"Business owners dedicated to helping each other every
week with generating sales referrals...The members are
your sales force as well as your customers...
...Not just a
coffee klatch...If you join a group like this, you are
joining to generate business referrals."
Started
in January of 1985 by
Founder and Chairman Ivan R. Misner,
Ph.D., BNI is a business and professional networking organization that allows only
one person per professional classification or specialty
to join a chapter. BNI Provides positive, supportive
and structured environment to further business through
word of mouth marketing,
BNI is a
business and professional networking organization
that allows only one person per professional
classification or specialty to join a chapter.
Since 1985,
BNI Members have passed over 11 Million Referrals
generating over $5 Billion in New Business.
*Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people
working for you
because all the other members carry several copies of
your business cards around with them. When they meet
someone new who could use your products or service,
they hand your card out and recommend your services.
It's as simple as that! It's simple because it's based
on the proven concept of Givers Gain™: If I help you, you'll help me and we will both
benefit as a result.
*Some
professions, specifically attorneys and certain health
care professionals may not be permitted to seek direct
referrals through in-person solicitation through the
use of business cards pursuant to their ethical code.
Members of BNI that belong to these professions are
directed to follow their profession's own ethical
guidelines.
COMPARE THE VALUE
Most business people advertise and we would never
suggest that you stop advertising. However, "Compare
the Value" between advertising and word-of-mouth
marketing. Being a member of BNl is like having up to
40 salespeople marketing your product or service
everyday.
How
to Apply to become a BNI Member:
1.
Attend a chapter in your area as a visitor.
You are allowed to attend a maximum of two meetings,
after which time you will be asked to make a decision
if you would like to apply to that chapter. There is
only one person per occupation represented
in each Chapter, which ensures that
referrals for that occupation only go to the member
representing that occupation. Members do not
have to live or work where the Chapter meets.
What is important, however, is that a potential
member has the ability to interact with the majority
of the members (bring referrals to the chapter and
service the referrals that they receive).
2. If your classification
is open in that chapter, you must obtain a sponsor in
that chapter. You will be given an application along
with a visitor's pack which contains additional
information about BNI.
Since we only
accept one person per professional specialty, if your
position is already represented in the chapter, you
can call Tim Houston about potential open
positions in other chapters, toll free
1-877-878-4264 to
learn how to start your own BNI
chapter,
click here.
3. When you apply,
complete the application and return it to the Vice
President of the chapter along with your payment for
1 or 2 years dues, along with a one-time
registration fee. The Membership Committee of
the chapter will evaluate your application, verify
your references and interview you and your sponsor.
A decision will be given before the next
meeting
You are
probably wondering what BNI really is. You might
have heard about it from someone or some publicity. But
you are still not sure what it is how it works or if it is right for you. In BNI we network a
little differently than you might expect. If you have
attended Chamber of Commerce after hours, a forced
networking event (speed dating for businesses), charitable organizations, women's organizations, or social groups, you have an idea of what networking is.
Well BNI is just a little different. We network in a
very structured and focused way.
To see what we mean, click the play button.
This is a 90
minute BNI meeting in 5 minutes produced by our
friends at BNI Northern Alabama.
BNI'S
Philosophy:
GIVERS GAIN™!
BNI'S
Mission:
To help people increase their business
through a structured, positive, and supportive word of
mouth marketing program.
BNI
Statistics for 2007
Total Chapters: 5,010
Total Countries: 39
Total Members: 103,607
Total Referrals:
5.5 MILLION
Total Value of Referrals to Members:
$2.2 BILLION (US)
(A
NEW RECORD!)
BNI'S Code
of Ethics:
1. I will provide the quality of services at the
prices I have quoted.
2. I will be truthful with the members and their
referrals.
3. I will build goodwill and trust among BNI members and
their referrals.
4. I will take responsibility for following up on the
referrals I receive.
5. I will display a positive and supportive attitude
with BNI members.
6. I will live up to the ethical standards of my
profession.
*NOTE: Professional standards outlined in a formal code
of ethics, supersede the above standards
Started
in January of 1985 by
*Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people
working for you
because all the other members carry several copies of
your business cards around with them. When they meet
someone new who could use your products or service,
they hand your card out and recommend your services.
It's as simple as that! It's simple because it's based
on the proven concept of Givers Gain™: If I help you, you'll help me and we will both
benefit as a result. 
You are
probably wondering what BNI really is. You might
have heard about it from someone or some publicity. But
you are still not sure what it is how it works or if it is right for you. In BNI we network a
little differently than you might expect. If you have
attended Chamber of Commerce after hours, a forced
networking event (speed dating for businesses), charitable organizations, women's organizations, or social groups, you have an idea of what networking is.
Well BNI is just a little different. We network in a
very structured and focused way.