Welcome to Bristol Cook

On the 20th August (I went on holiday the next day) I visited Bristol Cook, a lunchtime chapter, pretty much in the centre of Bristol.

The chapter launched in January and is already thirty strong and it's easy to see why. Led by Sarah Owen, a good friend of mine, and Area Director, the chapter has a real sense of togetherness and everyone seems to like each other. I love their 'Good Egg of the Month' award.

But what I really like is their 'Referral to look for' sheet. The front is fairly standard, other than it is colour coded into Power Groups; what a great idea. However, it's the reverse of the sheet that is really impressive. It's all there.

Leadership Team, 10 Minute Speaker, 60 Second guide and the month's Network Leaders. But it goes much further than that. It then covers the Top 5 Business Givers, the Top 5 Referral Givers and the Top 5 Visitor Inviters. Each has a total: 198 visitors this year. No wonder Bristol Cook is already a 30-strong chapter.

However, once again, there is more. Bar Charts for the Business Givers, Referral Givers and Visitor Inviters. The visuals are so much better than just plain figures.

So, why do I think this is so good? Well, it's simple. The members of Bristol Cook have been accountable from 'Day One', every week they can see their Network Leaders and how well they, as a chapter, are doing. It's just brilliant. What's even better is that the chapter has a good spread of Network Leaders; a sure sign that every member is playing their part in the success of the chapter.

If your chapter doesn't present your chapter figures, at least monthly, with the aid of great visuals you, as a member, are really missing out.

Every business must know its 'numbers' for real success and your BNI chapter is no different.

I look forward to visiting Bristol Cook again and I am positive that when I do it will be a massive success and a Flagship Chapter.