BLAINE, Minn. – (Oct. 22, 2015) – Networking is an important aspect of growing a business, especially for anyone in sales. BNI, or business networking international, already has 180,000 members worldwide and they recently set up a new chapter in Blaine.
“The whole concept of BNI is getting a bunch of business professionals together that meet weekly to establish professional relationships, because we know as business owners and entrepreneurs that business, sustained business, really comes from relationships that we build with people, trust that we build with people,” said Steven Smith, a realtor.
The group meets weekly to discuss what they are doing individually and how they can help each other grow their client networks. And focusing on networking has helped many members change the way they find clients.
“As soon as I joined the group, my mindset kind of changed, and it’s like, who are other people that I can refer to these people? So I know a lot of people outside BNI, at the gym, and community, and church. So, yes, I have made referrals and people are, you know, very happy with the services that have been provided from the group” said Donovan Laib, financial advisor.
Smith continued, “Networking is invaluable to growing anyone’s business and again it goes back to that trust that many people want to have, need to have before they pass you any business whether it’s business that they’re going to give you themselves or if they’re going to pass you to a family member.”
Building that trust is what BNI, and all networking groups are about. Finding someone you trust who can help meet your needs.
Laib shared, “That is probably an easier way to find clients is through network, because you get warm introductions to people. So, if somebody knows a real estate agent that has friends that know people and they’d make an introduction to you, that is a much easier way to build your client base rather than cold-calling, you know knocking on doors, sending out flyers, where people see it and they really don’t know who you are.”
BNI membership does take a lot of commitment. Chapters only allows one member from each professional specialty, and they have a strict weekly attendance policy that they say keeps members invested in what they are doing.
