The Official BNI Podcast

Episode 953: Growth in Difficult Times (Classic)
Host: Dr. Ivan Misner
Guest/Co-Host: Priscilla Rice
Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This classic episode, originally Episode 725, features BNI Founder Dr. Ivan Misner sharing strategies for achieving growth in business—even during challenging times. The conversation centers on mindset, passion, leadership, and the foundational principles that drive lasting success in both BNI and business generally, regardless of external conditions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mindset: The Power of Belief and Perspective

• Belief as the Foundation: Dr. Misner emphasizes that success begins with personal belief—believing you can pivot and adapt your business in difficult times.
• The Shoe Salesmen Parable (03:05):

  “The first salesman wrote back… 'No one wears shoes here. There’s no market.' …The second said, 'No one wears shoes here. There’s a huge market!' ...It’s all perspective. You have to believe.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 03:36)

• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy:

  “If you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re going to be right.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 05:11)

2. Passion and Commitment: The "CPR" Formula

• CPR for Business: Commitment + Passion = Results
  • Passion alone isn’t enough; commitment creates passion, and together they drive results.

  “Passion does not produce commitment. Commitment produces passion. Commitment and passion produce results. It is the CPR for any business.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 06:47)

• Acronym Origin:

  “That CPR acronym came from one of our directors, Glenn...”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 07:09)

3. Leadership: Inspiring and Connecting

• Mobilizing vs. Managing:

  “Leadership is not about managing and complying. It is about mobilizing and inspiring. I’m going to repeat that...”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 07:40 & 07:48)

• Touch Points Matter: Building trust and care with members, visitors, and clients.

  “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 08:09)

• Consistency in Action:

  “It’s about doing six things a thousand times—not a thousand things six times.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 08:47)

  • Doing the right things over and over until you can’t get them wrong.

4. Simplicity & Resourcefulness

• The Humble Beginnings of BNI:

  “When I started BNI back in 1985, I had one sheet of paper… It was the agenda typed up by me on an IBM Selectric typewriter.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 09:34)

• No Excuses:

  “I opened 20 chapters in one year. And all I had was one sheet of paper.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 09:59)

• Don’t Overcomplicate: Success does not require complex materials or processes—focus on fundamentals.

5. Vision and the Global Impact of BNI

• Vision Shapes Reality:

  “Our vision controls our perception, and our perception becomes our reality. Set a vision that makes a difference.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 10:25)

• Excellence over Mediocrity:

  “Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option? Even in difficult times, excellence is an option.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 10:29)

• Worldwide Reach:

  “When you’re in your little chapter, you kind of forget… it’s really an incredible giant clock of working parts… worldwide.”
  (Priscilla Rice, 11:04)

6. BNI's Resilience and Growth

• Remarkable Growth Despite Challenges:

  “We’ve added 6 to 700 chapters during all of this chaotic last year and a half... 36 years of consecutive growth. Very few companies in the world have ever done that.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 11:47)

• Dependence on Network:

  “Today, more than ever, you need your network. And BNI is a great way to do it.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 12:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re going to be right.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 05:11)

• “Commitment and passion produce results. It is the CPR for any business.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 06:47)

• “Leadership is not about managing and complying. It is about mobilizing and inspiring.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 07:40 & 07:48)

• “It’s about doing six things a thousand times—not a thousand things six times.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 08:47)

• “I opened 20 chapters in one year. And all I had was one sheet of paper.”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 09:59)

• “Set a vision that makes a difference to the people around you. Why accept mediocrity when excellence is an option?”
  (Dr. Ivan Misner, 10:25 & 10:29)

• “When you’re in your little chapter, you kind of forget… it’s a giant clock of working parts… worldwide.”
  (Priscilla Rice, 11:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mindset and Belief Discussion: 03:00–06:00
• CPR (Commitment, Passion, Results) Concept: 06:45–07:30
• Leadership Principles and Touch Points: 07:35–09:00
• Early BNI/Foundational Simplicity: 09:30–10:15
• Vision and Excellence: 10:20–10:50
• Global Impact & Recent Growth Stats: 11:26–12:20

Episode Tone & Language

Dr. Misner speaks with motivational authority and a touch of humor, particularly when recounting the humble beginnings of BNI and the power of a positive, action-oriented mindset. Priscilla Rice’s contributions are supportive, enthusiastic, and aimed at grounding the global scale of BNI back to its impact on individual chapters and members.

Summary Takeaways

• Growth is absolutely possible in difficult times—if you believe, commit, and lead with passion.
• Focus on doing the fundamentals consistently well rather than seeking shortcuts or reinventing the wheel.
• Leadership is about inspiration and connection, not just management.
• BNI’s global reach and resilience underscore the power of networks and community.

This summary covers all major insights and moments for those seeking actionable ideas and inspiration from Dr. Ivan Misner’s timeless advice on business growth—even in challenging eras.