February 2011 Archives - The Official BNI Podcast

February 23rd, 2011

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Synopsis

Note: The podcast refers to www.bniconnect.com. However, currently the website to go to is www.bniconnectglobal.com.

As of January 2011 51% of BNI members are members of Gen X and Gen Y: people born after 1965. This is a connected, tech-savvy population. Hence BNI has made a decision to combine online and face-to-face networking.

Here are some of the benefits to the new BNI Connect system:

A uniform database system worldwide
A uniformity of brand worldwide
Increase member retention
Increase results for chapters

The basic business model of BNI will not change. BNI chapters will continue to meet face to face on a weekly basis. BNI Connect makes it possible for local businesses to have a true global network. There are three legs to this stool:

Database of members around the globe
Websites for chapters (you can point existing chapter domains there)
Social network with free “My BNI” page for members

Ask your local executive director to find out when your chapter is scheduled for transition to BNI Connect.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Online Networking
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Discussion: 12 Comments

Episode 192: “What Richard Branson Can Teach You About Networking”

February 16th, 2011

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Synopsis

Someone recently asked Dr. Misner about the importance of eye contact to networking, and what came to mind was his experience meeting Sir Richard Branson, who has absolute laser focus on anyone he meets. The only person in the room is the person he’s talking to, even when that person is a fifteen-year-old boy. (Listen to Episode 25 to hear about how Dr. Misner met Sir Richard Branson.)

How many times have you been at a networking meeting and noticed the person you’re talking to looking over your shoulder to see whether there’s someone more interesting to talk to? Make an effort to maintain eye contact and give people your undivided attention. It’s one of the skills of a master networker.

You can see the photograph of Sir Richard Branson talking to Dr. Misner’s son Trey on the Networking Entrepreneur blog.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Networking
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Discussion: 2 Comments

Episode 191: One-to-Ones Equal More Referrals

February 9th, 2011

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Synopsis

In honor of International Networking Week, Dr. Misner has brought in special guest Allen Buchanan from the Champions chapter of SoCal BNI to talk about how to get more referrals by having more one-to-one meetings.

When Ivan visited Allen’s chapter, he noticed that Allen won both the awards for the most one-to-one meetings and the most referrals given, and he wondered whether there was a connection.

Allen’s technique for a good one-to-one meeting is to start with general questions, then get more specific. If he thinks of a good referral for the person, he picks up the phone then and there, calls the referral, and makes the introduction on the spot.

Making all these connections and giving these referrals has resulted in a great year—the best in 26 years—for Allen, in spite of the recession, which has hit his business (real estate) particularly hard.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: One on Ones | Special Guests
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Discussion: 14 Comments

Episode 190: “International Networking Week 2011”

February 2nd, 2011

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Synopsis

BNI’s fifth annual International Networking Week starts on February 7th. The purpose of International Networking week is to recognize the role that networking plays in the success of businesses around the world. BNI works in partnership with interested organizations to celebrate this program globally.

Watch this YouTube video to learn about the “networking disconnect.” People don’t go to networking events to buy. If you’re going to networking events hoping to sell something, you’re dreaming. It happens about as often as a solar eclipse.

Master networkers know that networking events are about moving through the VCP process, not about closing deals. Use International Networking Week to improve your connections with your referral partners.

To find out more, go to www.internationalnetworkingweek.com.