10/2/08
Well if you are a BNI member, add another – the Substitute.
Substitutes seen to be a perennial problem amongst the majority of members and I’ve never worked out why, as the moment that you are inducted into your chapter you know that you will some day need a substitute.
I’ve heard members say among other things, ‘The pressure of finding a sub...’, ‘I just don’t know where to find one’, and even, ‘Can’t BNI give us a list?’.
I just can’t understand why! A sub can be anyone: your partner, parent, friend, nieghbour, work-mate, supplier, customer (who better to sing your praises?), golf partner, local shopkeeper.... The list is endless. After all, BNI is a networking organisation, so surely members must know someone!
Then again, what about a visitor as a sub?
But if you still think finding a substitute is hard, how about trying my ‘phone a friend’ system. It’s what I tell all the members I mentor.
New people to your chapter make the best subs, but if that really worries you then this is what I suggest.
Today phone some friends and make a list. You need three groups. Tell them you are in BNI and what we do. Tell them what a sub is and tell them that they get the chance to talk about their business (if they have one) and that they get a free breakfast as well. Then you need to find a couple of people that will sub for you with two weeks' notice, two that will sub for you with a week’s notice and lastly two really good friends that will sub for you at 24 hours notice.
All that pressure gone! When you then need a sub you just pick up the phone and make a call.
One last tip – a last resort. When other subs come to your chapter, collect their cards and put them in the back of your BNI folder. These are people you know will sub and if you really get stuck.... well, it’s better than ABSENT against your name. But even then, please remember that the same sub should not visit your chapter too often.
So next time you need a substitute – make them a great addition to the meeting!
No comments:
Post a Comment