We are all in business to make a profit, but business should serve a greater need. Business can be profitable as well as honorable and noble. As business people we can make a difference in communities and individual lives.
BNI Culture vs BNI Strategy
The true foundation for success rests in an organization’s culture. Culture eats strategy for breakfast. BNI’s core values help to establish its culture. It’s never too late to be thinking about your core values. Here are BNI’s 7 core values and why they are so important to us here at BNI:
1. Givers Gain
This is the core philosophy of BNI. It’s incredible that so many people in our organization understand and practice this value. The idea of ‘what goes around comes around’ is intuitive and a key part of successful networking. Remember – it’s a standard to apply to yourself, rather than a sword by which to cut others.
2. Building Relationships
This was the foundation of BNI when it was first set up and is what we are all about today. Networking is about building positive, strong relationships.
3. Lifelong Learning
The more we see members, leadership teams and director consultants immersed in a culture of learning, the more successful our chapters are. More education and learning leads to greater engagement and more successful networking.
4. Traditions & Innovation
This value may at first seem counter intuitive but as the Apple example proves, it is the secret to success for contemporary businesses. Our traditions lay the foundation to who we are by showing where we came from. However, we must always be leading with innovation to stay current. This means that new advancements in technology and thinking must be absorbed into our process. Don’t lose touch with new changes in business and don’t be afraid to try new things at BNI.
5. A Positive & Supportive Attitude
Survey after survey has shown that this is the top criteria that people look for in someone to network with. Life is too short to surround yourself with negative, unhappy people. Instead, surround yourself with people who want you to succeed; positive people who will uplift you.
6. Recognition
Recognition is something that we really believe in at BNI. We want to recognise people who’ve done a good job and celebrate their achievements. This starts at the chapter level. If you see something that deserves recognition, let others know including BNI Support so that they can help spread the word!
7. Accountability
This is such an important value in the contemporary business world. A networking group without accountability is a coffee club. It’s like playing a game of football with no rules. Accountability is a key value at every level of the BNI organization.
Givers Gain: The Core Principal of BNI Chapters World Wide
BNI serves a greater good by helping businesses around the world to create a culture of collaboration. Dr. Misner’s Audacious Goal for BNI is to change the way the world does business by incorporating these core values. Think about these seven core values and see how they relate to your experiences at BNI. If you think there are some areas in which your chapter can improve – discuss these. By practicing these core values our organization will be stronger and more successful.
Pillars of BNI that support the 7 Core Values
- Multiple visitors or guests at each meeting. Not all of them have to qualify to join: Bring people who can do business with members.
- A well-run professional meeting. Pay special attention to the hidden elements.
- Follow-up post meeting. The leadership team needs to follow up with visitors and guests, and members need to follow up about the business they’ve passed.
- Accountability for the chapter members. One of the most important parts of accountability is attendance, and it’s up to the membership committee to maintain this.