[northstar]

I have been invited to a local business networking group called BNI which is an international organization with local "chapters".
Does anyone have any experience of such groups and any comments on them?

[Mike Osbourne]

No but I do remember a thread on the subject about a couple of months ago.

Some for, some against. Depends what you are prepared to put in to get out was the general feeling I seem to remember.

[Straker Cleaning]

I don't have time for sit down breakfast every thursday 

[colley614]

Hi mate, I'm a window cleaner and I tried BNI. I found that the referral's you get thrust under your noses are no good and can't really be called referral's would be better described as hunch's.

Then after you attend they start phoning you up trying to milk you for about £600 a year I think it was. Altogether. I believe if you spent the £600 on leaflets and went and done a leaflet drop for 2 hours every week before work you would get a lot more work that way.

I just didn't get the idea. To be fair it was good for a plumber and a graphic designer that went ( all there work basically come to them from other people through there) About 12 of the 15 people in there just went to talk about themselves. I didn't see many genuine referrals and I went about 4 times 

[Andy Foster]

In the first 6 months of this year, 80% of my work has come through BNI.
Best advertising investment I ever made.

Andy

[colley614]

I think BNI can be a hit and miss affair really. I would recommend going along for the free breakfast and see what comes of it. If you get a lot of work in the first appointment then you'll be on to a winner. If not then it only gets worse. But with carpet cleaning I could see it doing well. Even if you don't get much at least you've had a free slap up breakfast! 

[Andy Foster]

Firstly, the breakfast isn't free.
Why should they pay for your breakfast, you aren't doing them the favour by being there!

Secondly, you will almost certainly NOT get any work in the first visit, nor the second nor third probably.  The members will only start to look for work for you if you become a member... that's how it works.

I am fully aware that BNI isn't for everyone just as YP isn't or leaflets aren't.
BNI works on the principle of what goes round comes round, if you find someone else business, they will do everything they can to get you business.

It works if you work it.

I do pressure cleaning and carpet cleaning and I get work in equal proportions for each through BNI.

I have been able to get work for almost every other member though so they work extra hard for me... swings and roundabouts.

The first year I was in business I spent in excess of £5k on advertising, including YP, BT Phonebook, leaflets, local newspapers to name but a few.  This got me approximately £10k in work... not a great return really!

My first year in BNI (cost me £1k including all my breakfasts) I got about £9k, the second year I got about £20k and my third year looks to be at least double that.  I work at getting other people work and they do the same for me.
Still only costs £1k including breakfast!

Andy

[Mike Osbourne]

Andy you are spot on, but if everyone had that attitude as they go through their daily lives you would get the same results without having to get up quite so early.

The advantage is you have an instant network of like minded and focussed people.

[murky]

I joined my local 'chapter' and did very well out of it indeed. I still get calls from the contacts I made.

If you join and expect loads of work straight away you are in for a shock but if you stick at it it is very worth while.

I would recommend any one to at least go and see, you have nothing to lose, you can go for up to 4 times before you have to join.

I dont mind the early start, some of the venues are really nice, they are held in golf clubs, very nice conference centres, swish hotels, oh and of course these venues have acres of carpets and hundreds of chairs dont they!

Think about it, very worth while.

Murky




 

[northstar]

Thanks, these are helpful comments.
One of my concerns is the expectation to generate referrals for other BNI members and whether my contact with my customers can really generate meaningful referrals for such professions as business coach and the like.
Mike

[colley614]

Firstly, the breakfast isn't free.
Why should they pay for your breakfast, you aren't doing them the favour by being there!

Secondly, you will almost certainly NOT get any work in the first visit, nor the second nor third probably.  The members will only start to look for work for you if you become a member... that's how it works.

I am fully aware that BNI isn't for everyone just as YP isn't or leaflets aren't.
BNI works on the principle of what goes round comes round, if you find someone else business, they will do everything they can to get you business.

It works if you work it.

I do pressure cleaning and carpet cleaning and I get work in equal proportions for each through BNI.

I have been able to get work for almost every other member though so they work extra hard for me... swings and roundabouts.

The first year I was in business I spent in excess of £5k on advertising, including YP, BT Phonebook, leaflets, local newspapers to name but a few.  This got me approximately £10k in work... not a great return really!

My first year in BNI (cost me £1k including all my breakfasts) I got about £9k, the second year I got about £20k and my third year looks to be at least double that.  I work at getting other people work and they do the same for me.
Still only costs £1k including breakfast!

Andy

From what your saying I get the impression every chapter has different rules because I went twice as a guest and got a free breakfast on both occasions and then went as a sub for the members that needed someone to fill in for them.   

[Andy Foster]

If you go as a substitute for an existing member then your breakfast will be paid for by the person you are representing.
If the chapter paid for your breakfast as a visitor then you are very lucky as this is not the norm.

Regarding pressure to generate referrals, they will not expect you to get referrals from day one, it takes time to become 'tuned' to listening out for potential work for others.

You may never generate a referral for some people as your path doesn;t cross with the people they are looking for, but you will be surprised how often your customers ask for recommendations from you, especially when you are listening out for opportunities.

Hope this helps

Andy

[lands]

I started the other thread a few Months ago. What I learnt was that if you geenerate commercial enquiries it would be worth the £500+500 investment. In the Chapter I visited the area did not have a strong enough commercial arena. Nearby chapters (Canterbury & Maidstone) where there was plenty of this potential already have CCs and I think this says alot. You can visit other chapters if there isn't another of your kind there so I could'nt even do it that way.

If your chapter is in an area where there is alot of commercial potential then I think it will be worth it.

Pete

[mark_roberts]

Having been a member for three years I totally agree with Andy although hes making a lot more money than I did but I did make money and it was worthwhile BUT you have to make it happen and like the name suggests you have to network.

If your lazy, cant talk to others, expect work for nothing, havent got time then its not for you.

I left because i didnt have time for the one to ones which I now regret.

Mark

PS. youll also be glad to know youll still make money after you leave.

[bennymon]

i joined my local bni  hoping i would pick up a bit of commercial work but most of what i got was people wanting one room cleaned and would i do a favour on the price . i have now left