In BNI we continuously encourage members to invite visitors. And we encourage members to visit other BNI Chapters especially if their seat is open. This article is about the ‘Dos and Don’ts on how to be a good guest when visiting another BNI chapter as well as tips to chapters on welcoming visitors, guests, as well as other BNI members.
- - We encourage members to invite
visitors for growth, for referral partners, to meet potential consumers,
etc
- - We encourage members to visit other
chapters to meet potential referral partners, gain ideas, and to meet potential
consumers, i.e. other BNI members.
- - We encourage Core Group members to
visit other chapters to see how an existing BNI chapter functions, to get the
vision for building a BNI chapter, as well as training.
Here are some Dos for BNI Members,
who are Guests, visiting another BNI Chapter:
- Register ahead of time via
BNIConnect, not at the last minute, and register as a Guest. Or even
better, contact the VP or S/T to ensure your seat is not filled or your
industry is not currently filled in that chapter.
- Members also need to remember that
members from other chapters are not visitors, they are guests and as such, they
do not get credit on the Power of One report as they are not a first-time
visitor who can fill a seat.
- If you are a Core Group Member and
attending a chapter and your seat is filled in the chapter you are visiting,
contact the member who holds your seat in the chapter ahead of time to let them
know the purpose of your visit. Perhaps schedule a 1-2-1 to learn about
their experience in BNI.
- Schedule 1-2-1s with the members
of the chapter you are visiting. Perhaps with those who would be
potential referral partners.
- Meet the President of the
Chapter. Let him/her know you are a BNI Member and which chapter you are
a member. This builds goodwill across chapters.
- Refer business if possible to
members whose industry is not in your own chapter.
- Present a positive and supportive attitude
to members, guests, and visitors.
- If given the opportunity to speak,
tell your BNI story, i.e. why you became a member of BNI especially if your
seat is already filled in the chapter you are visiting.
Now some Don'ts when visiting
another BNI Chapter as a Guest -
- Do not solicit or invite visitors
and guests from the chapter you are visiting to attend your chapter - ever!
- Do not solicit members to come and
join your chapter.
- Do not give your infomercial or
ask for business especially if your industry seat is filled in the chapter you
are visiting. Some chapters do not allow infomercials from those whose seat is
already filled, but some will allow members to tell which chapter they are with
and may allow you to tell your BNI story, i.e. why you became involved with BNI
as long as you stay within their time limit for their infomercials.
- Don't attend another Chapter's
Visitor Day unless asked by a Director to attend and tell your BNI story.
Visitor Days are to grow a chapter's membership so they want visitors who can
fill seats at their visitor day, not BNI members from other chapters.
- Don't speak negatively against
BNI, your chapter, or other members.
- Do not Sub Hunt! There are many recommended ways to find a sub other than another BNI Chapter and its
members. Nor do you ask to be a Sub for their chapter!
- Don't wear out your welcome.
Limit your visits to no more than 2 to 3 in six months. And each time you
plan to visit, check to see if your industry seat has been filled.
When a visitor registers to visit a
chapter, the recommended practice is to call and email the visitor to let them
know what to expect at the meeting because BNI is not your typical networking
meeting. When visitors visit a chapter, typically the chapter members are
very welcoming as this is a prospect for a new member or a potential
consumer. Chapter Members are eager to meet and get to know the
visitor. Some members make it a point to have a 1-2-1 with all the
visitors as it could lead to new business.
A BNI Chapter owes another BNI
member the same courtesy as a visitor, i.e. a phone call or an email prior to
the meeting as to the expectations of the meeting. Some chapters have
different guidelines for guests and BNI members from other chapters especially
if the seat is already filled or there is overlap. It is best to explain
these guidelines ahead of time rather than the BNI Member showing up at the
meeting and then being told their industry seat is already filled and they will
not be given the opportunity to do an infomercial.
But what if a visitor or guest
attends a meeting and is with an industry that the seat is already
filled. And what if that visitor or guest gives their infomercial. It's
OK. Yes, we are a closed networking group in that we only allow one
member per industry seat. Remember our philosophy is Givers Gain.
The other members understand and are not going to give a visitor or guest
referrals when they already have that seat filled in their chapter. Some
chapters handle their guests and visitors this way and others don't. The
best practice is to speak to the visitor or guest ahead of time and set
expectations.
By being welcoming to visitors and
guests whose seats are already filled, you may gain some potential
consumers. Hey, they may need the products or services of some of your
members. And you can help the visitors who are interested in BNI by
referring them to other chapters where their industry seat is open. Or
refer them to your Support Director.
How does your chapter handle guests
and other BNI members visiting your chapter? We welcome your comments and
feedback.
In appreciation,
Annette
Area Director
