Anybody have success with memberships in business networking groups?

thrashattack

thrashattack

Location
Wasatch Front
I was invited to a business networking group meeting. I sat in and made my presentation but wanted your guys input before I made a final decision on whether or not to join. Thanks for any input
 
I was in one for about 8 months. It was one of the best things I ever did. I had to stop attending because I had so much work it was hard to keep up with the referrals I was getting. I just wasn't set up properly as I was an owner operator not a full time salesmen.
The group I was in had some strict rules and took some of your time to network, meet with other members, and get educational credits. If I attended again I would get even more out of it because I am more established now, have a good system in place for processing potential leads etc.
You should try it for at least 6 months and see what happens. Sometimes it takes a few months before you start to get business.
 
ROYCE said:
I was in one for about 8 months. It was one of the best things I ever did. I had to stop attending because I had so much work it was hard to keep up with the referrals I was getting. I just wasn't set up properly as I was an owner operator not a full time salesmen.
The group I was in had some strict rules and took some of your time to network, meet with other members, and get educational credits. If I attended again I would get even more out of it because I am more established now, have a good system in place for processing potential leads etc.
You should try it for at least 6 months and see what happens. Sometimes it takes a few months before you start to get business.
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Good to know. How many people were in your group?
 
Our sales arborist is in one and it's paid off very nicely. I'd have to ask him about the numbers and such but it's definitely worth the time investment.
 
I've never tried a networking group but I think it might be a great idea. Alot of my customers come from referrals from friends and family, people I know from my kids school, people I know from the gym, etc. So, I think building that network would be a good idea.
 
Networking works great! I joined a volunteer fire company a 8 years ago and it has helped direct calls to my phone. Between the "clients" of the fire service, fellow volunteers and other business owners work comes from many different directions.
Also I worked for a large organization (not commercial arboriculture) and I built a name for myself and my business and found myself servicing many of the employees and even quite a few patrons just from the visibility of what we did.
In addition working with small business groups is a big help. Nobody does everything, and you network with the right business owners and you now come in front of their customers and yours. But you have to be willing to scratch back.
 
I have had tons of success in our local BNI chapter. This actually was a surprise to me. I simply worked the system the group had laid out and business rolled in. I landed a very large residential job within my first month so the investment paid for itself quickly. I believe it is all about what you put into it. In networking groups credibility and trust is paramount.
 
I have been in BNI almost 2 years now. It paid off hugely the first year. About 60% of my sales in the first year were referrals from the chapter I was in. This year it has been only about 10% but a lot of new clients this year were referrals from last year so it has been good for me. If I can get more people on staff I will be able to work the system better and see it really take off.

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I think the best networking is not coerced. BNI type groups can lead to some success but I found that I wasted alot of time on BS leads. My best networking is with non profits that I volunteer with. I also am a member of my towns Rotary club.
 
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