Members were delighted to learn that BNI Team Winning Edge turned over $1.17 million in closed business last year and that equates to approximately 0.97 referrals per head per week. Not bad for a fledgling organisation that has the goal of being the largest BNI group in Australia as its target.

Keep watching for the latest BNI Team Winning Edge news.
 

Our whole BNI chapter had 1 minute videos done last week. Great fun and looking forward to see everyone in action in videos.  I must say that it was easier said than done, getting in front of the camera spruiking off about one’s self.  We have such a fantastic team of members in Team Winning Edge, everyone had a great time and the day went smoothly. Thanks to Guy Haliday and Chris Pecham. For more info go to Team Winning Edge
 

Well three hours of questions, answers and networking was certainly enough to wipe the smug, all knowing smile off my face. Why? Because it (a) reminded me that many people do not know the first thing about Twitter, Facebook and (b) made me realise that all this time I’d been doing it wrong. Not completely wrong maybe, but not totally right either. For the benefit of those novice Twits..er…Twitterers who are wondering where to start, let’s start at the beginning.

Firstly, why should you bother with followers, fans and Tweets anyway? Last year’s Understanding Micro Business Survey of 1800 businesses carried out by the Flying Solo group found that 85 per cent of respondents still say word of mouth is the best method of finding new customers. The growing BNI (Business Network International) movement in Australia bases its success on the importance of networking and the value of relationships. With Twitter and Facebook also based on the principle of networking and answering the question, “What are you doing today?” it stands to reason that this is potential gold dust for anyone looking to share news about products and services that they offer. But if that doesn’t persuade you, maybe the news that Dell Computers has managed to accumulate $3 million in sales from one of its Twitter accounts will get you thinking.

So what’s the right way of setting up a Twitter or Facebook page? Tune in for the next blog update that will show you how to set up Twitter.

Along with the rest of the Suncoast Internet team, I had been invited to the BNI Team Winning Edge (Kawana Chapter) Big Breakfast meeting at the Maroochy Surf Club. The aim of this one off event was to sign up more members to Team Winning Edge and make it the biggest BNI group in the world. On the day there was an impressive turnout of more than 130 local business leaders.

After ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at the fabulous ocean view from the surf club’s panoramic windows, it was great to be able to mill about with a coffee and put faces to names of some of the business people that my colleagues have been dealing with over the last few months. Then it was down to what BNI is all about – business.

First up, after some introductions from the president and other committee members, individuals around the room had the opportunity to stand up and give their 60 second infomercial; the chance to describe their business and sell their services. If they were anything less than confident about public speaking, these members could have been forgiven for quaking in their shoes at this point. However, they knew they were among friends and seemed to have finely tuned their public speaking skills through being at BNI.

Then came the chance to pass on referrals; the core of BNI activity. Members passed on referral slips to other members containing the details of potential clients that would be interested in their business services. It was also the opportunity to give thanks for closing business on referrals and to give testimonials on services provided by BNI members. Think about it – where else would you get the opportunity of having somebody say really great things about your business in front of so many people?

By the end of the session, around $16000 worth of business had been passed between members. All that and a yummy hot breakfast too! It was all pretty awe inspiring stuff but what was clear was that in being a BNI member, you certainly get out of it what you put into it. You can’t stand on the sidelines watching and expect to reap the benefits of having lots of referrals; you have to do your bit and act as business marketer on behalf of your BNI colleagues otherwise your credibility as a business networker will be compromised. As our CEO Andrew Plimmer – president of Team Winning Edge – likes to explain, BNI is a system and, if you follow the system, it works really well.

Well this particular blogger has been so impressed and well fed this morning that I’m off to spread the BNI word… and I’m not even a BNI member!

Rebecca

There are many online tutorials and good quality information available relevant to developing a successful business online. Alternatively find a local web development company with some runs on the board and seek their advice. We also have a number of articles that you might find beneficial.

Intellectual Property (IP) is the umbrella like tag we use when referring to a wide variety of individual intellectual property rights. Each IP right has its own distinctive features and uses.
Using an inappropriate IP right will fail to provide the protection you require for the best business outcome. Semi-trailers are not used for the home delivery of pizzas nor are motor scooters used to carry shipping containers. Which vehicle to use may be self evident but when it comes to IP the stakes are too high to run the risk of not knowing your patents from your designs.

Paul Loeffler-White from IP Australia will share valuable information in the following areas, so come along and get to know your IP!

• Patents
• Trade marks
• Designs
• Copyright

Date: Tuesday 16th June 2009
Time: 9:30am for a 10:00am start  to 12:00pm
Venue: Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina.
Price: $40.00 (Inc. GST)
For more information view the attached information sheet or visit www.entreprenet.com.au

Enquiries: Geoff Moller, Ph 5443 7872 or 0411 351 110
info@entreprenet.com.au

About the presenter:

Mr Paul Loeffler-White is the Manager of IP Australia’s Queensland State Office. His background is in applied physics and industrial instrumentation.

Paul worked in the areas of legal metrology, fair trading and product safety before moving to IP Australia 15 years ago. The Queensland Office is the regional focal point for applicants seeking intellectual property rights relating to inventions, branding, design features and plant breeder’s rights.

Paul is actively involved in promoting an awareness of IP issues to the business and general community. He has an extensive knowledge and understanding of IP issues and their processes as well as an in depth understanding of a range of strategic issues facing the public and private sectors particularly their effect on small to medium enterprises. Paul is a regular speaker on topics such as patents, trademarks and designs.
 

If you work for Suncoast Internet you will have no choice but to hear our team leaders ranting on about the power of positive thinking and “Mr Motivation” himself, Pat Mesiti.

They think the sun shines out of his receding hairline and after attending his Kickstart Conference they bombarded the rest of us with how effective a speaker and motivator he is. As the rest of us did not get an invitation we can only grunt in acknowledgement and hope the attraction passes without further ado.

But no! We are constantly reminded day-in-day-out of this individual’s sense of humour, his passion, and his ability to empower people to produce results. And, just for good measure we were obliged to watch his promotional video and listen to his values and beliefs, which can be summed up in one sentence.

“My philosophy for successful business is simple – your mind is the most valuable asset you have.”

To get our own back we have designed “We Love Pat” placards for our team leaders to wave the next time they venture to one of “Mr Motivation’s” performances.

Hopefully the other speakers at the Kickstart Conference, Peter Miller, Amanda Stevens, Jennie Armato, Rick Otto, Declan Barnett and Daniel Kertcher, won’t take offence by the “We Love Pat” placards.

Now don’t get me wrong, motivational speakers have their place. I’ve heard a few in my time, including Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, co-founders of Amway. Sure, they do motivate and they speak a lot of sense. But if it is that easy why haven’t we got more millionaires than you can poke a stick at?

Could it be because they haven’t attended a Pat Mesiti motivational conference yet?

Business Matters magazine connects with influential decision makers in the Sunshine Coast’s thriving small and medium sized business community. It is read for its interviews, features and opinions from key figures in local industry and leading entrepreneurs.

Suncoast Internet’s CEO Andrew Plimmer is passionate about building strong and memorable websites.; websites that attract new customers and keep them coming back for more.  Each month in Business Matters you can read his article about key issues, trend and developments in web design, SEO, web hosting and website maintenance; all geared towards helping local business owners understand what’s involved in developing and maintaining a successful website.

My name is Andrew from Suncoast Internet. The best place to find us is online at suncoastinternet.com.au or alternatively our offices are located at 155 Horton Parade up stairs from the Adult Shop. This is why our office is always BUZZING!

Understandably many people don’t understand the money making potential of the Internet! Whilst there are literally billions of websites online, a very large percentage of them are not so good and consequently sit idle, this being the case it’s not as competitive as you might think.

Building a business online can be very rewarding and a great way to create an income.

An ideal referral this week is Jane (34) a stay at home mum whom wants to invest time into creating a secondary income for herself and her family.

Want to learn how to build a business online? Email or phone 1800 4 WEBSITES

Suncoast Internet – Raising the bar by lifting the standard!

Unlike other networking groups, BNI provides its members with a professional structure and an ongoing training system which enables members to network in a deliberate manner as well as constantly update their referral marketing skills.

Rapid growth has seen BNI become the world’s largest business referral organisation of its kind, with over 5,221 chapters in 40 countries, and more than 110,078 members.

Last year members of BNI in Australia generated business referrals that resulted in more than $70 million in new business. (In that same period BNI wordwide passed over 4.9 million referrals, this translates to over A$2.25 billion of business).

Some participants have added as many as 50 new clients in the first 2 years! Successful businesses depend on word of mouth because it is the best advertising there is.

BNI provides a structured and supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does this by providing an environment in which personal relationships can be developed with dozens of other qualified business professionals. By establishing this ‘formal’ relationship with other people, each member has the opportunity to substantially increase his or her business.

If you are interested in visting a BNI Networking group on the Sunshine Coast please call Andrew on Ph 5479 3888