Practice building and networking groups

[Guest guest]

Has anyone used any networking groups such as BNI? If so, did it work

for you and would you recommend it?

[Guest guest]

Chinese Medicine , " znelms "

<znelms wrote:

>

> Has anyone used any networking groups such as BNI? If so, did it

work

> for you and would you recommend it?

>

I have used BNI. I would say that it can be quite expensive (though

there are ways around that)and that some of their procedures might

be uncomfortable for some.

 

Rather than join, why not go along for a visit and get to know people

there. each member has to come to every meeting, and if they cannot,

they have to provide a stand-in. If you volunteer to act as a stand

in, not only will you not have to pay mebership fees and therefore

have to abide by their procedures, but you will also have the

opportunity to present your business to the group after you have

presented that o the person you are standing in for.

 

The bottom line is that BNI is demanding, but is good for developing

businesses, however the financial outlay is not as easy to recoup in

our business as it is for someone selling kithcens.

 

I belive that Honora Lee Wolf wrote an interesting piece on BNI, so

maybe Bob woul be happy to share that?

Lee

[Guest guest]

These orgs usually cost money (as do groups like the Chamber of

Commerce). Some will use part of the dues to help small business owners

get health insurance at a group rate.

 

I chose not to spend money in the beginning of my practice on things

like this. My feeling is networking is critical advertising -more so

than print, and probably more effective because people actually see me,

though it works more along the lines of presenting myself as a

knowledgable, trustworthy professional to my community who will -

probably sometime in the future aka not immediately - need my services.

 

So I choose, instead, to offer free educational events for community

groups instead, and do volunteer work. For instance, my town is having

a block party in August, and I'll be doing ear acupuncture for donations

to the local parenting support group, members of which I treat once a

month for a small stipend.

 

Networking is becoming part of your local community. I'm not convinced

groups like BNI have enough reach outside the group. What about

articles for your local paper? Got a local cable station? They're

always looking for shows. You could also start your own business

networking group; I've done that here with a town based women business

owners association that meets monthly to address our needs, with guest

speakers, a soon-to-be mentoring program and, yes, networking. There

are no dues, and we hold our meetings at a local woman owned

restaurant. She doesn't charge us, and we give lavish donations for the

food and drinks she provides.

 

Karen

 

znelms wrote:

 

> Has anyone used any networking groups such as BNI? If so, did it work

> for you and would you recommend it?

>

>

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I have not personally joined BNI but I have several friends who have

joined and had excellent results. My impression from afar is that you

get out of it what you put into it. If you are comfortable doing

networking based on mutual referals than it may work for you.

[Guest guest]

I had belonged to two different networking groups, in two different cities.

Neither was a national networking group like BNI, but I had checked into BNI and

Leads Club International. I found Leads Club unattractive, because their

motivation relies heavily on a penalty system - members have to pay fines for

missing meetings, failing to being guests, or failing make referrals. I went to

a couple of BNI meetings and found them well-organized, professional in tone,

and welcoming. If there was a BNI club here, I would be tempted to join it. If

I remember, they invited business development professionals to speak for the

benefit of the members from time to time, in addition to scheduling time for

members to talk about their background, training, and profession - and how to

make referrals to them.

 

I also was a member of National Association of Women Business Owners - a great

organization for promoting policies about issues that impact women business

owners, but it is not at all oriented towards networking.

 

I like the idea of allowing only one member from each profession that groups

like BNI promote. Your local chamber of commerce is another great place to do

networking, but there may be several acupuncturists there - and you will have to

find a way to make yourself stand out from the rest.

 

Both of the groups I belonged to had the problem of degrading more into a social

gathering than a networking group, and I hear this is a common downfall of many

networking groups - so as you are visiting as a prospective member, pay

attention to how many leads or referrals are generated, talk to members and see

how many of those referrals turn into actual clients, and ask frankly if they

would have any problem making referrals for acupuncture. In both groups I

belonged to, the chiropractors received far more referrals than I did -

indicating both, a fear of the unfamiliar (acupuncture), and a need on my part

to defray those fears. Of the referrals I did receive, only a few translated

into patients - this did not justify the time and expense of my membership, so

in each case, I left after 2 years.

 

One of the things that is necessary, I believe, to be successful in networking

groups, is to be personable, friendly, warm, and outgoing. I think someone who

is naturally shy and quiet, or a poor speaker, will do poorly in a networking

group. If this describes you, you might do better first to pump up your

speaking skills by spending some time in Toastmasters. That is another good

place to do networking, and it is less costly than groups like BNI.

 

By the way, I know of other acupuncturists who have done extremely well through

their membership in BNI. I have teachers who have built their practices through

either BNI or Toastmasters, and they sing the praises of these groups. Good

luck, and let us know what works for you.

 

 

 

 

znelms <znelms wrote: Has anyone used any networking groups such as

BNI? If so, did it work

for you and would you recommend it?

 

 

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[Guest guest]

> Has anyone used any networking groups such as BNI? If so, did it work

> for you and would you recommend it?

 

I've checked out both BNI and Leads Club meetings. I think whether it's

helpful or not is going to depend on who the other members of the group are.

So far, though, I haven't found them to be helpful, but I haven't given up

on the idea. If nothing else, it has helped me keep focused on the business

side of things, and get used to giving a very short description of what I do

to people who may not be at all familiar with Chinese medicine.

 

I was given permission to post the following by the list owner, so this

seems like the perfect time to do so:

 

Whether you're a newly licensed acupuncturist and about to open your clinic,

or an experienced acupuncturist, you're welcome to join AcuClinic.

 

Many acupuncturists struggle with the business side of running an

acupuncture clinic, and could use support and a forum for sharing ideas and

experiences for opening and growing their clinic. It's hoped that AcuClinic

can help us all be successful with our goals of providing acupuncture to our

communities.

 

Please feel free to invite any interested acupuncturists to this list.

 

AcuClinic

 

Jeri

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Lee that maybe acupuncturists don't do as well

in BNI as some other professions do. I have been in BNI for one year

now, and I have certainly gotten business from it, enough to cover

the money (but not all the time) I've put in. But here in

Massachusetts, where acupuncture is rarely covered by insurance, it's

a tough sell. I think that DCs do better because they can offer

insurance coverage, and massage therapists tend to get a lot of

business-- who doesn't love a massage, plus there's no weekly

commitment. Unfortunately, I am asking people to come weekly and pay

out of pocket, which many cannot afford to do.

 

There are other benefits to BNI besides the financial bottom line.

You build public speaking skills and get to know a group of people

from your community who you may not have come across otherwise (thus

educating even more people about Chinese medicine and also finding

reliable resources for your own use-- everything from web designers

to plumbers). Also, the meetings are incredibly energizing (even in

the early morning) and really get you focused on growing your

business.

 

Not all BNI chapters are the same, so I would suggest visiting

several before deciding which to join. Some have super type-A

personalities, but others are more down-to-earth and comfortable.

 

If you have any other questions about my experience, please feel free

to contact me off list.

 

Emily

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " leebutler300 "

<lbutler wrote:

>

> Chinese Medicine , " znelms "

> <znelms@> wrote:

> >

> > Has anyone used any networking groups such as BNI? If so, did it

> work

> > for you and would you recommend it?

> >

> I have used BNI. I would say that it can be quite expensive (though

> there are ways around that)and that some of their procedures might

> be uncomfortable for some.

>

> Rather than join, why not go along for a visit and get to know

people

> there. each member has to come to every meeting, and if they

cannot,

> they have to provide a stand-in. If you volunteer to act as a stand

> in, not only will you not have to pay mebership fees and therefore

> have to abide by their procedures, but you will also have the

> opportunity to present your business to the group after you have

> presented that o the person you are standing in for.

>

> The bottom line is that BNI is demanding, but is good for

developing

> businesses, however the financial outlay is not as easy to recoup

in

> our business as it is for someone selling kithcens.

>

> I belive that Honora Lee Wolf wrote an interesting piece on BNI, so

> maybe Bob woul be happy to share that?

> Lee

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Rather than join, why not go along for a visit and get to know people

> there. each member has to come to every meeting, and if they cannot,

> they have to provide a stand-in. If you volunteer to act as a stand

> in, not only will you not have to pay mebership fees and therefore

> have to abide by their procedures, but you will also have the

> opportunity to present your business to the group after you have

> presented that o the person you are standing in for.

 

That's a great idea, maybe I'll try that.

Zach