At the recent BNI National Directors Conference in Melbourne, Tasmania won the joint Number 1 award for Australia for Key Success Factor attainment for 2006. Tasmanian tied with the NSW North Coast region.The state franchise also won the greatest chapters increase award.
Executive Director Dan Garlick is pictured with National Director Geoff Kirkwood.

It's free, easy, and a networking must-have.

By now, we've all heard about the exciting new BNI Podcast that debuted in early April 2007. It has revolutionized communication within BNI. Now Dr. Misner can speak directly to BNI members worldwide through podcast episodes, which can be accessed for free!

But some of us when we hear the word "podcast" still envision something of great mystery and complexity—technology more suitable on alien spacecraft than on our home computer. But by understanding the facts and basic-how-to instructions, you will see how user-friendly BNI Podcasts are—and why you can't afford to miss out on this rich educational tool.

What is a podcast?
A podcast is a collection of files (in this case, audio files) that can be accessed by the simple press of a button on the website where they are listed. You can download and save each podcast as a file on any computer (for free, in the case of BNI Podcasts). You can also subscribe to a BNI Podcast, free of charge, which means each time a new episode becomes available it will automatically download to your computer. You don't have to do anything. Since podcasts are all pre-recorded, you can listen to them whenever you want!

Still confused? Click on this link for a guided demonstration: 
Learn How to Play a Podcast, Subscribe, and Download Free
http://www.bnipodcast.com/BNI-Podcast-Demo  

Why was the BNI Podcast created?
BNI has over 4,700 chapters in 37 countries, which makes communication within the organization a bit of a challenge at times. Podcasts flatten the communication hierarchy, making it possible for Dr. Misner to speak directly to members about how to make the most of their BNI participation. The podcasts give each and every BNI member worldwide a weekly 10-minute session with the "Father of Modern Networking." Members also have the opportunity to communicate directly with Dr. Misner by posting comments and questions on the BNI Podcast Site's blog, which Dr. Misner checks on a regular basis.

Though some podcasts are informative and some feature guests, the majority of podcasts are educational. They are an absolute must-listen-to for Education Coordinators and Leadership Teams.

Dr. Misner wants to hear from YOU!
Is there a topic that you think would be great to address in a podcast? Send it in! Dr. Misner will be bringing on guests—directors and members alike—who have great ideas they want to share. It could very well be you! Please send any story, topic, or idea that you think would make for a great podcast to Erin Mellinger, Communications Coordinator (erin@bni.com). Though it won't be possible to use every topic that is submitted, all submissions are appreciated and encouraged.

Submitted by Erin Mellinger, Communications Coordinator, BNI Headquarters

The BNI State office now has an Operations Manager to look after all the administrative functions of BNI in Tasmania.
Skye Drake comes to us with a background in event management, sales and marketing and basically everything else to do with running an office.
Skye is contactable about any BNI matter on skye.drake@bnitasmania.com.au or at the office on 6231 5611.
You will be receiving communications from Skye from time to time relating to BNI processes and procedures.

Next week on June 20th we have been lucky enough to secure the presence of global networking specialist Robyn Henderson.
Anyone who was present at her last Big Breakfast presentation will recall what a dynamic and inspiring speaker she is.
Robyn visits Launceston on Wednesday June 20th to talk about the concept of Strategic Networking.
Robyn has authored and contributed to 19 books including 10 on networking and business building.

Numbers are strictly limited to 50 so bookings are essential. Bookings will only be accepted via the website. 

 

During July Leo Petrik, Executive of BNI Gold Coast will visit Tasmania. Leo will run a series of workshops on Advanced Member Success Training in Hobart and Launceston.

The advanced MSP workshops are designed to further enhance critical aspects of the BNI system. The workshop takes 3.5 hours to complete.
If you are serious about your BNI membership and becoming a better networker then this is a must attend event.
Book via the website.

Leo will also present a workshop entitled The Power of Power Teams.
If you would like to come along and learn some of the successful Power Team techniques that has helped Leo build strong high referring chapters please book as soon as possible via the website.

The not-so-mysterious reasons why the Professional Connections Chapter doubled.

 

Twelve months and 26 members ago, our leadership team made a commitment to double our membership ranks by December 2006. Our plan was specific and measurable, and as a result, we achieved and even surpassed our target goal of 52 members. While some chapter outsiders marveled at our accomplishment, our secrets are simple and few.

 
Make Your Meetings Fun and Purposeful

While our president strictly follows BNI's meeting agenda, we enjoy light-hearted moments and laughter during our 90 minutes together every Wednesday morning. Guests typically comment, "Your meetings are so high energy. What a positive way to start the day!"

Try these suggestions to pep up your meetings. During your Sales Manager's Minute (60 second infomercial), encourage members to recite—in unison—part of a member's memory hook. For example, our financial planner's memory hook is "Friends Don't Let Friends Retire Broke." Our financial planner cues the audience with "Friends Don't Let Friends … " and, the audience recites in unison, "Retire Broke!"

No one falls asleep or fiddles with their PDA in our meetings when 56 people shout "Retire Broke!"

Our meeting timer rings a bell to remind talkative members or guests to finish up. Our Membership Report along with our Network Reality Check are delivered in two minutes. Our 10-minute Sales Presentations finish on time. We begin promptly at 7:30 am and end at 8:55 am—sharp. Our weekly referrals given average is 65-80, dance cards average is 80-90, and visitors average is 5-8.

We have fun, without losing sight of our meeting purpose: to exchange timely, meaningful referrals between non-competing professionals.

 
Invite Membership Prospects Who are Compatible with Your Existing Membership

Implement "Power Teams" in which member categories form referral alliances. These aren't loose cliques, but seriously committed teams of 5-6 trusting professionals who sincerely care for and actively demonstrate commitment to each other weekly.

For example, we recently recruited a business broker to compliment our Professional Services Power Team. What happens when a business changes hands? The new owner may need a new CPA, payroll processing service, telephone system, website re-design, computer system, software upgrade, and marketing consultant to increase market share and/or re-train the sales force.

The morning after that business broker-guest attended our meeting he hand-delivered his completed application with payment to my office because he instantly saw the exponential referral potential of our Professional Services Power Team members!

Communicate Often and Openly with Your Director and Members

Keep your assigned advisors in your communications loop. Follow their advice and don't change the system BNI perfected and duplicated at 4,600 chapters worldwide!

PRACTICE THE RULE: Run Your Chapter Like a Business.

If an employee is absent or late three times, take action before others presume they can take the same liberties. So it is with member attendance. They receive a letter with a notice of probationary status plus a warning not to miss the fourth within six months.

Our Mentor Coordinator assembled and trained seven mentors who were each assigned 5-7 new members so no one falls through the cracks. Recently, we appointed a Power Teams Coordinator to implement and manage this essential activity within our growing ranks. Everyone is accountable: from the Leadership Team to each of our mentors to each Power Team Captain and our newest members.

 
Focus on Learning & Growing!

Everyone, from our original charter members to our newest members, is excited about our growth and our potential to become more effective and efficient givers and gainers.

From the new Advanced MSP Training Programs, which empowers our members to move to the next level of referral competence, to our weekly sharing of new ideas and concepts between members, the BNI philosophy is alive and well at Professional Connections!

Submitted by Gordie Allen, Assistant Director, BNI Central Florida

As a result of our invitation process, 85 people attended the launch of BNI Network Plus on March 6, 2007.

Weeks before the launch, we explained the invitation process to the core members. This included the 50/50/50/50 rule—you'll be able to have a phone conversation with 50% of the people you invite; 50% of those will be interested in BNI; of those interested, 50% will commit to being at the kick-off; and about 50% of those who commit will show up.

There are only two ways you can have an impact on the number of people who actually attend—send as many invitations as possible and make ALL the phone calls. The first phone call is to check that the invitation was received, verify plans to attend, and invite them to bring colleagues and friends. The second phone call is to find out how many people they are bringing. Fifty percent of confirmed visitors typically attend if they receive the first phone call. Eighty percent attend if they receive the second phone call.

The day before the kick-off, we left this message for our core members:

"Of 101 confirmed visitors, we have 69 who have reconfirmed (2nd phone call). We can expect 80% of those 69 to actually turn up = 56. As for the other 32 confirmed (only one phone call), we can expect 50% of those to turn up = 16. 56 + 16 = 72. We are in constant contact with 10 of our members and can expect all of them to be there as well as Bob and I = 72 +12 = 84."

We asked our core members to trust the process in order to have a successful kick-off. They did—the proof is in the results. This was the largest attendance to date in this region. The BNI Network Plus Chapter truly "walks the talk." They are a great example of what a BNI Chapter can be when you "trust the system."

Submitted by Marilyn and Bob Haldane, Executive Directors, BNI NSW South Coast