Did Woody Allen get it right with his saying “80% of success is showing up?” Is that accurate for BNI? According to the BNI official podcast from last October, answer is: Not really, not enough, it is only the beginning.

Sure you get some referrals for showing up, but if you truly want to attract more business, part of attraction is Action. Here are 6 things to do, and why:

1. Create a 60-second introduction that changes each time.
2. Schedule a one-to-one meeting with someone from your group every week.
3. Take on a leadership role in your group.
4. Bring legitimate referrals for other members.
5. Immerse yourself in referral education.
6. Use the services of other members.

Here they are in detail:

1. Create an introduction that changes every single time and that’s focused on a small element of your business. It is important to train a sales force, not try to make sales. Don’t say the same thing over and over again. Memory hooks don’t really teach anybody anything.
2. Schedule one to one meetings (BBIs) with a different person from your group each week to build deeper connections and learn more about your fellow members- as well as them learning about you. I have my assistant trying… very little result. Is lucky to get an email reply back.
3. Take a leadership role of some kind within the group. This helps people stand out in the crowd. When they see someone take on a leadership role and do a good job. It rubs off on their credibility. When people see you as a leader of other people, they think of you as a successful business person and from VCP:  visibility, credibility, profitability – it raises you above visibility and helps you get to credibility through some kind of leadership role. That is one of the best reasons to be on the leadership team, in the membership committee or a visitor host. It gives you much more exposure and that leads to credibility’.
4. Bring referrals, legitimate ones, for other members. If you want to get referrals, you have to be able to give referrals.
5. Immerse yourself in referral education. Read books, blogs such as businessnetworking.com, BNI newsletter, BNI Success Net.  Anything to help learn how to engage the networking process more effectively.
6. Use the services of the other members of the group so that you can experience what they have to offer because that helps you in being able to refer them. If they do a good job, and you are enthusiastic about it, then it is so easy to refer somebody when you have experienced what they have to offer.

Do these 6 things to get more out of your BNI experience:

1. Create a 60-second introduction that changes each time.
2. Schedule a one-to-one meeting with someone from your group every week.
3. Take on a leadership role in your group.
4. Bring legitimate referrals for other members.
5. Immerse yourself in referral education.
6. Use the services of other members.

Source: http://www.bnipodcast.com/2013/10/23/did-woody-allen-get-it-right/