Synopsis

How do you avoid people whose only interest in networking is “What’s in it for me?”

• Look for the signs of people who believe in giving as part of networking:

1. They ask how they can help you—and really mean it—before they ask you for anything.
2. They show that they’re willing to work on creating a professional relationship over time.
3. Those who make the time to go beyond normal business interactions.
4. They try to bring business and contacts to you before asking for your contacts.
5. They give of their time and knowledge to help their referral sources succeed.

• Immerse yourself in the process of relationship building:

1. Join multiple networking groups, so you can have both breadth and depth
2. Meet with people frequently and regularly.
3. Meet with people outside of networking functions.

Remember: it’s not what you know, or who you know, but how well you know them.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 BNI 050: What's in It for Me? [09:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

On average, the United States goes through some type of recession every five or six years. So stop worrying about whether we’re going to have a recession, because we will. (And so will every country in the world.)

That doesn’t have to stop you from having a great year, though. Recessions bring opportunities if you’re ready to take advantage of them by using the network you’ve established over time. BNI members have an advantage in a recession because they have a network in place.

You can’t control the economy, but you can control your response to the economy. Here are some tips to help you.

1. Diversify your networks. Participate in your local Chamber of Commerce and other business networks.
2. Be visible. Get out and meet people—and don’t let them bring you down.
3. Learn how to work the meetings you attend.
4. Be prepared with effective introductions and presentations.
5. Develop your contact spheres.
6. Establish a goal and reverse-engineer it.
7. Reward your top referrers.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 BNI 048 - How to Combat a Slow Economy [12:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

This week, Dr. Misner talks with Flynn Nogueira and Sara Minnis of del Fuego, Inc, producers of the BNI CDs, just came from a BNI regional event, where they launched Networking Secrets.

• Everyone thought it was important to hear directly from Dr. Misner.
• People love the interview style, which makes the CDs more like a talk show.
• The CDs provide enough time to go into detail, which the podcasts don’t.
• Members who own the CDs are encouraging everyone in their chapters to get them.
• The CDs are part of the culture of learning in BNI.
• People retain more information longer when they hear it.
• Everyone loved the story about practicing the fundamentals.
• The V.C.P. Process may be the most important thing to come out of this CD series.

Sponsored by Networking Now.

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 BNI 047: Word of Mouth Curriculum [11:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

In this episode, Dr. Misner talks about strategic alliances and the need to gradually enhance relationships. Each member of a BNI group will contribute to your success. No one person in your chapter is likely to turn your business around, but together, over a long time, they can make a difference.

• Don’t give up if there’s no immediate payoff.
• Successful networking is a series of small actions.
• By working with multiple people over a long period of time, you build your business.

Sponsored by Networking Now.

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 BNI 046: Small Actions, Big Results [07:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

Dr. Misner looks into his crystal ball to see the future of networking.

• Online and face-to-face networking will both continue to flourish. Dr. Misner recommends the following two online networks: Ecademy and Fast Pitch Networking.
• College and universities still won’t teach classes on networking or word-of-mouth marketing, though they might include the topic in existing courses. That leaves more room for Buffini and the Referral Institute.
• Small companies will continue to have the edge over big businesses when it comes to networking. Big companies just don’t train their employees in referral marketing.
• Expect to see more online networking options for BNI members in the next few years.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 BNI 044 Networking Trends [09:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

Ivan Miser interviews Jean Heller from the Referral Masters BNI Group in Florida about the BNI Networking Secrets CD Set.

So why buy CDs if you’ve already had the training and read the books?

• Ease of Listening
• “Leaky Buckets:” Dilution of a message as it’s passed down
• Detailed approach to the VCP (Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability) Process
• Third CD by BNI Director Tom Fleming is a mini version of the Certified Networker course
• Full of “Eureka!” moments

Buy the BNI Networking Secrets CDs. Use coupon code “podcast” for an additional $5 off.

Sign up for the Certified Networker Training.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 BNI 042 Networking Secrets CDs [10:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

Time management is a skill that you can learn—and it’s the critical skill for a happy life.

All time management books distill into “What is the most valuable use of my time right now?” Here are a few of the topics that Dr. Misner discusses with Brian Tracy in this episode:

• Discipline
• Return on Energy
• Networking as Time Management
• Leverage
• High Payoff vs. Urgency

Brian Tracy University helps you identify the skills you have to have to get to the top of your field—and then drills you in them. For a BNI member discount, go to briantracyu.com/bnimembers/.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 041-Time Management with Brian Tracy [13:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

Dr. Misner talks with special guest Brian Tracy about how BNI is like exercise machinery. Everybody knows that a treadmill works—but only if you use it. The only question about whether BNI works is “How often do you use it, and how long do you use it each time?”

Here are a few highlights from this conversation:

• You can’t get a haircut over the phone: in-person contact matters.
• BNI gives you better prospects, but you still need to make more calls.
• Never be complacent, and always ask for the order.

Take advantage of the alliance between BNI and Brian Tracy University.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 040-BNI-Networking with Brian Tracy [13:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

International Networking week is a BNI initiative—but other organizations are welcome to participate. Chase’s Calendar of Events has already recognized International Networking Week.

International Networking Week starts the first Monday in February (that’s February 2^nd for 2008). This year there will be major events in 10 countries and special activities in thousands of BNI chapters worldwide.

We’d like chapters to invite top community leaders to BNI to show them what BNI is like and expose them to the “Givers Gain” philosophy.

Bring someone different to BNI in February and show them how BNI is changing the way the world does business!

Brought to you by Networking Now.

Watch the International Networking Week video.

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 BNI 038: International Networking Week [09:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Synopsis

This week’s podcast was inspired by Jack Canfield’s presentation at the BNI International Conference in November 2007. If we really are the average of the 5 people we hang out with most, here are some things we should consider:

• If we hang out with professional, successful people, it forces us to be more successful.
• BNI’s Membership Committees need to ask whether a potential new member raises the bar for the chapter.
• Network up: seek out networking relationships that pull you out of your comfort zone.
• Open doors to people who have a positive attitude toward success.
• Some of your associates may rate a “D” for “delete” if they bring you down.

Helpful links: Buffini & Company: Working by Referral

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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 BNI 037: You're the Average of the 5 People You Hang Out with Most [09:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download