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What (if any) network association(s) do you belong to?
I am looking into one called Business Network Inc. and they seem to have several chapters in my area. They only allow one type of company in and then all the leads go to that company. Neat Idea but does it work. I introduced myself to many new people today and think that this might be a good way to go. They want a fee of 350.00 to join for one year. This chapter seems to be about 40 members strong and come from a diverse group of business owners.
-------------------- Ronald Bastian Warren, MI 48091 Posts: 5 | From: Warren, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I belonged for a while. It was not profitable for me. It was very demanding- you have to go WEEKLY. They only allow you 3 absences every 6 months. If you are traveling- you can go to another chapters meeting to make it up. I have had more business deals, and fun, by joining the local Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.(cheaper too!)
Diane Balch
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1726 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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Your best PR is getting involved in your community! Bill coaches JFL (8 yr. old thru 8th grade) football in the fall. We both help with the Children's theatre group in our town in the summer. I am on the public library borad of directors. Yes, we belong to the Chamber of Commerce and have done other things like that type of networking in the past, but giving to your community (per-cents off on work you do for donations and that type of thing) seems to get us much more business than meetings with a bunch of other people for networking purposes. You have to ask yourself, Why are they there? It's probably not to GIVE you anything!!
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2115 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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When I started my business a couple of years ago I joined both the local Chamber of Commerce and a BNI group. I've made many contacts and have gotten numerous referrals from BNI and I highly recommend it. It has certainly paid for itself many times over. A group of 40 is a very large chapter so I'm sure you would benefit. It is a structured environment. Yes you need to attend weekly but if you can't commit to a weekly 1.5 hr. business meeting to promote your business are you really serious about your business? If you do need to miss - get a sub which is no biggie and that expands everyones sphere of influence. If you want to know more call me.
My chamber membership was a different story. They met once a month and most of the people there were bankers & insurance folks. I was an ambassador for 2 years and bearly got a nibble so I decided to drop out and put my efforts elsewhere. I did meet a bunch of great people but just didn't get enough work to pay the annual fee (same as BNI).
Just my 2 cents worth.
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
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I belong to a same type of networking group called 'Letip International'. Has the same basis as BNI. Our dues are 300.00 annual and 100.00 quarterly for our local chapter.
Abcences are a bit different from what you posted. We're allowed no more than 6 excused in a quarter and no more than 2 unexcused in a row.
Like Brian said - it takes getting used to and you have to work it. I've been a member for 2 years now and the fees are well paid for.
I also belong to 2 chambers and haven't seen a return like I do with Letip. Check it out on www.letip.com (I think). There might be a chapter near you.
-------------------- Keith Slack LETTERCO Souderton, Pa. Posts: 51 | From: Souderton,Pa.U.S.A. | Registered: Mar 2001
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We moved to an old & established community seven years ago, and then started a new business - and quickly found we were the "New" people in town. I joining Rotary, became a member of our mural committee, our performing arts theatre committee - Debbie is a member of our municipal sign by-law committee, the local women's business network and our downtown biz committee. And all have paid off handsomly - we are making an active contribution to our hometown, and working to be the local sign experts.
-------------------- Murray MacDonald OldTime Signs 529 Third Ave S Kenora, ON. P9N 1Y3 oldtimesigns@gokenora.com Posts: 781 | From: Kenora, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
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I am a Chamber of Commerce member. I can't say that it has netted us any work. In fact I've lost work because my competitor sits on the board. However, I feel that it is a good organization, with a lot of hard working people who care about the community. The best networking is beating the streets with business cards, and word of mouth is the very best.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3506 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Sure, you get 40 people cornered into a room every week.. but it's the same 40 people.. and you're required to attend.. and pay $300 for this luxury.
Whereas you can get off your lazy butt, hit the streets, meet every day people, bring in a buttload of work without even thinking about it and it didn't cost you anything 'cept some time and gas... but if you aren't actively promoting your biz you probably have nothing but time.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Our involvment in BNI has greatly benefited our business.
We also belong to the Chamber, but they are not good at the referral networking game as there is no structure,no training, and no motive to refferal network. They are good for holding an open house at your business and they put on local business trade shows which are good things.
BNI is based on "If you find business for me through your bussines associations, I will find you business through mine, in return.
Our BNI group is passing 30 to 40 refferals at every meeting and our group is 24 strong with two to three new visitors each week. We meet at lunch.
Attendance is required, but if you have to be out on a job, this is excused. However, if you are not at the meetings, you are not passing refferals either, and thus hurting other members.
Also, we strive not to pass "junk" refferals. In other words, we would rather pass a referral that we have actually did some ground work on to open the door for the member.
For me its easy to pass referrals because so many new people are starting up business and need credit card service, insurance, printing, web design among others and all those types of business come to our group.
In fact, I try to get them to come along with me to a meeting to see what it is like and if it will work for them.
It is time consuming...but think of it as having 23 to 30 people out their selling for you. How much time would it take you to do that by yourself?
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