Education Coordinators
Feature Story
By Mary Alice Griffin, Proforma – One Source Infinite Resources
Current President / Previous Education Coordinator
Golden Triangle Referral Group, Beaumont, Texas
NEW Update!! Mary Alice shares more on the Chapter success!
Our first step, once everyone in our chapter had their copy of BNI Networking Secrets and listened to it, was to establish specific objectives we could track over the 12 week period of the curriculum that would improve or enhance each member’s performance.
We established a benchmark so we had a starting point. To do this, I went back and pulled together the data from the previous 13 weeks from the PALMS report.
Additionally, each member agreed to complete a minimum of 1 one-to-one with each member in the group before the 12 weeks was completed.
A spreadsheet was developed that listed each member and their benchmark or beginning numbers. It was shared with the members the week prior to starting the curriculum and every week after that.
Here’s a shapshot of our results to date – 6 weeks into the curriculum.
- Our average number of referrals per week is 72, or an increase of 31 referrals per week, or a 76% increase.
- The same top ten people now account for only 50% of referrals instead of 65%.
- 27 members have improved their average # of referrals per week - that’s 81% of the members.
- We have passed 429 referrals in 6 weeks compared to 539 in 13 weeks.
Here are a few other notable results. Members who send subs are sending referrals, one-to-ones, and BNI Bucks. Even those who can’t attend and can’t find a sub are making sure their referrals, one-to-ones, and BNI Bucks are sent through another member so they can be counted.
We are consistently getting close to 100% participation in referrals every week.
What we've learned is that it's not what you expect, it is what you inspect that gets results. It is important for the Education Coordinator to ensure the wind sprints Ivan coaches us through on the CDs are learned, practiced, implemented, and most importantly shared through discussion in our chapter meetings.
UPDATE June 24, 2009:
Just wanted to give you an update on our awesome meeting today.
As of 6-23 (9 weeks into the BNI Networking CD's curriculum) I am pleased to announce that only one (of the original benchmarking group), I repeat only 1 member is below an average of one referral per week and they are so close it hurts!
In addition, our new members are rocking and rolling! I see some of them as our group's future leaders! Also we passed a whooping 81 referrals today! Thank you very much!
That takes our average referrals for the group to 71 per week. We have passed 636 referrals in 9 weeks compared to 539 in 13 weeks.
Who in their right mind would NOT want to do the fast tracker program! Tell them to call me!!!!!!
I am so excited -- if you can't tell.
Today as part of the education moment, the group was informed that the "Big Ask Muscle" costume would be passed around during their 60 second sales manager minute. They were required to use it if they felt they could not use their own "Big Ask Muscles" by being specific in what they ask for. Everyone did very well. It will be interesting to see the impact of this exercise next week.
UPDATE July 6, 2009:
Since the beginning of my experience with BNI and until now I know that the fundamentals Dr. Misner talks about is outlined in several documents given to members over the time of their involvement (BNI member policies, BNI member orientation guide, meetings, leadership (Mark & Wayne), and training classes). However, the BNI Networking Secrets CD's puts all of this information in one place that makes it very easy and convenient for members to learn and refresh, and refresh, and refresh... Every time I listen to them I take something different away from them depending on what situations I am in at work or life. The point being WE DID SOMETHING, WE SET SPECIFIC GOALS FROM BENCHMARK NUMBERS, WE SHARED IT, WE MEASURED IT, WE TRACKED IT, WE VALIDATED IT, WE DID IT!!!!!!!
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