Anyone Belong To BNI?

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I have been a member for 2 years and it is worth the time and membership for a while, then you need to move on to different things. I see people in there stagnate and their business doesn't grow beyond the referals they get there and some I think are there for the chance to have a "business meeting" but they aren't growing. If you have a chance to visit a few groups I would recommend it. My membership expires Feb 29th and I will be moving on.
 
Agreed, bikeindy. If your business is service oriented, I think you will do well. New construction type businesses not so much. I have been a member for almost 2 years, and I can attribute about 35-40% of my business to BNI, so for me it is well worth it.
 
Business Networking International

I looked into joining but they want you to meet once a week in the morning and I was just to busy to go to the meetings. Also you have to find a group with members that can actually help you like other trades or realtors, etc..
 
480sparky said:
Why "International"? Are you wanting your business to go global?

If not, stick to local groups.
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The chapters are local. They just have them all over the world.
 
For the required time investment, I think it's more profitable to spend that time elsewhere. For a guy brand new in his own biz, who otherwise doesn't have anything else to do during the required networking meetings, they might well be helpful. Of those I know who have belonged, they were only members for as long as it took to get the ball rolling for themselves.
 
I've been in BNI since May, and it's been mostly a waste of my time and money. As Streamline said, if you're residential service oriented you'll do fine. I make it clear at the meetings that I'm looking for commercial work. It's been pretty much a dead end.
 
JES2727 said:
I've been in BNI since May, and it's been mostly a waste of my time and money. As Streamline said, if you're residential service oriented you'll do fine. I make it clear at the meetings that I'm looking for commercial work. It's been pretty much a dead end.
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I would agree I could never find any commercial work in the groups but it has been very good for service work and remodle work. As I have mentioned I am leaving BNI mostly for the reasons MD stated.
 
Commercial Work BNI

Commercial Work BNI

That's interesting about there not being commercial work w/ BNI because the local chapter I was considering joining is looking for a commercial electrician accordng to their website. If I have time next week I'm thinking about going to one of their meetings just to check it out. I'm not ready to drink the Kool Aid yet.
 
tmbrk said:
I looked into joining but they want you to meet once a week in the morning and I was just to busy to go to the meetings.
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That's what I saw as the biggest stumbling block. I've got all to do just to get out to a jobsite on time and get the work done never mind making a 7:00 AM meeting. In addition they want you to do a dog and pony show about your company once a month to keep members fresh and updated on each others businesses. The concept is a nice idea I suppose but I wouldn't count on it as being a major source of business.
 
In any business a network can be very good for business. Personally I think it's important to join some group that you enjoy. If you become friends with the other members in the group you'll naturally refer work to each other. I'm not sure you'll get want you want from any group if you're only looking for the payoff.

Dave
 
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