Networking raises your profile and can increase your bank balance

Wednesday, 23rd April 2008 10:31 - by Resident IFA

I am member of my local Business Network International (BNI) Chapter. This is a networking group where only one individual representing each profession is allowed to join. We meet weekly on a Wednesday morning at 6.45am to learn more about each other’s businesses and to help, where possible, by referring Clients and potential business opportunities to each other. Our Chapter is 30-strong, including a Plumber, Electrician, Business Coach, Accountant, Locksmith, Telecoms, etc., etc. We regularly have Visitors Days, where we invite local businesses with a view to them seeing how BNI works and joining the Chapter, thus making it stronger and adding to the referral stream. I sometimes think we are perceived as ‘Happy Clappers’ as our meetings are lively and full of good humour, Members tending to be very committed and pro-BNI. If the meetings weren’t ultra-positive, with the chance of me walking away with a referral – akin to pounds in my pocket – why on earth would I rise at such an unholy hour every Wednesday?! If you run a business, large or small, established or new, seek out your local BNI group (There are over 564 Chapters in Britain & Ireland alone (Source: BNI UK website)) and go along for a nice cooked breakfast and to meet some smiling, helpful faces. I helped found my Chapter and have now been a member for 5 years or thereabouts, BNI forming a large pillar of my business. Best of all, though, I have found BNI an invaluable aid for the ‘soft’ pieces of advice and assistance other Members provide, leading to some excellent personal friendships. Go on...what have you got to lose?! Until next time...