Rick Coffelt Around 2 It Web Design Around To It Web Design Rick W. Coffelt 4164 Austin Bluffs Pkwy #335 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 339-6423 To BNI Visitors: I joined the Pikes Peak Professionals BNI group approximately 3 months ago with a fledgling business that was really going nowhere, certainly not without a great deal of effort. On the day I was sworn into this group, I received 3 referrals and have continued to receive referrals since that date. My business has grown by, conservatively, 1200-1500 percent in the 3 months that I have belonged to this wonderful group! Knowing now what I didn’t know then, if I had it to do all over again, I would have taken advantage of the 20% discount to join this group! Other than being a wonderful group of people that I look forward to networking with each week, I know that they truly care about me and the growth of my business. I’m confident that they will continue to help me grow my business to levels that I never before dreamed possible. I urge each and every visitor to take advantage of their opportunity to join Pikes Peak Professionals, or another BNI group immediately. Lock out your competition by joining today and begin to take advantage of the immense opportunities afforded by your membership to raise your business to an entirely new level! My experience within this group has shown me that business referral groups do work! I was a member of a different business referral group, not affiliated with BNI, and after 3 months had not received a single referral. It was simply a “Social Club” that met for lunch. Pikes Peak Professionals group of BNI is truly the place to be if you want to insure that your business is profitable and would like quality, ready to do business referrals handed to you on a regular basis! Sincerely, Rick Coffelt, Owner Around 2 It Web Design & cs4sale.com

BNI Member Computer Repair Givers Gain … Confidence It’s important for me to tell you something that BNI membership has done for me personally that, I'm sure, wasn't intentional. You see, I've been afraid of people; particularly in large crowds for most of my adult life. In my business, I deal with absolutes: zeros and ones. I'm a computer network engineer, and my whole business life revolves around cause and effect. Lock me in a windowless room with a sick computer, tell me what's wrong with it and what you want me to make it do, close the door and leave, and I'm happy. Needless-to-say, my first BNI meeting was terrifying. I've never been comfortable at a chamber mixer and therefore never go, my social skills are terribly lacking even to the point that family gatherings are a chore, and even medication with my family physician has not been successful. If my wife and I go shopping in a grocery store, and there is no one in the isle but us, I'm comfortable, but if someone comes into the isle from either end, my first thought is to look to the other for an escape route. If someone comes in that end, I'm trapped. This has been debilitating to the point that I've become almost a social outcast, and in the business world this just can't happen. Without the ability to comfortably interact with others, one's business just can't survive. The result has been 6 years of mediocre success even though I'm both a talented and knowledgeable engineer with certifications from both Novell and Microsoft. What's happened since my association with BNI? I've made many new and good friends in "my" chapter, and am comfortable in a large room with them all. That's OK, but the real test was yesterday when many chapters and their members were in our hall. Again, I was able to easily move among those in the crowded room and never be concerned that I was going to be attacked. I confidently came up to you and introduced myself without even the slightest worry about anything that might happen. Three months ago, this would never have taken place. Commitment to BNI and its purposes has changed things for me in this area, and I'm looking forward to more. I always come out of our meetings charged!!! Tuesdays are my most productive days as I confidently take on new challenges in the computer industry, and I feel confident that it's because of the association with those at our meetings.

Randy Schillinger Hondac Auto in Colorado Springs, CO From: Randy [mailto:randy@hondacauto.com] Sent: Wed 10/18/2006 5:01 PM To: Margie Cowan Subject: Thanks for the Cruise! Dear Margie, Please accept our sincere appreciation for the wonderful cruise we had this past week-end to Encinada. We truly enjoyed our time together and with the new BNI friends we met this past week-end. I'm sure some of those friendships will extend in to our futures. It was an honor meeting Dr. Misner and a pleasure talking with him. The free time on the ship was full of adventure and relaxation (but really not much rest). This cruise idea is a fantastic incentive for future membership drives so keep that in mind for other BNI members! Sincerely, Randy & Vicki Schillinger @ Hondac Auto in Colorado Springs P.S. We met the other automotive couple from Denver, Dave & Linda from Your Favorite Mechanic, and will be referring each other's business between Denver and Colorado Springs. (The BNI way, right?).

Beth Anderson OrgTrack.com The following is part of a response Beth Anderson wrote on the BNI Yahoo group to another member asking about referrals and how to track them. This BNI Yahoo Group is a wonderful benefit to BNI membership. If I remembered to write down every referral I ever gave I'd probably have twice as many slips as I do....but to me it doesn't really matter. What matters is that the business gets done, people LIKE AND TRUST ME, and everyone feels good at the end of it. I've been in BNI for almost 8 years, and I am, admittedly, the "poster child" for BNI in Minnesota. 95% of my business comes from BNI. Just last week I landed 5 new clients - all of them from BNI and not ONE of them had a referral slip attached to it. How? Here's how: 1 - referral from another OrgTrack customer who is an ED and not a chapter member, no slip 2 - restaurant in town. I moved here because of someone I met through BNI. Town site is an OrgTrack site. No slip, but still BNI Bucks. 3 - AD from Minneapolis. I do the BNI MN site, he wants me to do his. I guess he might have filled out a slip at his chapter. 4 - Hotel that is on an OrgTrack.com site for a town downriver from me. Wouldn't have OT without BNI. There you go. No slip, still BNI. 5 - former BNI member who remembers me & referred me to her friend. No slip, still BNI. I also received 3 referrals from my chapter yesterday - haven't had a chance to follow up with all of them yet, but they all look promising. So don't get too hung up on referral slips, because that really isn't the point now, is it? I'm on 5th and 6th level referrals but they all can be traced back to BNI. p.s. Phone just rang - another new client from a website I do for the next town up the river from me. OrgTrack site. BNI Bucks. Go BNI! Beth Anderson BNI Minnesota OrgTrack.com

Tracy Bookman Tracy Bookman Photography It only took 2 weeks for me to get my first job referred from BNI. That job paid more than twice what my annual dues are to be a member of BNI. I've been in BNI now for only 3.5 months and the income received as a direct result of my BNI membership is 8 times my annual dues. As a brand new business, this is invaluable to me.

Donna Campanelli McGinnis / GMAC Real Estate BNI and its word of mouth marketing is the best method I have found in my 6 years in real estate to generate referrals. In my first year alone, referrals from BNI members increased by business by 25%. And, dollar for dollar, BNI provides the best return on investment over every other kind of advertising.

Bernadette Budz Harrison Fiducial Triple Check BNI has been great for our business. BNI generates the kind of referrals that I look for, long-term clientele. As a person who works face to face with my clients, it is always helpful when they ask for assistance in other areas. I can then refer them to a trusted BNI member.

Suzie Wickizer Home & Garden Party BNI has been a real shot in the arm. It is really helping me grow my Home and Garden Party business. I feel that I have much more than just a referral business with other members but very valuable friendships as well.

Mike Bush New England Financial I have seen an exponential growth in my practice as a result of joining BNI; it was the wisest business investment I have made. And, where reputation is everything, BNI has allowed me to build relationships where I am not afraid to pass referrals.

Gloria Ballton Farmers Insurance BNI has been an excellent business decision for my Farmers Insurace business. I have added several new families to my book of business as well as commercial accounts. Advertising elsewhere has never paid off like BNI. Where else do you have an unpaid "sales staff" that continues to keep their ears and eyes open for your business?

Crystall Hoch Mary Kay Sales Director As a business woman working from home, BNI has afforded me the opportunity to meet many other professionals not only to expand my business but also to have a great resource of business people to access for myself and others. It is difficult for someone new in the area to know who to go to for various services without doing the old "yellow page" search. I can now comfortably refer people I meet to professionals who back up what they say with an already estableished reputation and great integrity.

Victor Lin Dynasty Mortgage BNI has increased by business. I have this group of professionals looking out for my interest and advertising my business daily. Their referrals have resulted in transactions that will pay for my BNI membership fee for many years. It is a powerful system.

Dr John Rabins Optom-Eyes There is no better way to advertise than word-of-mouth, and BNI figures strongly into my business plan for years to come. In just under four years, BNI has provided me with over 550 referrals, resulting in over 450 patients. My optician has joined another BNI group and has already been given 56 referrals. Is it any wonder that I consider BNI to be my most cost-effective form of advertising?

Beth Anderson Org Track Some things that are often overlooked when this question comes up are the benefits to you as a businessperson, outside of direct business. - You will learn to talk about your business in a clear concise way so when someone asks "What do you do?" you have the words to tell them. - You will learn to be comfortable speaking in front of a group. Polls tell us public speaking is the number one fear of most people. BNI offers you the opportunity to speak for 60 seconds each week in front of a group of caring, interested individuals. I have seen many, many people blossom over the years. When they went to their first meeting they could barely read their commercial, and have since become able to talk to anyone, anywhere. - For those of us who work by ourselves it's a great resource for interaction with other businesspeople, and a fabulous resource of more experienced people. - You add value to your business and your life by having people to refer to your clients, colleagues, family and friends. You become the "gatekeeper" and over time will begin to get calls that start with "Since you know everyone, can you help me find a good (whatever)? Then of course there's the increase in your business. But that's almost secondary...almost. We are discovering that one of the main reasons people leave their BNI chapter is they end up with too much business. Of course over time they end up coming back, because a large part of having a successful business is keeping the pipeline full. It's recommended that you hire someone, or raise your prices, or simply become more selective about the clients you accept rather than cut off the main source of business. I ended up narrowing the services that I offer to the ones that I most like to do, and referring out the things I don't like to do to another member. It's a good thing! Beth Anderson BNI Minnesota OrgTrack.

Kathie Thomas Australia Whilst people joining are looking to get increased business there is another side to this networking business! Getting reliable services and products. I have sourced through BNI the following for my business and for me personally: Printing, Stationery, Insurances (business and personal), Travel arrangements for myself and clients, Catering for a party, Logo design for another business I'm running, Printer supplies, a Printer, Computer parts and accessories, Mobile Phone and accessories for myself and my family, human resource training for an associate and the list goes on. Gaining business is just one side of being in BNI but getting good reliable service providers - ones you get to know and trust and feel confident in referring to your associates, family and friends is the other side. And yes, I've gained business for myself and my team - it took a while for people to understand what we were about, and it took a while for me to understand how to fully communicate it, but it's working for me - I've been in BNI 4 years in May. Regards, Kathie M. Thomas, AFAIOP, MVA, ASO

Mary Scott We have an art gallery/framing company in our group in Whitehall, MI. After being in BNI for only one year, he calculated that he had an overall increase in sales 32%, of which 68% was due directly to BNI. Most of us could handle those types of increases. That was only after one year! Just think how word of mouth referrals get around! It can only be exponentially better. Mary Scott

Linda Ousnamer The Pencil Pusher, Inc. My reason for joining BNI more than 5 years ago was not to get business, although I knew that would come. My reason was that I had been sitting behind a desk for many years and had gotten to the point that I didn't really want to go out and meet people. I knew that getting involved in BNI would make me stretch and grow, and it has! I have been involved in my chapter as visitor host, Sec/Treas, VP and President, and am currently an Assistant Director, responsible to assist other chapters in their growth. Being a member of my chapter, with all of the friendly, supportive people really enabled me to enjoy being in a crowd of people. It allowed me to get comfortable speaking in front of the group, and now I speak to other chapters, also! Of course, the referrals and new business that I have received have been great. The new clients that I have secured through BNI have added a long-term revenue source, as well as some great contacts and more word-of-mouth business. It works in more ways than I ever imagined! Linda Ousnamer Network Masters Chapter

Michael Pennica Pennica Financial Group SInce I joined BNI, my business has enjoyed a 21% increase in revenue! I love the teamwork and personal growth too! Thanks BNI. BNI is a tremendous value. Vice President of Colorado Springs Success Unlimited Chapter BNI Member since 2000

"Kacki" Brown MacKactus Typesetting BNI is networking that works. It clearly augments my business income, and some months even exceed my regular contract work. BNI is more than networking for profit, it is netwoking for friends and support. BNI provides a group of trusted friend with whom I feel I can seek advise and test ideas about my business. Member of Pueblo Sunrisers Chapter BNI Member since 1996

Debby Miller Phases Accounting & Tax Service Last year my revenue from BNI was $75,000. That's quite the return on my fees of only a couple of hundred dollars a year. Charter Member and President of Colorado Springs Professional Partners Chapter BNI Member since 1997

Brent Neuenswander Motivational Building Promotions, LLC Word of Mouth Marketing, by way of BNI, allows one to use their time solidifying clients instead of prospecting for contacts. BNI Director for Colorado Springs Previously a President of Great Expectations Chapter BNI Member since 2000

Martha Neitz Advanced Clean Ducts, Inc. My membership in BNI has helped me connect with other companies that have used my services. That's not bad for a high-end service with an average price of $325 per job. Past Secretary-Treasurer. Member of Simply Business Chapter. Member since 1999

Dr. Joe Givan Givan Chiropractic BNI has been an excellent sourace of patients for me. The first year gave me the time develop my sixty-second presentation and formal presentation and what would be a good referral for me. It also gave me time to learn what would be a good referral for the other members of my chapter. The philosophy of "Givers Gain" is an excellent synopsis of what BNI is all about. BNI referrals easily lmake up 25% of my patient basis. The other benefits of BNI include confidence in making presentations, being a resource for my patients and the friendship of the members of my chapter. BNI International Board of Advisors Member Charter Member and Past President and Past Vice President of Colorado Springs Northern Exposure Chapter, a Founders Award Chapter for 3 years. BNI Member since 1993

Denise Matott New York Life Insurance Company I waited over 3 years to get into a BNI Chapter to lock out my competition!!! It was a wait worth waiting for! In the first 6 months of my membership, I wrote one policy that paid for one year's membership. I was also fortunate to have been selected to serve as President of the Pueblo Union Nooners and am one of the Charter Members. Membership in a BNI Chapter is a "Privilege" that must be nurtured through hard work, commitment and the belief that you can make a difference. BNI Assistant Director for Southern Colorado, Past President of Pueblo Union Nooners BNI member since 1999

Dr. Tano Welch A&A Chiropractic I have been a member of my BNI chapter for over six years. I'm often baffled by those businesses that I approach to become a member that claim that they do not have the time to go to a luncheon meeting every week, and yet, these same businesses are out of business six months to a year later. I have made time to go to BNI, and BNI made me approximately $8,000 in 1998, $11,000 in 1999, and over $18,000 in 2000. Not bad for going to lunch once per week. It's a great way to build up a word of mouth network of referrals. Past President Pueblo Noon LEADers Chapter BNI Member since 1995

Linda Roof CoWest Insurance of Pueblo, Inc. I began my insurance career in 1978. After working for other independent insurance agents and companies, I began my own office in 1995 in Pueblo. A large measure of my business success is and continues to be with BNI. Without the support of my friends in BNI and the word-of-mouth advertising, it would have geen more difficult to grow my business. Today, 30% of my new business continues to come from BNI. It is a valuable part of my business plan. Charter Member and President of Pueblo Sunrisers Chapter. BNI Member since 1988

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