posted
I was wondering what the BNI is and how it helps you. I've seen it mentioned it in a couple of posts in the past, and I did a search and found a link to thier website.
Reading all of the other Letterville post concerning the BNI...Business Networking Internantional...I had previously assumed it was a localized business organization, but have found that it is much larger than I'd thought.
Seems like there a whole lot of old cliches being quoted when it's mentioned here, but not a lot of substance on how effective it is. I'm looking into other trade and business organizations in my area as well and am probably being a little too selective, but, hey, it is costly to join them all.
Thoughts?
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Ray...I went to one meeting after being told about it by a tradesman that was doing some work for me.
I really didn't see much that appealed to me at that initial meeting, especially after I found out what the annual fee was. (I forget how much exactly)
A good thing I didn't join.....2 months later the local chapter was defunct.
I guess that, as long as the group is strong and active, it might be worthwhile as a networking tool. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Ray, BNI was the best investment I ever made in my business, except for maybe adding a plotter and the Gerber Edge.
BNI is a refferal organization that has become world wide. Locally, there may be several chapters in your area or just one. Its based on "WORD OF MOUTH" selling. "What comes around, goes around, and if you give business to me, I will give business to you!"
1 person from 1 profession is allowed to attend two meetings to see if he thinks BNI will help him grow his business. If there is already a person in the group (like another sign shop) then you would not be able to join that group unless you had a uniqueness that the other business did not have. You can join more groups, but a different person must attend. Say you were in a partnership, where you would attend one meeting and your partner would be allowed to attend the other meeting.
Meetings last 1.5 hours. The first 15 minutes is time allowed for networking, associating, getting to know others and new vistors. A short introduction is then given to get the meeting started, officers are introduced, and a 5 minute tips and tricks educational talk is given by the education coordinator.
Then each business professional stands and gives a 60 second informercial about who he is, what he does, why he is unique and what type of business he needs, or if anyone has a foot in the door of a certain company he is trying to contact.
After everyone has finished, a different business each week gets to give a 10 minute overview of his business, which allows time for slide presentations, show and tell, and demonstrations, if the person is so inclined.
Next, each one stands up, one at a time, and passes a refferal to another member in the group of someone they have talked to and can help them do business with. Some are just leads...like..."We do business with General Tire, and they are going to do a promotion next month, we can go over to their shop and introduce you to them." Some refferals are "hot" and the sell has already been made, all the person has to do is follow up. If a person doesn't have a refferal(s) to pass, then they have to give a testimonial to others in the group they know, have done business with so to fortify in the minds of all that these people are great to do business with.
There are 3 ways to win at BNI. 1. You will do work for memebers in the group eventually. 2. The members in the group, as you are also, devoted to be the other person's sellsmen, and when they are speaking to people they do business with, they also look for opportunities to get your business in the door. 3. New people are checking out BNI, some are new businesses and have needs. They may not join, but they often do business with other in the group.
We have a lunch group. We have 31 members now, down from 35. When I joined there were only 6 other members and I got work right off the bat.
There are 4 other groups in Bloomington that meet in the mornings at 7:00 am...(too early for me) but it works for many businesses. A group may adverage 15 to 20 businesses...and that is still pretty good.
You will add $5,000 to $15,000 to your annual gross income per year of business you didn't even know was out there.
It works for us. It is our 2nd year, starting our 3rd year now.
And, there are other benefits. You will know first hand what other business have in the way of specials or offers or items they may wish to sell or give away just to clear out there storage rooms....stuff they may throw in the dumpster but you might find usefull.
One BNI member, a DJ, asked for help finding a trailer to haul his equipment in, and another BNI member had one she was trying to get rid of for months....and gave it to him! Wish I would have thought to ask! So there are many advantages to this format.
The more variety of business that join the better everyone in the group benefits, so you are always welcome to attend a meeting.
Some groups do fail, like Dave Grundy mentioned. The vast majority do not fail, and are very successful. It only works if you and the other members want it to work. That means attendance at every meeting, having lunch with a different member every week to get to know them better and bringing good refferals to the table!
[ October 18, 2003, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
posted
Hiya Ray, There's pros & cons to most of these organizations. My experiences have been mostly cons. By time a new business joins, they already purchased the majority of their signs. The organization wants free signs for their events. Members expect discounts steep disounts on low profit work and still by from from the cheaper guy who is not a member and does sh*t work. Meetings are scheduled at inconvenient times. Some organizations require you to bring new leads to every meeting otherwise you pay a penalty (more money). We had a few good leads we acquired through these sources. But, not enought to justify the expense of membership. I guess it really depends on the leadership of the organization and how well it's run. Most will let you sit in on a meeting ot 2 before you have to make a decision.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been putting off checking out our chamber of commerce and a couple other local groups like that. When I saw this post, I decided there was no time like the present. While I was at it, I hit BNI's website. Our local Chamber is pricy, $190 a year. But I know they exist. They have regular events, including a monthly "after hours" meeting, which is until about 7 pm and is basically members getting together for cocktails & networking, not a structured meeting. The C of C is very well known around here and they have a website with a functioning member database. We have a Downtown organization that is sorta like the chamber. They're about $175 a year. They're not as prominent as the chamber, having only been organized within the last 10 years. I haven't heard of anything they do, meeting-wise etc, but am familiar with their advertising campaign. Then I hit BNI's website, having never heard of that around here. Very sketchy. Sorta reminded me of the "applied human relations" course I took in college, I'm still wandering what the purpose of that class was. I couldn't find any info on member fees which left me with an uneasy feeling. Actually, as soon as I started reading their site, I got this whole Amway feeling about it. That was enough for me. Checkers, you've got some great points there. I think if I joined any, it would be our chamber just because they are well known here and having your business listed in their directory is better (& cheaper) than advertising in our paper, which no one reads.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I'm with Dave. I joined both the local Chamber of Commerce and BNI. I've been an Ambassador for both. Of the 2 organizations I've got 98% of my business from BNI and maybe 2% from the Chamber. The Chamber has been a total bust for me. BNI is like any other organization where you get out what you put in but that just hasn't happened with the Chamber.
Checkers mentioned that if you don't have a referral you pay a penalty - some groups do that but not BNI. BNI has the givers gain attitude and its all about relationships.
Daves group is quite large - most of the groups in the Seattle area are in the 18-25 range. There is quite a bit of education that goes along with the membership and libraries of books, tapes, etc. that you can check out to help you market yourself. It is worth a visit or two. If you want to talk about it give me or Dave a jingle as we'd both be happy to talk more about it, even though Dave about said it all. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
I was at least 4 times small bizz man of the year runer up along with it. However. our local chamber was more for the insurance and realestate ppl.. I left it behind..
Ive been to a couple of BNI meetings and I think it would be a good thing for me, Just the meeting hours are not good.
Its like anything else. You must work the system to make it work for you. On the other hand, passive memberships in anything is just throwing money into the wind..
My ad budget at one time was about $1500 bux a month, and it paid off. a 200 bux member ship would be nothing at that level..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I've got the same problem with organizations like this, as I have with referrals that come with kickbacks. Leaves me with a sour taste.
Simply put, I want my word of mouth referrals to come to me because of my actual work, and not because it was a paid referral.
I don't want to sit in boring meetings, pretending to like other people's stuff, just so they'll like mine.
I don't want to feel obliged to choose a contractor's services from a group, just because they use me.
When I refer somebody's work to anybody, I do it because I know a person's work is good, not because I happen to pay to belong to a group that strives to dictate my opinions.
I think networking is great. I just like to keep it real and refer on the basis of merit, not money or obligation.
Many people who are new in business may benefit from this sort of networking. More power to them. Exposure would work in their favour.
But as Dave Grundy says ... just not my cup of tea. Guess I'm not much of a "joiner". Heck, I'd rather spend "meeting time" elsewhere anyway. hahaha... and I gotta tell ya, that includes cleaning my oven.
Kissy, thanks for the laugh with your Amway comment.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Back in July, I decided to leave ND GRAPHICS after 17+ years in order to pursue my own interests.
My new company -- MARKETING PARTNERS -- will launch January 1st in beautiful Barrie, Ontario.
I'm intent to "hit the ground running" and have been devoting the many vacation days that I've accumulated to developing my business plan, market research and (to come back to the point) networking within the local business community.
The number of networking groups and events active in Barrie is nearly overwhelming...and people's devotion to these organizations and activities is a bit spooky...almost cult-like.
I can understand the attraction and can appreciate the value of networking -- especially for start-ups -- but it isn't like networking is a magic pill. Networking should be viewed as part of an effective marketing strategy -- nothing more.
What you do with referals and how you follow-up on leads will contribute much more to your success.
Above, both Dave and Brian appear to "swear by" BNI...crediting their participation in its particular brand of networking for much of their success. I would argue that they give too much credit. They're obviously doing many more things right than simply meeting people and sharing leads and referrals.
The networking industry (make no mistake about it -- it is an industry) is out there to make it easier and more comfortable for you to network with other businesses...in exchange for a fee. If you approach networking as part of an overall strategy and need the ease and comfort that organizations like BNI offer by structuring the activity, then the membership fee is probably easily justified.
It is worth noting, however, that networking opportunities existed long before organizations such as BNI decided to capitalize on the notion. Getting involved in your community through such things as your church congregation, service clubs (Rotary, Lion's, Optimists, etc) will present excellent networking opportunities. In most cases, these types of activities offer more benefits than simply networking.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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And you still pay to join the group... But the fees go to pay for the groups costs.. not into some ones pocket as a profit..
Personally I would join a lot of groups but i really dislike any "initiation fees" , the extra $75 some charge for new members to join..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5278 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Here is another approach....start your own networking group. Make it fit your schedule and your style. All you need is two or three business friends and a willingness to meet on a regular basis. More businesses will join as they see the variety of advantages that is supplies.
I joined a locally organized networking group about 5 years ago. I have easily done 10 to 20 times the annual membership fee in business each year. The group does a lot of business with each other. The computer store, the graphics designers and the sign shop (me!) seem to be the big winners on the business end. Some people join just to see other business people and get some advise on how to handle various aspects of their business (we have three or four consultants and a two or three business motivational speakers in the group). There are between 35 and 40 members most of the time. Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the members turn over every year. It isn't for everybody and some members move out of the area. Most members are very small with only one or two on staff. A handfull would have more than 5 employees with the largest being an insurance broker with about 50 on staff.
We meet every two weeks on Wednesday morning at a restaurant on the lake. We also have three special events per year where spouses are invited. A golf outing (that is not well attended), a summer barbque at a members home (very well attended) and a Christmas party at the same restaurant. Regular meetings include breakfast, short introductions of each business and one member speaking for 20 to 30 minutes about their business. About 6 times a year we have a outside speaker. Local politicians like the mayor (he was one of the original members), motivational speakers and local charitable organizations are good sources of speakers.
Compared to BNI and LeTip the fee is very low. No one is making a living organizing the groups like they are in the franchise based organizations. Our new member fee is about $150 and the annual dues are $225. That includes all the meal fees and special events. We do not have a fine system. We do have a $2 50/50 draw at each meeting with the club pocketing 1/2 of the draw proceeds. The member speaker usually contributes a second prize for the draw.
Election of officers is every two years in November. We have a President, Past President, Vice-President (who will become President the next time), a Treasurer, and two Marketing positions. These two are responsible for finding guest speakers and organizing marketing programs to attrack new members.
All in all this has been a good experience for our shop. I would encourage you to seek out a locally organized group or start one.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for all the info and insights to all.
For the time being, I'm more or less going to concentrate on the trade related associations.
I do have a good relationship with some of the other local business owners that are members of groups mentioned here. Many have been cutomers in the past and do give references from time to time. Somewhat like what Nettie related to in her post, I've done pretty well getting work based on the merit of what I have already produced in the past. No sense in dumping the bucks into a memebership when the benifits are already there by association anyway.
Rapid
Chris, I love the "AMWAY" reference. I got the "Tupperware Party" feeling here.
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Just one other point because it was brought up, that in our BNI group we are informed not to veiw the member businesses as our client base. In other words, We do NOT expect members to do business with us just because of the membership in the group. And we are not required to do business with them. We are encouraged to set up one on one lunches or visits called "dance cards" to become familiar with the other person's business and services.
When someone stands up at a BNI meeting that doesn't have a refferal and says, "I don't have a refferal this week, but I was over to Dave Draper's shop and never realized all the signs that Dave can make and how different his work is comparatively to other shops..." I can't tell you how much I appreciate that being said to 30 members and a few first time visitors.
BNI recommends that a small business needs to involve itself in THREE organiztions where other business people group together.
In any organization you join, or with any business people you meet, it is wise to look for ways to give them a word of mouth refferal. It comes back to you in a large way. BNI has a very extensive training system in place to get its members to be creative at HELPING bring good refferals to the table. More emphasis is on giving and how to give, than receiving. It has to be that way if you want 30 businesses working as salesmen for YOU.
If you reach a point where you feel those organizations pull your time and energy with little return in getting work, then its time to move on to another group. I felt that way in our Chamber of Commerce....more take and very little give, and then they themselves will not use local businesses and members to service thier needs.
I still need to find two other networking groups to join, and because, I have no employees to carry on the work load while at those meetings, I find it impossible because of the time involved.
Nettie, most of the things you mentioned as negative reasons to join a networking group DO NOT apply to BNI and is not part of their agenda. And most of the business owners that are attracted to BNI are already the people you do sign work for, so its a very comfortable atmosphere to be in.
If I quit our group, there is a franchise sign shop waiting to take my place....I'm not letting that happen!
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