Quote:
Originally Posted by lany
Chris - can you please expand a little more on the BNI club? I've looked into it, but was turned off because of what seemed to be mandatory attendance and lots of formality. (I'm not lazy, I just have two little ones so my sick days are a little higher than they are for others) Also, it seems like referrals were a little forced but that could just be my perception. How long have you been a member? What are the pros/cons you see so far? Thanks!
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I forgot to comment on a couple of your questions.
First, I really want to affirm that they dynamic may vary by club, so visit and visit again.
Second, yes referrals are perhaps forced a bit, particularly at first. (If I interpret what you mean by that correctly.) However, that is the purpose of the club. Most initial referrals come from within the club. After some time and trust, then more referrals come from outside, and, eventually, third hand referrals (people from outside the club telling others -- natural word of mouth, I suppose). This is viewed as a longer term process.
So, things are pushed/forced some, but it is very oriented to just that: making and getting referrals, and QUALITY referrals. There is training to help you develop your weekly commercial/presentation so that it helps/leads people to more easily think of referrals for you. They really do have the process worked out pretty well, and I understand why, when people or clubs follow it, that it works, and how if people don't follow it, things don't work out.
I think it's been quite well developed as an effective process, but it is it's own particular process/tool, so it can seem a bit odd or forced until you get into it; then it becomes more natural.
The pros:
1. A specific, proven process for presenting your business and getting referrals (over time)
2. Because of that particular process, good training for thinking about your business, what it offers, whom you target, and how to present that information.
3. The specific intent of coming to a meeting for the purpose of giving and getting referrals; forced or not, there are not many other venues where that is the purpose. The formality/structure reinforces that, and helps ensure that.
4. There is only one person from each profession (although those are sliced a bit thinly at times, so there can be several fitness categories, such a personal training services, fitness club/facility, yoga, martial arts, etc).
Cons
1. It's not a quick fix. I think you just have to plan on doing it, like joining the Chamber every year, or putting in your yellow pages ad each year.
2. Depending on the club and it's members, people may be more or less inclined to work hard for you. But, that weeds itself out over time, I think. People who expect to just get and want more and are disappointed will drop out.
Does that cover it for now? My brain is only slowly coming up. That's done before I even look at the morning paper or finish my first cup of coffee.
