In my travels around BNI chapters – as an assistant director — I have to say the single biggest mistake most people make is to waffle during their 60 seconds, and that does you damage.
By this I mean assuming people know what you’re talking about, making vague referral requests and speaking for longer than 1 minute (when you go on too long, everybody switches off and misses your referral request). Sixty seconds that go over time also drag down the energy of the meeting.
Remember, you are spending your time and money at BNI to get more business. Every second must count.
The old journalist’s mantra should apply – assume nothing, be clear, be succinct!
A good 60 second communicates the following:
1. Your name and the name of your company
2. Where you are located
3. What your business does or specialises in
4. A clear benefit (or two) that you offer
5. A specific referral request
6. Then finish with your name, your company and your memory hook
I suspect most of the waffle, foot shuffling, vague requests – all a singular waste of your time and money – are a result of failing to prepare.
Each week before your BNI meeting, pull out this formula, fill in the blanks and ‘hey presto’ waffle no more.
