Summary of "The Official BNI Podcast"
Episode 901: Misner’s Corollary to Murphy’s Law (Classic)
Hosted by Dr. Ivan Misner
Release Date: March 12, 2025

Introduction

In this classic episode of The Official BNI Podcast, Dr. Ivan Misner delves into a unique perspective on business challenges by introducing Meisner’s Corollary to Murphy’s Law. Hosted by Priscilla Rice from Live Oak Recording Studio in Berkeley, California, the conversation offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and business professionals seeking to anticipate and mitigate potential obstacles in their ventures.

Understanding Murphy’s Law and Meisner’s Corollary

Dr. Misner begins by revisiting Murphy’s Law, a principle he encountered during his graduate studies: “What can go wrong will go wrong.” He acknowledges the seemingly pessimistic nature of this law but emphasizes its value in providing a framework for identifying and addressing potential flaws in business strategies.

Notable Quote:
"Murphy’s Law gives a framework for people to look for the flaws in their thinking. And when one does that effectively, it's easier to address potential issues before they arise."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [02:30]

Building upon this, Dr. Misner introduces Meisner’s Corollary: “Sometimes what can't go wrong will go wrong.” This corollary encourages business leaders to consider not only what might go wrong but also the unforeseen consequences of actions that seem foolproof.

Notable Quote:
"Sometimes what can't go wrong will go wrong. If you go about this in a thought-provoking manner, you can truly think through potential challenges before you proceed."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [04:15]

Practical Application of the Corollary

Dr. Misner shares practical examples from his extensive experience in various businesses, including property and publishing, illustrating how Meisner’s Corollary has been instrumental in preemptively identifying and addressing unintended consequences.

Example 1: BNI’s Substitute Program
BNI implemented a substitute program allowing members to send a representative to weekly meetings in their absence. Initially, the idea seemed beneficial, ensuring continuous participation without disrupting the member’s presence.

Unintended Consequence:
Some members began sending substitutes who did not adequately represent them, often pitching their own businesses instead. This undermined the original intent of the program and created dissatisfaction within groups.

Notable Quote:
"The substitute would represent the member. Employees and customers were the prime substitute candidates... However, some members would look for virtually anyone to be a sub."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [06:45]

Example 2: Transition from Paper to Digital Referral Slips
BNI transitioned from physical referral slips to digital ones to streamline the process. While the change improved efficiency, it resulted in a sense of loss among members who valued the tactile aspect of passing referrals.

Notable Insight:
The shift to digital was eventually embraced more fully with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated online interactions, thereby mitigating initial resistance.

Notable Quote:
"The lingering feeling was quickly erased with the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and the transition of all of our groups to meeting online."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [08:20]

Case Study: Massive Transition to Online Meetings

One of the most compelling examples Dr. Misner discusses is BNI’s swift transition of 10,000 chapters from in-person to online meetings in January 2020. Anticipating resistance, BNI’s CEO, Graham Weimiller, strategically phased the transition, starting with regions like Asia where it was most necessary and experimenting in North America subsequently.

Outcome:
This proactive approach allowed BNI to handle pushback effectively and execute an unprecedented pivot, ensuring continuity and adaptability during a global crisis.

Notable Quote:
"By moving forward and experimenting with the program, the organization was able to prepare for much of the pushback that we expected."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [09:00]

Implementing Meisner’s Corollary in Your Business

Dr. Misner emphasizes the importance of thinking both critically and creatively when evaluating new ideas. By considering what can and can't go wrong, business leaders can better anticipate and navigate potential challenges and unintended consequences.

Key Takeaways:

• Proactive Evaluation: Regularly assess both potential risks and overlooked consequences of business decisions.
• Experimental Testing: Implement limited trials of new initiatives to uncover unforeseen issues before full-scale rollout.
• Continuous Learning: Use each experience as a learning opportunity to refine strategies and improve resilience.

Notable Quote:
"Test the idea in some limited way to identify the things you thought couldn't go wrong. And that's what Graham did with flipping the B and I chapters to online."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [09:45]

Conclusion

Dr. Ivan Misner’s exploration of Meisner’s Corollary to Murphy’s Law offers a nuanced approach to risk management in business. By anticipating both what might go wrong and what seemingly cannot go wrong, entrepreneurs and business leaders can develop more robust strategies, fostering resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing marketplace.

Final Thought:
"The experimental testing phase is critical to avoid Meisner's corollary to Murphy's Law. That's my message for today."
— Dr. Ivan Misner [09:55]

This episode serves as a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their business planning and risk assessment methodologies, ensuring that they are well-prepared to handle both expected and unexpected challenges.