BNI stands for Business Networking International. What is BNI?
| The World's Largest Referral Organization | |
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BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. We offer members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals. |
BNI allows only one profession per chapter. Thus, my profession as a Real Estate Agent was and is filled in ALL of the Chapters in my local area; therefore, I CONQUERED MY FEAR and decided to start a BNI chapter in my local area. How did I do this?
1. I was introduced, initially, to BNI about 3 years ago; however, at the time, I did not feel that my list of approved vendors was suitable. Thus, I decided, although not necessary to start a BNI, to WAIT until my list was to my satisfaction.
2. Then, in the Fall of 2007, I decided that it was time for me to do SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
3. I called the loan officer who initially invited me to BNI, and he gave me the phone number of one of the area directors to call. He also gave me the BNI website.
4. I called EVERY LOCAL Area Director until someone called me, and I received the proper contact person for my area.
5. Had a phone conference with this Director for ideas. She decided that since another group was also starting that we would have a BNI General Overview Meeting. I was encouraged to invite everyone to this meeting who I wanted to be a part of my BNI Chapter.
6. I also reviewed ALL of the websites for the CHAPTERS that are in my area. This gave me insight regarding the BNI weekly meeting . . . its format . . . and what is basically required.
7. From there, I formulated a letter and e-mailed it out to ALL of my business contacts. I invited them to this BNI General Overview Meeting. I invited approximately 55+ professions.
8. What was the Result: Eleven (11) out of the 55+ that I invited showed up. Which professions were in attendance among my invitees?
Home Inspector, Real Estate Attorney, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Appraiser, Tile Installer, Title / Escrow, Me (Realtor), Another Title / Escrow, Termite Inspector, Web Designer, Travel Agent. YOU MAY FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT NO LOAN OFFICER THAT I INVITED SHOWED UP!!! Out of the two "starting" chapters that were present, I was happy to note that out of the 16 that were present, to include the Director and the Ambassador, I had 11 that were in attendance . . . this was awesome!!!
9. The following week when we met for our first initial meeting with our Core Group, we had about 10 to 15 that showed up. This was in November 2007.
What is happening now?
We now have seven (7) professions who have signed up. What professions are they?
Title/Escrow (Also a Real Estate Attorney), Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Loan Officer, Residential Real Estate (ME), Banker, Property/Casualty/Auto Insurance, Financial Planner (Also does Life Insurance and Disability).
If you are in the Largo / Upper Marlboro area OR in Washington, DC and want to join a BNI group, THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PROFESSIONS THAT OUR GROUP IS LOOKING FOR:
Professions we are in need of:
- Bankruptcy Attorney
- Probate Attorney
- Hair Dresser
- Barber
- Manicurist / Pedicurist
- Massage Therapist
- Interior Designer
- Estate Planning Attorney
- Divorce Attorney
- Community Event Planner
- CPA
- Bookkeeper
- Tradesperson / Handyman
- Home Improvement Contractor
- PR Marketing
- Property Manager
- Funeral Director
- Construction to Perm Lender
- Builder / Developer
- Promotional Products
- Car Salesman / Manager
- Commercial Lender
- Commercial Real Estate Agent
- Independent Care Facility Representative
- Web Designer
- Graphic Designer / Printer
- Construction-to-Perm Specialist
- IT Computer Person
- Avon Consultant
- Mary Kay Consultant
- Health Insurance Representative
- Business Coach
NOTE: Although you must have 15 members to start a chapter, we have been passing referrals . . . having one-on-one's weekly, and I have been putting on Seminars and Workshops allowing the different professions to use our meeting room and inviting my clients. This has been a great way to keep in contact with my sphere of influence, current clients, past clients.
So, if your area BNI group has your profession filled, take the plunge and BREAK THROUGH YOUR FEAR . . . START A BNI CHAPTER . . . BNI Local Area Directors and Ambassadors will help you!!!
Please provide any comments . . . I would like to know what you think . . . Am accepting any suggestions you may have for us to become a Chapter. WE NEED EIGHT (8) MORE AND COUNTING . . .
OUR GROUP MEETS EVERY TUESDAY from 11:30am to 1:00pm. We meet at The Radisson Hotel. The address is:
The Radisson Hotel
9200 Basil Court
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Come on by and check us out!!! Just call Nancy Gusman at 301/636-9888 to RSVP and bring $15.00 Meeting Fee. This Meeting Fee includes lunch.
www.bni.com. Our Chapter is called the: "Largo Tuesday Lunch Group"
If you OR someone you know, can not meet with us this week, REMEMBER, that our group meets every week on Tuesdays from 11:30am to 1pm. Again, just call Nancy at 301-636-9888 to RSVP!!!
IN CLOSING -- SPECIAL NOTE: There is a NEW Active Rain Group, initiated by Neal Frazier. The link is: http://activerain.com/groups/iwanttobeinbni
Neal Frazier is an Area Director for BNI in Southwestern Virginia. He started a group dedicated to helping Active Rain (AR) members become BNI members when their business classification is filled in the BNI chapters that are convenient to them and their schedule.
Again, here is the link if you are interested: http://activerain.com/groups/iwanttobeinbni
In the spirit of the BNI philosophy, 'Givers Gain', Neal is committed to help all AR members, regardless of location, build the proper foundation upon which a thriving BNI chapter can be built. Thus, click on the link below and join this Active Rain Group: "I Want To Be in BNI".
Please provide comments, thoughts, suggestions!!!
With Warmest Regards,
Uniqca V. Powell
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