How Networking Boosted My Business with BNI

“What they don’t tell you about networking …” MYTH: “If someone wanted to refer me, they already would.” Maybe. But more often — they don’t know how. That’s what makes BNI different. Every week, you learn how to: 🧠 Teach people what a good referral looks like 🎯 Ask for exactly what you need 🤝 Make it easy for others to refer you Most networks rely on hope. We rely on clarity. New afternoon and mid-morning BNI groups are forming now. You might be one conversation away from a better network. #BNI #BNIHampshire #ReferralTraining #BNIAfternoonChapters #NetworkingDoneRight

One of the most powerful parts of BNI Momentum? Hearing from our members themselves. In this video, Jim Fairhall-Dickie of Aureus Financial shares how BNI supported his journey - from launching as a start-up during Covid to now leading a thriving 40+ person business. A key part of that growth? Building lasting business relationships and generating real results through referrals. Because BNI isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating a trusted environment where professionals collaborate, grow, and achieve more together than they ever could alone. Jim’s story is one of many we hear every week — proof that when you show up, give generously, and build trust, the rewards naturally follow. #BNIMomentum #MemberSuccess #NetworkingThatWorks #BNIAustralia

September Networking Tip: Reset with Intention 🫧 Message in a bottle… or maybe just a DM. It’s back-to-business season, and your network is waiting to hear from you. Your actionable Networking Tip of the month? Pick 5 Chamber connections you’ve made this year - and send the message. 💡 Share an idea ☕ Invite them for coffee 💻 Comment on their latest post 📩 Shoot them a quick message Relationships don’t grow without a little follow-up. This is your sign to reconnect - with less drift, and more momentum. #ExeterAreaChamber #NetworkingTip #BackToBusiness #CommunityConnection #MessageInABottle #SendTheMessage #RelationshipBuilding #SupportLocalNH #SeacoastBusiness #ExeterNH

🤝🌟 Want to grow your network fast? Xavier Canez, Partner at Torq MSP, reveals how helping friends can turn into hot leads and real success! 🚀 📲 Watch now to learn powerful networking hacks and start thriving today! Rumble: https://lnkd.in/gfCQkYMX YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gKfT8Z6q #NetworkingTips #BusinessGrowth #TorqMSP

Networking Myth Alert “Just showing up = instant referrals.” The truth? Building a strong referral network takes more than attendance. It’s about genuine relationships, trust, and helping others first. When people truly know you, your business, and the value you bring, they’ll feel confident sending you referrals. BNI isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about creating lasting partnerships that fuel real growth. Watch this short video to uncover why relationships, not just showing up, are the key to networking success. #BNIWesternPA #NetworkingMyths #RelationshipBuilding #GiversGain #GrowYourBusiness

Networking Myth Alert “Just showing up = instant referrals.” The truth? Building a strong referral network takes more than attendance. It’s about genuine relationships, trust, and helping others first. When people truly know you, your business, and the value you bring, they’ll feel confident sending you referrals. BNI isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about creating lasting partnerships that fuel real growth. Watch this short video to uncover why relationships, not just showing up, are the key to networking success. #BNIWesternPA #NetworkingMyths #RelationshipBuilding #GiversGain #GrowYourBusiness

Networking Myth Alert “Just showing up = instant referrals.” The truth? Building a strong referral network takes more than attendance. It’s about genuine relationships, trust, and helping others first. When people truly know you, your business, and the value you bring, they’ll feel confident sending you referrals. BNI isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about creating lasting partnerships that fuel real growth. Watch this short video to uncover why relationships, not just showing up, are the key to networking success. #BNIWesternPA #NetworkingMyths #RelationshipBuilding #GiversGain #GrowYourBusiness

5 Questions That Leave a Lasting Impression at Networking Events By Robert Hazelrigg After nearly two decades of active networking across Monmouth County, I’ve learned that the most memorable conversations aren’t about pitching—they’re about connecting. Whether you’re at a Chamber mixer, a BNI breakfast, or a local ribbon-cutting, asking the right questions can turn a brief chat into a meaningful relationship. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/emYvKJ2S

When we first started growing our business, we knew networking was going to be important. What we didn’t realize was just how much of a difference being part of our local Owasso Chamber of Commerce would make — not only for business growth, but for how connected we feel to the community we’re trying to build our business in. At face value, joining a Chamber of Commerce might look like a purely professional move. You meet other business owners, you attend ribbon cuttings, you show up to luncheons, and you pass out business cards. And yes, all of that has been true for us. We’ve formed referral partnerships, built relationships with professionals across different industries, and discovered new opportunities to collaborate. It has absolutely helped us grow our reach and our credibility. That part alone has been worth the time and investment. But here’s the part I didn’t see coming: the community connection. The Chamber has given us a front-row seat to what’s happening locally. We’ve discovered small businesses we might have otherwise overlooked — the coffee shops, the family-owned restaurants, the boutique service providers who are pouring their energy into serving this same community. By intentionally choosing to do business with them, we’re not just exchanging dollars — we’re supporting dreams. Through Chamber events, we’ve met people who are passionate about our town and are working hard to make it thrive. We’ve attended local gatherings that remind us why this community is such a great place to live and work. We’ve had the chance to give back, to show up, and to be a part of something bigger than our own business. The biggest shift has been in mindset: networking stops being about “what can I get?” and becomes more about “how can I contribute?” When you walk into a room full of business owners with that mindset, the relationships change. They stop being surface-level exchanges and start becoming genuine connections. Those genuine connections are what lead to long-term partnerships, referrals, and yes — new clients. But even more than that, they lead to a sense of belonging. Running a business can sometimes feel isolating. It’s easy to get stuck behind your desk, buried in emails, and focused only on your own to-do list. The Chamber pulls you out of that and into a bigger story. A story where you’re not just building a business, but helping build a community. And honestly, that’s something worth investing in. If you’re a small business owner and you’ve been on the fence about joining your Chamber, my advice is simple: go for it. Show up, get involved, and engage. The relationships, the support, and the sense of connection you gain will go far beyond the professional benefits. Because at the end of the day, we’re all stronger when we build together. #ChamberOfCommerce #Community #SmallBusiness

💬 Relationships and Networking When I started my business 16 years ago, I didn’t network at all. It was all word of mouth. As the business grew, I knew I needed to start marketing so I joined BNI and a few other groups. I was a complete novice. I thought networking meant pitching and selling to everyone I met. A few years in, something shifted. As I started building genuine relationships, I realised business was no longer my focus people were. And that’s when the magic happened. The more I connected, listened, and genuinely cared, the more business came in. But better than that… I built friendships with incredible humans. Today, my networking circle is filled with people I deeply admire and together, we support each other’s businesses and charities. We show up for one another. Here’s the truth: Business is built in relationships. If you walk into an event thinking, “My target market isn’t here,” you’ve already missed the opportunity. One of my clients, a financial planner, once told me networking wasn’t “his thing.” He’d go to events, hand out business cards, and leave frustrated. After working together, he shifted his approach. Instead of trying to get something from networking, he started to give time, curiosity, encouragement. Within months, he wasn’t just getting leads; he was getting referrals from people who trusted and valued him. When your intention changes, your results do too. 💡 The MPOWER Strategy for Connection M – Mindset: Go in with curiosity, not agenda. P – Presence: Listen deeply. People can feel when you’re truly there. O – Opportunity: Look for ways to support others first. W – Wisdom: Share insights when they serve, not to impress. E – Empathy: Remember everyone is human first, professional second. R – Relationships: Nurture them. The real ROI is trust. 🌱 3 Steps to Better Networking 1. Lead with curiosity, not business cards. Ask about their story, not their services. 2. Play the long game. Relationships built on authenticity grow over time, not over one coffee. 3. Support what matters to others. Whether it’s a charity, event, or cause show up. Because real networking isn’t about transactions. It’s about transformation yours and theirs. #BusinessGrowth, #Leadership, #SmallBusiness, #BusinessStrategy #executivecoaching #MPowerServices