Wednesday, January 25, 2012

BNI Business Partners-Springfield sets record for largest closed business transaction from referral- $22 Million dollars!


BNI Business Partners in Springfield, Missouri has set the BNI Mid-America record for largest single closed business transaction from a referral.....22 Million dollars!  Every month, we issue production reports based on the vice president reports for that month.  When this number came across our desk, we had to take a double look at it.  What an incredible confirmation!

Here is how the transaction went down, according to Chapter President, Jerry Peterie:

You heard the rumor correctly! Of course it really isn’t a rumor but reality of what happens when a group of people focus strongly on our relationships with each other.  This referral was started by Doug Spracklen(Spracklen Insurance) and myself about 2 yrs ago when we both knew a large commercial apartment owner in the Springfield, Missouri area. Doug set up a meeting with this contact for Ron Weis and myself to meet. Both myself and Doug had several meetings throughout the next year until Ron had a solid foothold with his new client. Ron Weis closed a $10 million  apt last year and this year was a $22 million and there are several more in the works. This referral will keep giving over the next couple of years.

What is/was the key to our success? We just focus on each other and our relationships and our mission of Philippians 2: 3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Let Each of you look not only to his own interests but in the interest of others.

Executive Directors Scott and Teresa Simon commented, "This is a record sale in our region and maybe the world of BNI. We understand this was a two year process, and this chapter certainly understands the difference between "Farming vs. Hunting" when it comes to developing long-term business relationships"

Would it be worth your time and efforts to make a commitment to help others build their business to close a $22 million dollar transaction?

To Our Success, 

Mike Tobin
BNI Mid-America
(Missouri/Arkansas/SE KS/Southern Illinois

Monday, January 23, 2012

March Madness 2012 week 2 numbers released, Marketing your chapter webinar in now available in document library!

Week 2 of March Madness 2012 is over and in the books! We are getting a lot of great feedback from chapters in regards to visitors, new members, but most importantly, BNI excitement in the chapter!  This is still early in the game...if your chapter has not "turned it on" yet, it is not too late!

Now Available!:

We now have available the entire webinar "Marketing your chapter with Sandy Waggett and Mike Tobin" available in the www.bnistl.com and www.bniarkansas.com document library.  Just log into the site using your BNI U: and P: and go into documents...it is available to everyone in BNI!  Sandy is the Assistant Director Consultant for the Lake of the Ozarks/Jefferson City/Columbia region, and helped the BNI Lake Business Builders chapter hit (70) members, as well as helping start the BNI Buccaneers chapter which is very close to hitting (40) members in just (6) short months!

Top 25 Chapter BNI Mid-America Week 2:

1. BNI Belleville, IL.  Big Ten  540pts
2. BNI Lake Business Builders-LOZ  SWAC  510
3. BNI Think Big-STL  MO-Valley  480
4. BNI Business Excellence Starts Today-STL  SEC  465
5. BNI HIT Referral Ntwk-Springfield  SWAC  450
6. BNI St. Charles  Conference USA  390
7. BNI Business by Referral-Springfield  SWAC  345
8. BNI 4 State Referral Ntwork-Joplin  SWAC  315
8. BNI Show me the Business-Branson  SWAC  315
8. BNI Central Corridor-STL  SEC  315
8. BNI Money Train-Hollister  SWAC  315
9. BNI All Biz-STL  SEC  300
10. BNI Business Power Ntwk-Springfield  SWAC  255
10. BNI Referral Builders-STL  SEC  255
11. BNI S.M.A.R.T.-Springfield  SWAC  205
12. BNI Action Connections-IL  Big Ten  200
13. BNI Leaders Council-IL  Big Ten  195
14. BNI Buccaneers-LOZ  SWAC  180
14. BNI Master of Networking-STL  MO-Valley  180
14. BNI Professional Business Builders-STL  Mo-Valley  180
15. BNI Partners in Excellence-IL  Big Ten  170
16. BNI Mid-MO Business Ntwk-Columbia  SWAC  155
17. BNI Building Business Connections-STL  Mo-Valley  150

**Chapters must have a minimum of (100) points to make the top 25 ranking each week**

Week One Top Conference Chapters:

EAST


Big Ten
1. Belleville 540
2. Absolute Success Action Partners  330
3. Action Connections  200
4. Leaders Council  195
5.  Partners in Excellence  170

MO Valley
1. Masters of Networking  180
1. Professional Business Builders  180
2. Building Business Connections  150
3. Business Boom  120
4. Masters of Referrals  75

SEC
1. Think Big St. Louis  480
2. Business Excellence  465
3. Central Corridor  315
4. All Biz  300
5.Referral Builders  255

Click HERE for the complete week 2 East Report

WEST

C-USA
1. St. Charles  390
2. Go Givers  135
3. Success Alliance  120
4. Success Express  105
5. Golden Triangle  75

SWAC
1. Lake Business Builders 510
2. HIT Referral Ntwk  450
3. Business by Referral  345
4. Bigger Net Income  320
5. 4 State Referral Ntwork  315
5. The money Train  315
5. Show me the Biz-Branson 315

Arkansas Central
1. North Shore  75
2. NW AR Ntwk Builders  40
3. Business Builders (Argenta)  30
4. Conway Natural Networkers  20
4. Uptown  20
5. Biz Links  15

Click HERE for the complete West Report

Still plenty of time to get your March Madness on! See you at the top!

To Our Success,

Mike Tobin
miketobin@bnistl.com

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The secret to getting more business through networking



This video from Dr. Ivan Misner really does a nice job explaining the secret to networking.  A business person could really use this concept to get more out of their networking efforts.  A BNI person could really use this concept to EXPLODE their respective R.O.I. in the results they get from their BNI chapter.  Are YOU willing to take a little extra time (4-6 hours per week) to get the most out YOUR BNI relationships?

To Our Success,

Mike Tobin
miketobin@bnistl.com

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

BNI Think Big Nixa kicks off March Madness 2012 by Assistant Director Consultant Julie Mercer

Here is a great write up from BNI Assistant Director Consultant Julie Mercer on what BNI Think Big-Nixa is doing to gear up for an exciting season of March Madness 2012:

Think Big Nixa March Madness Kick off Week!

"Coach" Greg Clanton

“Coach” Greg Clanton with DFG Insurance and Think Big Nixa coaches his team on strategy for March Madness.  Think Big Nixa’s goal is to focus on increasing the number of referrals and closed business by focusing on inviting visitors and adding new members to their team.

CHALLENGE:

Each member will be competing against each other.  Points will be issued for Attendance, Visitors, and New Members.  The top 5 contestants from the chapter will be considered CONFERENCE ALL STARS and will receive tickets to the International BNI Conference in St. Louis on May 18th.  Now that is THINKING BIG!!!



STRATEGY:

Visitors=More Members=More Referrals=Closed Business $$$$



March Madness 2011 RESULTS:  

40% increase in referrals passed for participating chapters.  The season runs January 9th- March 9th 2012.  Do you have your strategy?  Join Think Big Nixa and make this winter season FUN & EXCITING! 



March Madness Stats:

·      -BNI Chapters with 98%-100% attendance pass MORE Referrals=   Closed Business $$$

·      -Visitors to BNI Chapters Pass Referrals = Closed Business $$$

·      -New BNI Members equal MORE Referrals = Closed Business $$$

Looks like it will be an exciting season at BNI Think Big-Nixa....see you at the top!


Monday, January 16, 2012

Week 1 March Madness 2012 number released- things are starting to heat up!

Our first week of March Madness 2012 is over and in the books! Many chapters have really started off on an amazing course....we have plenty of March Madness season in front of us! What will your chapter do this week?

We are including a great video in this report about the G.R.I.P method of inviting people to your BNI chapter. Try this out- I bet you could have a couple of guests for your chapter next week just by using this simple, but proven, method of inviting potential new sales team members to your BNI chapter



Top 25 Chapter BNI Mid-America Week 1:

1. BNI Lake Business Builders-LOZ  SWAC  315
2. BNI HIT Referral Ntwk-Springfield  SWAC  270
3. BNI Show Me the Business-Branson  SWAC 210
4. BNI Referral Builders-Stl  SEC  180
5. BNI St. Charles  C-USA  165
5. BNI Money Train-Hollister  SWAC  165
6. BNI Central Corridor-Stl  SEC  150
7. BNI Bigger Net Income-Springfield SWAC  150
8. BNI All Biz-Stl  SEC  135
8. BNI Belleville, IL  Big Ten  135
8. BNI Business by Referral-Springfield  SWAC  135
9. BNI Go Givers-Wentzville  C-USA  120
10. BNI Leaders Council-IL  105

**Chapters must have a minimum of (100) points to make the top 25 ranking each week**

Week One Top Conference Chapters:

EAST


Big Ten
1. Belleville 135
2. Leaders Council 105
3. Glen Ed 75
4. Midwest Ntwk Best 60
5. Action Connections 50

MO Valley
1. Building Business Conn. 90
2. Business Builders Central 45
2. Business Boom 45
3. Peak Professionals 30

SEC
1. Referral Builders 180
2. Central Corridor 150
3. All Biz 135
4. Think Big STL 75
5. West County Biz Alliance 50

Click HERE for the complete East Report

WEST

C-USA
1. St. Charles 165
2. Go Givers 120
2. Golden Triangle 120
3. Directly Connected 80

SWAC
1. Lake Business Builders 315
2. HIT Referral Ntwk 270
3. Show me the Biz-Branson 210
4. The Money Train 165
5. Bigger Net Income 140

Arkansas Central
1. NW AR Ntwk Builders 20
2. Biz Links-Fayetteville 15
2. Conway PHD 15

Click HERE for the complete West Report

Still plenty of time to get your March Madness on! See you at the top!

To Our Success,

Mike Tobin
miketobin@bnistl.com

Monday, January 9, 2012

BNI "March Madness 2012" Starts This week!




The BNI winter season is about to become fun and exciting!
BNI March Madness Starts January 9th,2012



1.   What's it all about?  March Madness 2011 RESULTS:  @ 40% increase in referrals for participating chapters

2.   Weekly stats are compiled from the Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer reports.  Thus, it is critical that both Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer reports be completed by Saturday, 12:00 Midnight, each week

3.   The Season runs January 9th - March 10th, 2012

4.   Points are awarded as follows:



·       New Member = 30 points

·       Visitor = 15 points

·       98%-100% Attendance = 15 points

·       Below 90% Attendance = 10 point deduction

·       No Vice President Report for week = 15 point deduction

·       No Secretary/Treasurer Report for week = 15 point deduction



5.   Your chapter is ranked every week in your conference (we have an East and West Division)

6.   Each Monday at around 10:00am, stats are released via our two online newsletters, http://www.bnitoday.com and www.bniarknews.com   This will also include a hyperlink for a printable version that chapter Marketing Coordinators can use in their chapter meetings during the Marketing Coordinator portion of the meeting.

7.   The promotion will end on March 9th, with the last report on Monday, March 12th

8.   The winning chapters will be placed in brackets and awards will be given to the winning teams!


Think about this:

·    If we had great attendance this winter, would we pass more referrals?


·    Would some of our visitors pass business to our chapter?


·    Would more members for our chapter equal more referrals and closed business?


·    Could all of this equate to more closed business for everyone?

Here are the brackets for 2012:

West Division


Conference USA:

BNI-Network 94

BNI-St. Charles

BNI-St. Charles West

BNI-St. Peters

BNI-Wealth Thru Referrals

BNI-Bridge to Business

BNI-River City

BNI-Go Givers

BNI-Success Express

BNI-Rainmakers

BNI-Success Alliance

BNI-Quality Connections

BNI-Givers Gain

BNI-Golden Triangle

BNI-G3

BNI-Navigators

BNI-Directly Connected

BNI-Union

BNI-Washington

SWAC

BNI -Business by referral

BNI -Bigger Net Income

BNI -Business Partners

BNI -PROS

BNI -Pay it forward-Springfield

BNI -Mid-Mo Business Network

BNI -Lake of the Ozarks

BNI -SMART

BNI -Springfield Business connection

BNI -Business Power Network

BNI -Lake Business Builders

BNI -HIT Referral Network

BNI -Buccaneers-LOZ

BNI -Table Rocks Best

BNI -Branson Show me business

BNI -Think Big Nixa

BNI -The money train

BNI -The buck starts here

BNI –Branson’s Power Team

BNI -4 State Referral Network

BNI -Greater Joplin Business Connection

BNI -Area Business Catalyst

BNI -Business builders of SE KS

BNI -4 State Biz Alliance

BNI -Nesosho Biz Network

Arkansas Central

BNI -Westside

BNI -Uptown

BNI -Masters of Business

BNI -Conway PHD
BNI -Conway Ntwk Advantage

BNI -Referral Central

BNI -River Valley

BNI -Razorback

BNI -NW AR Ntwk Builders

BNI -Biz Links

BNI -Benton County Biz Builders

BNI -B2B network

BNI -Jonesboro Referral Masters

BNI -Jacksonville

BNI -Show me Business- Sherwood

BNI -Northshore

BNI -Business Builders (Argenta)


East Division


Big Ten:

BNI -Midwest Networking Professionals

BNI-Midwest Best Networking

BNI -Belleville

BNI -St. Clair County

BNI -Revenue by Referrals

BNI -Leaders Council

BNI -Partners in Excellence

BNI -Absolute Success Action partners

BNI-618 Net Conn

BNI -Action Connections

BNI -Extreme Biz Builders

BNI -Alton Riverbend

BNI -Advanced Business Connections

BNI -Glen ED

BNI -Madison Central

BNI -Metro East

SEC

BNI -St. Louis SuccessNet

BNI -South County Business Group

BNI -Metro South

BNI -Success Builders

BNI -Route 66

BNI -Think Big St. Louis

BNI -Referral Builders

BNI -Central Corridor

BNI -Mid-County

BNI -Superior Referrals

BNI -Premier Results

BNI -Business Now

BNI -Profitability Partners

BNI -All Biz

BNI -Referral Masters

BNI -West County Business Alliance

BNI -Business Excellence Starts Today

BNI-FAST

Missouri Valley

BNI-Professional Business Builders

BNI-Business Boom

BNI-Building Business Connections

BNI-Chesterfield South

BNI-Masters of Referrals

BNI-Business Builders Central

BNI-St. Louis Strategic Partners

BNI-Masters of networking

BNI-Peak Professionals

BNI-Business to Business

BNI-Metro St. Louis

BNI-Advanced Business Connections

BNI-Success Builders

Send us your photos and stories about March Madness 2012...we would love to feature your chapter!  Just email miketobin@bnistl.com

To Our Success!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

BNI Assistant Director Sandy Waggett and BNI member Joni Walden both named "Top 10 Women in Business 2011" for Lake of the Ozarks

Congratulations are in order for two of our very own.  BNI Assistant Director Consultant Sandy Waggett and BNI member Joni Walden were named "Top 10 Women in Business" for the Lake of the Ozarks.  Sandy is a member of BNI Lake Business Builders and is the Assistant Director Consultant for BNI Bucanneers-LOZ and BNI Mid-Missouri Business Network-Columbia.  Joni is a member of the BNI Lake of the Ozarks Chapter.  Here is what Lake News Online had to say about our incredible BNI business leaders:


Sandy Waggett

Occupation Owner of MSW Interactive Designs, LLC
In 1999 Sandy Waggett started MSW Interactive Designs and along with her husband Mike, has grown the company to include more than 700 clients nationwide, 28 wedding portals and one of the largest online wedding supply e-commerce storefronts in the nation.
She utilizes her web-based knowledge and volunteers her services to many local not-for-profit organizations.
In 2009, she started a local chapter of Business Network International and followed it up last year with a second group, which between the two have closed $9.5 million in referral business for the Lake area.
In 2011 she organized a new event, the Lake of the Ozarks Community Heroes to help recognize those community members who give so generously.

Joni Walden


Occupation Owner of Blinds and More, Inc.
The glass is always half-full for Joni Walden. Through positivity and honesty she has successfully operated her business, Blinds and More for the last 12 years. She left the corporate world working in the credit union industry and became the owner of the window treatment business. She strongly believes in sharing business so that all can benefit from common customers and reduce expenses.
While her focus is on serving customers, solving their problems, and growing her business, she enjoys networking, being out in the community and giving back whenever possible — especially when it comes to helping other women.
She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and PBW. Her favorite charities are Woman 2 Woman and Share the Harvest

Click HERE  to read the entire article about the most prestigous award.  WAY TO GO JONI AND SANDY!!  All of us at BNI are so proud to have you as a part of our organization

To Our Success,

Mike Tobin
BNI
miketobin@bnistl.com