Face To Face Networking

We are all networking here on LJN and most of us have built a good relationship with like-minded professionals. We are happy to refer each other if projects are too far away from our area and will source materials/statuary from members who specialise in what we require.When the mini ice age took hold and work just froze I joined BNI (Business Network International) It’s not cheap and I was unsure of the ‘happy slappy’ kind of structured weekly breakfast meetings from 6.30am – 8.30am. The ethos is that one person from a profession can apply so there is only one Mortgage Advisor, one Builder, Property Developer etc, so locking out your competition. I hold the position of Garden/Landscape Designer.The idea is to refer members to those who may require their services, effectively I now have a sales team of 26 and growing. It has taken me two months for my fellow members to find out what I actually do/offer and to have the confidence in me to refer my company to others. My joining fee has been more than covered as I am being referred and am now in negotiation with an Architect to landscape his developments along with two domestic projects.For the cost of a small ad in a magazine or newspaper, this face to face networking is well worth looking into, even if it’s a bit early in the morning.

Hi Rhonda

The £10 is for the cost of breakfast.
'The quick speil" is a 60 second presentation which you have to give every week and every week it must be different. Your tell others what you do, how you do it and what sort of referrals you are looking for. The point of this is to gain the confidence of members so that they will refer you.
The joining fee is £600 a year and you will need to set up a standing order for £30 per month to cover breakfast.

There are many training courses BNI run which you can attend, presentations skills etc and they are about £15 for hours and hours and hours of training. Long but well worth it.

If you play the game, it works.

Rhonda Jack said:

Hi Kerrie
I have recently been contacted about a group in my area and invited to a breakfast meeting. The cost was £10 and have to give a quick speil as to who you are and what you do. I was very skepitcal about this and actually mentioned this to the director (?)of this group and he did put my mind at ease. I have yet to go along and although I guessed there would be a fee I never asked how much. It is reasurring to know that this can work for you though.

Replies

Kerrie John-The garden design Co June 9, 2010 at 10:22pm

Hi Rhonda

The £10 is for the cost of breakfast.
'The quick speil" is a 60 second presentation which you have to give every week and every week it must be different. Your tell others what you do, how you do it and what sort of referrals you are looking for. The point of this is to gain the confidence of members so that they will refer you.
The joining fee is £600 a year and you will need to set up a standing order for £30 per month to cover breakfast.

There are many training courses BNI run which you can attend, presentations skills etc and they are about £15 for hours and hours and hours of training. Long but well worth it.

If you play the game, it works.

Rhonda Jack said:
Hi Kerrie
I have recently been contacted about a group in my area and invited to a breakfast meeting. The cost was £10 and have to give a quick speil as to who you are and what you do. I was very skepitcal about this and actually mentioned this to the director (?)of this group and he did put my mind at ease. I have yet to go along and although I guessed there would be a fee I never asked how much. It is reasurring to know that this can work for you though.
Cesare Harradine June 10, 2010 at 2:53pm

I've heard mixed reviews of this kind of networking. I think it's a matter of luck weather you get in to a good network.
Fenlandphil June 10, 2010 at 10:09pm

I had not heard of this organisation.
Mixed bag of results by the look of things.
James Gardner June 22, 2010 at 1:25pm

Hi Kerrie,
Any post about this sort of thing always brings out the cynics. Like me you only need one or two good referrals to cover your costs and the time you put in.
But in addition to that, it is a very positive atmosphere where I for one enjoy being among peers and knowing that I am not the only one who is working hard to build a business.
Being the boss can be a lonely task sometimes!