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Find BNI chapters across the country and throughout Europe. - BNI International
Gateway to the wider BNI network - BNI Magazine Downloads
pdf versions of BNI's popular Successnet bi-monthly magazine - BNI Memory Hooks
great source of inspiration for your memory hook - BNI Missouri-Southern Illinois
excellent source of inspiration state side - BNI Podcast
The official BNI podcast - BNI Somerset and Wiltshire
Find a chapter, event or news from Somerset and Wiltshire - Business Card Scanner
Essential tool for anyone who wants to do something with their business cards. Excellent Value for money - Geoff Kirkwood Australia
sound advice and resource from experienced BNI Director Geoff Kirkwood - Networking Articles
Archive of articles by Dr Ivan Misner designed to help you increase your understand the difference between sales and networking - Seth Godin: Tribes
- Slide Design for Business Presentations
better slide designs for clarity of message - Wikiquote
Great source for quotations
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Blogs to Inspire
December 06, 2009
November 29, 2009
November 27, 2009
November 26, 2009
November 25, 2009
November 23, 2009
November 22, 2009
November 21, 2009
November 18, 2009
October 17, 2009
September 28, 2009
September 25, 2009
September 12, 2009
August 19, 2009
July 22, 2009
July 21, 2009
May 18, 2009
Bob Nicoll visits Somerset
Bob Nicoll joined BNI is Arizona 20 years ago and became one of the first Assistant Directors Norm Dominguez (BNI's Current CEO) ever appointed.
He is still a BNI member and lives with his wife, Nancy, in Alaska. Bob now runs a successful speaking and consultancy business called 'Remember the Ice', showing people how the natural choice of the words we all use can have the opposite effect to the one we intend.
Last Friday, Bob was the guest speaker at Network Central, attended by over 1,000 people from all over the South West.
After the event, I managed to catch up with him for an interview. I asked him to tell me how poor choice of words can have devastating effects. Check it here, now.
May 04, 2009
Being an Assistant Director is Good for Business
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Dinah Liversidge shares her experience of her first year as a BNI Area (Assistant) Director at the European Conference in Amsterdam in May. Click on the Play Button above to hear how being a Director has significantly increased her business.
For more information about Dinah's business CLICK HERE
March 31, 2009
Stroke of Brilliance from Ivan Misner
I realized that I needed to be the person whom people came to if they needed a referral for anything–the “gatekeeper” of referrals . . . the “go-to guy.” So I composed a letter that I sent out to my client list several times a year. Today you could send out a quick e-mail to your database, but you should send it at least once a year as hard copy just to stand out from everybody else who’s e-mailing your clients. Here’s a sample letter: Dear________: I really believe in the process of referrals, so part of the service I provide is to be sure to refer my clients and associates to other qualified businesspeople in the community. Attached is a list of areas in which I know very credible, ethical and outstanding professionals. If you’re looking for a professional in a specific area I’ve listed, please feel free to contact me. I will be glad to put you in touch with the people I know who provide these services. Sincerely, Dr. Ivan Misner Notice when you read this letter that I just listed professions; I didn’t list names and phone numbers. I wanted my clients to contact me so I could put the referral and the contact together–so I could build business relationships through being the go-to guy. What began to happen was that others would ask someone on my client list, “Whom do you know who does XYZ?” If they didn’t know anyone, then they would send that person to me. The importance of becoming a gatekeeper is huge for anyone seeking to grow a business with word-of-mouth marketing. It’s a strategy that gets people not only to contact you for a referral, but also to open up a dialogue with people about what your business is all about and how you can help them. This, in turn, leads to more business with existing clients and new business with prospects. Allow this to open the door for reciprocal sharing and giving. You’ll be amazed at how much more business you’ll find you’re able to do as a result.
One of the most common networking questions I get asked is, “How do I generate referrals for other people?” Well, this same question is exactly what I was asking myself in the early ’80s when I was just starting my consulting business. I came up with a technique that had a huge impact on my ability to provide quality referrals to others–which, of course, led to me getting referrals.
March 12, 2009
Why People Love BNI
What you won't see at a BNI meeting
- Your Competitors. BNI positions are exclusive, a rare scenario for any marketing initiative. Ever tried to get exclusive positioning in Yellow Pages or your Local Newspaper or at a Networking Event? No, your focus is diluted with those of your competitors.
- Empty Seats. Developing referrals means building relationships based on trust, confidence, reliability. You cannot achieve this when 'members can come and go as they please'. Without a commitment to be there, people won't be over time. Erodes trust and dilutes the energy of the meeting. This always happens when an organisation opts out of the having an attendance policy. When any BNI member cannot attend they find it easy to arrange for a substitute and we help new members arrange this in advance.
What you don't don't see elsewhere
- Referrals System BNI focus on qualified referrals, not leads or maybes. The person passing you a referral will have established that "their contact is in the market for your product or service and they are looking forward to your call, with anticipation." In some case they may even take you to meet their contacts. At BNI good members know that 'what goes around, comes around and that part of their strategy is to add value to their business by recommending other good people
- Structure and Focus. Good business is about bringing professionals together within a focused environment and the BNI structured approach has been proven to work for over 24 years.
- Coaching, Training, Support. In these economically challenging times, "don't wish it were easier, wish you were better." BNI provides the best coaching and training in how to develop referral strategies anywhere in the world. As a member you have access to this training on a weekly basis in addition to regular workshops and cross chapter networking events.
- Proven Track Record over Time. Experience comes with success and BNI is the most successful referral organisation in the world. With access to any chapter in the world an International reputation is important. If you want proven results come and join us.
Refuse to Participate in the Recession. How?
Message from Dr Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI.
It’s times like these that I think of situations I’ve been in where some crisis is brewing and one person in the mix stays calm and focused. That person keeps her “eye on the ball” and does what needs to be done – as it needs to be done.
As business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals, if you want to be successful during these difficult times, you must be someone who stays focused on solutions and not get drawn into the quagmire of problems.
Recessions will come and go. Most people don’t know this, but statistically we have one every six years or so. This recession is a more serious one. I get that. I also believe that the people who look for opportunities when times are tough will not only survive--they will thrive. I’ve been in business long enough to have seen it over and over again.
Now, more than ever, a powerful personal network can carry you through difficult times. Business will go on. In times like this, people want to do business with people they trust more than ever. The relationships you have with the people in your network can make the difference in your business.
When times are difficult, BNI can be a positive place for people to meet, build relationships, create business opportunities, and stay focused on solutions, not problems! <form class="at-page-break"></form>You cannot change the economy. The economy is going to be what the economy is going to be. You cannot change your competition. Your competition is going to do what your competition is going to do. But you can change your response to the economy. You can change your response to your competition.
The solution to difficult economic times begins with a commitment to focus on opportunities. Stay focused. Continue to build your relationships. Be there for others and work your BNI network like you’ve never worked it before.
I refuse to participate in the recession!
February 23, 2009
January 25, 2009
January 14, 2009
BBC Radio Somerset Interview
Interview with Adam Thomas on the subject of the loan guarantee scheme proposed by the government as a way to ease the credit challenges faced by small business and how it will effect business's in Somerset.
January 11, 2009
December 06, 2008
Message from Brian Tracy
What Are You Worth?Invest in yourself to achieve the best.
In the world of work, some people earn a little and some people earn a lot. What is the difference? This question has been studied for more than 100 years, and now we know the answers.
People who earn a lot—the top 20% in any field—make a greater contribution and get better results than people who earn a little-the bottom 80%.
Your work and earning life is very much like a marathon. All the runners assemble from different places at the starting line. The gun goes off! The runners begin to run, at different speeds. Some people sprint to take the lead quickly. Others go a little slower, preferring to run steadily over the long course. Others start off slowly and fall further back in the pack throughout the race, finally coming in so far behind that almost everyone has gone home by the time they cross the finish line.
In life, we all start off at the same place. When we get out of high school or college, we have few, if any, marketable skills. We take the first job that we can get and go to work. At that point, most people settle into the hum-drum of work life, doing what they are told to do, coming in at nine and leaving at five, and going home and watching television in the evenings.
But this is not for you. The race is on! The good news is that most people do not know that they are in a race so they are easy to beat.
December 03, 2008
BBC Radio Somerset Interview
December 3rd interview with BBC Radio Somerset's Adam Thomas on the Big Breakfast Show regarding the challenges facing businesses in the South West.
December 01, 2008
Building Relationships: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
There has never been a more important time to build relationships in business. From keeping in touch with existing customers to winning new ones. But how good are you at understanding and relating to the opposite sex?
John Gray speaks to members on the ilearning global conference call, one of the weekly live calls sharing knowledge, wisdom and the ilearning global opportunity to share life long learning.
John Gray is the best selling author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and if you have ever wondered the sexes are wired differently, listen in.
To learn more about the BNI announcement regarding the strategic alliance with ILearning Global and Dr Ivan Misner's announcement go to www.bni-ilearning.com
November 27, 2008
November 21, 2008
The 29% Solution
In many ways, success at networking is the uncommon application of common knowledge. Most people understand that networking is important to their success - they just lack a step-by-step process to get the results they want.
Almost no one really implements a comprehensive methodology that will build a business through networking. Thus, the need to network is "common knowledge," and the development of the methodology required to be successful at it is the "uncommon application."
By reading this book, you will experience the true essence and meaning of networking. The 29% Solution gives you the answers to two conflicting questions that a business owner or salesperson faces every day:
How can I tend to my existing clients while at the same time network for new business? and, Should I place higher value on my current clients or on new clients?
"An extraordinary book! It can take you and your business to a whole new level of success."
- Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
- Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
November 18, 2008
November 06, 2008
November 03, 2008
October 31, 2008
October 28, 2008
October 05, 2008
How to Thrive in a Recession
Message from Dr Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI.
It’s times like these that I think of situations I’ve been in where some crisis is brewing and one person in the mix stays calm and focused. That person keeps her “eye on the ball” and does what needs to be done – as it needs to be done.
As business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals, if you want to be successful during these difficult times, you must be someone who stays focused on solutions and not get drawn into the quagmire of problems.
Recessions will come and go. Most people don’t know this, but statistically we have one every six years or so. This recession is a more serious one. I get that. I also believe that the people who look for opportunities when times are tough will not only survive--they will thrive. I’ve been in business long enough to have seen it over and over again.
Now, more than ever, a powerful personal network can carry you through difficult times. Business will go on. In times like this, people want to do business with people they trust more than ever. The relationships you have with the people in your network can make the difference in your business.
When times are difficult, BNI can be a positive place for people to meet, build relationships, create business opportunities, and stay focused on solutions, not problems!
