Changing The Way The World Does Business: Luisa Bird, BNI Show Me The Business- Branson

UNEXPECTED BENEFITS

by Luise Bird

Truthfully, I had no real idea of what I was getting into when I joined BNI last November. My husband and I own a tree service company in the Branson, Missouri area and after doing some work for a customer, who was so pleased with our tree work, invited us to be a visitor to the “Show Me the Business” Chapter of BNI. She told us that we would benefit from and be an asset to this team of business owners -- which was sufficiently vague and intriguing to pique my interest.

What I haven’t told you is that I came to this first meeting very discouraged and with no real vision for the future of my business. A large tree company from outside the area had moved in and was saturating all advertising mediums and outlets and wooing all our corporate clients with promises of cheaper services. My husband and I had even spoken of selling out or just quitting if no buyer could be found. I really didn’t think that this group could make a difference in the eventual “reign” of this outsider. I thought it might just slow it down a bit, if we were lucky, but that was all.

I freed up a Wednesday morning and sat in on this well-organized meeting. I recognized a few members and was made to feel completely welcome and comfortable – even when asked to speak, I felt as if I was just having a chat amongst friends. It was obvious to me that this would be money well-spent for networking - advertising purposes and I joined shortly thereafter. The weekly meetings and MOMs (1-2-1's)were a delight and I soon came to look forward to them. I threw myself into the BNI program and set a goal of having had a MOM/1-2-1 (meeting outside the meeting) with every member of my newly acquired team (30 members) within the first couple of months of membership! I did get close, but I must admit that goal was never met because our team was growing so rapidly, I could not keep up! Even today, I am determined to keep my momentum and meet with all the new members within the first two weeks of their membership! I must report that our business volume had not only stopped its decline but began growing again - to the point of having to add a new crew and equipment! Some members of BNI said that this happens all the time and was to be expected!

What I didn’t expect was the lack of enthusiasm I was feeling for my own business prospects actually worked in my favor. I turned my attention and actions toward my team’s needs. My enthusiasm for helping the other members of our team had somehow turned into energy and enthusiasm for my own business. The very idea of “giver’s gain” was being proven in our very own lives! The harder I work for my team members, the more my own business grows! Some growth happened directly by using the professional services of the members of my own team or from direct referrals from my team members. The indirect growth came from the new possibilities that I began to visualize, the new-found positive attitude I was enjoying, and the infectiousness of all of this which has pervaded and improved every aspect of my life! Proving once again the age-old maxim: the more you give, the more you get.

If you aren’t happy with what you are getting from your team, may I suggest that you take your eyes off yourself and your business and work for the success of your team. Make that your only goal and don’t look back! Meet with one to three members each week and work at finding them new customers and opportunities all week long. Repeat this pattern until one day – you will look around and see the prosperity that you have created not only for your team, but your own business too!

No luck needed here!

Luise Bird – All-American Tree Service,

Branson, MO,

(417) 335-TREE