Anyone a member of BNI?

[ShireCW]

This morning, I attended a meeting of BNI as a 'guest', invited by someone who found me on Facebook. Although they did tell me it was only £10 and included breakfast, they then informed me that membership is actually (and they were very vague about this) in the region of £500, plus £10 per week. Is it worth it?? It seems like a lot, but then if I get the business they seem to think I'll get... really not sure. Anyone have any experience of them? Are there any better ones?

 

[Mark T Jones]

BNI is something of an acquired taste; fairly regimental and disciplined -t that said I know people who have built their who business around it.

Personally I would road test other groups such as 4N before making any decisions - most will allow you 2 or 3 meetings before joining.

Like any form of marketing, success will come from commitment and from the long game - don't judge success by whether you pick up leads from one or 2 meetings

 

[wevet]

Was a member years ago. I found that the almost cultish morning meetings were not to my taste. The ludicrous handing around referral slips led to valueless "leads" which went nowhere. The more "leads" the higher the kdos. Personally I found it occupying a valuable part of my day with zero ROI.

 

[STDFR33]

The problem with these types of networking events is that many people have an unrealistic expectation.
They go in thinking they are going to win a load of business in a meeting or two.

The reality of these events are that they are slow burners.

You need to show people that you know what you are talking about and gain the trust and respect from your fellow networkers.

I have no doubt that it works, but you have to persevere with it and avoid the sales pitch at all costs.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I would agree with @wevet on the lead chit - they are largely willy waving and point scoring

As in real life, the business mostly gets done outside the room when trust and knowledge has been built.

Classic newbie networking mistakes are

• Trying too hard to work the room, mini- pitching and handing out hundreds of business cards
• Cramming too much into the 60 second round. Say one thing, say it well. The rest can wait
• Expecting leads too quickly. Quality business always takes time.

 

[DavidWH]

I was a member about 2 years ago, was a member for 2-3 years.

The leads were interesting, some were just pure fiction, the person had no interest at all in what you did, and was passed just because they needed a referral.

Others were repeat referrals... as in, a customer ordered a reprint, so they'd pass another referral, yet it was originally passed, and should have only required a thank you for the business card. No biggie, except if members see you receiving handfuls of referrals each week, they assume you're doing OK and there's no need to find you one.

The business passed figure is stretching the imagination, if you've 3 members of 10+ years, they're still putting TYFTB cards in for recurring work from year 1. It's not actual turnover for the year, so when they say this year we've passed £1m between us, it actually isn't, some of that is years old.

We got mostly internal referrals, it was OK when we started out, but we wanted to grow our customer base, and get external leads. We got very few, so seemed pointless paying to renew, we kept some of the members as customers.

All the traffic light systems, and statistics, I couldn't care less about... it's about making money. Getting roped into committee, or visitor host roles, it all took too much time, for very little reward.

Same with them organising stacker days, sending letters inviting people, then follow up calls... I'd have been much better doing it for my own business... the only guaranteed winner in BNI is the person you're paying your money to.

Yes it has it's benefits, but if you join, keep you mind on your own business, and you own ROI.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Can anyone suggest a good alternative system? A network that is really worth joining?
What about things like local Rotary clubs etc?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Can anyone suggest a good alternative system? A network that is really worth joining?
What about things like local Rotary clubs etc?

The answer to this lies entirely in your own personal tastes and requirements

Whatever banner they fly under the you need to be happy with the people and the structure. Some people thrive in a rule- based environment like BNI, others like an unstructured approach.

Either way, your network will be as good as the individuals who attend your chosen/local event.

 

[AllUpHere]

Knowledge and understanding of marketing has moved on a bit since BNI and all the other paid for networking groups seemed like a good idea. Join only if you want to scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Knowledge and understanding of marketing has moved on a bit since BNI and all the other paid for networking groups seemed like a good idea. Join only if you want to scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel.

Can you substantiate that?

Only I know people with very creditable businesses who swear by networking groups.

 

[Clinton]

What about things like local Rotary clubs etc?

My involvement with Rotary goes way back - I was in Rotaract (kinda like a junior wing of Rotary) till I got kicked out when I reached the age ceiling of 30.

And I'm a founder member of our local Rotary Club.

You don't join Rotary to get more business. I certainly recommend people investigate Rotary - you will meet a lot of interesting and successful business people. Remember though that their aim in getting together is not business related, it's to raise funds for good causes.

People don't generally bring their business cards to Rotary meetings! But if you're a guest speaker, flyers promoting your charity are most welcome and you can count on people taking them away and putting them up in shops / schools etc.

 

[JakeM]

I visited a few BNI networking events and it was extremely "clicky". Although my profession wasn't represented within the groups I visited, I had a warm reception but strongly felt I would only receive referrals if I was a member of the group - despite a lot of members showing strong interest in my work.

There were a couple of people at the BNI events who represented industries in which every client spend was very low; an opticians, a wine seller and someone who sold beauty products. Although I couldn't see how these businesses would work at BNI, they did amazingly well, as other people used them as a very cheap referral when they didn't have any others to give. "I need a bottle of wine for a dinner party at the weekend", "my Dad needs his eye tested, can he book an appointment with you". This desperation when someone in the group didn't have any referrals to give, was quite a shock to watch!

What I did like about BNI though was I recognised how important it was to meet business contacts on a regular basis. I also liked the structure of having a 60 second slot to introduce yourself. This was strongly enforced with a hand being held up at the 10 second mark, followed by being cut short when you time ran out. It was a great way of refining your elevator pitch however, and really helped when meeting other people at networking events - explaining my business quickly and precisely.

Ultimately, I ended up joining a Breakfast business club near me. It's a lot cheaper - pretty much just the breakfast cost, I'm only tied in for a month at a time, and if I miss a couple of breakfasts within the year I'm not kicked out of the club and I don't lose all my money as with BNI (yep, seriously!).

 

[HazelC]

I have been a guest and sub numerous times at different groups; it really is dependant on you, your business and the group as to whether BNI will work for you.

 

[DavidWH]

We had a number of people who were basically permanent substitutes for paid up members, they visited various chapters, and got the benefit of BNI without any outlay (until the committee decided to stop them doing that)

 

[Rafael Mediator]

I tried BNI, but found the rigidity too much to bear. I spent some time in 4N, which worked much better: you are not fixed to one location, as you can attend any meeting anywhere; beside the 60 second they also do three 1-1 10 minute slots, so you get to talk directly to 3 people in depth about your businesses; and there are no penalties if you can't come one time.

 

[Videoguy]

I looked into joining a few years ago, but decided it was a waste of money. As other have said, very "clicky" and members just try to flog stuff to each other.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I tried BNI, but found the rigidity too much to bear. I spent some time in 4N, which worked much better: you are not fixed to one location, as you can attend any meeting anywhere; beside the 60 second they also do three 1-1 10 minute slots, so you get to talk directly to 3 people in depth about your businesses; and there are no penalties if you can't come one time.

I'm seriously considering joining 4N.

I like the informality.

 

[Kev2017]

I went to one of the £10 meetings, wasn't for me. I like to conduct my business with like minded people.

The first thing we were asked to do was to run around the room giving away as many business cards as we can! I don't play games. What exactly did that achieve apart from a full recycling bin?

 

[BTON Agency]

I can only speak from experience but i feel a complete waste of time and money.

I have been to a couple and the individuals are a mixed bunch, some chapters are good others are really dire.

B2C sales do not waste your money.

B2B you may get some business.

I would say if you are good at networking then you do not need them, if you are not good you will be in similar company.

 

[level3creative]

This morning, I attended a meeting of BNI as a 'guest', invited by someone who found me on Facebook. Although they did tell me it was only £10 and included breakfast, they then informed me that membership is actually (and they were very vague about this) in the region of £500, plus £10 per week. Is it worth it?? It seems like a lot, but then if I get the business they seem to think I'll get... really not sure. Anyone have any experience of them? Are there any better ones?

Hi Shire, we've tried BNI and thought the same, its expensive.

I'm a member of Farnham and Fleet Business club. We don't charge subscriptions and you only pay £10 per weekly visit if you attend.



Kind Regards

Sean

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's a very old thread, and my own views have turned 180 degrees.

Nearly all local small-business networking groups are built on the notion that chasing leads is good business - which I strongly refute; and actively market to attract businesses who don't have a clear marketing plan or business strategy.

There are a number of sectors that thrive on failure. More precisely, they thrive on limited, self-defined version of success.

They include:

• Diet
• Dating
• business networking.

If you abjectly fail, you won't return.

If you properly succeed you won't need to return.

Some tempting sniffs, or little bits of success will keep the subscriptions rolling.

 

[DavidWH]

Interesting this old thread be resurrected.

I'm still of the same opinion, and agree with @MarkTJones says above.

I speak with a BNI member regulalrly, and has been for some years.

They do get work, but nothing 'new' or startling, and if they weren't in the room, they'd quickly be replaced and all that work will go to the next person to join.

I know a tradesman who joined, and left, it's too time consuming, and with the likes of check-a-trade, my builder etc, there's better ways for them to get work.

Which brings me back to Marks point, that if you've no idea about marketing yourself, your business, then it "works" but we've found putting half the effort into our own business rather than BNI has been beneficial.