BNI is it worth it

[DavidWH]

@Geoff T how many people actually follow the BNI 1-2-1 structure? My experience was not many.

Same with MSP, nobody bothered to do it after joining, our chapter made the rule "you must have done 2 lots of training to renew" I was sat on the committee at the time, anD if you were in the clique, the rule didn't apply, despite my protests, if your face didn't fit, out the door.

I've seen members renewed who had numerous complaints against them for not paying their bills, poor workmanship, the committee said no to a renewal and it was overruled by the hierarchy, who wanted their £££'s, not 1 month later kicked out.

Yes BNI has gained us a handful of good customers, I am not anti BNI in the slightest but it's a far stretch from the picture they paint.

 

[Mad Frog]

Having attended BNI for six months I can see how it can work for small local businesses, particularly trades.

The biggest issue we had with them is that for all their claims of being a professional outfit, they're not, it's quite amateurish in they way it is run. Fortunately we managed to leave the group and received a full refund on our membership.

 

[Geoff T]

@DavidWH - the good ones do... That applies to the whole of your post... The good members, the good committees... And on up the chain... I've been in a group like that - they don't work... The group changes, or loses members...

@Mad Frog - the group you may have visited might have been new - hence the "amateurish"... Or it could have been after a change in the Leadership Team... It always takes time to settle into the new roles... My point is, don't judge the whole organisation based on one group... Did you go to training, or visit other groups?

 

[Mad Frog]

Maybe it was just the group, however we did as company visit four different groups and found the same issues with each of them- the referrals system, no proper company vetting, hard sell techniques from scripts, the aren't we great mentality and lack of flexibility. We also attended three training sessions which were a little bit happy clappy to say the least!

Also, we bought in several big corporate company visitors as guests to see how maybe keeping in touch with smaller businesses may benefit them. I won't mention names but they are worldwide known, and independently every single one remarked on how amateurish BNI is as an organisation - their advice, leave ASAP.

I think BNI works to a certain level as long as you tow the line and, as mentioned, does work for some businesses, however we found it definitely wasn't for us or the direction the business was heading.

 

[Geoff T]

@Mad Frog - well, after 6yrs, that's a first... I have no answer to that... Not knowing the details... But AM sorry it didn't work for you...

But "certain level" and "tow the line" gives me pause for thought...

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

I've never been to a BNI meeting, but I've been asked to lots of times by others obviously desperate to recruit new members. The people I've met involved with BNI all tend to have the same glazed expression as those people signed up to multi-level-marketing schemes and are evangelical in their beliefs.

I don't have any problems with networking, I've benefited from it myself in the past, but it's got to be done the right way. I don't think having to refer so many leads per meeting or whatever is conductive or even good business practice. I'll give referrals when I want to and when I know both parties will benefit. I also don't want to be recommended the services of people based on the fact that people are box ticking a number of referrals.

 

[DavidWH]

@Geoff T exactly the point I made earlier, networking is only as good as the people in the room.

Not only is there the financial cost of joining BNI (aprox £1k p/a), how much is your time worth, weekly meeting, training, committee meetings, 1-2-1's.

TYFTB is turnover, like any business your turnover can be as high as you like, but making little or no profit.

We received at least two referrals each week from another printer in the group, who invited me to join just so they can pass easy referrals each week. Everyone thought we were doing really well out of it, but the reality was each referral was for £10... and I was getting this work long before BNI.

Yes BNI can work, but rather than looking at their pretty traffic light system, look at your own figures and make your own mind up.w

 

[mit74]

If you're a trade and have the social personality that wants to completely dedicate their lives and business to a cult networking group then yes BNI can work for you but the cliques and level of bullying that went on in my chapter was an absolute disgrace with committee and chair members whispering in the corners during the coffee period and all sorts of back stabbing going on.

Certain individuals there made it hell for members whose face didn't fit or were deemed as non-beneficial to the group. Not a month went by without some business leaving in controversy or on bad terms.

Also expect to pay a lot more in expenses than what you think you're going to pay. I'd estimate at least £2k per year based on travel, breakfast fees, social events, training and unneeded referrals you give out just to appease their stupid 1 referall a week rule.

And do you get a reduction in cost from your BNI buddies? Do you ****. In most my cases the quotes were more as the members desperately tried to claw back their expenses from other members. Another thing a lot of memeber keep quiet is how many other networking groups they are in. I found out that many of the members were using rival companies in other networking groups and even giving work to ex-members because it was easier than changing their current providers.

* Also to add, the amount of recruitment you have to do to get visitors is just ridiculous. If you can't get visitors you're put on probation and effectively chucked out if you don't get more than a certain number each year.

 

[Geoff T]

If you're a trade and have the social personality that wants to completely dedicate their lives and business to a cult networking group then yes BNI can work for you but the cliques and level of bullying that went on in my chapter was an absolute disgrace with committee and chair members whispering in the corners during the coffee period and all sorts of back stabbing going on.

Certain individuals there made it hell for members whose face didn't fit or were deemed as non-beneficial to the group. Not a month went by without some business leaving in controversy or on bad terms.

Also expect to pay a lot more in expenses than what you think you're going to pay. I'd estimate at least £2k per year based on travel, breakfast fees, social events, training and unneeded referrals you give out just to appease their stupid 1 referall a week rule.

And do you get a reduction in cost from your BNI buddies? Do you ****. In most my cases the quotes were more as the members desperately tried to claw back their expenses from other members. Another thing a lot of memeber keep quiet is how many other networking groups they are in. I found out that many of the members were using rival companies in other networking groups and even giving work to ex-members because it was easier than changing their current providers.

* Also to add, the amount of recruitment you have to do to get visitors is just ridiculous. If you can't get visitors you're put on probation and effectively chucked out if you don't get more than a certain number each year.

Answer to you here friend - move to Cheshire/North Wales... On 2nd thought. Don't bother... We aren't so desperate for members that we need someone with that -ve a view of the organisation