by Kris Vigneri
You probably know by now that there is a formula to your success in BNI. Ivan previously wrote in SuccessNet about 3+1 = Member's Success. Through education we often talk about the "3" and do so through stories. However, we do not often talk specifically about the last piece, "+1" - Share Stories. Think about your many experiences and write them down, listening closely to your member's presentations and doing regular One-to-Ones will help you tell stories when you give referrals.
Before I continue with my story, I would like to take you back to Ivan's article, where he talks about a formula for a good story that he learned from Robert Dickman:
Can you think of a story? There are a ton of stories of other BNI members on SuccessNet in the "My BNI Story" section.
So, let me share mine:
I will have to admit, owning a BNI franchise was not my first career choice. Although my college degree is in marketing and fashion merchandising (two of my interests), my career path for the first 17 years was another interest and love, which was Human Resources. I am a classic nurturer and Human Resources allowed me to help people in many ways. Human Resources also allowed me to keep things fair and in balance for my employees which are very important to me. However, as Vince and I continued to grow our BNI business and my job was changing due to a corporate acquisition, we decided it was time to me to work with Vince on a full-time basis.
You probably know by now that there is a formula to your success in BNI. Ivan previously wrote in SuccessNet about 3+1 = Member's Success. Through education we often talk about the "3" and do so through stories. However, we do not often talk specifically about the last piece, "+1" - Share Stories. Think about your many experiences and write them down, listening closely to your member's presentations and doing regular One-to-Ones will help you tell stories when you give referrals.
Before I continue with my story, I would like to take you back to Ivan's article, where he talks about a formula for a good story that he learned from Robert Dickman:
- A story is a fact
- wrapped in an emotion
- that compels us to take action
- that transforms us in some way.
Can you think of a story? There are a ton of stories of other BNI members on SuccessNet in the "My BNI Story" section.
So, let me share mine:
I will have to admit, owning a BNI franchise was not my first career choice. Although my college degree is in marketing and fashion merchandising (two of my interests), my career path for the first 17 years was another interest and love, which was Human Resources. I am a classic nurturer and Human Resources allowed me to help people in many ways. Human Resources also allowed me to keep things fair and in balance for my employees which are very important to me. However, as Vince and I continued to grow our BNI business and my job was changing due to a corporate acquisition, we decided it was time to me to work with Vince on a full-time basis.
And
yet, after being around BNI for 11 years, I still didn't really get it. I was probably like most of the spouses and
family members of BNI members. When Vince
and I were first married, I knew he attended a meeting once a week for
BNI. He had a card binder that was in
the car, and was usually on my seat. Whenever
I would get into the car, I would move his card binder and name tag out of my
way. I met his fellow BNI members at
socials. And since meeting Vince 20
years ago, I knew he knew everybody, and we would often run into people
anywhere we would go, with his comment being, “I know him from BNI.” I knew enough that Vince tried to give
business to these members with the hope of receiving business in return.
In
2006, Vince began working as an Area Director for BNI, and by 2007, we had the
opportunity to buy the franchise in Nebraska.
By 2009, Vince made BNI his full-time job. During this time, I was a Human Resources
Director for a multi-state beauty supply company with over 500 employees across
8 states. I traveled to the company’s
office and warehouse operations in Denver and Rapid City often. In 2011, when we had the opportunity to
purchase the Western South Dakota and Wyoming franchise, it made sense since I
was very familiar with the areas. We
also knew that by the end of 2011, I would be making the transition to working
with Vince full-time with BNI. Again, I
still didn't get BNI and the Giver’s Gain philosophy.
As
I started learning about BNI, I spent most of my time in the first year
managing the administration side. If
there is one thing to know about how Vince and I make working together
successful it is because we are truly opposites! He is the extrovert and I am in the
introvert, he enjoys attending BNI meetings and meeting people, and I have to
prepare myself for the “Open Networking” portion of the meeting. My Human Resources background fit perfectly
with training the Vice-Presidents and Membership Committees and assisting
chapters with any member conflicts.
Then
Vince asked me to help with Core Groups (new chapters forming). The first one I helped with folded within 3
months because the group never got larger than 12 people and there were never
visitors. However, I was also struggling
with how to help them. Then I had my
next opportunity, and I began working with Tanya Blocker, Area Director in
Omaha. She and I created a system that
worked for both of us, and although we both had personal hurdles to overcome,
our first chapter was formed.

“You are the gatekeeper to the resources locked inside your network.”
Prior
to this statement is the following paragraph:
“Begin by understanding the
phenomenal value of your network. It’s a
gold mine. It’s a treasure chest of
talents, skills, and knowledge. It holds
the power to help people you care about in more ways than either you or they
can imagine.”
Oh
my! At this instant, a rush of weekly
presentations came popping into my head from the divorce attorneys, financial
advisors, roofers, insurance representatives, banking services, realtors, and
so much more…what have I done and what did I miss? I was the trusted individual that knew more
than they should about people’s personal lives.
Imagine the Tier 2 referrals I could have been passing to Vince, or even
better, why didn't I ever listen to him when he asked me, as a Human Resources
Director, to join a BNI chapter?
You
can imagine the shock on his face, and the “I told you so” look that came with
it when I shared this insight. Now, if
I could only turn back time and make better choices for both me and my
employees.
The
moral of this BNI story is don’t discount the potential network of any
visitor. Allow them to learn the BNI
philosophy of Giver’s Gain and teach them how to utilize their network to reap
the benefits of BNI.
Submit your story to us today and you may be featured in an upcoming monthly blog!!! Submissions can be sent to any BNI Heartland Director!
Submit your story to us today and you may be featured in an upcoming monthly blog!!! Submissions can be sent to any BNI Heartland Director!