Ohio

Started in January 1985 by Dr. Ivan R. Misner, Founder & Chairman of BNI. BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for men and women to further their business through word-of-mouth marketing.

Networking requires commitment. The most successful chapters of BNI are comprised of participants who are sincerely committed to helping one another through networking. They are a team. As a participant in BNI, you are responsible for complying with the policies and guidelines of the organization*. A partial list of the policies of BNI are listed below:

The first step is to find a chapter and visit and see what we are all about.

• Only one person from each professional specialty is permitted to join a chapter of BNI.
• All participants should represent their primary occupation, not a part-time business.
• Attendance is critical. If you cannot attend a meeting, you may send a substitute. This will not count as an absence.
• Participation in the chapter by members is a key to the success of a group. Members can participate by bringing bona-fide referrals and/or visitors to their BNI chapter.

If you can't find a vacancy… phone or email the BNI office. Explaining a BNI meeting is like giving a haircut over the phone - not very effective. BNI meetings are best experienced in person.

Most chapters have a nominal meeting fee to cover the room and meal charges. You will have the opportunity to stand and do a commercial for your company (unless your competitor is a member…then you simply "observe"). Bring LOTS of business cards because you will also have a chance to pass them to all of the members.

The benefits of membership are many!

1. Increased exposure to many other people and businesses;

2. Building solid business relationships that will last for the rest of your life;

3. Tools to network more effectively, including educational workshops and mentoring;

4. Visibility, Credibility and Profitability for each of our members;

5. And much, much more!!!