business network international

[seabro]

I finally joined BNI today. (www.bni-europe.com)

£400 to join, £100 admin fee, £8 a week for the breakfast.

£916pa but I believe it will be worth it. (Or I wouldnt have joined!)

Our 'chapter' is currently running at 0.74 referrals per person per week.

Which means theoretically, I should get 3 per fortnight... lets see how it goes! and how long before I make my £916 back!

[Juvanescence]

I am part of the Waterfront chapter of Swansea, our "IT" support guy does really well out of it so it should be a good move for you.

:)

[Ozzy]

I'm in the Sixfields chapter in Northampton, and it seems to be working well for me. Its early days but the signs are positive.

[clairemackaness]

It seems an awfull lot of money, do you think it's somethig that would work for me?

[seabro]

I dont see why not Clare, you could just find your local chapter and go along, see how it works and see what you think.

Thats what I did and I decided to join.

Good luck!

[clairemackaness]

Do you get to go for free for the first time?

Whats the home page for this organisation?

[seabro]

www.bni-europe.com

you dont have to join to visit but you do have to pay for your breakfast...

[Robert]

Jonathan,

What sort of businesses are in the Swansea branch?

Is this a better organisation for B2B businesses?

I've only recently found out about this, briefly, from one of your members.. I'll have to pick his brains..

Rob

[clairemackaness]

I've e-mailed the two local clubs and will hopefully get invited along! Will I have to do a 60 second speech at that?

[RSL]

Hey claire,

How frequently do you network? Whynot try the various options out there first such as monthly met-ups, women's only events, speednetworking to see what works for you.

[clairemackaness]

I cant get to a lot of them as I work full time. I keep an eye out for evening events though and try to go where possible.

[Pebble Communications]

"ur 'chapter' is currently running at 0.74 referrals per person per week.

Which means theoretically, I should get 3 per fortnight... "

How do you get that when it the rate is less than 1 per week? 0.74 x 2 = 1.48 - around 1 and a half a fortnight, or 3 per 4 weeks.

[VeryMark]

We have so far earned over £10, 000 through BNI - and I was a sceptical as hell, as our business is fairly specialised.

Don't join BNI though unless you can put in the commitment in the long term.

... oddly enough, I think these forums are the nearest equivalent to an on-line version of BNI.

Oh, and go to more than one chapter if you can, as the people mix can vary and one chapter may gell for you more than another.

.... I even got to be chapter director which was a blast - as I said, god help all of you if I'm in charge.

The websites are at www.bni-europe.com and www.bni.com.

Call me if I can help at all.

[clairemackaness]

Once you've joined can you go to more than one chapter meeting for one fee, or do you need to pay for each of them?

[VeryMark]

More than one what meeting for one what fee Claire - Can you elucidate please?

[Juvanescence]

Jonathan,

What sort of businesses are in the Swansea branch?

Is this a better organisation for B2B businesses?

I've only recently found out about this, briefly, from one of your members.. I'll have to pick his brains..

Rob

Well there are a few solicitors an accountant, bank manager, printer, builder, sign-maker, web-designer, cheque changer..

Theres quite a range. What business are you in?

[clairemackaness]

theres a £400+ joining fee right? Do you pay per chapter or just a one off payment to BNI and go to as many meetings as you like?

[autolycus]

theres a £400+ joining fee right? Do you pay per chapter or just a one off payment to BNI and go to as many meetings as you like?

I'm not a member, but I did look into joining the Brenwtood chapter a few years ago (at that time there was just the one in Brentwood and it met at that place hidden behind the Headley Arms pub in Warley). I went along to a couple of their meetings free of charge to see what it was like.

Anyway, if i remember correctly, your £400 fee is to join your local chapter. You wouldn't normally expect to go along to other chapters unless they were having some kind of open day type thing, or an event where various Essex chapters all met up together as a one-off special.

One the main things that put me off joining was the fact that you had to go every week, or else send someone else from your business in your place. (I think you asked elsewhere if you had to go every week, so that answers that question). As a one-man band (at that time) with clients in London who often needed me on site at 9am, I couldn't make that kind of committment.

From a personal point of view, I prefer the more laid back (and much cheaper!) approach to networking - e.g. Chamber of Commerce.

Dave.

[seabro]

Hi Fiona,

You are right with yout calcs. I should have said one a fornight (ish)

[VeryMark]

You can visit other chapters but you have to commit to one particular chapter as you all act as each other's sales force - that's why it's powerful.

[Hotelexpert]

It seems an awfull lot of money, do you think it's somethig that would work for me?

Claire I think another interesting network for you to consider is 12 Questions, have a look at their website. it's free to join and they have around 800 members who are mainly young City professionals. Could be just the kind of people in the market for your art.

Cheers
Lawrence

[VeryMark]

Hey Seabro, is there a Stephen Cooper in your BNI chapter?

[SillyJokes]

Man, those figures don't stack up for me. Four orders a month? That wouldn't pay for coffee.

Do they have a funny handshake?

[clairemackaness]

Four orders a month would pay my joining fee in 2 orders! Hotel - Whats the website for 12 questions, I've not heard of it.

[Hotelexpert]

Four orders a month would pay my joining fee in 2 orders! Hotel - Whats the website for 12 questions, I've not heard of it.

www.12questions.com

Lawrence

[clairemackaness]

Thanks Lawrence

[Hotelexpert]

Thanks Lawrence

Claire you are welcome. I just remembered another network that might be good for you to look at. It's called GastroLounge and it's aimed at people in the hotel/hospitality business. As one of your target markets is teh hotel trade could be worth joining.

Have a look at www.gastrolounge.com

Cheers
Lawrence

[VeryMark]

Also Claire, see www.hoteldesigns.net.

[clairemackaness]

I'll give them all a go thanks all

[seabro]

Hi Crossguard.

I think there is a Stephen Cooper. The asbestos and dangerous substances removal guy.

He has an Orange 'ready break' glow around him. :-)

[VeryMark]

He's my brother lol.

[seabro]

I am going to take a look at his puters next week!

I will tell him i was 'speaking' to you...

[clairemackaness]

Well I've joined all htose recommended sites and PM'd and spammed as much as is allowed! LOL

I'll let you know how I go.