Networking Meet And Mingle

One of Business Network International’s (BNI) Mackay chapters welcomed visitors of varying professions to a special breakfast last week to introduce them to the networking opportunities available in programs like BNI.

BNI started in the USA in 1985 to get like minded people together to generate business.

Networks are organised into chapters and chapters organised into franchise territories, with two face-to-face chapters and one virtual in Mackay.

BNI North Queensland franchise owner Bernie Hock has been involved in BNI for over 16 years and says generating business is one of the main benefits.

“If you’re in business and want more business, BNI is a great vehicle for that,” he said.

“It’s sort of like a way of marketing your business but it’s relationship marketing, you get to mix and mingle with people from different walks of life and different trades or businesses or professions.”

Visitors were asked to introduce themselves and their business before presentations were given to introduce the concept and fellow members.

A time for chatting and networking followed the presentations.

Copywriter, business owner and vice president of the Excelsior chapter Katrina Nissen says she’s been involved for almost three years.

“I’d only just moved to Mackay, and it was one of those things that I thought would be really great for helping my business and my confidence as well,” she said.

“I’ve been really able to grow my business exponentially from that.”

“There’s networking and then there’s a different type of networking when you come to BNI.”

Excelsior president and business owner Carl Allen says he was apprehensive at first.

“I actually thought I was coming to a church group, and I wasn’t real keen about that but then I realised I needed to network a bit more…it’s paid dividends,” he said.

“We’re all excited to be here on a Thursday morning mainly because we’re like minded business people.”

The Excelsior chapter of BNI welcomed visitors last week

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