business networking (semi long post)

[bill4117]

I thought I'd post tonight to let you guys in on something I stumbled across. In one of my previous posts I mentioned the coffee news paper. Well I decided to advertise in it and ended up with added benifits. It so happens that the owner belongs to a group called Business Networking International. (BNI). The local chapter here consists of around 45 different businesses and the OWNERS of each meet each friday morning. The way it works is each gives a 60 second presentation of their particular business and tells the others what they are looking for that week. (the hardwood flooring guy wanted to get referals this week for people needing staircases done). That is followed by a couple of small presentations and they pass out referal slips allowing anyone to request anyone elses services. I attended this morning as the guest of the guy I'm advertising with. Low and behold I got the following leads: 1) A member with 2 repairs on the same windshield. 2) An insurance agent who can use my services and will hopefully save me around $1000.00 a year on my homeowners insurance. (score!!!) 3) a great referral to a trucking company who have around 100 owner operated trucks so I meet with him next week. 4) my favorite, the owner of a fleet of moving trucks wants me to walk his lot once a week and catch the chips before they spread. apparently the local companies will only come if called they refuse to do a courtesy walk through every week. I would really recomend finding the local BNI or other WELL organized networking chapter near you. If you find a member with something in common with you (like me and the guy who's running my ad's) they can bring you as a guest. The best part is that only one of any type of business is allowed so your competitors are shut out if you join. And the people in the network use others in the network before using someone outside. Anyway just thought I'd share I think a lot of new guys with no contacts can benefit from it.

[Bois]

WOW!!! Great job!! I wish I had a similar group. I've thought about attending civic organizations such as Kiwanis, Lions Club, etc. as a guest speaker but I haven't persued it yet (procrastinate).

Dale...

[tyler99]

That's great you are having a good experience.

One thing I will caution is that network groups can be incredible time wasters.

Most of the people that join have nothing to give and do not really understand a reciprocal relationship.

It doesn't sound like that will be your experience but that has been mine with a couple of them.

[zachb]

I was invited to a networking group a couple months ago and it has been great. I would be a little unsure about BNI as they charge high membership fees, but the one I am involved with is free except for our monthly party. I have received alot of referrals and am about to land my first fleet account through the group. If you are just getting started and can find one in your area I would recomend giving it a try.

[whitestache]

If anyone is interested you can look up http://www.bni.com.

[cazador]

Bill4117,
This is far better than advertising in the Yellow Pages, this way you talk with business owners that help each other one way or the other, because everyone likes to score.
Years back I was member of the ROUND TABLE when I had my A/C business and profited by it .
Like I have said before BIRDS of the SAME FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.
I defenantly will look for a BNI group in my area.
Thanks for making me aware of it.