BNI Olympus Chapter

Time for an update on the white cards we first mentioned last year under Thank You for the Business

We’ve just had a couple of good weeks with new business invoiced by the members of the group. Last week alone there was over £10,000 of new business done from introductions by the group. This week we hit an average of around £500 per attendee – worth getting up early for.

We’ve currently got vacancies for a printer, solicitor, mortgage broker, signwriter and several other professions. Feel free to get in touch and come and see what its all about – you may even walk away with a new dream client.

One of the key elements of the BNI toolkit is the 1-to-1 meeting. A good meeting can drive extra referrals and more business, deepen relationships and trigger those moments of ‘I didn’t know you did that’. In turn leading to more business. We’ve just had a busy March with plenty of this going on and the new leadership team wanted to recognise the busiest members. Top of the table are Louise from Coxhead Cleaning Services and Jane from Winter Bookkeeping but a virtual round of applause to the biggest climbers this month – Jackie Williams of Primary Graphics and Mike Farrell of Utilities Warehouse.

The members of Olympus have a long standing reputation for running popular Visitor Days where a meeting is opened up for companies to come along and find out about the group. We’ll help you with business contacts and making personal introductions to key decision-makers in companies both local and international, small and large.

Visitors went away having enjoyed the meeting and some received new business immediately. For our members it was a chance to network with a wide circle of contacts – you never know where that next dream referral is coming from. Who would be your new best client?

(photo Michael Sewell)

Our resident architect in BNI Olympus is none other than Nick Hayes of Hayes Architects Ltd, formerly a partner with Cassidy & Ashton. Nick specialises in a range of projects from small domestic work, through extensions, new build and into commercial work. He’s able to draw on many years experience in the business. Schools are one area he loves to get involved in and he received an introduction to a fantastic referral from the group’s commercial photographer.

Martin Toole of Inspired Images had no hesitation in introducing Nick when he was speaking with Broad Oak Primary School about their site and future developments. Martin’s photography skills and experience were put to good use providing images for the feasibility study. Nick wrote “the quality of those images enabled a professional looking bid which helped in securing the project”. He went on “this work could potentially lead to a 14 year involvement with the school”, probably making it one of the longest running referrals we’ve seen.

“This project would not have happened without Martin’s focus and awareness in understanding the potential” commented Nick.

He concluded his testimonial, reminding us all why we get involved with BNI, “this referral is one in a million and I am so pleased that you included me in your thinking”.

A notable moment at this week’s meeting as Martin Newton (centre) a financial advisor with City Investment passes the group’s 6,000th business referral to Maxine Wilde of Omega Vehicle Contracts, car leasing specialists; an introduction for four new vehicles. Watched by (from left) Martin Toole of Inspired Images, Mike Gelder of Redleg IT Support and Russ Treasure of Lambogenie.

This group of local businesses meet regularly to help each other out with introductions to new clients and opportunities – it is very successful business networking, achieved by applying word of mouth marketing. Have a look at the recent post about ‘Thank You For The Business’ to see just how successful.

Think I recall that the average value of a referral is something like £400, multiplying up means the group has introduced around £2.4 million of business – now that’s worth getting up early for.

ps thanks to Michael Sewell our resident portrait and wedding photographer from www.weddingsbymichael.co.uk for the above picture

Having started collecting the white cards to say “Thank you for the business”, we’re very pleased to report a total of £170,387 worth of business after about 6 weeks. That is business invoiced from the introductions made by this group. Do you want a share of that next month? Click here to visit BNI in the Preston area.

Plenty of testimonials this week, just thought I’d pick a few highlights:

From Martin Toole of Inspired Images to Jackie Eastham at Smoothgear “These guys are so far out in front of the rest and pleasant with it, I would not hesitate in recommending them to you all. My car is their showroom.”

From Bob Renshaw of Utilities Warehouse to Duane Raidy at MDR Promotional Garments, “It is refreshing to know that MDR will go out of its way to ensure the customer gets what they want at a time they want all at very competitive prices”

Another to Jackie at Smoothgear, from Martin Newton of City Investment, “This level of honesty in pricing for work would particularly prompt me to recommend them”

Stephen Colbert of NDAC to Norman Gibson of Legacy Estate Planning “It was easy thanks to the simple and precise way you explained to us our options and the fact you did everything for us … I have no hesitation in referring you to family, friends and business associates”

Great 10 minute presentation from Sarah Mottershead (Crystal Eternity Bridalwear) this morning, especially as she’s usually quite nervous about public speaking.

we really got to see her stunning Crystal Bouquets, buttonholes and other wedding accessories in context thanks to our stand in Bride (Debbie Gill, House of Colour) and Groom (Chapter Director, Russ Treasure, Lambogenie.co.uk)

Well done Sarah…