Last year, members of BNI passed over two million referrals . . .
....which generated over a billion dollars' (U.S.) worth of business for the
members! BNI is a business and professional networking
organization that allows
only one person per professional classification or specialty to join a chapter.
Q: Can anyone join a chapter?
A: We only take one person per professional specialty. So, for
example, if you are a residential real estate person and we already
have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or allow you to
open another chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real
estate person, you could be eligible to join this chapter.
Q: What occupations benefit the most from networking?
A: It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation
can be anything. All professions can prosper from BNI given you
take the time to learn how to target market and teach your fellow
members what you are looking for in referrals.
Q: How many members are in a "typical" BNI chapter?
A: A good mature BNI chapter typically has between 20 and 25
members. Some BNI chapters have as many as 45 members!
Q: Are there any other events besides the weekly chapter meetings?
A: Yes, from time-to-time there are regional workshops and other
educational events. Some regions have golf outings and awards
banquets as well. Contact the local director for more information
or check out the regional calendar in this site.
Q: Are members supposed to bring visitors?
A: You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations
that are open. After the visitor has been prescreened and joins,
their profession is then closed. BNI is primarily an invitation
only organization and members only look to invite visitors who
are interested in joining BNI.
Q: If all of the current chapters have someone in my profession,
what do I do?
A: Contact the local director. You will then be given information
on how to start your own chapter.
Q: How do I go about starting a new BNI chapter?
A: First visit a chapter to see if you like BNI. Next you will
need to contact your local Director and let them know you want
to start your own chapter. Finally, you will need to find 10-12
people in different professions who are willing to start the
chapter with you. Your Director will then take you through the
education process of forming your new powerful word-of-mouth
team!
Q: How do you know new members are reputable?
A: The application asks for references and we have a membership
committee that checks them. It's word of mouth, so before they
even come to a meeting they have to have spoken to someone or
been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a
sponsor, or one is assigned to them, and they interview them.
Q: What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?
A: We have an ethics committee and it is imperative that anyone
who gives a lead and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled
must report that to the membership committee, who will investigate.
Q: How much does it cost to join BNI?
A: The true investment in considering BNI is not money, but
your time. You are expected to attend the meetings, meet and
develop relationships with your fellow members outside of the
meeting and this all takes a time commitment on your part. BNI
is a networking organization and you are responsible to work
your new network. The annual monetary investment is less than
$1 per day.
Q: Do Ethical Rules for certain professions prohibit participation
in BNI?
A: “BNI understands the importance of the ethical concerns
governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can
differ by location. As such, BNI therefore requires its members
to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the
professional’s ethical obligations. In the event that BNI’s
general rules could potentially violate a professional’s
ethical code, BNI’s rules are superceded by the dictates
of the professional’s ethics’ code. Significantly,
a primary objective of BNI is to educate its membership in ways
to market and grow business. It is BNI’s intent to ensure
that this is permitted.”
Q: If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected
to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?
A: BNI understands that many professions are broad and that
people often specialize within their profession. BNI does not
expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate
in an area in which the professional does not have expertise.
On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside
of the scope of their abilities.
Q: My profession does not let me directly solicit business.
Is BNI still right for me?
A: BNI’s primary objective is to assist its members in
ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning
how they can effectively network. Business people get business
when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level
with them. BNI provides a forum that allows members to meet other
business peers who need to know effective and efficient business
people.
