The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 239: Bigger Is Better

January 18th, 2012

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Synopsis

Today Linda Macedonio, Executive Director of BNI Rhode Island/SE Mass, joins Dr. Misner to explain why bigger is better for your BNI chapter.

In one region of Massachusetts, the average of the top 5 chapters was over 50 members and the average business generated per member was $34,000. The average size of the  bottom 5 chapters was 19 members and the average amount of money generated per member was 12,000.

Chapters that double their size consistently triple the number of  referrals in their group.

So why does this work? It has to do with the 80/20 rule.

Chapters with fewer than 25 members spend 80% of their time inviting and recruiting new members just to stay alive and only 20% on building relationships and passing referrals. Groups with more than 25 members can spend 80% of their time on passing referrals.

Larger chapters also have more and stronger power teams, so one referral can go to multiple people.

Let us know how much business your chapter is generating and how big it is.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Getting The Most From BNI | Special Guests
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Discussion: 8 Comments

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Episode 230: The Value of Exit Interviews

November 9th, 2011

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Synopsis

We mentioned exit interviews in Episode 222; in this episode, Dr. Misner explains how exit interviews came to BNI.

Many years ago a terrific BNI member, someone who really seemed to love BNI, quit unexpectedly. Dr. Misner designed an exit interview and found out that the real reason the member was leaving was because another member had behaved unethically. The membership committee confronted this other member and removed the person from the chapter, allowing the first member to stay.

Here are some of the questions in an exit interview:

  • What are your reasons for leaving?
  • Did you find that BNI was beneficial to you?
  • What did you like most about BNI?
  • Was there anything you disliked about BNI? If so, what was it and how would you change it?
  • Did you feel you were well-informed about the activities and benefits of BNI?
  • Did you meet for lunch with other members of the group? How often?

Take this podcast to your leadership team. And download your own copy of “The Significance and Value of the Exit Interview” below.

Download (PDF, 209.89KB)

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Getting The Most From BNI | Leadership Teams | Membership Committees
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Episode 223: The Hard Path Is Easier (Rebroadcast)

September 21st, 2011

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Synopsis

This show was originally broadcast as Episode 68.

Today’s podcast focuses on the theme “Taking the hard path often makes life easier, and taking the easy path often makes life harder.” When a BNI group takes the easy path and doesn’t hold members accountable, the chapter struggles. Groups that work hard to maintain attendance and quality referrals flourish. If you do the hard work up front, in the long run, it’s easier to keep your group going.

Ask yourself: Are you practicing hard/easy or easy/hard in your life? What about your BNI group? Share your experiences with taking the hard path or the easy path in the comments here.

Brought to you by Networking Now.


Complete Transcription of BNI Podcast Episode 068 – View the entire transcript of this episode

Published In: Getting The Most From BNI
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Discussion: 6 Comments

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Episode 222: Why Do People Leave?

September 14th, 2011

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Synopsis

If your chapter seems to lose a lot of members, start doing exit interviews, and don’t just take the first exit. Use semantic differentiation to get at the real reasons. There’s an exit interview sample in the BNI director binder.

One of the biggest reasons people leave is a personality conflict within the group. If several people have had problems with a particular member, get rid of the problem member rather than losing the members who contribute more.

20% of turnover across chapters is due to factors beyond the control of the chapters. People move, retire, experience health problems or family crises. Many associations, even of fanatically loyal members, experience 40% turnover annually.

So how do you keep people in? Create an environment where people want to be. Focus on accountability and referrals, and you’ll keep turnover low.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Getting The Most From BNI
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Discussion: 9 Comments

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Episode 220: Culture of Recruiting

August 31st, 2011

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Synopsis

Deanna Tucci-Schmitt, Executive Director of BNI Western Pennsylvania, and Bob Gambone, author of Pecan Pie: 32 Business Success Strategies Passionately Baked to Order, join Dr. Misner this week to talk about BNI’s culture of recruiting.

Businesses have recruiters, whose job is actively finding the right person for the right position. BNI has had a tradition of inviting new members, without qualifying them in advance. If all BNI members develop the mindset of recruiters, everyone will get more and better referrals.

Remember, culture eats strategy for breakfast. Keep your chapter’s culture in mind when recruiting new members.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Published In: Getting The Most From BNI | Special Guests
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Discussion: 4 Comments

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