Keeping participation in BNI up

The start of the year is always a good time for reflection and consideration of your past actions and the outcomes of these actions. Part of this reflection could include an assessment of your commitment to BNI, what you are providing to other chapter members and what you are receiving through your participation. It can also be a time of change, so you may see some chapter members re-evaluating their participation in BNI or even leaving the chapter.

Why do members leave?

There are a number of things that can prompt members to leave BNI:

1. They’ve grown their business to a point where they don’t feel BNI can offer anything further (small businesses are no longer a target market).
2. They haven’t had as many referrals as in the past and feel it’s time for a change.
3. They’re simply too busy to attend meetings.

Although at first glance these reasons seem valid, it’s important to think a little more deeply about the BNI experience and recognise the benefits that are available to these members.

Benefits

1. If you’ve grown your operation and are struggling to get all the business done, BNI can provide support through experienced members who understand about business development and can assist you with changes. Moreover, a range of businesses are represented in BNI so it’s not necessarily only about small business. People in small businesses are often connected to larger operations – even corporates. So networks can develop with all sizes of business through BNI.
2. If you’re not getting the same number of referrals you used to get, take a moment to think about what you can do differently. Consider taking part in a dance; where you spend time on a one on one basis outside of a regular chapter meeting getting to know another member better and developing a more detailed understanding of one another’s businesses.
3. If you’re finding it difficult to make the time for BNI, reach out to other members in your group and talk over your concerns. They may have ideas on how you can better plan your networking time and get the most out of the BNI experience.