BNI (organization)
|
Local business, global network, Givers Gain | |
| Industry | Business networking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Ivan Misner |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, NC, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ivan Misner, Graham Weihmiller |
| Website | bni.com |
With over 195,000 members in 7,500 plus chapters worldwide, Business Network International (BNI) is the world's leading referral organization.[1] In 2015 alone, BNI members generated millions of referrals resulting in over $9.3 billion in closed business worldwide.[2] BNI was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner "for the primary purpose of building powerful referral networks".[3][4]
Chapter format
The BNI organization works by creating a group of people from various industries and encouraging regular passing of referrals.
- Each chapter allows one person per occupational classification, and prospective members must be approved via an application process.
- BNI's philosophy is "Givers Gain" - members are expected to focus on giving referrals to other members to build relationships and receive referrals in return.
- BNI draws a distinction between a "referral" and a "lead." A lead is contact information for a prospect for a member's business, while a referral occurs only when the prospect has already expressed interest in the business in question, and is ready to be contacted by the referred BNI member.
- Chapters have specific rules regarding required attendance in order to cultivate the relationships needed to create a comfort level in referring business.
- Chapters track the monetary amount of passed business in order to prove the value of the financial and time commitment.
Financial structure
- Members pay a one-off joining fee, an annual membership fee, and a weekly meeting fee to cover room hire and refreshments.
Statistics
- Number of chapters: over 7,540 (as of May 2016)
- Number of members: 198,000[5]
- Total annual value of referrals: 7.7 million referrals, resulting in $9.3 billion (USD) worth of business[6]
References
- ↑ "BNI web page". Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
- ↑ http://www.bni.com/BNINews/tabid/64/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/175/BNI-Launches-41st-and-42nd-Countries.aspx
- ↑ Jantsch, John (2006). "Ramp Up a Systematic Referral Machine". Duct Tape Marketing. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-59555-146-7.
- ↑ "Why Technology Is Rewarding Close Personal Relationships". California Science & Technology News. 2006-02-23. Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
- ↑ http://www.bni.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx#.VB3tcvldXy4|date=20 September 2014
- ↑ "2015 Ends Successfully for BNI". www.bni.com. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
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