The Official BNI Podcast:

Episode 949 – Coaching a Chapter to Greatness (Classic)

Host: Dr. Ivan Misner
Guest: Mark Brevison, President, Founders Chapter BNI
Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This classic episode dives deep into practical strategies for transforming a struggling BNI chapter into a thriving, energized group. Dr. Ivan Misner is joined by Mark Brevison, president of BNI’s Founders Chapter, to discuss the coaching, mindset, and actionable steps that led their chapter from stagnation to explosive growth—even through the challenges of COVID-19. The conversation delivers insights valuable for any BNI member or leader aiming to maximize member engagement, accountability, and chapter results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Backstory: Meeting & Inspiration

[03:29-04:13]

• Mark Brevison recalls attending a networking event led by Ivan Misner at Walter’s Restaurant, Claremont.
  • Mark was inspired by Ivan’s genuine networking skills:
    “You went around and met everybody and shook hands and introduced yourself and you showed everybody how to network. And I thought it was great.” (Mark Brevison, 03:29)
• Ivan remembers the event’s intimate setting and openness for Q&A, which sparked Mark’s curiosity about what made an outstanding chapter.

2. The Decision to Seek Help and Shared Leadership

[05:06-05:49]

• Mark identified early that his team didn’t have all the answers, so they reached out for advice:
  • Spoke with successful chapter leaders, executive director Mike Adre, and Christine Bond for strategies.
  • Emphasized the value of humble leadership and learning from others.
  • “We don’t know everything, and it would be better to talk to people who’ve had success in BNI and find out what their strategies were.” (Mark Brevison, 05:06)

3. Honest Member Assessment & The $100,000 Question

[05:49-06:49]

• Interviewed every chapter member to learn:
  • What they liked/disliked,
  • What they wanted to change,
  • Where they saw the chapter in 6 months to a year.
• Used Christine Bond’s question:
  • “If your chapter membership cost you $100,000 a year, what would you be doing differently?” (Mark Brevison, 06:00)
  • Sparked reflection and motivation among members to step up engagement right now.
  • “If you think you should be doing it, why aren’t you doing it now?” (Ivan Misner, 06:44)

4. Culture of Recognition & Accountability

[06:56-09:41]

• Recognition Initiatives:

  • Weekly “Best Speaker” trophy, passed to the member with the best presentation to encourage quality.
  • ‘Notable Networker’ framed certificates—celebratory, university-style awards presented publicly to recognize referrals and results.
    • Ivan highlights that the Notable Networker concept started in Mark’s chapter.
  • Perpetual plaque displayed for visitors, listing monthly member achievements in referrals and closed business.

• Accountability Initiatives:

  • Tightened adherence to BNI rules, especially regarding meeting punctuality.
  • Initially challenging but soon “everybody kind of fell in line and people were showing up on time and doing the right things.” (Mark Brevison, 09:10)
  • Reinforced the idea that positive peer pressure creates better engagement and productivity.

5. Education & Meeting Stimulus

[09:41-10:57]

• Focused on member training, recognizing that “well-trained members pass more referrals.”
  • Encouraged attendance at BNI trainings.
  • In-house educational themes to keep skills sharp.
  • Incorporated fun meeting stimulants (interactive exercises).
    • Example: Members themed their weekly “ask” around Beatles songs—e.g., the tax advisor picked “Taxman.”
      • “It was fun to watch people’s faces... It was really good.” (Mark Brevison, 10:22)
  • Stressed not to overuse; suggested using stimulants every 4–6 weeks for best effect.

6. Adapting & Thriving in COVID-19

[10:57-12:49]

• Swift, smooth transition to online meetings—only one week missed.

  • Biggest challenge: maintaining focus online.
  • Solution: Introduced the “PowerPoint Wheel”—a digital spinner with all members' names. Each person had to recall another member’s “ask,” encouraging active listening and boosting engagement.
    • “If they’re able to do that, they get another ask. So everybody’s focused and it works really, really well.” (Mark Brevison, 11:34)

• Ivan addresses the mindset challenge:

  • “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’ll be right. And people, COVID is not the problem. COVID is a problem. But people need BNI more than ever. It can be an opportunity. You can in fact grow during COVID.” (Ivan Misner, 11:51)

  • BNI grew by a net 700 chapters during COVID, reflecting the power of attitude and adaptability.

7. Extending the Coaching – For All Members

[13:02-13:39]

• Ivan acknowledges high demand for similar coaching worldwide but notes he can’t work directly with every chapter.
• Announces upcoming podcasts that will distill and share all his guidance to Mark’s chapter, making the coaching accessible globally.

Notable Quotes

• “If your chapter membership cost you $100,000 a year, what would you be doing differently?”
  — Christine Bond’s signature question, via Mark Brevison (06:00)

• “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’ll be right.”
  — Dr. Ivan Misner, on mindset during COVID (11:51)

• “Positive peer pressure creates better engagement and productivity.”
  — Summation of Mark’s approach to accountability (09:32)

• “Nobody ever recognizes entrepreneurs, and they could hopefully inspire some other member to do the same.”
  — Mark Brevison, on the importance of recognition (07:51)

Timeline of Significant Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Event | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:29 | Mark & Ivan recall their meeting and early inspiration | | 05:06 | Identifying knowledge gaps, reaching out to successful leaders | | 05:49 | Member interviews and the $100,000 membership question | | 06:56 | Creating a culture of member recognition (awards, plaques, certificates) | | 09:10 | Introducing stronger accountability (showing up on time, following BNI rules) | | 09:41 | Education and meeting stimulants (creative asks, themed meetings) | | 10:57 | Adapting through COVID: digital engagement strategies | | 11:51 | Ivan’s perspective on mindset and thriving through adversity | | 13:02 | Ivan pledges to share his coaching process with all BNI members via the podcast |

Memorable Moments

• Mark’s humility in saying, “We don’t know everything,” and his openness to learning—not just from Ivan but from successful peers, illustrates the collaborative spirit of BNI.
• The creative use of Beatles-themed “asks” turned routine meetings into something memorable and engaging for all members.
• The PowerPoint Wheel solution during online meetings proved that fun, focus, and accountability can survive—and even thrive—on Zoom.

Episode Takeaways

• Proactive leadership and humility to ask for help are essential for chapter turnarounds.
• Member recognition, clear accountability, and ongoing education fuel chapter growth.
• Innovative engagement tools and mindset are crucial, especially in times of crisis.
• BNI’s collective wisdom—shared through connections and this very podcast—can enable any chapter to achieve greatness.