Is anybody a member of business clubs - BNI, BRE, etc.?

[mikeg996]

I've checked a few of them out in the past, but I've been thoroughly unconvinced. Has anyone else had success/failure with them?

[pontypool]

Yes I am a member of BNI

If you ignore the brainwashing crap and treat it as simply a way to meet new people that you otherwise wouldn't it can be worthwhile.

Personally speaking it has been beneficial to my business and I have met some nice people. BUT it seems some of the meetings can be run on quite strict terms where as at ours we all have a bit of a laugh.

It really depends on the type of business you run - a chap I know won his company's biggest ever client through someone at BNI who had a mate..... it was worth hundreds of thousands!!


edited to change appalling spelling

Edited by pontypool on Tuesday 16th October 12:14

[mikeg996]

Well I'm glad that at least some people have had success with it! My view is that it was fine for people selling well-known, easily packaged items (stationery, air conditioners, etc. :-) but for consulting services or more specialist stuff it wasn't much use.

[muppetdave]

That's quite interesting as I was considering this also (in Essex too incidentally Mike). My other half attended one event in Colchester, but being a printer founnd it useful, but again as you mentioned, it seemed to be better placed for 'product' based companies.

[mikeg996]

I seem to recall that BNI/BRE, etc., are fairly expensive - circa £300-500 per year?

I was wondering if it was worth trying to gather a few like-minded individuals from PH and create our own non-brainwashing business referall network.

[pontypool]

I think it does suit people like printers, electicians, etc.. more than others (the air conditioning is only a side business for me and not what I go to BNI under).

If there was a will to have an inormal London-based PH business network I'd be in.