Be Our Guest

 

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