BNI Offers Businesses An Instant And Growing Network

By Kendra Bobowick

Local business professionals can fill their Rolodexes with contacts and literally increase their referral network in the community through their regular participation in Business Networking International (BNI).

“If you see 20 people in the room, they’re like your sales force,” said Newtown Chapter President Terry Mahon. The people gathered are BNI members who continuously keep other members in mind, and can pass along information when the opportunity arises.

Mr Mahon talks about one man he works with who had plans to retire and was thinking of selling his house.

“I told him that I knew a real estate agent and I provided him with information. He contacted her,” said Mr Mahon. He had made a lead, which is much of how the BNI benefits its members.

“We exchange referrals and names and numbers and this goes on all week,” he said, in addition to the weekly Thursday morning meetings from 7 to 8:30 am at the United Methodist Church at 92 Church Street. “We keep in contact during the week so any opportunities can be available right away.”

Membership requires only that an individual be involved in business, Mr Mahon said. Members do not necessarily need to be in business for themselves.

One restriction dictates that no two members can be of the same business, to avoid competition.

“We allow one person from each line of business, otherwise there could be a conflict,” Mr Mahon said.

An annual membership fee of $295 helps with costs for renting the meeting room, and also essentially buys the member a network.

Membership is worth the price.

“If you get a little business it’s well worth the cost,” said Mr Mahon, adding, “We keep an eye out for one another.”

He also stressed that members vouch for one another when making contacts. Each member must complete an application and provide references, which will be checked, he said.

He has benefited from his three years of membership in the BNI, which has been established in town for ten years ago this September.

New members are welcome to inquire about the group at any time, but especially now during the membership drive through June 2. Call Terry Mahon at 743-4708, or Rosemary Bouffard at 744-6998. Ms Bouffard from All Well and Good encourages inquiries. She said enjoys the camaraderie and sales referrals.

Thursday’s meeting was an organized, but relaxed conversation among members. The few guests perused literature explaining BNI participation as, “Buying into cooperation with other people.”

Light discussion and a comfortably informal atmosphere over coffee saw members leaving their seats to hand information to another member saying, “I have a lead for you…” Many of the business leads changed hands and a tally of more than 70 were exchanged in April.

“And that’s not even a record,” Mr Mahon said, explaining the group has seen as many as 90 leads in one month.

Newcomers had a chance to share their impressions at the end of Thursday morning meeting. Attending for the first time was Angeli Robinson. who liked what she learned about the networking group.

“It makes so much sense to do this word-of -mouth type of business,” she said.

Offering similar observations was Mark Nuelle.

“It seems like this is a great group, and I think this is how business is done,” he said. “Growth is coming from small entrepreneurial groups.” He also believes that efforts like the Business Networking International are a step toward keeping business healthy.

Members regularly make small presentations to the group. Last week, Mary Ann Naventi provided examples of gifts from her home-based business, Premier Design, which she described as high fashion jewelry business.

Also part of the meeting was an ongoing game of cards among members, led by Holistic Counselor and Energy Healer Nancy Humphreys. It is the 50/50 drawing, where players pay $1 and write their name on a ticket to takes a chance.

Two names are drawn weekly. Those two people try to pick the ace of hearts and win half the money in the pot if they are successful. The other half funds go to the treasury. If the card eludes players, the card they do choose gets torn up. As the weeks pass the deck gets smaller as chances of finding the ace increase.

To make the game more interesting members have added a twist — if someone picks a joker that person get $20.

Members have the opportunity to develop relationships with other business professionals and substantially increase business, as did new member John Black from Curtis & Black Insurance Associates, according to a recent BNI release.

Mr Black said, “I joined BNI to spend time with other business owners and share ideas on how to survive as a small business in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Nick Minucci from Minucci Travel Inc, a longstanding member, expressed that he wanted to “increase his sales and help fellow business owners increase their sales”.

Allyson Bernard from Allyson Bernard Real Estate, another longstanding member, feels “BNI becomes more than just business — the members are honest and trustworthy business ‘associates’ and many have become personal friends. BNI is more than meets the eye for sure!”

A BNI Chapter of Newtown meeting will be held on May 18, from 7 am to 8:30 am, at Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road. At this meeting, BNI member and Attorney William J. Hagan will be the featured speaker. All business people are welcome, and are invited to contact visitor host Edward Hobday for details at 770-8466.