FAQ - BNI Leeds North, Business networking and development in Leeds, Yorkshire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Come To A BNI Meeting Without Being A Member?

Yes, you may visit two BNI breakfast meetings to see business being passed between members. For your invitation contact us here .

What Is BNI?

BNI is a business and professional networking organisation that allows only one representative from each profession to join any of its chapters. The sole purpose of the BNI chapter is to generate more business for its members.

BNI members carry a card file with the other members cards in it. When they speak to a client, associate or friend and they recognise a need that can be fulfilled by a member of the chapter, they can then provide a referral to fill that need.

Why Should I Join BNI?

How Do I Join BNI?

Networking requires commitment. The most successful chapters of BNI are comprised of participants who are sincerely committed to helping one another through networking. They are a team. As a participant in BNI, you are responsible for complying with the policies and guidelines of the organization*. A partial list of the policies of BNI are listed below:
Only one person from each professional specialty is permitted to join a chapter of BNI.
All participants should represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.
Attendance is critical. If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send a substitute. This will not count as an absence.

Participation in the chapter by members is a key to the success of a group. Members can participate by bringing bona-fide referrals and/or visitors to their BNI chapter.

How Much Does It Cost?

There are one year and two year participation options. Contact the Secretary/Treasurer for prices. If you apply to participate in BNI, your application will be reviewed by the chapter's membership committee, and you will be notified of the status before the next meeting.

What Counts As A Referral?

A referral is not a guaranteed sale for a fellow member, but an open door to discuss their business.

A referral is more than just a personal recommendation, it is an oppertunity for a fellow member to present their business to someone who is in the market to buy their product or service, where that presentation will be looked forward to with anticipation.

Can Anyone Join A Chapter?

We only take one person per professional specialty. So if you are a residential real estate person and we already have one, we can refer you to another chapter, or allow you to open another chapter. Of course, if you are a commercial real estate person, you could be eligible to join this chapter.

How do you know new members are reputable?

The application asks for references and we have a membership committee that checks them. It's word of mouth, so before they even come to a meeting they have to have spoken to someone or been invited by someone in the group. Everyone has to have a sponsor, or one is assigned to them, and they interview them.

What if a member gets a referral and does poor work?

We have an ethics committee and it is imperative that anyone who gives a lead and finds out it was not satisfactorily handled must report that to the membership committee, who will investigate.

What occupations benefit the most from networking?

It is not the occupation, it is the individual. The occupation can be anything. If you're focussed and you have a dream and you're willing to make a sacrifice, you are the person we want in the group.

Are members supposed to bring visitors?

You're encouraged to bring visitors for those occupations that are open, after the visitor has been prescreened, if they're a viable candidate. It's pretty much a closed meeting except for potential members.

Do ethical rules for certain professions prohibit participation in BNI?

BNI understands the importance of the ethical concerns governing certain professions and acknowledges that rules can differ by location. As such, BNI therefore requires its members to uphold the rules of its profession so as not to violate the professional’s ethical obligations. In the event that BNI’s general rules could potentially violate a professional’s ethical code, BNI’s rules are superceded by the dictates of the professional’s ethics’ code. Significantly, a primary objective of BNI is to educate its membership in ways to market and grow business. It is BNI’s intent to ensure that this is permitted.

If I specialize in a field within my profession, am I expected to be an expert in all aspects of my profession?

BNI understands that many professions are broad and that people often specialize within their profession. BNI does not expect, nor does it encourage, any professional to participate in an area in which the professional does not have expertise. On the contrary, BNI prohibits professionals from acting outside of the scope of their abilities.

My profession does not let me directly solicit business. Is BNI still right for me?

BNI’s primary objective is to assist its members in ways to improve their business and to educate them concerning how they can effectively network. Business people get business when their expertise is known and others reach a comfort level with them. BNI provides a forum that allows members to meet other business peers who need to know effective and efficient business people.

I am worried that I won't be able to bring referrals, how do I do this?

There are courses to help you and an education slot each week plus your fellow members will share ways for getting referrals with you. It's easier to sell someone else's business than your own especially after you have heard their testimonials or maybe even tried their services for yourself.

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