The Official BNI Podcast

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Synopsis

Today’s podcast is a rebroadcast of Episode 144.

Today’s podcast topic comes from Dr. Misner’s book Networking Like a Pro. Here are five questions to ask at networking events that will help you leave a lasting impression on the people you meet.

1. What do you like best about what you do?
2. You mentioned you were in ______ industry. What got you started in that business?
3. Where else do you usually network? Are there other groups that you go to?
4. What are some of your biggest challenges? (Don’t start a conversation with this one.)
5. How can I help you?

Read the complete transcript on the post for Episode 144.

Brought to you by Ask Ivan Misner.

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Synopsis

The question of whether good attendance or giving referrals is more important to being a quality BNI member is what’s known as a false dilemma. Dr. Misner and his wife wrote an article about this on Success Net called “Addition by Subtraction.”

If you want a chapter to be strong, you have to cut back the members who aren’t committed to attending. When you reduce absenteeism, you increase the number of referrals, as the numbers in the Success Net article show. Your BNI chapter won’t be successful if people don’t show up.

If your chapter hasn’t been enforcing its attendance requirement—start. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Synopsis

If you’re part of the leadership team and a member isn’t participating in some way, approach them and say “How can we help you (give more referrals, bring in visitors, etc.)?” The person will respond with either a “can’t do” or a “won’t do” answer.

“Can’t do” answers come from people who want to participate, but don’t know how. The solution is to educate them.

“Won’t do” answers come from people who don’t want to participate. They want to receive referrals, but not to give them. Give these people the opportunity to step down.

If they want to stay because they’re getting referrals, then insist that they contribute.

How has your BNI chapter handled the “can’t do” and “won’t do” members? How well did it work? Do you have suggestions for other listeners?

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Synopsis

This week Robin Schuckmann, Executive Director of BNI Oregon and SW Washington,  joins Dr. Misner to talk about building a cohesive team—inside and outside your BNI chapter. There are three parts to this.

Identify the Strengths of Your Team

A great tool for this is the book StrengthsFinder 2.0. Another is the Referral Institute program “Room Full of Referrals.” (See Dr. Misner’s recent blog post and video, “Your Behavior Style IS Affecting Your Referrability” for more on this topic.)

Utilize the Strengths of Your Team

People will spend longer doing the things they’re good at, so assign people roles that they have talents for. Who wants a visitor host that’s always late?

Implement Increased Communication

Example: weekly phone check-ins between the president and vice-president/treasurer of a BNI chapter help keep things on track. A quarterly chapter social builds personal relationships. Increased communication shows that you care and helps you get to know chapter members better, increasing your VCP.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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Synopsis

BNI is not a Multi-Level Marketing organization, but many people in MLMs are BNI members. Members of reputable MLMs are definitely welcome in BNI, as long as they market only the company’s products or services.

One such member recently asked “Why is it that BNI doesn’t allow people in MLM professions the opportunity to share both our products and the business opportunity?”

This guideline was created by BNI members for good reasons. As all BNI members know, there’s only one available membership spot for any given professional classification. If the MLM representative pitches the business opportunity, other members get upset because this eliminates a possible member slot.

On the other hand, if a BNI member wants to mention these opportunities in a one-to-one meeting, that’s a matter for the member’s own judgment. But all BNI members should bear in mind that networking is about farming, not hunting. Don’t push too hard.

Brought to you by Networking Now.

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