BNI - anyone got any experience?

[drivin_me_nuts]

As the search is out to lunch at the moment ..

Has anyone here used BNI? and if so, was it worth your time and efforts?

Cheers

[Anatol]

Yes, and No.

However it varies massively from chapter to chapter. I've heard horror stories and great successes too from attendees.

Big downside of BNI compared to other networking options is that BNI is making a profit out of the attendees, often big money. If you can find a not-for-profit alternative you may get the same or better results than your local BNI chapter without having to line someone's pockets for the privilege...

Tol

[evolutionvalet]

I concur with Tol.
Each 'chapter' has to be profitable as they are normally owned by a regional franchisee who also lays on the business 'training' seminars which you have to pay for too.

There are quite a few 'free' groups that I am a member of that get similar results and to be honest are a bit more enjoyable than the BNI chapter I joined.....

Oh also be warned that once you sign up and pay the £400 odd enrollment fee, you do not get any of it back if you leave.

To be fair we got around 2-3 referals each meeting but only for those in the group. None came from recommendations from members to 'outsiders'.

So I would research how many chapters are around your area and then get recommendations on how they run and costs.

Good luck in whichever path you choose.

Kev

[The Londoner]

Posted on this subject before. Much depends on who is in your particular chapter. I did a trial meeting and the members included a florist, a life coach and someone who organised golf days, plus the obligatory IFA, so not much help. I do know someone that got referrals worth 00's of 000's of £'s from a couple of chapters to the west of London so it's a bit luck of the draw. I also personally could not deal with the early breakfast idea, and as a one man band had issues with the obligation to appear without fail. Certainly would not have coughed up £400 to join.

[tyre_tread]

Had some dealings with them and went along to quite a few meetings as I kept getting invited to stand in for people on holiday.

I did get a little business ot of it but definitely wasn't worth joining for me as a Hypnotherapist. However, the guy who originally intoduced me runs the local printing.com franchise and got loads of leads and business as a result, as did a local fire extinguisher company and PC repair.

Its fine for networking and getting to know your local trade and retail people and if your business is the sort that will benefit from this then it might be worth considering.

It does get tedious after a while though.

[scotal]

The question i have about these clubsis that randomness of the people who are inthem. In general you will have no way of knowing if the people in "your" chapter are actually any good, and as such you will be recommending someone whose work you have absolutely no experience of. That could backfire pretty badly on you, and your reputation.

[tyre_tread]

scotal said:

The question i have about these clubsis that randomness of the people who are inthem. In general you will have no way of knowing if the people in "your" chapter are actually any good, and as such you will be recommending someone whose work you have absolutely no experience of. That could backfire pretty badly on you, and your reputation.

You are under no obligation to recommend them as such but its a "you scratch my nack and I'll scratch yours" situation.

You get to know the people pretty quickly and if you're any judge of character you'll know which ones you'd be willing to recommend.