Episode 909: Reflections on BNI’s Journey, Part 2

Summary

Summary of "The Official BNI Podcast"
Episode 909: Reflections on BNI’s Journey, Part 2
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Dr. Ivan Misner

In Episode 909 of The Official BNI Podcast, Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, delves deep into the organization’s four-decade journey, reflecting on its evolution, global impact, innovative practices, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Co-hosted by Priscilla Rice from Live Oak Recording Studio in Berkeley, California, this episode serves as a continuation of a reflective series celebrating BNI’s 40th anniversary.

1. Evolution of BNI

Maintaining Core Meetings Amidst Change

Dr. Misner begins by addressing how BNI has retained the essence of its meetings over the years. He emphasizes that whether attending a BNI meeting in 1985 or 2025, members would recognize the familiar structure and objectives. The primary change has been the rebranding from "The Network" to "BNI" to secure a trademark. This subtle shift underscores the organization’s ability to preserve its foundational elements while adapting to new realities.

Adoption of Technology

A significant aspect of BNI’s evolution, according to Dr. Misner, is its proactive embrace of technology. He notes, “BNI has been an early adopter of technology, and that surprises people because we're primarily in-person [00:01:57].” The integration of online and hybrid chapters exemplifies BNI’s flexibility, enabling it to remain a predominantly in-person network while accommodating modern communication methods. This technological advancement has democratized communication within BNI, allowing for direct interactions through platforms like podcasts, which Dr. Misner launched around 2007.

Impact on Communication Costs

Dr. Misner highlights the dramatic reduction in communication costs as a result of technological upgrades. “In 1986, the second largest line item in the BNI budget was the phone bill. Believe it or not, phone bills are incredibly expensive. But over the years, I don't even know where it is in our budget now” [00:02:39]. This shift not only optimized BNI’s financial resources but also enhanced operational efficiency.

2. BNI’s Role in Shaping Global Networking Culture

Promoting Relationship-Building

Dr. Misner asserts that BNI has significantly influenced global networking by shifting the paradigm from transactional interactions to relationship-based networking. He explains, “Networking was almost entirely face-to-face cold calling. People didn't understand that networking is really about building relationships” [00:03:46]. BNI’s foundational philosophy of "Givers Gain" has been pivotal in fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial networking environment worldwide.

Philosophy of Givers Gain

“Givers Gain is more than a phrase to me. It's a way of living one's life. It's a perspective to view and interact with the world” [00:04:15]. This philosophy encourages members to prioritize giving over receiving, creating a ripple effect that transforms not only individual businesses but also the broader networking landscape.

3. Innovations and Practices Keeping BNI Relevant

Transition to Online Operations During COVID-19

One of the most impactful innovations discussed is BNI’s swift transition to online operations in 2020. Dr. Misner credits this move with “saving BNI” and, by extension, supporting countless businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic [00:05:06]. This adaptability ensured the continuity of networking activities despite global disruptions, highlighting BNI's resilience and commitment to its members.

Consistent Growth and Adaptation

Dr. Misner proudly states, “We now have 40 years of consecutive growth year on year. Very few companies can say they've had 40 years of consecutive growth, but we have” [00:06:09]. This sustained growth is attributed to BNI’s integration of technology and unwavering focus on core networking principles, allowing it to remain relevant in a rapidly changing business environment.

4. Lessons Learned by Dr. Ivan Misner

a. Ignorance on Fire vs. Knowledge on Ice

One of the foremost lessons Dr. Misner shares is the value of passion over pre-existing knowledge. “Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice” [00:06:22]. When founding BNI, Dr. Misner had no prior networking experience but was driven by enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. This approach enabled him to build a dynamic and trainable team passionate about BNI’s mission.

b. Stick to the Fundamentals

Dr. Misner emphasizes the importance of adhering to core principles. “Stick to the fundamentals. Don’t reinvent the wheel” [00:06:58]. With over 11,300 chapters, he observes that deviations often arise from members attempting to innovate unnecessarily, which can undermine the established system. Consistent application of proven strategies has been crucial to BNI’s success.

c. Focus on Consistent, Repetitive Actions

He further elaborates, “If you really, really want to be successful in business, do six things a thousand times, not a thousand things six times” [00:07:22]. This focus on repetitive, fundamental actions ensures reliability and effectiveness, a principle that BNI embodies through its structured weekly meetings and standardized processes.

d. Work in Your Flame, Not in Your Wax

Perhaps the most personal lesson, Dr. Misner advises, “Work in your flame and not in your wax” [00:09:00]. This metaphor underscores the importance of maintaining passion and energy in one’s endeavors. Over time, his role evolved from the proactive leader (“King Arthur”) to a more supportive spokesperson (“Colonel Sanders”), reflecting his own shifting passions and strengths. This adaptability has allowed him to continue contributing meaningfully to BNI.

5. Conclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Dr. Misner indicates that further reflections, particularly those concerning the future of BNI, will be addressed in a subsequent episode. He underscores the depth and richness of BNI’s journey, suggesting that the multi-part series will continue to offer valuable insights ([00:10:43]).

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:01:57]: “BNI has been an early adopter of technology, and that surprises people because we're primarily in-person.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:03:46]: “Networking was almost entirely face-to-face cold calling. People didn't understand that networking is really about building relationships.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:04:15]: “Givers Gain is more than a phrase to me. It's a way of living one's life.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:05:06]: “Moving to online in 2020. It saved BNI. It saved many, many, many businesses that were in BNI.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:06:22]: “Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:07:22]: “If you really, really want to be successful in business, do six things a thousand times, not a thousand things six times.”

• Dr. Ivan Misner [00:09:00]: “Work in your flame and not in your wax.”

This episode provides a comprehensive look into BNI’s enduring success, highlighting the importance of passion, adherence to foundational principles, and strategic adaptation. Dr. Misner’s reflections offer invaluable lessons for leaders and members alike, emphasizing that sustained growth and relevance are achieved through consistent action, technological integration, and a philosophy centered on giving.

Transcript

[Priscilla Rice]

Episode number 909, Reflections on B&I's Journey, Part 2.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

You're listening to the official BI podcast with BI founder and chief visionary officer, Dr. Ivan Meisner. Stay tuned for networking and referral marketing tips from the man who's been called the father of modern networking, along with suggestions and insights into getting the most from your membership in the world's largest networking organization, bni.

[Priscilla Rice]

Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the official B and I Podcast. I'm Priscilla Rice, and I'm coming to you from Live Oak Recording Studio in Berkeley, California. And I'm joined on the phone today by the founder and the Chief visionary officer of BNI, Dr. Ivan Meisner. Hello, Ivan, how are you? And where are you?

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

I am in Southern California this week. I'm here to support my daughter who's got a little surgery. So I'm taking the week off and here to support my daughter.

[Priscilla Rice]

Oh, that's great. I hope she does well.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

Yeah, she's. She's been a trooper.

[Priscilla Rice]

Yeah.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

So we're following up on last week's episode, which is part one on reflections on BNI's journey, because this is our 40th anniversary. And the way we did this was I had someone who. I did a radio interview or podcast where they had some really great questions, and so I shared the questions with you, and you're going to run them by me. And I'm. I'm going to. Actually, I'm elaborating. I have an opportunity to elaborate even more on these podcasts. So let's see if we can do. Do it in two episodes, otherwise we'll be doing a third.

[Priscilla Rice]

Yeah, okay, let's see. But it's great information, so even if it spills over into a third, it's still great. Okay, so the next section is called the Evolution of B and I. And the first question was, how has the concept of networking evolved since BNI's inception?

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

So the meetings are very much the same or really similar. If you went to a meeting in 1985 and a meeting in 2025, you'd recognize it. Although the name changed from originally, it was called the Network, but we needed a trademark, so we changed the name to BNI for the trademark. So other than the name, you'd recognize the organization. However, we have added to it over. Over the years, and probably one of the biggest things in the evolution of the organization is the implementation of technology. BNI has been an early adopter to technology, and that surprises people because we're an in person, mostly in person. We have online chapters and hybrid chapters, but still quite a bit of in person. But technology has flattened the communication hierarchy. Things like this podcast. When I started BNI in 1985, this would have been unheard of. Podcasts like this, I think we started this in around 2007 and it's enabled me to communicate directly with members. And I read all of the comments that are posted up on BNI podcast and you know, the technology has really flattened the ability for us to communicate and it's also made it affordable because in 1986, the second largest line item in the BNI budget was the phone bill. Believe it or not, phone bill is incredibly expensive. But over the years, I don't even know where it is in our budget now. So technology has really evolved a lot. And of course us going online, roughly 16% of our organization is still completely online. About 16% are hybrid. And the balance have gone back to meeting improvement.

[Priscilla Rice]

Yeah.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

Yeah.

[Priscilla Rice]

Okay, great. What role has B and I played in shaping the global networking culture?

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

So I really believe that we've impacted that to some extent because, you know, when I started BNI networking, we don't, we don't teach this in colleges and universities. We still don't. But networking was almost entirely face to face cold calling. People didn't understand that networking is really about building relationships. And I think the one thing that has helped influence and played a role in shaping the global networking culture is our philosophy of givers gain. And givers gain is more than a phrase to me. It's a way of living one's life. It's a perspective to view and interact with the world. It's an attitude, not an expectation. And when it's applied properly, it'll change your life. And when it changes enough lives, it'll change the world. And I think implementing that philosophy into the organization and trademarking it wasn't a bad idea either. I think doing those two things has helped to shape the global culture of networking to a very large extent.

[Priscilla Rice]

Great. Yeah. I think giver's gain is incredibly unique in the business world and I love that it's there. Okay, well how about what innovations or practices have been most impactful in keeping B and I relevant over the decades?

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

Yeah, I've got a pretty short answer on this one. And that's moving to online in 2020. It's. It saved BNI. It saved many, many, many businesses that were in BNI. I had so many people come up to me after covet and said, and they told me BNI saved their business and the Ability to still do business while Covid was, you know, impacting people was amazing. And I mean, I. I think if Covet had hit in 1990 as opposed to 2020, it would have been completely different, B and I would have gone out of business. Hundreds of thousands of people would have gone out of business, and there would have been a lot more people who would die from it. And so I think we have really remained relevant by our integration of technology. And. And we now have 40 years of consecutive growth year on year, on year. Very few companies can say they've had 40 years of consecutive growth, but we have. Thanks.

[Priscilla Rice]

Yeah. Okay, so now we're going to move into a section on lessons learned.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

Yeah.

[Priscilla Rice]

And the first question is, what are the key lessons that you've learned as a leader during BNI's journey?

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

So I think there's a number of things. One of the first ones I learned was that ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice. I'm going to repeat that. Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice. And when I was starting a bni, I didn't know how to network. I had no idea how to network. I was method acting my way through the process and trying to figure out what, how do you do this? How do you do it right? What's effective? I realized pretty quickly that being transactional was not the way to do it, but you really had to be relational in the way you network. And so I was the poster child for ignorance on fire being better than knowledge on ice. And, you know, as b and I was was starting, I couldn't afford really expensive employees. And so I looked for people who were on fire, who were excited, who loved the concept of BNI and our philosophy of givers gain. And they were trainable. They were willing to be trained and taught. And I think that's a lesson that is useful for all businesses, that sometimes ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice. Now, the best is knowledge on fire, but you have to have a good payroll to be able to hire knowledge on fire. And, and that's why, you know, in a BNI chapter, if you have somebody who really doesn't know how to network, but they're willing to learn, that can make a great member. So you want to look for people who are willing to learn even if they don't have lots of experience in networking. The second thing is stick to the fundamentals. Don't reinvent the wheel. Oh, my goodness. If I had to pick one thing that has been a problem since chapter number two, it would be that. And we now have over 11,300 chapters as of this day. And it has always been an issue. People want to reinvent the wheel. They, they start making up stuff and, and, and go back to things that I did 20 years ago. Hey, I have a great idea. Why don't we do this? And I did that 20 years ago. Don't do that. Here's why. So stick to the fundamentals. Don't reinvent the wheel. Don't mess with the system. And if you really, really, really want to be successful in business, do six things a thousand times, not a thousand things six times. And so many people do a thousand things six times. And it doesn't have to be six. It could be five, it could be seven. You want to do six or seven things a thousand times. And that's one of the reasons why BNI works, is we do it every week. We get together. It's a sim. It's the same kind of system, different presentations, but the same system over and over and over again. And I would say the last thing, and it looks like we're going to go into three parts here. Okay, so the last thing would be work in your flame and not in your wax. And I know that in different podcasts over the years, I've mentioned these. I'm not sure I've put them all in one podcast, but I think one of the most important things is to work in your flame and not in your wax. And by that, I mean when you're in your flame, you're on fire, you're excited, you're passionate about what you're doing. People can see it in the way you behave. They can hear it in your voice. When you're working in your wax, it just takes all your energy away. People can hear that in your voice, and they can see that in the way you behave. And your flame and your wax can change over time. You know, when I started bni, I was King Arthur, leading the charge, building the company for 30 years. About 10 years ago, I kind of stepped out of the role of King Arthur and moved into the role of Colonel Sanders, which. The spokesperson for the organization. But that's my flame now, and I love it. I love pouring into people and, and I love doing these podcasts and sharing information. I love when BNI members come up to me and say, I listen to podcast numbers such and such, and I really learned something, and I'm. I'm able to put that to my business. And, and, and I really appreciate it. And so these were some of the early lessons I learned, and I've been applying them now for decades. And it looks. Priscilla, because I know there's a few more questions. Looks like we're going to go into part three. Let me turn it back over for you today, unless you have any question for me, Priscilla.

[Priscilla Rice]

No, I think that's great. I think part three deserves its own podcast because it's talking about the future.

[Dr. Ivan Meisner]

Yeah. Great. Awesome.

[Priscilla Rice]

So that's a little advertisement for the next podcast. All right, thank you so much for this, Dr. Meisner. And I'd like to say that this podcast is sponsored by MeisnerAudioPrograms.com these audio programs will provide you with the tools and the inspiration to powerfully enhance your BNI experience. So check out the great material that's available to [e-mail] and then use the promo code IVAN50 for 50% off of everything. All of the proceeds go to the B and I Foundation. Thank you so much for listening. This is Priscilla Rice, and we look forward to having you join us again next week for another exciting episode of the official B and I Podcast.