Steve Hockley Business Coach: Motivation:Direction:Insight for Business People - Hutt Central

One of the most effective ways to grow your business is also one of the oldest: networking. While it may not get as much buzz these days as social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, old-fashioned, face-to-face networking is still essential for building a business.

Although this has proven difficult over the last 24 months of COVID restrictions, as these begin to ease now is the time to polish off your strategies and forge new paths for your business growth.

The most successful way to develop your business is to have people recommend you to others, which is known as “referral marketing” and this begins with networking! If the word networking makes you break out in a cold sweat at the idea of entering a roomful of strangers, joining BNI could be the way to go for you!

What is BNI? 

BNI, or Business Network International, is a non-competing membership organization for small businesses where members network and get referrals.

It is the world’s largest and most successful business networking organisation, helping members to grow their business, develop skills and generate revenue by teaching strategies to build long-term relationships with other like-minded individuals, both locally and globally!

BNI follow a guiding principle of the philosophy of Givers Gain® – simply put that those who ‘give’ by sharing business referrals with friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers. ‘gain’ in various ways, including reciprocal recommendations and referrals.

Commencing operations in New Zealand in March 1999 when National Director Graham Southwell launched the first chapter in Takapuna, Auckland. Since then, a network of chapters has been established across New Zealand from Kerikeri to Invercargill with 110 chapters. BNI is also worldwide in over 70 countries!

How does it work? 

Attending weekly meetings – generally over breakfast – local BNI members learn how about each other’s businesses, explore opportunities to network and market themselves and their business. You contribute to each members success and them to yours, turning fellow members into an extended salesforce!

BNI only allows one business type to be exclusive within each chapter. That means if your business type, and you, are accepted by your local BNI chapter, there will be no other business of the same classification allowed in that chapter. This means you get to network with other local business leaders in your town and get more attention to your business.

Visiting a meeting is the best way to see a BNI Chapter in action and understand how it could be of benefit to your business.

What are the benefits of joining? 

There are countless reasons why a BNI membership will benefits your business, our top four are:

• Increase Business Prospects: You’ll substantially increase your business through referrals.
• Professional Development: You’ll have access to our exclusive training programs and opportunities to sharpen your presentation and business skills.
• Great Networking Opportunities: Your participation in up to 52 networking meetings per year will increase your exposure to many other business professionals in your community.
• Exclusive Member Resources: You’ll have access to a range of tools and educational materials on networking, public speaking and business best-practices.

A BNI membership gives you direct access to business mentors, education, and upskilling through our proprietary learning centre, BNI U, to help you build your skills and confidence.Plus, you have the power of a global support network to help you grow.

When meeting in person isn’t possible for your chapter, there is access to BNI online™ – a powerful networking platform that enables the network to help your business to grow anytime, anywhere.

Tips For Those Considering Membership

Past and present BNI members had a few pieces of advice to offer those considering joining. Going in with realistic expectations will help ensure the group is the right fit before making a commitment.

1. Go to a few meetings as a guest beforehand to get a feel for the group and its members.
2. Ensure you have the time to make weekly meetings.
3. Be willing to give referrals—it’s essential to membership.
4. Know you may have to do some public speaking. You’re introducing yourself!
5. Be willing to meet outside of chapter meetings for additional networking opportunities.
6. Think creatively about how you can offer new leads.