Creating a Great Chapter Culture

From July 2017

Have you ever heard the quote "Culture eats strategy for lunch?"  It's attributed to Peter Drucker who wrote a book by the same name.  The book is a crash course for turning culture into competitive advantage.  So what does that have to do with BNI you ask?  Dr. Ivan Misner talks about creating a great Chapter Culture in podcast #513.
This podcast was in response to a question from Kalyan in India:

'I'm the mentor coordinator for my chapter. I want to see a culture in my chapter where members watch each others' backs for performance, where members push each other regularly, so each member feels cared for and wanted. I want a culture that transcends BNI policies and brings together togetherness and ownership. How do I do that?'

Creating a great chapter culture is a journey, not a destination. It won't happen overnight. To create a truly great BNI chapter, members need to embrace all of BNI's Core Values:

1. Givers Gain
2. Building Relationships
3. Lifelong Learning
4. Traditions + Innovation
5. Positive Attitude
6. Accountability
7. Recognition

Watch this series of short videos on BNI's Core Values for more insight on how to create a great chapter culture.

So how is the culture in your chapter?  The quiz below comes from Flynn and Sara with the BNI Fast Track Program.

1.  Do you believe 100% in each of your chapter members?
2. Are you convinced that you can accomplish much more in your business with your chapter than you can on your own?
3. Can you speak enthusiastically about your chapter for 5-10 minutes with a total stranger?
4. Do you leave your BNI meeting excited?
5. Do you get excited about helping new members figure it out?

Are there any right answers for these questions?  We wouldn't call them right or wrong answers.  They are really indicators of how much of a business team your chapter is, or how much more focus is in order to be one.

If your answers tend to be YES, then you're on your way.  If your answers were 'not so much'...then your team is still forming.

What helps teams form?  Goals, practice, commitment, and fun...then more goals, more practice, more commitment, and even more FUN.  Goals, practice, commitment, and fun...goals, practice, commitment, fun...
Rinse & Repeat!

This time of the year most chapters are focusing on the new term, a new leadership and support team, and new goals.  Perhaps focusing on building a great BNI chapter culture and incorporating BNIs Core Values into the new goals would be a good place to start.

Here is a link to Peter Drucker's Book -

Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch: The Secret of Extraordinary Results, Igniting the Passion Within

by Curt Coffman by Liang Addison Press

Kindle Edition ~ Release Date: 2013-10-17

Buy Now 

 

 

 Be sure and check out the training section for some new webinars, in particular Monday Morning Mugs.  Cathy Barbieri, BNI Atlanta Executive Director, leads these webinar every Monday Morning with insightful ways to get the most from your BNI membership.  This is specifically for BNI members & guests held each Monday at 8:30 a.m. to get better results from networking -- regardless of if you join or not!