News from BNI Lancashire & BNI South Pennines - BNI the business referral organisation
BNI Lancashire & BNI South Pennines
BNI Lancashire & BNI South Pennines Regional News
| Yes, this is a serious business meeting! Daryl Collinson of Naze Lane Garage, Freckleton, Preston, told the story of what happens if you do not have tyres performing to a safe level - in getting his message across he not only gave his fellow Chapter colleagues a 10 minutes presentation to remember, he enlisted them to help him. Identifying if you do not have safe tyres ("Tim the driver"), these are the type of people you will need to speak to: The policeman (Andy Higgins), the lawyer (Pete Wilson), the doctor (Steve Stewart), The Undertaker (Freddie Fishwick), Spannerman (Martin Boden) and the storyteller himself: Daryl Collinson. For further information contact Daryl on: 01772 631199 - and just mention this article. |
| On 25th April, we held an Information Meeting for people on our "Waiting List" awaiting category vacancies. As a result, those who expressed an interest in forming new groups returned on the 9th May to progress this further. We are now working with these people and currently looking at Chorley, Leyland, Preston, Carnforth and South Pennines areas. If you know anyone who would like to be involved in BNI, but is locked out of Chapters, or there is not a Chapter in their area (within the Lancashire and South Pennines Region), please send us their details: nicola@bnionline.co.uk and we will make contact with them. |
| When unavoidable absence from the BNI breakfast table means having to find a substitute, then it's important to ensure your replacement is not going to let you down. Happily, Russell Treasure - a member of the Olympus Chapter in Leyland near Preston - had no such doubts when he had to miss a recentmeeting, after arranging for his substitute to be collected from home in a beautiful orange Lamborghini Gallardo sports car, and then be chauffeur driven to work afterwards! In fact it was all in a day's work for Russell, whose business 'Lamborgenie.com' hires out prestige sports cars for celebrityevents and specialoccasions. He said: "I'd asked a business colleague, Martin Cooke from Ribble Insurances Ltd, to act as my substitute and of course he would have been very willing to oblige, even without the VIP treatment. "But I thought that since he was making the effort to get up very early on my behalf, the least I could do was provide one of my eye catching cars and have him chauffeur driven to and from the chapter meeting. I gather his arrival caused a minor stir among the other Olympus members." Our photo shows Martin being greeted by Chapter Director Gary Baldwin outside Olympus's venue, Farington Lodge Hotel in Leyland. Photo:www.inspiredimagesltd.com Contact Martin on 07737 393485 www.ribbleinsurance.com and Russell on 01254 854414www.lambogenie.com |
| BNI TESTIMONIAL If you are reading this then you either already a BNI member or considering becoming one. If you are the latter, then let me assure you that having taken the first step by attending a meeting, you are now well on your way to growing your business and making more money. I started with Travel Counsellors in July 2006. I had no clients to bring with me from my previous job (I would have been sued!) and I needed to find a cost effective and efficient way to find new ones quickly. Since joining Zeus Chapter in July 2006, I have grown my business from an average £7000 per month to a staggering £26000 per month and its still growing! I never advertise – I don’t need to, it costs too much and it doesn’t work anyway. For me the cost of BNI has been returned to me over and over again – not something that could be said for newspaper advertising. If you have any concerns or doubts about joining BNI, please contact me and I will reassure you that it will be one of the best business decisions you will ever make. Helen Birtwistle Travel Counsellors PLC |
| I am Colin Lindsay, a member of Stockport’s Pyramid Chapter, and Managing Director of Gallery Recruitment, which has now been operating for over 3 years. We work in the Sales, Marketing, Commercial, Transport and Logistics sector. In 2007 I was looking to develop in the Transport sector. With that in mind during my weekly sixty second presentation at my BNI meetings, I said I was looking for introductions into Logistics and asked for help from fellow BNI members to source referrals into that sector. One sunny morning in June, Chris Parrack from PSE Consulting, and fellow chapter member, informed me that he had attended a meeting with a Logistics organisation that used Recruitment Agencies from time to time. His referral provided me with a telephone number and said they were expecting my call. Not knowing what to expect I made a call and finished up signing a contract that turned out to be work with potential earnings of at least £300,000 for Gallery Recruitment over the next 2 years or more…. While this in it self is tremendous as income it will also mean that Gallery Recruitment will move up level to even bigger and better things in the future. So the process works! What can we learn from this? All referrals need to be followed up, as you never know what they will turn into. PSE Consulting is a Cheshire based Management Consultancy that works with the operations side of businesses making them more profitable by improving business performance, saving money in the supply operation and implementing equality & diversity programmes. Photography by Cameraclix - contact John on 07946 477005; Contact Colin on 07795 976292 and Chris 07868 782398 |
| On 1st February 2007 Nicola Taylor joined both the AD team and was appointed as the Regional Support Manager for Lancashire and South Pennines. Nicola has been in BNI for over 4 years and has a great understanding of how and why the system works. She still plays an active role within her own Chapter in Preston. She organising training events and provides the full support to our members, the Leadership and Assistant Director teams. She is also involved in developing new groups in and around the Region. You can contact Nicola by email: nicola@bnionline.co.uk |
| It gives me great pleasure as Executive Director of BNI South Pennines & BNI Lancashire to welcome you to our new website. During 2007 I put together an Assistant Director (AD) team to assist me with building BNI across the two regions and to support our members in developing their chapters. In 2008 we will be focussing upon assisting members to get more out of BNI while driving the BNI brand throughout the regions. BNI is the most successful organisation of its kind throughout our regions and with the assistance of my team I will be ensuring this position is strengthened. For existing Chapters it will mean more support and training and it will also mean the launch of new Chapters. The growth of BNI will assist members new and old to get more business because there will be more visitors to the Chapter, more members and more funds available for our marketing. There’s one main reason why we are so successful – our members. I’m always available to talk to existing and potential members so please contact me by email mike@bnionline.co.uk or via my mobile 07712 678310 if you would like to discuss anything. I look forward to hearing from you. Mike Holman - Executive Director BNi Lancashire & BNI South Pennines |
| The pro-active Pegasus Chapter, of Clayton Le Moors, have increased their profile in Lancashire by getting themselves into the Lancashire Telegraph, complete with picture and editorial inviting local businesses to go along to one of their meetings. If you are doing any promotions in your local area then please let us know. |
| Members of the Preston City Centre Chapter celebrated their 3000th Referral in style - which has provided its members with 3000 warmed up opportunities to do business. Walter Ainsworth, our resident Wine Importer from LetsOpenaBottle.com, provided the Champagne, with Barbara Willkie from the Check-In Group adding a touch of glamour with one of the company limousines, Tim Dewsnap of Easiprint provided the banner and we were joined by Martin Toole from the Olympus Chapter (Inspired Images) to record the event. In an amusing twist of fate the 3000th Referral was passed by Walter himself who was delighted to help other members of the Chapter drink the Champagne! |
| The BNI European Conference 2007 was held in Southampton in April with Mike Holman, Nicola Taylor, Nicky Acton and Morgan Rothwell attending on behalf of BNI Lancashire and BNI South Pennines. Mike Holman accepted two awards for highest number of members per chapter and highest retention of members. Nicky Acton was one of only 5 Assistant Directors in Europe to receive an award for her achievements within BNI.
On top of receiving these top awards Mike Holman presented to the conference and received fantastic feedback from the delegates. "It is great to be recognised for the work we do in our regions. BNI has been very successful for members across the regions in all sorts of industries and we are proud that this has been recognised on an international platform" says Mike. The awards, presented by Dr Ivan Misner, BNI founder, come on the back of significant work that has been done to increase business for members throughout Lancashire and the South Pennines. The team are now charged with some great new ideas on how to further improve the benefits of BNI membership and they will be visiting chapters over the next few months to assist them to grow and increase their performance. The 2008 conference is in Dublin. |
| One of the most important factors determining the success of a BNI region is its directors. It has taken several years to assemble the current BNI Lancashire & BNI South Pennines - all active BNI members who represent BNI and their own businesses. Over the course of the next few months you will be meeting different members of the team who are here to assist you to make the most out of your membership. |
| Following the regions success and people wanting to join BNI but being locked out of existing chapters, we are setting up new groups in Chorley (The Next Generation Gym at Chorley - Friday 06.45am, and Blackburn at Bees Cafe - Thursdays. If you would like more information please contact us through the online contact form. |
| Mike Holman and some of his team of Assistant Directors, travelled to the Worldwide Conference in November 2007. The purpose of the trip is to meet other BNI members from around the world, and bring back ideas. Mike was presented with another Award from BNI, which is voted for by the members within his Regions. The team had the pleasure of meeting Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI. (From left to right, Morgan Rothwell, Brian Whitehouse, Ivan Misner, Nicola Taylor, Mike Holman). |
| BNI and in particular, Mike Holman, likes to ensure his members have all the tools for ensuring they take ownership of their BNI membership, with the ultimate goal of making more money. His training sessions are "renowned" around the region. As you can see, our trainings are well attended. If you would like further details of forthcoming training events, please go to the Training Tab on this site. |
15th May 2008, 9.20am-2pm. Park Hall Hotel & Conference Centre, Charnock Richard - LANCASHIRE WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS - courtesy of the NW Lancs Chamber of Commerce - for further details contact Louise on louiseq@lancschamber.co.uk or 01772 653000. FREE networking event - Richmonds Brasserie - first Thursday of every month - 6.30pm-8.00pm. Explore networking opportunities in the Blackburn Area. Further details: Contact Suzanne Gibson on info@ecompli.co.uk Have a look at the following site to see about networking in your area: www.ukb2b.net Don't forget your local Chamber of Commerce networking events:- www.leedschamber.co.uk www.lancschamber.co.uk www.gmchamber.co.uk www.bradfordchamber.co.uk www.winningwomen.co.uk Visit www.fsb.org.uk for networking events in your area. We urgently need to know where networking events are happening in your area. Please email me on nicola@bnionline.co.uk with the details. |
| If you have a story to tell about BNI - how it has worked for you - how your business has grown as a result of being a member of BNI - or a Chapter Story to tell, we would like to hear from you. Please email your story to nicola@bnionline.co.uk |
BNI.com newsfeed
1) A memorable time at Invincible
Yes, this is a serious business meeting! Daryl Collinson
3) Join the queue to sub at Olympus
When unavoidable absence from the BNI breakfast table