BNI South West Midlands UK News

£5.5 million worth of business...

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

BNI South West Midlands has had a fantastic 2010, during which we have received a prestigious award for adding member value (see pic) - and now we are finishing on another HIGH ..!

The latest figures show that the average value of business passed amongst our members has risen from £6,129 in April to £18,499 - THREE TIMES MORE IN JUST 9 MONTHS.

(By the way, that is almost £5.5 million across the region)

BNI is obviously a great place to be when there is a recession..!

Congratulations to all members for this exceptional performance - 2011 is going to be really good..!

Two new Chapters launched

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The opportunities for BNI members to do even more business increased this week with two more chapters being added to the ever-increasing number of business meetings across the South West Midlands region.

On Wednesday 29th September, 59 people attended the official launch of Simply Business BNI at the Whitminster Hotel, Gloucester, and it left one business owner, Mark Williams from J&M Remedials, breathless in the excitment..!

Mark was enthusing - "Just to let you know that one of the visitors from Simply Business this morning stopped me downstairs for a chat and said his customer was a property developer and needed some timber treatment" said Mark.

"He said he would refer me then rang me at 4pm and I am going tomorow."

"Having talked to a number of people I certainly was not the only one" continued Mark. "What a great morning.
BNI is getting better and better at a pace now. Thanks Mark"

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, Wyre Forest BNI launched the next day in Stourport, with six applications being received on the day.

"What a fantastic way to get a new business on the road to success" said Area Director Roy Everett - and we think the 50+ other business professionals in the room agreed..!

This increases the total number of chapters now operating in the Region to 15, and with more chapters scheduled in Ross, Cirencester, Coleshill, Alcester/Evesham, Warwick and Rugby, it is going to be an exciting close to 2010..!

Three New Chapters...!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:00:00 GMT

BNI South West Midlands is continuing to deliver on our promise of "Putting the Member 1st" - and we are experiencing strong growth as that message spreads around the Midlands (and beyond).

We have THREE new chapters scheduled for launch in September, in Stourport, Stroud / Gloucester and Warwick, and then straight after that, we are starting the pre-launch process with four more chapters in Ross / Hereford, Evesham, Coleshill and Rugby.

We are now starting that launch process by taking pre-registration enquiries for the four new locations. Roy Everett and Peter Sylvester are now in the process of organising informal meetings to develop the plan of action. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP.

If you know anyone who may be interested in coming along to an informal meeting to discuss the options, then please direct them to the regional website, and ask them to register their interest.

We have a list of around a dozen potentials already and any names who you can add would help tremendously.

Maybe think of visitors to your Chapter who stated they could not join because of the travelling. Also any new names of potential members you know from the local areas would be very welcome. At a launch all categories are vacant.

As always, we are looking for people of the right quality as they will need to be very prepared to invite visitors and assist in setting up these new Chapters.

If you would prefer to talk to potential members yourself then please feel free to do so and let them know that they will receive a formal invite to the meeting from us here at regional office.

BNI - in the news

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Dr Ivan Misner, the US founder of Business Network International (BNI), which has 120,000 members globally and 15,000 in the UK, said that the misuse of internet self-publicising tools such as LinkedIn.com and Twitter is fuelling a backlash against business networking.

He said too many people are now being tapped up for business by people they did not really know or trust. "It comes from people who either practice premature solicitation or receive it and are frustrated," he said. "They think hitting on people to do business is networking. And people don't like it. There is this backlash against bad networking."

Dr Misner, who is in the UK this week to mark his network's 25th anniversary, believes social media sites can be as effective in drumming up business as local chambers of commerce or rotary clubs. But he warned that the web exposes the amateur networker mercilessly: "I say absolutely do social media. It substantially builds the visibility side of your business. But everything is faster online. If you are a really bad at networking you are bad at light speed.

"There's still a lot of misunderstanding with networking. Most people think that it's walking around, handing out cards. Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It's about cultivating business relationships."

He is supporting a protest campaign set up on Facebook called "Facebook Users Who are Tired of Premature Solicitation".

Dr Misner's comments come as BNI releases the findings of a survey of 14,000 of its members about their networking preferences. Kent has emerged as the most successful area in Europe for generating valuable business leads between BNI members.

Business referrals between BNI members rose by 21pc last year to £230m, the biggest rise in 14 years, as more businesses turned to formal networking to generate work during the recession.

New chapter in Kidderminster

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The planning process has now begun for the launch of a new BNI chapter in Kidderminster.

BNI Director Roy Everett will be holding the first pre-launch information meeting on Thursday, 1st July, so if you would like to find out more about this exciting opportunity to be in at the creation of a flow of long-term business opportunities, just register your interest by clicking here and we will get back to you...

Over 100 attend VXP Success

Sun, 02 May 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Over 100 people attended the very first VXP Day (Visitor Experience Day) for the Cheltenham Chapter when it was held on Monday, 26th April at the Hatherley Manor Hotel.

It was a truly vibrant atmosphere, with all attendees going away with a fist full of cards and new potential business contacts.

"It was a great success", said Chapter Director Jenny Stewart, "and we are now considering several new applications from business owners who would like to continue doing business on a weekly basis".

If you are interested in popping along to a BNI chapter to see what all the excitement is about, just follow this link and book your place - you might be pleasantly surprised..!

It's a SELL OUT ..!

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The very first Midlands regions Members Day on 14th April has now SOLD OUT, with over 100 businesses keenly looking forward to the MASTERCLASS segments from four top class international speakers.

Keep an eye out to these pages for news and images of the event...

Members Day Open to Visitors

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The Midlands Members Day has now been opened up to visitors and non-BNI members, and with just a few spaces left, the event on 14th April, is now pretty much guaranteed to be a sell-out.

After this presentation, compliments of our special Guest Speaker - Sarah Owen from the Referral Institute, you will know

How to increase your own business results using a "money back guaranteed" process
How to implement a simple 4 step strategy to reduce your time and increase your own results
The six questions to ask to avoid kissing frogs
How to turn a contact into a client for the rest of your life using one simple technique

To reserve your space, please follow this link ...

If you have any questions regarding the event , please contact our office on 0121 711 5112 and one of our team will be happy to help you.

Bowling Night Success!

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A fantastic evening was held at Gloucester Tenpin Bowling last night (11th March) raising around £680 for SANDs (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) in memory of Sherman Hyde, son of Jason (Spa Chapter member) and Shelley.

58 members, families and friends had a really enjoyable, fun filled and happy evening. Nick Martin came out as top bowler with a combine score over two games of 300 points – clearly spends too much time practicing his bowling and not working on his business - and the girls all loved it when he striped off to put on his “winning bowlers” shirt.

The evening was organised by Steve Hemming (also of Spa Chapter) and the lovely Caroline Hemming, through their “Odds On Events Company” who ensured the evening went off smoothly.

The evening was rounded off with a poignant few words from Jason Hyde and Michelle Dimery from SANDs, and there weren’t many dry eyes in the room at the time.

The top raffle prize of two tickets to the SANDs ball in June was won by Jude Rodrigues of Cheltenham Chapter.

BNI’s Area Director, Andy Sawers commented “it was great to see so many serious professional business people having fun raising money for a great cause, and yet new business contacts were still being made in the room”.

There are plans afoot to run a similar event in the near future to help raise funds for Guideposts Trust (Roseann Boyce, member of Cheltenham Chapter) another locally based charity.

Andy

Additional Speaker for Midlands Members Day

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We are delighted to be able to announce that we have secured an additional speaker for the Midlands Members day on 14th April at the Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium.

The Referrals Institute is renowned for helping BNI members develop advanced referrals skills, and we are therefore delighted that Sarah Owen will be joining us to share of the unique hints and tips which they deliver as part of their Creating Referrals for Life programme.

For more details, follow this link ...

Leadership Team Compulsory Training Date

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The compulsary training date for the next Leadership Team has been confirmed as 22nd March at the Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium.

In order to ensure that all members of the Leadership Team get maximum benefit from this training, on both a personal and business level, PHIL BERG has kindly agreed to facilitate this all day training.

Please follow this link for further details

SELL OUT BOOKING triggers additional date for VXP

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Due to the fantastic response from members wanting to attend the Leadership and Visitor Experience (VXP) seminar in Worcester on 15th February, that event is now FULLY BOOKED, and an additional date has been added to allow others to share the experience.

The additional date is Monday 22nd February, and it will be held at Studley Castle, with a 6:30 networking start.

For more information, follow this link ...

Latest MSP dates announced

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Following the success of the Members Success Programme seminar in Cheltenham on 27th January, the latest series of MSP dates have now been published.

"These Learn & Earn events are now becoming extremely popular," said Executive Director Peter Sylvester, "and the feeback has been very positive, highlighting both the content of the courses, and also the actual business passed at the event".

For more information, click here ...

NEW Non-BNI Events of Interest

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide our members with as much help and information as we can, we have introduced a new section on the training page of our website detailing events from across the region that may be of interest to you. Take a look - Non-BNI Events of interest

Gladiators in Cirencester..!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

BNI are pleased to announce that we are beginning the process of opening another one of our successful business-focussed chapters in Cirencester, based at the prestigious Royal Agricultural College.

For all interested parties, the first of the pre-registratioon information meetings will be held in the Bathurst Wing of the Royal Agricultural College, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 6JS on Friday 5^th February.

The meeting is scheduled for 6.45am networking for a 7am start, with a great opportunity for everyone to do business before the 8:30 finish. Please remember to bring plenty of business cards with you, a £10 note to cover the breakfast and meeting fee.

If our previous experience is any indication, it makes great business sense to book your place early. Simply drop an email with your details to our Area Director, Andy Sawers, by clicking email Andy here . But do it early, and certainly before 12 noon on Thursday, 4th February.

We really hope that you - or a business associate who you know - will be able to join us for this exciting event.

Remember, OUR business is to help YOUR business DO business..!

Charity Quiz Night ..!

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Bilberry BNI is organising an 'inter chapter' event as a fun way to get together, meet other chapter members and most importantly to raise a money for various charities, starting with 'Help the Heroes'.

The first event is an inter chapter quiz night.

This will take place on Monday 1st March 2010 at the Hanbury Turn Inn, Bromsgrove. (Click here for map)

The cost is the usual BNI £10 per person, which includes the quiz, hot buffet, cash prize for winning team and of course great networking opportunities..!

We are looking for 14 teams of 5 people. A small trophy will be provided for the winning team.

Teams will consist of BNI members with partners or friends welcomed as their guest.

Click here to book your place...

Speakers Announced for Members Day ..!

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Midlands Members Day on 14th April 2010 looks like being a sell out crowd, with our guest speakers guaranteed to WOW the crowd ..!

Flying in from the USA, we have Dave Zemer, the BNI Executive Director for Michigan, who will share with us the networking secrets which have made his region one of the THE most successful in the US
For those of you who saw Phil Berg at our first Masterclass in October, you will now that his return visit to address us will be something not to be missed.
From Scotland, we have Iain Whyte, whose dry sense of humour will keep us all entertained, whilst sharing gems in his own unique style
And completing the line up is top international speaker and sales guru Bernie DeSouza - by the time he has finished, you will absolutely KNOW what you have to do to increase your sales success rate.

If you haven't booked yet, now would be a great time to reserve your place - just book here (we are already 25% full) ...

WATCH THE 2010 INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING WEEK VIDEO!

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

International Networking Week is an initiative of BNI however is open to many other networking groups all around the world. It is a week to celebrate the key role that networking plays in the development and success of business professionals.

Take a look at Dr Ivan Misner's video regarding International week

International Sports Star speaks at November MASTERCLASS

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The guest speaker for the next BNI Masterclass on 2nd November is MCC cricketer and international public speaker BERNIE de SOUZA.

As well as being a renowned sportsman, Bernie has extensive knowledge in effective sales and motivation techniques, and is an inspiration to many business people world-wide.

The event is being held at the St Andrews House Hotel, Droitwich, and the two parts of the seminar will be focussing on using a combination of behavioural, communication and personal interaction skills to increase your profits and sales success.

Please don't miss out on the next Masterclass on 2nd November - visit the BNI Training page to confirm your booking. Once again, places are limited to the first 60 professional networkers who are really interested in revolutionising their business success...

The Masterclass is open to BNI members and their specially invited guests, and due to the limitation on space, advance booking is absolutely essential.

So, as a professional BNIer, what is going to be easier for you..? Continuing to do the same old thing, or enrolling now ..?

What are YOU doing about YOUR future success..?

SELL OUT CROWD heap praise on 1st Masterclass event

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A sell-out crowd packed the Hillscourt conference centre on Monday 12th October to hear international speaker Phil Berg thrill, entertain and motivate BNI members and visitors.

Here are just some of the comments:

Outstanding. It will revolutionise my BNI membership
Tangible tips to really transform my business + other BNI members business
Invaluable. There is something for all members (and visitors) to think long & hard about.

Don't miss the next Masterclass on 2nd November - visit the Training page to confirm your booking. Once again, places are limited to the first 60 professional networkers who are really interested in revolutionising their business success...

CHECK THIS OUT - You are just three weeks away from the latest, upgraded BNI Seminars

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Following feedback from members, the BNI SW Midlands region has booked a whole new range of upgraded seminar dates and region-wide locations, so ensuring that members and their specially invited guests are no more than three weeks away from the latest, new BNI material. Take a look at the Training tab to see when the new, exciting courses are coming close to you...

Chapter passes 10,000 referrals record ..!

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

George Eliot Chapter in Nuneaton passed a historic milestone when they passed their 10,000th referrals on 8th October. Thisis great news, and it happens just one week ahead of their next Visitors Day on 15th October, when Executive Director Peter Sylvester will present them with a special plaque and award to mark their achievement