February 17th, 2010
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Synopsis
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:
- World’s largest networking organization
- Lock out competition
- Mandate is to give referrals
- 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.
Continue reading “Episode 142: “BNI Visualized”” »
December 16th, 2009
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Synopsis
Today Dr. Misner is joined by BNI Hall of Fame Director Dawn Lyons from Northern California. Dawn trains people how to be proactive rather than reactive about making referrals.
Here’s the technique:
- Toward the end of a meeting with a new client, tell them that you’re part of a referral network that allows you to offer additional services.
- Then offer them your card file and walk away.
- When you come back, ask whether the client needs the services of any of these people.
- If they do, provide specific recommendations for that persons.
To make this work, you have to know your fellow BNI members and their work well.
Card File Challenge
Run a contest in your chapter to see who can do “The Card File Thingy” the most in a month, and what results you get. Leave a comment here on the blog to let us know what you think of the idea and how your chapter’s Card File Challenge turned out.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 135: “The Card File Thingy”” »
November 18th, 2009
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Synopsis
This week Ed Wallace, author of Business Relationships That Last, joins Dr. Misner to explain that there’s a system to the “soft skill” of relationships. Here are the five rungs on Ed’s ladder:
- Establishing Common Ground
- Displaying Integrity and Trust
- Using Time Purposefully
- Offering Help
- Asking for Help
Dr. Misner sees this ladder as a microcosm of the BNI program. The book is available from Greenleaf, the same publisher that produced The 29% Solution.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 131: “Five Steps to High-Performing Relationships”” »
October 28th, 2009
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Synopsis
This week Dr. Misner continues his discussion with Dr. Mark Goulston, author of Just Listen.
The topic for this week is how to take listening from being transactional to being transformational. To do this, you need to get them to uncross their arms—literally and figuratively—by getting them to talk about their passion.
One question you can ask is “Imagine you wake up five years from now and life is perfect. What do you see in your career? What are you doing?” That conversation can transport people into a future that they’ve never thought about. It’s amazing how you will bond with that person.
That’s the kind of question that would be perfect for a one-to-one in BNI.
For some great free resources, including questions to ask in order to delegate more effectively, visit JustListentheBook.com.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 128: “Turbo-charging Your One-to-Ones”” »
October 21st, 2009
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Synopsis
This week Dr. Misner talks to Mark Goulston, MD, the author of Just Listen.
Here are some of the tips Dr. Goulston offers about listening:
- Listening reduces anxiety—for the listener as well as the speaker.
- Instead of interrupting, say “Tell me more about that.” You’ll get a better result.
- World-class listeners care less about being right than about helping people.
- Not managing your own anxiety makes it hard to listen—and hard for people to listen to you.
- Instead of interrogating people, invite them into a conversation by letting them fill in the blanks in statements.
You can sign up to get free resources, including the first chapter of the book and the Two Questions series at http://www.justlistenthebook.com/resources/.
Tune in next week for a second interview with Mark Goulston.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 127: “Get Through to Absolutely Anyone”” »
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.
Continue reading “Episode 121: “Fast Track with Networking Secrets”” »
August 26th, 2009
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Synopsis
This week Dr. Misner is joined by his wife, Beth, who introduces the new BNI Foundation Fan Club. This is a Ning social network for people involved with the BNI Foundation. There’s a rotating photo album showing the charities the foundation is involved in, discussion boards on topics like Givers Gain grants, and a chance for members to build relationships with the charities. Members can ask questions about the foundations and join special groups. Cys Bronner moderates the Ning network. BNI members are encouraged to join the BNI Foundation Fan Club.
October is BNI Foundation Awareness Month. The last week of October is the Each 1 Give 1 to Teach 1 Initiative. We are issuing a challenge to each and every member of BNI to donate ONE dollar/euro/yen/peso (insert your nation’s currency here) or more during the last week of October 2009. Chapter leadership teams will be given more information in September.
For more information about the BNI Foundation, contact Beth Misner at foundation [at] bni [dot] com.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 119: “BNI Foundation Awareness”” »
July 22nd, 2009
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Synopsis
This week Dr. Misner joins us from Bermuda with special guest Richard Swan, the composer who created the BNI Song that’s attracted so much attention in Episode 106 and on YouTube. Richard saw the value of BNI from the time one of his students introduced him to the Tower Hill chapter. His band, Cornucopia, has gotten wonderful gigs through BNI.
Many artists aren’t willing to make the commitment to BNI; they’re too focused on their art and not focused enough on their business. Many musicians are just going to bed at the time Richard gets up to go to his BNI meeting, but networking is just as important to performers and creative people as to anyone else.
The best referrals for Richard’s band are weddings and parties in the UK.
Brought to you by Networking Now.
Continue reading “Episode 114: “The BNI Song”” »
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