92 chapters throughout New Zealand, a formalised partnership with Hospice New Zealand, two business awards (the Enterprise Waitakere innovation award and the Vero Excellence in Business Support award) heaps of positive press coverage, and nationwide growth – what a great year for BNI! From the positive reports I’ve had coming through from members on a regular basis and the stories our BNI business champions have shared with us, it is obvious that BNI is achieving great success in helping you, our members, to grow your businesses. We launch the New Year with KL08 – the international members conference in May next year – and I encourage you all to get along if you can; I couldn’t think of a better way to fire up 2008.
The international BNI theme for 2008 is ‘Changing the Way the World Does Business’. I would like you to really think about this theme over the holidays. Think about how you can apply it in your business and your chapter. Thank you for your continued support, your continued success and your continued enthusiasm for BNI this year. On behalf of Fiona and Leigh from BNI support, my team of assistant directors, the website team and fellow director Sue Redknap and myself, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2008!
BNI New Zealand and Hospice partnership walks the talk
By formally becoming Hospice New Zealand’s third ‘partner’ at a recent function in Mt Eden, Auckland, BNI New Zealand put into practice its central philosophy of ‘givers gain’. BNI New Zealand Director, Graham Southwell, said it is important for business to engage with community groups at a more practical level. “It’s easy to give money, but when you give your time, effort and other resources you really are practising ‘givers gain’,” he said.
BNI first aligned itself with Hospice in 2005 purely by raising $12,000 from a gold coin collection through the organisation’s chapters which are located in most suburbs around New Zealand. This increased to $35,000 in 2006 before peaking at more than $50,000 in 2007. BNI also become the principal sponsor of the BNI Palliative Care Scholarship programme which sees 12 health care professionals continue their studies each year – and this year BNI donated $12,000 to the scholarship, to give a total figure collected for Hospice in 2007 of $62,678.00. “I would like to applaud you, our members from our more than 92 chapters countrywide, who held fundraising initiatives – including auctions, dinners, movie premiers, cycling events and fancy dress parties – for this worthy cause. You gave time and effort and it is most appreciated.” Representatives from eight of the nine Auckland Hospices were present at the function held to formally launch the BNI New Zealand/Hospice partnership recently. Guests included chief executive of Hospice New Zealand, Mary Schumacher, the president of Hospice New Zealand, Wilf Marley, national funding manager Rachel Thompson, representatives from the 41 BNI chapters in Auckland and friends of BNI. Graham said Hospice is a charity that is particularly compatible with BNI as it represents the efforts of the community for the community. “BNI Internationally has a theme for 2008 of ‘Changing the Way the World Does Business’. What we are doing here is moving away from simply making an annual donation, towards entering into a true partnership with Hospice. “To a certain extent this is a work in progress. Next year we will start working more closely with Hospice in terms of assisting them to achieve their goals. One of the first changes the chapters will see next year is the introduction of chapter websites – which will give a great opportunity for chapters to align themselves with one of the 37 Hospices which come under Hospice New Zealand,” he said. President of the Hospice New Zealand executive committee, Wilf Marley, thanked BNI for its commitment to Hospice and told guests that his passion for Hospice never wanes, because as the Duchess of Kent said: "Hospices are places where tears and smiles walk side by side - it's quite extraordinary". “The late Dame Cecile Saunders – the founder of hospices as we know them today – said: ‘You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can to help you not only to die peacefully, but to also live until you die’.” Pictured: BNI New Zealand Director Graham Southwell hands a cheque for $62,678.00. to Hospice New Zealand President Wilf Marley.
Coming soon, your very own chapter website optimised for search engines. BNI New Zealand will launch a facility that allows each chapter to have its own website early in the New Year – see the sample website at http://www.albany.bniweb.net/ BNI website developer, Brian Falkner of eQuest, says each chapter will be able to design their own site using either a standard template or their own design. “We may kick-off the launch of the chapter websites with a design competition for the best chapter website,” he said. Brian said an important point is that each chapter is tied to the central BNI database and so will update automatically. “There are a number of chapters out there with their own websites, but these require regular manual maintenance and date very quickly. The BNI chapter websites will automatically update when a new member joins or when one leaves. “They will also carry automatic information such as speaker rosters, featured speakers, lists of prospective new member categories that you would like to hear from and an events diary.” He said the websites are completely optimised for search engines and so will provide a more direct path to searchers while helping the search engine friendliness of the central BNI website.
BNI Members are invited to attend a ‘great time’ socialising and doing business in one of the most exotic and exciting cities in the world at the KL08 International BNI Members Conference from 27 to 29 May in Kuala Lumpur. * Hear some of the best speakers in the world, including BNI founder Dr Ivan Misner; * Learn from the best networkers in the world in a relaxed convivial atmosphere; * Build new business alliances with members from your own and other countries;
* Strengthen your relationships with members you already know; * Have a great time networking and socialising’. Visit exotic KL with its stunning sights, delicious food and great night life. BNI NZ National Director, Graham Southwell (who will also speak at KL08), says speakers will cover topics to help members achieve success at chapter level, improve communication and business skills and elements of self development. There will be two and a half days of networking, making new friends, enjoying the excitement of meeting BNI members from every continent, seeing and experiencing the incredible English speaking city of Kuala Lumpur; enjoying their diverse culture and wonderful food and perhaps, taking a weekend visit to the Tropical Islands. We suggest each BNI Chapter considers sponsoring a member from their chapter to go to the event. This person will be able to: * Win business for members in your chapter; * Source suppliers for members in your chapter; * Act as a conduit for educational information from the event speakers – all your members will have access to ‘leading edge’ business and motivational advice from world renowned experts. The extent of the sponsorship is up to your chapter. For more information, visit: www.bni-worldwide.com
