Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
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http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/networking-3?comm...
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I was invited to a BNI meeting last summer and to a certain degree its good for certain types of businesses mainly insurance, mortgages and accountants, on this particular morning there was about 6 people out of the best part of 70 people who handed in referrals getting a round of applause each time.......people sat there nodding heads and clapping
the 2 people chairing the meeting I knew, first one I have known his father for a long long time and is a sound guy and it was said that he had received over 70k in orders from the BMI, if that is true or not I would not know but it seems a high figure when only a small percentage pass referrals on each week.......more clapping and nodding heads
the second guy I know from dealing with his wife (but he did not know me) who had promised me more work than I could cope with when actually they was in financial trouble and short of work at the same time so to hear someone bull shitting on how much work this BMI generates on the top table is not for me on a weekly basis especially when i have been dragged out of bed an hour earlier than i normally would be to listen to it
its not for me when you have to stand up and say the same words every week to introduce yourself, its like being at school and an AA meeting all combined plus the fact it ended at 8.30 which would make me late for work every Friday morning
I am all for networking but with like minded people and a shared common interest but not with phony people who are only after your money
good luck to anyone one here who is a member but believe me there are easier ways to generate work than parting with that amount of money this cult wants on a monthly basis especially when they are pushing for you to sign the direct debit forms the first time you have been to a meeting
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it would be true to say that certain businesses do gain work from these early morning meetings but they are not landscaping companies in my opinion
Hi Richard,
I was a BNI member for nearly 2 years. I had just moved to a new area and had some spare time on my hands. I did pick up quite a bit of work which kept me going in the early days. If your busy weekly meetings can become a bit much and also there is a lot of pressure to provide referrals for the other members.
In the end I gave it up as I didn't have the time, referrals and wasn't getting the right sort of work.
Ironically I was introduced to my now biggest client (block management) after leaving by another member. Like j.p. says go as a visitor and see if there is anyone else in the chapter who is likely to give you referrals. Best of luck.
Thanks for info.
Sounding more or less how I'd imagined. Think I'll steer clear of this for now.
Mick Gammage said:
I went twice to the first meeting, back in israel as a landscaper/designer ( 2diffrent groups)
I actually choosed the asrea in the country that seemed most attractive. (north to tel aviv)
I made sure that these groups will have architects etc.
As It was first meeting it was free and I built few contacts- I had the impression that it is really work if you find people that can asist and want to assist you in your marketing- otherwise- time and money are waisted.
I gave their a cd with a presention and people contacted me after- so it worked.
the reason I did not continue was I , out of a sudden was full with work - and was booked for next 6 month.
If you can trail it for free - give the trail a go...
I was a member for 12 months. OK we made some useful contacts but it's really only any use if you are prepared to give up the whole of the morning to meet with other members. It's also only any good if you're pretty good at promoting yourself and you have to be able to stand up and do a 10 minute presentation on your business. My other half was so nervous he shook all the way through it.
Overall it was a negative experience for me - there were far too many people who were up their own backsides (if you can pardon the vulgarity!).
For maintenance people I would say an utter waste of time as you get busier you just won't have the time and 'absences' are not allowed. For a landscaper/designer when one big contract could pay the fee and particularly for those who are not owner/managers then I think it could be worth it. I would definitely try different groups in the area and also consider other networking meetings as some of them are a lot more flexible and cost far less.
Just reading this post makes my toes curl, not my cup off tea, even if it did lead to work.
LOL not been to a BNI BBM but similar. Bored the pants off me but I don't like anything that operates at less than 99%, so should have expected as much.
Mick Gammage said:
did it include a free breakfast on your first visit and was black pudding on the menu ?
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