I remember when I first joined BNI. I was so incredibly impressed by the structure, the policies, the caliber of people and the blatant and efficient way that one could just “do business”.

I thought to myself “at last I don’t have to waste my time with all those shmoose and booze networks” and I could “get all my networking done” in one sitting.

I would bet many of you also think the same.

One of the reasons BNI works, is because it requires contribution from all its members in the form of bringing visitors and referrals each week. It is also the main area (with the possible exception of attendance ) where people have the greatest challenge in maintaining their flow of contribution.

Have you ever noticed how members seem to be able to bring visitors at the beginning but then begin to tail off? They have probably invited all the people they know and are running out.

Is it any wonder that referrals/visitors are hard to find when you are seeing the same people all the time?

Often our belief in BNI is our fundamental problem.

We still need to be attending other networks and meeting new people.

Experts from the Referral Institute have discovered that if you are in a sales position you need to be networking 8 hours a week .

If your only networking is BNI then you have a short fall of 6.5 hours a week and of course those visitors have been invited by someone else!

There are many networks in Dubai ranging from early morning to evening events. Speak to your “events and training” coordinator in your chapter or your director and find out what’s happening in the world outside BNI. If you still feel uncomfortable networking in other environments then training is available.

Remember its netWORK