Business Network International (BNI®) South Derbyshire Members Rake In Over £30,296 A Year in Referral-Based Business

Online, September 17, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Referral-based advertising is the preferred method for members of Business Network International in South Derbyshire to generate more business. Within the past 12 months, BNI South Derbyshire members passed 10,386 referrals that generated more than £4.2 million in business. That is equivelent to £30, 424 a year for each of the organisation's 120 members.

"Most people prefer to do business with individuals they know, like and trust. That's the reason why referral-based marketing is so effective", explains Jason Smith, Executive Director of Business Network International South Derbyshire. "BNI South Derbyshire members have found that their extended referral network can prove to be the most effective way to find new business. A year or two ago, the average yearly revenue generated for each member in our regional network was worth between £17,000 and £27,000 in annual business. It's now worth more than £30,000, and we're heading toward a goal of £50,000+ per member."

Professionals and business owners who receive much of their business from referrals can benefit from being a member of BNI South Derbyshire. Smith notes that each local group (or "chapter" as they are known) is a conglomerate, where members are in the business of promoting the products and services of their fellow members. "Productivity is measured regularly through the process of tracking referrals."

As well as providing a strong referral network, with its 26 years experience and knowledge BNI South Derbyshire offers personal development training in referrals, presentation skills, relationship skills, business development, and networking skills through a series of workshops. In September, 60% of its members participated in three different personal and professional development programs.

"BNI actually changed me personally," said BNI member Carl Hainsworth of Empower Electrical. "As an owner of an electrical company, I never had to network. It was scary to think I had to stand up infront of 30+ other businesses and speak to them. BNI has taken me out of my shell and to a comfort level that I never imagined I could be at."

Beyond improving his networking skills, Carl credits BNI with helping to boost his sales. "We have just received a dream referral thanks to BNI. Our business is growing, and we are getting more and more referrals each month from different people and not just from my chapter (group) but from others within the South Derbyshire region.

Because of its one business per category policy, individuals may join an existing BNI South Derbyshire chapter if their business category is not already filled. Because each chapter only allows one person per profession, new chapters are always launching for businesses who would like to join but who are locked out of existing chapters. "We have a rolling programme to launch at least four new chapters of BNI in South Derbyshire," asserted Smith. "We're here to provide the information, support and training our members need, whether they're interested in joining an established chapter or helping to launch a new one."

The newest chapter to launch is called BNI Enterprise, based at the Castlewood Brewers Fayre restaurant off the A38 near Mansfield. James Winsoar is the Assistant Director responsible for launching this new chapter, and according to him, "Categories are filling up quickly. We already have an Accountant and a Business Telecoms professional who have committed to the new group. We are now inviting other businesses to come along to the next meeting to find out more".

Business people who would like to find out more about BNI Enterprise should call James Winsoar on 01332 898879 or visit http://www.bnimidlands.co.uk