27/6/08
I was at a meeting recently when a member stood up to give his 60 seconds. He is a photographer.
He read it, as many members do, from a prepared script, but the script wasn’t scribbled on the back of a referral slip, on a creased piece of paper, or for that matter on a lovely crisp typed sheet of paper. It was on the back of a beautiful photograph.
The photograph faced us and everyone got to see it as he turned around the group in order to have addressed all of us.
Brilliant!
Not only was his 60 seconds good, but what a demonstration of both his work and his preparation skills. No one in his group could be left with any doubt as to whether they should recommend him.
Okay, we are not all so lucky as to be a photographer and have wonderful pictures to sell us. But, if you are going to use a script why not put it on the back of a nice card with your company logo on the front?
Presentation and branding is so important to every business, however small or large, so what a great and really simple way to raise your image within your chapter.
Friday 27 June 2008
Tuesday 24 June 2008
What have you been doing for the last 10 years?
24/6/08
Of course, this question could even be five, ten, fifteen or twenty years, but the question remains. Do you ever ask your fellow members what they used to do?
I ask this because I heard recently of a member who was thinking of leaving BNI because there was no-one he had met who matched his needs – basically because they were all small businesses.
When questioned about this and asked to name someone he wanted to meet he replied that there was no point as ‘you wouldn’t know the kind of person I need to speak to’.
The lady member concerned (she runs a small roofing company) asked if he would humour her and give her a name of someone that would be a good contact for him. He said that he couldn’t see the point, but if he must – Glaxo SmithKline would be a great contact.
I don’t know the actual outcome of this story, but I do know that the lady concerned had been the World Events organiser for Glaxo SmithKline for over 10 years!
Do you think that she probably knew someone that the member would have loved to talk to?
So, never assume that a member is only what they are today. Ask the question, and you may just be very surprised!
Of course, this question could even be five, ten, fifteen or twenty years, but the question remains. Do you ever ask your fellow members what they used to do?
I ask this because I heard recently of a member who was thinking of leaving BNI because there was no-one he had met who matched his needs – basically because they were all small businesses.
When questioned about this and asked to name someone he wanted to meet he replied that there was no point as ‘you wouldn’t know the kind of person I need to speak to’.
The lady member concerned (she runs a small roofing company) asked if he would humour her and give her a name of someone that would be a good contact for him. He said that he couldn’t see the point, but if he must – Glaxo SmithKline would be a great contact.
I don’t know the actual outcome of this story, but I do know that the lady concerned had been the World Events organiser for Glaxo SmithKline for over 10 years!
Do you think that she probably knew someone that the member would have loved to talk to?
So, never assume that a member is only what they are today. Ask the question, and you may just be very surprised!
Sunday 22 June 2008
Anyone for tennis?
22/6/08
A great 60 seconds will keep bringing you referrals for years!
I was at a chapter this week and we were about half way through the 60 second presentations when this guy stood up, pushed a head band over his wavy hair, picked up a tennis racket and cried “You cannot be serious!”
He then handed another racket to an accomplice, produced a tennis ball and together they played a rally (in fact several) down the centre of the tables.
He is a music teacher (piano, saxophone and clarinet) and band member who was promoting one of his gigs which was taking place the following week.
Why the tennis? Well, his gig is next week and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis championships start next week. Being a tennis fan (he has tickets to semi-final day), and believing that you could not be serious if you were thinking of missing his band perform, well, John McEnroe just popped into his head!
It was the most memorable 60 seconds of the day: I have already re- told it to a number of people and I am writing about it here.
Like all good stories that get told time and time again, I will talk about this 60 seconds many times over the coming years and each time it will be a referral opportunity.
So, get creative and keep those referrals coming in!
Joseph Marshall and his Band, Ramajaz, are playing at the George IV, Chiswick, on Wednesday 2nd July from 8.00pm. Email: josephjmarshall@hotmail.com
A great 60 seconds will keep bringing you referrals for years!
I was at a chapter this week and we were about half way through the 60 second presentations when this guy stood up, pushed a head band over his wavy hair, picked up a tennis racket and cried “You cannot be serious!”
He then handed another racket to an accomplice, produced a tennis ball and together they played a rally (in fact several) down the centre of the tables.
He is a music teacher (piano, saxophone and clarinet) and band member who was promoting one of his gigs which was taking place the following week.
Why the tennis? Well, his gig is next week and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis championships start next week. Being a tennis fan (he has tickets to semi-final day), and believing that you could not be serious if you were thinking of missing his band perform, well, John McEnroe just popped into his head!
It was the most memorable 60 seconds of the day: I have already re- told it to a number of people and I am writing about it here.
Like all good stories that get told time and time again, I will talk about this 60 seconds many times over the coming years and each time it will be a referral opportunity.
So, get creative and keep those referrals coming in!
Joseph Marshall and his Band, Ramajaz, are playing at the George IV, Chiswick, on Wednesday 2nd July from 8.00pm. Email: josephjmarshall@hotmail.com
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Annoyed by talkers?
18/6/08
Have you ever felt yourself getting hot under the collar because someone at the next table is continually talking through the 60-second presentations?
And, I’m not talking here about the odd whisper to a visitor to explain what’s going on in the meeting, I’m talking about that member who talks at their normal volume as if nothing else in the room is going on.
It never fails to astound me that these people don’t realise that they are making it almost impossible for those around them to concentrate on the content of the speakers' 60-seconds being given. That they have little chance of finding referrals for their fellow members because they have no idea what the members are actually looking for.
But, the thing that really gets me, is that they don’t understand that the chances of me looking for a referral for someone that is so rude, is, well, about zero! So if you are one of the ‘talkers’ in your chapter and you often wonder why you don’t get as many referrals as you think you should – well, you may now just have the answer!
Have you ever felt yourself getting hot under the collar because someone at the next table is continually talking through the 60-second presentations?
And, I’m not talking here about the odd whisper to a visitor to explain what’s going on in the meeting, I’m talking about that member who talks at their normal volume as if nothing else in the room is going on.
It never fails to astound me that these people don’t realise that they are making it almost impossible for those around them to concentrate on the content of the speakers' 60-seconds being given. That they have little chance of finding referrals for their fellow members because they have no idea what the members are actually looking for.
But, the thing that really gets me, is that they don’t understand that the chances of me looking for a referral for someone that is so rude, is, well, about zero! So if you are one of the ‘talkers’ in your chapter and you often wonder why you don’t get as many referrals as you think you should – well, you may now just have the answer!
Monday 16 June 2008
Team Spirit!
16/06/08
Five BNI teams, plus three members of staff from BNI Head Office, took part in the NBFA Charity 5k on Sunday 8th June.
The weather was perfect and the competitive spirit was increasing, as the 10 o’clock start time got ever nearer.
Along with Charlie Lawson, Tim Cook (both Assistant National Directors) and Kathleen Waller from Head Office, were teams from Tudor (including LNW Area Director Dinah Liversidge), Business Class, Platinum, Swan and Iolanthe (who had only just launched on the 5th June).
For Tudor and Business Class this race (to date anyway) was a decider, as Tudor had won the first NBFA race in 2006 and Business Class took the winner's trophy in 2007. Both chapters had entered a good number of runners and on paper Tudor were the stronger team. However, even before the starter had said ‘Go’, Tudor had lost two of their runners: one to a twisted knee, the other to Glyndebourne.
John Wilson (Tudor) led, by bicycle, the first runners round the beautiful tree lined course in Bushy Park in what was to be a very fast time for the winner: Daniel Bent a teacher from a local school - his time an excellent 17m 28sec.
Five BNI teams, plus three members of staff from BNI Head Office, took part in the NBFA Charity 5k on Sunday 8th June.
The weather was perfect and the competitive spirit was increasing, as the 10 o’clock start time got ever nearer.
Along with Charlie Lawson, Tim Cook (both Assistant National Directors) and Kathleen Waller from Head Office, were teams from Tudor (including LNW Area Director Dinah Liversidge), Business Class, Platinum, Swan and Iolanthe (who had only just launched on the 5th June).
For Tudor and Business Class this race (to date anyway) was a decider, as Tudor had won the first NBFA race in 2006 and Business Class took the winner's trophy in 2007. Both chapters had entered a good number of runners and on paper Tudor were the stronger team. However, even before the starter had said ‘Go’, Tudor had lost two of their runners: one to a twisted knee, the other to Glyndebourne.
John Wilson (Tudor) led, by bicycle, the first runners round the beautiful tree lined course in Bushy Park in what was to be a very fast time for the winner: Daniel Bent a teacher from a local school - his time an excellent 17m 28sec.
Chris Lovelock (CJL Construction) of the Tudor Chapter came home in 6th place in a brilliant sub twenty-minute time (19m 54sec) and the stage was set for an easy Tudor victory. But then in 20th place and 22nd place came two Business Class runners and things were once again looking interesting. It now all rested on the finishing positions of the remainder of the four person teams. Things once again looked like a certain win for Tudor when they took the 35th position, but this was quickly followed by Business Class taking 38th. Then disaster struck. News came through that Mark Archer (Tudor) had pulled up with a torn calf-muscle – he had been looking at a good finish of around 30th. The Tudor team had been reduced to just four runners and now it was all down to those last few finishers.
The result was close, very close, but Business Class came from behind to snatch the trophy out of Tudor’s hands!
There were other notable performances on the day: Tim Cook finished in 24th place in a time of 23m 47sec, just seeing off one of his members at the Swan chapter. Charlie Lawson finished! I don’t say this lightly as Charlie had been in Paris for a stag party on the Saturday evening, caught a plane home at 6.00 am Sunday morning and came directly to the race. He reckoned that most of the alcohol was out of his system by the time he had finished! It would also appear that Kathleen had been at a hen party until 4.00 am on the Sunday morning – so her finishing position of 53rd in a time of 26m 43sec was pretty outstanding.
Dinah walked the course – aided by personal trainer Katy Spragg (Business Class) – in just under an hour and finished to great applause. It was the furthest she had walked in over 14 years.
Tom Tree (Platinum) got more than a referral - after he had finished, his legs hurt rather a lot and so he took advantage of the free massage being given by some lovely ladies – he now has a date with one of them!
And last was Veronica Lartey (Iolanthe). Having got lost on the way to the race she started half an hour late, but still wanted to take part. She crossed the line to a BNI guard of honour.
The 8th of June was a great success for the NBFA as they raised lots of funds for our older folks, but it was also a great day for BNI, as all the members showed what having fun, teamwork and wonderful support is all about.
Thank you to everyone that took part and.... see you all again next year!
Photographs of the event, taken by John Frye (Tudor), can be seen at: http://www.johnfrye.co.uk/NBFA%205k/index.html
The result was close, very close, but Business Class came from behind to snatch the trophy out of Tudor’s hands!
There were other notable performances on the day: Tim Cook finished in 24th place in a time of 23m 47sec, just seeing off one of his members at the Swan chapter. Charlie Lawson finished! I don’t say this lightly as Charlie had been in Paris for a stag party on the Saturday evening, caught a plane home at 6.00 am Sunday morning and came directly to the race. He reckoned that most of the alcohol was out of his system by the time he had finished! It would also appear that Kathleen had been at a hen party until 4.00 am on the Sunday morning – so her finishing position of 53rd in a time of 26m 43sec was pretty outstanding.
Dinah walked the course – aided by personal trainer Katy Spragg (Business Class) – in just under an hour and finished to great applause. It was the furthest she had walked in over 14 years.
Tom Tree (Platinum) got more than a referral - after he had finished, his legs hurt rather a lot and so he took advantage of the free massage being given by some lovely ladies – he now has a date with one of them!
And last was Veronica Lartey (Iolanthe). Having got lost on the way to the race she started half an hour late, but still wanted to take part. She crossed the line to a BNI guard of honour.
The 8th of June was a great success for the NBFA as they raised lots of funds for our older folks, but it was also a great day for BNI, as all the members showed what having fun, teamwork and wonderful support is all about.
Thank you to everyone that took part and.... see you all again next year!
Photographs of the event, taken by John Frye (Tudor), can be seen at: http://www.johnfrye.co.uk/NBFA%205k/index.html
Sunday 8 June 2008
Super Sub!
8/6/08
I was at a chapter recently who had a 'Super Sub' and I really mean a Sub who was super. (More about the other kind another time.)
This guy was really amazing. The story started some weeks before when he was asked to be a subsitute for a member but forgot to turn up. Obviously the member was marked as absent. Well, the member when he found out wasn't too impressed and let his subsitute know!
So next time the member wanted a Sub, whom did he call? Yes, the same person.
And, this was the meeting that I was attending. When the subsitute was called to read out the member's 60 seconds, it was great, but about half way through the 60 seconds it then told us that this was the person who had let the member down and we could be as horrible to him as he deserved! He finished and sat down; brave to read it if you ask me.
After the members, as there was no clash, the subsitute was asked to give his 60 seconds. He introduced himself, told us what he did and then picked up two bags and started to give out bottles of wine. Everyone received a bottle and it was his way of saying sorry to the member and us for letting the chapter down!
Amazing and what a way to be remembered! And I've kept his card, because if he cares that much, I bet he also cares about his job!
I was at a chapter recently who had a 'Super Sub' and I really mean a Sub who was super. (More about the other kind another time.)
This guy was really amazing. The story started some weeks before when he was asked to be a subsitute for a member but forgot to turn up. Obviously the member was marked as absent. Well, the member when he found out wasn't too impressed and let his subsitute know!
So next time the member wanted a Sub, whom did he call? Yes, the same person.
And, this was the meeting that I was attending. When the subsitute was called to read out the member's 60 seconds, it was great, but about half way through the 60 seconds it then told us that this was the person who had let the member down and we could be as horrible to him as he deserved! He finished and sat down; brave to read it if you ask me.
After the members, as there was no clash, the subsitute was asked to give his 60 seconds. He introduced himself, told us what he did and then picked up two bags and started to give out bottles of wine. Everyone received a bottle and it was his way of saying sorry to the member and us for letting the chapter down!
Amazing and what a way to be remembered! And I've kept his card, because if he cares that much, I bet he also cares about his job!
Sunday 1 June 2008
One of your fellow members is holding an event
1/06/08
I happened to be talking with four members this week who had all had the same experience. I met with them on different days by the way!
They had each held an event, were in chapters of over twenty members, and each event was free. Two of these events were evening sessions, one spread over three days and the other one was in fact online. The number of members from their chapters who chose to support them ranged from none (on two occasions) to about five!
Amazed? Well, I was!
Why? Well, let's start with building a supportive relationship. How about it's just a friendly thing to do, or how about the fact that you might just learn something (two of the events were about growing your business), or a bit selfish - for the networking possibilities, then again how about the fact that there can be no better way to learn about a person's business than watching them work - what a great way to get an insight into how they work, understanding what they do, and so increase the chance of getting referrals for them, or how about just because you may get to know them a little more?
Something that is very important in our groups, which also effects directly how many referrals we receive, is how much we know, like and trust our fellow members.
How do you think those four members feel? Deep down - do you really think they like us? Do you really think that they will go out of their way to find us referrals?
Next time one of your fellow members is holding an event, posts something on the web for you to look at, or even asks you just to have a look at their web site, please really try to find the time to do whatever it is. I guarantee that, at the very least, you will make a member happy and by doing that, you will certainly increase the odds of a referral or two from them.
I happened to be talking with four members this week who had all had the same experience. I met with them on different days by the way!
They had each held an event, were in chapters of over twenty members, and each event was free. Two of these events were evening sessions, one spread over three days and the other one was in fact online. The number of members from their chapters who chose to support them ranged from none (on two occasions) to about five!
Amazed? Well, I was!
Why? Well, let's start with building a supportive relationship. How about it's just a friendly thing to do, or how about the fact that you might just learn something (two of the events were about growing your business), or a bit selfish - for the networking possibilities, then again how about the fact that there can be no better way to learn about a person's business than watching them work - what a great way to get an insight into how they work, understanding what they do, and so increase the chance of getting referrals for them, or how about just because you may get to know them a little more?
Something that is very important in our groups, which also effects directly how many referrals we receive, is how much we know, like and trust our fellow members.
How do you think those four members feel? Deep down - do you really think they like us? Do you really think that they will go out of their way to find us referrals?
Next time one of your fellow members is holding an event, posts something on the web for you to look at, or even asks you just to have a look at their web site, please really try to find the time to do whatever it is. I guarantee that, at the very least, you will make a member happy and by doing that, you will certainly increase the odds of a referral or two from them.
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