Archive for Business Network International
Business Network International Hawaii Review
Who are they? What do they do?
Upon arriving at Dave and Busters at Ward Center I asked where the BNI (Business Network International) meeting was at. I was told in a small conference room upstairs. My usual suspicion when attending any networking event was that they had just a few members, or there was some other catch. I couldn’t have been more wrong with BNI. An on-line search led me to discover them, and when I walked into the room at D&B it was crowded with over 30 people.
They come from various industries, finance, insurance, IT, automotive, construction, accounting, and even a massage therapist. The lunch consisted of chicken or pasta, salad, breadsticks, and drinks. Everyone seemed to mingle in the room smiling and talking story. After everyone was seated different members came to the podium highlighting attendees, and visitors. They also asked or offered referrals, gave tips, and thanked others. A ten minute presentation was conducted at the end by one person about their service, and tips or advice. It was comfortable and not intrusive. A new presentation is given each week by another member. They each have stories, like one member who while pursuing another part time career, left her job of 18 years with the airlines. She went on with the help of BNI members and became a successful entrepreneur.
The presentations were short and to the point. The person behind the recent BNI buzz is Joann Seery, Executive Director, BNI Hawaii who bought the franchise in 2003. Joann mentions that BNI has grown from 4 chapters and 60 members then, to 23 chapters and 500 members today. Chapters are currently located on Oahu, the Big island, and Maui, with Kauai in the works. They meet weekly at various chapter locations throughout the island. I asked Joann what was most rewarding, “Seeing the changes that BNI makes in people lives. I have seen small start up companies that were struggling, to these same businesses having to hire people because their business has grown. I also find it tremendously rewarding when our BNI members grow professionally. Many start off struggling to speak in front of a group of people and transform to be articulate public speakers.”
My review of BNI is a definite thumb’s up. If you are interested in finding out more about them you can go to their website at www.bnihawaii.com or email them at SBS2225@aol.com
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