Podcasts About Inviting Visitors

Outline of Episode 842: Creating a Chapter of Over 100 Members

1. Introduction

• Host: Priscilla Rice from Live Oak Recording Studio, Berkeley, CA
• Guest: Dr. Ivan Meisner, BNI Founder & Chief Visionary Officer
• Topic: Growing a BNI chapter to over 100 members

2. Guest Introduction

• Shirley Towne, Executive Director of BNI Midlands, South Carolina
• Grew her region from 379 members to 1,053 members in six years
• Joined BNI in 2013 as the 36th member of a chapter that now has 152 members

3. Overcoming Growth Concerns & Changing Mindsets

• Initial resistance: Members worried about the chapter becoming “too big”
• Exercise: Last 10 members stood up → Most members had received referrals from them
• Key realization: More members = more business opportunities
• Unexpected growth: Initial goal was just to add 10 members but evolved into something much larger

4. Financial Success of a Large Chapter

• Chapter generated $21 million in closed business in the last 12 months
• Key Insight: Small chapters cannot achieve such high revenue
• Example: A jewelry member generated nearly $750,000 annually from referrals
• Example: A realtor earned over $2 million in commissions

5. Intentional Focus on Sponsorship & Retention

• Shifted mindset from just inviting visitors to sponsoring a new member annually
• 7-month check-ins: Members encouraged to bring in at least one new member per year
• Impact on retention: Members are more likely to stay when they bring in a new member

6. Implementing “Shareholder Meetings” for Culture Building

• Evening meetings for honest feedback & discussion
• Anonymous survey results reviewed with members
• Key Takeaway: Enforcing attendance policy after recognizing lax enforcement
  • A high-performing member was removed for missing meetings → Dramatic culture shift
  • Other members took attendance more seriously and stepped up

7. Setting Performance Standards for Accountability

• New policy: Members in yellow status for 2 months go on probation
• Members in red or black status must improve within 30 days
• Implementation with 60-day notice
• Result: Chapter grew from 110 to 130 members and rebounded quickly after temporary declines

8. Logistics of Running Large Meetings

• Meeting duration: 1 hour 45 minutes, plus 30 min of networking
• Cultural adaptation: Members arrive early to eat and network before the meeting starts
• Key Learning: Well-structured large chapters can run effectively despite longer meetings

9. Conclusion & Final Thoughts

• BNI Growth is possible anywhere, not just in Asia or large cities
• Key Statistic: $21 million in closed business proves the power of a large chapter
• Call to Action: Chapters should strive for growth instead of limiting their potential

10. Closing Remarks & Sponsor Promotion

• Sponsored by MeisnerAudioPrograms.com
• Promo Code: IVAN50 for 50% off all programs, with proceeds benefiting the BNI Foundation
• Host thanks guests and invites listeners to the next episode

Transcript of :Episode 138: Power of One – Visitors

The Power of One: Maximizing Your BNI Membership

Tim Roberts: A chapter with 25 members following the "Power of One" principle would bring in 25 visitors per month—each member inviting just one visitor. If none of them join, that’s still 25 visitors every month. At an average value of $1,500 per visitor, that equates to:

• $37,500 per month in closed business.
• $450,000 per year in closed business—just from visitors.

That’s an average of $18,000 per member per year. So, is it worth your time to bring in one visitor per month? Absolutely. Now, let’s break it down further:

• If you spent just 15 minutes per day inviting, that’s about 62.5 hours per year—which is actually more than necessary.
• If it took that much effort to secure one visitor per month, your return on time would still be $288 per hour.
• In reality, if you’re having five short conversations per week, you’d be investing about an hour per week.
• That’s 50 hours per year, which means a return of $360 per hour.

But here’s the key: If only one member does this, the impact is minimal. The power comes from everyone in the chapter doing it.

Bigger Chapters = Bigger Impact

• In a 50-person chapter, the impact doubles—each member still puts in the same effort, but the results compound.
• More members mean more visitors, more referrals, and more revenue.
• The only way to grow your chapter is through visitors. A chapter won’t grow without them.

Visitors aren’t just potential new members; they generate immediate business and expand your network. If a new member joins, the value increases even more:

• A new BNI member is worth about $30,000 per year in closed business.

How to Invite More Effectively

Mindset Shift:

• You’re not asking for a favor—you’re offering an opportunity.
• BNI is a success team dedicated to helping its members grow their businesses. Most people don’t have that kind of support.

The Conversation:

1. Start with a simple question:
   • "How’s business?"
   • "Are you looking to generate more referrals and grow your business?"
2. Explain why you’re reaching out:
   • "I work closely with a group of business professionals who help each other grow. We were recently discussing that we’d love to meet someone in your industry, and I thought of you."
   • "Would you like to meet them?"
3. If they ask about costs, keep it simple:
   • "If you decide to join, there are some dues, but right now, I’m just inviting you to meet the group."
4. If they decline, ask for a referral:
   • "I completely understand. Who would you recommend after you?"

The Power of One in Action

If a 25-member chapter follows this principle, they generate $450,000 per year in closed business—without a single visitor joining. So, how much money is your chapter leaving on the table? This is one of the fastest ways to create impactful change. The fall is a prime time for chapter growth—people are refocused on their goals and looking for business opportunities.

Keeping New Members Engaged

• The mentoring program ensures new members understand the Power of One and stay committed.
• Retention is crucial—successful chapters grow and sustain long-term success.

Final Thoughts:

• Want to learn more about inviting? Visit BNIPowerofOne.com and search for past podcast episodes on inviting.
• Have a topic suggestion? Submit it through the website!