BNI Members voice their thoughts...
Rudy Kokx - BNI ProBiz
 
BNI gave me an opportunity to kick start my business. I talked to a marketing consultant within BNI who recommended this chapter as part of a marketing campaign. BNI is now responsible for 80 - 90% of my business.
Besides the referrals I get through the group I find it a perfect way not to go crazy working by myself the whole week. The members at Probiz are generally and genuinly very interested in what you do and also HOW you do. The help I got from members has been amazing and that was something I never expected to find. I love BNI!!
Gillian Quantrill - BNI Business Builders
 
15 April 2009

The Benefits of being a BNI member for my business.

As a networker in life I was uncertain initially on the benefits of a "networking" group when commencing my realestate business. However I was also advised that there was a waiting list for real estate agents, which prompted me into action for fear of missing out.!!! ( I also apply this tactic when recruiting and is powerful!!!)

Apart from the obvious expansion of my network and possible referrals through being a member, there is an even greater serendipity for my business I have realised. They are:

1) The association of like minded people moving forward despite a changing economic climate
2) Access to a group of different professions utilising their strengths for my weaknesses.( It is like having my own private Board of Directors)
3)An instant source of knowledge is readily available in finding solutions for any issues that may arise in assisting my clients
4)I am able to confidently provide a "one stop shop" service in all aspects of real estate from inception to completion.
5) This continues after the sale in providing further services my clients may require. (often tradespeople , Insurance or further acquisition of investment properties) This is particularly great for the continued development and contact of my database.

All in all I have been both thrilled and proud to be a member of BNI and it's philosophy of Givers Gain. It ties in with my approach to my business which is "helping clients achieve their goals in real estate based on honesty and integrity, and a commitment to making it a seamless and enjoyable experience achieving a successful result.

Cheers Gillian

Gillian Quantrill
Real Estate Sales
Catherine Murray - BNI Achievers
 
15 April 2009

I have been in business now for just over two years and initially started my marketing simply using the Yellow Pages. Whilst this did work for me with regards to getting the phones ringing, it wasn’t enough for my business to be sustainable.

I joined BNI at the beginning of last year and received a referral at my very first visit.

With my business it is all about timing – the service I provide is the sort of thing not all people are aware of, but they do talk about the need for it with friends and other contacts. This is why BNI has worked so well for my business.

Mine is an HR Consulting and Employment Advocacy business where I help employers get the full potential out of their work force and also provide an advocacy service for both employers and employees if they find themselves in a dispute.

BNI has been invaluable for educating people about the service I can provide and for growing the business and I can honestly say that I was able to take the business to the next level thanks to the vast amount of leads I have received from BNI.

It really is amazing how it works; in fact I still receive phone calls from people who are passed my name from that very first referral I received back on my first visit.

I can’t say enough how much BNI has helped grow my business into the sustainable state it is in today.

Catherine Murray
Director
HR & Dispute Solutions Ltd
Philipp Le Roux - East Auckland BNI
 
The most important thing to remember is not to accept that anything will happen immediately. I have been BNI now for 14 months and it takes time. People need to trust you first and you need to “dance” with them before they will open up to you. The sooner you will give or find work for the chapter the sooner the member will see you are there to stay. “Givers gain”. You have to give to gain out from it.
Terry Lobb - Wanganui
 
Yes BNI is working for me. Before Christmas I was working in New Plymouth and decided to look up one of the Chapters and join them for breakfast. From that meeting I received a referral from a member in that Chapter who I am now working with. I was also able to refer business to that BNI member from my original client. Without that initial contact with BNI these referrals wouldn't have happened. I find it also a great way to meet people throughout the country and gives you contact with other people in small businesses.
Niel Thomson - Kapiti Coast
 
I keep track of all our business and where it comes from and every now and then I look at it in more depth. Year to date this is our best year ever and BNI, either directly or indirectly, has contributed 52% of our new business! When you deduct income received via existing clients the BNI figure jumps to a staggering 69%!!

The new office has also contributed considerably, lifting our profile thanks mainly to a picture of my "big ass" (TJ the donkey) on the wall outside, he was born of BNI so how do I quantify that? The office was fitted out almost entirely by BNI members so hopefully our success has contributed to their success.

Onwards and upwards.
Peter Mitchell - Hamilton Originals
 
I have been a BNI member for several years in Hamilton. During this time I have received referrals each year that have contributed an average of $60,000 to my net profit. This is extra net profit that I would not have received under any other circumstances. As well as that I have been able to give a lot of help to a lot of small and medium sized businesses in the form of training and coaching. So BNI works for The Learning Company by being an extremely productive part of our marketing and selling.
Maria Mullane - Gold Coast
 
In my first 6 months with BNI I not only began to develop some great business relationships but I received a 1400% return on my investment in referral business!
I very much enjoy being able to refer business within my chapter too, as it feels good to help others succeed.

To me, BNI is an ingenius concept which truly works, and I am constanly promoting it to others.
Marianda Twydell - Warkworth
 
I used to belong to a BNI chapter in the UK, and found it a very good source of referrals - I've just arrived here in NZ, have found my local chapter here in Warkworth and joined. I've been welcomed, found friends, have started to establish my business as a glass artist, have received and made referrals and can't imagine a better way to become part of a business and personal community. Highly recommended!
Barry Ekins - East Auckland BNI
 
To whom it may concern

I have been in BNI for 3 1/2 years now out of the 4 years I have been in business for myself. I track the sources of my new customers and can trace back over 42% of all my turnover originated with a BNI referral. I can safely say that I would not be in business today if it were not for BNI. Return on Investment is extremely positive. Long may it continue.

Barry Ekins
Webdzinz
Barry Timms - Gold Coast
 
I have been involved for a week now and have given number of referals to BNI members and am thrilled to be able to do so. I am looking forward to the reciprocal business which I know will flow back in return. I am a believer that what you sow you shall reap and what you give you get. I have been in business for 23 years and have been pleasantly surprised with the feeling of enthusiasm I get from being part of a group of 20-30 people who are actively persuing avenues of work for me and vise versa. I come away supercharged from the Breakfast meeting!
I have taken several members of staff along so they can cover for me when I can't attend and it gives them a feeling of being part of the active persuit of prospects and shows them I am not just out on Friday mornings for a tax free breakfast!
I look forward to a long and Prosperous BNI experience!

Barry Timms
Chem-Dry Horowhenua & Kapiti, Capital Chem-Dry, and A Plus Valley Chem-Dry
Mike Baker - Wellington Gateway
 
I have been a member of my BNI Chapter in Wellington for three years. I was invited to attend by a colleague and I took over his seat as a Business Coach within the Chapter. I receive regular referrals and they represent a business revenue value of over $45,000 to me over the period of my membership.


Mike Baker
Action International
Marilyn Bakker - Newmarket
 
BNI provides a valuable source of business contacts for my business. As I work independently in the Auckland market, the BNI chapter extends my 'sales team' by 30 plus members who provide useful leads and referrals. Collectively there is a huge pool of knowledge and information within our chapter which is most helpful from a business and personal perspective. Perhaps most enjoyable of all is the laughter and fellowship which comes with our BNI breakfast.


Print House Ltd
Printing
Michael Smyth - Waterfront
 
When I arrived in New Zealand 2.5 years ago I knew only two people. Two years later I had the confidence to set up my first business and have a wealth of contacts and people I can turn to. It's funny, my New Zealand friends now ask me to put them in touch with other New Zealanders. I have BNI to thank for that. It has allowed me to develop a network of business partners and people I can turn to for support. In 2.5 years I feel as if I know more people in New Zealand than I ever did in the UK.



The Approachable Lawyer
Lawyers
Andy Davey - Franklin
 
After a number of fruitless months trying to get the word out, I was fortunate to be invited to attend the local BNI group in Pukekohe in the spring of 2003. I joined after my second visit and consider it to be one of the best business decisions I have made.

Cicada Limited
Website Applications
Gerry Leibbrandt - Hutt Business Connections
 
Becoming a BNI member was one of the best business decisions I have made to date in my business. As a Professional Photographer and small business owner I was struggling on my own. BNI helped me to gain confidence in public speaking, which was one of my biggest handicaps when I stared out in business. Now I have no problem doing this and I actually enjoy speaking in public.
BNI help me to build a successful business within only two years. More than 80 percent of my business is from referrals within BNI. One referral got me a good contract as a medical photographer, which now forms the base for my business.
I could not have succeeded in getting a new business from the ground without help from my excellent BNI sales team.

Prime Photography Ltd
Photography
Birgit Utech - Grafton
 
BNI for me is the referral outside of the square. My advertising agency clients I can contact myself, but corporate clients need to be referred to me. Nothing works better than a good warmed up referral from a fellow BNI member who knows me and my service well.

Birgit Photography Ltd.
Commercial Photography
Sarah McMurray - Kapiti Coast
 
BNI for me is a continuing source of energy, inspiration, information, friendship, guidance and wisdom - oh, and plenty of business too!

Get the Best Ltd
Computer Sales / Support
Phil Donaldson - Capital City
 
When you get involved and apply the BNI system you get referrals - nothing is more certain. Over one 5 month period 35% of my business came from BNI referrals.
I've also received the odd golden referral. You know, the customer that
keeps you busy for 2 or 3 months.
I'll never give up my BNI membership.

Anyware Limited
Website Development
Johanna Pansier - Ponsonby
 
BNI brings me into contact with people who have a professional approach to their business. It is great to be able to share confidences and experiences with like-minded people. BNI also encourages us to think of the business needs of others. Attending successful meetings and being amongst friends is very satisfying and motivating.

Johanna Pansier Insurance