29/3/09
A question you often hear from new members in BNI is - Why do I have to stand when I am talking?
I’ve also seen many visitors stay sitting when it is their turn to speak, lots of frantic gesturing from the members trying to get a person to stand and, most often, a request from the Chapter Director for someone to stand, this being followed by an uneasy or embarrassed rise by the person concerned from their chair.
So, why do we stand when talking?
Well, I guess the easy answer is that it is more business like. But, in truth there are far more important reasons than that and they all add up to just one thing. More business!
When we stand to talk we naturally speak louder, we can be seen and everyone’s attention is focused on us. Our words are clearer and more easily heard, which means that our presentation is far more effective. I hope that you will agree that it’s not too hard to connect a more effective presentation to gaining more business.
And, don’t rush when you do stand to speak. Only start talking once you are standing and finish talking before you sit down again. I miss so much of members' 60 Seconds who start talking the moment they start to rise from their seats and trail off as they sit again at the end.
Sunday 29 March 2009
Sunday 22 March 2009
Two signs of a great chapter!
22/3/09
Obviously there are many things that make a great chapter and, even if I came up with a Top 10 list, someone else would have their own opinion.
For example, it could be the amount of business that a chapter has been thanked for in the ‘Thank you for the business’ (Show me the Money) box, it could be the number of referrals passed, the fact that most members have been to all of the workshops, or that every week they have two or more visitors, or it could be that their chapter has 44 members, or maybe that they have wonderful social events.
In truth I suspect that it will be a combination of all of these things and more.
But, if you want two, easy to spot signs of a great chapter just count the number of members at the meeting by 6.30am and again at 9.00am. Great chapters are buzzing by 6.30am and are still full at 9.00am.
So, have a quick count of the members at your next meeting. If more than 60% of your fellow members are present then you might just have yourself a great chapter.
Obviously there are many things that make a great chapter and, even if I came up with a Top 10 list, someone else would have their own opinion.
For example, it could be the amount of business that a chapter has been thanked for in the ‘Thank you for the business’ (Show me the Money) box, it could be the number of referrals passed, the fact that most members have been to all of the workshops, or that every week they have two or more visitors, or it could be that their chapter has 44 members, or maybe that they have wonderful social events.
In truth I suspect that it will be a combination of all of these things and more.
But, if you want two, easy to spot signs of a great chapter just count the number of members at the meeting by 6.30am and again at 9.00am. Great chapters are buzzing by 6.30am and are still full at 9.00am.
So, have a quick count of the members at your next meeting. If more than 60% of your fellow members are present then you might just have yourself a great chapter.
Friday 13 March 2009
Chapter Director blown away!
13/3/09
My business, Imperial Printers, had a stand at the first Richmond Networking Expo 09 on Thursday, as in fact did my BNI chapter - Business Class.
The event was sponsored by the Best of Richmond and held at the Harlequins' Rugby ground and was a great success. It was also the first time that we had been an exhibitor at an event and we too had a brilliant time, although I have to say that standing for seven hours is pretty hard on the legs!
Anyway, this morning, in the cold light of day, things are still buzzing at BNI Business Class and the feedback from the members is just amazing. And, as for our chapter director, well he is just totally 'blown away' by the whole thing. Below is an email he sent me about the event, which I think says it all.
The definition of giving
There is an old adage in football: teams that drink together, win together. I suppose it means that if your teammates are also your friends you will make that extra effort for them.
There can be no doubt that the people in our chapter are friends.
Yesterday, at the Best of Richmond Expo, BNI had a stand and BNI Business Class had our own separate stand.
All our members were in evidence from 3pm. This included setting up what was an innovative, attractive and welcoming stand. It told those who attended the Expo that, all the talk of gloom is just that, talk, because at Business Class, business is done and business is fun.
None of them were selling their own products, instead they were each working to get business for their fellow members. And the result? A stampede of people desperate to join our chapter.
And when I left the show late into the evening, what were the remaining members doing?
Drinking together!
My business, Imperial Printers, had a stand at the first Richmond Networking Expo 09 on Thursday, as in fact did my BNI chapter - Business Class.
The event was sponsored by the Best of Richmond and held at the Harlequins' Rugby ground and was a great success. It was also the first time that we had been an exhibitor at an event and we too had a brilliant time, although I have to say that standing for seven hours is pretty hard on the legs!
Anyway, this morning, in the cold light of day, things are still buzzing at BNI Business Class and the feedback from the members is just amazing. And, as for our chapter director, well he is just totally 'blown away' by the whole thing. Below is an email he sent me about the event, which I think says it all.
The definition of giving
There is an old adage in football: teams that drink together, win together. I suppose it means that if your teammates are also your friends you will make that extra effort for them.
There can be no doubt that the people in our chapter are friends.
Yesterday, at the Best of Richmond Expo, BNI had a stand and BNI Business Class had our own separate stand.
All our members were in evidence from 3pm. This included setting up what was an innovative, attractive and welcoming stand. It told those who attended the Expo that, all the talk of gloom is just that, talk, because at Business Class, business is done and business is fun.
The members then spent the rest of the Expo talking to potential visitors about how great our chapter is.
None of them were selling their own products, instead they were each working to get business for their fellow members. And the result? A stampede of people desperate to join our chapter.
And when I left the show late into the evening, what were the remaining members doing?
Drinking together!
Sunday 8 March 2009
Is your meeting like a great party?
8/3/09
And, no I don’t mean with lots of champagne, loud music and dancing!
I’m sure that like me, sometime in your life, you have been invited to a party that, to be honest, wasn’t that great. For some reason the party just didn’t get going; there was music, more than enough to drink, and friends in the room. But there was no spark, no feeling of fun, so you had a drink, grabbed a plate full of food, smiled at a few people and tried to have a good time. All the time wondering how soon it would be polite to make your excuses and leave.
On the other hand (I hope) we have all been to really fantastic parties, where as soon as you walk in the room you just know that you are going to have a good time. Funny thing is that if you think about it there is nothing different about the structure of the party: music, drink, food and people. And yet it’s totally different and the thought of leaving doesn’t even cross your mind. You love the music, dance the night away, laugh, and just can’t stop talking. Until in the end your host has to push you out of their door and promises to have another party soon.
Well, that is what our chapter meetings need to feel like. When visitors, and members, come to our meetings do they wish they hadn’t come or do they feel as if the meeting is over almost as soon as they are welcomed into the room?
Every BNI meeting has the same structure - our twenty point agenda - so it is up to us to make our meetings feel like that great party.
Make sure that you are part of the energy in the room by getting to your meetings early and acting like the perfect host. I think you will be surprised at the difference that it will make to your chapter.
And, no I don’t mean with lots of champagne, loud music and dancing!
I’m sure that like me, sometime in your life, you have been invited to a party that, to be honest, wasn’t that great. For some reason the party just didn’t get going; there was music, more than enough to drink, and friends in the room. But there was no spark, no feeling of fun, so you had a drink, grabbed a plate full of food, smiled at a few people and tried to have a good time. All the time wondering how soon it would be polite to make your excuses and leave.
On the other hand (I hope) we have all been to really fantastic parties, where as soon as you walk in the room you just know that you are going to have a good time. Funny thing is that if you think about it there is nothing different about the structure of the party: music, drink, food and people. And yet it’s totally different and the thought of leaving doesn’t even cross your mind. You love the music, dance the night away, laugh, and just can’t stop talking. Until in the end your host has to push you out of their door and promises to have another party soon.
Well, that is what our chapter meetings need to feel like. When visitors, and members, come to our meetings do they wish they hadn’t come or do they feel as if the meeting is over almost as soon as they are welcomed into the room?
Every BNI meeting has the same structure - our twenty point agenda - so it is up to us to make our meetings feel like that great party.
Make sure that you are part of the energy in the room by getting to your meetings early and acting like the perfect host. I think you will be surprised at the difference that it will make to your chapter.
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