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A Chapter that LEARNS Together EARNS Together!
By Debbra_Sweet | February 18, 2010
The most successful business gurus will tell you- if you want to earn more, you need to learn more. This simple statement has been well documented in many areas of life.
Knowing this, how does that statement apply to you and your networking results in BNI? Statistically, our most successful members and chapters are those who attend as many of the training classes, events and workshops offered in BNI. In fact, they will take them- and then take them again… in some cases again, again and again!
You may say: “Networking is easy! Why do I need to take classes? How much can you possibly learn? Everyone knows how to network!”
I remember saying to Dr. Misner one day “Networking is easy.” He appropriately corrected me by saying: “Debbra, networking is simple. It’s not easy. If networking were easy, everyone would be successful at it!” That is a profound statement packed with a lot of truth.
Think about it. How many times have you been networking only to find it didn’t turn out the way you wanted? How many times did you receive a referral only to discover it wasn’t what you were really looking for? Consider networking events you have attended only to see people on the ‘hunt’ going for the ‘kill’- when what should be happening there is relationship building? To be effective at networking, it DOES take learning. It takes a change in mindset, attitude, understanding and learning new skill sets!
The most successful members and chapters in BNI understand this: BNI is not just a networking organization. We are a TRAINING organization! Where else can you go with a minimal investment dollar wise, a few hours of your time and walk out of a class that prepares you with knowledge and tools for increasing your skills as a professional networker! This information is used both inside and outside of BNI!
REAL LIFE MILLION DOLLAR SUCCESS STORY:
In 2009, in one of what the media calls ‘the worst economies’ we had 4 chapters in the San Diego region close out over 1 Million Dollars each in 12 months. That’s great! In fact, we had one chapter the reported over 2 Million dollars of business.
One of those chapters, (they did 1.2 million between Jan 01 2009- Dec 31 2009) decided to raise the bar. They set a goal to close out 3 million in 2010. Then.. .they did one better. They all came together and jumped into setting an ‘unreasonable goal’ of closing 5 Million in 2010! That’s bold! That’s exciting. That’s scary to some people… but they had a plan. All of this chapter’s members have embraced the trainings that BNI offers. In fact, they are repeat attendees!
In Jan 2010, they offered up a challenge to one another: they wanted to see over 1/2 of their chapter members register and attend the Feb. 1st Regional All Chapter Event. That means, out of a chapter of 40 people, they wanted to see if 20 would attend. 21 showed up!
Why is this valuable and exciting to share? It’s right here. They already knew they could pass each other over 1 Million in business. Now they needed to learn more to achieve their unreasonable goal. The 1/2 day, once a year, all chapter regional event was perfect timing and just the training they needed!
All of those members attended and were fully engaged. They split the members into teams, so that each session and workshop had multiple eyes and ears for learning. Then, they came together to train each other.
The result: In 12 months of 2009, this chapter closed 1.2 Million. In 2010- we are now at the completion of 7 week into the new year…. they just closed 1.4 MILLION in business with one another!!
Do you think they will achieve their chapter goal of 5 Million this year! With this momentum, focus and understanding that to achieve great results, ongoing learning on HOW to network and support one another- YOU BET!
I encourage you to ask yourself:
‘Do I want this type of networking in my chapter?’
If so, then here’s the 24 dollar questions: “What can YOU do to motivate yourself AND your members to attend all the BNI trainings as often as you can?” “How can you come together and go learn as a team?” “Do you really have each others back… and do they have yours?” “What’s it going to take to make this happen?”
It only takes one person to start a change. Does your chapter need a revival? Can you be the flame that sparks the fuel for the desire to LEARN and EARN?
This time invested in your networking education isn’t expensive. NOT GOING IS.
I look forward to hearing about your success stories that come out of your chapter this year!
Debbra Sweet
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