28/6/09
Just lately I have had a number of members tell me that the training report on BNI Net is wrong with regard to the number of workshops that they have attended.
As with all record keeping, any record can only be as accurate as the information that has been supplied, and I think that this is where the workshop booking-in system and therefore record keeping sometimes can break down.
I have been to a number of workshops recently, both as a member, and Regional Director, and I have noticed that not all members sign in.
On occasion this is because there is a queue at the booking-in desk and the member has got side-tracked, at other times it’s just because they don’t even attempt to sign in.
Furthermore, at a recent work shop that I was helping at I counted the number of people in the room against those that had signed in. The list was two names short, but despite asking the members in the room to check that they were signed in during the coffee break, no one did (I even added that their attendance at the workshop would not be recorded if they were not signed in).
Then this week I queried with a member I knew had been at a workshop, a few days earlier, why she was not on the list of attendees that I had received from BNI Head Office, and she said that people were just sitting down when she arrived, so she just took her place and forgot to sign in later.
So, please may I suggest that if you want to ensure that your training record on BNI Net is correct - REMEMBER TO SIGN IN.
Sunday 28 June 2009
Saturday 20 June 2009
Hogarth Rocks!
20/6/09
Thursday 18th June 2009, venue the London Rowing Club in Putney, occasion, the debut performance of the Hogarth Hogs (maybe their first and their last!).
The Hogarth chapter of BNI (Chiswick) was the first chapter in England to take on six new members in the recent Power Team drive. To date they have taken on over ten new members as a result of their efforts and to celebrate they decided to use some of their prize money to have a party as a reward for all of their hard work and also to welcome the new members into the chapter.
On arrival members were greeted with a glass of Champagne on the balcony of the club overlooking the Thames and rowers below. Then it was down to a little work!
Speed One2Ones. New members being paired with the more long term members, each pairing being given three minutes to discover things about each other, until everyone had had a chance to introduce themselves to everyone else. Well, that was the plan - I think it got a little lost somewhere!
One thing that I discovered was that Yvonne Arzt, the chapter’s Membership Co-ordinator and Interior Designer, had worked in Israel on a large project.
We then sat down to an excellent three course dinner and I was lucky enough to sit with Alex Hutchings (Plumbing & Heating), as during the meal we discovered that not only did we have a part of the country in common, but that we both have a passion for cooking and, what’s more, similar dishes.
Then, just before the sweet was served, we were given a taster of what was to come: Norwegian Wood, a duet by Yvonne Arzt and Etienne Baird, accompanied by Will Cheng on guitar.
So, after coffee we were given our instructions to come close to the stage, standing only, after all ‘this is a rock concert!’
Hogarth Hogs are: Alan Macdonald (guitar), Will Cheng (guitar), Roger Severn (bass), Colin Woodley (drums), Jonathan Hughes (vocals), Etienne Baird (vocals) and Yvonne Arzt (vocals).
Photography: Philip Coulson
Thursday 18th June 2009, venue the London Rowing Club in Putney, occasion, the debut performance of the Hogarth Hogs (maybe their first and their last!).
The Hogarth chapter of BNI (Chiswick) was the first chapter in England to take on six new members in the recent Power Team drive. To date they have taken on over ten new members as a result of their efforts and to celebrate they decided to use some of their prize money to have a party as a reward for all of their hard work and also to welcome the new members into the chapter.
On arrival members were greeted with a glass of Champagne on the balcony of the club overlooking the Thames and rowers below. Then it was down to a little work!
Speed One2Ones. New members being paired with the more long term members, each pairing being given three minutes to discover things about each other, until everyone had had a chance to introduce themselves to everyone else. Well, that was the plan - I think it got a little lost somewhere!
One thing that I discovered was that Yvonne Arzt, the chapter’s Membership Co-ordinator and Interior Designer, had worked in Israel on a large project.We then sat down to an excellent three course dinner and I was lucky enough to sit with Alex Hutchings (Plumbing & Heating), as during the meal we discovered that not only did we have a part of the country in common, but that we both have a passion for cooking and, what’s more, similar dishes.
Then, just before the sweet was served, we were given a taster of what was to come: Norwegian Wood, a duet by Yvonne Arzt and Etienne Baird, accompanied by Will Cheng on guitar.
So, after coffee we were given our instructions to come close to the stage, standing only, after all ‘this is a rock concert!’
The Hogarth Hogs opened with ‘I saw Her Standing There’ (Beatles), included a rousing rendition of Johnny Be Goode, with some very passionate vocals by Jonathon Hughes (Secretary/Treasurer), and ended with ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ (Oasis). In between were some superb guitar solos by Will Cheng and AIan Macdonald (Chapter Director), very tidy drumming from Colin Woodley, all backed up by Roger Severn on bass.
Sadly, there was to be no encore as the band had only learnt just enough songs for their performance during their two rehearsals.
As we once again stood on the balcony, this time watching the tide rise, the talk was all about when the Hogarth Hogs might play again and if Ashley Winston (Car Finder) would have to move his Rolls Royce before the tyres got wet!
A great evening and one that I was very happy to have been invited to. What’s more, I can see the headlines now – Hogs Rock!
As we once again stood on the balcony, this time watching the tide rise, the talk was all about when the Hogarth Hogs might play again and if Ashley Winston (Car Finder) would have to move his Rolls Royce before the tyres got wet!
A great evening and one that I was very happy to have been invited to. What’s more, I can see the headlines now – Hogs Rock!
Hogarth Hogs are: Alan Macdonald (guitar), Will Cheng (guitar), Roger Severn (bass), Colin Woodley (drums), Jonathan Hughes (vocals), Etienne Baird (vocals) and Yvonne Arzt (vocals).Photography: Philip Coulson
Sunday 14 June 2009
Focus on your credibility not selling
14/6/09
I was reading SuccessNet Online recently and came across an article in the ‘My BNI Story’ section which had the title ‘The $3M Dollar Deal’. Well, I had to have a look! Wouldn’t you? It was only a very short piece and, in fact, these eight words were all that were really needed: ‘I focused on building credibility instead of selling’.
Something that a great many BNI members forget is that BNI is not about selling. Selling, if you listen carefully, is seldom mentioned but, on the other hand, Know, Like and Trust are always talked about. And what do Know, Like and Trust all add up to, other than your credibility?
So, if you would like to improve the value of the referrals that you receive, I suggest that you take the advice of Connie Rankin and concentrate on your credibility rather than just selling.
The $3M Dollar Deal
http://successnet.czcommunity.com/my-bni-story/the-3m-dollar-deal/2900/
I was reading SuccessNet Online recently and came across an article in the ‘My BNI Story’ section which had the title ‘The $3M Dollar Deal’. Well, I had to have a look! Wouldn’t you? It was only a very short piece and, in fact, these eight words were all that were really needed: ‘I focused on building credibility instead of selling’.
Something that a great many BNI members forget is that BNI is not about selling. Selling, if you listen carefully, is seldom mentioned but, on the other hand, Know, Like and Trust are always talked about. And what do Know, Like and Trust all add up to, other than your credibility?
So, if you would like to improve the value of the referrals that you receive, I suggest that you take the advice of Connie Rankin and concentrate on your credibility rather than just selling.
The $3M Dollar Deal
http://successnet.czcommunity.com/my-bni-story/the-3m-dollar-deal/2900/
Saturday 13 June 2009
Regional Director caught on film!
13/6/09
I was invited to observe at a special presentation skills workshop organised by Anthony Wood, photographer, of the Harlequin chapter, for eight of his fellow members where they would each be filmed and then given feedback on their 60 Seconds.
After they had all had the opportunity to present, it was suggested that I might like a turn as a Regional Director. This was one of those moments! – I had to have a 60 Seconds ready to give.
You can see the result by clicking on the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAU6zSs2mmE
I was invited to observe at a special presentation skills workshop organised by Anthony Wood, photographer, of the Harlequin chapter, for eight of his fellow members where they would each be filmed and then given feedback on their 60 Seconds.
After they had all had the opportunity to present, it was suggested that I might like a turn as a Regional Director. This was one of those moments! – I had to have a 60 Seconds ready to give.
You can see the result by clicking on the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAU6zSs2mmE
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Have you let anyone down recently?
3/6/09
Trust is a major factor when it comes to people referring you. Let’s face it, however good you think a member's service is, would you easily recommend them if you couldn’t completely trust them?
I’m guessing that the answer is probably no – certainly I know that I would think twice.
It’s really important that we don’t raise people’s hopes by making a promise only to dash them by breaking that promise. It wrecks our credibility and therefore any trust that person has in us.
Now I am not talking big events here; it’s the build up of those small broken promises that do the real damage.
Have you ever said to someone, ‘I’ll call you in the morning’, and not done so? Or, ‘I’ll pop it in the post’, and forgotten? Maybe, ‘How about coffee on Thursday?’ and totally forgotten about it. Even, set a date for a meeting, ‘no fail’ you said, and then changed it.
The list is endless, but each is a promise broken. Sooner or later people will stop believing you and with that goes your credibility. And, after that goes the trust a person had in you.
The result of all this is fewer referrals.
A member asked me recently how they could improve their image within the chapter, get more referrals, and my answer was easy. Keep your promises I advised, as only that very week someone else from the chapter had complained that they had stayed in all morning waiting for a promised phone call from this member!
Trust is a major factor when it comes to people referring you. Let’s face it, however good you think a member's service is, would you easily recommend them if you couldn’t completely trust them?
I’m guessing that the answer is probably no – certainly I know that I would think twice.
It’s really important that we don’t raise people’s hopes by making a promise only to dash them by breaking that promise. It wrecks our credibility and therefore any trust that person has in us.
Now I am not talking big events here; it’s the build up of those small broken promises that do the real damage.
Have you ever said to someone, ‘I’ll call you in the morning’, and not done so? Or, ‘I’ll pop it in the post’, and forgotten? Maybe, ‘How about coffee on Thursday?’ and totally forgotten about it. Even, set a date for a meeting, ‘no fail’ you said, and then changed it.
The list is endless, but each is a promise broken. Sooner or later people will stop believing you and with that goes your credibility. And, after that goes the trust a person had in you.
The result of all this is fewer referrals.
A member asked me recently how they could improve their image within the chapter, get more referrals, and my answer was easy. Keep your promises I advised, as only that very week someone else from the chapter had complained that they had stayed in all morning waiting for a promised phone call from this member!
Monday 1 June 2009
Just out of interest – who does your printing?
1/6/09
No, I’m not asking for a referral for my company Imperial Printers but it’s a great line to use when looking for referrals for someone in your chapter.
Of course you may have to change the ‘Who does your printing?’ part, if you don’t have a printer in your chapter!
But what a great line and it is so easy to use. I can imagine myself as Columbo (I’m watching the re-runs, only joking), turning as I am about to leave a meeting and asking that ‘killer’ question, ‘Just out of interest – who does your lawn-cutting?’
It works with just about any type of business. ‘Who does your payroll?’, ‘Who services your car?’, ‘Who does your book-keeping?’
Then, depending on the answer, you have the perfect start to a conversation that may just lead to a referral. Ask your contact if they are happy with the service that they are getting from their current supplier. Would they be happy to speak to a good friend of yours that is looking for more business and that you can recommend.
Or, you may get lucky and they say, ‘Why? Do you know someone? I really need to contact someone now.’
So, why not give it a try this week. Pick someone in your chapter that you would like to find a referral for and every time you leave a meeting this week, or are about to end a telephone conversation, ask ‘Just out of interest – who does your xxxxxxx?’
No, I’m not asking for a referral for my company Imperial Printers but it’s a great line to use when looking for referrals for someone in your chapter.
Of course you may have to change the ‘Who does your printing?’ part, if you don’t have a printer in your chapter!
But what a great line and it is so easy to use. I can imagine myself as Columbo (I’m watching the re-runs, only joking), turning as I am about to leave a meeting and asking that ‘killer’ question, ‘Just out of interest – who does your lawn-cutting?’
It works with just about any type of business. ‘Who does your payroll?’, ‘Who services your car?’, ‘Who does your book-keeping?’
Then, depending on the answer, you have the perfect start to a conversation that may just lead to a referral. Ask your contact if they are happy with the service that they are getting from their current supplier. Would they be happy to speak to a good friend of yours that is looking for more business and that you can recommend.
Or, you may get lucky and they say, ‘Why? Do you know someone? I really need to contact someone now.’
So, why not give it a try this week. Pick someone in your chapter that you would like to find a referral for and every time you leave a meeting this week, or are about to end a telephone conversation, ask ‘Just out of interest – who does your xxxxxxx?’
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