The Official BNI Podcast: What Makes a Perfect Member? (Part 1)
Host: Dr. Ivan Misner
Guest: Greg Davies Paine
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Introduction
In episode number 897 of The Official BNI Podcast, host Priscilla Rice delves into the essential qualities that define a perfect BNI member. Joining her is Dr. Ivan Misner, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, alongside returning guest Greg Davies Paine, a distinguished storyteller and co-author of influential BNI literature.
Guest Introduction
Dr. Ivan Misner opens the conversation by sharing his recent endeavors, including a highly successful live BNI Brazil event on Instagram, which consistently garners significant participation. He also mentions hosting "Direct a Founder" webinars, providing BNI directors worldwide an opportunity to engage directly with him.
Priscilla Rice introduces Greg Davies Paine, highlighting his remarkable career as a best-selling author, award-winning director of BNI, and international inspirational speaker. Greg's unique approach to storytelling, coupled with his commitment to community building within BNI, positions him as an ideal guest for this insightful discussion.
The Importance of Being a Perfect Member
Dr. Ivan Misner poses a pivotal question: "Why should members care about being a perfect member?" Greg Davies Paine responds by emphasizing the profound impact that top-tier members have on the entire BNI network. He articulates a vision where elite members, who earn 100 points—a metric tracking key attributes for success—serve as catalysts for exponential growth and success within the organization.
Greg Davies Paine articulates this concept effectively:
"A rising tide lifts all boats." ([03:07])
He explains that these exemplary members do more than just pass referrals; they mentor others, foster strong networks, and enhance the overall success of the BNI community. Their influence extends beyond personal gain, creating a ripple effect that benefits all members.
Key Traits of a Perfect BNI Member
Greg Davies Paine identifies three critical traits that define a perfect BNI member:
1. They Pass Referrals
The first trait centers around the consistent and strategic passing of referrals. Greg highlights that successful members integrate referral passing seamlessly into their daily routines, treating it as a fundamental aspect of their business operations.
Key Insights:
- Integration into Daily Life: Perfect members make referral passing a natural part of every interaction. For instance, before ending a conversation with a client, they ask, "What else can I do to help you today?" ([05:51])
- Connection Expansion: They actively seek to build extensive networks, connecting with numerous local businesses to identify potential opportunities.
- Quantifiable Success: One notable respondent shared, "My reticular activating system is on all the time, hence why I hit my target of giving at least one referral per day. And I'm currently sitting on 394 for the year." ([05:51])
This proactive approach ensures that referrals are plentiful and meaningful, significantly contributing to both their success and that of their network.
2. They Have a Visitor Mindset
The second trait focuses on fostering a welcoming environment for visitors. Perfect members understand the reciprocal benefits of inviting new participants to BNI meetings, viewing it as a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Key Insights:
- Embracing Opportunities: Even if a visitor initially declines membership, the act of inviting them opens doors for future collaborations and business opportunities.
- Mutual Benefits: Visitors gain access to a community of like-minded, forward-thinking business owners, enhancing their own business prospects and networks.
- Strategic Outreach: Perfect members make visitor invitation a core part of their business strategy. As one member stated, "I make visitor inviting part of my business. It's important to broaden connections and speak to more people who can help your network." ([06:48])
By prioritizing a visitor mindset, these members ensure continuous growth and dynamism within their chapters.
3. They Follow Up on Everything
The final trait emphasizes the importance of diligent follow-up. Perfect members maintain consistent and persistent communication, ensuring that every potential opportunity is explored and nurtured.
Key Insights:
- Comprehensive Follow-Up: They follow up with visitors before and after meetings, on referral requests, and on both given and received referrals.
- Sustained Engagement: Their commitment to follow-up ensures that no opportunity slips through the cracks, significantly enhancing their effectiveness and reliability within the network.
- Long-Term Relationships: By maintaining regular contact, they build stronger, more meaningful relationships that translate into sustained business success.
Greg summarizes this trait by noting, "The fortune really does come from the follow up." ([09:48])
Conclusion and Next Steps
As the discussion draws to a close, Dr. Ivan Misner underscores the importance of the traits discussed, particularly highlighting the role of follow-up in networking success. He teases future content by referencing Episode 404, which explores the reticular activating system—a concept Greg mentioned during the conversation.
Dr. Ivan Misner encourages listeners to view these traits not just as individual attributes but as replicable behaviors that can elevate the entire BNI community.
Greg Davies Paine expresses his enthusiasm for further discussions, setting the stage for a continuation in Part 2 of this insightful series.
Final Thoughts
This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of what it takes to be a perfect member within BNI. By focusing on consistent referral passing, a visitor-centric approach, and relentless follow-up, members can significantly enhance their networking effectiveness and contribute to the collective success of their communities.
For those interested in deepening their understanding of these concepts, particularly the reticular activating system, Dr. Ivan Misner recommends tuning into Episode 404, "Standing in the Middle of a Referral," where personal anecdotes and practical applications are discussed in detail.
Notable Quotes:
- "A rising tide lifts all boats." – Greg Davies Paine ([03:07])
- "My reticular activating system is on all the time, hence why I hit my target of giving at least one referral per day. And I'm currently sitting on 394 for the year." – Survey Respondent ([05:51])
- "I make visitor inviting part of my business. It's important to broaden connections and speak to more people who can help your network." – Greg Davies Paine ([06:48])
- "The fortune really does come from the follow up." – Greg Davies Paine ([09:48])
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where Dr. Ivan Misner and Greg Davies Paine will further dissect these traits and explore additional strategies to maximize your BNI membership.