About the Guest(s):

Jenni Butz is the esteemed Director of US Training with BNI Global. With roots in education, Jenni initially followed her passion for teaching, serving as a high school French and English teacher before embarking on her BNI journey. Her transitional shift from the education sector to BNI came with a pivotal role as a chapter member and later as a representative. Her upper-hand experience in networking and growing connections led her to manage the BNI region of Western Washington. Jenni’s expertise and dedication have seen her evolve within BNI, where she now focuses on enhancing the training and communications for the organization, shaping new members to grasp the essence of networking and to thrive in their business endeavors.

Episode Summary:

In the latest episode of “Well Connected with Ricky and Fletch,” the hosts dive deep into the art of networking with the vibrant Jenni Butz. Jenni’s insights bring to light the challenges and triumphs within the BNI network, particularly when it comes to retaining new members and maximizing their networking experience.

In a flowing conversation, Jenni lays bare the often daunting world of business networking for new entrepreneurs. The episode throws a spotlight on how crucial it is for new BNI members to quickly adapt and leverage the organization’s resources to stimulate growth. With warmth and wit, Jenni discusses how mentoring and structured training profoundly affect member retention and success within the BNI framework.

• Jenni emphasizes the significance of connecting BNI activities with business goals to solidify the association’s value.
• The episode sheds light on enhancing weekly presentations and one-to-ones, advocating for them to be strategic sessions aimed at generating tangible referrals.
• Increasing member retention is touted as a pivotal factor for business growth within BNI, highlighting the need for early engagement and culture fit.
• The conversation reaffirms the impact of culture on chapter success, focusing on the benefits of injecting strategic leadership and active member participation.
• Jenni shares anecdotes and best practices, setting a fervent foundation for members to build sustainable networks that benefit all parties involved.

Key Takeaways:

• Establishing Early Connections: The first 90 days are critical for new BNI members, and creating immediate tangible value can ensure longer retention.
• Strategic Networking: Viewing every interaction as a networking opportunity is pivotal to expanding one’s network and generating referrals.
• Weekly Presentation Tightening: A sharpened 30-second pitch can dramatically improve the chances of achieving desired referrals.
• Visitor Engagement: Every visitor to a BNI meeting is a potential goldmine who should be treated with utmost respect and importance.
• Leadership and Culture: The essence of a chapter’s success is deeply intertwined with the culture established through leadership and active membership participation.

Notable Quotes:

• “Invite people you care about to meet people you care about.”
• “You have to do six things a thousand times, not a thousand things six times.”
• “It’s about building a business by building relationships.”
• “Who can I introduce you to?”
• “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

Resources:

• BNI Global Website
• The Power of One Podcast

We encourage you to listen to the full episode to glean Jenni Butz’ expert guidance to revolutionize your networking tactics. Tune in for more thought-provoking discussions that could transform your business networking approach.

#BNI #NETWORKING #BUSINESS #SOCIALNETWORKING #REFERRALS