One nice thing about BNI is that there are quite a few chapters around the Dayton area. They meet at various mornings and perhaps some other times. BNI is a pay membership networking group (this can be a benefit as it adds some accountability to the membership. You also keep out your direct competitors with your active membership). You know that everyone has a commitment at least based on their investment in the group working for them. Everyone knows that if you give to others you will gain from them as well. If you are just looking for what you can get, the flow isn’t there.
Visitors day was April 11th, 2013 for the group and one of the members had invited me to join them for the day. They have a good strong base of about 18 members, but their goal is to grow it to the 40 ish level. The amount of referrals grows exponentially when a group can double in size. Here is a video link showing the meeting before it started: http://youtu.be/Bom629EjxWQ
Just below is a photo of the meeting as people were asked to give their one minute messages.
They have room for 40 if they make their goal. They meet on Thursdays each week at 7:30 A.M. in the basement meeting room at Coldwell Bankers – Heritage Realtors at 2000 Hewitt Rd. which is off Bigger or Whipp Rd. depending on where you might be coming from. Here is a mapquest link to the location: http://mapq.st/11nlXct They also have a website here: http://ketteringnetworkers.webs.com
BNI is limited to one of each category (unless there is no overlap, for example there could be a commercial Realtor and a residential Realtor in the same group). Currently this group is looking for these categories of business to fill some openings they have:
Web Developer, Home Inspector, Pest Control, landscaper, Commercial Realtor, Photographer, Caterer, Roofing and Siding Company, Travel Agent, Electrician, Plumber, Painter, Chiropractor, Event Planner, Telecom Services, Marketing Services, Residential Builder, Windows & Doors Contractor, Carpet Cleaning Company, Sign Company, Body Shop, Office Products and Services. I am sure they have many other categories they would love to have. If you would like to visit the group, call the current chapter president Cliff Burst at 937-660-2218 to make sure your category is available and to discuss visiting the group.
One interesting portion of the meeting was when Tom Kavanaugh was asked to share about his long time commitment to this group. Apparently he is over 15 consecutive years investing in his fellow BNIers in this group so he has some perspective. Here is a video clip of what he said (you may need to turn up the volume a lot to hear it) http://youtu.be/B6xOfyQtYZ4
Perhaps it’s time for you to check out the Kettering Networking Chapter of BNI.
Peter DeMott • REACH Magazine • Dayton and Cincinnati • peter@photosbypdemott.com • pdemott@reachusa.com • 937-478-6222













