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
 

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

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