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Why Join BNI?

Episode 143: “Addition by Subtraction”

Synopsis

Today’s episode is inspired by a letter Dr. Misner got from the vice-president of a struggling BNI chapter who wanted to know how to keep the long-term goal of building the chapter in mind when facing personal attacks from members?

Dr. Misner’s response was to refer this VP back to an article he wrote in SuccessNet in 2006, called “Addition by Subtraction.” The chapter in that story was facing a problem with absenteeism.

In the article, Ivan and Beth Misner take turns explaining that the way to grow healthy rose bushes is to prune them back—and the way to grow a healthy BNI chapter is to get rid of the members who don’t show up or don’t participate. BNI thrives on accountability.

This episode is brought to you by our new sponsor, Ask Ivan Misner.

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Video: “How BNI Works”

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Video: “Why Join BNI”

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Episode 142: “BNI Visualized”

Synopsis

Benefits of BNI Visualized

Today’s special guest is infographics specialist Steven Lin, who created a series of visual tools called “BNI Visualized” to help new members understand the value of BNI. These are on BNI’s main website, but we’re also going to put the Flash animations and the PDF notes here on the podcast site.

BNI members at every level can use “BNI Visualized” to benefit themselves, their guests, their chapter, and BNI as a whole.

  • New members see the benefit of BNI and invite more guests
  • Guests will join BNI because they see the benefits
  • BNI directors can educate the leadership team more easily and train members who want to start new chapters
  • Expands knowledge of directors so they can make their chapters stronger

The “Why Join BNI?” animation includes 4 reasons to join BNI:

  1. World’s largest networking organization
  2. Lock out competition
  3. Mandate is to give referrals
  4. Best marketing tools for your business

There’s also a second Flash animation called “How BNI Works” that explains the concept of Givers Gain.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 137: “Don’t Be All Things to All People”

Synopsis

If you try to be all things to all people, you won’t be good at anything. BNI has one core business model: referral marketing. As an organization, we do one thing better than anyone else.

BNI members should also do one thing better than anyone else. That’s what’s going to give you the best results. Instead of being all things to all people, be one thing to all people. Stick to your mission.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 132: “Five Ways to Encourage Employees to Network”

Synopsis

Many BNI members have employees, and we almost never think about them as a source of referrals for our businesses. But building a business through word of mouth is everyone’s job. Here are five tips to develop a networking mindset in your staff.

  1. Include networking in the job description for every employee.
  2. Establish clear and reasonable expectations.
  3. Teach your staff how to network effectively for the company—bring them to BNI.
  4. Motivate your staff to bring referrals to the company through an incentive program.
  5. Be sure your staff sees you practicing your networking skills.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 129: “SuccessNet Online”

Synopsis

BNI SuccessNet will be 25 years old in 2010. The newsletter started just a few months after BNI itself was founded. The online version started about 8 years ago.

If you’re anywhere near a computer, go to www.BNIsuccessnet.com. You can subscribe to get an e-mail notification when the month’s edition appears. We will not sell or rent your contact information, and we won’t spam you ourselves, either.

Each issue’s regular segments are listed in the left sidebar:

If you don’t have time to read an article, you can print it out and bring it with you to read later—maybe with your BNI chapter.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 124: “People Are Talking About You. Are You in the Conversation?”

Synopsis

Word of mouth marketing is always working. It just may not be working in your favor.

Online networking makes it possible to stay more engaged and guide the conversation. Because of that, you have to participate.

Go to the search engines and set up alerts for your name, your company name, the title of your book or name of your products. That way you’ll know who’s talking about you and you can get in touch with them or respond on your own blog.

If you come across a complaint, a timely offer to fix the problem can turn it into an endorsement.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Episode 122: “The Strength of Your Anchor”

Synopsis

It’s not the anchor that holds a ship in place during a storm, but the length of chain connecting it. The captain watches the first mate to see where he needs to lay the chain to counter the winds.

This is a metaphor for BNI. How many links are there in your chain of relationships? Can you extend your chain in times when the economic winds are blowing against you? Have a one-on-one meeting with everyone in your chapter at least once a year.

Your BNI director is like the first mate on the ship, watching to see which way the wind blows and signaling which adjustments need to be made for the welfare of the group.

What are you doing to lengthen and strengthen your chain? Leave your comments here.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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