BNI

[sarah h]

How many of you here are members of a BNI group?How long have you been a member?What has been your experience with BNI?  How many people are in your group?

 

[get go]

I'll start out since I started the post I'm a member, have been since 8/04...we've got about 14 members in our group right now, just lost 4 in the past month and right now, well, it's frustrating.  I know that it takes, on average, a year for things to really pick up but what irritates me is the fact that there is a physical therapist there, who I should have a good synergy with, and she has yet to pass me a single referral.  Plus, she has another massage therapist that works for her, so I'm sure that she's getting all of her clients from the office, and everyone keeps telling me "you need to talk to the PT"...well, what am I supposed to say?  "You HAVE to refer patients to me instead of the girl that works for you?"  I don't think so...ugh, it's just frustrating but I'm in the market for a new group, ours is just to small for me to pass enough referrals/receive enough.

 

[SweetasanAngel]

We've got about 14 members now, just lost 3, and we're trying to get more members but it's been very difficult.  Our group is probably going to end up getting shut down if things don't improve.  I think I'm going to have to find some other ways of networking, perhaps the chamber of commerce.  We don't have any MD's, Dentists, Chiros, etc., and it seems as if every one that we want to invite is already a member somewhere else.  Oh well...

 

[Kirsty C]

Hi Rebecca!I got your message today but it didn't come through until about an hour ago.  I figured I'd call ya tomorrow.  (cell phones stink  )Anyway, I know we've chatted about BNI but I'll throw a quick note in on my group.We have about 30 members.  The more I look around the group the more frustrated I get because there are obvious members who should be giving referrals who just aren't.  Thank goodness for referrals coming from the unexpected.  (actually, no referrals should come unexpectedly, that's why we're there but I think you know what i mean)Sounds like you guys need to dump the group.  I know it's tough finding another group that doesn't have a therapist already.  You really should be able to count on that group to bring business in for you!  Good Luck and I'll keep my eyes and ears open for any leads on a possible group for you.

 

[Bec]

Years ago I went to a few BNI meetings as a guest.Here they are held early in the morning. آ That means 1 hr. and 15. min. drive into town during rush hour vs. a normal 45 min. drive on my regular work day.I just couldn't see getting up that early for the people who were in the group near me. On and off over the years I have thrown around the idea of joining, but I can't seem to make myself do it. آ If they only had a group in my area that met in the evenings!Oh well. آ That's what I know about BNI.So, reba627, do they have another group in your area you could transfer too?Good luck!And thanks to Pete for mentioning LeTip.  I had never heard of it until today!

 

[-_-]

Hey Texasgal, yes I can transfer but not until April because I'm the secretary/treasurer for our group and I'll lose out on 6 months of free dues if I do it before, so I'm stuck for now.  And there should be a group closer to you, you should check it out.  I've never heard of LeTip either, but I'll look into it!

 

[brian Z]

I was invited to be in LeTip too, at one time. But the one inviting me was inviting me to use her office outside geographical area though. I need to check into it again, this time closer to my area.

Sincerely,
CaringHandsMss

 

[fishbarn]

I've had an interesting experience with BNI. I had joined a group in April 04, which got shut down for lack of interest...we had 13 members, and had only 9 visitors in the whole year. So I transferred to a larger group, in Dec 04, spent the last year with them. We worked up to 30 members, now we're down to 23.

I finally at Christmas got 2 outside referrals, meaning people outside the group, not spouses of members. The chiro does not refer to me. I've done better with the realtor going to events with her...plus with her and her husb as clients.

BNI has been worthwhile for me. It has paid my dues+ a little more, I know, I know, it should be doing more than that...but it has contributed to personal growth as well. I'm a much better public speaker, have joined toastmasters as a result of BNI. I encourage everyone to check into it... http://www.bni-mn.com is our region's site.