Here are five tips to help you meet your BNI units of business requirement (and generate some business for yourself as well!)
1. Find visitors, referrals (and customers) at networking events in and around Toronto
One networking event can easily provide a month's worth of visitors and referrals. Commit to a goal of attending just one networking event a month and you'll easily meet your units of business!
- Networking Groups on Facebook:
- Toronto Business Casual: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50081919584
- CityVIP Toronto: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2262614271
- FastLane: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24694800824
- JCI: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2252185222
- Toronto Open Networking: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10144758942
- BIAs (Business Improvement Areas): http://www.toronto.ca/bia/toronto_bia.htm
- Biz Networking News (weekly e-newsletter featuring networking events around the GTA): http://www.biznetworknews.com/
- Chambers of Commerce:
- Toronto Board of Trade: http://www.bot.com/
- Ontario Chamber of Commerce: http://occ.on.ca/
- Ontario Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: http://www.oglcc.com
- Ajax/Pickering: http://www.apboardoftrade.com
- Brampton: http://www.bramptonbot.com and http://www.skillswithoutborders.ca
- Etobicoke: http://www.etobicokechamber.ca/
- Markham: http://www.markhamboard.com/
- Mississauga: http://www.mbot.com/
- Richmond Hill: http://www.rhcoc.com/
- Vaughan: http://www.vaughanchamber.ca
- Google!
2. Use the services of a member in the group
It’s a great way to learn about your other members' services. You’ll also find it much easier to refer to members after having used their services yourself.
3. Testimonials
Give written testimonials for both internal and external referrals you've given.
4. Generate referrals from your existing and former Client base
Generating referrals for your referral partners from your existing and former client base can be done in a simple way. Send a letter to your clients and everyone with whom you have a relationship highlighting contacts who offer specific services (BNI members). After listing them, tell your contacts that if they ever need the services of one of these professionals to please contact you for a personal introduction. (from BNI website – SuccessNet - May 2008)
5. Keep your fellow members in mind during the week
An important part of infomercials is when members say what type of referral they’re looking for this week. Write down what fellow members are looking for and post that on a wall by your desk. During the week, review the list periodically and jot down any contacts that come to mind.
