Discussion
I have been invited to join the local chapter of BNI (Business Network International - www.bni-europe.com). This will apparently guarantee huge wealth and success, for the small matter of £470 joining fee. I'm just too cynical, so does anybody have any experience they would care to relate?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Unless you like getting up really early to have breakfast with a group of strangers, I'd give it a wide berth.
The company I work for made me go to a few BNI meetings. I didn't meet anyone hugely successful or find any amazing ways to do more business. It was just a room full of people trying to sell to each other. IMHO you'd get a better return on £470 if you backed the favourite at Ascot.
Next forum along I think Plotloss. 
I went to one once and it was useless. Among the other people there were a local florist, a local hotelier, someone who organised corporate golfing trips and a life coach(!). Then there was the statutory IFA, solicitor and accountant.
You also have to undertake to go every week which I certainly could not commit to; you are allowed a minimal number of absences, and if you are absent, I think you have to nominate a substitute to attend in your place.
All that plus a fry up way too early in the morning on a working day
put me right off BNI
You also have to undertake to go every week which I certainly could not commit to; you are allowed a minimal number of absences, and if you are absent, I think you have to nominate a substitute to attend in your place.
All that plus a fry up way too early in the morning on a working day
put me right off BNIGo along and see if it is for you, if not try a couple of others of a different format and see what works for you. Some people find the early moning 'hard contact' networking a bit cultish, and don't look around to see if there is anything else available. Networking is a good way to find more business(I would say that though, I run one!
), but you have to do it in a way that you are comfortable with and don't just go along to sell, but make contacts. Someone else mentioned florists - there are lots of them at networking meetings, but as an example, one florist I know does all of the flowers for Man Utd (corporate guests, conferences etc.). He might just be a florist, but who do you think he knows?
I'll avoid a shameless plug for my own event here, but I will give you a couple of links to read through that might give you a bit of advice:
www.sixdegreesnetwork.co.uk/networkingrelax.htm
www.sixdegreesnetwork.co.uk/networkingtoptips.htm
www.mybusiness.co.uk/YUjKgA1ox-qCyQ.html
), but you have to do it in a way that you are comfortable with and don't just go along to sell, but make contacts. Someone else mentioned florists - there are lots of them at networking meetings, but as an example, one florist I know does all of the flowers for Man Utd (corporate guests, conferences etc.). He might just be a florist, but who do you think he knows? I'll avoid a shameless plug for my own event here, but I will give you a couple of links to read through that might give you a bit of advice:
www.sixdegreesnetwork.co.uk/networkingrelax.htm
www.sixdegreesnetwork.co.uk/networkingtoptips.htm
www.mybusiness.co.uk/YUjKgA1ox-qCyQ.html
Coincidence! There was a florist at my local chapter, I made the mistake of joining BNI and found it was run similar to a cult. I now rejoice at going along to other chapters in the area when invited by cold calls, and when asked to stand up and tell them what I think of it, I do...politley of course!
DON'T DO IT!
DON'T DO IT!
.have been a member of the Business Referral Exchange for about a month now (VERY similar to BNI, in fact, started by 2 ex-BNI members I think). In 3 meetings, have picked up enough leads to more than cover the cost of signing on and the annual membership. Just trying to put these leads to bed, so i can collect the £. Anything else in the next 11 months will be an added bonus.
...do the math!
...do the math!
It very much depends on what you do. If you run a 'local' business they can be great (although the US business style of BNI got on my tits and reminded me of some strange cult) if you do anything with wider horizons it is an utter and complete waste of time, you'll pick up enquiries from people with nothing better to do than enquire and get hassled by lifecoaches (who should all be rounded up and shot)
If you are looking for business work out your sector and hit the phones, there is NO substitute for this approach, then network with companies in similar sectors of similar sizes and see if there are points of synergy in what you do and who for and your own network will build itself. Try local enterprise initiatives and tap them for contacts and help wiredsussex is a good example of the public sector type and www.ecademy.com is a good online alternative. There are also several local networking groups of SME directors - try www.weentrepreneurs.com for example which can be very enjoyable and which are not over breakfast, but over dinner with booze (much better)
hope it helps and excuse the bile, but what a load of tosh.
If you are looking for business work out your sector and hit the phones, there is NO substitute for this approach, then network with companies in similar sectors of similar sizes and see if there are points of synergy in what you do and who for and your own network will build itself. Try local enterprise initiatives and tap them for contacts and help wiredsussex is a good example of the public sector type and www.ecademy.com is a good online alternative. There are also several local networking groups of SME directors - try www.weentrepreneurs.com for example which can be very enjoyable and which are not over breakfast, but over dinner with booze (much better)
hope it helps and excuse the bile, but what a load of tosh.
Typical dialogue at a BNI event (and many other "networking" clubs come to think of it):
"Hello, I'm selling insurance"
"oh, Hello, I'm selling PhotoCopiers"
"Hi, I'm selling IT solutions"
Everybody selling - nobody buying!
There's no shortcuts I'm afraid. If you're into business breakfasts - buyt a copy of the local paper head for the nearest little chef and scour the business section.
"Hello, I'm selling insurance"
"oh, Hello, I'm selling PhotoCopiers"
"Hi, I'm selling IT solutions"
Everybody selling - nobody buying!
There's no shortcuts I'm afraid. If you're into business breakfasts - buyt a copy of the local paper head for the nearest little chef and scour the business section.
dans said:
www.ecademy.com is a good online alternative.
Got to laugh, just had a look at this and the London region organiser is Isabella "Chaves"
Mutt K said:I actually know Isabella, lovely woman and very well turned-out, not even slightly chav-like
<a href="http://www.ecademy.com">www.ecademy.com</a> is a good online alternative.
Got to laugh, just had a look at this and the London region organiser is Isabella "Chaves"
Might have to point her to this... 
I know Andy Lopata, one of the chaps who runs BRE and he's never mentioned being an ex-BNI member, but it wouldn't surprise me. There are lots of breakfast groups around, big and small, that have been started by ex-BNI bods who liked the basic format but not the formality.
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