30/12/09
The next couple of weeks will see many New Year resolutions made and most broken! So, what will you do differently this year to change that pattern?
And no, don’t make any is not the right answer!
I don’t really like Smart Goals (S - significant, M - meaningful, A - achievable, R - realistic, T - timely), but most New Year resolutions are broken because they are unrealistic and to you, at any rate, are not meaningful.
In business, and therefore in BNI, as BNI is very much a part of our business, it is exactly the same. What business plans will you make for the New Year that will have gone astray by the beginning of February?
We all want to be more successful in 2010, and the best way to start is by reviewing this year and then making plans for next. Plans that mean something to us, we can see their value, and, most importantly, plans that are possible to achieve.
So, what does this mean in terms of our BNI membership?
Well, for example, it doesn’t mean planning to go to a training workshop every month, if you only managed to attend one workshop in the whole of this year. Sorry, but it’s not going to happen – it’s just not realistic.
What I believe would make the most difference is a small improvement in each of four areas: attendance (including subs), training, visitors and referrals. Have a think about how you have done in each of these areas this year. If you really have no idea, ask your Membership Co-ordinator for the information. Then aim to improve each just a little. When asked what do I think the minimum requirement of an average chapter member is, I say the following: no absences, an average of one referral per week, a visitor every two months, and attending a workshop twice in six months. Would this be a realistic plan for you, or are you already way ahead of this?
If you are great at bringing referrals, maybe you need to improve your visitor bringing - or, vice versa. You might be pretty good in three of the areas, so increase these a little, and poor in the fourth, so concentrate your efforts there.
The main thing is to review your past year and then plan improvements for next year that you see value in and want, and can, accomplish.
The bottom line is more business in 2010 and what you will do with the extra money!
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Wednesday 23 December 2009
YouTweet
23/12/09
Well by now the BNI YouTweet challenge is well underway and a variety of chapter videos have been posted on You Tube. Chapters have interpreted the challenge in a number of ways from the fairly straight forward chapter meeting, to songs, events, Christmas parties, the use of humour, and the just plain stylish!
The competition runs until the end of January 2010 and I for one can’t wait to see the winning entries.
Some videos on You Tube
BNI - Business Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg5PZtIf6AY&fmt=22
BNI - Business Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWuFaqB5VaY
BNI - Tudor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmHHqqL1z9k
BNI - Hogarth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0S2JyCQaY
Merry Christmas
Well by now the BNI YouTweet challenge is well underway and a variety of chapter videos have been posted on You Tube. Chapters have interpreted the challenge in a number of ways from the fairly straight forward chapter meeting, to songs, events, Christmas parties, the use of humour, and the just plain stylish!
The competition runs until the end of January 2010 and I for one can’t wait to see the winning entries.
Some videos on You Tube
BNI - Business Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg5PZtIf6AY&fmt=22
BNI - Business Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWuFaqB5VaY
BNI - Tudor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmHHqqL1z9k
BNI - Hogarth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0S2JyCQaY
Merry Christmas
Monday 21 December 2009
Can’t get a sub!
21/12/09
I have to say that it always worries me when a member says this, especially if it’s said by a long term member. I know there are, on occasion, events that none of us can do anything about. But in reality these occasions are rare.
So, why do these words worry me?
Well, because not being able to get a sub can only really be for one of three reasons, and these are:
1) the member can’t be bothered to find a sub,
2) the member has no contacts,
3) the member has contacts but none will sub for them.
And, each of these reasons is damaging to the member.
'Can’t be bothered'! I’m sure I don’t have to spell out what this does to a member’s credibility. But the bottom line is fewer referrals.
Then there is 'has no contacts'. Again the member’s credibility is put into question. Why are they in a networking group in the first place? But, far more important, without a good network of people they know, how is the member going to find referrals for their fellow members? A member needs to Give in order to Gain (Givers Gain), so if they can’t give, why are other members going to give to them?
And, then we have 'have contacts but none will act as a sub'. What does that signal to the other members of the chapter? That the member has contacts but those contacts are not strong enough to be considered friends, or even people that like the member enough to do them a favour? BNI is based on know, like and trust. If a member’s own contacts don’t really like them, why should the chapter members?
And, two last things on choosing a sub.
Please don’t go for the easy option – the Super Sub, or BNI member you know will always sub. Why? Because, it is easy, no effort, and therefore what is that saying about you?
Lastly, 'my sub let me down; you can’t surely mark me as absent!' Well yes, your Membership Co-ordinator will. Do you know the reason that a member is most often let down by their sub? Answer : because, the member took the easy option. As a member, you need to think carefully about who you ask to sub for you. It needs to be someone you have a great relationship with, someone who matters to you, and to whom you matter. Will your best friend let you down? I doubt it. Will some person you don’t know, whose name you got from another member at the last moment? I’m not saying that they will, but there is a much greater chance.
So, next time you need a sub, think very carefully about the amount of effort you put into choosing them. As the right sub with enhance your credibility and in turn your referral rate.
I have to say that it always worries me when a member says this, especially if it’s said by a long term member. I know there are, on occasion, events that none of us can do anything about. But in reality these occasions are rare.
So, why do these words worry me?
Well, because not being able to get a sub can only really be for one of three reasons, and these are:
1) the member can’t be bothered to find a sub,
2) the member has no contacts,
3) the member has contacts but none will sub for them.
And, each of these reasons is damaging to the member.
'Can’t be bothered'! I’m sure I don’t have to spell out what this does to a member’s credibility. But the bottom line is fewer referrals.
Then there is 'has no contacts'. Again the member’s credibility is put into question. Why are they in a networking group in the first place? But, far more important, without a good network of people they know, how is the member going to find referrals for their fellow members? A member needs to Give in order to Gain (Givers Gain), so if they can’t give, why are other members going to give to them?
And, then we have 'have contacts but none will act as a sub'. What does that signal to the other members of the chapter? That the member has contacts but those contacts are not strong enough to be considered friends, or even people that like the member enough to do them a favour? BNI is based on know, like and trust. If a member’s own contacts don’t really like them, why should the chapter members?
And, two last things on choosing a sub.
Please don’t go for the easy option – the Super Sub, or BNI member you know will always sub. Why? Because, it is easy, no effort, and therefore what is that saying about you?
Lastly, 'my sub let me down; you can’t surely mark me as absent!' Well yes, your Membership Co-ordinator will. Do you know the reason that a member is most often let down by their sub? Answer : because, the member took the easy option. As a member, you need to think carefully about who you ask to sub for you. It needs to be someone you have a great relationship with, someone who matters to you, and to whom you matter. Will your best friend let you down? I doubt it. Will some person you don’t know, whose name you got from another member at the last moment? I’m not saying that they will, but there is a much greater chance.
So, next time you need a sub, think very carefully about the amount of effort you put into choosing them. As the right sub with enhance your credibility and in turn your referral rate.
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