What has BNI done for me?

BNI with a smile

23 November 2009 48 views No Comment

“What has BNI Ever done for me.

In July 2008 I had the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy and fulfill a long time ambition that of being a business owner. In the run up to my final days as on of the lead developers looking after the Orange UK web site I wondered about how i would attract business when I was self reliant.

I began to research various organisations like Chambers, Businees Link and of course BNI. I was attracted to BNI by its longevity and continued successful track record.

I made contact with BNI Yorkshire and was invited to a preliminary meeting of what would become the Carrwood Park Pioneers. Even at that first meeting I could see the potential that for a reasonable outlay I could potentially recoup my fees many times over. More importantly, for me, I didn’t not have to chase business and instead could rely on concentrating on finding business for others. This is one of the oddities of BNI in that its power lies in giving yourself over to not worrying about getting work and instead concentrating on giving business.

Maybe I struck lucky but within 2 months of joining I landed my first large contract and have now recouped of £10,000 worth of business in the first 9 months.

There’s a modicum of effort required, after all you get out what you put in, but overall I think I’d be back in the land of the employed if it hadn’t have been for BNI.

I’m particularly excited for what year two holds as we’re starting to make connections that have amazing potential.

About the author

Mark Skeet is a people photographer based in Leeds and covering commercial and social commissions across the world. His company, Mark Skeet Photography provides contemporary wedding and portrait photography and commercial and corporate photography.”

This week we hear from Mark Skeet of Mark Skeet Photography.

In July 2008 I had the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy and fulfill a long time ambition of being a business owner. In the run up to my final days as one of the lead developers looking after the Orange UK web site my thoughts turned to marketing my photography business when I was self reliant.

I began to research various organisations like the various Chambers of Commerce, Business Link and of course BNI.

I was attracted to BNI by its longevity and continued successful track record.

I made contact with BNI Yorkshire and was invited to a preliminary meeting of what would become the Carrwood Park Pioneers. Even at that first meeting I could see the potential. For a reasonable outlay I could potentially recoup my fees many times over. More importantly, for me, I didn’t have to chase business and instead could rely on concentrating on finding business for others. This is one of the oddities of BNI in that its power lies in giving yourself over to not worrying about getting work and instead concentrating on giving business.

Maybe I struck lucky but within 2 months of joining I landed my first large contract and have now recouped £10,000 worth of business in the first 9 months.

There’s a modicum of effort required, after all you get out what you put in, but overall I think I’d be back in the land of the employed if it hadn’t have been for BNI.

I’m particularly excited for what year two holds as we’re starting to make connections that have amazing potential.

About the author

Mark Skeet is a people photographer based in Leeds and covering commercial and social commissions across the world. His company, Mark Skeet Photography provides contemporary wedding and portrait photography and commercial and corporate photography.