BNI

I have been in the BNI - Delta Business Connexions group for nearly a year. The group is made of local business professionals who really value their clients, quality of service and their reputation. Members refer business to each other inside and outside of Brentwood to help grow their own business, and in the process grow each other's business. The group meets each Weds at 7 AM at Shadow Lakes 19th Hole and ends promptly at 8:30 AM. There is only one member per category of business, so there is one real estate agent, one loan agent, not multiple. Each "seat" in the group, on average, brings more than $20,000 of business through referral.

BNI- Referral Machine-Santa RosaThis is not the Varsity Team. I have been invited to 4 different BNI chapters over the years trying to fill the architect seat. I finally applied because I really liked the interior designer that invited me and thought it might be a good association. It seemed all her team where in BNI and did their project management at meetings. I liked the vibe so I applied. At my last meeting I had to use the restroom. As I came back into the room they were talking about architects. The guy standing at the door with me said "sounds like there are talking about you", they were then laughing. Not surprisingly I was not accepted as a member. Kind of odd and humiliating. I guess they invite architects so they can be superior and reject them? Not uncommon (some tradesman are less than supportive of architects) but not particularly good marketing either. The fees are surprisingly higher even than the AIA.