BNI Blog

If you’re not getting referrals, it’s probably somebody else’s fault…

Posted on 4th. March 2010 by Colin Kennedy

colin_0016 I’ve posted a lot about stickiness – being memorable, standing out in your chapter, differentiating yourself, but I’ve been thinking… maybe it isn’t your responsibility.

Well ok, of course being memorable is your responsibility; but what I mean to say is that each person in your chapter has to take personal responsibility for getting their head in the referral game, in order for any strategy to succeed.

Don’t they?

You could be as sticky as five day gum on the sidewalk, but if the other people in your chapter aren’t in the referral giving, business networking mindset, what chance do you stand?

Well… actually, here are some ideas.

1. Get really close to a handful of people in your chapter and build strong ties with them. However, you say, success still hinges on their taking responsibility to give referrals. Doesn’t it?

2. Another way is to give, and give. Most people, if they are normal, will feel obliged to reciprocate in some way. By giving you spread goodwill, prosperity and… pressure. Funny how we always come back to Dr Ivan Misner’s basic, fundamental, golden rule: “Givers Gain”.

3. Finally, take responsibility for leadership in your chapter or network. If the others aren’t playing the game, motivate them, hold them accountable (in a nice way) and lead from the front.

Any other ideas on how to get your fellow networker’s head in the game?

Tweet this Post

Category: BNI Workshops, BNI tips for members, Be Inspired, Better Business, Uncategorised | Add Comment » | Print This Post | Email This Post

Invite to complimentary BNI workshop on Social Media and Public Relations

Posted on 4th. March 2010 by Graham Southwell

How to harness Public Relations and Leverage Social Media Workshop

9am – 11am on Monday 29th March at Sports House, Harbour Sport, Stadium Drive, Albany, 2nd right Nth Harbour Stadium

(Book on line on the BNI New Zealand website).

BNI New Zealand would like to cordially invite all Hospice Co-ordinators and other interested members of BNI to a workshop on how to leverage social media and public relations in your BNI, and in your business.

Important Notice: Numbers are limited. First in, first served.

If you’re feeling left behind in all the talk about social media or if you’ve got a good story to tell about your business and want to raise your profile and that of your BNI, this workshop is for you…

· Tips and secrets that will make journalists sit up and take notice

· An introduction to Twitter, Linkedin, Ning, blogs, Facebook

· Discover what social media is, and isn’t, and why social media is important to your business

· Learn how to plan a public relations campaign

· How to leverage and manage social media to grow your chapter and your business

· The 3 essential elements of a well written media release

Presenters

Fiona Powell: Fiona is a social media maven, blogger, an award winning magazine business editor and publisher, an international speaker, and an educator and businesswoman. Fiona is the founder of online community entrepreneurette and flokka, the blog network – both for women in business, and she is the past founder, and editor/publisher of Her Business magazine and Her Business Group. Fiona trains and works with organisations to implement and manage their social media programmes. Fiona@socialmediathink.com

Colin Kennedy: Colin is BNI New Zealand’s Marketing Director, international speaker and director of influence marketing agency Iron Road Ltd. Having worked in all areas of media and marketing – including journalism and sales – Colin’s previous roles include CEO of New Zealand Agritech, online duty editor at the New Zealand Herald, news editor of Autofile and sales and marketing manager for Group Editors. colin.kennedy@ironroad.co.nz

Important Notice: Numbers are limited. First in, first served.

· Tips and secrets that will make journalists sit up and take notice

· An introduction to Twitter, Linkedin, Ning, blogs, Facebook

· Discover what social media is, and isn’t, and why social media is important to your business

· Learn how to plan a public relations campaign

· How to leverage and manage social media to grow your chapter and your business

· The 3 essential elements of a well written media release

Presenters

Fiona Powell: Fiona is a social media maven, blogger, an award winning magazine business editor and publisher, an international speaker, and an educator and businesswoman. Fiona is the founder of online community entrepreneurette and flokka, the blog network – both for women in business, and she is the past founder, and editor/publisher of Her Business magazine and Her Business Group. Fiona trains and works with organisations to implement and manage their social media programmes. Fiona@socialmediathink.com

Colin Kennedy : Colin is BNI New Zealand’s Marketing Director, international speaker and director of influence marketing agency Iron Road Ltd. Having worked in all areas of media and marketing – including journalism and sales – Colin’s previous roles include CEO of New Zealand Agritech, online duty editor at the New Zealand Herald, news editor of Autofile and sales and marketing manager for Group Editors. colin.kennedy@ironroad.co.nz

Tweet this Post

Category: BNI Events, BNI News, BNI Workshops, Be Inspired, Better Business, Networking, Networking Trends, Sustainable Business | 2 Comments » | Print This Post | Email This Post

New Branding for BNI New Zealand

Posted on 3rd. March 2010 by Graham Southwell

BNI rolls out new branding

BNI New Zealand achieved a world first today when the BNI website and BNI blog went live with the new international branding, developed to further emphasise BNI’s position as the world’s largest referral organisation.

The global theme will help BNI achieve communication consistency around the world, particularly as the organisation continues to grow at a phenomenal rate – already BNI is present in 38 countries (including China) and has more than 125,000 members worldwide!

BNI New Zealand will of course retain many of our unique Kiwi characteristics – including ensuring that our material features images of New Zealand members. Our brochures are currently with the branding agency, but the starting point for our new look is the rebranding of the website and blog.

The new branding means a complete change across all of BNI’s communications – including referral slips, leadership team manuals and business cards.

This is just the first step in a number of exciting developments planned for 2010 – all with the aim of adding more value to our members.

Best wishes

Graham Southwell – BNI New Zealand

Tweet this Post

Category: BNI Events, BNI News, Leadership, Networking | 2 Comments » | Print This Post | Email This Post

New BNI Chapter launched in South Auckland

Posted on 3rd. March 2010 by Rosemary Meyer

Colin Kennedy, BNI NZ Marketing Director, welcomes new members After two very successful core group meetings, BNI Travel Growth Chapter launched today.

From 38 visitors we have launched with 17 members and a further 5 applications are in the pipeline which will make this a very successful chapter.

During the start up and launch meetings 20 dances have been recorded and 67 referrals exchanged. It is clear to see that there is plenty of ”word of mouth” marketing going on in Papakura.

An acknowledgement was given to new chapter President, Alyson Wilcock of Harvey World Travel, Papakura, for her determination and enthusiasm to bring these local business people together. A very pleasant surprise was the kind donation of a BNI Travel Growth pavement sign presented by new member Tania Chitty of Reflect Icon Signs, whose partner Neil Richardson of Reflect Icon Signs is President of the local Franklin Chapter. Thanks also goes to the Papakura RSA for providing the venue and catering facilities for this new chapter.

The highlight at launch was the attendance of Colin Kennedy, BNI’s NZ Marketing Director who presented a great 10 minute on “How to Stand out in the Crowd”. Colin presenting 10 minute "How to Stand out in the Crowd"

It is invigorating to feel the enthusiasm of a new group of business people who are committed to the “Givers Gain” philosophy for exchanging quality business referrals.

Rosemary Meyer, Assistant Director, South/East Auckland

Tweet this Post

Category: BNI News | 1 Comment » | Print This Post | Email This Post