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Any experiences with a BNI group?
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:43 am
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:43 am
Business Network International
Had someone invite me to a meeting, explained the concept of referring biz to other members. Just wondering if it's more of a pain to talk about and track, than worth the effort?
Seems like it might be like amway where you're just annoying business acquaintances as much as helping them.
Thoughts?
Had someone invite me to a meeting, explained the concept of referring biz to other members. Just wondering if it's more of a pain to talk about and track, than worth the effort?
Seems like it might be like amway where you're just annoying business acquaintances as much as helping them.
Thoughts?
16
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:44 am to PlatinumAlloy
Girl I dated was in it and it sounded like a complete waste of time.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:45 am to Elleshoe
quote:pics?
Girl I dated
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:45 am to SuperSaint
I’ve been here long enough to know...
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:47 am to PlatinumAlloy
Everyweek meetings and you have to find a replacement if you can’t makr it - I’ve been to dozens as a invite. No thanks
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:48 am to PlatinumAlloy
Do you pay to network with people you don’t know?
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:49 am to Elleshoe
I was pressured to go to one of the meetings. It seemed like a bunch of "acquaintances" referring business to each other. I know they only liked to take 1 member of each profession as to not have too many people doing the same thing. I wasn't sure how much extra business I would get outside of the people at the actual meetings so I did not join.
The person who brought me had been pressuring me for some time to go to a meeting.
I did not see the extra benefit for new business as opposed to the money and time you had to spend with them. They have meetings at least once a month and you or an associate had to make it.
The person who brought me had been pressuring me for some time to go to a meeting.
I did not see the extra benefit for new business as opposed to the money and time you had to spend with them. They have meetings at least once a month and you or an associate had to make it.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:52 am to PlatinumAlloy
It's so housewives can learn how to force thrive, it works, and Rodan + Fields bullshite to all their Facebook friends.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:54 am to PlatinumAlloy
quote:
Had someone invite me to a meeting
quote:
... a meeting
Lol. fricking RUN! And block his number on your phone.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:55 am to PlatinumAlloy
It's good for sales people in service related industries like HVAC, office furniture, insurance, etc, etc. Basically, it's a networking group for sales leads. It can be worth your while if you're in a good one.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:56 am to TigerFred
quote:
o you pay to network with people you don’t know?
That’s basically it
Posted on 10/26/17 at 8:59 am to PlatinumAlloy
I found it to be a bit of a waste of time. If you're just starting out in a new business it's a decent way to meet people, but it's pretty annoying to find a substitute if you can't make it. And they replace you if you miss a certain amount of times. My old boss paid the fee or I wouldn't have done it.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:00 am to Elleshoe
Ive been to meetings here and there. I personally did not see much value in having to pay 500 bucks to join, the paying for each lunch, then hoping someone refers a stranger to me. I could just as easily cold call that stranger and have near the same experience.
Or you know I could network on my own and ask someone to make a referral to whomever I wanted to call on.For free.
Or you know I could network on my own and ask someone to make a referral to whomever I wanted to call on.For free.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:03 am to PlatinumAlloy
What line of work are you in? If you're in a profession that relies mainly on referrals to get new customers, it may be worthwhile to check out. But if your business is coming from walk-in customers or advertising then probably not.
More worthwhile for someone like a roofer or electrician that relies on word of mouth for most of their new clients as compared to a car salesman who gets most of their new leads from walk-in business.
More worthwhile for someone like a roofer or electrician that relies on word of mouth for most of their new clients as compared to a car salesman who gets most of their new leads from walk-in business.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:06 am to anewguy
My understanding is that you are expected to bring leads to every meeting and meetings are mandatory.
For a salesman that works for something like a moving company where his company generates leads it makes sense. For a small business owner that self generates leads it's a waste of my time as my leads are a lot more valuable than company generated leads for the other sales guy. Most of his leads are trash. IMO, of course.
IOW, I'm not going to share my hard earned leads that I'm developing a relationship with with some sales dude that gets handed a computer generated list of "leads".
For a salesman that works for something like a moving company where his company generates leads it makes sense. For a small business owner that self generates leads it's a waste of my time as my leads are a lot more valuable than company generated leads for the other sales guy. Most of his leads are trash. IMO, of course.
IOW, I'm not going to share my hard earned leads that I'm developing a relationship with with some sales dude that gets handed a computer generated list of "leads".
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:09 am to Tiger Prawn
I went to one in Miami a couple of years ago and it’s basically an ostentatious crowd of overzealous salespeople.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:10 am to PlatinumAlloy
My brother is an attorney and goes to one sometimes. He says he's probably lost money by doing favors as opposed to gaining new business. It can't hurt to check it out though. Depending on your line of work you might pick up a customer or two. It sounds like they'r more social than anything.
This post was edited on 10/26/17 at 9:11 am
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:18 am to PlatinumAlloy
quote:
BNI group
Been a part of BNI for 4 yrs now. It's definitely the best referral source I've ever encountered.
quote:
Had someone invite me to a meeting, explained the concept of referring biz to other members. Just wondering if it's more of a pain to talk about and track, than worth the effort?
No, all the tracking is done through an app.
quote:
Seems like it might be like amway where you're just annoying business acquaintances as much as helping them.
Ummm...No. If you find a really good group that you click with it makes a world of difference. Because trust me I've visited several in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas some are great and others not so much.
Essentially its like hiring a salesforce for whatever it is you do for little of nothing.
quote:
Thoughts?
In my line of work it has been golden, Yes there is a cost involved but I've made several great connections that have paid for my membership 10x over.
This post was edited on 10/26/17 at 9:20 am
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:25 am to PlatinumAlloy
I attended a meeting once. It is a referral network for people in different industries and trades (attorneys, realtors, plumbers, insurance, etc). I would recommend only joining a group that does not already have someone in your field. The one I attended had two attorneys, but 99% of the referrals went to one of them.
Also, it's a 2-3 hour weekly time commitment.
Also, it's a 2-3 hour weekly time commitment.
Posted on 10/26/17 at 9:26 am to Elleshoe
You talking bout ol guh from Cenla?
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