BNI Meetings

[john k]

It should be ok for business type businesses, if that makes sense, like payroll and accounts, or printing etc. every business needs those, but very few need an arborists.

I went along once as a guest and that's exactly the conclusion I came to. Presumably it does work for some people but I couldn't see it working for me.

[T & C Tree Services]

I did go along as a guest once! I seemed a bit out of place as i wasnt wearing a shirt and tie. Think the office based trades do well from it but didnt feel it was right for me. But did hear that Mike Connick from connick tree services got the contact for all the works at Chessington adventures through a chapter close to me. So i suppose some good things may come of it?

[Mark Bolam]

My wife reckons one of the lads down here (who does run a decent crew) made some useful council contacts through BNI, and now does a fair amount of work for KCC.

 

I asked her if it was that good, how come he left? She reckons it was because he now has enough work. Maybe.

 

Thinking about it, some of the more lardy lads I've met off here would be able to pay £600 and score off the breakfasts....(even though you have to pay extra for them).

[Wex]

Might be me but they (BNI) sound more or less like a glorified pyramid scheme ?

[Mark Bolam]

Nah, it is pretty straight, but as said before I think it suits certain businesses better than arb.

[Hodge]

I got invited to go recently, then they told me it was £600 a year so I turned it down. Not my thing.

[Wex]

I go to local small business network meetings now and again which are free.Have made a few good contacts , referrals and a few small jobs.But 600 bucks buys a good few weeks advertising in the local papers.Agree it's for certain types of businesses

[wattie]

Hi Billy

 

It's not for everyone and it needs commitment, I join a chapter about two mts ago which is a new chapter which has been going for about a year. You can try before you buy and go twice as a visitor.

 

I did have ideas that it would be all suits but it is not in the chapter I joined, there is a builder, pest control, alarm man , weaste guy, painter and yes some suits insurance guy how has look at my insurance and adviced me very good tax expert and she has adviced and help me all free.

 

I have had work and have jobs on the bubble with applications in just quoted a £1000 hedge job from a client of the painter so not all bad news as some are saying.

 

I would say you need to be open minded and use it to your advantage, my next plan is to have a look at the Bni web site for other chapters in areas local to myself where we as a company are not strong in, I will go as a visitor member and do my 60 second talk as you do every week, then every one in that chapter has my card and know's of my company. I will do this once a month to six weeks and see what it brings.

 

You have to remember only one person from each trade can join a chapter and I believe I am the only tree company in any of the chapters in my area.

 

What also can happen is that any member from other chapters can visit and once again take your card and spread the word in the own group, I also had a call from a member in Reigate chapter who was looking for a tree company and went on the BNI website and once again I am the only one.

 

So as you can see it can grow and grow, it is about being pro-active and giving at at least the year you pay for.

 

Don't get me wrong there are bits of it I am not keen on but I let that go over my head and not take to much notice.

 

To sum up go and visit a few see who is in the room are there people there that could put your name about, remember when they give you a name and number it is a honest lead that has been talked about and someone has asked for it to be passed on.

 

I am lucky I think that the guys and girls at the chapter I joined are a good bunch and we have a laugh as well I hear some are very serious which would not suit me.

 

Cheers

 

Keven

[dwconservation]

I was a member of BNI in Harrogate. All I can say is that is a complete waste of time and more importantly money. You spend half your life worrying about finding other people business and then you spend the other half chasing up pointless leads that don't bring you anything in return.

 

Spend your money on a decent advertising campaign and use your existing customer base to act as your referals...

 

Hope this helps

[Bob Slade]

Went to the one in Bath a few years ago, had breakfast, talked to a few people who hadn't got a clue what it was i did. was given 1 min (Timed by a suit with a watch and a tea spoon tapping on a glass)to tell everyone what i did. i couldn't wait to get out of there.