Top coach at expo
Ricki Herbert will be guest speaker at the 2012 Business Network International Business Expo, to be held at the Mana Cruising Club on March 20.
The event is hosted by the North City chapter as part of their programme to build membership and increase awareness of the network.
Business Network International is a specialist business referral network, operating under the banner ‘‘Givers gain’’, and by giving and receiving referrals, each member sees their business grow as they become better known in the community. There are 20 members in this region.
‘‘The most powerful means of promotion is personal recommendation and word- ofmouth referral,’’ said network chapter president Mike Diamond. ‘‘That is exactly what this business networking organisation is all about.’’
He said he was thrilled to have Herbert, the New Zealand and Wellington Phoenix coach, along. ‘‘ He is a top flight coach who is very much involved in team building and developing business opportunities. Business Network International is in exactly the same building mode and we are delighted to have Ricki to help us promote this event.’’
Members will have the opportunity to promote their businesses at the expo by way of displays but the focus is on increasing awareness of the network in the business community and the new business opportunities it provides.
There are 129 chapters in New Zealand and more than 2700 members. Worldwide there are 125,000 members in 5454 chapters in 38 countries.
‘‘ Members network in a structured and professional environment but then the chapter keeps track of the number of referrals passed on by chapter members and encourages the members to feed back on the business they receive,’’ said Mr Diamond.
‘‘We track the referrals to see that our members are getting the support they want from other members. It is just like having a sales force of 20 people out in the marketplace. Their reach is amazing.’’
The meeting is also a forum for business operators who operate from home. Whitby has a lot of home business operators, who use technology to keep themselves in touch with their customers and the market but who may not leave their houses.
Mr Diamond said there was a cost to join the organisation, and for the weekly breakfast but the investment had paid dividends for him personally.
Tickets for the event, which runs from 5.30pm to 8pm, are $15 per head and are available from Suzie Hunt 233 2442 or Steve Lovell 232 1000.