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About BNI

• When did BNI start up, and what do the initials stand for?
   

  It was started in January 1985 by Dr. Ivan R. Misner in the USA - Business Network International
• What are the aims of BNI?
   

  BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for men and women to further their business through word-of-mouth marketing. BNI provides a supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment in which you develop personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals.

  By establishing this "formal" relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business. BNI provides a business environment in which local business people can get together to network, learn valuable new marketing skills and develop the strong personal relationships that lead to trust and the consequent generation of significant business for each other.

  The most successful chapters of BNI are comprised of participants who are sincerely committed to helping one another through networking.

  They are a team. As a participant in BNI, you are responsible for complying with the policies and guidelines of the organisation

• Is BNI a registered charity?
   

  No, it is a professionally organised and run business operating on a franchise basis.
• How does BNI work?
   

  Being active in BNI is like having up to 30 sales people working for you, because your fellow Chapter members will be carrying your cards and referring your business to people they meet, without you having to pay them any salaries or commission. Successful businesses depend on 'word-of-mouth' marketing as the best form of promotion there is.

Joining BNI

Questions relating to joining the Caterham BNI Chapter

• Can anyone join a chapter?
   

  We only take one person per professional specialty or trade. So if your category is already represented, we can refer you to another chapter.
• Why is there only one member per category allowed?
   

  To give exclusivity of category to that Member and lock out the competition.

• My profession does not let me directly solicit business*. Is BNI still right for me?
   

  BNI’s primary objective is to assist its members in ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning how they can effectively network.  Business people get business when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level with them.

  (*) Note: In the event that BNI's general rules could potentially violate a professional's ethical code, the professional's ethics code shall govern.

• I work full time for an employer but have a part time business I run in my spare time. Can I join BNI?
   

  No, all participants should represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business
• I have two separate and different businesses that I run. Can I join BNI?
   

  Yes, but you can only represent one category, and that must be the category that you applied for.
• It sounds expensive to join BNI. Is there a way to get a discount?
   

  Yes there are one year and two year participation options, which offer a discount. Also compare the cost to other forms of advertising and promotion – it will show an excellent relative value
• OK, I’ve been to two meetings and am impressed enough to join. Do I just pay and walk in?
   

  No, if you apply to participate in BNI, your application will be reviewed by the chapter's membership committee, and you will be notified of the status before the next meeting. Not all applications are successful
• I’m not an early riser, why meet so early – why not meet for lunch or a beer down the pub in the evening?
   

  The meetings are held early to avoid taking time out of the working day. The meetings are structured to be over by 08.30. BNI is NOT a social club, but there are some social events organised outside of the meetings.
• I would like to come to a meeting to see for myself – how do I go about it?
   

  Contact anyone of the Leadership listed on this website
• If I join one Chapter can I go to other Chapters in the area?
   

  Yes, as a visitor or as a substitute, but you cannot compete or clash with another Member of that Chapter
• Is there any formal training for BNI?
   

  Yes, there are frequent training events organised by BNI and they are free to Members (there is a breakfast charge)

Membership

Your responsibilities as a member of BNI

• How do you know new members are reputable?
   

  The application asks for references and we have a membership committee that checks them. It's word of mouth, so before they even come to a meeting they have to have spoken to someone or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned to them, and they interview them.
• What occupations benefit the most from networking?
   

  It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you're focussed and you have a dream and you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.
• What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
   

  Any complaints of poor work are passed to the Membership Committee and it is imperative that anyone who gives a lead and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the Membership Committee, who will investigate and sanction action.
• Are members allowed to bring visitors?
   

  You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open, after the visitor has been pre-screened, if they're a viable candidate.  Clashes of trade or profession are not permitted and that visitor would be encouraged to visit a Chapter where their category is free
• I have to visit a client once a month on the morning of the meetings. Is it OK if I only come 3 weeks out of 4?
   

  No, attendance is critical. If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send a substitute, who does not have to be a member of BNI. They will, literally, be you for that meeting and this will not count as an absence.
• Why is BNI so hot on attendance? Surely a few missed meetings aren’t critical?
   

  Attendance is critical to the success of BNI – a referral cannot be passed to an empty chair. Participation in the chapter by members is a key to the success of a group.  Networking requires commitment.
• I have only just started my business and cashflow is tight – can I pay for membership on regular payments?
   

  No, there are no credit facilities for membership fees, but you can pay by Credit Card
• I don’t eat breakfast –do I still have to pay for it?
   

  Yes, because the breakfast fee includes the cost of the hire of the venue

• I am not very good at public speaking and nervous about having to stand up and speak. Can I skip that part?
   

  No, because BNI is ideal for you – you will be trained and encouraged to develop your presentation skills. Once you have seen for yourself how it works you will want to participate
• I don’t really know what to say at meetings – do I have to prepare a speech?
   

  You don't have to worry about having to think of the next thing to say at BNI meetings, as the whole meeting follows a planned agenda designed to result in the maximum benefit for all the group members. The meeting agenda always follows the same format, at every Chapter all over the world: Although there is a fixed format, and there is a serious focus on generating business, there is also plenty of scope for the members to enjoy themselves and have fun at the meetings as well. The meetings are often an exhilarating start to the day's business for most of the members!

  The meeting starts at 7:00am sharp with 15 minutes of open networking, and breakfast is served. The essence of BNI is that although the meeting takes place at breakfast the sole reason for coming is to net-work! Efficiency and timings are maintained because every BNI meeting follows a structured 20 point agenda

  The Meeting Agenda .

  1.         Open Networking

  2.         Welcome everyone, introduce Team Leaders 

  3.         Purpose and Overview of BNI

  4.         Networking Education

  5.         Announce Business Network "Leaders" (beginning of each month)

  6.         Pass business cards

  7.         Welcome any new BNI members to the organisation (induct new members)

  8.         Members introduce themselves and give 60-second presentation

  9.         Welcome visitors to BNI and have members introduce them (visitors give 60-        second presentation)

  10.       Membership Co-ordinator's Report

  11.       Membership Committee Report

  12.       Treasurer announces rota of speakers for next six weeks and introduces this       week's speaker(s)

  13.       Speaker(s) gives 10-12 minute presentation

  14.       Pass referrals

  15.       Treasurer's Report

  16.       Announcements and reminders

  17.       Door prize draw: for members bringing visitors or referrals

  18.       Close meeting

  19.       Conduct new member orientation

  20.       Conduct visitor orientations

• How can I possibly tell people what I do in 60 seconds?
   

  At the heart of the BNI meeting is the "60 Second Speech" slot.

  This is each member's opportunity to tell everyone at the meeting all about their business, the kind of leads they are looking for, and anything at all that will help the other members generate business for them.60 seconds may seem to be the briefest of speeches, but BNI have developed a system to harness the power of this format, and regularly organise free training workshops to allow the members to develop their presentations, introducing techniques such as the memory hook, and effective ways to ensure that the message is remembered.

  This system has immense practical benefits outside BNI, where in real-life networking situations, the BNI member is trained to be able to give an instant and concise account of what they do.

• How is the Leadership Team chosen?
   

  By the Assistant Director for the Chapter, who works for BNI, and looks after a region of Chapters and visits those Chapters under their control frequently
• Why is the Leadership Team changed every 6 months?
   

  To keep things fresh and stimulate innovative ideas to keep the Chapter vibrant
• Do the Leadership Team get paid for their time and trouble?
   

  No, but the three senior positions, Chapter Director, Membership Co-ordinator and Secretary Treasure do receive a token benefit in kind gesture