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The idea behind this free and fun event is to highlight the power of giving referrals by challenging small business owners to make 1000 referrals to 1000 small businesses during the week. You can find out more about it here

As part of the Make a Referral Week 2010 Education Series John is highlighting the power of referrals and word of mouth marketing with a live event featuring some of the brightest authors, speakers and thought leaders on the subject of referral marketing.

You can join John for a live web discussion Wednesday, March 10th at Noon CST. Click here to register for the online seminar. (That’s 7am, Thursday March 11 our NZ time).

The panel includes Ivan Misner, founder of BNI and author of The 29% Solution,  Bob Burg, author of  Endless Referrals and the  Go-Givers Sell More, and  Ben McConnell, co-author of Creating Customer Evangelists.

This group makes up a panel of what may be the worlds single greatest collection of thought leaders on the subject of referrals and word of mouth.

More info on the entire week can be found here. Have you made your referral yet? Do it here

Author: Robyn Pearce

 If you’re wondering where the year went (and who isn’t?) – then this could be the book for you.

Take a copy of ‘About Time’ with you to the beach over the holidays and come back next year more organised and focused. You’ll learn how to manage your email, paper-handling, and even meetings, more efficiently. There are tips and strategies for overcoming procrastination, prioritising and planning, and managing travel time. (There aren’t any twitter or facebook management tips included yet though). Robyn is a time management guru and her tips are practical and proven.

This is an easy book to dip in and out of between swimming and sunbathing and the pay off could well be gleaning an extra few hours next year for even more relaxing…

We have two copies to give away – to go in the draw, simply tell us (by commenting below) your own best time management tip.

Or to buy your own copy – or for a gift! (RRP $34.95 incl GST) go here.

We asked our BNI Directors and here are their answers:

When I dance with new members, I encourage them (by example) to use the GAINS Worksheet (Members manual, Sect. 5 Pages 6 and 7) especially if they have no idea what to ask or feel they’re being nosey – this way is a formally recognised resource. Other questions to ask:

• How long in this business?
• What were you doing before?
• Ask about staff and what they do? If possible ask to meet them.
• If a sole trader, have you thought who could be a substitute? Best client, spouse, good friend….. 
• Could you tell me all the aspects of your business to help me recognise a referral for you?
• Who would be a dream referral for you? 

- Gary Sims, Regional Director, BNI Northland

My thoughts are that a dance should endeavour to find out as much as possible about the person you are dancing with and is a one-way process which focusses on the person you requested the dance with. 

Questions could include – interests, skills and experience, family, hobbies and pets, goals for the future, both personal and also in a business sense.  Other questions could be directed more specifically on their business, and could include things like what makes their particular business different, how you can find he/she a referral.

Using the GAINS principle is a great way to remain focussed on gathering the information you are seeking in a structured manner.

It is possible that it will take more than one dance in order to learn about a person and their business, so keep dancing regularly.

-      Alastair Christie

The purpose of a dance is to understand the other person’s business. Treat the Dance as a semi formal meeting, rather than just chatting about the chapter and things in general – be specific about what you want to know and understand about the person. The things we find out about people is amazing when we are focussed on them and listening to them.

This is why it is recommended that you do not do a double dance.

-      Grant Foggo

>>> Do you have any other tips?

No longer is networking just about turning up to a networking event armed with business cards, juggling a chicken drumstick in one hand and wine glass in the other while citing your ‘elevator pitch’. Networking is happening online, 24/7 – and here are some ideas to take your networking online.

Have a plan

Before diving right in, develop a plan. Ask yourself what do you want to achieve from social networking? Is it more traffic to your website; more leads to convert to sales; more people on your database; more brand awareness?

Next question is to figure out how much time you can dedicate to social networking. Most business people join two or three relevant networks and focus their energies on cultivating relationships within these – rather than the scatter gun approach.

Join some social networks

Ask around and find out what the popular networks for your industry, for your customers, for your competitors are – maybe these are the networks to join first.

The most popular and broadest business networks (currently) are Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter. Others are Plaxo, Xing and Orkut and Ecademy. It is also worth searching Ning for localised social networks; for example Recruitment 2.0 is the Asia Pacific network for recruitment professionals; and Vbiz NZ  is for New Zealand businesses and entrepreneurette for women in business.

Once you’ve joined (and they’re all free!) set up your profile page. Include your detailed bio information (tailored to that network) and all your contact details (blog address, twitter address, website etc) so people can learn more about you and connect with you. Upload your photo too (you wouldn’t attend a networking function wearing a paper bag over your head would you?). Sites like LinkedIn are optimised for search engines – so if someone is searching your name, chances are they’ll find – and view – your profile page information.

Join the conversation

It’s okay to be a ‘voyeur’ for awhile to learn the ‘etiquette’ and discover how people are using the network; but that’s like standing in the corner of the room of a networking event and watching; sometimes you do need to walk over and say hello.

Most networks have ‘groups’ on specific topics, industries or interests. In these groups you’ll find lots of discussions happening – join in or start your own discussion thread.

When you’re reading blog posts, leave a thoughtful comment; maybe an additional point that the author didn’t cover; or relate your experiences; or even challenge the author. Again, you’re becoming part of the ‘conversation’ online.

Be seen, get known

Let people know you’re online and where they can find you; include your Twitter and LinkedIn address on your blog, your website, on your business cards and on your email signature.

Most networks will ‘recommend’ people to connect with, or identify people you may even know, or you can invite your own peers or clients – these are all good starting points to grow your online network.

Build your following online by making it easy for people to sign up for your e-newsletter on your blog and have RSS feeds enabled so people can subscribe to your content either by email or through a feed reader.

Givers Gain

Networking is about giving first and online you’ll find lots of opportunities to give.

On LinkedIn go the Questions section and answer those in need of help or advice. On Twitter, tweet interesting blog articles you’re reading. On LinkedIn recommend people who’ve given you good service. Offer to write a guest post for blogs in your industry.

 And a final word… one element of networking that doesn’t change whether you’re online or offline is that you’re building relationships; so be courteous, be yourself, and don’t be pushy or spammy.

 And there’s a whole lot more to social media for business…. Fiona Powell is a blogger, and social media maven – if you want to learn about leveraging social media for your business, join us for the full day course on November 16^th in Auckland “Introducing Social Media and Blogs for Business” or check out www.SocialMediaThink.com for details, and other courses. To reserve your place email: Fiona@socialmediathink.com

Last year’s inaugural event was a runaway success, and this year’s event has attracted even more high-profile speakers whose sole aim is to Train, Inspire, Motivate and Empower New Zealand’s businesspeople. This year’s event will be held at Auckland’s Ellerslie Convention Centre and features speakers such as “barefoot warrior” Lee Parore, “pitch doctor” Hugo Mears and performance expert John Shackleton.

See the whole lineup at www.timeconvention.co.nz

To go into the draw simply add your coment to this post (by 5pm on Monday October 26) telling us why you’d like to attend. (Winners will be notified by email and can collect their tickets at the event on Friday morning.)

To be in to win – simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12th June 2009!

EDWARD DE BONO, the world leader in lateral thinking and the European Ambassador for Thinking 2009, is back to present a special half day seminar: ‘THINKING FOR CHANGE’

We have a ticket to the half day seminar on 18^th June, in Auckland , New Zealand, worth $395+GST to give away to a BNI blog member/reader. To be in to win simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12^th June 2009.

Stop focusing on recession, start ‘Thinking for Change’ says Edward de Bono!

“The present economic crisis is about 30% real and arising from toxic securities (unmanageable). Then there is 50% panic and fear caused by media hype. Finally there is about 20% of ‘game playing’. That means parties who take advantage of the situation.”  Edward de Bono

Better thinking is never a luxury. Better thinking is an absolute necessity in difficult times. Now, more than ever we need to know how to think. We have to start looking at problems as opportunities.
Recession provides us more than anything else with this challenging exercise.

Recession means a change. There are problems to be solved and if you solve them better than others the problem can become an opportunity. You can surf big waves instead of being swamped by them – but you have to know how to surf.

Recession means a change. We can anticipate some of the effects of change. We can set up structures to cope better with change. In difficult times the analysis of information is as important as ever but is no longer enough. Value based thinking becomes more important than ever.

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO THINK!! BOOK NOW!

In difficult times, people see new thinking as a luxury and tend to revert to more traditional, historical methods of dealing with problems. But times have changed and these old methods may no longer work.

That is why more thinking, new thinking, new ways of looking at information, new ways of designing the way forward, along with logical information based thinking, is essential in difficult times.

In Edward de Bono’s special seminar he will take you through the use of different approaches to organisational problems. You will explore all aspects of each situation and generate alternatives that go far beyond obvious solutions. The presentation will include a mix of teaching and practical exercises.

Edward de Bono’s proven methods provide a deliberate, systematic process that will result in innovative thinking. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and profit.

“Great business competitors are great lateral thinkers…”  Edward de Bono

To register for the seminar or for more information on the seminar, including information on Edward de Bono and the De Bono society visit:

http://www.hrinz.org.nz/Site/events_national/de_bono/Auckland_18_June_09.aspx

To be in to win – simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12th June 2009!

Seminar cost: $395.00+GST

Date: 18^th June 2009

Time: 9am – 12.30pm

Venue: Sky City, Auckland

http://www.clivemurphy.com/pages/Making-2009-A-Success.html

Richard says, “I unashamedly ripped off Don McLean’s American Pie, which the delegates seemed to like… ”

The ‘BNI Song’ is worth checking out and demonstrates the wide range of professions that can benefit from being a member of BNI  - even a professional musician!

Listen to the BNI song here: