I got an email from Elicia, the person who started this networking organization in Steiner Ranch. This organization is worldwide and Elicia started a chapter in Steiner Ranch. She can explain better what this organization is about. Read below.
BNI is a a professional networking organization that allows only one person from each profession and the opportunity to share referrals. It is a structured meeting that is held every week and can be a very powerful tool to help grow your business. We’re currently interviewing for people to pass our referrals to. Any type of business is welcome as long as it’s not already represented. Could be a CPA, massage therapist, life coach, car repair, hairdresser, plumber, interior designer, home stager, chiropractor…any business that benefits from word of mouth advertising. More information can be found on the BNI website at http://www.BNIAustin.com or by emailing Elicia Rudberg at EliciaRudberg@gmail.com.
If you are interested please email her.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Victor Thompson // Feb 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Back in 1997, I established my Farmers Insurance Agency in Lakeway with a total of zero policies. During the latter part of that first year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit a business networking group (BNI). Although, at the time I was not familiar with this Group, I knew in order to grow my business I needed to do something besides just putting an ad in the telephone book. I was amazed at the first meeting of the amount of referred business that was being passed between the BNI members. I quickly joined at the conclusion of that first meeting. Over the next four years I watched my Insurance Office explode with growth. In fact, I grew by nearly 1,200 policies during that period. I tracked my business transactions that were referred by the BNI Group, and realized that nearly half of all my Agency’s growth was do to those BNI referrals. I literally had several weekly meetings, were referrals paid my entire yearly BNI costs (which are minimal). Unfortunately, I had to leave the North Austin Group after roughly four years do to staffing emergencies in my Agency. Recently, I was blessed to receive an e-mail from Elicia Rudberg, informing me about a BNI Group that was forming in Steiner Ranch. I live in Steiner Ranch and office in Lakeway. In short, the location could not have been better. I immediately joined, before my competition had a chance. If you are trying to start or grow your existing business at a fast pace with quality referrals, then you should definitely check (The Steiner Ranch) BNI Group out. Sincerely, Victor Thompson.
2 Bill Marquardt // Feb 4, 2008 at 7:12 pm
My name is Bill Marquardt and the BNI Director helping to start the group in Steiner Ranch group. I’ve been in BNI for over 6 years and thought I would talk a little about why it works. First and foremost is our philosophy of givers gain. It is a powerful philosophy that is absolutely transformational. It’s focused on cooperation and collaboration. It’s an approach that involves helping other people over time, and by helping them, they will help you in return. Givers gain is an early tradition within the organization and it truly set us apart from other groups
Secondly, BNI devotes a huge amount of time to training. In 2007 alone, we devoted over 135,000 person hours to leadership team training alone. That’s huge. That’s far more than any other networking organization in the world. No organization in the world devotes as much time and energy into teaching people how to run effective networking meetings.
That’s not just a guess in the number of hours. It’s pretty easy to calculate. If you take 5000 chapters which is a proximately what we ended the year with and you multiply that times three leadership team people times to trading to hear times about 4 1/2 hours per training, you get 135,000 person hours. That doesn’t even include membership committee training, visitor host training, directors training, etc. BNI spends a lot of time teaching people how to network effectively.
A BNI meeting really is a way of creating a virtual Main Street in creating an environment where you can get together on a regular basis and connect with people and build a community through relationship networking. I think in this high-tech society, it’s always important to have that in-touch connection with the increase of technology to get out and connect with people. BNI is a great way to help create an opportunity for people to do just that.
Bill Marquardt
Sales Manager
FREEDOM BOAT CLUB
Lake Travis & Lake Austin
T +1 512.834.BOAT (2628) ext 4
M +1 512.642-3756
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The Boat is waiting!
“By the way, I pay $100 if you refer someone that joins the club!”
3 Bill Marquardt // Feb 22, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I wanted to let everyone know that we will be at 20 members by next weeks meeting. Don’t miss your chance to get involved.
Bill Marquardt
4 Elicai Rudberg // Apr 20, 2008 at 8:30 pm
We are having our kickoff meeting of the Steiner Ranch Referrals Chapter of BNI at the River Place Club, 4207 River Place Blvd., in Austin on Thursday, May 1, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
At this meeting, you can learn more about the organization and find out if you would be interested in generating a steady source of referral business for yourself.
Seating may be limited, so please let me know if you plan to attend; email me at Elicia@AustinRelocationResource.com and I will reserve a place for you! The fee of $20.00 includes a meal and beverages. Remember to bring plenty of business cards to pass around as you will meet lots of local business professionals.
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