Submitted by Steve Litwok, Network 1 Financial, Shore Money, BNI New Jersey/Pennsylvania
December is the season of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday.
At the Shore Money chapter of BNI in Belmar, NJ, we meet Thursday mornings. And at Shore Money, Giving Thursday happens every Thursday, not just once a year.
BNI is a business referral networking group. Our philosophy is Givers Gain®, and the way we do that is by passing business referrals to other members of Shore Money. Our group of 30+ members thrives on giving referrals. And of course, we also get referrals, which leads to more business.
This summary could describe many BNI chapters. But Shore Money is different and unique. The chapter is 15 years old and it includes two charter members. Add to them another 9 members who are 10-year members, and you have a chapter with a solid foundation. After all, why would someone be a member of a business referral network for over 10 years, if they weren’t making money and having fun?
If you visit Shore Money you will see a chapter that passes referrals, does plenty of business, and a chapter whose meetings are filled with levity and humor.
In our 15 year history we have been through difficult times such as when one of our meeting venues burned down! Then there was the time Hurricane Sandy hit the New Jersey shore and the venue where we met was flooded and shortly thereafter torn down.
Most devastating to our chapter was when our beloved member Warren Wolkenberg passed away after an illness. Warren was a long-term member who had held leadership positions and became a BNI ambassador/director. Many of us attended his funeral but none of the long standing members will ever forget that next Thursday morning meeting when we invited Warren’s wife and adult children to join us. We went around the room telling our Warren stories and we all laughed at some of those precious memories. For everyone in attendance that morning it was a very healing group therapy session.
A number of years ago, someone suggested collecting money for the local foodbank. So we started collecting money weekly and making donations on a regular basis. Then one of our members introduced us to K-9s for Warriors, a non-profit organization raising money to train dogs who are then paired with veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. So we changed our focus to support the K-9s for Warriors Project.
Shore Money has taken Givers Gain to a new level. Over the past two years, we have sent 2 checks for $1000 to K-9s for Warriors. When we discovered that a local boy was suffering from cancer, our members opened their hearts, wallets and purses and made generous donations to his family. We also made a donation to another NJ-based organization helping families who have children suffering from cancer.
I am proud to be a member of Shore Money for the past 14 years. Our group understands that the purpose of BNI is not just to make money. It is also about making friends and establishing long-term relationships. However, our purpose is also to give back to the community. If it is Thursday morning in Belmar, NJ, it is Giving Thursday at Shore Money.
The one secret is…there is no “one” secret. In order for members to be successful in BNI it’s a formula of four important elements that members need to apply in order to achieve success.
This is the formula for success in BNI:
Quality
Growth
Engagement
Stories
1. Embrace Quality
Quality is first on the list for a reason. The process begins by being very selective about who you bring into a chapter. You want quality business professionals who have a positive, supportive attitude. You also want people who are good at what they do. It is aptitude and attitude. We all assume aptitude but we often forget about attitude and after three decades in BNI, I can tell you that this is critical.
Effective networking is dependent on the quality of the relationships that you actually develop in the group. If your network is a mile wide and an inch deep, you won’t be getting the referrals you expect. Therefore, it is important to build deep relationships with your referral partners if you want to generate more referrals. This means that you need to know, like, and trust them.
In order to ensure quality participation, there has to be accountability in a group. One of the strengths of a good network is that many of the members are friends. One of the weaknesses of a good network is, ironically, that many of the members are friends. Friends don’t like to hold friend accountable. However, BNI is not a friendship organization. It is a referral organization. Thus, in order to generate quality referrals – members must hold their fellow members accountable for their participation in a group.
If you expect the best from your members, you’ll get it. If you expect less than the best from your fellow members, you’ll get it. Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option? Accountability in a group will help you achieve excellence.
The last part of “quality” that is important to mention is the application of our core philosophy,
Givers Gain®, in a chapter. The more members who live this philosophy (particularly as it relates to referrals), the more successful a group will be.
2. Grow Your Team
Years ago I learned that there is a dramatic correlation between the size of a quality group and the number of referrals that are generated by that group. Groups under 20 do not generate as many referrals (proportionately) as do groups over 20. The math proves it. If you have a group of 16 people, that group has 256 connections (16×16). [See Diagram A] However, a group of 32 people has 1,024 connections (32×32)! [See Diagram B] In BNI, critical mass for a group begins in the 20s (the average chapter size worldwide is roughly 24)
DIAGRAM A
DIAGRAM B
This multiple of connections gets even more interesting as it gets larger. For example, if you double a group of 24 members to 48 members, that group goes from 576 connections to 2,304 connections (double the size – quadruple the connections)! In a network, the number of relationships (or members) leads to a number of connections that is a squared multiple of the actual membership. I call this ratio of people in a group compared to the total connections that are created the “Squared Connection Effect.” Hence, the quantity of members truly makes a difference in the total number of connections and inevitably the amount of referrals that can be generated in a group.
Sometimes this begs the question: When is a chapter too large? That’s difficult to answer; however, I can tell you that less than a fraction of 1% of our chapters have ever gone over 80 members (by the way, a group of 80 members has 6,400 connections!).
The bottom line is that the more connections you have (based on quality relationships of course), the more referrals you generate. For decades, I have seen groups that are twice the size of other groups in an area generate several times more referrals than their smaller counterparts. The math is pretty significant and consistent.
3. Seek Engagement
Engagement involves a promise and an action. In order to achieve success in a group, the members must promise to support one another and take the actions necessary to fulfill that promise.
There are many ways that members can be engaged in a group. They all begin with the group as a whole being immersed in a culture of learning. Has everyone in your group listened to the BNI Orientation audio material? Have they all gone to Members Success Program training? Have many members taken it a second time (or more)? Do most of your members listen to the weekly podcasts at www.BNIPodcast.com,? Do they read SuccessNet regularly? Are your members reading my blog at www.IvanMisner.com or viewing our videos on the Networking for Success Channel? The higher the number of members engaged in these activities, the more likely the entire group will be generating more referrals. The reason for this is a shared vision of success and a shared implementation of that vision.
Another way to be actively engaged in a group is to do regular and consistent 1-2-1s (meet with members outside the regular BNI meeting). Over and over, I see that members who do regular 1-2-1s tend to both give AND get more referrals.
Lastly, are you and your members doing really effective introductions every week? The best introductions are ones that focus on breaking your business down to laser specific elements of your business. Sharp-shoot your talks; don’t shotgun them. Each week, talk about one key element, product, or benefit of what you do.
According to Psychology Today, research has found that people who are “actively engaged” in a business environment are “43% more productive” than those who are not.
Furthermore, they state that engagement includes “regular dialogue, quality of working relationships, perceptions of ethos and values of the organization, and recognition.” Does any of this sound familiar to what is done in good BNI groups? It should. There’s research behind our recommended action for engagement, and it’s critical to the success of members in a group.
4. Share Stories
The last piece of the “3+1 For Success” is to tell stories. Listening closely to your member’s weekly presentations will help you in telling positive stories about your fellow members. Doing regular 1-2-1s will help you to tell stories when you give referrals. Think about your many experiences and write them down.
A number of years ago I met Robert Dickman, author of The Elements of Persuasion. He taught me the formula for a good story:
A story is a fact
Wrapped in an emotion
That compels us to take action
That transforms us in some way
The key here is that a good story compels people to take action, and this action transforms or helps them in some way. I always try to re-live a story, not just re-tell a story. Make it sound fresh and alive. That is an important aspect of storytelling.
Can’t think of a story? Look here at SuccessNet. There are a ton of stories that you can share.
Remember that facts tell, but stories sell. If you want to build your group in order to generate more referrals, overlay storytelling on top of your efforts. This is particularly true regarding the testimonials you give at a chapter meeting.
The Formula for Success in BNI:
Embrace Quality
Grow Your Team
Seek Engagement
Share Stories
Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option. Excellence is an option in BNI. Understanding and applying this success formula will transform your group in amazing ways.
Submitted by Stephanie Starr, BNI Foundation Executive Director
The BNI Foundation is delighted to announce a handful of exciting updates for the month of June. Check out the updates below!
Website The BNI Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its new website. The team at Scion Social, led by Sean Fernandez, has done an extraordinary job making our vision a reality by creating a visually exciting, informative and easy to use site. The updated website serves as the first stop for information and resources related to the BNI Foundation, Business Voices™ and the Givers Gain® Grants.
Toolkit The new BNI Foundation website is launching alongside the Business Voices™ Toolkit. Many of you have requested additional guidance and information about how to get involved with Business Voices™. The colorful, twenty-page toolkit is an invaluable resource for those interested in launching a new Business Voices™ team. It includes step by step instructions, event ideas, promotional templates, presentation talking points and much more. We believe that the toolkit will prove to be extremely helpful to BNI chapters. It is available for download on the new website right now.
Business Voices Stories Please tell us about your Business Voices™ activities so that we can share your stories, photos and the impact your team is making on local schools and educational organizations. Here is a form that will be sent out monthly to Business Voices™ teams. Please complete this for any projects your team has completed this year between January and May. This information is a vital part of our effort to report and celebrate all of the incredible things Business Voices™ teams are accomplishing for schools all around the world.
Any time I am asked to attend an event where I may not know someone, there is a certain amount of anxiety. Will I run into somebody that I know, so I won’t be standing by myself? It is important for every chapter and every member to reach out to our guests. Warmly welcome them to your meeting. Ask them if a specific member invited them. Introduce them to a fellow member who works in their contact sphere so they might see the potential of business referrals.
I’ve been invited to different social or business functions where I’ve not known any of the folks in attendance and there is a certain amount of anxiety when that occurs. Let’s make sure that every member, whether they are a visitor host or not, welcomes our visitors and interacts with them so they are not left alone. Remember, the first part of our meeting is Open Networking.
While chatting with them ask them how they heard about BNI? Have they attended other meetings? If so, what did they like about the meeting
When I invite folks to my home for dinner or to socialize, I make sure that my home is welcoming and inviting for my guests. We only get one opportunity for a first impression in most cases, so we need to make it our best. Are the Visitor Hosts in place with the welcome table set up? Pre-register your guests so they receive the welcome email prior to your meeting.
We all work hard to invite new visitors to our chapters and we want to make every effort to provide the best experience for the visitor.
Have we prepared the visitor for the meeting?
Explain the timing and agenda of the meeting.
Ask them to bring business cards.
Let them know that they will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business if they do not conflict with a member.
Where should they park.
Where is the meeting space.
The objective of BNI is to help each other grow our businesses.
Visitors can provide the following:
Business for the members
Potential new members for the chapter which provides additional opportunities.
They also can promote our network to other non-members to broaden our reach.
The next time a visitor comes to your chapter, warmly greet them and make them feel at home. Be genuine in your conversations and provide them a great experience. Even if we are not assigned the specific role of Visitor Host, we are all Visitor Hosts.
Submitted by Karin Metz, Executive Director in Tschwane Region, South Africa
On Sunday morning, 21 May 2017, businesses from the BNI Pinnacle Chapter joined forces to create an event that would be remembered for a long time. Well, at least for two adventurous and enthusiastic cyclers as well as the Nomangezi Day Care Centre. As a fundraising project for the Day Care Centre Christiaan Jansen, current President of the BNI Pinnacle Chapter in Tshwane, together with a close friend, Jacques du Toit, decided to engage on a courageous bicycle journey of 1809km to Cape Town.
As a Social Responsibility and Development project and through the dedication and initiative of Ian van Niekerk from Skitterblink Cleaning Services and a member of BNI Pinnacle, this idea all started in November 2016. The Pinnacle Chapter decided to adopt and support the Nomangezi Day Care Centre in March 2017, managed by Mrs Thandi Mamphangindawo and her mother, Iris. A Fun Walk was held to raise funds for the day care centre, with a positive outcome of nearly R5000.
Many of the BNI Pinnacle members visited the small day care centre in Block Y, Soshanguve, during the Fun Walk event, and realized much more funds were needed for bare necessities. And the idea of a cycle tour was born in Christiaan. Christiaan and Jacques’s aim is to raise funds for this project through per kilometre sponsorships from businesses and individuals. Sponsorships of anything from 10 cents to R10 per kilometre are welcome. On the kick-off date they already had sponsors to the value of R6.00 per kilometre secured.
As members of BNI Pinnacle, we challenge other BNI members to become involved by sponsoring the cycling fund raiser, either as an individual business or as a combined Chapter. The money will be managed by the Pinnacle Chapter and be used for flooring, curtains, educational materials, furniture, healthy food and allowances for the volunteer day care helpers.
We wish Christiaan and Jacques the best of luck on their 15 day journey, at an average of 120km per day, to reach Cape Town on the 4th of June. They will have to endure and withstand many physical obstacles. This is a true and real-life example of ‘giver’s gain’ – giving a lot physically, to gain for the Nomangezi Day Care Centre.
“It’s the commitment our members have to give back to society that makes BNI one of the most successful networking organizations in the world. The fact that so many businesses in our society contributes and having fun while doing it, demonstrates that we are a society that still cares,” says Christine Malherbe, member of BNI Pinnacle. “It is initiatives like this that underline the core value of BNI – highlighting the principle of ‘givers gain’”.
If you which to learn more or to make a contribution, please contact Ian van Niekerk on 0828511546 or manager@skitterblink.co.za
You asked, and we delivered! Updates to the BNI Brand Standards are now available here. The updates to the brand standards do not make any of your existing collateral non-compliant, however they do make it easier for our directors and members to understand our brand. Additionally, we have included a few additional complementary colors for use with BNI-branded designs to help diversify collateral moving forward.
We’re also pleased to release an updated PowerPoint template for use globally, in conjunction with the updated brand standards. Download the template here.
These updated materials have also been added to the Member Resource Center through BNI Connect. Should you have questions, please feel free to email branding@bni.com.
Your network is one of your greatest tools to help you grow your business. Getting to know them and educating them on your business and services is vital to receiving quality referrals.
The challenge for many business professionals is in walking the line between educating their network on their ideal referrals and trying to sell their services. Oftentimes, educating your network as opposed to selling to them is as easy as changing the way you are describing your business.
To ensure you are helping educate your network, consider the following techniques.
Teach your network what your “dream referral” is. As we say in BNI, specific is terrific. Not only does being specific help your network keep you top of mind in situations where your dream referral is possible, it also helps them know what your business does to the extent that they feel comfortable referring you. The more details you can provide, the easier it will be for your network to help you grow.
Share the details, not the high-level view of your business. Never refer to your company as “full service.” This does you a disservice by making it harder for your network to visualize what you do. Again, specific is terrific.
Be transparent about your services. Sometimes when we sell to others, we have a tendency to only share the things we are best at. While it is important to tell your network about your dream referral, also sharing the services that aren’t your strongest can help narrow down what referrals you get, and increase the likelihood that referrals will be positive experiences. If you receive a referral for a job you are so-so at, and complete it, you may damage your credibility by doing work that isn’t top quality.
Share the qualities current or past customers had. By sharing with your network the types of clients you currently or previously work with, you’re more likely receive referrals for customers similar to these groups. If married, middle-aged men who work in automotive are clients that you have previously had a lot of success with for your landscaping service, wouldn’t you want more clients just like them?
Success stories can help sell your business. Before and after pictures, testimonials, and other methods to show your network tangible examples of your work are great techniques to help your network see the value in what you do, and can give them specific examples to use when communicating your services to others.
Offering samples may help as well as success stories. Do you provide a product or service that you can offer a sample of to your network? If so, providing a sample of your product can help your network see how it works and visualize someone they know who may benefit from it.
How do you educate your network on your products and services? Join the conversation on Facebook, and tell us how you help your network learn your business.
All current and alumni BNI members are encouraged to participate.
How does your BNI story related to one of our Core Values? Have any of the values changed your professional and personal life? We want to hear what our Core Values mean to you!
Select one of the four Core Values we are focusing on (Traditions + Innovation, Recognition, Positive Attitude or Accountability) and share with us what it means to you and how it has impacted your life, your BNI journey, or your business.
Rules:
All submissions must:
Be NO LONGER than two minutes.
State in the beginning of the video your name, location (city, state/province, country), Chapter name and the Core Value that you plan to feature.
Be received by 11:59 pm ET (U.S.) on Friday, July 28, 2017 to be considered.
Be a spoken testimonial focused on what one of our seven Core Values means to you and have impacted your professional or personal life.
(For languages other than English) provide a written translation of the video into English, or include English subtitles in the video.
Prizes:
A winner will be selected in each of the four Core Value categories. Winners will be featured in upcoming email communications and on BNI.com in the Video Testimonial section.
Judging:
Videos will be judged based on compelling storyline, story-telling ability, and quality of audio/video.
Winners will be featured in the August issue of SuccessNet.
WHO: When you were growing up, did you have an adult (teacher, coach, mentor, NOT immediate family) who significantly influenced your life? Then, we at the BNI Foundation want to hear from YOU!
WHY: We want you to share your story with us so we can share it with the world so people will see and hear the huge impact that adults can have on kids!
WHAT: So, tell us in a 1 minute or less video, about the person who inspired you, possibly even changed the trajectory of your life when you were between age 6 and graduating from high school. We especially welcome stories in which a small gesture or action made a big difference, showing how easy it can be to help our youth, without always spending a ton of time over many years. It can be raw footage, shot with a phone, and does NOT need to be professionally filmed or edited.
BNI has a long history of staying out of politics and religion. Here’s why:
Before I did my graduate work in Organizational Behavior, I received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science! Yes, Political Science (go figure). I was very interested in politics and am still interested in the topic – I just do NOT discuss it in BNI. Why? Because it gets our eyes off the ball; it takes us away from BNI’s mission.
Our mission is “to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional ‘referral marketing’ program that enables them to develop long-term meaningful relationships with quality professionals.” (Givers Gain® The BNI Story, Chapter 10.)
One of the reasons BNI is the largest, most successful business networking organization in the world is that we have been adamant about staying on mission. Anything that takes us away from our mission is a distraction and there is no bigger set of distractions to a referral organization than religion and politics.
I’ve been a registered voter since I was 18 years old (and have voted in every major U.S. election since then). I have been active in a church most of my life. Neither of these points are appropriate for me to impose on BNI members by discussing my opinions or political/religious affiliations. I have, throughout my life, been very involved in many local, state, and national political campaigns. I also have well established religious beliefs. However, unless you know me really well – you don’t know what my political or religious views are. Why? Because it is not appropriate for me to espouse those views in BNI even though I am the Founder.
I understand that there are political and sometimes religious issues that we may be considerably wound up about—I certainly have some. However, BNI is not the place to air these discussions because they are almost always ‘divisive.’ It takes our eyes off of what the purpose of the organization is, namely – referrals based on professional relationships. This is one of the reasons we don’t have outside speakers in BNI. They generally want to sell a product or service OR they want to promote some political or civic position. If they want to sell something they should join a chapter. If they want to promote a political or religious position, they need to speak somewhere else—BNI is not the right venue.
BNI operates in countries where almost every religion in the world is practiced. We are in countries that represent virtually every political system in the world. We couldn’t do that effectively if we weren’t focused on one thing, and one thing only – helping business people get more business through referrals.
We are proud of our emerging legacy of bringing people together. People who, in their country, may have contentious political and religious positions – yet in BNI, they focus on the mission of relationships and referrals.
This doesn’t mean that members are apolitical. I am sure that many have strong political and religious beliefs. It just doesn’t belong in a meeting.
If you want to stay on mission – stay off the topics of religion and politics at BNI meetings. But, really, shouldn’t we all know that already?
I receive monthly updates from this website called BabyCenter. My wife was first made aware of the site while she was pregnant. What hooked her was how the site compared the size of the fetus to common fruits – from poppy seed to pumpkin.
Now our little poppy seed is three, but the monthly BabyCenter emails keep coming. This month we were directed to an article on how to build your toddler’s self-esteem. As I read the article, it occurred to me that there are a lot of similarities between raising a happy toddler and raising a happy BNI member. In part, self-esteem is about feeling valuable – feeling appreciated for the work we do and the contributions we make. The article listed 7 things that parents can do to build self-esteem:
1. Give love unconditionally. The idea is to participate with no strings attached. Givers Gain, right? A new member like myself may not be able to generate a ton of referrals now, but I’d still like to feel like I contribute. Not keeping score is a way to make sure everyone wins.
2. Listen attentively. Put the phone away. Be present. Listen. Nothing communicates “I care about what you are saying” better than active listening. Eye contact. Body language. Be welcoming. And that fosters confidence: “People really do care about what I am saying.”
3. Encourage healthy risk taking. Without risk taking there is little opportunity for meaningful success. Whether it’s bringing a guest or giving a referral, we can encourage healthy risk taking by being a solid foundation for each other, and by providing support. Being welcoming to guests encourages people to bring guests. Being responsive to referrals encourages people to give referrals.
4. Let failure happen. While we hope every referral leads to closed business, it doesn’t always happen. Therein lies a valuable message: if you are the “referrer” – you were able to draw from your pool of resources to help someone out; if you are the “referree” – someone thought enough of you to send business your way. In other words, be thankful even for the business that didn’t close!
5. Celebrate the positive. Sure, we do that every week by recognizing referrals and closed business. But, it goes beyond that – celebrating, as a group, the new addition to a family, or celebrating exceptional business growth of a fellow BNI member – even celebrating the contributions made by a member who has decided to move on. When we focus on the positive, we not only foster confidence, we create enthusiasm.
6. Resist comparisons. Comparisons are meaningless – each person here is unique – each business represented here, by design, is unique. When we see ourselves as too similar we are unable to appreciate individual talents; or when we see ourselves as too different we fail to find the connections. We’ve heard the disclaimer before: individual results may vary – and that’s a good thing!
7. Be encouraging. Positivity – even in the face of defeat – not only does it build confidence, but it also encourages future risk taking. We are all here because we want to grow our businesses. We will have down days, but under that unified purpose, we can encourage each other to achieve great things so together the trajectory of our combined efforts will arc toward success for all.
Erica Gufford, Volunteer Coordinator for the BNI Foundation
Every year, the BNI Foundation is lucky enough to be a guest at BNI US Conference. BNI and the BNI Foundation have a unique relationship – we are two separate entities, but exist simultaneously, sharing resources and embodying the concept of Givers Gain®.
This year, from May 17-20 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephanie Starr, the BNI Foundation Executive Director, will be joined by her “Dream Team” of Volunteers from around the US to help to educate and inform BNI leaders how the BNI Foundation can help Members Make More Money while cause networking. The BNI Staff and volunteers, including some BNI Executive Directors, will be on hand to help BNI Executive Directors and Director Consultants learn how to implement service projects in their area to increase their bottom line, improve member retention and growth, and spread the word about BNI in their area.
Here are four main ways you can learn about the BNI Foundation and its programs at the BNI US Convention:
Our Booth – Learn more about the BNI Foundation and its programs! Opens at 8 AM on May 18th and closes at 4pm on May 20th.
Our Walk and Talk – We are hosting a Fun Walk and Talk (or Run) on Saturday morning, bright and early at 6:15! Register here and be sure to get a premiere spot and t-shirt.
Our Auction – Have you always wanted to become a Sonoma Wine Maker or attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field on the rooftop or vacation on the beach in Galveston? If so, come bid at our silent auction on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the BNI Foundation Table. We will announce all winners during the Gala. You can find the details here.
Our Round Tables – The BNI Foundation is hosting an information round table on Saturday, May 20th. Stop by our table to sit down with Stephanie Starr and other Executive Directors, Director Consultants and Regional Administrators who are working with the BNI Foundation to see how to implement it in your region.
Feel free to drop us a note at info@bnifoundation.org before the show to set up a One to One.
BNI’s guiding philosophy of Givers Gain® is a powerful concept, which is evident not just in our weekly networking meetings, but in the lives of each of our leaders and members across the world. This year, we’re pleased to again support a philanthropic endeavor, the BNI Kilimanjaro Challenge, led by Bijay Shah, BNI’s National Director in the UAE, Qatar, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In an effort to support Larchfield Charity Organisation, a children’s orphanage in Tanzania, Bijay, along with James Berry, a BNI member for more than 10 years, and the UAE based charity Gulf for Good, are leading a series of five Mt. Kilimanjaro treks from June to October 2017.
BNI’s members around the world are invited to participate in the challenge this Summer, as are your friends, family, associates and colleagues. Graham Weihmiller, BNI’s Chairman & CEO, has recorded this brief video about the Challenge, and his journey climbing Kilimanjaro.
Collectively, the team hopes to lead 125 climbers to the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and to raise $125,000 for the children at Larchfield.
Is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on your bucket list? Are you interested in contributing to an amazing cause, while taking part in a life-changing experience? Are you interested in networking with fellow BNI members and global leaders from across the world? If so, click here to learn more about the treks offered this summer, and how you can register.
The below is a suggestion for an Education Moment during a BNI meeting, but can be used to share the benefits of networking with anyone in your life.
To get the full effect, have handy a large serving spoon and a smaller spoon that you would use to eat soup with.
Hold up the small spoon, and ask your audience what they would use it for. Aside from a few jokesters, your audience will answer “Eating.”
Now hold up the large spoon, and ask what it is for. Your answer should be “Serving.”
Ask your audience why they joined BNI. You’ll receive numerous answers, most being a variation of “To get more business and to make money.”
Tell them the reason they joined BNI was to use the small spoon, and hold it up. All members saw opportunities to get more business, and to feed themselves.
The philosophy of BNI, Givers Gain, teaches us how to use the large spoon (hold it up), so that we have enough for not just our small spoon, but for others.
How often to members have nothing to give in the “I Have” section of the meeting? These members come to the meeting only wanting to use the small spoon. If every member is only at a BNI meeting to eat, who will serve with the big spoon?
As BNI members, we have to think about how we can give to other members. Giving can be in the form of a referral, a visitor, or other opportunities. You could help a member with their Feature Presentation, suggest how someone can give a great Weekly Presentation, or teach a new member how to use BNI Connect – any way you can help or serve the others in your chapter, you should consider.
A chapter that has more members providing for each other and using the serving spoon will have more opportunities for everyone to use the small eating spoon.
Only if we give to others can we hope to receive.
Ask yourself, have you been using the small spoon too often? How can you use the serving spoon more?
How can you stay in touch with someone, or get back in touch with someone who you may have lost contact with? Check out BNI Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Dr. Ivan Misner’s take on staying in touch.
