BNI - what can you tell me about it?

[draelectricals]

Hello

I have received an invitation letter, asking me to attend a business breakfast meeting, for the network BNI.

Does anyone know anything about this group?

[RobSmillie]

Yes! I was a member of BNI for 7 years and met very many local businesses, all small though. I did get some referals which covered my costs for a while. Like all networking groups you have to try them and see if they work for you.
Don't worry if you don't like it type business networking into google and you'll find loads of groups, I'd suggest you try them all before joining any particular group.

[Bri]

Check my PM mate, as per our earlier discussion.

[termsandconditions]

My positive observations:

1. They claim to be the largest network both globally and in GB and meet weekly with a good, structured agenda.

2. It's great if you are small and don't have a strong level of marketing support in place already.

3. You'll meet lots of businesses within a defined area or town.

4. You can network every morning of the week if you wish by 'subbing' or visiting other nearby chapters.

5. Self -financing as Rob has mentioned

6. Only one member allowed per chapter per trade/profession (so you can lock out your competitors)

7. Camaraderie

My negative observations:

1. The early mornings were a killer especially in the winter

2. Large chapters can be cliquey on occasion

3. Some say the businesses that form these BNI chapters are small but you are not 'selling to the room', you are asking the room to sell to their contacts.

4. Some members feel uncomfortable with the weekly pressure of coming up with a referral.

Overall well worth a try and at the very least worth popping along especially if your chapter is running a Visitor's Day. Like everything in life you get out of it what you put in.

Best Regards

[RebeccaArmstrong]

I am in BNI - I have found it really useful and beneficial :-)

Which chapter have you been invited to?

You get the oppotunity to build relationships with the members and they refer you and recommend you to their contacts - Ive learnt alot from the structure and its been worthwhile.

The mornings are a killer especially in the winter - I agree with that :-)

[draelectricals]

well i am sceptical; i hear as many good reports as i do bad, plus i'm not a sales man so may struggle with the referrals and cant afford the fees at the moment, so not sure what i would get out of it

[neildigital]

I am in BNi as well, and have just renewed for the year.

One of the best things I have done since starting up on my own. It has allowed me to develop in a few ways, firstly yes I do get quite a bit of business from the group and third parties they know. But secondly I have gain 20 plus good friends that are all at the end of a phone or room to ask advice about anything.

Neil

[Bri]

As with all networking groups it benefits the softer industries,sorry the only term I can think of at the moment. Say, insurance brokers, accountants, bookkeepers etc who visit or are visited by a larger population. The harder industries such as ours find it difficult to penetrate these networking groups effectively. However we get to promote and discuss awareness it rarely converts into contracts.So it is hordes for courses really.

[GaryC]

well i am sceptical; i hear as many good reports as i do bad, plus i'm not a sales man so may struggle with the referrals and cant afford the fees at the moment, so not sure what i would get out of it

I would agree totally with Neils comments.
I'm also a BNI member, albeit for only 2 months, and i find that being part of a local Chapter, it has considerably increased my list of contacts and i can also rely on those within the group for help and advice in certain areas when required.
I've already recouped my membership fees for the year but more importantly for now, i'm able to direct my clients to known and trusted businesses who can help them.

As regards not being a "sales man", i too worried about getting referrals for the other members but have found that with the BNI's own free training courses and networking events, this hasn't really been a problem, and at times a referral can come quite naturally during conversations with existing clients as well as prospective. Everybody has their own way and you're bound to find yours.
A referral is always welcomed by members but we also appreciate positive input into the group whether its someone bringing along a visitor, a testimonial or just generally helping the group as a whole. There are many ways to get involved and contribute and, as it's "Givers Gain", you find that it helps your business at the end of the day.

As suggested, a visit to your local BNI Chapter to "test the water" is highly recommended and you can go twice before deciding. The structure within BNI works but it's the members who really make it a great chapter!
You're sure to get a warm welcome on your visit. This is just my experience and i hope it helps you too decide whether it's for you.
Yes, it's an early start but you do tend to look forward to it as you may get a referral or be able to network with other visitors etc.

Any more Q's, feel free to PM me. I don't work for BNI (even though it may sound like it) but will tell it as it is!
A warm welcome, good contacts and a cooked breakfast thrown in to set you up for the day. My advice is try it and see if it's for you.

Gary

[NextPoint]

I've found that going to less formal networking events provides better results than breakfast groups like BNI. It also depends on the chapter - I was a member of Business For Breakfast (same format as BNI), but didn't get any business in over a year despite me passing referrals to other members - if anything, I had one of their members waste a day of my time and then another lead generated through the group waste more of my time, so in all a very poor experience. On the other hand, I've found much more useful contacts going to ad-hoc networking events and networking online - better still, these methods of networking didn't cost me anything - unlike Business For Breakfast (and BNI) costing me £300 or so per year plus £10 for each meeting.

Having been involved with a few business breakfast groups, I would agree with BT that it is good to talk, but my mum gave better advice when she said it's never good to speak with your mouth full. The moral of the story - keep networking and breakfast separate :D.

[draelectricals]

I have decided to take the plunge, and I'm going to my first breakfast meeting on Wednesday, as a guest, to test the water. They tell me to take lots of business cards....

Can anyone give me advise on what I am supposed to do/say or how I should 'network' to get the best results?

[neildigital]

You need to plan a one minute talk. You are given this to promote yourself and products/services. Very important to plan it..

[draelectricals]

What? at my very first meeting? as a guest, when I have never been before?

[termsandconditions]

Yes you do; it's a good thing and ensures that visitors can make their mark in their very first meeting.

It's a great opportunity to summarise what you offer the group's contact network and how they will benefit after they have taken your services.

Try and add a punchy memorable line at the end too - cheesy but oddly welcome at BNI and other breakfast groups.

Best Regards

[Bri]

What? at my very first meeting? as a guest, when I have never been before?


...in the practice of being concise about what you do in a minute. It really focusses the mind and dont worry, your not the first to feel this way. I started this way nervously and now regularly speak to groups of min 30 people max 100 in one sitting. They are there to listen to you, engage, show them your passionate about what you do.:)

[ZARMarketing]

Hi,

A plus about BNI is that you will be the only one in your industry/ provider of your type of services in the chapter.

Nonetheless BNI is a little 'hard core' networking and requires a dedication from you to attend or send a stand in. It has worked really well for some of my tradespeople contacts but not so much for others in b2b.

It is a large investment to make so you should go along to a trial meeting to see if it is for you before you sign up.

Cheers,
Zoë

[Geoff T]

Lot of good advice here...

Especially from John about the 60 seconds... it helps give people a good 'snapshot' of who you are, what you do, and what you are looking for...

If you want the titles of the "main topics" given on the BNI reminder sheet, let me know... just to help out

Bear in mind that BNI works out at £20 a week in the first year... doesn't take much in the way of a referral to get that back...;)

PS - I'm on my local chapter's Leadership team, so felt I should mention it, andthat more than 90% of my new clients come through BNI...:)

Best of luck for the morning...:)

[draelectricals]

Thanks Guys; wish me luck, I'm off to my first breakfast meeting, at 7pm, by the time you all read this It'll probably all be over!

[Geoff T]

Thanks Guys; wish me luck, I'm off to my first breakfast meeting, at 7pm, by the time you all read this It'll probably all be over!

so... how'd it go?

[draelectricals]

I think it went quite well. I am going again next week before deciding but a main stumbling block for me will be the requirements of attending every week, as my job won't always be able to accomodate that and I wouldn't really be able to send anyone in my place, being a sole trader.

[Geoff T]

and I wouldn't really be able to send anyone in my place, being a sole trader.

customers...suppliers...friends...family..."IOU's"....

increases the options ;):)

I'm glad it went well...

[efficiencycoach]

Good to hear that your first breakfast meeting went well.

Before you commit to BNI do take a look at other formal networking groups meeting in your local area. Do ask for details such as membership churn rate. Any group which has a high turnover of members is probably not passing much business around.

Trades can work very well in formal networking groups, its not just the softer professions which benefit from formal networking groups. (I only generated 1 client from a year at B4B... unsurprisingly have now left that group)

If you find a group which has some representation from other tradespeople, you may find referrals come to you quicker than in other groups. Not always the case, but can work that way.

[Geoff T]

I'd suggest to look at what BNI call "power groups" - making links with other businesses in the group that have a synergistic link with yours, and could pass you business...

The usual example of this is between trades, but it can work in other areas too...

That works well for me, and the others in the group - because I'm able to pass things on to them as well.

[*Lexxy*]

we've been contacted about a BNI group recently but the information given was a little different to what's been said in this thread, can someone please confirm-
do you have to commit to go every week?
is there a joining/membership fee on top of the £10 p/wk?
you have to make a referral each week (does this mean a job or just a contact?) - what happens if you can't?

thanks :)

[Bri]

we've been contacted about a BNI group recently but the information given was a little different to what's been said in this thread, can someone please confirm-
do you have to commit to go every week?
is there a joining/membership fee on top of the £10 p/wk?
you have to make a referral each week (does this mean a job or just a contact?) - what happens if you can't?

thanks :)

...all pointed out in posts Lexxy, have a read.;)

[ComputerCoders]

we've been contacted about a BNI group recently but the information given was a little different to what's been said in this thread, can someone please confirm-
do you have to commit to go every week?
is there a joining/membership fee on top of the £10 p/wk?
you have to make a referral each week (does this mean a job or just a contact?) - what happens if you can't?

thanks :)

It's £500+VAT + £10 per week.You have to go every week or find a replacement. You have to bring a lead/testimonial/visitor each week. It means a contact who wants a quote.

[Geoff T]

we've been contacted about a BNI group recently but the information given was a little different to what's been said in this thread, can someone please confirm-
do you have to commit to go every week?
is there a joining/membership fee on top of the £10 p/wk?
you have to make a referral each week (does this mean a job or just a contact?) - what happens if you can't?

thanks :)

...all pointed out in posts Lexxy, have a read.;)

It's £500+VAT + £10 per week.You have to go every week or find a replacement. You have to bring a lead/testimonial/visitor each week. It means a contact who wants a quote.

Ok, let's lay some ghosts to rest here...

1. The annual fee is £400+VAT (plus an extra £100 for the first year ONLY)
2. The weekly £10 mentioned is for the subs - the breakfast - and it can vary, dependant upon venue cost... i.e. my weekly sub is £7.50
3. YES - attendance is important... if other local businesses can trun up why shouldn't you? Also, how confident would you be to recommend someone who could only be @rsed to get out of bed 1 morning in 4? Saying that though - you have the option to send a substitute, and as an emergency, BNI allow 3 absences in a 6 month period for unforseen emergencies... more than we get as business owners if you think about it...
4. I am aware that some chapters are a bit regimented in their insistence that "you bring something to the meeting every week", but that's not been my experience - IMO the best support my business has had since I started up has come from the other BNI members in my chapter and region.

But if it concerns you ask them to their face BEFORE signing up... if they give you the wrong answer, come up my way - we'd be pleased to have you on the team Lexxy!

[ComputerCoders]

Ok, let's lay some ghosts to rest here...

1. The annual fee is £400+VAT (plus an extra £100 for the first year ONLY)
2. The weekly £10 mentioned is for the subs - the breakfast - and it can vary, dependant upon venue cost... i.e. my weekly sub is £7.50
3. YES - attendance is important... if other local businesses can trun up why shouldn't you? Also, how confident would you be to recommend someone who could only be @rsed to get out of bed 1 morning in 4? Saying that though - you have the option to send a substitute, and as an emergency, BNI allow 3 absences in a 6 month period for unforseen emergencies... more than we get as business owners if you think about it...
4. I am aware that some chapters are a bit regimented in their insistence that "you bring something to the meeting every week", but that's not been my experience - IMO the best support my business has had since I started up has come from the other BNI members in my chapter and region.

But if it concerns you ask them to their face BEFORE signing up... if they give you the wrong answer, come up my way - we'd be pleased to have you on the team Lexxy!

Yes sorry you're right it is £400 and a 1 off £100 registration fee.

[Geoff T]

Yes sorry you're right it is £400 and a 1 off £100 registration fee.

You'd hope I'd know - being a secretary/treasurer!

No apology necessary:)... just like to get the detail right


(that way - the devil looks elsewhere!...;))

[*Lexxy*]

thank you for the very helpful replies :)

it was only a quick chat with this person from a local BNI group, but no mention at all was made of: regular attendance, weekly referrals required, annual fee.

from what i was told & without me looking into it, we'd have gone into this thinking:
we can attend when we wanted (nothing to do with being up early, just trying to fit in with current heavy workload, hubby currently working 6.30am-7pm most days + weekends),
£10 per attendance for breakfast would be the only amount due,
absolutely nothing at all about referalls (goes without saying we know we'd have to bring something to the table so it's not just one way 'giving')

no doubt much of this would have been covered in our first attendance, but i feel those are the basics that we should be aware of even before this. at the moment, the weekly attendance required would stop us from looking at this any further as it's just not possible.

thanks again

[Homshaw]

[quote=efficiencycoach;1253702](I only generated 1 client from a year at B4B... unsurprisingly have now left that group)

quote]

The fees are one thing but if you put a value of as little as £40 an hour on your time it's very poor value

[iamchrisgreen]

I was in BNI for 12 months and wrote this report about how it did (and didn't) affect my business. Hope it's useful:

http://chipachi.com/my-bni-experience/

[Geoff T]

I was in BNI for 12 months and wrote this report about how it did (and didn't) affect my business. Hope it's useful:

http://chipachi.com/my-bni-experience/

Good article...:)

[efficiencycoach]

[quote=efficiencycoach;1253702](I only generated 1 client from a year at B4B... unsurprisingly have now left that group)

quote]

The fees are one thing but if you put a value of as little as £40 an hour on your time it's very poor value

That's why I left as the cost of my time was actually the biggest cost, and it was producing no return.

[iamchrisgreen]

Good article...:)

Thank you.

[Geoff T]

...plus i'm not a sales man...

Going back through this thread and I noticed this comment...

This is where BNI - or networking in general - helps...

By joining such a group, your business's sales force grows by the number of members in that group...

That's got to help sales hasn't it?

And if you're in the trades then I've yet to see someone NOT do well out of it!

[Homshaw]

And if you're in the trades then I've yet to see someone NOT do well out of it!

I can not believe that every tradesman who has joined a networking group has done well out of it.

If it's true why do they not give a guarantee?

[*Lexxy*]

And if you're in the trades then I've yet to see someone NOT do well out of it!

can you clarify this - in general, does this refer to B2B or B2C trade?

thanks :)

[Geoff T]

I can not believe that every tradesman who has joined a networking group has done well out of it.

If it's true why do they not give a guarantee?

Didn't say it never happens, said I've not seen it ;)

[Geoff T]

can you clarify this - in general, does this refer to B2B or B2C trade?

thanks :)

both TBH - an easy example...

In our chapter, we have a plumber, and an electrician, because they've built up a good relationship and a level of trust, they are confident to recommend each other - I've not seen too many weeks when they don't pass referrals one way or other... They have the basis of a power group - which seriously improves the quality and number of referrals passed - increasing the business done for both of them...

I have a small power group too of syngergistic businesses I can refer clients to if their needs are not just about credit control (which is sometimes the case)... helping with commercial finance and business coaching/strategic improvement

[Geoff T]

Also - interesting day for me with BNI... I attended a meeting today as a stand in for a member at a nearby chapter ("subbing" as they call it).

Just so happens that this chapter had organised a visitors day for today, so I got to get my message to 11 companies that I would not have otherwise met...

From that I got an enquiry about my service, and met with two people that could prove very useful to my business, one as a potential introducer who works in a business area that I've been trying to connect with (without success) for a year, and the other who could be both useful as an introducer, but also as a recommended service which will save my clients money... I'm always trying to find the best options for my clients - and potential clients - so for me, it was worth getting up at 5am today...

PLUS of course - the existing members in that chapter are also getting to know me, what I do, and how I do it - I continue to build relationships there...

Lastly - two of the visitors will - I think - be useful for some members in my own chapter and have passed on their cards (Givers Gain!:))...

5 possible good connections that wouldn't exist if I'd had a lie in this morning...;)

[Homshaw]

I'm always trying to find the best options for my clients - and potential clients - so for me, it was worth getting up at 5am today...

Dilema

So you have these clients who are good enough to use your services and provide you with a living and hopefully pass on your details to friends and colleagues.

You come across a lead. Do you send the work in the direction of your customers or your BNI colleagues?

[Geoff T]

You come across a lead. Do you send the work in the direction of your customers or your BNI colleagues?

Depends on what would be best for the subject of the lead...

[Homshaw]

Depends on what would be best for the subject of the lead...

I'm sure their are highly competent tradesmen in networking groups and outside of them and I would think in most instances none of them are clearly better than the other.

I have highly competent "fairdealing" tradesman on my client list who are good enough to recommend me to new clients and I do the same for them. Because I work in a localised area and if I were a member of a networking group I would probably be passing work on to their competitors and that just seems like trying to have my cake and eat it

You could also take this line of reasoning a little further and say. I am passing work on to this person who is in a networking group but its likely, in similar circumstances, he is not reciprocating so why should I be dealing with him unless he offers something I can't find elsewhere.

I think networking is good but it's probably best to develop your own and avoid formalised groups where the tradesman are chosen for you

[tedgman]

did you join in the end draelectricals?

i am in a similar position now...been invited to go next week:|

[iamchrisgreen]

did you join in the end draelectricals?

i am in a similar position now...been invited to go next week:|

What networking have you done in the past?

[tedgman]

i haven't done any is there a good place to start?

[truesilver]

Hi

I've also been in BNI 7 years and I have to say it works brilliantly for people who are willing to put a little effort in and like helping others. It doesn't work for everyone, but the electrician (I'm guessing from your user name that's what you do) in our chapter gets HUGE amounts of business. Apparently Electrician is the 5th most common category in BNI across the UK.

I think the main thing to remember is if you do decide it's for you then you are part of a worldwide network which can be very powerful.

As a couple of people have said - give it a go! At worst you'll meet a load of business people that may pass you business anyway and it'll only cost you a tenner.

L

[iamchrisgreen]

i haven't done any is there a good place to start?

Hiya

From my experience it really depends on what you do. What does your company do?

[tedgman]

electrical work and pir testing pat testing etc mate

[iamchrisgreen]

electrical work and pir testing pat testing etc mate

Ah ok. Again, this is just from my experience (http://chipachi.com/my-bni-experience/), but the one's i've been to have many tradesman and small service based companies. These kinds of people were passing a lot of work between each other.

My advice would be

1. To go along, see what kind of people are there and really grill some of the members on what work they get from the group.

2. Do you think you could spend a lot of time with the people you meet there. If you don't feel like you could bond in that group you will struggle.

3. Ask yourself, if you get busy, could you commit to meet for a few hours EVERY week.


There are more things to consider, but those are a starter.

PM me if you need any more help.

[tedgman]

pm sent mate thanks for the advice

[salesman_northeast]

Been in BNI and yes got biz out of it but found that the meetings got stale some times management group wear full of them selfs, and to tell the truth even though i made some really good contacts their, biz was small and i gave away more biz than i got back they say the more you put in the more you get out, but some times it was just a waste of time and it was too regimented, sorry BNI but the cost of joining and the cost of a really poor breakfast and not that much biz, go as a guest but dont join

[Vintage06]

Try the NECC. (North-East Chamber of Commerce)

I've joined these as they looked promising. I've yet to engage in any networking but they look good.

[bdw]

:( OLD CYNIC ...
I went to one of the meetings a few years ago and I was not in the least impressed by all the people there desperately trying to impress.

IMO if you look at the BNI model the arithmetic does not add up. I agree with the last poster. You would probably do better from your local CoC. It will be cheaper and you don't have to waste time attending these daft "American" meetings.

.