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Embrace your Passion & Dream Big

Posted on by BNI Global

This Member Success Story was submitted by Clara Overes, Member and Director Consultant from the Energiek chapter in BNI Netherlands.

In 2014, I attended BNI’s Global Convention. During a session led by Jannet Attwood I was challenged to write down a goal for my business. I wrote down: “I will deliver Passion Test workshops in Dubai.” It took some time, but five years later that dream became a reality through BNI. 

My company, The Passion Test.nu, is all about helping business owners find their passions so that they can best focus their efforts for personal and professional growth. Research from Gallup in 2017 shows that only 13% of the working people in the world are engaged and happy with their work. I’m hoping to change that by helping professionals work in areas where they’re most passionate. Imagine if 100% of the world was working in areas where they’re truly passionate. The world would be a much better place! 

I’m currently a member of the BNI Global Power Team, the only online chapter where members focus their efforts on growing their businesses internationally. It’s made a world of difference. My weekly 45 second presentation really challenges me to focus on the needs of my business, so I can get the best referrals possible. 

Since 2014’s Global Convention, I’ve asked month after month for contacts in Dubai – no leads. Finally, I had a 1-2-1 with BNI Global Power Team member Dirk Hinze from Lausanne. He introduced me to the Global Director of IDCN (Internationale Dual Career Network) and that was my foot in the door to leading my first workshop in Dubai, just a few short weeks ago – my dream fulfilled! 

Not only that, I was soon connected with an event agency that has agreed to sell my workshops throughout the United Arab Emirates. I’m confident that I’ll continue to host workshops in UAE.

At this point, all my international clients come from BNI – every single one. And it’s not just that. Often the international clients I get through BNI end up leading to more referrals! 

Through the BNI Global Power Team, I’m also working with chapter members to take my workshops online where I can offer virtual Passion Test workshops. This will make my services accessible from anywhere. 

My goal was to host my workshops in UAE but in BNI I’ve gotten so much more – workshops, increased referrals, and a business that’ll be accessible around the world. 

I am very grateful to Dirk Hinze for this powerful introduction to IDCN and to Paola Devescovi for supporting me with the technical delivery of my online pilot. 

The Passion Test is all about connecting people with their passions so that they can better connect with themselves, their friends, their families, and their colleagues. It has the power to change the world. With BNI as a partner and a support system, I’m sure we’ll get there. 

BNI, A Family Affair

Posted on by BNI Global

This Member Success Story was submitted by Daniel L. Haverman, President Business Exchange Chapter and Ambassador Palm Beach Region.

We all know that BNI is a community of business leaders, but for some… it’s more than that. 

How would you feel if you found out a member of your BNI chapter was actually a member of your family? Such is the case of Giselle and Zoraya Camilo, whose story is the epitome of a serendipitous encounter.

In 1969, Juan Camillo and his wife, natives of the Dominican Republic, moved to the United States. Years later, while living in Miami, Florida, their daughter Giselle Camilo was born.

Concurrently, Juan’s first cousin, Felipe Camilo, was living with his family in the Dominican Republic. Upon reaching an appropriate age, his daughter, Zoraya Camilo, moved to the United States. She ended up settling in Palm Beach County with no knowledge of Giselle’s existence.

As coincidence would have it, Giselle who was a longstanding BNI Member owns an Allstate Insurance Agency in the same county.

One day, Giselle was contacted by her chapter’s home inspector whose client was in the process of purchasing a home. However, before the client could close, they were in need of home insurance – a service that Giselle often provided.

Sight unseen, Giselle quickly contacted the referral, who… if you haven’t already guessed, was Zoraya Camilo. While discussing the various options available, Zoraya asked Giselle if Camilo is her maiden name, which it is. Zoraya enthusiastically responded in kind, as that is her maiden name as well. They both then realized that they were from the Dominican Republic, further fueling their interest in each other’s backgrounds as the surname is quite uncommon in the Dominican Republic. They both jokingly agreed that “they must be related”.

What happened next would change their lives forever. After a little research and a few phone calls to several family members, they found out that their fathers are first cousins. Not only have they become close, but Giselle believes that she found more than a long-lost cousin. In her mind, “Zoraya is like a sister to me”.

At BNI, we often talk about building relationships, and this story goes to show how our Core Values go beyond just business. They become ingrained in our everyday lives and are reflected in our actions, both personally and professionally.

Zoraya, who saw the power of referrals first-hand is now joining BNI as part of Giselle’s new Core Group. An incredible addition to our growing community of leaders.

And that’s not all – thanks to BNI, not only are Giselle and Zoraya united, but their fathers, Juan and Felipe, have had the opportunity to reconnect as well. BNI truly is a family affair!

Plug in and Grow!

Posted on by BNI Global

This Member Success Story was submitted by Dutton Smith, BNI Vermont Ambassador

When I started my business, I was 60 years old.  I did not see HomeSmith Services growing beyond me, myself and I.  I viewed it as my sunset career, doing a few inspections a week.  A nice way to ease into retirement.  I soon realized that I needed to do more than that.  I wasn’t prepared for the added cost of being in business for myself, and the loss of benefits (like health care) that I was getting as part of my previous job.  I needed a way to ramp up my volume to pay for all of this.

Along came BNI.  I was invited to the kickoff event for the Middlebury BNI chapter the same month that I started my business.  I thought, “This is perfect.  Another way to generate a few leads and keep me busy.”  I remember my interview for membership when they asked the question, “What are your plans for business growth?  Are you of a mindset to grow your business as we give you referrals over the years?”  I responded that I didn’t really have any plans for growth other than to keep myself busy.  I certainly was NOT going to hire employees and expand my company.  What would be the point?  I’m too close to retirement.  Well… BNI had other plans.  I was not prepared for the amount of work the BNI network would throw at me!

My business is seasonal.  Spring, summer and fall are my busy times.  That’s when people tend to be looking for, and buying houses.  My second year in business, I had to turn away almost 100 jobs because I could not meet their schedule needs.  The same thing happened in my third year.  As 2019 began, I asked myself, “Why not position the company to handle all that extra work?”  I knew what that meant, of course.  I had to hire an employee.  Just the thing I said I would never do!

I really did not want to hire employees because of all the extra work, insurance, payroll, training, etc.  Then it hit me.  All the resources I needed were already available in my BNI network!  The whole process turned out to be much easier and less expensive than I thought.  I received expert guidance from my accountant, insurance agent, bookkeeper, and payroll service, (all part of BNI) and was able to get everything set up with a minimum of hassle.   I hired another inspector at the beginning of the summer to keep up with the work that was coming in, and I am contemplating hiring an administrative employee next year.  On top of that, I’m working on a plan to sell the business to my employee.  That was never in my plan, but BNI has made it possible.

BNI is a powerful system!  If you are serious about growing your business, just plug into the BNI system and your business will grow.  It’s that simple.

Learning to Play Well With Others

Posted on by Ivan Misner, Ph.D.

Remember your elementary school report card where your teacher graded you on your – ability to play well with others?   Well, things haven’t changed.  I believe your success in business and particularly your success at networking means that you need to learn how to collaborate (in other words, play well with others).

When I was thirteen years old, my mother gave me a paperweight that said, “Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way.”  She went on to say, “honey, I love you but you are a bull in a china shop – you just run people over.  You have to learn how to work with people.  Most importantly, this is about collaboration, not manipulation.”  This advice was a major influence on me for the rest of my life.

You can’t always choose who comes to the playground and you won’t always get a say in who you’re working with. You don’t have be friends with everybody. You don’t even have to like everybody. It’s also important to recognize that different personalities add different perspectives and that, when managed well, can actually make a group more productive.

Don’t let other people control your actions. This begins with some tolerance. Tolerance has to come into collaboration.  Tolerance is a highly used word and an underused practice.  I want to discuss how to use it as a practice.

Let’s talk about Mr. or Ms. Jerk.  I’m going to call them “J.” for short.  Not the name Jay – just the letter (so as not to confuse them with the amazing people out there whose name is Jay).

Remember, keep your eye on the ball and try not to be too sensitive about the jerk – I mean J.  Here are some techniques that will help you with this process.  (I think the last one is critical).

When you’re talking with J. consider these 5 things:

  1. Listen without arguing.  (This is important – especially when it comes to the last point I’ll discuss today).
  2. Ask questions.  Not argumentative questions – but questions that will give you more insight into J.’s point of view.
  3. Show interest in their point of view.  You don’t have to agree to show interest.  Trust me on this one!  I have done this a lot.
  4. If you can, get them to focus on the solutions to the issue and not just the problem!  If all we do is focus on the problem we become an expert on problems.  Say to them: I get it, I see the issue.  Now, the real question – what’s a realistic solution.  Problems are easy to understand, it takes real smarts to find solutions.  So, what’s a solution?  If they give you a lousy solution, then say ok, that’s one possibility, what’s another realistic solution.  Coach them into calmness.
  5. Clear, open, honest and direct communication is the best way to deal with J. or to deal with other people that are dealing with J.  Every single time I’ve had big challenges with people is when one side or the other held back in the communication.  That doesn’t mean unload on people, it means talk to people professionally.

Here are six things to be aware of:

  1. Make yourself invaluable to people by focusing on solutions.
  2. Stay clear of drama and rise above fray. You can do this by checking your emotions and focusing on results.
  3. Don’t complain – be positive. Complaining is not an Olympic sport.
  4. Stay aware of your emotions.  Don’t let others limit your success.
  5. Use your support system.  Talk to others about the solution.
  6. Be a leader not a leaver.

Don’t let “J.’s” craziness drive you to a direction you don’t want to go.

Here’s my last point:

Dysfunctional people are really challenging.  In the book, The Triangle of Truth, Lisa Earle McLeod  says: “I discovered that what actually puts us over the edge towards craziness ourselves is not other people’s dysfunctions; it’s their denial of their dysfunctions. You know, how they go out acting all normal, and even self-righteous, as if we’re the ones who are loopy.”
Don’t give power to others to control your success.  Leaving an opportunity (or a network) because someone’s a jerk gives them power over you AND it gives them free reign to do it to others.

Don’t give J. that power and don’t let others control your success.

Called the “father of modern networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is a New York Times bestselling author.  He is also the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of BNI (www.bni.com), the world’s largest business networking organization.  His latest book, Who’s in Your Room, The Secret to Creating Your Best Life,  is available at bookstores and at Amazon.com.

Dreaming with Purpose

Posted on by BNI Global

As we look towards the future of BNI®, we must recognize that the road forward is paved by leaders who Dream Big. But how do we separate a Dream from fantasy; how do we make Dreams achievable?

The simple answer is that we stay true to our purpose. By doing this, and focusing on our most profound dreams, we enhance our lives and transform the lives of others around us.

BNI Leaders at this year’s Global Convention learned this first-hand when they were treated to an exclusive presentation from visionary thought leader and best-selling author, Marcia Wieder. As founder of the Meaning Institute and CEO of Dream University, Marcia has taught people to create and live fulfilling lives for over 30 years.

Her message, powerful and inspirational, reminds us that while it’s vital to have a concrete strategy and action plan in place, don’t act on them too quickly. Dreaming Big is about swinging for the fences, but it requires commitment and passion. If you don’t have these, then you’re at risk of compromising your dreams down to what you think is realistically possible.

That’s also why articulating a clear direction and expressing belief in yourself is so essential. If you have clarity on what you want, confidence in yourself and chose action over fear, then you’ve taken the first step to making your Dreams achievable.

Lastly, if you have a clear vision, driven with a clear purpose, you’ll attract others to your cause. A strong support network provides a strong foundation for your Dreams.

Marcia’s message, timeless and inspirational, is a powerful reminder that no dream is too big. 

A Message from Marcia

BNI began with a Dream; one that would change the way how the world does business.

With a global network in over 70 countries, your passion and commitment have made that Dream a reality. By sharing it the world, and inviting others into your network, lives are being transformed in a positive and purposeful manner.

And while it all starts with a Dream, it’s critical that you take action. That’s why the most important thing that you takeaway is that Dream is a verb. Yes it’s also a noun but in taking action on your dreams you make them real.

And one more thing…

If you have a Dream, whether personal or professional, I want you to take the first step to making it a reality. Within one week, think about the one action step that you can take towards achieving that dream. Once you have decided what that step its, take it… no matter what. Don’t compromise your dreams. 

A Gift from Marcia

As you think about what action you can take, Marcia would like to leave you with a gift, a link to her recent Tedx talk  – “Why Just Dreaming is Not Enough“ and how critical it is to take action.

In addition to this compelling video, you’ll also find 10 valuable steps on how to make Dreams come true. Click here to access this exclusive content.

If you would like to contact Marcia directly to explore speaking opportunities, you can contact her at Marcia@DreamUniversity.com.

About Marcia Wieder

For over 30 years, Marcia Wieder has been CEO of Dream University, impacting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. As a long-established thought leader on visionary thinking she founded and leads, The Meaning Institute, where she teaches people to create and live fulfilling lives. She’s been a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, writes for Huffington Post and is the author of 15 books. Her newest, DREAM: Clarify & Create What You Want premiered at #4 on the Wall Street Journal best seller list and was #1 of all non- fiction books and #1 in 10 countries on Amazon.

She appeared as an expert often on “Oprah” and was featured in her own PBS-TV show called “Making Your Dreams Come True”. She taught at Stanford’s Business School and as president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, she assisted 3 U.S. presidents. She is a member of the Nobel Women’s Initiative supporting the work of Nobel Peace Prize winners. She served on boards for Make- A-Wish and the Unstoppable Foundation, where she helped finance and build 14 schools in Kenya. She is a long-standing member of the prestigious Transformational Leadership Council with many other luminaries in this field.

Testimonials

“Marcia’s right! You have to be able to identify what you really love and really want, before you can get it.”

Oprah Winfrey

 

“Marcia is the best Dream Coach on the planet. With her help, I’ve taken my life to a whole new level.”

Jack Canfield

Three Reasons to Include the BNI Foundation in Your Power Team

Posted on by BNI Global

As I travel around the world, speaking in BNI Regions about the BNI Foundation and our flagship program, Business Voices, I am becoming absolutely convinced that the foundation can be a force for business growth and more referrals in the Chapters.

  1. Being a part of the BNI Foundation amplifies your brand in your Chapter AND in your community: we are at the point in our social milieu that it is simply expected for a business to be involved in charitable/philanthropic service. Making certain your brand or company is engaged in outreach gives you a leading edge with your prospective customers, as well as creates raving fans out of your current clients. Think about it—when you are shopping for anything, say teas, water, or even jewelry, the brand that lets you know right up front on their packaging and advertising that they are involved with social causes of some sort is the one you are statistically most likely to choose. When you get involved with the BNI Foundation at the local Chapter level, you have a turn-key outreach program at the ready. You are joining thousands of other business professionals who are working together to be a positive presence in children’s educational programs! This sets you apart in your community and gives your business great visibility.
  2. Relationships between members grow stronger and go deeper when you get involved with the BNI Foundation’s Business Voices projects. As you work together outside of the weekly Chapter meetings on the outreach projects so needed by the schools and educational organizations who benefit from our time and talent, the bond between Chapter members grows faster. We’ve seen this dynamic over and over. And this is true for your Chapter and it is also true for cross-Chapter relationships. When several BNI Chapters work together on a project, all of the members find they are strengthening their relationships, and that translates into more business by referrals as the members get to know each other at the heart level. There is just something quite special about serving children, schools, and educational organizations as a group. It’s a powerfully effective way to forge close ties and strong bonds with each other. 
  3. We are filling the BNI pipeline with new members coming up from the next generation! This is a by-product of the work we are doing to improve the educational experience for the youth of our communities. When we first started our Business Voices program, I intuitively knew that our work would help to prepare all of our companies’ future employees by ensuring that their educational backgrounds were as strong as they could be. What I have come to see more and more clearly is that we are familiarizing these same young people with the concepts of business networking and the identity of BNI. My husband, Dr. Ivan Misner, laments that we are not teaching business networking in colleges and universities. But why wait until college or university? As we have seen in numerous situations, there are BNI Members who have come to us as a result of learning about business networking and BNI through our outreach programs to youth. This will only be magnified as more and more Chapters and Members get involved in Business Voices and the life-changing work of the BNI Foundation.

So, what can you do to include the BNI Foundation in your Power Team? Learn more about Business Voices at www.BNIFoundation.org under the Take Action tab.  Reach out to your BNI Director to get help to include the BNI Foundation in YOUR Power Team today. Let us know if you would like one of our Business Voices coaches to work with you. We’re here. We’re ready. And we’re more than happy to help. 

“If I Grow, My Business Grows”

Posted on by BNI Global

Charissa Renee is a proud BNI member and owner of Grace to Organize. Learn how her personal growth is helping her grow her business. Charissa is a member of BNI Rocky Mountain Business Builders Chapter in Colorado Springs, CO.


Tell us a little about your business.

I’m the owner of Grace to Organize in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My vision is to help people find the space and time to do what they are called to do. Everyone has their own purpose, and they need the space and time to focus on that. I help them to declutter, organize, and simplify their schedule so they can do what is most important to them.

What led you to BNI and what impact has it had on your business?  

I had visited several BNI Chapters before I actually joined. It wasn’t until I found the “right” group for me that I felt compelled to join. I can’t even say there was anything specific that drew me to my group, it just felt comfortable, and like I was at home.

BNI has helped me so much personally, and that is the greatest impact it’s had on my business. As a small business solopreneur, if I grow, my business grows. I’m investing in myself and my knowledge and experience, and my business is growing because of it.

What about BNI inspires you?

BNI inspires me to become excellent at networking. Before BNI I was a “popcorn” networker. I would show up to a random meeting here or there, and hope to plant seeds, and be memorable enough for others to refer me. But, BNI challenged me to be consistent, and professional in networking. It also challenged me to become better at articulating who I am, the services I offer, and how to be creative in sharing those.

What’s the most important networking tip that you think other BNI members should know?

My most important networking tip is to be open-minded. I have seen people say no to opportunities because they don’t see the value, and it’s disappointing. We can’t always see what is on the other side of a 1-2-1, or an event invite. There are many secret doors in networking that have to be opened. It’s important to be available and willing to try new things and meet new kinds of people. I have met some great friends through networking that I may have never met otherwise.

Is there anyone that you would like to recognize at BNI?

I would love to recognize Donna Austin who sponsored me in BNI. She has a great business and for quite some time I encouraged her to do her business full time. I saw the potential she had for really making great money. I got to see her quit her part time job that was not fulfilling her and was not paying well at all. She joined BNI as part of her effort to be successful and ended up inviting me to her group that I instantly clicked with. I had visited other chapters but never felt the need to join until I went to hers! 

Click here to learn more about how Grace to Organize help you achieve your personal and business goals. 

It’s All About Relationships

Posted on by BNI Global

Karan Dewan, creative director at London Animation Studio, is a member of BNI Commonwealth chapter in London, England. Read how he quickly embraced the mentality of Givers Gain®.

When I first heard of the BNI model, I didn’t quite know what to expect. It sounded like an interesting way of doing business, but I wasn’t sure of how it all worked.

I’m the creative director at London Animation Studio. We aim to help businesses convey their message through impactful animation, while being affordable. We believe telling a story is the best way to connect and resonate with your customers.

I was initially invited to BNI by a member who was always praising it. I attended a few chapters around London before finally landing on a chapter that truly felt like home – BNI Commonwealth.

Before BNI, I had to invest time and money into paid advertisements to attract new clients to my business. It was expensive, time-consuming, and the leads were hit or miss. But now, I do virtually no advertising. I’m consistently getting new business from members of my chapter, especially my power team. It was just two months before I’d recouped my joining fee and I know that my future in BNI is bright.

I’m glad that I get to work so closely with other hardworking business owners. We all have deep respect for each other and strive to help and support each other – truly living out Givers Gain. We’re all helping one another so all our businesses are growing together.

When it comes to networking, relationships are everything. There are a lot of places you can go that’ll teach you how to sell but at BNI, we’re building powerful relationships. If I go to an individual and give them a sales pitch, I’m only reaching that one person. But if I can build a relationship with that person, they’ll sell to forty people on my behalf. I’m no longer on my own. That’s the power of BNI, building relationships to help one another’s businesses.

I’m grateful to BNI members Timea Kadar and Caroline Somer, who took the initial step to build a relationship with me when I first became a BNI member. They helped me to get settled and strategize how to get (and give) the most in BNI. Their hard work is definitely paying off!

Click here to learn more about London Animation Studio.

Please see this creative video the Karan developed to help explain BNI to potential members visiting his chapter.

Hold That Door! 7 Rules for an Elevator Pitch

Posted on by Ivan Misner, Ph.D.

I used to hate the expression: “Elevator Pitch” − it just drove me crazy. But everybody is using it all over the world, so I officially give up − I’m going to go with it!

The expression developed out of the idea that you are literally in an elevator with only one minute or less to say who you are and what you do. What would you say? I want you to keep in mind that your elevator pitch is not a sales pitch . . . it is a creative and succinct way to share who you are and what you do that will generate interest in the listener.

With that in mind, here are my rules for creating an engaging Elevator Pitch: 

  1. Don’t do your pitch in an elevator! An unsolicited pitch in an elevator is basically face-to-face cold calling.  I’ve been a victim.  Don’t be a perpetrator.  Unless someone asks what you do, just say good day to them. The elevator pitch is meant to be taken out of the elevator and into the right environment.
  2. Make it tight.  It needs to be short. This is a quick pitch not a reading from War and Peace. Your pitch should be more like a work of art than a science project.  It should be succinct and expressive. It is something you must practice carefully to be able to present cohesively and professionally.  You also need to be natural. You want to rehearse but not sound rehearsed. You want to avoid sounding staged and canned. 
  3. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple. Don’t try to explain everything you do in the short amount of time you have. It will either be too much information (breaking rule number 2) or it will be too vague to be of any value. By keeping your elevator pitch simple, you have more of a chance to catch the listener’s attention, engage them with your creativity, and create interest in your product or service.  
  4. Don’t use jargon.  If at any point someone has to say, “what does that mean?” you have officially lost them.  Push the button for the next floor and exit now (I know, you’re not really on an elevator – however, you have really lost them).
  5. Share your USP. A USP is your Unique Selling Proposition.  It can serve you well in your Elevator Pitch. One example of how to craft a pithy USP is to compare a bland, general statement such as “I’m a coach and consultant” to saying something like “I help people work less, make more, and create referrals for life” instead.  This is short, powerful, and informative − the perfect combination for part of an effective Elevator Pitch.
  6. When crafting your Elevator Pitch, consider starting out with precisely how your listener will benefit. My friend, Andy Bounds, calls this the “Afters.” For your Elevator Pitch, this could be something as simple as, “I help people increase their sales by 33%, improve their closing ratio to 80%, or double the number of new clients they take on per month.” Focus on the “After” of the product or service you provide.
  7. Pass the eyebrow test. Another good friend, Sam Horn, author of Someday is Not a Day of the Week, and Pop!, writes about the eyebrow test. When you give your Elevator Pitch watch the listeners eyebrows.  If what you say in your Elevator Pitch, causes the listener’s eyebrows to go up, you’ve got ’em! By doing this, you literally will leave the listener wanting more, and that’s precisely what you want your Elevator Pitch to do.   On the other hand, if the listener’s eyebrows scrunch down – you’ve just confused them.  Find a new pitch.
    Keeping these seven rules in mind when you create an Elevator Pitch will set you apart from the crowd. It’s time to press “Open Door” and step on out of the elevator do your pitch.

Keeping these seven rules in mind when you create an Elevator Pitch will set you apart from the crowd. It’s time to press “Open Door” and step on out of the elevator do your pitch. 

The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship

Posted on by BNI Global

Submitted by regular Virginia Green, PhD, MBA – Member, BNI Pipeline, Redondo Beach. This month’s submission also includes an incredible story of resilience from fellow chapter member, Lisa Marie, survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting.

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs

I am one of 582 million people,  almost 8% of the global population, who have devoted their lives to entrepreneurship. This means that for the past two decades I have been in the process of either starting or running my own business.

An entrepreneur has been described as someone who passionately and creatively pursues an idea from concept to actualization as a result of a discovered need or challenge in the market.

The mental health crisis in start-ups

In a recent study by the University of San Francisco researcher Michael A. Freeman, approximately one half (49%) of entrepreneurs suffer from at least one form of mental health condition during their lifetimes. These include ADHD, bipolar disorder and a host of addictive disorders.

Freeman’s research has shown that start-up founders are:

– Twice as likely to suffer from depression

– Six times more likely to suffer from ADHD

– Three times more likely to suffer from substance abuse

– Twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts

These conditions erode not just the effectiveness of start-up founders; they also have a negative impact on the endeavors that these highly intelligent human beings have risked their financial, relational, intellectual and emotional capital to pursue.

1. Destigmatization: BNI’s efforts to promote the idea that it’s OK for founders to be vulnerable and open up about their mental health challenge are just what we need.

2. Wellbeing resources: BNI’s philosophy of Giver’s Gain expands the horizon of its members beyond financial and other key performance indicators by also taking into account the mental wellbeing of their most important asset, the founders.

3. Partner support: as one of the most important partners we all have, BNI needs to include mental health professionals in their organizational ecosystem to serve as support systems and to implement empirically proven, enhancing and curative strategies for the leadership to help us, sometimes beleaguered, entrepreneurs.

We entrepreneurs are trained to ignore the qualitative needs of our well-being measured in meaningful and authentic relationships, overall life satisfaction and happiness. The message we have internalized from the field’s most celebrated entrepreneurs is the outdated prescription of ‘no pain, no gain’ and a pernicious message that success is purely measured in quantitative returns, return on investment and profit.

A recent blog post by fellow member Lisa Marie shows that this message is simply not true. Reflection and resiliency are vital and the support that we give each other as Members is as essential as any referral that we could receive.

So please, I encourage you to take some time and read Lisa’s story below. It’s an incredible tale of a strong individual whose story can inspire us all.

Route 91 Family: #Honor58 & #LoveWins… 

By Lisa Marie

Read Now

When Passion Becomes Reality

Posted on by BNI Global

This Member Success story and submission comes from Betty Brunson, BNI Member and current president of BNI Results On Fire in Gainesville, Florida (BNI USA)

Betty Brunson is someone that you could consider the quintessential people person. As a former store manager for a major U.S. Supermarket, Betty knows what people want. And after 25 years, she decided to use that knowledge to propel her into the realm of entrepreneurship.

5 Years ago, with her husband by her side, Betty opened Crafty Bastards Restaurant & Pub, fulfilling a lifelong passion and dream of owning her own business. 5 years later, her business is on a roll. Not only do they serve some of the freshest food in Gainesville, Florida but they have opened up a sister Bottle Shoppe, which offers over 750 varieties of beer and a strong selection of wine.

And if you ask Betty, she attributes a lot of the success to BNI, with a little bit of blood, sweat and tears thrown into the mix.

When they first opened the restaurant, Betty joined 2 local business groups but found them mundane and not worth the investment. At Publix, where she built her career, Betty was driven and passionate, but she didn’t have the connectivity that she desired. BNI filled that void.

Invited by fellow Member, Jess Odom, Betty found a new perspective and was able to further acquire the skills needed to scale her business. It didn’t hurt that, from her perspective, BNI and Publix have some similarities that helped her adapt to the culture quickly. With a clear moral compass, incredible work ethic and a Givers Gain attitude, she became a valued Member of her chapter, ultimately being named chapter president. A role that she has now held for 1 ½ years.

BNI has not only helped Betty build her dream business, it has enhanced the leadership skills that she acquired over a long career, reinforcing the importance of Lifelong Learning for all Members. With the support of her community and chapter Betty’s business has evolved into exactly what she envisioned, a family friendly atmosphere that includes trivia, karaoke, and live entertainment on-site.

More importantly, with her sons involved in the business, she’s able to instill in them the values and attitude that she displayed throughout her career and in BNI.

To learn more about Betty’s restaurant, please click here.

To visit BNI Results On Fire, please click here.

“No” is a One Word Sentence

Posted on by Ivan Misner, Ph.D.

To network well, you really need to learn how to help people, build relationships, and support your connections in some way.  But sometimes, just sometimes, you need to also say “no” to requests that are made of you.

It’s important to recognize when someone’s opportunity is your distraction.  These are generally situations where someone’s project is not on mission for your business or your life.  In these situations, you need to learn how to say “no.”  The word “no,” can in fact, be a one-word sentence.  It’s just not a full sentence that I like to use very often and I think there are a fair number of people like me out there.

Don’t get me wrong, I am totally good with saying “no,” to people when it is necessary.  The secret is: how do you say “no” without sounding like you don’t care?   

Here are seven ways to say “no” and not come across like a jerk (or worse). 

1. If I say yes, I’m afraid I’d let you down.  A very effective way to tell someone “no” is to tell them that you believe that you’d let them down if you do what they are asking.  It might be because you don’t have the bandwidth, the knowledge, or the expertise to do what they are asking for but, in any case – you’re not the person to help make this idea a success and you don’t want to disappoint them.

2. Recognize the difference between an opportunity and a distraction. That begins by knowing your own personal or professional mission.  If you know your purpose/expertise/mission then you can say “no” when someone comes to you with something that is a distraction to that mission.  I do this all the time by telling people that my mission is to do X and as interesting as their idea is, it’s not something that fits with what I do.

3. Refer them to someone more qualified.  When I say “no” to someone, I almost always try to refer them to someone who is more qualified or more suited to help that person.  I also try to refer them to someone who’s mission is more in alignment with their project. 

4. I don’t do that.  Sometimes the request and my response are very simple.  For example, when someone tries to get me to have a piece of cake or pie – I simply say thanks, but I don’t eat processed sugar.  When they say something like, “oh, just a bite,” I have no problem telling them they should feel free to have my bite – because, I don’t eat sugar. 

5. Don’t Seinfeld it.  One of the really funny things to see on the old TV series, Seinfeld, was how the characters would go off on some crazy subterfuge or ruse that was complicated and ended up getting them in more trouble than if they had just been candid to start with. Be polite but be honest and be direct. 

6. Propose something else.  If you are unable to do something that you’re being asked to do, offer them something else instead.  For example, I am always having people ask me to send some communication out to my entire mailing list.  The answer is always – “no.”  However, with people I know and trust, I propose something else.  I propose that I post it on my social media instead.  That generally works just as well to maintain the relationship. 

7. When you say it, mean it!  Be a broken record.  Sometimes, people don’t take “no” for an answer.  I try to be polite, smile, and repeat what I said before (on some occasions, I’ve repeated myself three times before they realized I really meant it). 

One important thing to note is; don’t become addicted to “no.”  I look for opportunities to help people and to say yes.  It’s only when I really, truly, can’t help or believe that I’m not a good fit for their request – that I actually say “no” to people.  Many times when you say “yes,” there is an opportunity cost to you for saying yes.  You have to be clear in your mind whether this is truly an opportunity or a distraction.  

The older I get, the more I have learned to say, “no thanks!”  (Ok, it’s two words but it’s still a sentence). 

Based on material from Ivan’s latest book, Who’s in Your Room, The Secret to Creating Your Best Life.

Called the “father of modern networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is a New York Times bestselling author.  He is also the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of BNI (www.bni.com), the world’s largest business networking organization.  His latest book, Who’s in Your Room, The Secret to Creating Your Best Life,  is available at bookstores and at Amazon.com.

BNI, Now and Always

Posted on by BNI Global

Nicolas Olivier is a videographer and was a finalist in the 2019 BNI Video Contest. He is the founder and managing director of Cactus Audiovisual, and joined BNI in 2016 as part of the BNI Brussels Louise Chapter in Belgium. He is currently a Member of Waterloo Imperial. Read the following Q&A to learn more about Nicolas and his experience with the contest.

 

Can you describe your business and how you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

As a videographer by trade, the majority of my productions are developed with social media in mind, specifically Facebook and Instagram. My clientele is primarily within the business sector.

What sets me apart? First of all, my creativity… I always challenge my clients to push the limits, to dare to do something different. Due this approach, we have won several international awards and are regular commended for our originality.

I’m also confident that the level of quality that we provide is industry leading and paces the competition. This is driven by our network of specialists, who all come together under my supervision and ensure an incredible product.

 

What motivated you to join BNI and what are your Membership goals?

My initial exposure to BNI was through an invitation from fellow Member Jacques Permentier of the BNI Brussels Louise Chapter. My interest was piqued and I decided to visit a chapter. I was inspired; it was pure business with a focus on relationships and proper networking, not the social gathering that I was expecting. My prior experience with networking groups had been underwhelming, none of them had a real dedication to business.

I applied after the conclusion of my second meeting and have been going strong for 3 years, with many more to come.

 

Have you held any leadership positions within the Chapter? If so, what benefits did you experience?

When I was a Member of the BNI Brussels Louise Chapter, I was in charge of communications, specifically our social media accounts. As a Member of Imperial Waterloo, I have been part of the Membership Committee and was previously our Events Coordinator. My hope is to help develop important trainings in the future and will be happy to use my talents as an experienced videographer to do so.

 

What was your initial motivation for participating in BNI’s 2019 Video Contest?

When I read about the contest, I thought to myself… “I can do this” and immediately recognized that fellow Member Aurore Delsoir was the perfect Member to tell her story. Opportunities to showcase your work and tell these stories on an international stage are rare, and I knew that I had to participate. Ultimately, it paid off and I couldn’t be more grateful to be named a finalist along with the other talented participants.

Please feel free to view our submission below!

 


How did your chapter react when your submission was named a finalist?

It was horrible, everyone started insulting me… just kidding, they were all so gracious and delighted. It was a special moment, made even more so by the fact that I wasn’t alone in making it. In addition to Aurora, fellow Members Jennifer and Delphine were involved in the production as well. The enthusiasm throughout the chapter was widespread and contagious.

But it wasn’t just my chapter that celebrated the nomination, it was all of French-speaking Belgium. In a sense, I was representative of every chapter throughout FSB and received overwhelming support from each one of them.

 

Has this exposure helped build new relationships throughout BNI?

Yes, I have actually been contacted by a number of different Chapters and Members who would like to work with us. I believe these Members see a unique approach to my videos that will allow them to take a calculated risk.

I’m happy to announce that the video will be screened at the Global Convention this November in Warsaw along with the other talented finalists.

 

Can you tell us an anecdote about BNI that you would like to share with BNI Members? (Recommendation, performance, meeting, successful project, etc.)

My submission in the contest wasn’t the first video that I developed for BNI. I had actually already produced one for both BNI Brussels Louise Chapter and Imperial Waterloo. By working on these videos, it gave me the chance to work closely with our regional directors, Alex and Gene. I was able to lean on their expertise and internalize the Givers Gain mentality. It was a great experience!

 

How has BNI allowed you to change the way you do business?

I’m a hard worker but you never know what the future will bring. Every one of my clients is a valued part of my network and I will never underestimate our relationships. The loss of a potential client is not something that I take lightly. With BNI I’m able to build my networking skills and continue to cultivate my relationships with all of my clients.

Today, it is the only way that I do business, and it works. I no longer have a need to solicit work outside of my network. As Dr. Misner says, it allows me to work within my flame, not my wax.

 

What do you want to highlight to BNI Members? (Specific request, new offer, etc.)

Every single Member deserves the chance to showcase themselves in a meaningful and powerful way. If you’re ever in need of video support, please feel free to reach out to us. Any way that we can help a BNI Member, we’ll go above any beyond to do so. Please view our channel here.

Read more about Cactus AudioVisual – www.cactusaudiovisual.be 

Visit their Youtube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/user/CactusAudiovisual 

A Glorious Success

Posted on by BNI Global

This Member Success story and submission comes from Helen Mileham, a BNI Member from BNI Hanse of Kings Lynn in the United Kingdom

Success Stories take commitment and drive, and sometimes it requires faith and a second chance. Helen Mileham, a Member from the United Kingdom first joined BNI in 2016. As a small business owner and dedicated entrepreneur, Helen was looking for a network that could help her establish her brand, Glorious Food.

And while her positive attitude helped her adapt to the BNI culture well, she faced an uphill climb. When visiting BNI Chapters throughout the globe, you’ll often find commonalities in many of the areas that Members represent, whether it be finance, insurance, real estate or one of many other well-known professions. Helen, however, focuses on dietary advocacy and lifestyle improvement, which requires a delicate approach when finding and building the right clientele.

Even so, with a dedicated commitment to her chapter, Helen has found a way to establish herself and thrive.

Glorious Food, founded by Helen in 2015, was established in order to empower people to take control of their dietary and digestive health with the goal of helping people to live Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) free. As you can imagine, this is a subject that people are not always open to discussing. But that’s the beauty of BNI… by establishing trusted relationships, Members are willing to go above and beyond for others, and to accept help more willingly.

When Helen first joined BNI, she found success, but not to the point where her Membership became a foundational piece of her business. After leaving due to time constraints, she decided to give it another shot; a decision that is paying dividends on a regular basis.

Helen not only covered the annual cost of her Membership within her first month, but she has taken on the Givers Gain mentality by helping her fellow Members with valuable referrals. She’s even taken on the role as Training & Events Coordinator, which has only reinforced her belief that everyone should take on a leadership role throughout their journey with BNI.

As she continues to build a valuable network, her commitment has shown through as Helen recently led the Norfolk region in Member Traffic Lights with a score of 100! She also helped form a Health and Wellness Power Team, helping to add balance to her chapter.

By building rapport and establishing trusted relationships, Helen’s business has now gone from precarious position to one of stability and is in the process of scaling further.

With a goal of helping 1 million people to live IBS free, Helen’s path to success has been a hard-fought journey, and she’s thankful to BNI for helping her build a foundation

About Helen and Glorious Foods

Helen specializes in food allergy testing and mainly work with people struggling with Digestive Health issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diverticulitis, Crohn’s and Colitis.

She has created a program that is 70-100% effective at reducing ALL painful symptoms of these debilitating health issues and have helped over 300 people to literally change their lives with a simple change of diet.

Helen works with people globally with my online Be IBS Free program. From anywhere anytime people can learn how to be IBS free with my accountability and educational ‘easy access’ online course. That is where my main focus is right now

To learn more about Glorious Food an Helen, click here or view the video below.

Support Beyond Referrals

Posted on by BNI Global

Submitted by Virginia Green, PhD, MBA – Member, BNI Pipeline, Redondo Beach, CA for 13 years

“Givers Gain®,” right?  That’s what we do here in BNI, but sometimes that goes beyond a great referral. Sometimes it’s knowing when and how we can help when someone is struggling.

Few of our members are licensed mental health professionals, but most of us are compassionate human beings. Networking is about building trusting relationships, and part of that is noticing when something is wrong.

What are the signs that someone might need help with anxiety or even depression? Here are some widely accepted things to look for:

  • Personality Changes
  • Uncharacteristically angry, agitated, or moody
  • Withdrawal or isolation from other people
  • May neglect self-care and engage in risky behavior
  • Overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by circumstances

We might not observe these signs of emotional distress, but they might show up in a 1-2-1.

But then, what do we do? Actually, you don’t have to DO anything, but here are 5 ways you can show that you care:

  • Connect: Through your regular interaction with the person, note any changes in behavior.
  • Reach Out: Check in with the person. “How are you doing?” is a simple way to engage.
  • Inspire hope. Tell them that you care about them.
  • Offer help. It may take more than one offer, and you may need to reach out to others who share your concern about the person.
  • Show compassion. Show a willingness to find a solution when the person may not know they need help.

Not sure you signed up for this? True, you did not sign up to be anyone’s therapist. But BNI’s Code of Ethics reminds us to “Display a positive and supportive attitude.” Sometimes, that is about more than applause at a meeting. Here are some free resources that are devoted to helping people who are struggling. None of us is alone.

National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI): 800-950-6264, www.nami.org

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

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