Please Don’t Make Me Crazy!!!
by Linda Aasen
There are several things that often happen in BNI meetings that absolutely make me crazy. I’m sure that the members who do these things are unaware that they are doing something wrong and, I’m even more sure, that they don’t know that they are driving me crazy.
The first situation is a visitor who is standing alone. No members are talking to them. No members are asking about their business. No members are asking what a good referral is for them. No members exhibiting behavior that will convince the visitor that the people in this chapter care about them and would like them to join their chapter. Never, ever leave a visitor alone.
The second behavior exhibited by members is disregarding the 60 second time limit for their
60 Second Commercial. Other members, not just me, get irritated by members who think that what they have to say is more important that everyone else and they can take more than their 60 seconds. I find that members who take extra time are adding extra “stuff” which detracts from the message that they are trying to convey to their sales force. Every members’ commercial is important. No members should take more than their allotted time!
The third thing which drives me crazy is during the “I Have” portion of the meeting. Some members will stand and say, “Good presentation speaker”. Many times it was a good, or even great, presentation. That is why we applauded when the speaker was finished. I have big news for members who say this routinely…we know you do not have a referral! We know you are copping out by saying, “Good job speaker”! If you do not have a referral, give a testimonial. If you do not have a referral, make sure you have a One-to-One, so you can tell us something you learned during your mini-meeting. If you do not have a referral, work hard to find one for your members! Do not say, “Good presentation speaker”!!!
So, if you exhibit any of these behaviors, be on notice your members are of your behavior.
Remember that everything you say and do or not say or not do can move you up or down the Referral Curve. If you are making me crazy and you may be doing the same for the other members of your chapter.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Dear Don’t Make Me Crazy,
Good points. I have been a member of three different chapters since 03 or 04 and I have visited over 25 metro area chapters during my time. For most of my first-time visits (I maintain a spread sheet) I attended as a visitor, not a sub. I was a “not invited by a member” visitor, or as I like to say a “nibam”. A “nibam” is a precious commodity to any chapter wanting to grow. This is not a random decision, they have taken the time from their schedule to visit a BNI chapter meeting. No member from that chapter has invited them, they are there on their own initative. Talk about opportunity meeting desire.
NIBAMs are gold. When they sign in and the member at the sign in table learns that they have a NIBAM the alarms should ring. There should be a code word sounded so that every member present is putting their best foot forward and taking care of this person.
First impressions occur only once and you can never, ever undo a first impression. That is why I believe the Visitor Host position is the most important leadership position in the chapter. The good to excellent Presidents, VPs and Memebership committee people know this and never allow a visitor time to experience a bad first impression. A visitor standing around, not engaged has already formed an opinion. I know I experienced what drives you crazy too many times.
September 14th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Mikie - There is no excuse for a chapter not greeting you warmly and with open arms. The one thing I would caution against is that if you are wearing your BNI badge and/or carrying your card file - which of course you should be - these chapters don’t understand why you are there and without the proper education they might think of you as a “chapter hopper” or a “hunter” looking for business, but bringing little value to their meeting because you can’t be a member of more than one chapter.
I guess you must move around a lot or change businesses where there aren’t any openings in your existing chapter or why have you been in 3 different chapters in 5 years? We reap what we sow, and while there are certainly chapters who can do a better job, you aren’t really a NIBAM, as you are already a BNI member with your own allegiances (one assumes) back in your own chapter.
Just something to consider! Great discussions!