Eggs and bacon create £500,000

June 16, 2011 - PRLog -- When Lino Carlino went to breakfast and met a group of business people it was a stroke of genius.  Little did he think that 7 years later he would still be enjoying a breakfast and leaving with business.  A case of it's not what you know but who you know.

The group meets each Friday and have eaten their way through nearly 7,000 thousand  breakfasts.  But they have also provided over 10,000 referrals for local business.  In fact each year members share over £500,000 of work. “We know these figures are correct because we record each referral and the resulting value” said Lino Carlino, Chapter Director. “I have received contracts worth many £thousands over the years by being a member.  If I had not been a member I would never have heard about the work.”

So there is no doom and gloom over the bacon and eggs when BNI meet.  Every week, in just one and half-hours, thousands of pounds worth of business passes to members and into the local economy.  “This chapter is always looking for new members to join.  We invite business people to come to a meeting and see for themselves how vibrant the meeting is and the business passed” said Martin Bowdler, BNI Executive Director.  

BNI is the largest and most successful business network.  “Our success is because of dedication and support for one another” said Lino.  “Joining BNI is having 22 people, each one looking out for opportunities for your business.  Membership is limited to 1-member from each sector. Thus we avoid competition.  We know and trust each member to provide an excellent service.”

Around Torbay, the Great Western Chapter in Newton Abbot has been so successful that it is now in the top 10% of over 600 chapters in the UK.  Each month Great Western delivers an average of at least 160 business referrals to members. This chapter has just passed the 10,400th referral.   “Research shows that on average members achieve £26,000 of business in a year from their BNI membership” says Martin Bowdler, Devon and Cornwall Director.  

As an example a wine merchant member gave a referral to electrician Andy Shout, explaining that this customer needed some work undertaken.  “It turned into a £30,000 contract.  I would never have heard about this work if I had not been a member of BNI” said Andy.  The variety of referrals produced includes all types of business.  Insurance, accountants, conveyancing, property letting, web site design, landscaping, mortgages, financial advice just to name a few of the 20 members.  “We encourage business people to join us each week, as we have work for them which we need to place.  Just last week a visitor received 2 referrals for business. Networking is the most cost-effective form of marketing and we prove it weekly” said Lino.  “Last Friday we gave nearly 70 business referrals.  Because each referral comes from personal recommendation the customer expects the contact, which leads to success”.

Ian Webb, accountant explained “I know that I can help a business in a host of ways.  If banking is required then Lloyds are members.  For insurance advice or action I can introduce our broker member.  If the business needs a web site then we have a web designer and specialist copywriter.  To help drive a business, or provide advice there is a trusted and experienced member keen to help.  My practice joined to expand our territory.  Now we have clients all over the region and this is because of BNI.”

So the message is clearly “come to breakfast and start to build business”.  To attend the meeting at Ten Tors Inn, Kingskerswell, and learn about the secrets of business networking telephone Lino – 07908 073598.  “Members come from Paignton, Torquay, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Dartmoor and Newton Abbot” said Lino. “But we have business for more.”

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