WELCOME

Welcome to Profits in the Park. We’re so excited to have you! The interviewing process was probably a whirlwind (and a little exhausting). Now that the dust has settled, here’s what to do.

• Training. You have 60 days to take New Member Training (available once your dues are paid to the BNI office). Check the calendar at TriangleBNI.com and attend any Member Success Training (it covers new and current members). It changes yearly, so everyone re-ups.
• Get on the schedule for your 10-minute presentation. After training you’re eligible, so talk to the Secretary/Treasurer to grab a date.
• Follow up on 1-2-1s. Get to know your fellow members. Use them to uncover what makes a good referral for others, how they like introductions made, and what trigger words to listen for.

As new applicants come in, the Membership Committee shares the application with the group. It’s up to you to give feedback on the person and their seat request: are they a good fit, good at their job, a reputable company, and how will you both benefit? Interview them (face-to-face or by phone, since they’re often bombarded with meetings) and send your feedback to the Membership Committee privately through SurveyMonkey. Feedback is kept private from the group to encourage honesty, both positive and negative.

• Profits in the Park has a private listserv so we can email everyone with one address. See Kevin or Amy to make sure you’ve been added.
• If your work email has trouble receiving these, ask IT to whitelist profitsinthepark@googlegroups.com.
• Use it freely for referral info, events, and ideas, but don’t use the listserv to ask for subs.

• The best subs are your clients, who can spend 45 seconds bragging about how great you are. Next best is a referral partner. Honestly, anyone with a heartbeat works: your neighbor who power-washes on weekends, a friend promoting a church event, any business owner or salesperson. Get creative.
• Keep a shortlist of 3-5 people who can sub for you, and ask ahead of time: “Will you be my go-to sub if I have to miss?” For last-minute misses, ask two so at least one can make it. Other BNI members make great subs, and you can return the favor. There’s also a Triangle BNI Substitutes Facebook group.

• You can visit any BNI up to 2 times each per six-month term, so do it. It’s a great way to meet the seats filled in other groups and find possible subs.
• Find someone complementary or a referral partner and offer to be their sub. It never hurts to have folks owe you a sub down the road.
• It’s also a great way to meet visitors from other groups who already have their seat filled, and invite them to ours where we have an open seat. 🙂

An important part of BNI is networking outside of BNI. New connections regularly expand your sphere and make you a better referral partner. Even better, don’t go alone; see who else in the group is attending and go together.

• Chamber of Commerce
• Industry-specific organizations
• Women’s and men’s groups
• LinkedIn events
• Happy hours, socials, breakfasts
• City / county / town council
• Philanthropic and charitable events, board membership, fundraisers
• Athletic events
• Online social media events

• Open your client list, partner list, neighborhood contacts, your kids’ school parent lists. They’re all potential referrals for someone in BNI.
• Bring referral partners to the group so everyone benefits.
• If sharing your own clients is tricky (privacy, etc.), focus on bringing visitors. They may not come from your client pool, but they’re hugely beneficial to the group, a great way to make up for a lull in passed referrals.

In your 1-2-1s, your weekly 45s, and your semi-annual 10-minute presentation, make an effort to teach members how to refer to you. Some ideas:

• Pick a vertical market for 4-6 weeks. A vertical is a type of client you target (restaurants, tech firms, CPAs, newly engaged, etc.). Repetition helps members hone in on a slice of your business.
• Do 1-2-1s with your best referral sources. Some seats refer to you better than others, so identify them and target them often. It keeps you top of mind.
• Be specific. Drop actual names: “I’m looking for an intro to shared meeting spaces, specifically Karen at The Frontier and Sarah at HQ Raleigh.” Or get specific in your vertical: instead of “medical professionals,” say “dentists, hygienists, oral surgeons, and orthodontists.”
• Check LinkedIn. Your connections often reveal dusty referral sources worth dusting off.
• Brainstorm with the group. BNI is a resource, not just a referral source. If you’re stuck, talk to Leadership, the Chapter Director, or the Regional Director.
• Simplify technical businesses. Make yourself the go-to for one recognizable thing, then upsell once you have the introduction.
• Ask for leads, not just referrals. A lead is a name or contact that could be an opportunity; a referral is a warm introduction. A property manager might ask members to text photos of ‘For Rent’ signs; a payroll pro might ask for anyone who complains about their boss.
• Tell a story. Use real examples of how you helped a business, which shows how your services apply in real life.
• Highlight one product or service for 4-6 weeks, just like a vertical campaign. Educate week after week on one recognizable offering.

If you’re interested in being mentored, or in mentoring, let Leadership know. New members, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, this is a natural option and we’re happy to set it up. There’s a lot to take in, and your success is everyone’s success.

BNI only exists because people do the work. You don’t have to jump in right away, but find a way to get involved, even casually. BNI built the frame of the house; we get to pick the paint color.

• President: runs meetings, sets group goals with the team, appoints the Leadership team, oversees their work, and reports issues to the Chapter and Regional Directors.
• Vice President: tracks numbers and attendance, oversees goal implementation and the Membership Committee, and is the tie-breaker vote when needed.
• Secretary/Treasurer: maintains the bank account, collects and pays facility dues, manages the speaker rotation, and processes new and renewal applications.
• Membership Committee (3): reviews and processes all applications, collects member feedback, and votes unanimously on every applicant. The VP steps in on conflicts.
• Education Committee (2): delivers a 2-5 minute education moment each week.
• Visitor Hosts (3-4): arrive early to welcome guests and subs, sign everyone in, introduce them, share their contact info, and send thank-you follow-ups.
• Mentor: works 1-on-1 with new members, or anyone wanting extra guidance.
• Event Coordinator (1-2): coordinates networking events, organizes Visitor’s Day, and plans the occasional happy hour, golf outing, or social.

For the chapter’s weather policy, see the Severe Weather Policy page.