We’ve all experienced it in the business world – you join a business networking group or participate in a networking session and come out disappointed because your business seems to be no further ahead than when you joined the organisation. However, this is not the case with the combination of BNI and Referral Institute – and they have the results to prove it.

Birmingham, UK (June 2011) –There is a misconception among many businesses regarding the concept of business networking.  There is also a wide variation in the quality of business networking groups and what their members gain from them. “Business Network International in the Midlands area is all about the 4 M’s of BNI – “Members Making More Money”.

Bottom line is that professionals join BNI in pursuit of increasing sales and attracting new clients via referrals into their business,” says Peter Sylvester, Executive Director of BNI South West Midlands and Franchise Owner at the Referral Institute in Birmingham. 

“BNI is an organisation of professionals to sell through, not an organisation of professionals to sell to”. 

Last year, the average value of business passed by members on the region was £6,400 but as a result of the intensive focus on building increased value for members, that same average value has now risen to £38,100 – and is still growing..!

The notion of business networking has been misconstrued by many business professionals. Many of them are under the impression that business networking is all about making a sale or direct prospecting, meaning shaking hands and passing out business cards. But this is not correct.

In his blog, Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder and Chairman of BNI and NY Times bestselling author says, “If you are going to networking events hoping to sell something, you’re dreaming! Don’t confuse direct selling with networking.  Effective networking is about developing relationships.

Dr. Misner says, “You go because networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It’s about developing relationships with other business professionals. Sometimes you go to a networking event to increase your visibility, sometimes you go to establish further credibility with people you know, and sometimes you may even go to meet a long-time referral partner and do some business. In any case, the true master networkers know that networking events are about moving through the VCP Process™ and not about closing deals.”

This philosophy, along with givers gain®, is the foundation on which BNI was built and establishes a new trend in business networking.  Not only does BNI provide unique opportunities for networking, it also offers state-of-the-art training and education on the proper ways to use business networking to increase revenue and grow a client base.

Peter Sylvester has expanded on this tradition by growing the number of chapters of BNI SW Midlands. Sylvester purchased BNI South West Midlands from the former owner in October 2009 and after a period of planning, has seen the numbers of chapters grow to 16, and the number of members increase to over 300. And the average business value increase to £38,100.

So this truly is a case of both Quality AND Quantity - Quantity (of members) and Quality (of the business passed between them). That’s a REAL double whammy..!

BNI sets a new trend in business networking by having a demanding acceptance process which includes the completion of an application, inclusive of references which are followed up on.

There is also an interview process for incoming candidates because BNI believes that it is important for members in a chapter to surround themselves with the best of the best.  After all, members are putting their reputations on the line when they make referrals to their best client or to a friend or family member.

What makes BNI and BNI  SW Midlands unique is that each chapter has only one member representative from each industry which shuts out any competition and allows for effective business networking.  If business professionals want to join BNI South West Midlands they are encouraged to start a local chapter to help businesses in their geographical area grow their business through referral based marketing.

Those that take on leadership roles potentially enjoy making more money, having more fun, and have the advantages of personal development which is all rooted in higher Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability i.e., the VCP Process™, amongst their members and the region.  BNI South West Midlands’ members can also participate in state-of-the-art training in business networking at the Referral Institute in Birmingham where Jenni Henderson is the Franchise Manager.

Not many businesses can say that they have a one-stop location for business networking, professional advancement through training, and sharing of ideas.  Most people simply turn to a friend or spend a great deal of time trying to find the answer on the Internet.  BNI SW Midlands allows businesses to grow despite the economy while saving time and lowering costs on advertising that may or may not work.

About Peter Sylvester and Business Network International:

BNI is the largest business networking organisation in the world and offers members and prospective members the opportunity to share business referrals or initiate a local chapter of BNI.

Peter Sylvester is the Executive Director for BNI in South West Midlands UK and Owner of the Referral Institute in the Birmingham region. 

Peter is sought out as a local, national and international speaker on the subjects of marketing businesses by referral and organisational development. 

Prior to beginning his career as an entrepreneur, Peter worked for Harley-Davidson Financial Services International Inc, establishing 17 joint ventures around the world

Visit BNI South West Midlands at www.bni-swmidlands.co.uk or Referral Institute at www.referralinstitutebham.co.uk .