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Breakfast morning is recipe for success
AN EARLY morning breakfast every Tuesday is proving to be the recipe for success for business.
The thought of getting up at the crack of dawn every Tuesday morning to network may seem unusual, but it has been the most profitable and productive part of the working week in conducting their local business.
Members of Morpeth's Turner Chapter of Business Network International (BNI) meet over breakfast at 7am every Tuesday, every week of the year to generate business for themselves and each other.
Members represent a diverse range of occupations including an accountant, a public relations consultant, a virtual assistant and a web designer.
BNI was founded in the 1980s by American management consultant, Ivan Misner who created a highly structured networking group with the philosophy of "givers gain".
Now, the organisation has grown to more than 5,000 chapters and 76,000 members worldwide.
In the UK and Ireland alone, there are 564 BNI Chapters which last year gave over 538,406 referrals, leading to business worth 185m.
Chapter members have the advantage of knowing that there is no business competition amongst other members as only one representative from a particular profession is allowed.
Nicola Laidlow, chapter director, said: "Membership of BNI brings with it a huge competitive advantage as joining a chapter effectively locks out the competition."
Brian Boland from Ravenshill Drive in Ashington who runs BLB Financial Services, a mortgage advisory business is a relatively new BNI member and is enjoying meeting new people and building up business relationships: "Getting to know the members is great for bringing in business.
"It's amazing how quickly strong personal relationships are formed and we all try to help each other to gain business. It's all about getting to know someone, liking them and trusting them."
Each breakfast meeting follows a 20 point agenda specifically designed to help members gain new business.
The agenda includes an opportunity for members to highlight their business in a 60 second presentation and to request specific contacts and referrals from other members' business contacts.
Keith Newman from Morpeth based public relations firm Highlights PR has been a member of BNI since April and is delighted with the amount of referrals his business has received.
"It's a bit of a daunting thought getting up so early to network.
"However, it's definitely worth the effort due to the amount of new work I've gained as a result.
"It's also a great feeling being able to refer my contacts to other Chapter members to give them business too."
The Turner Chapter is currently looking to expand its membership, with vacancies for a number of professions.
Nicola said: "We are particularly looking for tradespeople as this sector is under represented but attracts the greatest amount of referrals."
For more information about BNI contact Northumbria executive director Lynley Robb on (0191) 237 9820.
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Weather for Blyth
Saturday 04 February 2012
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