The chapter’s events coordinator Richard Yallop says his partner Jacqui Bain had the idea after they held a spit roast as a house warming recently.

“One of our businesses, a WOF testing station call City Motors, is on one of the main roads of Whangarei, which makes an ideal venue for the spit roast this Saturday, 19 May.”

“There are no tickets as such, just a gold coin donation gets a lamb sandwich and a note donation gets a beer or a wine. We’re also going to have face painting and a jumping castle for the children,” he said.

BNI Monaco member Paul Brockie recently donated a signed All Whites football top – from the New Zealand versus Jamaica game in February – to Nelson Hospice. The presentation took place recently at the Nelson Golf Club where BNI Monaco meets.

Pictured during the handover are from left BNI Director Nelson/Marlborough Craig Lawson, Paul Brockie (BNI Monaco) and Nelson Hospice fundraising committee member Elspeth Kennedy.

Paul’s son Jeremy plays for the All Whites and for Newcastle in the A League. Paul donated his son’s signed jersey to the hospice to be auctioned or raffled.

Paul said he would like to thank Cindy Pearless from Nelson Hospice nursing staff for instigating this fundraiser.

When I was coaching international athletes the very worst place was 2nd or 1st loser.  It was gutting not to get the gold.  When you have had a taste you want more.

In business the worst place to be is in-between.  In my experience so many businesses and so many business owners are stuck in-between not achieving their business goals
and achieving them.  They haven’t yet found the tipping point or reached the tipping point.  They just keep on hoping it will show up.

So how do you move away from the in-between acid bath?  The answer to this is a one word answer – DECIDE! Decide that you want to move forward and then get on with it.  The single greatest mental blockage is the ability to decide. Too many people are scared to make a decision because they want certainty that what they decide will work.  In fact they carry out a self-fulfilling prophecy because when they make a decision they immediately go to the negative about the outcome.

Typical negative thoughts are – it will be too hard, cost too much, haven’t got enough resources, to many other people are doing it, my staff won’t buy in, a meteor will hit the earth or a flying pig will land on my head and kill me.

The in-betweeners dilemma – to go forward or stay behind or make myself a nice little comfort zone in the middle.

As a peak performance coach there is only one answer ‘decide to go forward and stop being an in-betweener’!

HOW can you go forward? 5 little words!

Clarity – be clear about what you want to move forward to and visualise this.

Specificity - write down the specifics of what you see in your mind as you go forward including the positive things that will happen to you.

Capability – value your own personal capabilities and then decide on what other capabilities you need to source through coaches, contractors and specialists.  Everything is out there, you just need to identify it and ask for it.  Sure it might cost you money but that is what budgets and forecasts are for.

Simplicity – whatever you do make sure it is simple – no sophistication or complexity. The basics work. Keep in mind that ‘excellence is doing the basics better than before everyday all day in every way’

Discipline – there is no escaping this one and ultimately this is the one that can trip you up.  Discipline means staying on task – or being a disciple to the plan. To stay disciplined ask this question regularly – “is what I am doing a return on investment activity or a distraction?” If it is a distraction get more disciplined and stay on task.  Set your plan and follow it.

NO MORE IN-BETWEEN – Peak Performers are never in-between they are always moving forward, sometimes slowly and sometimes fast but they never stagnate – they make decisions and then get to work.

Check the Weekly Motivator at www.peakperformanceinsight.com

Hospice is not a building; it is a philosophy of care 

• The goal of hospice is to help people make the most of their lives; to live every moment in whatever way is important to them.
• The majority of people are cared for in their homes in the community or in residential care facilities.
• Most hospices have inpatient facilities where people go for respite care, symptom and pain management or during their last days.

 Hospices provide care for anyone living with a life limiting illness 

• Hospice care for anyone with any life limiting illness – for example heart failure, MND, MS or cancer
• Regardless of location, age, religion or race.

 Hospice care and support is provided completely free of charge

• Hospices are independent charitable organisations.
• There are 35 hospice services throughout the country all providing a range of services depending on the needs of their local community.
• In 2012 it will cost over $75M to provide hospice care in NZ. 
• As an essential health service provider, hospices do receive some funding from Government but financial support from the community is essential to meet the shortfall – in 2012 that total is over $30M nationally. 

Hospice care for the whole person, not just their physical needs but also their emotional, spiritual, and social needs too. 

• Hospice care for families and friends as well, both before and after a death.
• All hospices throughout NZ share the same vision – anyone who is dying has the opportunity to celebrate their life with the help of hospice
• Most hospices provide or have access to a wide range of services such as spiritual care, day unit programmes, massage, art therapy, music therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy.

 Nationally in 2011: 

• Approximately 14,000 people received care and support from hospice,
• Over 155,000 visits were made to people in their homes by hospice teams,
• The volunteer workforce gave over 584,000 hours to hospice.  Many of the services we provide would not be possible without the support of their huge volunteer team.

 Ways YOU can get involved: 

• Host or attend an event

In the lead up to Awareness Week the Hospice NZ website will feature a newsfeed of events going on around the country. There are a great number of events planned including open days, memorial services, street appeals, or hosting a Hospice cuppa event. Or look at your local hospice’s website to find out what they have planned.

• Donate goods for Hospice shops

Why not have a clear out at home or at the office and donate all good quality items that you don’t need any more to the local hospice shop. 

• Talk about hospice

Tell your family, friends and contacts about your work with hospice, many people don’t know about their work and you can use your experience to be an ambassador and raise awareness. 

• Send a free e-moment

You can help to raise awareness of hospice by sending a free e-moment to someone you care about, or share this website link with others www.hospice.org.nz/living-every-moment. 

• Follow and Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/hospicenz

•  Make a donation

Why not have an office function or competition to raise funds for hospice – have a hospice cuppa, bake sale, jelly bean counting competition, or mufti day.

• Become a volunteer

Volunteers support all aspects of hospice services – some examples include drivers, car cleaners, reception duties, gardening, hosts, shop assistants. Around Awareness Week volunteers are often needed for Street Appeals and other fundraising events.

Any questions or for more information contact:
Jo Rosenbrook
04 381 0296
Community Relationships Advisor
Hospice New Zealand

Funding Development Manager at Hospice North Shore, Gaynor Larsen, said the hospice would be delighted if BNI chapters would get behind their “Hospice Cuppa” campaign.

“Hospice North Shore has joined with Mercy and West Auckland Hospices with this campaign and we are all contacting special business supporters asking if they will consider Hosting a Cuppa. BNI’s in Auckland City and West Auckland might also be interested in supporting this initiative although I expect the Hospice team from Mercy and West Auckland may contact them.”

While Hospice Appeal Week is 13 – 20th May, Hospice Cuppa can be anytime, preferably, but not restricted to, the May- June period.

This is how it works:

Businesses who sign up to Host a Hospice Cuppa, will receive a Host Pack which includes:

* Tea & Coffee provided by Dilmah Tea & Caffe L’Affare
* Recipe ideas provided by 2011 Masterchef, Nadia Lim
* Invitations
* Donation forms

“The Hospice Cuppa Host arranges a morning or afternoon tea and together with help from our Host pack provides the food and beverage, invites staff and/or clients. Attendees make a donation to Hospice North Shore.

“In organisations where there are teams/departments it may be that each team has a Hospice Cuppa, or one team plays Host, inviting the rest of the organisation to their Hospice Cuppa. Some organisations have incorporated raffles, casual Fridays, baby photo competitions – it’s only limited by your imagination!

“All (Hospice North Shore) Hosts and guests also will go into the draw to win a High Tea experience for six at the beautiful “Peace & Plenty” in Devonport (North Shore) and all participating businesses go into a draw to win a morning tea platter delivered to their workplace courtesy of the Luscious Foodstore.

“We have a rather exciting launch for this campaign coming up on Thursday 3rd May 11am – Midday.”

For more information, or a copy of the invitation, or a flyer for you to use, email Gaynor at GaynorL@nshospice.org.nz

“I would also suggest that businesses joining in our Cuppa Campaign, identify which BNI group they are part of as money raised can go towards the cost of the annual Sky TV Sponsorship in our In Patient Unit which many BNI groups are raising money towards.

“We would love to have you join us on Thursday 3rd and of course love your help with this Cuppa campaign, which we are hoping will become an annual event,” Gaynor said.

To help with fundraising in the meantime, Kiwibank North Shore Business Banking and BNI Hibiscus Coast have teamed up to present:

THE PHOENIX DANCE AND SOCIAL

Helping Hibiscus Hospice rise from the ashes

Saturday 26 May 7.30 pm

Dairy Flat Community Hall, Postmans Road, Dairy Flat

Tickets $30 per person

All ticket proceeds go to Hibiscus Hospice

Tickets are now on sale, but are limited to just 200. If you and your friends would like to come along for a great night out, you can purchase tickets by contacting Rosemary Miller at Kiwibank on 09 4755019. A copy of the ticket images is attached.

There are also “Can’t make it to the Dance” tickets for people who can’t make it on the night and still want to contribute – effectively a donation to Hospice. All proceeds from both types of tickets go to Hibiscus Hospice.

For more information, contact Patrick Hackett, email: Patrick.Hackett@kiwibank.co.nz

Not everyone seems to agree with the sentiments of the article.  If you are interested, feel free to follow the link to a blog in Cambridge, UK where a lively discussion is currently underway about the various types of networking groups that exist and the merits and drawbacks of each.  Contributors to date include BNI Founder and Chairman – Dr Ivan Misner.  To join in the discussion – and have your say; CLICK HERE

It has been said that the key to success is passion and purpose and I am very much of that belief.  The ‘8’ are the practical activities that enable that passion and purpose to manifest. My own clients make significant gains in service offerings, cash flow, client happiness and personal and team satisfaction when these 8 activities are implemented and monitored.

Switch On
Know your people, your business, your market and your industry better than anyone else. Switching On means putting things front of mind. It means becoming a student of the game. The things you need to know about and what you need to know about them are always right in front of your face – you just don’t see them until you switch on.
Here is an analogy for you. When you want to buy a new car and you know what you want, you start searching for information by reading car reviews, talking to people who own one, you view them on YouTube and tour the car sales yards to check them out. You are so switched on to this model of car that you actually start to see plenty of them on the highway. They were always there but now you see them because you are switched on.

Value Yourself Up
You know more than you think you know. You need to value your knowledge, your management skills and your business experience. You need to leverage what you know to give you an advantage in the market place.  What you know enhances your credibility. When you truly value yourself up with confidence and self-belief you increase your credibility power.  It is your credibility power that will grow your business.

I have worked with many executive clients who have suffered from ‘fraud syndrome’.  They tell me they don’t know how they got into such a senior position with high levels of responsibility.  They literally wonder if they really do know what they should know and tell me they feel like a fraud.  I need to point out here that female executives suffer fraud syndrome more than male executives – at least that has been my observation.  Once we do a success exercise they quickly acknowledge they are not frauds.

Stick to the basics
Business Excellence is doing the basics better than before all day every day in every way.
In your business there will be core activities that drive your business success. These activities will grow your business – activities  such as prospecting, administration, following up leads, regular communication with customers, clients and suppliers, managing your database and providing high quality service and client experiences.  Each of these activities is made up of basic steps, components and processes. Make sure these basic activities are not compromised. Always maintain a high standard with them: they are the core foundation of your business.

Know your numbers
Know your numbers. Know your cash flow situation. Know your productivity capabilities, sales figures and profit margins. Know your sales trends so you know how to prepare for busy times and down times.  Be inquisitive – it is your business.   It’s what you don’t know that can bring you down, so stay on top of your numbers all the time. Do not make decisions about technology, opportunities, diversification and business development unless you know your numbers. Numbers make a business go around.  My most successful clients know there numbers.

I had one client who owned a plastics retail shop. He wanted to make more income from the shop but wasn’t sure how to do it. I asked him to tell me his numbers. He couldn’t. I told him my most successful clients know there numbers and I wanted him to get a full audit completed so he knew where he was at.  He did this and found he was in a pretty good position but still wanted to generate more cash from his sales.

I gave him the following exercise. He was to review all his 2000 products and decide which items he could raise the price on by between 5c and $5 and still remain competitive. He had to do this exercise against his sales of those products over the previous financial year.  It took him two weeks to come up with the numbers but what a surprise.  He discovered that it would generate another $250,000.  He was ecstatic.  I then gave him another surprise and said “isn’t it great to have free money coming into your business”? He asked, “What do you mean”? I explained to him that he was already profitable and paying his bills so this was like a free scoop of ice cream on the cone, a pleasant surprise. I then suggested he put some money aside as a bonus for his very loyal staff and then figure out what to do with the rest.  I had to shake the place up a little bit and give the staff a bit of a rev, but once they found out they were getting a bonus I became their best friend. 

Drill, Drill, Drill
The biggest asset in your business can make you millions. Staff development and management training are essential. Never underestimate the value and motivation that staff training can provide.  Set aside regular coaching and training sessions to up-skill your team and keep them motivated. Training staff is not a cost to your business – it is an investment that when done properly will get you a return. Great staff means happy customers and clients who will spend money and keep the shareholders happy.

I encourage my clients to have formal coaching and knowledge advancement sessions at last once per week. I also encourage them to allocate a staff member to prepare a small training session on something they know a lot about within the business and industry. They get a couple of hours off that week to prepare.  For the most part they are not nervous about presenting because they know their team mates.

The outcome is a great level of commitment to provide a quality presentation. The presenter leads a discussion and answers questions. Their confidence is boosted, staff members learn something new and they value their positions and jobs because they are valued by their team-mates.

I had one client who owned a gym and applied this method. Over a year they created a significant knowledge library on all things health and fitness.  The quality of service from the trainers elevated and was very high because they were switched on and valued themselves up with their knowledge.

Stay on task
Stick to your game plan – know where you are going and measure your progress against your plan.  It is easy to get distracted away from your primary goal when you don’t have a plan. It takes discipline to stay on task and keep your eye on the ball.  Every day ask yourself the question, “If I do this, will it grow my business?” Also ask “Is what I am doing a return on investment activity or a distraction”?

Executive Health and Fitness
Peak performers don’t have a choice when it comes to health and fitness. You must maintain a work/life balance, an executive level of fitness, and energise yourself with quality nutrition.  This is self-explanatory: a healthy mind needs a healthy body.  The research is as plain as the nose on your face. The more energised you are through good levels of health and fitness the more effective you are at your vocation and within your business and correspondingly the more successful you are.

Expect to succeed
If you don’t back yourself no-one else will. Great champions are never surprised by victory: they plan for it and expect it.  Great business people are never surprised by success: they plan for it and expect it.

Whether you are remaining a regular member of your chapter, or stepping up to the leadership team, it really is in your interests to take this seriously and be asking some questions of your new leaders or yourself (if you have taken a leadership role).

Make no mistake, the success of your chapter and the number of referral you get in the next six months will hinge on leadership.

How to recognise a good leadership team member

A good leader…

* Sees the leadership team role as an opportunity – to develop personally and to increase his or her profile (and flow of referrals) in the chapter.

* Put their name forward for the LT role or responded readily when asked.

* Is assertive enough to put the interests of the chapter first.

* Attends training – even for the tenth time – because they recognise they can ‘never know it all’.

* Is a good communicator. They communicate regularly and are responsive.

* Is enthusiastic. BNI team leadership is a social skill and so, above all, they need positive enthusiasm and energy.

If you notice a common denominator of what defines a good leader is “attitude”, you would be right on the money.

It doesn’t matter if a person has been a BNI member for even just three months – if they have enthusiasm, passion and drive they and their chapters will thrive.

Colin Kennedy is a keynote speaker, writer and content marketing consultant. As BNI New Zealand’s marketing director he is responsible for the organisation’s communications strategy, and also serves as an assistant director for North Central region of BNI.