Sue Jansma Jansma and Associates: Wellness, Entrepreneurship Thank you so much for being practical resources today on the monthly Presidents Call. Your experience and perspective was encouraging and provided great ideas I'm eager to incorporate into our chapter. "Giver's Gain" is very much alive on this call through your warm and generous feedback. Thank you! Sue Jansma, Quarry Connections, President

Andy Burton Andy Burton Group After learning about BNI through co-workers, I realized this is an unbelievable opportunity. Our current Chapter President Jennifer Shupe and I assembled a strong group of founding members and kicked off in June of 2006. It’s hard to believe it’s been less than a year and half; our club is on the verge of $1,000,000 in BNI bucks and has sustained over 40 active members. For me personally, BNI has allowed me the opportunity to not only earn referrals; but work on my leadership abilities, public speaking and networking skills as well. As a Mortgage Loan Officer, a single referral to me is very important. In the past year I have been able to assist over a half dozen new clients from BNI referrals, for over $2,000,000 in closed business!! Thank you BNI and my fellow Valley Professionals Members! Andy Burton Mortgage Loan Officer www.andyburtongroup.com Valley Professionals past Vice- President Current Education Coordinator

Jamie Williams Minnesota Health Coverage One of the first things I did when I started my insurance business 6 years ago was to join BNI. I had no idea of the value that this was going to bring me; I just heard it was a great way to connect with other small business owners. I had just moved here from another state and did not know anyone. After about 6 months I started to get some small accounts through referrals in my chapter. After about a year, I have gotten back in income several times what my original investment had been. 6 years later, I can easily track at least 50% of my income to BNI. This has been a result not only of the direct referrals I have gotten, but also the relationships I have made with members and visitors to my own chapter and the other chapters that I have visited. BNI has also strengthened my presentation skills and my ability to think on my feet in front of a group of people. The value of BNI in my business is irreplaceable. Jamie Williams Minnesota Health Coverage, Inc - Your Health Insurance Specialists! Visit him on the web.

Bob Quick Sterling State Bank I cannot say enough good things about BNI. I started our group with 3 people and now it has grown to over 42 members. I currently get about 35% of my business from BNI. Our bank did receive an enormous in-house referral that totaled 3.3 million in new business through the door for our bank. In addition to the business, the friendships that I have developed in the group have helped me grow as a person, personally and professionally. The contacts and friendships that you get from BNI are immeasurable. If you are thinking about joining BNI, go ahead and make the best decision you can make for your business.

Ted Halone www.YourSalonCoach.com HOW LONG DOES BUSINESS LAST FROM BNI? 10 Years ago at the very first meeting of BNI that I attended in Minnesota I received a referral. The referral was not the BNI Member--it was his wife. Being a Hairdresser I look for client loyalty and retention. It is good to be able to retain clients for 3 years. The member who gave the referral was only in the chapter the first years......however, 10 years later his wife is still an active client!!! BNI business does not leave. Member of the Founding Chapter of MN - South Metro BNI International Board of Advisors BNI Minnesota Ambassador

Kevin Yellick Meritor Small Office/Home Office Technology A recent BNI Tip encouraged members to be specific in their 60-second commercials. I just wanted to pass along a testimonial about how well this can work. Before we started the commercials, I summarized the article and I challenged everyone that week to be as specific as possible. As chapter president I wanted to set an example so I asked for the name of the owner of a construction and remodeling firm Arbor Construction on the corner of Penn and 54th in Minneapolis. Everyone got a chuckle that I was being so very specific but a visiting CPA filled out a referral slip telling me he might be able to help me with my request. I spoke to him later in the week and he explained that his IT person was also the IT person for Arbor but he was looking for someone to pass on the work to because the Arbor is too small and not a good fit. The company is a perfect fit for me! There are really two lessons learned here: 1. Being specific works and 2. Visitors can be excellent referral sources Keep up the good work!

Nick Atkinson - Agent American Family Insurance I am a life and health insurance agent for the Savage Pace Setters chapter. After being a member for 5 months I was given the name of a health insurance only agent from a member of my chapter. He said this person might be able to write health policies that may not be accepted into American Family. I called the individual and I sent a referral or two his way and then he called me with a referral. The referral turned out to be my dream referral. It was for a home insured at $3 million dollars, condo, six vehicles and an umbrella policy. This was the outcome of a dance card with a member of my chapter.

Loren Jones Prior Creative Images

Derrick Passe Passe Engineering While doing a dance card with Valley Custom Cabinets, we discussed some organizations that we belonged to. It soon became clear that the benefit that we received from these organizations was directly proportional to how active we were in the group. The great thing about BNI is that it not only forces me to be active in the group, it forces ALL the members to be active.

Tim Rabe Magnum Graphix While doing an impromptu Dance card with a printer from another chapter he received a phone call of someone looking for name tags. While I was standing there talking about some of the things we could do, I heard his employee give them my name and phone number. I truly believe in the networking and sales skills that I have learned from attending BNI. The MSP training has not only helped me in BNI, it helps me in my everyday sales duties.

Susan Kujala Hannu & Company Ltd My name is Susan Kujala. I am a CPA at Hannu & Company Ltd in Grand Rapids. I joined the Rapid Referral chapter of BNI in the initial start-up month, March 2003. The first 6 months passed by very quickly and while I had passed many referrals in the group, I hadn't received any that meant any business to our firm and was concerned that BNI wasn't working. After that initial period, we have gained business in all areas. It seemed to take that long for the trust and confidence that was needed for quality referrals. After this first year, I can proudly say that BNI has increased our client base by more than three dozen. So don't be discouraged if results aren't immediate. It takes time to inform other group members of exactly what you do and how you do it. Make good use of dance cards and learn as much as possible about all business in your group.

Louise A. Mehr Century 21-First Realty, Inc When I first started I thought, "OK I 'll try this stuff out for 6 month as I am the least morning person of anyone I know." --Our group meets every Thursday at 7 am-- Well here it is going on over 3 years and I am still going and have met wonderful people that have turned into friends. This group has literally changed my life for the better and has turned BNI Bucks into $1,249,000.00 of Real Estate Business. Of course ours is the famous River City Chapter of St.Cloud and I love our group!

Tom Schmoll Filthy Clean I was in a very successful BNI chapter in Burnsville, MN for 3 years. It generated quality business. I then moved to Grand Rapids, MN and started a new career in a new territory. I didn't know a soul. I proceeded to start a new chapter for one reason, to increase my awareness in the community as a new business person. It worked! We now have a chapter over 50 members, and I'm growing stronger in my business relationships every day. I have gained new business, but more importantly, I've accomplished strong and meaningful relationships with other professionals in a much shorter time frame. Relationships are they key to success. BNI is the key to relationships. BNI equals success! Tom Schmoll 218-327-9186 tom@filthycleanmn.com

Terri O'Dowd Terri O'Dowd Consulting "When I started a business from scratch, I was excited to learn about BNI. Its structure provided me a weekly meeting format where I could learn, practice and meet with other people growing their businesses. About 50% of my business comes through my broad BNI connections. But just as valuable is the learning I experience through BNI training, CDs, and the relationships I've developed. My business is successful and my journey is full of wonderful people because of BNI."

Beth Anderson Plum Creek Associates "BNI has helped me make my business a success by teaching me how to get and keep business. As a self-employed computer consultant I was in a sea of many before I joined BNI. Everyone in the room needed my services. In the first year as a BNI member 40% of my business came through BNI; by the end of year two it was 60%. I have learned how to use the Givers Gain philosophy to my advantage, I know how to turn a problem into a opportunity, and I'm a great farmer. Becoming an ambassador for my BNI region has given me even more exposure and more business."

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