The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 102: “And the Survey Says…”

Synopsis

The national directors of BNI in the UK and Ireland surveyed 4785 members and came up with some great information.

  • 44% of BNI members had been in their business for more than 5 years. 70% had been in business for more than 2 years. (Most businesses fail within their first 3 years.)
  • 25% of BNI members are one-person-businesses; 54% have 2-10 employees; 22% represent companies of up to 50 employees. 75% of our members have employees who work for their companies.
  • 89.3% of the members felt that camaraderie was important to their participation in BNI, and 90.3% were satisfied or extremely satisfied in this area.
  • Based on the survey, 15% received more than £25,000 (US $34,000) in business in the last 12 months, and of those 6% received £50,0000 or $69,000, and 80% received at least £2000 in business just from BNI.
  • 86% of all BNI members were likely to renew their membership. In actual fact, about 20% don’t renew because of factors beyond their control, so the average renewal rate is about 60%.
  • 70% of the people who do not renew made less than £2000 in referral business. This shouldn’t be a shock, but it’s powerful evidence that the amount of business you generate affects your attitude about BNI.

You can read more details in SuccessNet Online, including the graphs that go with the statistics.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 101: “How to Really Use LinkedIn”

Synopsis

Dr. Misner is joined today by Jan Vermeiren, the author of Let’s Connect: a Practical Guide for Highly Effective Professional Networking. Jan’s new book, How to Really Use LinkedIn, is perfect for BNI members. Here’s how BNI members can use LinkedIn:

  • A social network is like a car: you use it to reach a destination. If you don’t have a goal, the tool is worthless.
  • LinkedIn lets you find shared contacts: people you and your existing contacts both know.
  • LinkedIn shows you who has connections to companies you want to reach—that you never suspected
  • Keep the “Givers Gain” attitude in mind when you’re online. Take time to build relationships before asking for something.
  • Make sure you connect with everyone in your own BNI chapter.
  • The combination of online and offline networking groups is especially powerful because it expands your potential referral network.
  • You can get to know your fellow BNI members better by reading their LinkedIn profiles.
  • Translate your BNI testimonials into recommendations for your fellow BNI members.
  • Save your LinkedIn searches and get updates e-mailed to you.

Download a free sample of Jan’s new book.

Brought to you by Networking Now. View the entire transcript of this episode

Episode 100: “BNI and ‘The Last Millionaire’”

Synopsis

Congratulations to Dr. Misner and BNI on producing 100 episodes of this podcast!

Imagine being dropped off in the middle of a foreign city with only a handful of cash and being told you have to start a successful business before you can go home. That’s the premise of the BBC series “The Last Millionaire.”

What does this have to do with BNI? A recent winner of this show, Lucy, looked up BNI while in Hong Kong and used a visit to the Hong Kong Attraction Chapter to help her make four times as much money as the other contestant.

The Hong Kong BNI members showed how BNI can really work. BNI isn’t just a great way to get business, it’s an even better way to do business.

Brought to you by Networking Now.
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Episode 99: “The Ten Commandments of Business Networking”

Synopsis

Melinda Potcher adapted Dr. Misner’s Ten Commandments of Networking (discussed in Episode 32 and Episode 33 of this podcast) into the Ten Commandments of Business Networking.

  1. Thou Shalt Not Sell to Me.
  2. Thou Shalt Understand the Law of Reciprocity.
  3. Thou Shalt Not Abuse Our Relationship.
  4. Thou Shalt Not Be Late.
  5. Thou Shalt Be Specific.
  6. Thou Shalt Take Your Business Seriously.
  7. Thou Shalt Follow Up on Referrals.
  8. Thou Shalt Communicate.
  9. Thou Shalt Protect My Reputation.
  10. Thou Shalt Prepare for Success.

What do you think of this list? Would you change or add anything?

Read the post on Dr. Misner’s blog.

Brought to you by Networking Now. Special offer for podcast listeners: use coupon code “freesixmonths” when you sign up.

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Episode 98: “Build, Educate, Motivate, & Activate”

Synopsis

Dr. Misner is joined today by BNI Executive Director and Referral Institute Master Trainer Paula Frazier. Paula shares tips from her article, “You Shouldn’t Have to Sell to Your Referral Sources!”

  1. First, build your network. Recognize that everyone you meet has the potential to be a valuable member of your network.
  2. Educate your network. Make sure everyone in your network knows your clear, repeatable, memorable message and when to share it.
  3. Motivate your network. Host an event with a purpose. Follow up. Show your appreciation. Help your referral partners achieve their goals.
  4. Activate your network—ask for something. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when they say yes.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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