I have been asked if I would be interested to join a new local BNI chapter in my area, they need a bookkeeper, and once in , no others allowed in, same as most business networking clubs. Just interested on whether anyone on the forum is part of one or has any views on the BNI ?
BNI is hit or miss. it depends on how good your Chapter (BNI speak for local group) is. A good Chapter is one where members refer business to each other regulary.
if you want to go BNI route, visit as many Chapters in your locality as possible and join the one you feel most home at.
I looked into BNI but am not good getting out of bed early every week (mind you one Chapter's venue I visited did do good breakfast)
Dalbir
-- Edited by Dalbir on Monday 6th of December 2010 10:29:27 PM
After looking into BNI and 4N as mentioned here, as well as other local business groups locally, they are mostly all 'breakfast meetings'.
I do a nursery/school run most mornings, so it is only the school holidays etc where I can attend these 'breakfast meetings. Some do lunch meetings but only occasionally, so these groups are no good. No good for me and no good to the other members if you only attend now and again.
My business is from home, where I carry out all the business functions as well as fitting in the family things like the morning school run, so there must be tons of people in the same position as myself that these groups do not address ?
I went to a BNI meeting, it seemed quite ritualistic. It obviously works for a lot of people, but, as I have 3 kids, doing business at 7 in the morning is not my idea of fun!
Come to think of it, getting 3 kids ready for school isn't a bed of roses either!
I've opted to join 4N over BNI mainly due to the regimented nature of BNI.
With 4N you choose when and where you want to network, with BNI it is the same group with the same people at the same time every week.
There is a benefit to being the only person in the room who does something however, I prefer to be referred to the best person for the job, not just the one who is in the room. In fact I have a few bookkeepers I refer work to regularly.
There are also lots of stories of false leads being passed within a BNI chapter to boost a members numbers. That said 4N doesn't measure referrals at all (I don't think it needs to).
I prefer meeting lots of new people and building business relationships that way.
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Phil Hendy, The Accountancy Mentor
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BNI is very good IF you can afford it, IF you have a good local chapter, IF you can attend every week almost without fail, IF you are willing to go to early morning meetings and IF you thrive on the formal environment. I can't quote this on definite assurance, but I think it may be one of the few networking costs that are tax deductible.
Alternatives - 4N, Business Biscotti, oodles of women's networks for the ladies amongst us, Business Scene, NRG......
Whatever you choose, you need a strategy or it is a big waste of time. It is a long term sales tool, not a short term one. The goal is to build relationships.
