16 gems from Ivan Misner - founder of BNI - arguably the most successful networker on the planet

Networking can quietly outperform almost any ad campaign but only if you approach it with structure, intention, and consistency. Dr. Ivan Misner, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, share his gems with podcaster, Robert Plank

BNI is the world’s largest business networking organization.

BNI is a system for  turning casual connections into a reliable pipeline of high-quality leads. 

BNI and  networking is not about showing up and pitching everyone in the room.

Ivan Misner shares 16 gems to be truly successful at what you do 

• You need to become referrable and teach others exactly how to refer to you. 
• You need to make it super easy and fun for people to do this 
• You need to follow up those referrals and provide a brilliant service as you have a huge responsibility to your referrer . They have given you their most important asset - their reputation 
• You need to connect continuously 
• You need to contribute first - givers gain and the law of reciprocation 
• 8 hours per week of networking can produce 60–70% (or more) of your business
• It takes 23 touch-points to build trust and get a customer to engage -  use thank-you notes,  one-on-ones, and make warm introductions  to people  you know like and trust as part of a deliberate referral system instead of random busyness.
• Listening is key - listening more than they talk. Ask a simple  question and listen.  People like to talk about themselves It is interesting to understand the  mindset and habits of a successful networker or connector - many are not extroverts 
• Gpwtwaywgwyw - give people what they want and you will get what you want . In my experience - there is not hung better in business than a warm introductions 
• ASK - people love to give . It makes them feel great
• Networking and building a network of advocates  is a marathon, not a sprint. If you stay consistent long enough people will get  to truly know, like, and trust you. 
• Make it simple , fun and easy 
• Stop pushing shit uphill - be in the flow - Ivan talks about  introduces working in your “flame” instead of your “wax” so you stay energized and effective as your business grows. 
• Understand why you do what you do , be able to articulate your mission (ours is to help you create your generational legacy so we can achieve ours) 
• Know and  live your values, (ours are treat) team first, respect, energise and enthuse , adventure (go outside your comfort zone) and you need to have trust 
• Make sure your life’s “summing up” reflects the impact you actually want to have.

I am really looking forward to meet with Ivan Misner at the BNI Global Conference in Monaco in  October. Referron is sponsoring the VIP room and will be gifting Referron nfp cards and nfp keyrings to the delegates - so they can share their Referron business cards with a tap of their card!