Opinions please BNI

[parijatha]

I've been asked to join a BNI group...

Anyone with opinions, experience, etc.

Thanks

 

[Real Deal CowGirl]

Opinions please BNI

I asked about networking groups on this forum several months ago, and basically my conclusion from the responses, combined with "common sense", was that "some groups are well worth the effort and time and expense, and others are not; it really depends on the particular group and on your particular needs."

Since then, we have started attending a weekly Netweavers group. This has been one of the best moves, *for us*, that we could have made. This particular group is filled with active, warm, caring folks who seriously do care more about each other than they do about "making a sale". I know that not every group is like that. As I said, it depends on the group.

My best advice would be that if you trust that the person who invited you really has *your best interest* at heart (as opposed to "I have to make my guest quota"), and they have known both you and the group long enough to be able to reasonably ascertain that attending the meetings might actually be beneficial for you, then why not give it a try? Pay careful attention to the group's membership requirements and any possible hidden costs. Our Netweavers attendance costs us twice as much as "everyone else", simply because my husband refuses the idea of trading off weeks. He enjoys the meetings *that much* (and this, from a guy who *hates* to be in public-speaking settings). But we both feel that it is well worth the cost. We have gained so much more than just "business" through our associations with this group.

Several members of this particular group also belong to the same Chamber of Commerce that we do, and encouraged us to start attending the Chamber functions more regularly; because we then felt more comfortable because we already knew those folks, it has helped us tremendously with feeling more comfortable at the Chamber events- so it has sort of "paid off doubly" for us in that regard.

Each group has its own dynamics, largely based on the particular group's rules as well as the members/attendees. As long as you go into it with few, if any, "expectations" (also known as "delusions of grandeur"), you can't really lose anything by going to ONE meeting. Don't rush into a decision to join. I don't know much about BNI in particular, only that like Netweavers, there are several requirements for membership. I do believe, from a little research I did "back then", that BNI's requirements are much stricter than what we've seen with our Netweavers group. I'd recommend doing some research ("Google is your friend." ) before deciding whether to go or not.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, and remember: if you decide to just have fun with any sort of networking you do, you'll get a lot better results, because folks will see you as a genuinely caring, pleasant person to be around.

 

[Mr.Explosion]

Opinions please BNI

Kelly and I have both participated in BNI. Some chapters are very active and good about helping each other, some less so. Overall, BNI was a very good experience for us, as we did gain clients, met lots of good people, and acquired practice presenting ourselves and our business to others on a weekly basis.

Visit several groups in your area and see what you think.

 

[dark_angel]

Opinions please BNI

Thanks

I've had a negative experience with ou local chamber of commerce, and the initial cost to joing the BNI is a bit of a put off.

From what I've seen of the local groups members (first official BNI in the area) it's very sales oriented, (insurance, real estate, auto dealer, optician)

As bodyworkers, has it generated the return on investment, and increased community profile?

Do the members actually send referrals your way?

 

[Jesss]

Opinions please BNI

Although our formal affiliation with BNI ended nearly 2 years ago, Kelly and I still receive referrals from people we met through that chapter, and some have been good repeat clients. However, referral business is not the only value to being a member of a networking group.

During our BNI membership, we met some very competent businesspeople that have played key roles in our acquisition and management of our massage center. Our business insurance, payroll, banking... all set up with people in that BNI chapter. Very soon we will switch our accounting over to someone we met through that group, even though she also left it some time ago. Without the assistance of these excellent people, we would have struggled to find the kind of expertise we need and the ethical practices that we require. Having those services handled in a quality way has been an enormous return on our BNI investment, over and above the referral business we have received.

 

[Alaina]

Opinions please BNI

Each BNI group is different, so the best thing is to just go to a meeting and see if it is a fit for you. Where I was previously living in AL the BNI group wasn't that great as they had stipulations for referring people and other things I didn't agree with. However, the BNI here in San Diego is completely different (not a member but have spoken with other members). So, from what I've gathered is each BNI group is different. So, check it out and see if it's a fit for you. Anyway, that's the best resolution, opinions can be somewhat interesting but it's always best to find out for yourself.

 

[Mike G]

Opinions please BNI

I'll reiterate that each BNI group has it's own personality. I developed some great relationships with the people in my BNI group and do business with several of them. It's important that you know that just joining will not mean you are flooded with referrals. You will have some members who are in a better position to refer people to you than others. You will also have to establish a relationship with the other members so that they are comfortable referring people to you. You'll also have to keep in mind that BNI is a "givers gain" group - you will get better outcome if you are engaged and referring people to your fellow members. I recommend you attend the meeting and get a feel for that group's personality and decide if it is a good fit for you. One thing a friend got out of it that she wasn't expecting was an ability to engage with strangers about her business. You'll get support and training in how to talk to people about how you can meet their need.

 

[robert m]

Opinions please BNI

I agree on each BNI group having it's own personality. SOme are good and some are... well... so-so. But, overall I like their concept.

I don't belong to one, but have wanted to join over the years. My reason for not joining is that I'd have to leave the house at 5:00am to make it to the breakfast meetings in my office area which is not on a day I normally go in to work. There aren't any good groups with lunch or dinner meetings in my area as of yet... waiting since 1998. *thinking maybe I should be the one to start it!!!*

I don't want to make excuses, but my day off, is my day off! Well, anyway, my life is a bit hectic, so it just doesn't fit right now, but I love the idea.

Here is a cross link for other business networking options: List of Business Referral Groups