[gr cleaning solutions]

Good evening all i have been invited along to a few network meeting one fri and one next week never been to these things before ,what should i expected i know they have a joining fee but i get these two for free anyone else done these

[Joe H]

I got an invite last summer to go to a breakfast one, free - for the first one then I think it was a tenner and you are expected to go regularly.
With other costs I recon it was going to cost about £1200 in the first year.
Didnt bother going - not for me - might suit you though.

[richy27]

Had few invites myself read the first bit £6 full english started to get interested read a bit more OH £750 membership will continue with my Mc Ds on my own plotting my future.

[Len Gribble]

Some of my customers are into to this, thanks for the offer but no thanks!

Len 

[SteveAllan]

I'm a member of 4Networking, totally different to the likes of BNI, its early days for me but have got back my membership already (couple months) its all about building relationships. Theres a carpet cleaner there who has told me a very large part of his work comes from the meetings, hes been a member for 4 years. I think a lot of people make the mistake of joining a networking group then expect the flood gates to open and the work to pour in. Its not for everyone i agree, not everyone likes standing up talking about their business but its worked for me.

[Kingsley Wright]

I joined the BNI when I first started CC a few years ago.

Gave up on it after about six months as it was going nowhere - some nice people there, but hardly any genuine business referrals were being passed around.

The professions they were in were not really conducive to providing worthwhile referrals i.e graphic designers working from home, financial advisers working from home etc.

Things might have been a lot different if the meetings had contained for example  estate agents / letting agents.

I wouldn't rule out trying it again (though not with BNI, they are more interested in themselves than their membership).

[peter maybury]

what you must bear in mind is that people's motivation for joining these things is the benefit of the work they get from it , they do not attend to give work to other people one of  my mates nagged me to go so did attend one meeting but to be honest am just too busy to devote the time for what is expected of you and personally have far more rewarding ways of marketing

peter
www.carpetcleaningnewport.com

[Jason Ryan]

Found networking events in general a waste of time. Most people are there really to sell their services and dont realy take in what you say. Some events i went too were so many there you couldnt hear what was being said and only had an idea after having a business card stuffed in your hand.

Try it, but i wouldnt spend too much money on these things-better spent elsewhere.

[jsm]

Ive been to a few over the years - i thik they are like a CULT 

[murky]

Been and joined my local BNI a while ago.


I did OK out of it, people were intersting and I got into quite a few houses to do and on the back of that got to do there offices out of it.

As above there are a lot of 'white collar' businesses there who are working from home. So they might not be your ideal customer base.

I did OK out of it and still get some now and again from people I met there.

I am going to one on Friday morning but it was started by people that got fed up with BNI and they only charge £15.00 for a brekky and use of the room in a hotel, I have got there work out of, going to be about 40 people there.

Most networking groups only let 1 of a trade or business so there is 1 accountant, 1 office cleaner, tax advisor, stationer etc etc so you dont have people fighting over jobs etc.

Like anything in life you get out of it what you put in. Good luck with it

Murky

[Gordonnis]

Going to my 1st one tonight , been told that the first two meeting are free then a £100 per year fee, and you get £90 back if you get the other members 10 jobs between them in that  year , and only one from each trade allowed , so i will go and try out my freebee tonight  nothing to loose

[gr cleaning solutions]

i have got both off mine for free so im going along but i don't think i will be joining can you let me know how it goes please 

[clinton]

Had an invit to one of these clubs last week,the venue is not to far away from me but dont think am going to go.

Be good to hear how you get on mind you

[gr cleaning solutions]

i will let you know, still not sure myself dont know what to expect 

[Jason Ryan]

To be honest if you never ben to one and have a 'free' evening/morning then you should pop along-nothing to lose. Theres normal a buffet so if you got a free trial go for da free grub 

Also on the flip side, you may make a contact that YOU may need in business like printer, web designer, etc. Sometimes they have offers to members only.

[kleanitall ltd]

Hi guys

Ihave a colleage who has built his business on the back of BNI
it is true that you only get out what you put in
he is at every meeting every week and some times gets guest invites to other chapters  he as seen his business turnover increase from 7k in first year to
38k in third year

must admit meeting every thurs at 7 till 10 not for me
but everyones different

dave

[Andy Foster]

I am about to renew for my 6th year in BNI and it is definitely worth it if you are prepared to work at it (same as anything really).

The meetings are from 6.45 until 8.30 once a week and it costs about £1k a year including your breakfasts.

Only today I met a new letting agent through BNI who is letting me have all of the EOT cleans, all the carpets, all the window cleaning and any drain clearances that come in... assuming only one a month of each, more like 10+ a month but assuming only 1 would give me an invoiced income of around £4k in the first year.

He is part of a big franchise operation and he is going to recommend me to all the surrounding ones so fingers crossed.

You only get out of these things what you are prepared to put in.  It isn't for everyone, but for those who stick at it, it pays in large dividends.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck but it might be worth trying it for 12 months before you dismiss it.

All the best

Andy