What is BNI?

BNI is a business and professional networking organization whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals. The organization presently has over 4,200 chapters - approximately 84,000 members - in countries around the world including the North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Last year, members of BNI members passed over 4.4 million referrals which generated 1.7 billion dollars' (U.S.) worth of business for the members.

What makes BNI unique?

What makes BNI unique is that it allows only one person per profession to join a chapter. Thus, once you've joined, none of your competitors can participate.

How it works ...

At each meeting of a BNI chapter, the members are given the opportunity to explain their services and the types of referrals they are seeking. Often referred to as the "60-Second Commercial," this mechanism helps everyone in the chapter find new business for each other. Instead of concentrating your efforts training just one salesperson, this method effectively gives you 20 to 30 (or more!) salespeople looking for opportunities to refer your services.

Based on the concept of "Giver's Gain," the BNI system encourages support and interaction among the members and facilitates the referral process. Whenever a member hears of someone needing your services, they pass your business card to them and let you know of the referral. Each BNI member is trained in how to "qualify" a referral so they are passing you a warm lead - not a cold call!