Have you ever wondered how some businesses effortlessly attract clients and opportunities? Do you wish you could find a better way to network and actually see tangible results for your business?

A strong, supportive network is the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to survive. Business Networking International (BNI) understands this, and provides a platform where diverse industry professionals unite with a single purpose: mutual growth and support. BNI is a critical tool to expand your network, attract new clients, learn from experienced professionals, and most importantly, grow your business.

BNI operates on the philosophy of Givers Gain®. Members focus on giving first—a mindset that cultivates generosity and yields high-quality referrals and opportunities beyond the reach of traditional marketing. For businesses aiming to rise above their competition, BNI is essential; it provides the connections and community to make it possible.

The Power of BNI

Innovation chapter of BNI is a prime example of how networking is evolving. Based in Morgantown, WV, Innovation is a chapter that meets online, applying the traditional BNI structure to a modern approach. But the core of what makes BNI successful—building solid business relationships—is universal across all its chapters. BNI provides a powerful platform to grow, connect, and learn, no matter where your are or what your business is.

Here are three ways BNI helps you grow your business.

1. Cultivate Rich Relationships

Strong professional networks are crucial for a business's survival and growth. About 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, and around half don't make it past five years. With studies indicating that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, being part of a community like BNI becomes even more vital.

As a BNI member, you will build deep, trusting relationships. By attending regular weekly meetings, you’ll create a support network that opens new opportunities and lays the foundation for long-term success. You’ll also meet one-on-one with other members, using a framework for efficient and effective conversations that will grow your relationships and uncover referral opportunities. The resulting spirit of mutual support is BNI’s hallmark: these aren’t just people you meet at networking events and promptly forget; they’re business collaborators who often become lifelong friends.

2. Receive Quality Referrals

Getting quality referrals is a major hurdle, but a crucial requirement. Studies show that 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know, and businesses with strong referral programs have a 70% higher conversion rate. 

This is where BNI's Givers Gain® philosophy makes a real difference. When you focus on bringing quality referrals to your chapter-mates, you know they will work to bring quality referrals to you. Referrals become more than mere leads; they are opportunities for real business growth and success.

3. Learn to be a better businessperson

If you aren’t keeping up, you’re falling behind. It's reported that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 due to the adoption of new technologies. BNI addresses this critical need by offering continuous learning opportunities.

Members stay updated on the latest trends and strategies, essential in a world where knowledge quickly becomes outdated. This focus on ongoing education means BNI members are well-equipped to handle industry changes, turning potential stagnation into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Plus, having to give a short presentation every week about the business you’re looking for sharpens your skill as a communicator, making you more effective in all your business conversations. It's regular training for your business pitch, so you're always ready to impress potential clients and partners with a well-crafted message about your services or products.

Innovation Chapter: A Modern Networking Solution

While traditional BNI chapters offer exceptional value, Innovation chapter takes networking to the next level by addressing the unique challenges of today’s business environment. With weekly meetings online, Innovation chapter offers a flexible and efficient approach to networking.

1. Zoom meetings: Join us from where you work

If you have a 10 a.m. meeting with a client, you can already be in your office while still attending and actively participating in the Innovation chapter weekly meeting from 8:30 - 10:00. Or if you work in construction, you can take the meeting from your truck at the job site (though please, don’t drive to the site during the meeting!). Zoom meetings mean you can be where you need to be when you need to be there, while still engaging with your fellow BNI members.

If you’re afraid you’ll miss the in-person touch, you can schedule one-to-one meetings in person, and attend our chapter’s regular get-togethers in person as well. Innovation chapter is the best of both worlds: the efficiency of remote meetings and the intimacy of a conversation over coffee or lunch.

2. Turning Constraints into Advantages 

Time is a critical asset in business, and Innovation chapter recognizes this by eliminating the time-consuming aspects of traditional networking. The online format turns potential time lost to travel into productive, business-building moments. This efficient use of time is not just a convenience; it’s a strategic advantage for members of Innovation chapter.

Beyond that, the online format is resilient. During the pandemic, online BNI saved businesses that had no other way to connect with customers. And when there is bad weather, or you’re under the weather, in-person meetings might be impossible, but online meetings still work well. 

3. Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Networking

The Innovation chapter elevates the networking experience through technology. Digital tools and features like "Business Generating Activities" in meetings not only make networking more effective but also more actionable. Instead of a casual chat as you leave an in-person meeting—which might lead to a referral—Innovation members have breakout rooms dedicated to generating specific, valuable referrals. This technological edge ensures that every meeting is an opportunity for immediate business development and growth.

Not a walk in the park—but not a trek through Antarctica either

When Sir Ernest Shackleton began assembling crew members for his expedition to the South Pole, he (reputedly) posted this starkly honest advertisement in a London newspaper: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in event of success."

In a similar spirit, joining BNI demands an open acknowledgment of its challenges. Building your BNI network is nowhere near as challenging as an expedition to the South Pole, but it is a commitment that requires time, consistent effort, and a mindset focused on giving before receiving. Members who leave BNI within their first year often do so because they underestimate this commitment, viewing BNI as an obligation they have to fulfill rather than an integral part of the success of their business. If BNI becomes “something extra,” it won’t work. But if you make it an essential part of your strategy for marketing and growth, you’ll reap huge rewards.

If you work the BNI process, the BNI process will work for you. Yes, it involves dedicated work. Yes, there's an investment of time and money. And yes, you might initially feel that you are giving more than you're getting. Building trust and relationships doesn’t happen immediately in BNI any more than it happens immediately in other areas of your work and life. But, if you engage with the BNI process wholeheartedly—building relationships, contributing to the group, and participating actively—it becomes a journey of mutual growth and prosperity, where your investment is mirrored in the success not just of your own business, but of the entire network you are a part of. So, while the journey may be demanding, the destination, a thriving business supported by a robust and giving network, is immensely rewarding.

Join the Future of Networking with BNI Innovation

BNI and the Innovation chapter invite you to be part of a vibrant community where challenges are transformed into opportunities for growth. Here, networking goes beyond mere connections; it becomes a catalyst for business success and innovation.

Visit the BNI Innovation chapter and experience how we’re redefining networking in the digital age. Join us in this journey where each challenge is an opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed.