Throughout our country there are extraordinary business entrepreneurs doing amazing things. One example is an entrepreneur who has over a 40 year period started, grown, managed and sold companies associated with all sorts of industries; farming, property development, retirement villages and the ‘not for profit’ sector.
In addition to this, in recent years this entrepreneur has managed the growth of a global business that spans four inter-related industries: publishing, toy manufacturing, television and merchandising. He also undertook extensive strategic planning, international legal and tax structuring, contract negotiation and much more. The entrepreneur’s name is John Pittar and he’s a recent addition to the BNI Gisborne chapter.
John is an excellent example of the sort of highly experienced person who adds value to a BNI chapter.
Now working as a business consultant, John has moved from mentoring start-up businesses to using his talents and experience to help more business owners in the Gisborne – East Coast region. His on-going commitment to benefitting the community at large includes the voluntary work he is doing for the Gisborne Stewart Centre Trust, which he founded and has chaired since 2000.
Highly experienced people like John bring their extensive expertise, wisdom and learning lessons to a chapter when they join. They also provide a maturity to a chapter that can balance the energy that members who are new to the business world introduce to BNI.
Many of these more experienced businesspeople have spent much of their working life dealing with teams of people or managing groups within their businesses. When they join a chapter, this experience can have quite a stabilising effect on a group. Their knowledge and wisdom can help to strengthen a chapter in terms of the dynamics within the group itself.
One of the key attributes of a successful BNI member is their loyalty to the chapter and their dedication to attending meetings and providing referrals. Punctuality, loyalty and honesty are three attributes that those with extensive experience in the business world often bring to the table. These sorts of members are also often very attentive listeners and are able to provide excellent feedback on other BNI members’ business ideas.
All these qualities are embodied in people like John Pittar and other highly experienced businesspeople. When considering who to invite to visitors’ days, don’t overlook those who have been in the business game for a long period. The experience they bring to BNI is invaluable.
