10 years of Givers Gain
BNI NEW ZEALAND marks 10 Years of helping change the way the world does business this year, with the first of our celebrations kicking off at an Auckland Big Breakfast to coincide with the Bizzone Small Business Expo.
Similar celebrations are planned for Christchurch and Wellington, with a BNI Golf Day earmarked for Rotorua later in the year.
But celebrations aside, it is also a time for reflection. Over the last ten years, since the first chapter got underway in Takapuna, thousands of people have come and gone (and often returned) to BNI.
I have heard too many stories to count of how BNI has changed fortunes for the better and that, without doubt, is a most significant achievement because it shows what can be achieved when people work together.
I would like to hear more... Has being a member of BNI had a significant impact on you? Please email us with your story.
Have you learned any lessons about business or life while a member of BNI? We would like to hear about it...
I have over the years heard many stories about how people have gone from being employed to business owners, from small businesses owners or self employed, to owning significant enterprises; or who have remained just the way they are but have prospered nevertheless; and to think that a significant part of that personal and business growth was built with BNI on the principle Givers Gain, reminds me of a very apt quote...
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill.
Similar celebrations are planned for Christchurch and Wellington, with a BNI Golf Day earmarked for Rotorua later in the year.
But celebrations aside, it is also a time for reflection. Over the last ten years, since the first chapter got underway in Takapuna, thousands of people have come and gone (and often returned) to BNI.
I have heard too many stories to count of how BNI has changed fortunes for the better and that, without doubt, is a most significant achievement because it shows what can be achieved when people work together.
I would like to hear more... Has being a member of BNI had a significant impact on you? Please email us with your story.
Have you learned any lessons about business or life while a member of BNI? We would like to hear about it...
I have over the years heard many stories about how people have gone from being employed to business owners, from small businesses owners or self employed, to owning significant enterprises; or who have remained just the way they are but have prospered nevertheless; and to think that a significant part of that personal and business growth was built with BNI on the principle Givers Gain, reminds me of a very apt quote...
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill.
See you at the celebrations.
Graham Southwell
Pictured is Graeme Southwell presenting a $21,000 donation to Hospice New Zealand President Wilf Marley.
BNI New Zealands 10th Birthday celebrations off to a magnificent start
More than 280 members attended the Auckland BNI Big Breakfast at Alexander Park to celebrate 10 years of BNI.
BNI New Zealand director Graham Southwell told of how he arrived in New Zealand as an immigrant from the UK looking to set-up his property valuation business in Auckland.
Having been a member of a BNI chapter in the UK, He immediately looked for the local BNI and couldnt find it. A telephone call to BNI founder Ivan Misner and the rest is history.
The first chapter Graham started was in Takapuna on Aucklands North Shore. Coincidently, the 100th chapter in New Zealand, BNI Millennium, was also chartered on the North Shore last year.
One of the very first BNI members, Derek Dallow, said he remembered that the Takapuna group viewed Graham as a likeable Englishman.
We decided we wanted to help him get this strange idea off the ground.
The desire to pull together and help has characterised BNI New Zealand ever since.
Members and friends of BNI were also treated to presentations from BNIs partner, Hospice New Zealand, and guest speaker Bill James whose engaging and entertaining presentation dealt with how to network a room full of strangers.
Honoured for 10 years of membership
A total of 35 original BNI members who remain members today were publicly honoured for their 10 years in BNI.
They were:
Derek Dallow, Davenports Harbour; Matthew Bellingham, Hayes Knight NZ Ltd; Dean Salter, Salter Architecture; Bruce Robinson, Lanzpec Ltd; Bill Burrett, Burrett & Associates; Kevin Wilson, HWI Ltd; Rusty Brooke, Positive Print Solutions Limited; John Syme, MSC Consulting Group Ltd; Gregor Mansfield, Financial Lifestyle Ltd; Gina Cook, PKF Ross Melville; Grant Peacock, GP Cabinets; Bob Quaid, MW Cleaning Services; Brian Falkner, eQuest; Dominic Davis, mortgages by design; Sue Tierney, mortgages by design; Stephen Tsang, Withers Tsang & Co Ltd; Johanna Pansier, Johanna Pansier Insurance; David Hudson, David Hudson Insurance Broker; Steve McNamara, Property InDepth; Glen Reid, Wealthy & Wise; Andrew Jarvis, ChambersCraigJarvis; Gordon Peters, Signature Security Systems; Bernie Woods, The Security Company Ltd; Christine Lockie, Loan Plan; Jugdis Parbhu, Ross Melville PKF; Colin McGinley, The Print Shop Limited; Warwick Ayres, Ayres Legal; Luke Canton, Baldry & Sanford Ltd; Judy Tindall, INNERSPACE limited; Rex de Bettencor, Quinovic Property Management; Dave Pasley, Wardill Pasley & Associates; Jon Gaskell, Jon Gaskell Valuers; Sean Leighton, Leightons Landscaping Ltd; Kevin Knowles, Knowles Building Services Ltd and Shane van der Sluis, Charme Homes Ltd.
Congratulations to website design company Datum Connect Vero Excellence in Business Support Award Winners
Better business support is improving the lot of thousands of Kiwi companies, helping them ride through the world economic crisis.
Finalists for the 2009 Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards and strong BNI supporters, Datum Connect, are upbeat about the economy and innovative in services they are providing to support New Zealand companies according to the evaluation panel. There was a record number of entries for the 2009 awards and the quality of finalists was a notch higher than previous years.
The Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards are held annually. Sponsored by Vero, BDO Spicers and National Business Review and founded by business sector specialist, Sarah Trotman of Bizzone, the awards are a key event during the annual Bizzone Business Expo, New Zealand's largest event for business.
Finalists for the 2009 Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards and strong BNI supporters, Datum Connect, are upbeat about the economy and innovative in services they are providing to support New Zealand companies according to the evaluation panel. There was a record number of entries for the 2009 awards and the quality of finalists was a notch higher than previous years.
The Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards are held annually. Sponsored by Vero, BDO Spicers and National Business Review and founded by business sector specialist, Sarah Trotman of Bizzone, the awards are a key event during the annual Bizzone Business Expo, New Zealand's largest event for business.
Desperation is not referrable
By Alastair Christie, Regional Director Canterbury
Most people who are new to referral marketing, or are having difficulty getting referrals, feel they must fight for the limited supply of opportunities in their field. To them the answer is to simply widen the field by being an expert it all things, thereby creating greater opportunity.
These people have a mindset that is known as a "scarcity mentality" and those who have it often appear desperate to obtain business.
The reality is that desperation is NOT referrable.
It is well documented that people prefer to do business with those they know, like, and trust. This can only be achieved by building up relationships with others and by becoming known as "THE" specialist in your chosen field. If new business challenges have to be met, it is important to avoid the all too easy way of becoming an expert in everything and ending up with the not so grand title, "Jack of all Trades, Master of None".
Beware of the perceived threat from a company offering similar services. A coffee shop and a fine restaurant are both selling food, but most likely at different times and to different clients. They are complementary, not competition.
The solution is simple and if we apply the BNI philosophy of Givers Gain and have an "abundance mentality" we will find there are actually plenty of business opportunities for all.
One way to achieve this is to form a Power Team. A Power Team is a group of businesses that have the same target market but do not compete. Hunt as a pack, perhaps plan some strategic marketing, so that if one of the team gets a referral it would more than likely involve the others. This way you remain the specialist, and build up a support team of other specialists who can complement each other.
"The currency of real net workers is not greed, it is generosity." Keith Ferrazzi, Never Eat Alone.
Do you know of anyone who needs help with this? Please ask them to talk to their chapter leadership team or their local BNI Director.
BNI Nelson Lunchtime gets behind Nelson Region Hospice Art Auction
The Nelson Region Hospice held its Bi-Annual Art Auction at the Earnest Rutherford in Stoke on May 15th 2009 to which Nelson BNI Lunchtime members Rachel McRae-Woods, Frances Benson, Leanne McKenzie and Glenn Bisdee donated artwork, time and services in support of the event.
Nelson Region Hospice is a valued client of Rachel McRae-Woods of Creative Frog Design &
Print (President of the Lunchtime chapter) and it was Rachel who helped co-ordinate the Auction over two months.
Working closely with Hamish Kennedy of the Hospice Trust, Rachel printed the auction catalogue, set up the auction artwork, served food to the guests, showcased the art pieces to the audience during the auction and purchased $750.00 of artwork on the night.
Frances Benson, of Call a Geek Computer Services (Hospice Champion for Nelson Lunchtime BNI Chapter) showcased the artwork to the crowd, helped set up the seating and served food to the guests.
Leanne McKenzie, of Siggies Signs, helped set up seating, served food to guests and donated two pieces of Wall Candy artwork that sold for $500.00.
Glenn Bisdee, of Glenn Bisdee Photography, donated two images that sold for $560.00.
With over 200 guests present for the charity event, the Region Hospice Trust Auction raised a total of $15,000.00 with the BNI Nelson Lunchtime efforts contributing $1,810.00.
Rachel wants to say a special thank you to her fellow BNI members who helped her on the night and for donating their artwork to be auctioned for such a essential community asset. Region Hospice Trust member Hamish Kennedy thanked the BNI Lunchtime members for their much appreciated support.
Nelson Region Hospice is a valued client of Rachel McRae-Woods of Creative Frog Design &
Print (President of the Lunchtime chapter) and it was Rachel who helped co-ordinate the Auction over two months.
Working closely with Hamish Kennedy of the Hospice Trust, Rachel printed the auction catalogue, set up the auction artwork, served food to the guests, showcased the art pieces to the audience during the auction and purchased $750.00 of artwork on the night.
Frances Benson, of Call a Geek Computer Services (Hospice Champion for Nelson Lunchtime BNI Chapter) showcased the artwork to the crowd, helped set up the seating and served food to the guests.
Leanne McKenzie, of Siggies Signs, helped set up seating, served food to guests and donated two pieces of Wall Candy artwork that sold for $500.00.
Glenn Bisdee, of Glenn Bisdee Photography, donated two images that sold for $560.00.
With over 200 guests present for the charity event, the Region Hospice Trust Auction raised a total of $15,000.00 with the BNI Nelson Lunchtime efforts contributing $1,810.00.
Rachel wants to say a special thank you to her fellow BNI members who helped her on the night and for donating their artwork to be auctioned for such a essential community asset. Region Hospice Trust member Hamish Kennedy thanked the BNI Lunchtime members for their much appreciated support.
Dunedin image consultant comes up with challenge for other chapters
Dunedin image consultant Anita Greene used a ten minute presentation on wardrobe organisation as an opportunity to encourage members to clear out their wardrobes and donate the clothing to the local hospice in the Dunedin area.
Events co-ordinator and Hospice Liaison for the Octagon Chapter in Dunedin, Anita said she gave her 10 minute presentation on wardrobe organisation and then challenged my BNI members to bring along a couple of garments out of their wardrobe the following week, to be donated to the local Butterflies hospice store for resale.
This was very successful and I had a large quantity of garments that I dropped off.
There are recycled hospice clothing stores in all the main centres as many as 5 in Auckland and these are run mainly by volunteers. The Butterfile Hospice store here in Dunedin contributes $340,000 to the local hospice annually, so you can see how valuable they are to Hospice fundraising efforts.
This was an easy way to contribute funds to Hospice. If all BNI groups in the country were to do the same, maybe even twice a year seasonally when tidying out the wardrobe, it would make a significant contribution to Hospice.
Events co-ordinator and Hospice Liaison for the Octagon Chapter in Dunedin, Anita said she gave her 10 minute presentation on wardrobe organisation and then challenged my BNI members to bring along a couple of garments out of their wardrobe the following week, to be donated to the local Butterflies hospice store for resale.
This was very successful and I had a large quantity of garments that I dropped off.
There are recycled hospice clothing stores in all the main centres as many as 5 in Auckland and these are run mainly by volunteers. The Butterfile Hospice store here in Dunedin contributes $340,000 to the local hospice annually, so you can see how valuable they are to Hospice fundraising efforts.
This was an easy way to contribute funds to Hospice. If all BNI groups in the country were to do the same, maybe even twice a year seasonally when tidying out the wardrobe, it would make a significant contribution to Hospice.
10 years in business, 8 years in BNI, $1,400,000.00 in referrals
Joining BNI two years after launching Goldline Construction Ltd in East Auckland, Dennis Peat recently celebrated 10 years of nailing home your dreams.
I started the house building company to use my skills and experience to help others build homes that meet their lifestyles and dreams.
With over thirty-two years in the home-building business, he is well suited to making this a realty. New homes, large alterations and additions, even churches there is a broad range of experience and skills that are brought together to help clients.
Integral to their success over the years has been the Givers Gain philosophy of BNI. Being a founding member of the Manukau chapter, Dennis has held many positions in the chapter and has been a loyal and supportive member for over eight years.
"In that time I have received work in excess of $1,400,000.00. Its about giving referrals, but its also about voluntarily giving advice and sharing knowledge. I strongly recommend BNI as an awesome network where friends are made, work is given and good customers are found", says Dennis.
I started the house building company to use my skills and experience to help others build homes that meet their lifestyles and dreams.
With over thirty-two years in the home-building business, he is well suited to making this a realty. New homes, large alterations and additions, even churches there is a broad range of experience and skills that are brought together to help clients.
Integral to their success over the years has been the Givers Gain philosophy of BNI. Being a founding member of the Manukau chapter, Dennis has held many positions in the chapter and has been a loyal and supportive member for over eight years.
"In that time I have received work in excess of $1,400,000.00. Its about giving referrals, but its also about voluntarily giving advice and sharing knowledge. I strongly recommend BNI as an awesome network where friends are made, work is given and good customers are found", says Dennis.
Referrals still coming from out of that very first referral
In business for just over two years, HR & Dispute Solutions Ltd director Catherine Murray started her marketing using the Yellow Pages and while it did work, the flow of business was not enough to make her business 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", says Catherine.
A human resource consulting and employment advocacy business, HR & Dispute Solutions Ltd helps employers get the full potential out of their work force and also provides 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. 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", says Catherine.
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", says Catherine.
A human resource consulting and employment advocacy business, HR & Dispute Solutions Ltd helps employers get the full potential out of their work force and also provides 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. 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", says Catherine.
Bizsical Dunedin goes a round for Hospice
The Bizsical chapter of BNI in Dunedin recently hosted a successful golf day which included members from other neighbouring chapters as a fundraiser for Hospice.
Bizsical organisers Miriam Spronk and Janet Marquet said they owed a big thank you to all who contributed brainpower, enthusiasm, raffle prizes and more to the golf day.
All of us did really well for Hospice and had huge laughs at the same time!
The winners of the BNI Business Challenge Trophy 2009, first prize, went to The Professors (the team led by Carl Spruyt from Your Business Team, Bizsical group). The 4 team members also won a Sean Waller photography portrait voucher worth $400 each.
Second prize was won by the Walstrels team, led by Samantha Farrimond, life coach and clinical psychologist, also of the Biszical group. The Walstrels team won 4 vouchers of rounds of golf worth $140.
Third prize was secured by the Norfolk & Chance team of Forsyth Bar who each won very good wine to enjoy (also from the Bizsical group).
The wooden spoon (handcarved by Ross Bulling of Ivan Bulling furniture and interiors) went to Sandra's team of Marguerita's Florist (Bizsical group), for their good efforts.
Everyone seemed to have really enjoyed themselves and it was great to have 20 teams registered. The call has come for an event like this to be repeated next year and Janet Marquet has got ideas for already.
"Thank you to the guys from the Latitude 45 chapter, Hey You', Burns 'Pick Up Faye', and Octagon 'Yeah' for attending! I'm sure next year there will be an overhwelming surge from your groups to participate, now that they have had a taste of it!". said Miriam.
Bizsical organisers Miriam Spronk and Janet Marquet said they owed a big thank you to all who contributed brainpower, enthusiasm, raffle prizes and more to the golf day.
All of us did really well for Hospice and had huge laughs at the same time!
The winners of the BNI Business Challenge Trophy 2009, first prize, went to The Professors (the team led by Carl Spruyt from Your Business Team, Bizsical group). The 4 team members also won a Sean Waller photography portrait voucher worth $400 each.
Second prize was won by the Walstrels team, led by Samantha Farrimond, life coach and clinical psychologist, also of the Biszical group. The Walstrels team won 4 vouchers of rounds of golf worth $140.
Third prize was secured by the Norfolk & Chance team of Forsyth Bar who each won very good wine to enjoy (also from the Bizsical group).
The wooden spoon (handcarved by Ross Bulling of Ivan Bulling furniture and interiors) went to Sandra's team of Marguerita's Florist (Bizsical group), for their good efforts.
Everyone seemed to have really enjoyed themselves and it was great to have 20 teams registered. The call has come for an event like this to be repeated next year and Janet Marquet has got ideas for already.
"Thank you to the guys from the Latitude 45 chapter, Hey You', Burns 'Pick Up Faye', and Octagon 'Yeah' for attending! I'm sure next year there will be an overhwelming surge from your groups to participate, now that they have had a taste of it!". said Miriam.
BNI members hosts first sculpture exhibition
Landscaper Jonathan Bowman from Bojo Design Ltd has been a member of the Counties BNI chapter since its conception in 2001 but over the past 12 months his life has taken a slightly different turn into sculpturing, and with great success.
He held his first solo sculpture exhibition recently, under the title of Track Record. Pictured with Jonathan (left) at the exhibition were BNI South/East Auckland Assistant Directors Paul (right) and Rosemary Meyer (middle), alongside one of his impressive pieces: Almost a steel ten-pin and ball, 5 times the real size!
Jonathan is the only sculptor on the New Zealand BNI website. If you would like to view or know more about Jonathans work he can be contacted through the BNI web site at the Counties chapter or www.bojodesign.co.nz
Jonathan has enjoyed continued business from BNI and has received $45,000 worth of landscaping business from his BNI referrals alone during 2008.
He held his first solo sculpture exhibition recently, under the title of Track Record. Pictured with Jonathan (left) at the exhibition were BNI South/East Auckland Assistant Directors Paul (right) and Rosemary Meyer (middle), alongside one of his impressive pieces: Almost a steel ten-pin and ball, 5 times the real size!
Jonathan is the only sculptor on the New Zealand BNI website. If you would like to view or know more about Jonathans work he can be contacted through the BNI web site at the Counties chapter or www.bojodesign.co.nz
Jonathan has enjoyed continued business from BNI and has received $45,000 worth of landscaping business from his BNI referrals alone during 2008.