is BNI really that good?

[deesax1]

hi my name's dee
I'm thinking of going to one of their (bni) meetings to join & was wondering are they really that good?
The reason I would like to go is to try & connect with businesses that may be able to recommend us to architects, I am the P/A at a building construction company & in a brainstorming session the idea came up to try & see if we could increase work through architects.
So if any of UKBF members can shed some light for me about BNI whatever the experience was good or bad I would love to hear & get some advice please
thank you

 

[Faevilangel]

The problem with BNI is there will only be one architect (they lock membership to one per group), if you want to meet a few architects then best trying other networking groups (without the lockouts), I use 4Networking which is like BNI but anyone can go.

To get into architects directly though best bet is to ring them up and ask if they would be interested in potential collaborations, and then arrange to meet them.

 

[colin_mckellar]

The fees are also quite expensive. There are joining fees, annual fees and a charge for using the room and coffee. Total is about £1,000 per annum.
The local group to me meet at 06:30 so an early start every Friday.

 

[businessfunding]

As said above, if you are targeting a single trade bin isn't a good bet

There are more open events alternatively you will almost certainly find some property- specific events in your area. The problem is they tend to be 'private events run by property lawyers etc so aren't widely publicised. Ear to the ground!

 

[garyk]

Yes you have to factor in the total cost and your time. It works well for some not for others. Many 'chapters' have churn so if it was really 'that good' no-one would leave.

If you can service clients nationally why geographically limit yourself to a small area?

 

[KM-Tiger]

Went to a BNI meeting once as a guest.

I think it only works if you offer a generic service that will be of interest to most. There was a printer in the group who seemed to do very well. As said, if you want to target specifically or you are in a niche, it's unlikely to work.

The final turn off was at the end of the meeting, the three guests were subjected to a hard sell that would make time-share salespeople blush. If it's that good you don't need to sell it like that.

 

[deesax1]

thank you all for your replies they've been very helpful
I have been trying to find specific events that I may be able to go to
even though I don't like cold calling I think in this case I may have to. I've added estate/letting/property agents to my list to call & who knows it only takes one to be interested
thank you again this is why this forum is sooo good!!
I love the fact that you can ask for advise & so many members are willing to help
good to be part of

 

[mit74]

it's superb for businesses that are required by everyone ie tradesmen, accounts, IT, printers etc. The building constructor in our BNI does amazingly well. But if you're looking for architects then you're better off doing as suggested and go to groups that have more members and where there are no lockouts.

 

[Mike W]

I've been to a couple of BNI meetings years ago. Too ra-ra-ra and hard sell for me. There are other networking groups out there that aren't so in your face.

 

[mit74]

I've been to a couple of BNI meetings years ago. Too ra-ra-ra and hard sell for me. There are other networking groups out there that aren't so in your face.

and the other network groups don't get you so many referrals.

 

[Mike W]

and the other network groups don't get you so many referrals.

That might be true. I've had my share though and without having had to run the gauntlet through throngs of double-glazing-vomit-inducing-high-pressure-tactics.

 

[Jeremiah@RHJ Accountants]

As a current BNI member i will say it has it's good points and bad points.

Good points if as mentioned you offer a services that is national and that everyone needs then you can do really well.

You can pick up some great contacts as you don't know who will know who.

There was a guy in my group who is a sign maker and was asking for a lead to make the signs for Sports Direct, took him about a year and a half but finally he got the connection and made a shed load of money!!

Bad points

Early start at 6:30 am every week and in winter you really just cant be bothered well that's me anyway!

Far too much hard sell and to be honest i do sometime cringe when i have to read out the script.

You will need to find a substitute if you cant make it to the meeting.

So i would say go at least once and see what is like as it cost £10 as a visitor.

Don't ever feel pressured to join too.

Also i have seen many visitors come once and still pick up lots of business so for a tenner not bad really.

 

[colin_mckellar]

I went along once as a visitor and wasn't impressed.
I am taking over a business in the area that the meeting was being held and the current owner is a member.
At the end of the meeting I was taken to one side and asked how I enjoyed the meeting. From that I got the hard sell which I didn't like at all. I don't like being forced into a corner and make a decision for the amount of money that they are looking for.
As for the format, I thought it was boring and dull. It is the same people who go every week at 06:30 and stand up and say the same script to the same people.
It is like being at school as you are only allowed about 3 abstinences in 6 months or you are up before the committee. For me that might be a problem as I have to travel over 20 miles to get to it and the roads aren't great in the winter time.
The current owner also makes about 6 times his fees in sales to members.

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Your best bet might be 4Networking, as you can visit all their different group meetings in other areas around the UK so you are not stuck to one group. It's £200 for 200 days and you pay about £12 per meeting for the breakfast and can attend as many as you like.

 

[Harrotopia]

Each to their own but I have to say that I hated the BNI meeting I went to. However, there was a lady electrician there (very niche I guess!) who did extremely well and her hands were full of business cards at the end. I work in financial services (loans and tax planning) and the mortgage adviser, IFA and accountant (all listed as separate business sectors although they shouldn't have been) were not too happy with me being there which I can now understand.
Great for some people but not for me.

 

[Bob]

I hated it as well. Much too regimented and some of them took it sooooo seriously !!
Trouble was that some of them were desperate for the business and i wasn't. Kept getting in to trouble for arriving 5 minutes late. What a silly time to have a meeting

 

[colin_mckellar]

I did question the format. There was around 30 members and they all stood up and said their piece for 60 seconds which ended with a catchy phrase. I would imagine that after a few weeks I would know who everyone is and what they do and don't really need to hear it every week followed by the catchy phrase like "come to joe's accountancy where the numbers stack up." Preferably rhyming!
The costs were going to be over £1,000 in fees as well as £10 per week for the breakfast.
An 06:30 start isn't great for me either.

 

[Red Wood]

Make the most of any free networking events. London Chamber of Commerce hold these regularly, in fact i’m off to one this evening.