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BNI’s ethos is ‘Givers Gain’, which has proved to be a very successful as millions of pounds of business is generated each year by BNI members. Figures show how successful BNI is at generating sales but, in addition to these direct financial gains, there are also hidden benefits which, while quite difficult to put a monetary value on, are valuable none the less. In this blog I will talk about my Chapter (BNI Earlsfield) and how the members add hidden value. Each week our members have to stand up and present a 60 second snap shot of their business and what they would like the other members to do for them that week; this week-in week-out public speaking means that our members become very confident in presenting their business and, as we all know, confidence is a key ingredient in a successful business! BNI members also get to listen to every other member’s 60 second speech which means they can see what works as well as what doesn’t work as well and then put this learning into practice to improve their own 60 second pitch the following week. This constant ‘sharpening of the saw’ is the difference that can make the difference in your business and your career in London. Hearing from other business in different fields and sectors leads to a melting pot of ideas and creativity. I am a Coach, and I have learnt a lot about ‘Return on Investment’ and ‘showing value’ by talking with an accountant in my BNI Chapter. How many other Career and Development Coaches in London spend a lot of time talking with accountants about adding value? I’m not sure that many do; I believe that this gives me a competitive advantage over other Coaches in London. Similarly, how many accountants talk to a Career and Development Coach each week and pick up techniques on setting goals and time management? Again, I am not sure, but it can only help give an accountant a competitive advantage over other accountants in the local area. Each week, in addition to our 60 second speeches, one member gives a 10 minute presentation on their business. This is not a normal 10 minute sales pitch as each member looks to raise awareness of their business among the Chapter so they, the other members, have a greater understanding of that member’s business in order that they might better promote it. So far I have learnt a lot from these ranging from the process of re-wiring a house, through recovery from the Credit Crunch, to how best to set up a new business. These 10 minute presentations open a world to me that I would otherwise not see and allows me to see opportunities where other Career Development Coaches in my field may miss. Finally, each week one member presents an education segment. The past few sessions have covered various topics, including how to best optimise LinkedIn and how to deal with the fear of rejection. I provided one recently on how to anticipate and deal with change so that your business is always ready for the next big thing. Everyone benefits from this continuing development and sharing of ideas. So, to sum up, the hidden value of BNI Earlsfield, London is: 1. Increased confidence in presenting your business 2. Learning about other businesses in different sectors which can provide competitive advantage 3. Continuous learning from fellow group members The result of this hidden value is the benefit to your business and how you can increase your business skills and opportunities by being part of this energetic and fast growing Chapter! If you would like to visit the Career Coaching London and see what we do then please contact me at Joseph.smart@career-and-devlopment-coaching.com
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