Episode 36: “Changing the Way the World Does Business”
Synopsis
BNI’s theme for 2008 is “Changing the Way the World Does Business.” Here are a few ways BNI has helped create relationship marketing.
- Philosophy of “Givers Gain”
- Training: BNI spends more time teaching people how to network effectively than any other organization
- Free content (like these podcasts and Dr. Misner’s blog)
- Ten books to help members network
- More than 5.5 million referrals in 2007 alone
“You may not be able to make a world of difference, but you can make a difference in the world.”
Share ways in which BNI has changed the way you do business: post a comment!
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Complete Transcription of BNI Podcast Episode 036 -
Priscilla Rice:
Hello everybody and welcome back to the official BNI podcast, brought to you by networkingnow.com, the leading site on the net for networking downloadable is. I am Priscilla Rice coming from Live Oak Recording Studio in Berkeley, California, and I’m joined on the phone today by the Founder and Chairman of BNI, Dr. Ivan Misner. Hello, Ivan.
Ivan Misner:
Hi, Priscilla. It’s great to talk to you again.
Priscilla:
How are you today?
Ivan:
I’m doing great.
Priscilla:
That’s good. Where are you calling from?
Ivan:
I am at BNI headquarters for the beginning of the new year.
Priscilla:
Great. What do you have to tell us today?
Ivan:
Today, I want to talk about the theme for BNI in 2008. Our theme in the organization is “Changing the Way the World Does Business”. It’s kind of an interesting story as to how I came up with that theme. Usually, I have ideas for the themes and I put it out there to a lot of directors. They put it out to members and I get a lot of suggestions back. For the first time, I pretty much came up with the theme and put it through on my own without running it by a lot of directors. It’s an interesting story how that came about.
Priscilla:
Great. Well, what is it?
Ivan:
About a year ago, as a matter of fact, about a year ago this month, it struck me that BNI truly is changing the way that the world does business and it happened at a meeting in Tucson that I was at for the Transformational Leadership Council, or TLC. TLC is a small network of trainers and thought leaders that was created by Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul. I’ve been a member of the organization for several years.
At each meeting, a lot of the members do mini versions of their training and seminars, which mostly focus on personal development and transformational leadership. I was talking to my wife and some of the members of TLC about the fact that BNI didn’t really fit the mold of the group because BNI is not a seminar company doing self development training. A lot of them pointed out that BNI was, in fact, transforming the world through our philosophy of givers gain.
This got me thinking at length about BNI’s larger role in helping business people all over the world. By the end of the weeklong program in Tucson last year, the theme for 2008 just struck me. “Changing the Way the World Does Business” materialized in my mind. It happened because I was thinking about a lot of the ways that we, in fact, changed the way that the world does business.
First and foremost is our philosophy of givers gain. It is a powerful philosophy that is absolutely transformational. It’s focused on cooperation and collaboration. It’s an approach that involves helping other people over time, and by helping them, they will help you in return. Givers gain is an early tradition within the organization and it truly set us apart from other groups. I think it’s really the foundation for the types of change that we incorporate in the way that the world does business.
Secondly, BNI devotes a huge amount of time to training. In 2007 alone, we devoted over 135,000 person hours to leadership team training alone. That’s huge. That’s far more than any other networking organization in the world. No organization in the world devotes as much time and energy into teaching people how to run effective networking meetings.
That’s not just a guess in the number of hours. It’s pretty easy to calculate. If you take 5000 chapters which is a proximately what we ended the year with and you multiply that times three leadership team people times to trading to hear times about 4 1/2 hours per training, you get 135,000 person hours. That doesn’t even include membership committee training, visitor host training, directors training, etc. BNI spends a lot of time teaching people how to network effectively.
Priscilla:
Yeah, I agree.
Ivan:
The third thing is a huge quantity of free content that members get to improve their participation in the organization. These weekly podcasts appear at BNIpodcast.com. It’s a great way for them to learn to network more effectively. But also, my monthly blog at networkingentrepreneur.com — the monthly networking column that I have at entrepreneur.com — and of course the download section for BNI.com and our monthly newsletter.
If the listeners to this podcast aren’t subscribing to the monthly newsletter, go to BNI.com and subscribe for the newsletter. It’s free. All of this different content is just a huge quantity of free material that’s available to members.
I almost feel like one of those TV shows — but wait there’s more! But there is. There really is more. BNI is the only networking organization in the world to have published 10 books on business networking to help our members learn how to be more successful in the process. These include books like Masters of Networking, The World’s Best-Known Marketing Secret, Business by Referral, Truth or Delusion — of course, Givers Gain. All of these books, not counting Givers Gain, have been translated into about 10 languages. Counting Givers Gain, it’s then into probably 2000 languages that these books have been translated into.
I think BNI has been the driving force in creating the relationship networking approach to marketing. We helped create an entire industry and an entire marketing strategy for building one’s business through a whole new paradigm of business development. In 2007 alone, we don’t have the final numbers but these are pretty close. BNI passed an estimated 5.5 million referrals generating over 2.1 billion US dollars in business for our members all around the world. If that isn’t changing the way the world does business — to do that all through word-of-mouth and referrals– I don’t know what is.
Priscilla:
That’s amazing. It is completely different than how most people do their marketing and their business.
Ivan:
That’s true. We don’t teach this to colleges and universities. I’ve talked about this in the past podcasts. I’ve been thinking about this for some length of time now and I’m really proud to be part of an organization that helps people build each other’s business through referrals and through supporting one another.
We’ve impacted over 100,000 business professionals at any one time. We have over 100,000 members in BNI in almost 40 countries. We built the system and a program that has lasted for more than two decades and has helped people generate new business, build friendships, develop personal and professional skills, mentor one another and really help change the world around them.
I believe that you may not be able to make a world of difference but you can make a difference in the world. BNI has made a difference in the world. We truly are changing the way the world does business. I ask all the members who are listening to this to talk at your chapter meeting about how BNI is changing the way the world does business. When you listen to this podcast, share with me how you believe that BNI has changed your life or your fellow members’ lives in some way. Post a message up here on the podcast bulletin board, letting me know how BNI has help you change the way you do business.
Priscilla:
That’s great, Ivan. One thing that I want to add that I know from being in my chapter is the community that is developed within the chapter. That is something that is lacking in most of our culture. It’s really, really important. It’s a great place to create community.
Ivan:
You’re right. You know, we don’t live in Little House on the Prairie anymore, that old TV show. We don’t live in Little House on the Prairie. We don’t know our own neighbors. We don’t even know our business community. A BNI meeting really is a way of creating a virtual Main Street in creating an environment where you can get together on a regular basis and connect with people and build a community through relationship networking. I think in this high-tech society, it’s always important to have that in-touch connection with the increase of technology to get out and connect with people. BNI is a great way to help create an opportunity for people to do just that.
Priscilla:
Great. I agree. Is there anything else that you would like to share before we close this podcast?
Ivan:
Thanks, Priscilla. I’d just like to remind everyone if you listen to this podcast, please post a message up on the bulletin board and let us know how you have envisioned BNI changing the way that you do business. Be part of the whole organization and how we are changing the way the world does business today. Thank you, Priscilla.
Priscilla:
You’re so welcome. That’s it for this week for Dr. Ivan Misner. This podcast has been brought to you by networkingnow.com, the leading site on the net for networking downloadables. Thanks for listening. This is Priscilla Rice, and we look forward to having you join us again next week for another episode of the official BNI podcast.
10 Responses To "Episode 36: “Changing the Way the World Does Business”"
B.N.I. has helped me completely tranform my business. Almost everything I use to market my business was generated from B.N.I. Receiving referrals is just a small part of of what B.N.I. has done for me. My website, graphic design, bochures, web optimization, computer maintenance and many others. I have met many quality people that are the best at what they do, it’s amazing what you can learn by being surrounded by other top professionals. The ongoing education from B.N.I. is excellent. B.N.I. changes how the world does business and it changes how the world views my business by helping create a business environment second to none.
BNI has changed the way I do business in the fact that I became a BNI Area Director! I fell in love with BNI at the very first meeting I attended. I became more and more involved in my chapter and my business was seen in a different light both by my cutomers and myeslf! I promote my business within BNI and I promote BNI within my business. I have always been a networker, I’m just a better one now thanks to the BNI training. ( and now I can teach that to others)BNI is an extension of my business and I would not be without it. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me and for others. Networking is truly the way! Do it the right way, the BNI way–you’ll be glad you did.
Dear Ivan,
BNI is a great succes-story. I am memeber of BNI chapter Peridot in Germany and this year I intend to visit the chapters in New York, Los Angeles and Florida. There is a slow paradigmen change in the world from the I (Ego) to the you. If you make othe people succesfull you will automatically be recommended. This is my life-philosophy and I hope that I can connect and cooperate with people of this ideology all around the world. Thank you very much Ivan for your great work, for your great ideas and for your great realisation! Thank you!
I had the pleasure of meeting Ivan at the International Networking Event held here in Coffs Harbour, Australia, last year and he is certainly a gentleman who walks the talk!
Networking has always ranked highly in our business strategy however, BNI has taken it to a new level and made it more functional.
I certainly agree with Ivan that we have lost our sense of community, even here in Coffs Harbour with a population of less than 100,000. Through the cameraderie and caring of my BNI group we have been able to grow our personal development business very quickly in the 2 and a half years since we arrived from a big city. As Education Co-ordinator of my group I find the information from BNI an invaluable help and enjoy the podcasts etc. I always say, when you start learning and believing you start earning and achieving. All the best. Gary Haseldine, Haseldine Winners International
I have had the priviledge of being around BNI since 1989. I started my relationship as a member in Phoenix, AZ with Norm Dominguez. The most powerful thing I have learned is the power of the Resourceful Relationship. R2 (R-squared). That is the new math in business. When we display the principle of Givers Gain, it truly allows us to develop extraordinaryly resourceful relationships. I have known Norm for 18 years. In spite of a few years when we lost contact, we were able to immediately reconnect–as if ther had been no gap at all. The power of the relationship had survived and has become even stronger.
I am grateful for the education and mentorship that I received from Norm and the opportunity to experience BNI meetings every business day for 3 and 1/2 years as a BNI ambassador. What a powerful way to start the business day–with a BNI meeting–focusing on learning more about Givers Gain, developing great friendships and business relationships.
When people ask me what I think about BNI, I simply state: “Next to a meeting with the CEO of my company, my BNI meeting is the most important meeting of the week. I come prepared to engage with my fellow members and learn more about their businesses so I can do a better job of bringing them more business.”
BNI provides each of us a forum to sharpen our saw with respect to developing great relationships. BNI has had a profound effect on how I conduct my business. Ivan, thank you for pursuing your dream. It is changing the way the world does business and it is a phenomenal ride. Buckle up, as the best is yet to come!
Hello.. Is it me, or does this POD CAST stop after 2 minutes or so? I would LOVE to hear the whole thing!
However, even though I’ve not heard the whole podcast, I can also say that BNI has certainly changed the way I do business. I am very grateful one of my clients, (Over 4 years ago now) invited me to visit his “Business Meeting” where I’d get referrals… I never could have dreamed my business would be as STRONG as it is right now.. and by strong I mean: There is always something in the PIPELINE ahead.. I don’t think I have had a lack of work since prior to that first meeting!
Thanks again Dr. Misner and BNI!
Christopher Signore, Agent
BNI has changed my business and my outlook. I came into BNI as a massage therapist; and a new cynic. BNI not only helped to launch an incredibly successful business for me, it reinstated my faith in people. I was raised to practice “givers gain” (though we didn’t call it that). As an adult I was mostly running into people who lived “takers gain” and was beginning to think I need to shift gears. Now, I am successful thanks to the assistance of a lot of other givers and I find that I just can’t give enough back for all the professional advice, referrals and support I have received. I closed my practice to start a new business with my twin sister, a BNI member before the business even opened! My children are also reaping the benefit of being surrounded by good quality business people of generous intent. Thank you Dr. Misner!
BNI with its powerfull philosophy of “Givers Gain” has put me in touch with the caring side of me again. In our society today we really are living past each other in the so called “fast lane” and are all so so busy that we dont see or listen to our fellow human beings anymore. BNI has changed that and I say thank you!
Butch Coetzee
Executive BNI Director
East London
South Africa
Yes, BNI definitely changed the way the world does business !
There are all kinds of social and business networks, physical or online but it is BNI that turns local and global strangers into instant business associates and friends.
Whenever we have visiting members from overseas BNI chapters, trust and respect are instantly built which paved the way immediately for the business referral process between the linked parties.
One of the examples was the recent visit by Mr. Mayuresh Godse of the Falcon Chapter in the city of Pune, India. I have been looking for distributors for my product globally but India was not in my priority list.
However, Mayuresh’s visit to Singapore leapfrogged my company’s exploration on the India market when he unreservedly linked me to the MD of one of the manufacturers that could be complementary to my business. At the same time, I had referred a friend, the CEO of a Public Relations company based in Mumbai to explore joining BNI there.
Although both the referrals are still in progress, my point is that I cannot think of any other avenue other than BNI, that I can get access to such growing list of business opportunities and friendship by spending such a negligible effort, cost and time. BNI zeroed out the distance among BNI members doing business in this hyper-competitive globalised world.
Ah Sin ANG
President, Raffles Chapter
BNI Singapore
BNI community is great, I attend my own chapter and sub at a larger chapter, it gives you a warm feeling when you walk into a room and everyone knows your christian name and then wants to talk business rather than shy away from it