BNI Members voice their thoughts...
Luke Munro - BNI Starship
 
When you ask BNI Team to assist you with any request/query you can be assured you will get a prompt and helpful response. Recently I've asked for some assistance from Susan Johnson and Glenn Kirkwood and thought a reasonable timely response would have been about 24 hours. My request was dealt with and finalised within about 45mins and confirmation was sent to me shortly after - I'll have to try to have more unrealistic expectations in future to see how far I can go...

Thanks again to BNI Team - Your service is always exceptional and I'm grateful to be a member of a chapter operating in the BNI Team Franchise Region.
David Zammit - BNI Express
 
I was a founding member of the Express (Maitland) Chapter in 2006 and have had a ball over that time including a stint as the second President. I can honestly say that the weekly BNI meeting is one of the highlights of the week. Last year I visited a BNI chapter in Harlem New York and another in Calgary Canada and instantly felt part of the BNI family. Their feed back to me was that I had obviously been very well trained in Australia. Thanks to Glenn Kirkwood and his tireless support and training, myself and others in our chapter have been blessed with great increases in quality business since joining. Only last week, Glenn made the long trip from Sydney again to train us on our 60 second infomercials. The night was a timely reminder of how easy it is to drift away from the fundamentals where your 60 seconds becomes innefective for your sales team. Thanks Glenn for reminding us of the basic principles again. I have already rewritten my infomercial for this week and look forward to trying it out with great success. Givers Gain!!!!!!!!!
Matthew Pritchard - BNI Express
 
I just want to thank Glenn Kirkwood for the Advanced MSP training session that he ran for BNI Express chapter last week. The session was Sales Manager Minute and I have to admit that I got more out of it than I expected. The session breaks down your minute into the elements that you need to include so that your team can effectively pass referrals to you. The session is interactive and is a great top down look at how to put together not just one great 60 second sales pitch but a whole year's worth. The handout is really useful and is a great template that you can take away and get your SMM focused on what referrals you actually want to get. It is definately worth making the time to attend this training.

I appreciate you making the time to run this seminar outside of your normal training schedule. I know our chapter very much appreciates your time.

Matthew Pritchard
The Gecko
Gecko Security
BNI Express
Merv Wells - BNI Express
 

I have just attended my first training event - 'Sales Managers Minute' and i must say that it definitely gave me pause for thought! Utilising that 60seconds to its best advantage and ideas on how to focus more on the specifics of who we want as good referrals, what exactly we have to offer potential clients from our business expertise. As the training progressed, bits and pieces kind of came together and i thought i'll go over that info again later and try to improve my presentation. At 5am the next morning....i had a light bulb moment!!(lucky i'm an early riser) just like the story Glenn told us about the 'Splashback' it came to me. Ideas on how to grab the attention and get across those all important specifics of what i'm about and who i need to talk to. Of course the real testament as to how effective my listening and learning skills are will be on Wednesday morning at our next chapter meeting. I’m sure the outcome will be positive and i look forward to more opportunities to grow my skills and therefore my business, with the help of bni!
Serge Crismale - BNI Phoenix
 
A big thank you for Glenn Kirkwood and members of BNI Phoenix.

When I completed my August Management Report I found that 67% of my invoicing raised for the month represented 67% of my total sales. In dollar terms this is over $7,000 for the month - yes MONTH this has been the highest percentage attributed to BNI referrals for my business in the last 2 years.

Needless to say I am over the moon with this result.

On closer investigation over the last 12 months I can attribute $52,121.27 to BNI referrals, members, and visitors. Since Joining in August 2006 $87,835.

For me this represents a ROI of 4.2 times
Darren Gladman - BNI Express
 
We began trading in September 2005 and being in pest control it is seasonal, we spend our summers very busy and our first summer was no exception. Being inexpierienced in business(I had worked in pest control for the 7 years prior) and as the nights began to get longer and colder, our phone stopped ringing as much and I thought I may need to go and find some part-time work to keep an income coming in. However in May of 2006 David Zammit from YBI.com invited me to a networking group that was trying to start up in Maitland. I already knew that building relationships in business was important and had made up my mind to join before I had left the first meeting. It has turned out to be the making of my business and an important part of guiding me through the business of being in business, building business relationships and the givers gain philosophy. Thanks to BNI!
Janelle Gerrard - BNI Four Hundred
 
I have a client who is a computer programmer and was too busy to code up his web site so I referred Mitchell. The feedback I recieved from my client has been excellent - in his words it is some of the best code he has seen in a long time. I guess the behind the scenes technical stuff most of us are unaware if it is done well except if it doesn't work...so well done Mitchell and your peers admire your work which is the best praise you can get.
Richard Horton - BNI Civic
 
My name is Richard Horton & I am a member of Civic chapter Lake Macquarie. I have been in BNI for nearly 12 months & until recently had only had 2 referrals. 1 turned out to be a competitor, whom I ended up referring work to, the 2nd was very promising but has amounted to nothing. This all changed last week when Wayne Harrison of Truway referred & actually personally introduced me to a new client at the Hunter Port Authority. I have already been given an opportunity to quote approximately $6000 worth of work which is ideally suited to my very specialized Mechanical Design Company. For those of you out there in a very specialized field who think it is just not going to happen Hang In There!
Greg Williamson - BNI Starship
 
A big rap for Glenn Kirkwood and the team at my BNI chapter. Having been involved in Real Estate for 19 years i have attended and been a part of numerous networking groups designed to offer opportunities to do business etc, however due to lack of enthusiasm and structure they failed to deliver anything like what has been experienced so far the chapter. Quality Networking requires participation from all members to create Quality results. Glenn has been nothing short of a fantastic leader offering support whenever and as often as required and i on behalf of all at my chapter thank him for his efforts. Kind Regards Greg Williamson Williamson Best Agents Narellan , where "Our goal is focused on helping you achieve yours"

Tim Callcott - BNI Four Hundred
 
I attended the Leadership Team Training last night - there were 2 highlights

1. the calibre of the people who are involved in BNI - there were representatives from 6 BNI chapters in attendance and they were quality people who made the evening very enjoyable

2. the sheer enthusiasm and skill that Glenn Kirkwood possesses - the success of a training course rides heavily on the back of the Presenter - Glenn is OUTSTANDING and I guarantee that not one person left the event in any doubt as to WHY their role is important and armed with the tools needed to do it properly

Thanks Glenn and all BNI'ers for making my night, Cheers
Luke Munro - BNI Starship
 
I have been involved with BNI for only a very short time (less than 7 months). I am involved in helping start a new chapter which I am glad to say officially starts Wednesday 21 May 2008 (Independence Day).

I am very fortunate as I am a member of a chapter which falls under the direction of Glenn Kirkwood, Executive Director of BNI Sydney South West, Central Coast and Lower Hunter Valley Regions. Never in my life have I met a person with so much passion, drive and committment to helping others in business.

Glenn has provided me invaluable advice (which I doubt I could even quantify). Better still is Glenn helps me and others without even giving second thought to how it could help him. It is no surprise to me to know that the number 1, 2 & 3 regions of BNI in Australia are Sydney South West, Central Coast and Lower Hunter Valley.

I suggest to anyone reading this testimonial - Do yourself a favour (whether you are involved in a chapter in the above regions or any other) contact Glenn Kirkwood and get the best support in business anyone could offer you.
Charmaine Perry - BNI Universal
 
I would like to encourage BNI Members to make the effort to attend the training sessions that are put on outside the BNI Breakfast Meeting. I have been to 3 and have found all of them well worth the effort. It is of even greater value if you car pool as you get to know the other members more. Charmaine Perry BNI Universal
Luke Munro - BNI Starship
 
I was first invited to BNI by 2 other local business people that genuinely wanted to help me in business. I cannot thank these two people enough (Ron Bahar of Modern Conveyancing and Greg Williamson of Williamson Best Agents).

I'm sure they were confident by inviting me they were helping me in business. Whilst I was confident I was not really sure how much BNI could help me and my business. Not only do I receive business I'm able to help my contacts obtain the right advice, service or product and can refer them with confidence knowing they will be looked after.

The cost of BNI is very easily overcome by the invaluable benfit you receive for such a small investment. My business would not be as strong as it is without BNI and am very greatful to be involved - You may like to note that I am a member of a Chapter that is only just starting (Independence Day 21 May 2008) - If I can say such positive things at this early stage I can only imagine how good it will be after a number of years as a full member.

If you are not involved in Word-of-Mouth marketing you are missing out. If you are involved in Word-of-Mouth marketing but not with BNI, you are missing out. Do yourself, your clients and your contacts a favour - Get involved in BNI
Ashley Smith - BNI Starship
 
Dear Glenn Kirkwood and Susan Johnson,

Firstly I must say thank you for all your support you have given myself so far with BNI Starship.

I will be honest when i first joined BNI, I though "how the hell am I going to get people to come along as visitors let alone join this great journy with myself and all my BNI collegues in our Starship chapter.

Slowely I have read and re-read all the information provided to me and used a little perserverience to achieve a result of ended up with 6 visitors to our kickoff/visitors day on wednesday just gone.

To myself that was a "personal achievement" that I never dreamed of doing in the past.

What I did realise was "how I can help other people with their business" and to tell those that did ask what they can get and "how to get the best out of BNI". BNI to myself is the best investment I have ever made in my life.

Out of the six visitors to our visitors day three want to come back for another look on the 14th May and another person is a new visitor.

Again I would like to say thank you for your support with phone calls, emails and just being there for myself and my business.

Ashley Smith
Pole Line Photography
Kaylie Noble - BNI Four Hundred
 
I'm from the 400 Chapter in Newcastle and would like to give Adam Lysle from the Morningstar Chapter in Campbelltown a rap.

Adam received a referral lead from a potential new member and took action to seek a suitable match. After email and phone contact with Adam, I received the contact details and then had a bouyant conversation with the lead involved and now have an appointment to meet with her and discuss a possible business relationship.

This is very exciting for me and my business but would not have happened if Adam hadn't been proactive nor believed in the BNI Giver's Gain Philosophy.

Thank you, Adam. Thank you BNI - it works.

Kaylie Noble
2nd May 2008
Tim Callcott - BNI Four Hundred
 
I have been a founding member of BNI 400 and am proud to be associated with the best BNI chapter in Australia.
It makes me particularly proud to see how the membership has grown and also how the members have grown as the BNI processes work their magic

I want to acknowledge a member today who has really impressed me with his transformation. Robert McKessar, Personal Injury Specialist and Managing Partner of Braye Cragg Solicitors. Rob has really grown over the past months and his recent 60 second Infomercial was spectacular. It is particularly challenging to be specific in Robs field, yet he managed to give a great example of how we could all help him - and it was so simple.

If you or someone you know, needs a personal injury specialist, I cannot recommend anyone else than Rob McKessar from Braye Cragg
Brad Oldham - BNI Civic
 
If you are reading this testimonial because you are wondering whether BNI can help your business, then I hope I can help shed some light for you...

I have been involved in BNI now for almost two years and it continues to provide qualified, quality referrals for my business - somewhere around 40% of new business written. The great thing though is the relationships I have built both within our chapter and through the wider BNI community in the Newcastle & Central Coast regions. It has become a part of my thought process now that if I want a service or product, I first ask myself "who do I know in BNI?". Even better than that, I get a buzz out of knowing that I have helped another BNI member get the business they want.

I know I am not alone in my views, and would suggest that if you are sitting on the fence with BNI - get off and get into it. A word of warning though. It is a participation sport - Givers Gain works, but only if you put the effort in.

If you would like to speak to me about BNI, just click the link "Contact" up in the top right.
Kristen Perry - BNI Four Hundred
 
My first thoughts were 'am I really a morning person'?
Now I really AM a morning person.
I look forward to every Thursday 7am session with anticipation and I get a great deal of satisfaction by helping my team hook into my 'fishing pond' of contacts and clients!
Susan Johnson - BNI Phoenix
 
The advanced "Sales Manager Minute" session I attended this morning was FANTASTIC!
Glenn provided information I have not yet seen in any of his other training sessions. He continually raises the bar and this workshop will help take my SSM to the next level in terms of helping me increase the number and profitabilty of the referrals I receive. Thanks Glenn

Darren Zammit - BNI Morningstar
 
The training I received in an hour and a half at MSP orientation last night has been more beneficial to my business than 8 hours of training I received through my franchisor.
Stephen Dillon - BNI Revenue
 
Glenn Kirkwood brings enthusiasm and a wealth of ideas to his training. He uses real world examples and business experience to make the messages both relevant and practical to implement.
Mitchell Holding - BNI Four Hundred
 
I was quite nervous joining BNI as I haven’t done alot of networking before. The group has been extremely welcoming and easy going. Fantastic bunch of people.
John Reilly - BNI Revenue
 
One of the best aspects of BNI is the chance to talk about your business for 60 seconds each week in front of 20 people. The purpose is to talk about a specific aspect of your business to help other members in your network chapter, mine being BNI Revenue, to find more referrals for you.

We had our kick off day with about 50-60 people attending and I got the opportunity to talk about my business for 60 seconds in front of 50-60 people. I was describing how I helped one of my clients with specific ATO issues.

As soon as the meeting was finished one of the visitors who were attending came up to me and said, "Do you want another one of those clients". Well of course I said yes, gave them my card. I was leaving the venue and checking the messages on my phone, there was a message from that visitors contact. That's the power of the referral.

Needless to say I made appointment, got a new client which has already paid for my BNI membership more than 10 times over in less than three months.
Craig Toyne - BNI Four Hundred
 
I must admit that I was hesitant about joining another "networking group". Past experiences had not been good ........ I had not gotten a lot out of them and i had found it difficult to refer to others.

BNI has been much different. The training and structure that exists has made it easy to become part of the group and to contribute in many ways. The greatest surprise is that armed with the skills and structure BNI has provided that i have been able to easily refer business to my colleagues. It almost comes naturally, which from an accountant is quite a statement!

I have recieved more referrals than i expected, which is great ........... but the experience has given me so much more, both professionally and personally.
Matt Linnert - BNI Four Hundred
 
I was sceptical about BNI and whether the people involved would genuinely be there to give, or would be more interested in just their gain. The group I am involved with, BNI 400, has put to rest my scepticism with the emergence of a group of people who give generously and warmly, and are deeply grateful and appreciative when others give to them. I have been involved with a raft of networking groups over the years and have met many fabulous people. Unfortunately, so many well intended networking groups are tea and coffee gatherings as opposed to focused and proactive word-of-mouth marketing initiatives. BNI attracts givers, repels takers, and, to put the commercial hat on, works.
Kaylie Noble - BNI Four Hundred
 
I joined BNI400 which formed late last year and am enjoying myself immensely. I was hesitant about a weekly commitment but after sharing 6 weeks of training with the members and getting to know them, I fully embrace the philosophy, am benefiting from the referral system and look forward to meeting up for breakfast every Thursday.

The Dance Cards have helped me to respect and appreciate the other members even more. Their passion for their chosen business, their ideas and way of conducting themselves has given me professional insight and development for my own business - an added bonus. I enjoy their company because they're great people and I just love the sense of humour and fun we have each week.

I thoroughly recommend BNI to anyone. It's not just a networking group, it's a great way to 'do business'.

Kaylie Noble
Janelle Karbowiak - BNI Four Hundred
 
I have been a member of BNI 400 for about 2 months. I had heard of BNI and all the rules. I initially thought this isn't for me, I hate structure. Well after 2 months I'm loving it. It's easy to get up early each week and have lots of fun (even with structure). Well done BNI 400 - what a fantastic group.

I also have a rap for Peter Carmichael. I have a delivery guy who delivers to me regularly. Each time he comes he talks about his holidays. This morning when he arrived I gave him Peter's card and said this guy can help you with your next holiday. He took one look and said I know him - he booked my first trip to Europe and did a fantastic job. I can't wait to book our trip.

Janelle Karbowiak
Wrapped to You - gifts and hampers
Lisa Roberts - BNI Four Hundred
 
How wonderful it is to be a member of a BNI family again. In the 1990s I was involved in setting up the Dural chapter of BNI and was firmly committed to all of its philosophies. Then life changed, as it does, and I moved home to Newcastle at which time there was no BNI chapter. Since that time I have gone from being an employee to principal of my own firm which is very exciting but, because I am a sole practitioner, is a very lonely life. How fortunate for me that a member of the new BNI 400 invited me along to a visitor's breakfast. I didn't need to be convinced as I thought I already knew BNI and how fabulously it would enhance my business life. But if I loved the BNI I was involved in in the 1990s it was but a mere infant in comparison to the BNI of today. The resources have increased a thousandfold and their applications are so useful to help me be a giver in ways that I hadn't even thought of. Congratulations to Glenn and his team - I cannot speak highly enough of the value that I have received from my return to BNI and that's regardless of whether I ever receive a referal. Lisa Morison, Solicitor.
Rod McLean - BNI Four Hundred
 
BNI400 has been fantastic and in so many ways.

-It has been very productive for me interms of referrals and direct business
-It is a very dynamic positive & productive group
-I have benefited greatly from spending time both presenting & receiving dance cards
ie building relationships
having genuinely helpful business & services to offer clients & friends who have a need
I have learnt or refined a bunch of skills that are invaluable in life as well as business
-It is both stimulating and fun

Thank you BNI400

Rod McLean
Tim Callcott - BNI Four Hundred
 
If you are serious about growing your business then you MUST be in BNI. There is simply no better way to grow your qualified referrals, your connections and your networking skills

And if you want to be the BEST you can be, then you HAVE to be a BNI Team Member. Why....?

Because your Director and Leader is Glenn Kirkwood and he is the most proficient exponent of Givers Gain you will meet. Every person who meets Glenn walks away a better business person (but only if they have taken the time to listen to what he has to say)

It is no coincidence that Glenn owns the Top 3 BNI chapters in Australia - his passion, dedication and sheer enthusiasm is contagious. He consistently raises the bar and creates new opportunities for all his members week after week

If you are reading this far and are not ready to join BNI - you have rocks in your head
Susan Johnson - BNI Phoenix
 
When I first approached Glenn Kirkwood about the ‘planned’ Camden’ Chapter, little did I realise what the future held in store!
I started out looking for an ‘active’ business referral group I could join in my local area. On hearing about BNI, I looked up the BNI website for local Chapters and found that a Chapter was being planned for Camden. I rang Glenn Kirkwood who invited me to an information session in a nearby area so I could see what BNI was all about.
I was astounded at just how professional and focussed BNI is about helping business owners generate business through referrals. It was also obvious just how passionate Glenn Kirkwood is about BNI. I decided that this was exactly what I was looking for. The only drawback was that there wasn’t a Chapter in my local area.
However, with Glenn Kirkwood’s incredible support and encouragement, I took a gigantic leap outside my comfort zone and started inviting other local businesses to come to an information session to see what this fantastic organisation is all about.
We now have a sensational group of people in our Chapter who are all about ‘Givers Gain’.
We have even had visitors comment about the ‘buzz’ in the room as they walk through the door.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to BNI and Glenn Kirkwood, not only for the sensational Chapter we have built in Camden and the many referrals our members are swapping already, but also for my own personal development since being involved.
…..and we haven’t even started yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kind regards,
Susan Johnson
SJ Finance & Insurance
0409 040 443