Currently Expanding Networking Group Needs You!

We have just broken the 100K barrier in closed business passed between our members!  This doesn’t really sound like much does it?  But then you have to add the small detail that we have been formally networking together now for little under 6 months!

So I ask you!  Would you like a slice of this business?  If the answer is yes, then take a look at the list of categories below.  If you business category is amongst them, then please do come and join us for lunch.

We meet at the Red Lion at Stone Cross, each and every Thursday lunch time.  There is always someone at the Venue by 11:30am, networking from 11:45am.  Lunch & refreshments are provided at a cost of £8.

Bring plenty of business cards and an open mind – can’t wait to see you.

Most Wanted / Currently Vacant Categories:

• Web Design
• SEO, SEM
• Graphic Design
• Sign Writing, Signs, Shop Fronts etc
• Vehicles; Commercial & Private – All Categories
• PR & Marketing
• Funeral Director
• Painter & Decorator
• Health & Safety
• Locksmith
• Security / CCTV
• Office & Stationery Supplies
• Photographer
• Architect / Surveyor
• Insurance Brokers
• Banking
• IT Services / Supplies
• Business Coaching
• Massage Therapist

Effective 10 minute presentations

This weeks Educations Slot is presented by Noel McNeill of Abacus Flame, on Behalf of our Education Co-ordinator.

TOPIC:  10 Minute Presentations

So Mike has already touched on effective 60 second presentations, two weeks ago.

Now to discuss what makes an effective 10 minute presentation:-

We’ll discuss this in 2 parts:

1. How to set up your 10 minute presentation, for MAXIMUM impact and,
2. How the 10 minute presentation fits in to the ‘bigger picture’ of your BNI word of mouth advertising campaign.

So what IS a 10 minute presentation, in BNI Terms?

• Something BNI forces you to do periodically?
• A chance to give your usual 60 second presentation, but with enough time to get it right?
• An opportunity to talk about enough of your products or services to ensure most of us will buy something from you that day?
• OR is it an opportunity for you to teach us everything there is to know about your business in 10 minutes or less, to make sure we realise your job isn’t easy?

ACTUALLY, it’s none of the above.  It’s something much more.  If handled correctly, it’s about arming your sales force with enough knowledge of your products or services to enable them to go out and sell your products or services and provide you with great referrals.

Use all mediums of contact, whether phone, email, letter etc to invite clients, guests, potential clients and friends to the meeting at which you will be delivering your 10 minute presentation.  Follow up on your invites prior to the meeting.

Your attendance and behaviour at meetings speaks volumes about how you would treat those referred to you. (At this point, Mike would apologise!!)

In closing, your 10 minute should be teasing enough that everyone wants a 1-2-1 with you, to learn more about your business.

Thanks to Noell.  Thoroughly enjoyable.

What is the Definition of a Referral?

Ivan Misner has written a brilliant article, which turned up in my inbox today. I wanted to share it with all of you.

It is called “What is the Definition of a Referral”, by Dr Ivan Misner. Well worth the read and it may clarify a few things for those who are unaware of what a referral is and how you go about getting one. Some of the comments on this article are good too.

Here is the link: “What is the Definition of a Referral”, by Dr Ivan Misner.

If it is of use to you, then please share it.

New Member

We welcomed Glenn Sanson of Oakfield Property, Eastbourne into our Chapter this week.
Glenn is seeking referrals for Sales & Lettings.  We look forward to learning more about Glenn as the weeks pass and we all join the queue for our 1-2-1 sessions with him, get booking those appointments now folks!

Visitors Day Announced…

The members of the Exchange Chapter would like to share their business success with other local businesses.  To do this they would like you to share an event with them.  Here are the details:

What?

The Exchange Chapter invites everyone that would like to increase and grow their business to join us for lunch to meet like-minded and succesful local businesses for lunch.

Tea/Coffee/Juice and lunch is provided.

When?

Thursday, 10th February 2011 at 11:45am.

Where?

The Red Lion, Lion Hill, Stone Cross, Eastbourne, BN24 5EG

Do I bring anything?

• Yourself (very important)
• 50+ business cards if you would like to network
• A guest is always welcome.

Questions?

If you have questions please contact Chris Redfearn on 07765 918059.

Open Categories at BNI Exchange (Eastbourne)

If you are looking for new business, more or increased business in 2011, why not consider joining the members of the Exchange chapter of BNI for lunch? We meet every Thursday for lunch at the Red Lion, Lion Hill, Stone Cross, BN24 5EG.

BNI Exchange has the following Categories currently open:

• Architect/Surveyor
• Interior Designer
• Soft Furnishings – Interior Design
• Graphic Designer
• Bank Manager
• Independent Estate Agent
• Painter & Decorator
• Flooring & Carpets
• Promotional Products & Services
• Search Optimisation & Marketing Services
• Cars/Vans – all areas

If you have a business that is not shown here, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Redfearn on 07765 918059 and enquire.  Chris is our Chapter Director will be able to answer all and any queries that you may have regarding our meetings.

What a Great Meeting!

Our first meeting back was terrific, with a full house and a new applicant amongst our midst the room was buzzing with new business and new ideas for the year ahead.

With talk of the year ahead being the best to come, the Exchange Chapter is planning for future growth and moving ahead with it’s plan to become the best place to be for networking in Eastbourne in the year ahead.

Many Thanks have gone out to Sandra Forte for organising a fantastic Christmas “do”. Much fun was had at our Bowling and Buffet evening at the Lloyd Lanes in Hampden Park and many stayed much later than planned! Many also went home a little happier than was anticipated too… with much fun and laughter there are many event planned for the year ahead and much camaraderie to be had.

It is with regret we see Terry Summerford of Park Carpets leave us in this new year, Terry has become a much loved member of the Chapter and we will all miss him.

Most Wanted Categories to start the year with are:

• Graphic Designer
• Property Management Company
• Independent Estate Agent
• Architect
• Interior Designer

If you know someone in these business areas, local to Eastbourne, that would like more work then please contact the Exchange Chapter, we would like to invite you for lunch.

We look forward to seeing New Members and New business throughout 2011, why not join us for lunch and find out more about us?

Christmas Closing

BNI Exchange will not meet on 23rd December and 30th December 2011. Bringing us back together on Thursday 6th December 2011 for our first meeting of the New Year.

It is with due diligence that Sarah would like to remind all members that if you are unable to make that meeting could you please oragnise a substitute via www.sussex-sub.co.uk and please remember that the Sussex Sub website has a 48hour registration period.

A peaceful Christmas Season and best wishes for the New Year are wished.

Speaker Presentations

Due to the disruption caused by the weather and impending Christmas holidays, we have a revised speaker rotation.

The following changes have been made:

9th December 2010 – Elaine Murdoch, Wellness with Nutrition
16th December 2010 – Sandra Forte, King Cabinet Makers
6th January 2010 – Sarah Hall, Love Web Design
13th January 2010 – Paul Rumble. DC Cleaning
20th January 2010 – Kim Monroe, St James’s Place Wealth Management
27thg January 2010 – Paul Severn, Price & Co

Any changes to the speaker presentation will be updated, as and when they occur.

Meeting Cancelled

Due to the adverse weather conditions tomorrow’s meeting has been cancelled.

We have received notice that the snow is continuing to build and making travel extremely difficult in both Hastings through to Eastbourne. Therefore the decision has been taken to cancel the meeting on safety grounds.

Lee Harrington
Assistant Director