BNI Chicago Loop - Downtown Connect
I am certain many of you are members of a Business Network International (BNI) chapter and attend a vibrant weekly meeting. For my LinkedIn network colleagues who are local to Chicago want to improve their network for business referrals you are all invited to join me at one of my chapter’s weekly lunch meetings BNI Downtown Connect as a visitor. For those of you who want to learn a bit more about BNI here are some links that will help:
For those not familiar with BNI it is a worldwide business referral network. Each local chapter meets once a week – breakfast or lunch – to network, refer and introduce new folks to the network. The unique idea behind BNI is accountability where records are maintained and distributed regarding actual referral business closed. The main point of BNI is Givers-Gain which simply means that the more you give your fellow members the more you stand to gain. Each chapter only has a single member for each professional classification so you are not in competition with other members.
This is an open invitation to all my LinkedIn contacts to reach out to me if you feel you would like to visit a meeting or two to get a feel for BNI and see if it might be right for you. Our group meets downtown Chicago - State & Ohio - every Wednesday.
All interested parties are welcome as a visitor even if that particular seat is filled for our chapter as there are multiple chapters in the Chicagoland area. Below is a listing of our current open professional seats that we would welcome a new member to join.
Corporate attorney Graphic artist Business Coach Architect
Marketing / Content Moving Services Health coach Merchant processor
Gym owner / PT Public Relations Copywriter Property Manager
Massage Therapist Psychologist Interior designer Stylist
Home inspector Event Planner Tax Attorney Painter
Handy Man Caterer Health Insurance Recruiter/broker
Photographer IT Managed Service Travel Agent Videographer
As with any organization or business group you need to do the research and investigation as to the potential impact on your particular business. You will need to analyze the membership of a group you re contemplating joining and determine for yourself if you will mesh. Keep in focus that the stated goal of BNI is NOT to sell to other members. The goal must always be on referrals – not leads – for other members. And with anything you must keep changing up your message and content for your group. They must understand how your business works and who your targets are in order to send you actual referrals. For me the research is still pending as I decided the only way I can fully determine is to take a test drive for awhile.