From my last article:
https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@allandharvey/part-two-the-environment-what-we-have
The purpose of this article is to solely promote an environment rather than an organisation. However it is nigh on impossible and I suppose somewhat impractical to talk about an environment without giving the organisation that houses that environment due credit.
BNI Business Networking International provides a formal and professional platform for providing referral business to business owners and/or their representatives in both the SMME market and corporate world.
BNI was established in 1985 by Dr Ivan Misner in the USA. It is unique in its ability to grow businesses and unleash the hidden potential in people. BNI's success can be mainly attributed to its Givers Gain® philosophy, something we will address later.
In support of my theory on the importance of the work environment, BNI globally, generated over $13.9 Billion in closed referred business in the period March 2017 to April 2018. It comprises groups of business owners and employees of businesses who form Chapters. Chapters allow only one person from each profession into the mix, thus locking out ones' competition. There are over 8 347 Chapters worldwide with a total membership of more than two hundred and thirty-two thousand. Of interest as well is that small businesses in BNI grow on average at 22% in the first year of membership. The first year tends to be the most difficult year as business owners focus on building trust in their relationships with fellow members.
You might wonder how and why such remarkable success? Notwithstanding the Givers Gain® philosophy mentioned earlier, I would like to reiterate the obvious nature of the work environment, in sustaining business success and in unleashing the hidden potential of those looking to grow and change.
As an employee in the public service for 12 years, and as a coach and facilitator focused on leadership development in the corporate world for over 20 years, I can humbly submit that I do not know of a more apt example of just how significant an impact the environment can have, than in the BNI scenario.
BNI's success is also partly due to the BNI environment that encourages, develops, supports and sustains a culture of participation, results, recognition and accountability. BNI is about an ownership mentality. This applies not only to ones’ business but very much to ones' personal life, as they are inseparably connected.
The environment DOES NOT tolerate authoritarianism, ill-discipline, non-performance or a culture of blame and other behaviour that undermines results and breaks down self-image and confidence.
In the next episode I will share the principles and core values that underpin BNI's success making it the oldest, largest and most successful referral marketing organisation in the world and how those principles and core values can be adapted to suit other working environments in whatever area of business.
