30/9/08
In fact it's not really a case of making your substitute look silly, it's more a case of not making yourself look badly prepared.
It's happened before but what made it stick in my mind recently was the fact that the same thing happened in three different meetings one after the other! The substitute got up and read the script that they had been given and each time had to stop, the first time because something had been added to a typed sheet and the person wasn't sure where the next part was, the second time because the hand-written copy was so bad that they couldn't understand it, and the third time because what they had been given just didn't make sense.
I can even remember cases where the substitute has stood up and said, ' ...... said they would send me something but nothing turned up, so I'll just say what it says on their card'.
No, it doesn't make your substitute look silly but it does embarrass them and they do spend a great deal of time apologising.
So, please be kind to the person who is substituting for you and send them a perfect copy of the 60 seconds that you want them to present for you. And, ask them to read it in advance and come back to you if all is not clear.
Not only will your substitute not mind covering for you again in the future but you will be demonstrating to the group how well organised you are!
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Sunday 21 September 2008
Chapter Directors have you done a good job?
21/9/08
All BNI chapter Leadership Teams change in nine days time. Most will say, 'Has it already been six-months?' as they can't believe how quickly the times flies by and they have so much more they want to do.
But the question is, if you are a Chapter Director, on the 30th September will you have done a good job?
You may run a great meeting, the member numbers are up, as is the referral rate, more members have attended training than ever before, and the meeting room is full by 6.45 am each week.
However, have you checked with your Membership Co-ordinator that all is okay? Are they up to date with any control letters that should have gone out, are there any membership committee issues boiling up? Have you checked with your Secretary/Treasurer that all is okay with the finances of the chapter, that there aren't any members behind with their meeting fees? And, most importantly, that they will be handing over a clean set of chapter accounts to the next Secretary/Treasurer?
Please don't let the new Leadership Team discover on the 1st October what you should know now. Be sure that you can say that you did a good job: in fact, a brilliant job
All BNI chapter Leadership Teams change in nine days time. Most will say, 'Has it already been six-months?' as they can't believe how quickly the times flies by and they have so much more they want to do.
But the question is, if you are a Chapter Director, on the 30th September will you have done a good job?
You may run a great meeting, the member numbers are up, as is the referral rate, more members have attended training than ever before, and the meeting room is full by 6.45 am each week.
However, have you checked with your Membership Co-ordinator that all is okay? Are they up to date with any control letters that should have gone out, are there any membership committee issues boiling up? Have you checked with your Secretary/Treasurer that all is okay with the finances of the chapter, that there aren't any members behind with their meeting fees? And, most importantly, that they will be handing over a clean set of chapter accounts to the next Secretary/Treasurer?
Please don't let the new Leadership Team discover on the 1st October what you should know now. Be sure that you can say that you did a good job: in fact, a brilliant job
Saturday 20 September 2008
Leaflets left behind ...
20/9/08
Have you ever been one of the last to leave your meeting and scattered around the tables are a leaflet that a member gave out?
I have often - and it's not only been leaflets. Sometimes there have been note pads, invitations to a private view, free tickets to a seminar, all kinds of things.
A few weeks ago I was just leaving a meeting and a member was collecting up their product brochures that had been left behind, so I collected those nearest me and handed them to the member. I guessed only a few could have been taken by the members. They thanked me and I replied, 'No problem'.
The member then said a funny thing: 'I really meant thank you for taking my brochure'. I had one amongst my things. We then talked for a few minutes and I have to say that they were pretty disappointed that almost no one had taken their brochure.
Thinking about it later, what the member said, certainly had a ring of truth about it.
Whenever I am given something at a meeting I take it away with me - not because I am interested necessarily in whatever it might be myself, but because I may be able to pass it on to someone else who is and more importantly, as I have not been able to read it during the meeting, I can read it later when I can concentrate better and find out something more about the member.
But what the member said that really hit home was two things: first, that obviously the other members weren't really bothered about them or their services and second, that they didn't really feel like putting themselves out for those members during the coming week!
I have to say that I gave out some of my company's pads during my 10 minute once and had to collect up a handful afterwards and I must confess that I was not too happy with the members who left them.
So, please take handouts away with you and read them. Not only will it assist you in finding referrals for that member but it may very well increase the number that you receive.
Have you ever been one of the last to leave your meeting and scattered around the tables are a leaflet that a member gave out?
I have often - and it's not only been leaflets. Sometimes there have been note pads, invitations to a private view, free tickets to a seminar, all kinds of things.
A few weeks ago I was just leaving a meeting and a member was collecting up their product brochures that had been left behind, so I collected those nearest me and handed them to the member. I guessed only a few could have been taken by the members. They thanked me and I replied, 'No problem'.
The member then said a funny thing: 'I really meant thank you for taking my brochure'. I had one amongst my things. We then talked for a few minutes and I have to say that they were pretty disappointed that almost no one had taken their brochure.
Thinking about it later, what the member said, certainly had a ring of truth about it.
Whenever I am given something at a meeting I take it away with me - not because I am interested necessarily in whatever it might be myself, but because I may be able to pass it on to someone else who is and more importantly, as I have not been able to read it during the meeting, I can read it later when I can concentrate better and find out something more about the member.
But what the member said that really hit home was two things: first, that obviously the other members weren't really bothered about them or their services and second, that they didn't really feel like putting themselves out for those members during the coming week!
I have to say that I gave out some of my company's pads during my 10 minute once and had to collect up a handful afterwards and I must confess that I was not too happy with the members who left them.
So, please take handouts away with you and read them. Not only will it assist you in finding referrals for that member but it may very well increase the number that you receive.
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Always complaining!
10/9/08
Have you ever come across those people who are always complaining - and you do your best to avoid them?
Well, maybe now it is time to pick and choose those people that you try to hide from because complaints are often referral opportunities.
We are not looking for the mum who says her son doesn’t make his bed or our mate at work who thinks that he could run his favourite sports team better than the manager – but what we are looking for are genuine grumbles that could lead to a chance of business.
Let me give you a couple examples: that same mum, over a cup of tea tells you that she just can’t keep up with the housework – it’s never ending! Is there a cleaner in your chapter? And, your mate at work, you are having a drink one evening after work, and he is moaning about the coming weekend and all the work he has to do. Clear the garden, fix a gate, put back a water pipe that has come loose. Some he doesn’t know how to do and others he hasn’t got the right tools for, so that means going to the DIY store and wasting more money! Have you a handyman or a gardener in your group?
So, don’t switch off when people start to complain and you never know you might start making a lot of people very happy!
Have you ever come across those people who are always complaining - and you do your best to avoid them?
Well, maybe now it is time to pick and choose those people that you try to hide from because complaints are often referral opportunities.
We are not looking for the mum who says her son doesn’t make his bed or our mate at work who thinks that he could run his favourite sports team better than the manager – but what we are looking for are genuine grumbles that could lead to a chance of business.
Let me give you a couple examples: that same mum, over a cup of tea tells you that she just can’t keep up with the housework – it’s never ending! Is there a cleaner in your chapter? And, your mate at work, you are having a drink one evening after work, and he is moaning about the coming weekend and all the work he has to do. Clear the garden, fix a gate, put back a water pipe that has come loose. Some he doesn’t know how to do and others he hasn’t got the right tools for, so that means going to the DIY store and wasting more money! Have you a handyman or a gardener in your group?
So, don’t switch off when people start to complain and you never know you might start making a lot of people very happy!
Sunday 7 September 2008
No one to talk to!
7/9/08
I was with a member recently (they had been in their chapter for a couple of months) and they were saying that they weren't really sure what to do because a few times they had found themselves with no one to talk to during the open networking part of the meeting. Everyone seemed to be deep in conversation and they didn't feel that they could butt in so they just got a coffee and hoped.
Well, the first thing that struck me was what were the Visitor Hosts doing? At every meeting Visitor Hosts should be looking for people that somehow have ended up on their own - not just actual visitors but members too (and of course Substitutes). There is nothing worse than being left on your own at any event and all members should look out for people who have become isolated.
Then, of course, there is the Networking Skills workshop. This will not only teach you how to network but also give you tips on how to make yourself feel more comfortable in a room of people you don't know - including how to spot a group that you can easily join.
But, one simple thing that you can try at your next meeting is this: when you have got your coffee, rather than stand around the coffee table hoping that someone might come and find you, instead take your coffee and make your way to the Sign-In desk. Then, when people arrive, welcome them and walk with them to the coffee table - and have something ready to say. Something more than a weather report - maybe something that you have heard on the news about their industry or if there was something in particular that they looking for at the moment. Could you help?
You never know, you might find you really start to enjoy yourself and are never left without someone to talk to again.
In short - I suppose I am saying act like a Visitor Host!
I was with a member recently (they had been in their chapter for a couple of months) and they were saying that they weren't really sure what to do because a few times they had found themselves with no one to talk to during the open networking part of the meeting. Everyone seemed to be deep in conversation and they didn't feel that they could butt in so they just got a coffee and hoped.
Well, the first thing that struck me was what were the Visitor Hosts doing? At every meeting Visitor Hosts should be looking for people that somehow have ended up on their own - not just actual visitors but members too (and of course Substitutes). There is nothing worse than being left on your own at any event and all members should look out for people who have become isolated.
Then, of course, there is the Networking Skills workshop. This will not only teach you how to network but also give you tips on how to make yourself feel more comfortable in a room of people you don't know - including how to spot a group that you can easily join.
But, one simple thing that you can try at your next meeting is this: when you have got your coffee, rather than stand around the coffee table hoping that someone might come and find you, instead take your coffee and make your way to the Sign-In desk. Then, when people arrive, welcome them and walk with them to the coffee table - and have something ready to say. Something more than a weather report - maybe something that you have heard on the news about their industry or if there was something in particular that they looking for at the moment. Could you help?
You never know, you might find you really start to enjoy yourself and are never left without someone to talk to again.
In short - I suppose I am saying act like a Visitor Host!
Friday 5 September 2008
No Door Prize!
5/9/08
I'm often asked what's the point of the Door Prize and I have to say that it's one of the few occasions on which I am almost lost for words!
Why?
Well, for a start three reasons I suppose. First, because it is just a nice thing to do, second because it is a great, very simple, and inexpensive way to get someone to remember you and your company, (I know a member that still has on his desk a paper weight that he was given many years ago, and guess who he thinks about every time he moves the paper weight) and three, because it is a BNI policy - General Policy No. 8 in fact.
But, in truth it's far more than that and here's why.
I really enjoy visiting chapters and watching and listening to a good 10-minute. I always learn something about the speaker I didn't know before and most often that member, who has not really been on my radar before, suddenly becomes far more focused in my mind - referrals suddenly seem easier to find. It might be that there is something in their Bio that gets my attention (makes a connection with me), or that by having more time they are able to explain something about their business that wasn't really clear to me before.
However, all this good work can be undone in a second. It gets to the Door Prize and when asked if they have one, the answer is 'Oh. No - I forgot.'
From my point of view, in that moment the whole 10-minute is wasted!
Anyone can get up and say anything about their business and we trust, until we have proof, that it is true. But, for that moment it is just words. On the other hand a Door Prize is proof of what you think of your fellow members and how professional you are. A member has six weeks to find a door prize - six weeks to think of something that says something great about them - six weeks to wrap it nicely.
Please don't ruin a good (maybe great) 10-miunte presentation because you couldn't be bothered to get a Door Prize. It says a great deal more about you and your company than you may think.
Note: Chapter Directors please may I suggest that you check with your 10-minute speaker as soon as they arrive that they have a Door Prize.
I'm often asked what's the point of the Door Prize and I have to say that it's one of the few occasions on which I am almost lost for words!
Why?
Well, for a start three reasons I suppose. First, because it is just a nice thing to do, second because it is a great, very simple, and inexpensive way to get someone to remember you and your company, (I know a member that still has on his desk a paper weight that he was given many years ago, and guess who he thinks about every time he moves the paper weight) and three, because it is a BNI policy - General Policy No. 8 in fact.
But, in truth it's far more than that and here's why.
I really enjoy visiting chapters and watching and listening to a good 10-minute. I always learn something about the speaker I didn't know before and most often that member, who has not really been on my radar before, suddenly becomes far more focused in my mind - referrals suddenly seem easier to find. It might be that there is something in their Bio that gets my attention (makes a connection with me), or that by having more time they are able to explain something about their business that wasn't really clear to me before.
However, all this good work can be undone in a second. It gets to the Door Prize and when asked if they have one, the answer is 'Oh. No - I forgot.'
From my point of view, in that moment the whole 10-minute is wasted!
Anyone can get up and say anything about their business and we trust, until we have proof, that it is true. But, for that moment it is just words. On the other hand a Door Prize is proof of what you think of your fellow members and how professional you are. A member has six weeks to find a door prize - six weeks to think of something that says something great about them - six weeks to wrap it nicely.
Please don't ruin a good (maybe great) 10-miunte presentation because you couldn't be bothered to get a Door Prize. It says a great deal more about you and your company than you may think.
Note: Chapter Directors please may I suggest that you check with your 10-minute speaker as soon as they arrive that they have a Door Prize.
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