Testimonials

Lisa Jordan
Accent American, Inc.

BNI

During my first year in BNI, my company made an additional $100,000 directly from BNI member referrals. In my second year of membership, my company again made an additional $100,000 directly from BNI member referrals.

During my second year, I made a decision to learn more about networking and began attending the advanced training programs, and the Certified Networker Program. In the Certified Networker Program I learned how to define my target market and my contact sphere. I also learned more ways to “work my network” and develop on going referral relationships.

In 2009 my company made an additional $239,000 from these relationships and from additional BNI referrals. The really great part of all this - in 2008 my company made a total of $225,000. So the business I got from BNI in 2009 was more than my total gross revenues for 2008!

BNI does work if you do the work. I credit the increased success of my business in the past 3 years to my membership in BNI and the education on networking I got through the advanced trainings and the Certified Networker Program.

Johanna Eubanks
Eubanks All Travel Services

I joined BNI 5 months ago and decided to be on the Leadership Team. I thought it would be great exposure for my business and also wanted to learn the ins and outs of BNI. I attended the Leadership Training on September 28, 2009 and was not expecting to get anything other than some great training.

I ended up with a lot more than that. I met Elvi Lamping with Mary Kay and ended up getting 10 referrals as well as 5 bookings(closed business) with her alone. Out of the 10 referrals, 4 resulted in immediate closed business. And then between her and her National Director it has been a constant flow of referrals working with Mary Kay representatives.

Thank you so much to BNI and the wonderful people I have met. Thank you to Dr. Richard Kay for inviting and introducing me to BNI. Thank you to all the members at BNI Referral Connection; and a special Thank You to Tiffany Kellog with Thread Art.

Jason Maccaroni
Atlantic Pest Control

At Leadership Training on Monday I meet David DeMarcay from Synergy. I found out that he runs a large Apartment Building in Channelside. To make a long story short, David put me in touch with his Supervisor and I am going out to give a bid on 422 units...THE POWER OF BNI... - Jason (Atlantic Pest Control)

Karen Gillman
Intelligent Office

I am taking the Certified Networker Class for the second time. Each module is packed with ideas on how to better promote our business and fine tune our networking skills.
After each module we leave with a note pad of creative ways to enhance our marketing efforts.

Considering the results our company achieved after implementing only a quarter of the ideas the first go around; I decided to invest the time to work through the course a second time. My intentions are to work through the second part of the list - in effort to double our successes.

During the first go around, our instructor Tiffanie Kellog, led us thorough the module on press releases, news articles, and newsletters. I was so impressed! I concluded that our company had a lot of newsworthy stories to tell, and none of the information was getting out there!
I am not a good writer, and know when it is best to invest in a professional. So, we hired Julie Heidelberg from Heidelberg PR to write some releases for our company and the services we provide. On her first attempt the releases were picked up by several newspapers and numerous online magazines and websites. At that time we felt like the efforts were a great success.

Little did we know, a few bigger name media outlets kept the releases and have called on us months later to run a story on the same release that was submitted months ago.

This past week Fox News came to our office and filmed a 3 minute segment for their morning show. They featured Intelligent Office and the many benefits of a virtual office vs traditional space. See the clip below:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/good_day/power_breakfast_intelligent_office_100509

All this to say, I would never have acted on the marketing opportunity as it was not a skill I had developed on my own - and as with all professionals running a small business, did not have the time to invest to practice it.
I highly recommend the Certified Networker Program and have found the investment of time and $$ has more than paid for itself many times over. And… did I mention, once you go through the class once, you can come back again and again for free!

Gary Teaney
TCB

Regarding the Advanced Training on 10 Minute Presentations: I totally changed my presentation based on everything I learned in the session. The results were amazing. Having the focus on generating referrals instead of teaching my fellow members what I do made a profound difference. I followed the LCD format.

When I finished I turned to the time keeper to ask how much time was left just as the alarm went off. Very cool.

During the Referrals and Testimonial portion of the meeting over 10 people congratulated me on who I am for them and their business. As they went around people started saying it was a love fest and still said comments that touched and moved me. My only regret is I waited till my 3rd 10 minute presentation to take the training. There is no doubt that cost me big bucks.

Feel free to use any of these comments as any BNI member who has not yet taken the training is missing a powerful tool to increase referrals.

Renia Carsillo
C2B Professional and Life Development, LLC

I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for the phenomenal education on networking that Tiffanie Kellog and Tom Fleming gave me over the past 12 weeks. By using pieces of the Certified Networker I have already taken on three new clients and made a few very promising connections. Through the Certified Networker Program I've gained confidence and focus to help carry my developing business to the next level. With Tiffanie's marketing savvy and Tom's ability to cut to the heart of the matter, the two of you have created a powerful program that I'm excited to see grow in the area.

I've spent quite a bit of my professional life in a myriad of different sales, service, and referral training programs and have never found one with as much value and potential to transform my business as this one. Thank you both.

Dennis A. Jolicoeur
Edible Arrangements - Store 259

Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award Goes to Edible Arrangements®!

Pinellas Park - Gateway Chamber of Commerce elected Edible Arrangements® in Pinellas Park to receive the coveted Business Distinction award. Edible Arrangements® has a fresh fruit bouquet to make any occasion special – birthdays, anniversaries and congratulations to business events and client gifts. Their bouquets are made fresh with premium fruit and gourmet dipping fudge in a variety of stunning displays. Dennis and Laurie Jolicoeur own and operate two Edible Arrangements® stores in the Largo/Clearwater and St. Pete areas. Dennis and Laurie contribute their success to 4 factors:

1. The Edible Arrangements® Franchise is a sound concept.
2. They have trained their staff to always put the customer first and back it up with a 100%
satisfaction guaranty.
3. They have a strong commitment to give back to the community by donating to schools
and churches in the area.
4. BNI. Having moved to the Tampa Bay area from Massachusetts Laurie and Dennis had no network what so ever. By joining the BNI Grand Slam Chapter, Dennis and Laurie developed a quality network within a very short period of time. Within just a few months, the BNI network proved to be a crucial source for increased business, dependable employees, reliable vendors, and long lasting personal relationships.

Cory Waldron - Referral Connection Chapter
Accurate Insurance Mart

About a month ago at my weekly BNI meeting we were given a great educational moment. Jeanine McLeod of Cloud 9 Studios, our Educational Coordinator, spoke about goal setting. Basically she stressed the importance of writing down your goals, because if they’re not written down they’re only dreams! I took her advice to heart! As soon as I got back to the office I sat down and began to list everything I could do to help increase business. Once my list was complete my wife and I sat down to review it. When we agreed on the “Plan” we each signed off on it. It has been approximately 4 weeks since our “plan” has been in effect and I have seen an increase in activity and we have already sold some additional policies. Thank you BNI Referral Connection and Jeanine!

Jackie Sayles
Miracles & Maggie’s Tea Room

Tiffanie, your 1 to 1 advanced training is awesome. This was the second time I attended the course, and it was worth every minute and penny spent! Just to let you know, the tip you gave us all on making the most of testimonials was a huge success for me. I asked my BNI “team” to write what they liked most about our tea room on our page on the www.Teamap.com site. Because of the great response to our request, Maggie’s Tea Room is now ranked #5 in the whole State of Florida. This type of recognition on THE premiere site for tea rooms will equate to much needed extra income dollars. Thank you so much … You are truly wonderful and greatly appreciated!

Bob Mutzl
Suncoast Marketing Partners

BNI referrals have generated over 70% of our total business revenue during the last 3 years. I can't say enough about the effectiveness of the referral generating system that BNI teaches and promotes. Above and beyond the $$$ is the camaraderie and professional business atmosphere that our weekly meetings support.

Dianna Gilley
Florida West Insurance Inc

College taught you all you needed to know in order to practice your profession, but only the Certified Networker Program can teach you how to reach the people who need YOU.
I was trying to formulate a business plan for our company Florida West Insurance and was struggling. Struggling to get across our message, to set goals, and implement a real plan to grow the business! We also needed a good follow up plan to keep in touch with our current clients!
After the first module of Certified Networker, I was able to figure out exactly why I am in the insurance business and it was the start of a true business plan that helped me to design our web site, brochures, newsletter and other marketing materials to show the passion we have for protecting our families through the use of insurance.
Personally, I think everyone who is planning or dreaming of starting their own business should take Certified Networker.
This course helps you to define your reason for being in business and teaches you all the important lessons necessary to KEEP you in business and being successful!
One of the things that impressed me so much about Certified Networker is once you have taken the modules and become a Certified Networker Graduate; you may come back for refresher course at anytime for free.
There is not one college or university to my knowledge that would be willing to offer a past student refresher course or continuing education courses for FREE.
Our business grew from $600,000 to $2.1 million in 22 months.
If you are reading this and still have not signed up for Certified Networker because of the time and money then let me just say this. In today’s market you need every single edge you have to set yourself apart from your competition, and if you do not take the time to invest in this course now then it is quite possible that you will have more than enough time in the future .
Invest in yourself and in your future. Take the Certified Networker Course!

Jean Heller - Referral Masters Chapter
The Visions Group

"New members will cut months off their learning curve with the BNI NETWORKING SECRETS CDs, and for veteran members, it's full of material to which you might say, "I forgot all about that." I found more than half a dozen Eureka! moments in here."

John Chaplin
Minuteman Press

Having been a member of a different strong-contact networking group for a year and a half I was fairly certain I knew what the benefits of membership in our new group would be. My franchisor, requires membership in one of these types of groups, and I didn’t feel I was getting the positives out of my previous group. I thought perhaps a change in scenery might help. I can’t begin to tell you how right I was. However, it has little to do with the makeup of the 2 groups. Instead it has to do with the drastically different philosophy of BNI as a whole. By placing importance on the accountability of individual members, we have a membership that is far more committed to the larger group. Further, BNI’s focus on the continued education of the business owner is absolutely critical as a component of the type of business-building through referral based marketing we all strive for. In the short amount of time we’ve all been together, I have gleaned a far better understanding of what is required of a business owner who makes the type of commitment we ask of our members.

Melanie Farnden-Cordea
Personal Home Decorator

Saturdays Leadership Training was excellent, the directors did a fabulous job! Julie Arndt one of our post hosts mentioned to me afterwards how impressed she was on how much she learned, it kept her attention, the importance of everyones roll and how the BNI system really works. I too am now a lot clearer on my new duties and role, It is going to be fun and a new learning experience for me guiding not doing the job myself !!!

Dianna Gilley
Florida West Insurance

There is no better feeling to me than to know I have helped someone with a need. Helping and giving helps us to remember that we all share some of the same struggles. This allows us to be less selfish in our own life and for whatever reason, yes, Givers Gain. Between BNI and our current client base spreading the word about Florida West Insurance, we are able to stop paying a $400 per month advertising bill. So not only do we have 43 plus sales associates through BNI for $330.00 a year (that have provided us with $100,000 plus in additional premium since we have been a member) but we SAVED $4800 a year in unproductive advertising. As long as I am in business in pursuit of helping people save money on their personal and commercial auto insurance, I will never be without BNI and I do mean never. Oh, and when it comes to saving people money we love to work with families with teenage drivers, graduating college students that are coming off mom and dad's policy, and small contractors who are driving around with signs on their vehicles. Thanks BNI!!!

Martin Wathen
Bookkeeping & Business Tax Service

I started my accounting practice in 1984 and only used networking to build my business. In an effort to build my practice through networking I served as president of Temple Terrace Rotary and the Temple Terrace Chamber. Over the years I have been involved with many networking groups. They all worked, but none of them worked as well as I wanted them to. In 2002 I found BNI on the internet and contacted them. BNI was not big in this area at that time. But a BNI Area Director did contact me and assisted me in starting the New Tampa Chapter. In the 4 years I was involved with the New Tampa Chapter I was able to generate an average of $60k in new revenue each year. On average my clients stay with me 13 years, so each year’s new revenue becomes like an annuity. This substantial growth enabled me to accelerate my plans to retire by about 10 years. So I retired at age 43 with the help and support of the people and success system associated with BNI.

Financial Planner

I have been a BNI member for the last 2-3 years and thoroughly realize that networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. I have had a great deal of success with BNI and networking as more than 75% of my business has come from referrals from clients or COI’s. Through a relationship with a construction project manager, which I have been working with for the last 6 months, I just received a referral that led to bringing in a 17 million dollar account for my team. A bulk of the assets arrived last week….

Virgil Mandanici
WizardWorkz

Virgil with regards to participating in the Certified Networker Program - "I must say, this has been the most eye-opening experience for me as a small business owner. This week will be my 11th week of the 12 week program and I am really understanding how to grow my business with simple techniques that Tom Fleming has taught our class. The referrals I have been getting and giving in the past seem more of a "Luck of the draw" compared to the new focus and direction I am acquiring through this phenomenal program.

The various trainings I have attended through my life have been ok, but I seem to have lost steam in what I was learning, probably due to the lack of commitment on my part, but in the Certified Networker Program, Tom seems to "know people like me" and has actual techniques to follow up on the students to help us to actually implement the process . If I were to suggest to any small business owner on what money to invest in growing one's business, I would emphatically tell them to take this course!"

Shawn M. Yesner
Real Estate & Bankrupcy Law

This case was the perfect referral as a result of my association with BNI. Definitely one of my best success stories. I was able to (1) delay the foreclosure; (2) significantly reduce the amount due to pay off the bank's loan to an amount that was affordable for the borrower to refinance; and (3) help the borrower save their home. Working on this clients case strengthened my commitment to what I do for a living -- working on cases like this is one of the reasons I come into work every day! Thanks again for the GREAT Referral!!!

Dot Foley
Amsouth Bank

A 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR REFERRAL - An introduction to a title company for a banker is a dream referral.

I received a message from Jon Buckles about a HOT referral. I immediately phoned him and he was so excited. Apparently a woman from a title company, while placing an order for promotional products with Christy, Joh's wife, had in conversation mentioned she had a bad customer service experience with her current bank. Christy immediately picked up on it and said, "you need to meet Dot Foley from AMSOUTH Bank". The rest is history. That same afternoon I set up an appointment for the next day. I have extensive experience with setting up Title Companies and arranged for a couple of my partners to join the meeting at the downtown Amsouth Building. The meeting went extremely well. By the time I arrived back at my office in Valrico, the title company phoned with the decision to move their entire relationship to AMSOUTH. The opening deposit was for over $800,000. WOW!!!!!!

THE AVERAGE BALANCE FOR THIS ACCOUNT WILL BE WELL OVER $1.5 MILLION. IT REALLY DOES PAY OFF TO EITHER ALERT YOUR STAFF MEMBERS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO WHAT OTHER BNI MEMBERS DO. I OWE JOHN MUCH FOR THIS FANTASTIC REFERRAL.

Valerie DiVecchio
Divine Creations

Since my “epiphany” of teaching my referral partners how to overcome objections thanks to Tom and the Certified Networker Program, I sat down and created a cheat sheet on what the myths are around my industry and ways to overcome the challenges when people talk about them. I did a 20 minute presentation about a week or so ago with my power team and I got a referral that turned into a client already from one of them!

Success Express
BNI

Congratulations to the BNI Success Express Chapter that meets in Brandon Fl - As of the end of June 2006... $1.8 Million in passed business amongst members which is represented by 1000 "closed" referrals... An average of $1800 per referral... WOW!!!

Christine MacIntosh
Advantage Business Products, Inc.

I enjoyed a wonderful two week "paid vacation" with my family on the beach, though I really have no paid vacation with my company. It's strictly commission. My Soho BNI members know this, so they worked hard selling for me and made sure I got a paid vacation. Yes, while I enjoyed the sun and fun, my BNI friends sold close to $1500.00 for me. It's great to be part of such a fun and productive chapter.

Christine MacIntosh Advantage Business Products, Inc
ABPChristine@yahoo.com
813-835-6061 813-629-8682 Cell

Barrett R. Smith
Brandon Paint and Body, Inc

Advertising for an Auto Body Repair facility can be very difficult simply because it is a needs-driven service of which people are unprepared in their time of need. Let's face it; no one plans (or prepares) to have a wreck!

Being an active member of BNI Capital Group has enabled our company to have a large number of sales professionals referring our services to their sphere of influence, which includes their families', friends and professional colleagues and to do so with confidence in our ability to serve and satisfy them.

Meeting with, and getting to know fellow BNI Capital Group professionals on a regular basis builds lasting relationships with one another and a trusting bond so that when the opportunity to recommend another does arise, the referral will be made with confidence and conviction by a friend. No other method or investment in advertising can accomplish this. I am proud to be associated with such a fine group of professionals and to have them as my company's full-time Sales Team!

Thanks BNI Capital Group!

Barrett R. Smith AAM, President
Brandon Paint & Body, Inc.
www.brandonpaintandbody.com

Revenue Generators

FROM St. Pete Times

Network relies on its own members
Members of a local chapter of Business Network International say it gives them a chance to generate referrals and share advice.
By SEUNG MIN KIM
Published June 16, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------

ZEPHYRHILLS - It has poured more than $200,000 in revenue into the pockets of local businesses and connected almost 30 companies in central and east Pasco County.

The local chapter of Business Network International, or "Revenue Generators," is a new marketing tool companies are using to expand their clientele.

Each of its weekly meetings serves as an interactive bulletin board, with chapter members swapping information about potential clients who are digging for anything from Internet advice to a vacation planner for a family reunion cruise.

One member on Wednesday was on the lookout for stay-at-home mothers who could use a little beauty primping. A business owner was searching for families looking for a new automobile insurance policy, preferably in homes with teenage drivers. A physical therapist wanted to reach other health care providers.

Another member? Looking for just about anyone who breathed.

The weekly networking sessions seem to be working. Since the chapter's launch in late April, officials said, members have generated more than $200,000 in additional revenue to their companies because of client referrals. In May, members posted 97 referrals, chapter vice president Mark Martukovich of SunTrust Bank said. So far in June, they have 31. Worldwide, the more than 72,500 members rang up more than $1.5-billion in business last year due to the organization, according to its Web site.

So the $295 annual membership fee is just a small investment for the chapter's 28 and counting members representing businesses in central and east Pasco County, they say.

"It's time with my unpaid sales staff," said chapter president Vivian Satz, who is the director of marketing and sales at Tingley Systems in San Antonio. "This makes me more visible - of who I am, and what I do."

The twist is that no two people representing the same line of business can be a member in a chapter. "For referrals, a business wants someone they know and trust," Satz said. "If you have multiple similar businesses, you might as well go to the Yellow Pages."

Each meeting follows a strict agenda set by the chapter, which includes a time to report the number of referrals, request potential new clients, and give informational presentations on their businesses.

Away from the weekly meetings at the Silver Oaks Golf and Country Club in Zephyrhills, members also meet with each other one on one and chat about their businesses and how they can help one another.

While a flurry of business cards were being exchanged, members also gave testimonials by detailing their interactions with other chapter members' businesses.

New Tampa resident Ethel Catlin was at her second meeting on Wednesday and is expecting the number of referrals to her business, Liberty Club Seniors Inc. in Tampa, to spike.

"lt's relaxed, but yet professional and very goal-focused," Catlin said. "And the spirit, and the fun! It's great."

Besides chances to network, Business Network International provides educational opportunities, members said. It could be the recitation of a simple acronym - SMART - that reminds members to scrutinize all projects and ask themselves if it is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable and timely. Or the required tutorials that guide new members on how to give snappy, effective business presentations.

The chapter asks members to refer one client to a fellow participant per week, Martukovich said, and it hopes to total 45 members by the end of the year.

Member
Recent Core Group

I have taken several sales training courses and observed several sales management models over the years. What I think is really neat about BNI is the system... It isn’t rocket science. So many other models I believe are focused on the individual and the individual’s behavior. What intrigues me with the BNI model is the ability to get everyone at the same time focused on the same behavior. It is rare to get so many high performance individuals working harmoniously together. It is like a machine. It is amazing.

Jim Tiedemann
Tampa Bay DSL

Jim's comments regarding the Golf Tournament Event held on April 18th 2004 at Hunters Green Country Club: "It was a fantastic network opportunity. The contacts made within the BNI group and several of the value added customers that were present will result in business opportunities. Kudos’ to you all for taking the risk….the payoff will be great."

Joyce Evans
Idea Design

I joined BNI one year ago and it's been one of the best business decisions I've ever made. My Web Site design business has grown tremendously. It has gone from a one hat operation to hiring several others to help out. But the BNI experience has been much more to me than just growing my business. I've developed great and lasting relationships AND it goes further than that. As a result of doing business with a BNI member my health and mobility are greatly improved! So joining BNI has been a life and business altering experience. No business that relies on referral business should pass by this opportunity.

Joyce J. Evans
http://www.JoyceJEvans.com
http://www.je-ideadesign.com

Member
Recent Core Group

" We all need to realize at a deep level that this local BNI Chapter is going to have a tremendous positive financial impact on all of our families(and dozens of other families too)over the next 5 to 10 to 15 years.

So, we "deserve" for each of us to take this core leadership function "dead serious". We all need to hold everybody else accountable for a "FOCUS ON EXECUTION"..........and allow ourselves to be held accountable.

We should execute upon BNI's proven system.

We need to commit to building the GREAT CULTURE that we have all agreed on...............and we should not be bashful about reminding others in a very nice way..........when they need it........ let's do business."

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