23/5/10
I know we are only seven weeks into the current term but choosing our next teams will be upon us before we know it and a comment I heard, just the other day, by a member got me thinking!
What they said was how pleased they were not to be asked to take a place on the current team. Not just the Leadership Team but any position at all! Now I don’t know about you, but if I wasn’t considered for a place on the team I would be, well, pretty upset, that both the outgoing and incoming teams didn’t think me good enough to help the chapter in going forward. What would that say about me as a member?
So, rather than thinking you ‘got off’ by not being asked to be on the team, instead wonder why you weren’t considered good enough to be part of the team. What is stopping you from being looked at as a great member?
Do you contribute enough? Go to training? Help in the group? Arrive on time? Are you a positive member? Look the part? Do you really ‘get’ BNI?
So, being asked to be on the Leadership Team means that you are thought of as a great member of your chapter. Someone that can be trusted and relied upon, someone who is more likely to be thought of by fellow members, and BNI Directors, when they are out talking to their contacts, which in turn will lead to more opportunities.
In seven weeks time the next Leadership Teams will start to be planned, which means that every one of us has plenty of time to make sure that we are good enough to be considered for that next team.
And, guess what? If we are all great members, imagine what that will do to our chapters and the amount of business that every one of us will receive!
Sunday 23 May 2010
Saturday 15 May 2010
Is your Notable Networker certificate notable?
15/5/10
In our chapters every month we recognise two outstanding members by presenting them with notable networker certificates and, on occasion, a blue badge.
But, quite often, the quality of the certificate presented does not reflect the true achievement of the member.
I’ve seen a certificate written in biro just passed down the table. What value does that put on the presentation and what the member has done? How do you think that member feels?
So, first off, the certificate should be in a nice frame but, more importantly, it must be beautifully written. Now, few of us have lovely hand-writing, let alone are skilled in calligraphy. So, how about this for an idea that I was given by Colin Read, Area Director, from Scotland South and East?
For a beautiful looking certificate just set up a template in Word or Publisher, using a font such as Lucida Calligraphy (bold), and then every certificate your chapter presents will match the achievements of your members.
So simple, but I’ve never thought of doing it!
In our chapters every month we recognise two outstanding members by presenting them with notable networker certificates and, on occasion, a blue badge.
But, quite often, the quality of the certificate presented does not reflect the true achievement of the member.
I’ve seen a certificate written in biro just passed down the table. What value does that put on the presentation and what the member has done? How do you think that member feels?
So, first off, the certificate should be in a nice frame but, more importantly, it must be beautifully written. Now, few of us have lovely hand-writing, let alone are skilled in calligraphy. So, how about this for an idea that I was given by Colin Read, Area Director, from Scotland South and East?
For a beautiful looking certificate just set up a template in Word or Publisher, using a font such as Lucida Calligraphy (bold), and then every certificate your chapter presents will match the achievements of your members.
So simple, but I’ve never thought of doing it!
Monday 3 May 2010
I’m too busy!
3/5/10
I’ve heard this comment a fair few times recently when members have been talking about their lack of contribution to their groups.
Too busy!?
How can you be too busy to do your job? But then I guess that’s the crunch: far too many BNI members think that working for their chapter members is an extra to their job - something they do if they get time!
What these members don’t understand is that their chapter (collectively) could become their biggest client, but only if it is treated as such.
So what do I mean? Well, would you let your largest client down. Any client for that matter? Not bother to let them know that you weren’t going to turn up for a meeting? Or tell them that you were busy to see them and had more important things to do? Somehow I don’t think so and, if you did, I don’t think that they would stay your biggest client for long.
Not having a contribution for your meeting (because you’ve been too busy working) means you have not had time for any member of the group and yet you are hoping for a referral from them. You are hoping that someone in the room has put in some effort to find you something and has not been busy doing their job.
What if, on the other hand, they are just as busy as you are but they see BNI as part of their job, part of what they have committed to, that they really value the members of their group? Just like great clients.
And, an even simpler point, do you really think that anyone will be looking to help you if you have no time to help them?
Your BNI chapter is in every way just as important as any other part of your business. You just have to think it is – then it will be. And, I promise you will be surprised at the results when you do!
I’ve heard this comment a fair few times recently when members have been talking about their lack of contribution to their groups.
Too busy!?
How can you be too busy to do your job? But then I guess that’s the crunch: far too many BNI members think that working for their chapter members is an extra to their job - something they do if they get time!
What these members don’t understand is that their chapter (collectively) could become their biggest client, but only if it is treated as such.
So what do I mean? Well, would you let your largest client down. Any client for that matter? Not bother to let them know that you weren’t going to turn up for a meeting? Or tell them that you were busy to see them and had more important things to do? Somehow I don’t think so and, if you did, I don’t think that they would stay your biggest client for long.
Not having a contribution for your meeting (because you’ve been too busy working) means you have not had time for any member of the group and yet you are hoping for a referral from them. You are hoping that someone in the room has put in some effort to find you something and has not been busy doing their job.
What if, on the other hand, they are just as busy as you are but they see BNI as part of their job, part of what they have committed to, that they really value the members of their group? Just like great clients.
And, an even simpler point, do you really think that anyone will be looking to help you if you have no time to help them?
Your BNI chapter is in every way just as important as any other part of your business. You just have to think it is – then it will be. And, I promise you will be surprised at the results when you do!
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