities, motives, and needs, and equip them with the skills and venue to gradually lift all to a higher level. They offer each other their best—and that best keeps getting better!

Ron Ausmus, Integrity Associates, www.integrityassociates.net


BNI Proves Too Good Can Be True

For years I have been invited to networking breakfasts and have found them to be of very little use. You might have an M.D. on one side and a lingerie supplier on the other. You have to break your way into circles that have already been formed. There is very little structure and even fewer valuable referrals.

I was invited to a BNI meeting at the Shiraz Chapter in Bellville, South Africa, and the first thing that struck me was the avalanche of people welcoming me and introducing themselves. If I were a Tom Cruise look-alike this would have been expected. But, I am not.

The meeting was well structured, controlled, and 28 referrals were passed around! I could not wait for the following week, as this seemed too good to be true. I enjoyed the second meeting even more, and 32 referrals were generated.

I have now been a member of the Shiraz Chapter for a year. I have gained a 24-representative sales force for my business and made exceptional friends. The deals generated through BNI have grown my business from a home office to one of the most up-market business parks in the Cape, employing 16 people nationally—and I'm currently going international.

Howard Kemp, BNI Shiraz Chapter, Bellville, South Africa


The Hard Path IS Easier!

I became a member of Power Group 100 in early 2007. Since then, I've eagerly anticipated Ivan Misner's articles in SuccessNet Online. They always give me inspiration, especially in these economic times. Because of his article in BNI's SuccessNet Online newsletter, I have chosen to "refuse to participate in a recession." I have repeated this statement to family, friends, and especially to the small business owners who express fear.

After reading your last article, "The Hard Path Is Easier," I realized that the work that our Leadership Team has done over the past year was worth the hard path. I became the Secretary/Treasurer last year, and we, the Leadership Team, have pushed to improve the quality of the group. There has been discontent when members have been called to task, but our numbers as well as the quality of our referrals continue to grow.

I will again be part of the Leadership Team as the Vice President. I will present your article to the Leadership Team as the foundation of our tenure. I believe that this is the way to make the most out of the investment each member has made by joining BNI. Thank you so much for you articles.

Laura Lara, Lara Solutions, Power Group 100 Chapter


BNI Member Overcomes Dyslexia and Writes Book

BNI member John Tipping, a 42-year-old profoundly dyslexic businessman from Dover, Kent, United Kingdom, has written his memoir—with help from a ghost writer. A featured element of the memoir is how BNI boosted his self-confidence and helped turn his life—and his UV Shield business—around. John is a member of Business Leaders of Sandwich and Deal BNI.

He says that BNI forced him to step out of his comfort zone. BNI also has helped John hone his great people skills. He's very good at talking to people, which helps encourage other business people to come along and give BNI a try.

BNI Director Tim Kidd says, "The change in John has been dramatic; BNI has been a big part of his life-changing development, and I hope BNI continues to provide a great platform for John to continue to grow his business."

John says, "A light switched on in my brain. I suddenly started to see my dyslexia as just part of my character instead of a ball and chain around my ankle."

John's message is simple: "Whatever cards you have been dealt in life, what matters is how you play them."

Go Play in the Sand, John is available for sale either on Amazon.co.uk or his own site.

Submitted by Tim Kidd, BNI Director



Building a Small Business on BNI

I owe tremendous thanks to BNI for the growth of my business. My husband and I owned a payroll company where we had a total of five representatives participating in five BNI chapters. When we started a new venture, the first thing we did was head for BNI. That is where it was my good fortune to meet the 2008 SendOutCards Distributor of the Year.

In the two years since I joined BNI and became a SendOutCards distributor, 59% of my SOC customers have come by way of BNI, and 32% of my distributors (without recruiting) came through BNI connections.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all BNI does to support small businesses.

Tari Conley & John Carter, SendOutCards


"It's a Miracle!"

I was in prison on an attempted murder charge. My parents rejected me, and I felt God had, too. Hate swelled inside me.

One day a preacher's story reached into my heart. Resisting grim warning looks of gangsters, I laid my life before Jesus Christ. I was baptized in prison. I realized that my life was a result of my own choices.

When I finally made parole, I did things differently. Although it was really hard to find work, I realized that God would provide if I focused on him and told people about what God had done in my life.

Because I couldn't find work, I started a business based on hand skills. The miracle is that God sent a BNI member to hear me testify at my church, and he brought me into BNI.

So much has come into my life through BNI. I want to thank my chapter for their acceptance and support and the referrals they give me. I get jobs through BNI—which gives me credibility even though I was in prison. My business now employs seven people.

The meetings leave me feeling empowered and motivated. I even have a lawyer in my circle of friends. The chapter is my toolbox of support. May God bless BNI! It's a miracle!

Charles Titus, SABNI - BNI South Africa