BNI Members voice their thoughts...
Lori Garland - Ellicott City Wednesday L
 
Being a part of a new group formation at the beginning of 2010, I became a member of BNI. When my renewal came up I did a cost analysis and determined it wasn't working. However, I accompanied another BNI member to another chapter. And, BAM! I found the right group for me. Over the last few months I have learned and seen what happens when givers gain and having your own sales staff through you BNI associates and friends truly means. This all occured when I joined the Ellicott City BNI Chapter. Across the board this group has been welcoming and just a great group of people. I can't say enough about this chapter, it was the perfect fit for me and a great testemonial for each of the individuals that are a part of this group. To each of them I say thank you for being so open and welcoming to new members. Incredibly this new energy has increased my ability to send referals to the members of the group. I look forward to growing my business as I assist my colleagues in growing theirs. Bill Regler from Kennedy Printing is great as president. Informally formal our meetings are structured and productive while also being fun. Ellicott City BNI is the best!
Amy Verbeten - Bel Air Wednesday Breakfast
 
BNI has taken my business to the next level!
As a Virtual Assistant, I focus on building quality business relationships and BNI has provided me with the best resource to increase my resources to provide to my clients.

Amy Verbeten
Your Virtual Assistant,
Mind Your Business
Kathie Okun - Roland Park Thurs B
 
BNI has been a continual source of prospects, business contacts, new clients and great friendships!
Lori Teachum - Gaithersburg Thursday Lunch(Holiday Inn)
 
I have had a steady flow of referrals since I joined BNI in Sept. '05. The opportunities are pretty awesome if you work at networking yourself throughout BNI.
-Lori Teachum, BNI Flaming Pit Lunch (best lunch in the area!)
Ray Miller - Mt. Airy Fri L (Mt. Airy Tavern)
 
I have been a member of BNI for 9+ years. Referrals have always been an important part of my business. When I started my own company, BNI was the foundation. I have since did a career change and once again BNI and referrals have set the stage for my growth. Anyone who is starting out brand new or who has an established business should consider BNI to take them to the next level.

Ray Miller, President
Mount Airy Friday Lunch Chapter
RE/MAX Realty Group
Robert Ryan - Timonium Fri B
 
It has been my experience that in order for BNI to work as it is intended, each member of the chapter has to make a conscious comitment to channel all of his or her business referral activity to the other members within the chapter, whenever possible. Putting past relationships aside and focusing on the members of the group strengthens the synergy of the group and promotes the growth of intra group relationships.
Those members of the group with whom I have developed the above symbiotic relationships have proven to be valuable assets in my sales efforts, and have become an intergral part of my collective marketing efforts in my efforts to grow my business. They have truly become my business partners, and have added to the value of my services to my clients.
Larry Hughes - Cecil Cty Wed B
 
BNI is the single most cost effective way to make your business name known and abailable to others. Also, as a member you instantly gain access to other skilled and professional people normally needed during the course of running your business. Getting referrels and increasing business may be the primary reason for joining a BNI chapter, but you soon begin to regard it as a nice spill-over benefit when you compare it to all the other amenities you enjoy. Furthermore, it is just a lot of fun to network and kabitz with people that quickly become your friends and business supporters.
Jim Ward - BNI Best-by-Referral #N112
 
“70% of my business comes directly or indirectly from BNI referrals. “