Communication…

 …well lack of it!

Two members that I have contacted, for the first time over three weeks ago, so far have not sent me any type of reply. And I’m not talking about just sending an email here.

I have sent them a number of emails, text messages and a phone message.

Now it might be that they don’t think a reply is required, they have no time, or that they just aren’t interested enough.

There could be many reasons as to why I haven’t heard a thing from them. It’s even possible that you can think of a good reason yourself.

But, have you, and more importantly have they, thought about the comeback of no reply more deeply?

What does no response really mean?

Does it even matter?

Well the BIG answer is – yes it does!

When I say, yes it does, the reason is massive. But, it’s to them, not me.

As, long term, they will get fewer referrals.

But why, you may be thinking.

Know, Like and Trust.

If you are going to be referred confidently, your fellow members need to: Know you, Like you, and to Trust you.

What no communication means is that they don’t know if you will contact the person that they could refer to you.

They have no evidence that they can trust you to do so.

So, they don’t (refer you).

Which means for the best results, and the most referrals that you will receive, you need to communicate on every single occasion and without any delay.

Even if you are busy or because what you have been asked is not really for you, you must reply.

But, be careful, as to what you say.

And, here are a couple of examples: ‘I’m too busy’, could simply mean I’ve no time for any more work. The result could be fewer referrals. ‘Not my sort of job’, can mean other referrals lost; unless you explain why and do your best to help them with their referral. Recommend someone good who could do it.

Good communication is essential to build Know, Like and Trust with your fellow BNI members and have your referral rate grow and be better.

Who should you reply to today?

Have you a spare minute?

That’s all – no longer.

Many BNI members are so busy that they find it hard to find any real time to work on their BNI membership and so find true success hard to come by.

But, I imagine that your answer to my question is a ‘Yes. Of course, maybe even a little longer.’ However, a minute is all you need.

So, now you have a question, what for? The answer is, to help you grow your business.

Most of us joined our BNI Chapter to build our business, by receiving referrals (recommendations) from other members, that get to know, like and trust us, over and over again.

And, visitors are very important to this, as they build your number of contacts, help grow your Power Team, which in turn will enhance your level of achievement.

Imagine if your chapter had three visitors every week. In a year that would make 150 prospective new customers; all whom you would meet and who would listen to your sales pitch.

It doesn’t matter if they join your chapter; the most important thing is that you get to meet them and grow your possible connections.

The fundamental thing is that they come to one meeting; that’s all. Of course, if they like what they see, they will come again; maybe even apply to join. However, just coming once, is what means the most to your chapter.

Anyway back to the one minute.

It will take one minute to invite a visitor.

Do that every day and you invite five people a week. Do it for 46 weeks (I’m allowing for holidays here) that will mean you will have invited 230 people in a year.

Even if only one person in 30 comes that will mean you will have eight visitors.

For a minute think about how long it takes you to speak to eight prospective new customers a year? Longer than 230 minutes I bet.

One last thing before you get going, as I know you will. Start first with the people you know, as far more will support you.

And, this could be a surprise; it was to me. One of my best customers became one of our best chapter members! Plus, I doubled my sales with them.

Good luck and enjoy.