Before emigrating and setting up BNI in NZ at the start of 1999 – I spent some 15 years working as a property valuer, mainly in London, UK. The last firm I represented was on the panel of all the major UK clearing banks, yet try as I might, I was unable to establish a business relationship with the local business centre of Barclays Bank. So, when I was asked to help set up a BNI chapter in West London – who do you think I invited? That’s right – I invited the business manager I was seeking to establish a relationship with, he joined and over time the work followed.
Who do you know that you would like to develop a business relationship with? What better way of demonstrating that you are a well connected and reputable business person that by inviting them to visit your chapter and to meet your fellow members. Even if they don’t join – it shows that you are interested in them and if they know some of your fellow members – this will add to your credibility through association.
The other people I invited to join the chapter were people I was already doing business with. What better way of maintaining your existing business relationships than by meeting with them every week. Better still – as we were meeting over breakfast and not lunch or drinks after work – they paid for themselves! In these challenging times – it is more important than ever to develop new business relationships and to nurture existing ones. I can’t think of a better way of doing this than by inviting people to visit your chapter!
