26/10/09
We are always advised to keep our 60 Seconds and 10 Minute presentations simple, to have a clear message, and not fill them full of jargon and buzz words. This advice is just as important with our chapter education slots.
I saw a brilliant example of just how simple, clear, and yet powerful, an education slot can be at a recent visit to a chapter in the London North West area. (I have given the area as the figures used are actual figures from the PALMS data in the region.)
The education slot was given by Nikki Keeler the chapter’s estate agent after she had attended a recent Momentum workshop.
On a flip chart she wrote ‘VISITORS’, an arrow down to ‘MEMBERS’, another arrow to ‘REFERRALS’, and last an arrow down to ‘BUSINESS’.
As members we all joined our chapters to get more business and the way that this works best is in large groups where everyone gives. We have all heard this before, but what made this education slot so powerful were the figures that she then gave. Real figures from local chapters; chapters that we knew!
A chapter with 20, in the past year passed 454 referrals, with £55,000 worth of business being thanked for. Another group, this time with 29 members, passed 1107 referrals, with business thanked for of £212,000. Next was a chapter of 37 members, referrals 2022, and business done £598,000. And, finally a chapter of 46 members, passing 3108 referrals, with almost £1.6 million worth of business thanked for in the group.
The message was clear, if you wanted to grow your business, helping to grow your chapter was a straightforward way of doing just that.
The average return per member in a chapter of 20 was £2,750. By doubling the size of the group that average went up to over £34,000 per member.
As I say – the message is clear!
Monday, 26 October 2009
Monday, 12 October 2009
Do your bad members run your chapter?
12/10/09
Over the past few months I’ve noticed that a number of chapters have had trouble introducing a chapter development idea, or some kind of accountability, into their groups and, in some cases, given up on the idea altogether.
The reason for this has always been the same: a few members who don’t want to take part, or think it’s a bad idea, and make the most objections. And so as to not upset the group, because now these members have influenced other members, the idea is dropped and the chapter doesn’t put in place what it needs to in order to grow and gain more business for all.
Having studied this type of member, I have discovered that they are always the same – the ones that don’t fully contribute. They don’t give, take part, and would be shown for exactly that, if real accountability was introduced.
So, my message to you is Leadership Team, Membership Committee, or chapter member, don’t let bad members run your chapter and stop you gaining all that is possible from your BNI chapter.
Over the past few months I’ve noticed that a number of chapters have had trouble introducing a chapter development idea, or some kind of accountability, into their groups and, in some cases, given up on the idea altogether.
The reason for this has always been the same: a few members who don’t want to take part, or think it’s a bad idea, and make the most objections. And so as to not upset the group, because now these members have influenced other members, the idea is dropped and the chapter doesn’t put in place what it needs to in order to grow and gain more business for all.
Having studied this type of member, I have discovered that they are always the same – the ones that don’t fully contribute. They don’t give, take part, and would be shown for exactly that, if real accountability was introduced.
So, my message to you is Leadership Team, Membership Committee, or chapter member, don’t let bad members run your chapter and stop you gaining all that is possible from your BNI chapter.
Monday, 5 October 2009
180 words!
5/10/09
Do you find it hard to finish your 60 Seconds in just a minute, and always end up having your punch-line cut?
Well, you are not alone as many members do. Some members try and get the all important message in by talking really fast as they sit down, others try and get extra time but are drowned out by a bell, or similar deterrent, while others just throw their hands in the air and give up. But all fail to make the best use of their 60 Seconds, and it is so easy with a little planning.
And, that really is the key – planning!
Hopefully you would never go to see a client without having your sales pitch ready, so why would you turn up at your chapter meeting and think you can ‘wing’ it? Even the most gifted speakers can’t really ad lib a 60 Seconds, unless they also have a stop-watch in their head. Maybe they can get close, but unless you are one of those lucky people, you have to plan and practise.
So, first write your 60 Seconds and hone it until your message is clear and concise. Then practise speaking it, not reading it, but saying it out loud. Most of us read faster than we speak, so it’s really important to speak it out loud. And then learn it, so that you don’t need your copy when you present your 60 Seconds.
With just a little planning you will never have to rush your 60 Seconds again, but more importantly you will never lose another punch-line!
One last thing, 180 words is about the most you can say in a minute.
Do you find it hard to finish your 60 Seconds in just a minute, and always end up having your punch-line cut?
Well, you are not alone as many members do. Some members try and get the all important message in by talking really fast as they sit down, others try and get extra time but are drowned out by a bell, or similar deterrent, while others just throw their hands in the air and give up. But all fail to make the best use of their 60 Seconds, and it is so easy with a little planning.
And, that really is the key – planning!
Hopefully you would never go to see a client without having your sales pitch ready, so why would you turn up at your chapter meeting and think you can ‘wing’ it? Even the most gifted speakers can’t really ad lib a 60 Seconds, unless they also have a stop-watch in their head. Maybe they can get close, but unless you are one of those lucky people, you have to plan and practise.
So, first write your 60 Seconds and hone it until your message is clear and concise. Then practise speaking it, not reading it, but saying it out loud. Most of us read faster than we speak, so it’s really important to speak it out loud. And then learn it, so that you don’t need your copy when you present your 60 Seconds.
With just a little planning you will never have to rush your 60 Seconds again, but more importantly you will never lose another punch-line!
One last thing, 180 words is about the most you can say in a minute.
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