Business Networking Groups, Associations, Clubs, And Outside Activities.

Willybeen

How many businesses on here belong to some sort of club/group? Which ones? what do they focus on? and what has your experience with them been?...

I've been toying with the idea of joining one, I just dont know where to start. And with all the referal talk/building business/etc etc talk on here, I figure this might be a hot topic.

feel free to add any other relevant info on the topic of centers of influences and worthwhile group events.

Thanks
-William

MEDIAINSTALLS

we belonged to a networking group for about three months. They are great if you have the right group of people in the group. If you know someone in a group go to a couple of meetings to get a feel, plus your friend gets credit for taking you.

The problems with mine was, the group was at 7 am which is fine but our days starts then not at 9 like some office jobs made it alittle tough to juggle on those days. Another problem was most were out for themselves, and more of a what have you done for me first attitude.

Remodel Bud

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SethHoldren

Great idea. Don't think "join" think "start".

Or, don't think "attend", think "speak". Position yourself as an expert. Be the teacher, not the student.

Also, get involved in groups outside of your field. There's nothing worse than wasting your time going to a remodeler's council meeting full of security alarm salesmen and appliance dealers who are trying to sell to you.

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Willybeen

Hmm. thats an interesting prospect. I'll have to think of all the possible businesses that are close to home that I know and trust.

Any other ideas?.....

Remodel Bud

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Willybeen

Welllllll I just made approx. 100 phone calls from sales leads from prestige marketing. I left nearly 100 voicemails too. We'll see what happens from these leads.... I was told by my father that a fellow down in the treasure coast of florida recieves about 60-70% of his business from his BNI group. With a success rate like that, I cant imagine why some people say that BNI has proven to be worthless.

Ill take referred leads over... cold leads alllll day long.

I should probably attend a formal networking group before trying to start my own.. huh?

orson

Check with your local SCORE chapter and see if they do a contractors roundtable.

Our local chapter does.

If they don't have one encourage them to start one.

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jensenconstruction

I'm a member of the local BNI chapter.

As stated above the 7am meetings were tough to adjust to since I'm normally on the job at that time. But I committed, blocked the time in my schedule to go and went for it.

Granted it's not for everyone, but if you can find a good group and work within the structure of the group it can pay off.

I'm going on 2 years in our chapter and have closed about 300k in sales as a direct result of referrals received from BNI.

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mark the coach

Referral Groups

There are many types of networking groups. The most popular is BNI(Business Network International). You can also find groups at Chamber of Commerces, Toastmasters, Lions Clubs and many more.
These groups can be very productive producing referrals if you follow the basic principals of networking. A well known concept called giver's gain is a philosophy that will treat you well if you beleive in it and use it.
The philosophy is all about giving before you receive. The price and effort paid is well worth it.
When I first learned about networking groups I studied the successful networkers. I realized that if worked hard, I could generate great referral opportunities. It sure beat cold calling or yellow page leads. Learned that people who know, like and trust you will give you better consideration. So joined a BNI group and asked a veteran networker what was the best way to become successful and followed his advice. He said the best way to get alot of referrals was to give more referrals, help the group by joining the leadership team and help others get what they want first. So in a six year BNI career was president twice, vice president twice and membership team once. Also joined a commerce chamber group worked it real hard, passed tons of referrals and helped as many people as time allowed. Went to business after hours, breakfast meetings, business expos and any major event time would allow. When I walked in the door of a networking event I shed all thoughts of what I could get and focused on helping others get introduced to other networkers.
It is important that you visit a group before you join and find out if it is a group of givers or takers. If they are takers don't waste your time. Also you want to be in a group that is run like a business where there is committment to each other.
There are three basic tenets to a good group. If the members follow them the group does well.

1. Show up at the meeting on time and prepared.
2. Have one outside one on one with a member of the group weekly. Either lunch or coffee.
3. Pass one referral every week.
Keep track of your time in the group to make sure you are effective.

Results; from October 2006 to October 2007 from two groups
400 hours attending meetings, one on ones and networking events.
Referrals received and sold in that year was $1,030,000 in business. House tear down and rebuild, three kitchens, several baths, remodeling jobs, new roofs. It was great to be referred. For every hour spent networking I generated 2500.00 in business. Net income well over $100,000.

Total networking business over 6 years over 1.5 million. It was well worth the time invested.
Networking is like farming, first you must plant the seeds, tend to them, water them, let the sun shine on them, and if you have tended them well you reap the harvest. You must put in the time and effort to develop realtionships because people will only refer those who they know like and trust.

mark the coach

www.thecontractorcoachingpartnership.com

AJX4

not a chance and yes i'm close minded. If you are worth your weight in your biz then you don't need someone else tube feeding you work. if you're desperate and can't create an advertising budget then you've got more problems than work itself. it's a buddy-buddy system and depending on how valued your trade is dictats what and how much you end up makin. I get constantly hounded on this bni stuff, everyone wastin an envelope promising to buy me lunch or coffee talking to me for an hour, no thank you. I'd rather strip tobacco in a barn eating licorice. make a mental note of that one

Willybeen

^^ well I disagree with that completely. Networking is crucial in any business.. if you arent networking on a daily basis, you're throwing away potential income. Which in my opinion. is silly.