Article contributed by Geoff Kirkwood.
This is a 2-3 minute activity that involves those at the meeting.
You will need to read it through beforehand and be prepared.
What you say out loud to the group is in larger type in bold.
Purpose: To show members how easy it is to find a substitute.
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Start by asking the members…
How many members here have an organised substitute? Can I see a show of hands please?
Ask 1 or 2 members to tell the group, in 30 seconds, who they have and how they organised them. Once they have finished, ask the members…
Who can you organise as your substitute? Any ideas?
Wait for responses and list them verbally back to the group. Then say…
In BNI we recommend the following people as substitutes:-
1. business partner
2. personal partner who can talk about your business
3. best client
4. employee
5. a member of another BNI chapter which meets on a different day
Now here are some other tips for this process….
a. bring your substitute along to a breakfast “in advance” so they can see what goes on and meet the rest of “your team”
b. offer to pay for their breakfast
c. if they are from another chapter return the favour
d. write out your infomercial for them to read
e. if they are a client actively suggest to them the possibility of joining after they have been to the first breakfast
Ask the members…
When are the times that you may not be able to attend?
Seek responses and then say…
“Plan not to attend”. Plan in advance for those days where you already know that you won’t be there and start organising your substitute now.
