The Official BNI Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. Ivan Misner
Dr. Misner answers member questions about Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Testimonials, Presentations, and TYFCB.
Terry Donaldson aka Sparkles the Clown shares what she learned from listening to 700 episodes of the podcast during her first year in BNI.
Guest Jim Meadows shares how he turned a blasé, general, and repetitive weekly presentation into a 50-week sales training curriculum.
A referral relationship is more than just doing business. You need to find common ground on a personal level. The GAINS Exchange can help.
Whether we know people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, it's important to recognize our relationships in BNI.
Michael Ann Dillinger explains how to use your customer appreciation program to refer your customers to members of your BNI chapter.
The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret was first published in 1994. Ivan Misner and Mike Macedonio tell us why the book is still relevant.
Together, they discuss ways BNI members can become super-connectors and ways that BNI can recognize members for those efforts.
Networking will never work if you’re here for yourself. You need to take off your bib, put on your apron, and learn to serve other people.
This week, Dr. Misner shares the top 7 benefits and top 7 drawbacks and potential pitfalls of co-creation.
Learn how you can become a great leader by holding the vision of your objective and coaching your team to success.
People join BNI for its tangible benefits. Dr. Ben Reebs shares 4 valuable intangible benefits of being a BNI member.
To give your networking contacts the tools to find you referrals, tell the story from the client's point of view. Facts tell; stories sell.
Before you begin collaborating with outside companies and individuals, you need a solid understanding of the Four Knows of your own operation.
When you talk about why you do what you do, you stand out from everyone else that does what you do. Discover your 9 WHYs with Gary Sanchez.
Discover the five types of co-creation and what each of them brings to the table for like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners.
Is your BNI chapter On Fire, On Hold, or In a Hole? Use the Rate Your Chapter Worksheet to find out--and learn what you can to do be On Fire.
In the age of co-creation, consumers want to work together with brands to ensure that products and services meet their needs.
Shirley Towne joins Dr. Misner this week to explain how to create a culture of growth to get your chapter to 100 members and beyond.
Michael Mayer explains why caring about new BNI members and building relationships with them is the key to member retention.
Dr. Misner explains how exit interviews for departing members came to BNI. Take this podcast and the report to your leadership team.
Business networking and actively pursuing professional relationships in BNI can unlock doors to new referral opportunities for employees.
Claudia Thompson from the BNI New York CORE region explains how BNI chapters can better accommodate members with disabilities.
"Visitor Queen" Christine Cheng explains how she invited more than 200 visitors and sponsored 52 members into BNI--and you can, too.
It’s not the anchor that holds a ship in place, but the length of the chain. Extend your chain of relationships through one-to-ones.
Moving from the 1st paradigm, competition, into the 3rd paradigm, co-creation, can transform a project from failure to radical success.
Mike Adray explains how to use the One-to-One Referral Source Worksheet to identify your most profitable clients and get better referrals.
Sean Fernandes from Scion Social explains how digital marketing, the hungry content algorithm, and AI have--and haven't--changed networking.
Ivan & Priscilla explain the responsibilities of membership committees and what it's like to serve on the membership committee.
Just like caterpillars moving endlessly in a circle, people often continue to do things that are no longer productive.
Darren Jamieson explains the most effective method for inviting visitors to your BNI chapter through social media.
BNI members who use stories to make a difference in their weekly chapter meetings because they're remembered, recalled, and referred.
Passion is the most important element you can bring to your 60-second commercial and your 10-minute presentation.
The Twilight Zone teaches the importance of recognizing and distancing oneself from toxic environments, individuals, and clients.
If your message is too complex, it's not going to be memorable. If it's not clear and memorable, it can't be duplicated and repeated.
Jeremy Walsh explains why the power of BNI is in the exponential nature of your relationships with your referral partners.
Decreasing absences increases BNI chapter membership and referrals. Absenteeism affects your pocketbook. If you want more referrals, show up!
To succeed in business, you have to know your audience and tailor your comments to suit the people you're talking to.
The days you dreamed of being where you are now are a testament to your resilience. They are the building blocks of a life well lived.
BNI is about impacting lives positively. People join BNI to get referrals. They stay in BNI not just for referrals but for the relationships.
Givers Gain plus the 7 Principles equals Infinite Giving. Learn how to apply Givers Gain to your life and change the world.
Learn how to make it easier to say "Yes" when another BNI member asks to schedule a One-to-One. You'll get twice the referrals if you do.
Sam Horn returns this week with tips for dealing with people who take their anger and frustration out on us.
When people complain, don't explain: get on the A-Train with these communication tips from Sam Horn's book Talking on Eggshells.
BNI is perfect for situational introverts, because it creates a small group with a structured networking environment.
The number one rule for referrals is to make your referral source look great. This helps build a connection with the prospect.
The second time you stand during a BNI meeting, you give a referral or you give a testimonial--and nothing else.
Stephanie Turconi joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to explain how to use learning styles to make communication more powerful.
Brian Hilliard and Ivan Misner share seven ways you can diversify your business network and your BNI chapter.
Learn how to head off Olympic complaining in your BNI chapter with these tips to improve everyone's experience at the meeting.
Make friends in BNI, but don't let friendship prevent members from building each other's business through networking and through referrals.
Smaller markets have huge potential for growing BNI. James Cooper explains why small markets need BNI to turn relationships into referrals.
Regular attendance is one of the keys to success in BNI. The more you show up, the more money you make. Fewer absences = more referrals.
Learn how to identify prima donna syndrome, why it's harmful to your organization, and how to address it when you encounter it.
Networking is like going to the gym: you know you should do it, but it's hard to get started and keep going. Here are 10 tips to help you.
Groups of business people working together achieve far greater results than they would achieve by working separately.
When is it okay to say no to a One-to-One? Never, if you still want to generate referrals from the member who asked you.
What you should do is what you like to do. You can’t achieve sustained success if you don’t love what you do.
Build genuine relationships. Be authentic. Follow up. Be of service. Attend networking events. Leverage social media. Join industry groups.
Jennie Edwards shares the three E's of captivating educational moments that cross over to business: Engagement, Emotion, and Entertainment.
If you try to squeeze in multiple testimonials during a BNI meeting, people won't remember all of them--and may not remember any of them.
If you don't fill in your BNI Connect profile, BNI members from other chapters can't refer you for the services that you offer.
"Givers Gain" means your generosity will be returned by and through your network of contacts many times over.
The more we read success stories, self-help action stories, self-initiative action stories, the more successful we become.
The difference between having a little success and having vast success is learning how to ask for what you want.
Dr. Misner introduces two important new concepts from Who's in Your Room? 2nd Edition: the Concierge and Dealmakers. Get your copy today!
Gaining a new audience comes with pitfalls. In his first live TV appearance, Ivan Misner almost set the host on fire with a "magic trick."
A story is information wrapped in emotion that compels people to take action. If you want to influence people, tell great stories.
Refusing an attempted bribe ultimately led Ivan Misner to start BNI. If you live your values, you live a life of abundance.
BNI CORE Launch Manager Andrew Johnson has a message for BNI leadership teams: your chapter needs you to be great.
"Why So High?" is a process that helps people focus on what's working instead of obsessing about their problems.
Happy New Year! Dr. Misner will return with the next episode of The Official BNI Podcast on January4th.
Hope plus action leaves fear in the dust. We can choose to make the most of this situation and come out better and stronger.
Room Full of Referrals shows you how to identify networking types and use them to deepen relationships with your referral partners.
Have you ever referred business to a person you weren't confident was trustworthy? Of course not. That's why Credibility is the second "C".
A small interaction can have big effects down the line. Never hesitate to make new connections. They can take you places you never imagined.
Why is a BNI meeting like a child's birthday party? As Shawn Yesner discovered when his son turned five, the best invitation is a simple one.
Joshua Levy, executive director of the nonprofit Joshua's Stage, joins Dr. Misner to share his take on how membership works for nonprofits.
LuAnn Buchler joins Dr. Misner to talk about why passion is the key to your success in both business and networking.
There's solid scientific evidence to support the positive impact gratitude has on our lives and our businesses.
Whether you're a Doer, a Donor, or a Door Opener, you can do your part for Business Voices and the BNI Foundation.
Launch Love Worldwide is a campaign that celebrates human connection and the opportunities that BNI chapter launches can create.
Scott deMoulin joins Dr. Misner today to share the good news that generating referrals is about enrollment, not selling.
Humility and success are not mutually exclusive. This week, Dr. Misner shares nine ways that great networkers demonstrate their humility.
Learn how one education coordinator transformed his chapter's Education Moments into lively seminars with active member participation.
Barb Markey shares how BNI nudged her out of her comfort zone and presented her with opportunities that changed her life.
Just like a successful BNI chapter, a successful Power Team needs structure, accountability, engagement, leadership, and communication.
Dr. Oudi Abouchara explains the origin of the Four Cs and the best way to assess your Competence, Credibility, Clarity, and Connectivity.
Dr. Misner shares 12 lessons he learned in 35 years of consecutive growth as BNI went from Garage to Global.
Dr. Misner shares 12 lessons he learned in 35 years of consecutive growth as BNI went from Garage to Global.
The first "C" in Work Your Network with the Four Cs is Competence. Competence is a prerequisite for Credibility in terms of referral passing.
The first "C" in Work Your Network with the Four Cs is Competence. Competence is a prerequisite for Credibility in terms of referral passing.
Work Your Network teaches you how to progress on the Referral Confidence Curve with Competence, Credibility, Clarity, and Connectivity.
Learn how your Membership Committee can say "No" to applicants without destroying business relationships or turning them against BNI.
Can't think of anyone to invite to your BNI meeting? Go through your contacts and check register name by name to find potential visitors.
How do you network at class reunions? Use what you've learned in BNI, don't get drunk, don't try to sell, and do follow up.
If you want to be big, start thinking big, and behaving big. Don't be a product of your circumstances. Be a product of your decisions.
To create an even better presentation, ask yourself five more questions to situate your ideal client within their business or industry.
An elevator pitch tells people what you do in general terms; your weekly presentation needs to be laser specific. Don't confuse them!
The entrepreneur with a clear message is the one who attracts the most clients. Follow these three steps to attract more referrals.
Claudia Thompson explains how BNI chapters around the world can understand what diversity means for them and how to achieve it.
Whether you call it Nash's Equilibrium, Reciprocal Altruism, Enlightened Self-Interest, or Givers Gain, reciprocity is about serving others.
James Grima shows you how to focus your feature presentation on your call-to-action to get more referrals from your chapter.
In getting your message across, less is more. The more specific you are about the benefits of your service, the better your results will be.
Dr. Misner shares four lessons from his daughter's wedding to apply when something goes wrong in business.
Want to change your BNI meeting? Talk to your BNI director first. Change for the sake of change is not innovation. It's just bad business.
The reason your windshield is larger than your rearview mirror is to give you the clearest view possible of where you're going.
Daniel Haverman joins the podcast to share his goals as president of BNI's International Board of Advisors (IBOA).
Resilience is not about our ability to bounce back, but our capacity to bounce forward by developing rituals of recovery in four quadrants.
Results take time. BNI members average 5 times as many referrals after 200 hours in a chapter as when they started.
Turn a "Brody Moment" into a defining moment by creating a plan to get the resources you need to scale your business.
Pass more referrals by scheduling an intentional One-to-One with a new member and a huge giver every month.
Learn how conducting intentional one-to-ones and adding 3 steps to the GAINS Exchange can dramatically increase referrals.
Kian Gohar shares 3 keys to success in a hybrid work environment and how to use them to build a better BNI chapter.
How do you end a conversation at a networking event? Thank the person, get their contact info, and make an introduction if you can.
To receive more effective referrals from the members of your BNI group, help them understand your business and your target market.
One invitation to a BNI meeting spreads out like a ripple in a pond. Every conversation is an opportunity to make a visitor feel welcome.
How can you build business when you hate to talk about yourself? Build relationships and get other people to promote you.
The most important thing to remember when making connections with people who are more successful than you are is "Don't sell to them!"
Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to slow down in order to get results. Take time to build relationships with new contacts.
Your passion won't come across as pushy as long as you keep the focus on helping the other person and meet them where they are.
The key to building relationships at home, at work, and in your community is saying "Thank you" and helping others.
Asking for a referral before there’s a relationship is not networking. It's direct selling, and it's never welcome.
Robert Skrob joins Dr. Misner this week to share how small businesses can expand their revenue exponentially through subscriptions.
Terry Hamill explains that to network up, you need clarity, tenacity, and personal connection to the network you build yourself.
The best legacy we can leave is to make a difference in the lives of the people around us, and you don't have to be a billionaire to do that.
You can create a life plan no matter where you are in your life or your career. What do you want to be doing in the coming decades?
Jay Changlani shares what he learned at the BNI Global Convention about how a small business can leverage big global network connections.
How much business gets passed in BNI? If dollars were seconds, global TYFCB for the past 12 months would translate to 580 years.
Because individual circumstances and feelings about BNI meeting formats differ, patience and respectful, positive dialogue are critical.
Your network can help you take some of the weight of your business and your life and give you relief when there doesn't seem to be any.
If you want to grow your business, create an org chart for all the roles the company needs--and start replacing yourself in those roles.
If you have an open stance, you're going to meet a lot of people that you may not have had an opportunity to meet in the past.
As of October 2021, all BNI chapters are eligible to become Hybrid Chapters, meeting both online and in person.
Shirley Towne returns to the podcast to explain why some visitors hesitate to join BNI and how to address their concerns.
The most important communication lesson Dr. Misner ever learned was to include an executive summary with every report.
How can your chapter benefit from coaching? Mark Breves shares actions the BNI Founder Chapter took to grow from 20 to 35 members.
Jenni Butz shares best practices for BNI visitor hosts, with a timeline and touch points to help visitors have a better experience.
Shirley Towne outlines the steps to a great BNI visitor experience, from pre-visitor orientation to post-meeting follow-up.
Belief, passion, and leadership are the keys to business growth in difficult times. Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option?
The measure of your success is how well you use your productive time to achieve the goals that are important to you.
BNI can lead the economic recovery around the world by creating opportunities for new members and their communities.
According to BNI members and directors in 29 US states, the past 18 months have been a resounding success for BNI. Here's why.
Don't let your group deflate while you wait to go back to meeting in person. Stop making excuses and start getting results.
Successful people know how to focus on a roadblock and turn it into an overpass. The secret is making the problem part of the solution.
Zachary Saunders explains how BNI can benefit businesses in any of the four business phases and how to use the phases to invite visitors.
Dr. Richard Shuster shares tips for entrepreneurs to reduce stress and increase harmony in their work and lives.
50% of members surveyed want a blend of in-person and online BNI meetings instead of returning to in-person only.
Dr. Misner shares a story from his youth about how important networking is--even (or maybe especially) in rough neighborhoods.
Learn how to prepare your team for disruptions with a change management technique called "The Cat's on the Roof."
Relationships based on Givers Gain are where the magic happens in BNI: referrals come naturally and revenue flows automatically.
Jeremy Walsh and Ivan Misner share highlights from 10 years of BNI Connect, which is the key to making BNI a truly global organization.
A supposedly no-win scenario can turn into a big win for everyone when you exercise persistence and creativity.
You can choose to see the world through a lens that lets you deal most effectively with the hand you've been dealt.
Adam Caplan shows you how developing deep relationships with your Power Team can lead to million-dollar referrals.
Inviting visitors to fill all the empty business categories in your chapter makes you a more valuable Master Connector.
VCP is a referral process. Once you achieve Credibility, you have to start asking for referrals in order to achieve Profitability.
If you want to meet a Big Name in your industry, Find someone who knows and trusts you both and ask for an introduction.
Tom Etherington returns to the podcast with tips for maximizing your LinkedIn profile for visibility, credibility, and profitability.
BNI sets you up to be a Master Connector by giving friends, family, and clients referrals that solve key problems in their lives.
If you network a lot and aren't getting business, you might be networking too widely. Build fewer but deeper relationships instead.
Even a successful business initiative can have unintended consequences. Learn how to identify them in advance.
Once you make a commitment to using the power of Givers Gain, it will fuel your business, and success will follow.
The latest update to BNI Connect makes it possible to track the referrals you make and receive from start to finish.
Master Passion, People, and Process to become a leader in your industry and create an enterprise that makes a difference in people's lives.
Synopsis Note: this episode is a rebroadcast of Episode 500. This week’s Ask Ivan question comes from Alberto, a BNI member in Italy. There are people I’ve provided with good referrals, and they got good business from those referrals. I’ve never received referrals back from them. I’m going to ask them for more of a […]
Making a plan for referral flow is the key to the success of your BNI Power Team. Spencer Reynolds shows you how.
Robert Skrob joins Ivan Misner to explain the Connector Effect and how it makes BNI the single most effective growth strategy for business owners.
Ivan and Beth Misner explain that the way to grow a healthy BNI chapter is to get rid of the members who don’t show up or don’t participate. BNI thrives on accountability.
Dr. Misner shares 7 takeaways from 2020 to get you started reflecting on the good that came out of a difficult year.
Claudia Thompson joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about why diversity, equity, and inclusion are good for BNI chapters in business worldwide.
Storyfella Greg Davies joins Dr. Misner this week to share a story that illustrates Givers Gain Principle #2.
Do you need support? Just ask your network. Andy Lopata shares a strategic approach to asking for and offering help.
Start the year by really being there to support and help your fellow BNI members and others. You can start small, but start today.
Matthew Pollard joins Dr. Misner to share networking strategies for introverts that give them an edge by making use of their strengths.
Phil Berg joins Dr. Misner to share ways to meet your business goals even when you have to adapt your methods.
Suzzanne Laidlaw joins the podcast to invite BNI members to use the pandemic to make a plan for their lives and businesses.
This is the story of how Ivan Misner turned $5000 he'd saved for school into a multi-million dollar real estate business.
Synopsis Some people don’t think that intuition has a place in business. But what is intuition, really? The dictionary defines intuition as The direct perception of truth or facts, independent of any reasoning process; it is an immediate apprehension; or a keen and quick insight into something. But is intuition really independent of reasoning? Dr. […]
Always pay people to think. Not only does it make employees feel valued, they can give you some great ideas and help your business grow.
Cause networking allows BNI members to help their local communities and create a heightened awareness of BNI at the same time.
Synopsis Tim Roberts, BNI Executive Director for Central Florida, Florida Northeast, and New Hampshire joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to explain why your appointment book is the best referral-generating tool you have as a BNI member. Here’s how you can use your appointment book (or app) to capture opportunity that already exists. […]
Synopsis Julian Lewis, founding partner of Integrus Global and one of the co-authors of Infinite Giving, joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about expanding Givers Gain beyond BNI. Any community you belong to can become a Givers Gain Community by embracing the 7 principles of Givers Gain outlined in Infinite Giving. […]
Lee Roebeck joins Dr. Misner this week to share a story that demonstrates how having the right mindset can help you through any situation, no matter how harrowing.
Don't give up on BNI. BNI won't give up on you. Today more than ever people need their network. Today more than ever they need BNI.
Don't overlook your kids when it comes to networking. Friends, family, and employees can all help you make connections and referrals.
The key to getting visitors to join your BNI chapter and not another one is to create a "Wow!" experience by making them welcome.
Special guest Tiffanie Kellog shares her tips for how to be seen, what to say, and what not to do to build VCP (Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability) on Zoom.
Givers Gain plus the 7 Principles equals Infinite Giving. BNI founder Ivan Misner shows you how to apply Givers Gain to your life and change the world.
This is a rebroadcast of Episode 217. Synopsis If you’re part of the leadership team and a member isn’t participating in some way, approach them and say “How can we help you (give more referrals, bring in visitors, etc.)?” The person will respond with either a “can’t do” or a “won’t do” answer. “Can’t do” […]
Do you know your fellow BNI members well enough to give their feature presentations for them?
Synopsis Frank de Raffele, US National Director for BNI, joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about proactive referrals. Most referrals are “reactive”—we make a referral if someone we’re talking to happens to mention they need help and there’s someone in your network who can help them. With a proactive referral, you […]
Brian Hilliard and Ivan Misner share 7 ways you can diversify your business network and your BNI chapter.
Synopsis Jeremy Walsh joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to discuss new features in BNI Connect that make inviting visitors to your BNI meeting even easier. There are now four distinct ways to invite visitors using BNI Connect and the BNI Connect Mobile App. The Existing Ways By email from the BNI Connect […]
This is a rebroadcast of Episode 424. Synopsis Thoughtful engagement is the answer to a return on your investment in BNI. Engagement is a critical step in the networking process. It involves a promise to support one another, and action to fulfill that promise. The law of attraction only works if you take action. That […]
This is the fourth recession since BNI was founded. A strong network and a focus on opportunities and growth areas will get you through this one, too.
To succeed in uncertain times, approach uncertainty as an adventure rather than a threat and follow Mark Goulston's PrePARE method.
To make open networking in online meetings more effective, use breakout sessions strategically.
This is a rebroadcast of Episode 548. Since “666” is a number that means something sinister to some people, we thought we would do a podcast where “the devil is in the details.” This is a topic where the details are really important and we thought we’d have some fun related to the number. The […]
Personal branding expert Tom Etherington joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about how to turn your BNI Connect profile into a referral-generating machine.
Synopsis Whenever Dr. Misner returns from a trip to Necker Island, people ask him what Richard Branson (creator of the Virgin brand) is like. Here are five traits that Dr. Misner has observed that we can emulate. Go out of your way to connect with people. Richard Branson can connect to anyone at any level […]
Dr. Misner shares some of the responsibilities of membership committees before he and Priscilla discuss what it's like to serve on the membership committee.
Many BNI members feel nervous before giving their 10-minute presentations. Ivan Misner shares techniques for overcoming fear of public speaking.
Synopsis “Givers Gain” does not mean that you should expect an immediate financial return from giving. It means that given enough effort and time, your generosity will be returned by and through your network of contacts many times over. “Givers Gain” also does not mean that you should be a Taker’s victim. Give freely to […]
The red "I" in the new logo is cut by a white diagonal line at the angle of the BNI growth curve to symbolize personal and professional growth in BNI.
BNI members share the advantages of inviting visitors to BNI Online™ meetings, both for members and for visitors.
Two of the most important factors in how you look in a virtual meeting are positioning your camera and lighting yourself.
Inviting a visitor who can't join your BNI chapter strengthens BNI as a whole and builds social capital for your chapter.
Dr. Misner returns with a new Special Episode to address BNI's plan for transitioning back to holding in-person meetings.
Hope plus action leaves fear in the dust. We can choose to make the most of this situation and come out better and stronger.
Jason Avery shares the format his 33-member Trades Power Team follows to grow each other's contracting businesses through referrals.
A small interaction can have big effects down the line. Never hesitate to make new connections. They can take you places you never imagined.
Mark Applebaum shares five money-making activities you can engage in to improve your results in BNI.
Debby Peters, founder of Connext Nation, joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about her new book, Tell Me Exactly What to Say.
Dr. Misner shares different ways that BNI members, education coordinators, and BNI regional directors can make use of the Official BNI Podcast.
There's solid scientific evidence to support the positive impact gratitude has on our lives and our businesses. Start your practice of gratitude today.
In this third special episode, Dr. Misner shares comments from BNI members around the world about the new BNI Online™ platform.
Today, people need BNI more than ever and BNI online™ allows you to keep your network strong. Stay healthy and BNI will help you stay successful.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, BNI has created a powerful new meeting platform called BNI Online. Your chapter president or BNI Director will be reaching out to you.
Remember the 12 x 12 x 12 rule before you head to a networking event. Look professional, focus on the other person, and be memorable.
Synopsis Jack Canfield returns to the BNI Podcast to share some material from The Success Principles Workbook, which is coming out at the end of March. The Success Principles is a best seller, but a lot of people would read the book but not do what it says. The workbook takes you through 17 of […]
In addition to sending you referrals, BNI has positive "side effects" like teaching you how to run a business.
Note: This is a rebroadcast of Episode 382. Synopsis Chances are your network is both deep and shallow. All networking connections start out shallow, and you often don’t know more about the people you meet at networking events than the superficial things you hear about them there. BNI is an opportunity to deepen your network, […]
This week, Dr. Misner shares nine ways that great networkers demonstrate their humility.
Graham Weihmiller joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about how to transform your organization with top talent.
Jack Canfield joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about his book The Success Principles and his proven system of success.
If you're going to succeed at networking, you need to play well with others. You don't have to like everybody in BNI. Jerks are not a reason to leave. Don't let other people control your success.
Madeline Dechy shares her top tips for getting more visitors to BNI and more members in your BNI chapter.
It's fine to have strong political or religious views--but keep them out of your BNI meeting.
In The Networking Mentor, Dr. Misner shows how mentoring a new BNI member takes the idea of Givers Gain to a whole new level.
Giving the door prize at your BNI meeting is an opportunity for you and your business to shine. Choose something memorable and personal.
Steve Farber joins Dr. Misner to explain why love is the key to great leaders, great businesses, and great BNI chapters.
Involvement in service organization expands the depth and breadth of your networking. Volunteering is a serious commitment and increases your Visibility.
Can't think of anyone to invite to your BNI meeting? Go through your email contacts and your check register name by name to find potential visitors.
Tia Young joins Dr. Misner to explain how your Dress, Behavior, and Attitudes affect your professional image. Treat BNI like your best client.
Graham Southwell of BNI New Zealand introduces the 72 Education Moments now available to education coordinators on BNI University.
Synopsis An elevator pitch is not the same thing as your weekly presentation. Your weekly presentation should be laser-specific and focus on a different product or service every week. An elevator pitch needs to tell people who you are and what you do in more general terms. If you’re doing an elevator pitch in your […]
Instead of assuming that people in certain kinds of businesses won't be able to refer any business to you, have 1-2-1s with everyone in your chapter and teach them what to listen for. You might be surprised where your best referrals come from.
Listener Shout-Out Carl Hackney in Austin sent this photo to Ivan. He listens to the BNI Podcast in the car. When he hears something he wants to go back to, he writes the episode number on the windshield. Synopsis On today’s podcast, Dr. Misner answers three “Ask Ivan” questions. The first question comes from a […]
To succeed at networking, you need to be self-aware, selfless, and selfish. Ask "How can I help you?" but also "How can I help you refer business to me?"
If you don't make a meaningful connection, you might as well still be cold calling, no matter how many business cards you collect.
Beth Misner explains how cause networking allows BNI members to help their local communities and create a heightened awareness of BNI at the same time.
Synopsis Daniel Haverman from the Palm Beach Business Exchange chapter joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to explain what a referral is and isn’t–and how to increase your chances of turning referrals into business. In baseball, an “at bat” is the opportunity to get a hit. It’s not a guarantee of a home […]
The 24/7/30 Follow-up System provides a proven method for developing relationships with new contacts you meet at networking events.
If you don't follow up on referrals, you'll never get business--or new referrals. Here are 3 tips to help you follow up faster.
Jared Yellin shares his annual marketing formula: webinars, workshops, appreciation experiences, referral initiatives, and online challenges.
Jennie Edwards shares her tips for bringing imagination and storytelling to education moments in BNI. A must-listen for Education Coordinators.
Excellence is not a single act. It's a habit. Persistence pays off. Be a dog with a bone if you want to achieve success.
Next time you're at a networking event, introduce yourself to the wallflower. You could meet the next Bill Gates or Burt Rutan.
Mark Appelbaum shares tips for increasing your credibility with fellow BNI members when giving and receiving referrals.
Cross-chapter TYFCB is now part of BNI Connect. You can pass referrals anywhere in BNI--and receive credit for them.
Introducing Ivan's Inner Circle, which combines 22+ in-depth webinars, a private Facebook community, and live Q&A calls into the best networking and business education available.
Whether you call it Nash's Equilibrium, Reciprocal Altruism, Enlightened Self-Interest, or Givers Gain, reciprocity is about serving others.
Visitors pass referrals to BNI members, whether or not they join. If everyone in every BNI chapter brought one visitor per month, the average chapter would experience a bump in thank-you-for-closed-business of $330,480.
If you have an idea that you think is going to change the BNI meeting, talk to your BNI director. Work out a system where it gets tested. Change for the sake of change is not innovation. It's just bad business.
David Kauffman of BNI Delaware Valley joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about the Referral Confidence Curve. It isn't just your behavior in BNI meetings that affects your referability. Your behavior in every arena affects your credibility with referral partners and prospective customers.
Synopsis Rick Sapio, one of the co-authors of Who’s in Your Room?, joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about making business decisions. Rick uses a decision-making lens to help him get the desired results. Yes/no decisions come faster when you use a lens. To use the lens effectively, you have to […]
Christina asks how nonprofits can use BNI to support their mission. Dr. Misner shares ten benefits of BNI membership for nonprofits, even if they don't have products or services.
If you want to grow your business, create an org chart for all the roles the company needs--and start replacing yourself in those roles.
Synopsis This question comes up at least once or twice every year. A BNI director passed it on from the president of a BNI chapter. How about once a quarter we move our normal meeting from 7 am to an evening meeting so we can invite more visitors? We’ll do the same meeting, take the […]
"Givers Gain" is a philosophy based on the law of reciprocity. It's a great standard to apply to ourselves. But it shouldn't be used to judge others.
Thanks to BNI Connect, it's now possible to pass referrals to BNI members anywhere in the world.
Synopsis Mike Macedonio joins Dr. Misner this week to talk about how to handle it when members say they’re too busy for BNI and are thinking of leaving. Leaving BNI because it brings you too much business is forfeiting an asset. Don’t stop going to the gym just because you’re in shape. Instead, increase your […]
Dr. Misner shares questions from "Who's in Your Room?" to help you create your ideal BNI chapter.
If you assume you know better than the people who have the experience, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes, and some of them will be painful. Don’t dismiss ideas just because they seem too simple.
Ask each member of your chapter to tell you one thing that's working for them to find out how far beyond referrals the benefits of BNI go.
Generic requests yield disappointing results. If you want better referrals, ask for introductions to specific people by name.
To create harmony in your life, remember that the quality of your life depends on the people in your life.
If you do not learn to execute the fundamentals flawlessly, if you do not engage in the conditioning necessary, you will never be a champion on or off the field.
BNI members average 5 times as many referrals after 200 hours in a chapter as when they started.
How do you end a conversation at a networking event? Keep it simple. Thank them for the conversation, get their contact info, and make an introduction if you can.
An effective doorman for your personal room (or BNI chapter) lets people in based on how well they fit with your core values.
Strengthen and balance your BNI chapter's contact spheres to offer all members an equal opportunity for success and increase member retention.
Synopsis This episode is a rebroadcast of Episode 522, originally released on August 30th, 2017. David Clegg joins Dr. Misner this week to talk about the value of visitors in BNI. Visitors pass referrals to BNI members, whether or not they join. The average Thank You for Closed Business for a visitor in BNI is […]
Cindy Mount explains the difference between self-employed and entrepreneur and how you can use BNI to build your business into an asset.
Synopsis Today’s theme is activity vs. results, the conversation Dr. Misner has had since he started BNI 34 years ago this week. Meaghan Chitwood, Director of Global Training for BNI explains that your activities have to change as you become busier, because you need to get more results from the same amount of time. An […]
Why do people pay $1 million+ to invest in a McDonald's franchise? It's a proven system. If you follow the system, you're guaranteed results. When you join BNI, you're investing in a system. If you follow the system, you're guaranteed results.
To give your networking contacts the tools to find you referrals, tell the story from the client's point of view. Facts tell; stories sell.
The quality of your life depends on the people in your room--and anyone who enters will be there forever. The new edition of Who's in Your Room is an action-oriented guide to moving your relationships from dissonance to resonance.
Graphic communicator Colin Horner joins Dr. Misner on the BNI Podcast today to talk about how the Power of 1 drives chapter performance in BNI. There are four tasks to complete each week and one task to complete each month, and when the members of a chapter do them and measure them, referrals and closed business skyrocket.
A supposedly no-win situation can turn into a big win for everyone when you exercise persistence and creativity, the way Ivan Misner did as an undergraduate in search of a non-math lab class.
On this week's Official BNI Podcast, Rod Kuncaitis of BNI Grand Rapids talks about how ethics and etiquette affect BNI. If you set out to be number one, remember that it matters how you win.
Hazel Walker joins Dr. Misner to talk about why it's important to show up for your BNI meeting on time. Being late undermines your credibility and causes you to miss out on referrals.
Education is a leaky bucket. Making training part of a replicable system is the best way to prevent leaks. Never accept anyone onto your chapter's leadership team who isn't willing to go to the training.
The most important communication lesson Dr. Misner ever learned was to include an executive summary with every report. Busy people don't have time to read all the details just to find out the main point.
Dawn Lyons has created a process to make sure you progress from Visibility through Credibility and on to Profitability. Learn how to keep your referral relationships ALIVE.
Low effective attendance (too many substitutes at a BNI meeting) results in many fewer referrals. If you have to miss a meeting, make sure your substitute is prepared with your referrals and TYCB as well as your weekly presentation.
Referrals to prospects are great--but referrals to referral sources can be even more valuable in the long run. Tiffanie Kellog joins Dr. Misner to talk about contact spheres in BNI.
Meaghan Chitwood joins Dr. Misner to talk about how being open to feedback makes you more referrable, and how to give feedback to help your fellow BNI members become more referrable.
Vickie Wacek, opera singer and executive director of BNI Vermont, joins Dr. Misner on the show this week to talk about why the first year is the hardest year of BNI membership.
Kevin Harrington joins Dr. Misner to share his secrets for becoming the go-to person in his industry and building billion-dollar businesses.
Divide your presentation into thirds for better referral generation. Remember, you don't want to sell to your fellow members: you want to sell through them.
Dr. Misner shares a story from his youth about how important networking is--even (or maybe especially) in rough neighborhoods. If you have a story about a real-life networking lesson you learned, share it in the comments.
A focused invite day is a day each month where the whole chapter invites visitors who are in the featured presenter's contact sphere. That means every member gets a day where the entire chapter is focused on bringing the most likely referral partners for that member to the meeting.
Kevin Barber joins Dr. Misner on the podcast this week to talk about why the BNI Foundation is relevant to the average BNI member. You can't have an organization with the philosophy "Givers Gain" without wanting to support social causes.
This is a rebroadcast of Episode 472. Synopsis Because you give away a little bit of your reputation when you make a referral, trust is very important to the referral process. BNI can accelerate the process of developing trust between BNI members through regular 1-2-1s. To be effective, a 1-2-1 needs to be both structured and […]
Body language can be a powerful attractant--or deterrent--in networking. Here are Dr. Misners answers to four questions that the media have asked over the years about body language and networking.
Dr. Misner shares more tips for "networking up." The most important thing to remember when making connections with people who are more successful than you are is "Don't sell to them!"
Keep the "wow" in the referral part of your weekly BNI meeting. remember to tell the group the names of the people you're passing business to and add details to help visitors get excited about how much business is passed in BNI.
BNI Connect is an incredible resource. Not completing your BNI Connect profile is like taking out a full-page ad in the newspaper...and leaving it blank.
If you can break your business down to its smallest components and focus on just one aspect of your business in your weekly presentations, it works much better than providing a laundry list of things you do, or a vague and meaningless term like "full-service."
Successful people know how to focus on a roadblock and turn it into an overpass. The secret is making the problem part of the solution.
The referral part of a BNI meeting is the reason BNI was created. It's not the "slips" part of the meeting. It's not the "I have" part of the meeting. It's the referral part of the meeting. If you don't have a referral, give a heartfelt and meaningful testimonial to another member.
Tiffanie Kellog shares a specific, proactive referral-generation strategy. Once you've established credibility with the other members of your BNI chapter, you can accelerate the referral process by sharing your databases during a one-to-one and developing a strategy for introducing each other.
Dr. Misner believes a Facebook "Like" is an endorsement, but not a referral. Your group can ask members to "Like" each other's pages and recognize them for doing so without counting them as referrals.
You can only help people who are ready and willing to be helped. When you meet a prospect, find out whether they want a ladder before you offer to help them out of the hole they're in. And never stop looking for ladders to take you to the next level. There's no reason to accept mediocrity when excellence is an option.
The referral part of a BNI meeting is meant for referrals and testimonials. This is your chance to tell your chapter you've been passing business to other BNI members. Let the chapter president thank the speaker at the end of the feature presentation, and keep this time for referrals and testimonials.
Vickie Wacek joins Dr. Misner on the podcast today to talk about how everyone can use BNI, even those who aren't members. Why trust an algorithm to refer you to a service provider? BNI is the relationship version of Angie's List, the ultimate referral source for everyone.
In honor of the 400th episode of The Official BNI Podcast, Dr. Misner chose to discuss BNI's 5 core values and 2 additions: Accountability & Recognition. They're still relevant now that we're at Episode 557.
How do you avoid dueling monologue syndrome? Don't show off, show interest. Nothing expedites a relationship faster than helping someone you've met by referring another person.
Great influencers attract people to their ideas through their focus on bringing value to others. In this episode, Bob Burg shares 3 of the 5 secrets of genuine influence from his new book, The Go-Giver Influencer.
Dr. Misner talks to Matthew Pollard, author of The Introvert's Edge, about why introverts have an advantage in sales--and networking.
This week Glenn Warner from the Referral Paradise Chapter of BNI in Northern Kentucky joins Dr. Misner to share a story about coach Vince Lombardi, who got frustrated one day and said to his team "This is a football. This is a yard line. You're the players. I'm the coach."
Dr. Misner offers suggestions about how to get your fellow BNI members to turn into their Thank You for Closed Business (TYCB) forms and why they are important to the success of the whole chapter, not just the individual member.