BNI Breakdown (Alison Poulter)

This episode explores BNI (Business Network International) with Alison Poulter, a regional director overseeing five Canterbury chapters. With 21 chapters in Canterbury generating around £27-28 million in recorded business annually, BNI provides structured weekly networking focused on generating quality referrals between members.

The key to success in BNI is consistency in attendance and relationship building. Members who stay beyond the first year typically see double the referrals as trust and understanding grows. While referrals are important, Alison notes that surveys show the sense of belonging and professional development benefits like public speaking practice are equally valuable to members.

BNI works best for those committed to the weekly format and willing to build relationships through one-to-one meetings outside the formal gatherings. The organisation serves businesses and sales professionals of all types, from young entrepreneurs to experienced veterans, creating valuable cross-generational connections.

Some chapters significantly outperform others, with Alison's Canterbury region recently overtaking Auckland in recorded business value. Success comes from members actively recording referrals and building strong relationships, particularly evident in Canterbury following shared experiences like earthquakes and other challenges that highlighted the value of community connections.

For those interested in joining, Alison recommends contacting a director to find the right chapter based on location, industry and schedule. The international network also provides opportunities to connect when travelling, though the core value comes from consistent local engagement.