The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 147: “Premature Solicitation”

March 24th, 2010

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Synopsis

Have you ever been solicited for business or for a referral by someone you didn’t even know? Asking for a referral before there’s a relationship is premature.

Someone Dr. Misner had never met once asked him for an introduction to Sir Richard Branson so he could market a product to the British entrepreneur.

Priscilla sometimes gets calls from aspiring musicians who want to be connected to multi-platinum performers who recorded at the studio years ago.

This is not networking. It’s direct selling. When you give a referral, you give part of yourself away. You don’t want to put your own reputation on the line for a stranger.

Dr. Misner would like to invite Education Coordinators to bring up this topic at their meetings.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Education Coordinators | Networking
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Discussion: 7 Comments

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Episode 126: “Networking—It’s More Than Just Talking Business”

October 14th, 2009

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Synopsis

A referral relationship is more than just doing business. You need to find common ground on a personal level.

One exercise that can help accomplish this in a BNI chapter is the GAINS Exchange, discussed in Episode 5 of this podcast.

Even though many members are reluctant to do this exercise, it has tremendous results.

Two guys who had barely spoken to each other in their first year in one chapter formed a relationship over their shared interest in soccer and began passing business to each other as a result.

Ivan encourages Priscilla to go back to her BNI chapter and propose a new GAINS Exchange exercise.

See Business by Referral for more on this topic.

Brought to you by Networking Now. Enter “freesixmonths” for a six-month free trial and get access to live teleconferences with Dr. Misner.

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Published In: Business Cards | Education Coordinators | Networking
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Discussion: 6 Comments

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Episode 121: “Fast Track with Networking Secrets”

September 9th, 2009

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Synopsis

This week Melinda McNeely and Mary Alice Griffin from the Golden Triangle Referral Group in Texas join Dr. Misner to share their experiences with the BNI Fast Track Program from del Fuego.

Here are some of the results the Golden Triangle chapter got from the 12-week Fast Track Program:

  • Average number of referrals per week increased from 43 to 74
  • Before Fast Track, 10 members were making 65% of the referrals. Now 96% of the members make at least one referral per week.
  • Quality of referrals has increased.
  • Accountability has increased.
  • The number of members bringing visitors is increasing.
  • Member report cards were an important part of this process.
  • “VCP” and “Wind Sprints” are now staples in the chapter’s vocabulary.

To learn more about the BNI Fast Track program, listen to Episode 108: Quantum Chapter Growth. You can order the CDs for your own chapter at www.delfuego.com/bni or find a Fast Track coach.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Education Coordinators | Getting The Most From BNI | Meeting Stimulants | Special Guests
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 12 Comments

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Episode 115: “Top 10 Ways to Waste Your Time in BNI”

July 29th, 2009

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Synopsis

This week Dr. Misner is beginning a 12-week course of BNI Fundamentals. If you’re a BNI Education Coordinator, you can download this information from the BNI website.

Here are the top ten ways to prevent other BNI members from giving you good referrals.

  1. Show up late or multi-task during the meeting.
  2. Be absent.
  3. Don’t invite your own guests.
  4. Use other people’s 60-second presentation time to think about what to say yourself.
  5. Focus your efforts on selling your services to the members.
  6. Don’t rush following up on a member referral.
  7. Use one-to-one’s to talk about the chapter.
  8. Wing it with your 60-second presentation.
  9. Use your 10-minute presentation to explain minute details of how your business works.
  10. Air your grievances among your table-mates and guests.

What are your suggestions for the top ways to waste time in BNI? Let us know here in the comments to the blog.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Education Coordinators | Getting The Most From BNI
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 16 Comments

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Episode 78: “I’m a Baby Boomer; what’s a Podcast?”

October 29th, 2008

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Synopsis

Though listeners from all over the world tell Dr. Misner how helpful the podcast has been, many BNI members ask “What’s a podcast?”

Some important things to remember:

  • All you need to listen to a podcast is a computer and an Internet connection. Just click on the triangle to listen.
  • You can read the transcript or print it out for your chapter.
  • Listening to this podcast (and others) is part of immersing yourself in a culture of learning.
  • You can get an e-mail reminder to listen (sign up in the box to the right).
  • You can subscribe and get new episodes automatically. (Click that big orange “subscribe” button.)

Action Item

Go to your chapter and share this information. Tell them how easy it is to listen to the Official BNI Podcast.

If you are doing something creative to get these podcasts heard in your chapter, please post a comment!

Brought to you by Networking Now.

View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: Education | Education Coordinators | Getting The Most From BNI
SOLUTIONS FOCUSED COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Discussion: 7 Comments

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