The room was abuzz with business before this week’s meeting, with members welcoming and getting to know the guests and subs visiting the Chapter. We were graced by a visit from BNI director Laura Hurren as well. Laura brought special badges recognising two founder members of the Chapter, Howard Graham and Peter Callomon, who have now been members for 15 years. Laura promised that Michael Strelitz, another 15 year member, will receive his badge soon…

Pre-meeting (when all the really important stuff happens), Ali chats to visitor Jane

Ian chats to visitor Karen

Chandra chats to VIP visitor Laura

and Carol chats to John

The meeting is just about to begin, and Lina and Ali are already having a great time

Chapter Director David Miles presents the Notable Networker certificate to John Brandler in acknowledgement of his contributions to the Chapter and his fellow members (grip and grin photo courtesy of Charles Gervais)

Laura brought special badges, presented by Chapter Director David Miles, for our 15-year members (Howard Graham, Peter Callomon, and soon for Michael Strelitz)

“Grip and Grin” is photographer jargon, here is another example (thanks David and Peter for demonstrating so effectively)

Anuschka Fritz announced that this would be her last meeting. She’s moving back to Germany after many years in the UK. Anuschka will leave behind a legacy of great web design, merciless time-keeping during the 60 second presentations, and chocolate, lots of chocolate. We’ll miss you Fritzie!

The members’ 60 second presentations were excellent, as usual, with Quentin Bargate making a particular impression on two of our visitors (and feeling pretty good about it after)

Smiling as always, Simon Manuel enjoys his fellow members’ presentations

Chandra Sharma runs through the Membership Coordinator’s report

Laura Hurren is looking for business people in Rome for BNI chapters there

The John Magee Silver Tongue award is given back to David Miles by Howard Graham. David was specific in his requests for business contacts (echoing Laura Hurren’s informative Network Education presentation on making sure you give your fellow Members enough information to be able to refer  you effectively to their business circles)

It’s not all business at Clerkenwell, the pastry plate makes its rounds

Lina Christodoulou of Christo Print and design gave an excellent 10 minute presentation. Prior to speaking, she said that she was quite nervous, but a vast array of beautifully printed materials saw her through in fine style, and she made a great impression on the Members and visitors.

Referral time, and Howard gets a Mexican Wave from the Members for a precedented (by him) but still impressive 10 referrals (or was it 11?)

15 year member!

This week’s meeting was graced by both cake, courtesy of Howard Graham (The Made Simple Group) and one half of a lovely string quartet (Helen Bower and Abigail Dance of the Benzaiten Ensemble).

David Miles of Divadani holds court with this week’s Networking Education slot.

Members, subs and guests give their 60 second presentations. Ratan of Westbury does an excellent job of drawing in David Taylor of Savvy Social in to his presentation.

Carol Couling of SRS Bureau is justifiably proud of having sourced and placed an award-winning nurse (Karen Graham, working in Libya, has won The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award).

Ricardo Rodrigues of Portuguese Story listens intently to the 60 second presentations, along with his BNI colleagues.

Anuschka Fritz of Moustique Design shows off her newest website creation, live!

Micah Jorrisch shows us a calendar promoting Karen Darke, paralympian, who is making a trip to the South Pole, to promote the Back-Up Trust. Incredible story.

Chapter Director, Mandy Hetherton of Insight to Action, inducts new member Julian Fox of TechRelate. Welcome, Julian!

As a very special treat, we were treated to exquisite music from Helen Bower and Abigail Dance of the Benzaiten Ensemble (thanks for bringing them along, Anuschka!). Oh, and they played Happy Birthday too.

David Miles of Divadani Design awards Charles Gervais, of Both Hemispheres Photography, this week’s John Magee Silver Cup Award for the best 60 second presentation (note the self-portrait, with remote camera!). Charles gave over his 60 seconds to tell the chapter about his Father’s (Humphrey Gervais, former member and CD of BNI Clerkenwell) climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Still time to donate!

Howard Graham of the Made Simple Group gave the 10 minute presentation this week.

Perfect referrals for The Made Simple Group:

Cake during a 10-minute presentation? The perfect accompaniment!

40 referrals were passed this week, including this one from Ratan of Westbury to Ian Selvan of Centrepoint Software.

Simon Manuel of Simplicity Copywriting draws this week’s door prize for… John Wright of Opus Business Systems (the prize was a valuable place on a Business Made Simple course, to be given to a chosen client).

A delicious cake-over-coffee combination, yum!

Founder members of BNI Clerkenwell: Peter Callomon of Positive Solutions, Howard Graham of The Made Simple Group and Michael Strelitz of Datasafe Services. 15 years at BNI Clerkenwell, congratulations gentlemen!

I’ve only been a member of BNI Clerkenwell for 5 years, but I am honoured to be among such a dynamic and supportive group. I wouldn’t be where I am without the referrals, advice and direct business I’ve been given over the years. Here’s to 15 more years, Clerkenwell!

Charles (Both Hemispheres Photography).

Visitors to the Chapter from a variety of trades and professions attended  and for many it was their first BNI meeting.

We very much enjoyed learning more about their businesses and we hope to see many back again soon –  some as new members of the Chapter

Here is a composite picture with some images from the day (click for bigger pic)

Quentin Bargate

 Today, I want to go the heart of what BNI is all about – networking.  The word ‘networking’ is normally used to describe a connection between Computers – see Wikipedia definition below:

A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information. Where at least one process in one device is able to send/receive data to/from at least one process residing in a remote device, then the two devices are said to be in a network.

This definition, particularly the ‘communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information’ is not much different to the networking that we do!

Below, I have taken extracts from Robert MacPhee, who is the author of Manifesting for Non-Gurus.  He is a founding member of the Transformational Leadership Council and the former Director of Training for Jack Canfield. 

 This article takes us through 4 steps to networking proficiency/ mastery

Ditching your old comfort zone for a new one.

 A comfort zone occurs when our “I am” beliefs match the results we are currently getting.  The premise of Ivan’s post was that if a person sees himself as a good networker, if he is comfortable at networking, he is much more likely to get out and attend events, fully participate, and get the maximum benefit from the experience.

Changing your thinking sounds easy enough, but exactly how do you do it?  How do you make a change that lasts?

This is where many people get stuck – the point where we declare we are a great networker but are shamed by the voice inside that says, “No, you’re not!”

However, to become a master at something which you currently do not consider yourself particularly good at, there are four things you must be willing to do:

1. Try something new
   In order to get to proficient, we must be willing to take the first step.  We must be willing to try something new and different.
   Do you remember your first networking meeting?
   Have you watched a child learn to walk?
   Do you remember what it was like to learn to drive a car?
   The first step is often awkward but a necessary part of the process.
2. Ask for help.
   It is sometimes possible to get to proficient without help, but it is always faster and easier to get there with the help of others.  BNI is a perfect example of this.  It’s an environment where we can always find someone willing and able to mentor us to the next level.
3. Be uncomfortable.
   So many people are unwilling to take the first step or ask for help because it will make them uncomfortable.  When we remember that being uncomfortable is simply part of the process, a necessary stage, we become more willing to get into action.  We get out of our own way.
4. Practice, practice, practice.
   Finally, the only way to get to true proficiency is through repetition.  When we are willing to take action, respond to feedback, and then take more action, we get better at whatever we are doing—eventually reaching a state of proficient.

In the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell refers to research that indicates it takes 10,000 hours to become a master in your field.  That is a lot of hours!  But here is the good news: If you are willing to follow the four steps above, the first hours you commit will be a quantum leap to your results.  Most people are not willing to do it.  Most people would rather remain stuck in their comfort zone.  So even if you don’t have an extra 10,000 hours, dedicate whatever time you can and race ahead of the pack.
If you start by declaring a new “I am” belief—“I am an effective networker!”—and if you are willing to take these four steps consistently, you will soon become a master networker.  And you will have created a new comfort zone; your “I am a great networker” belief will now match your new results.  From that moment forward you will always be a great networker.  It will become part of who you are!

So the clear message is ‘Get out of your comfort zone!’ …… in the nicest possible way!
 

Many thanks to Jean Ligget, Properties of the World, for all of her hard work. It is the opinion of this humble blog-poster that, if Jean does half the work for her clients as she did to organise this party, then they are very lucky clients indeed.

Photographs courtesy (mostly) of Charles Gervais, Both Hemispheres Photography.

Quentin photographs the photographer with what he says is a phone but looks more like a monolith from 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Simon, Colleen and her bun hold court as King and Queen of the table (all of the other Kings and Queens didn’t seem to object).

Pretty good loot from the crackers (I’m enjoying my new nail clippers).

David shows how much he loves to have his photo taken (John takes the high road, and just ignores the camera).

The gang digs in to their appetisers.

Crayfish and avacado, yum! (beer, yum! cider, yum! wine, yum!)

Chandra was his usual jolly self!

Quentin shows his true colours (another excellent visual metaphor for business).

Daniel corners the market on sprouts.

Colleen announces the quiz (where we had to predict the future)

Quiz + wine = bad predictions of the future.

Nick enjoys some scrummy Xmas pud!

The quiz masters (probably)

Lord of all he surveys, David holds court

Ali, David and Anuschka hold court too (wait, that’s a lot of royalty for one table)

Peter seems to be the only subject amongst all the Kings and Queens. Seems pretty happy about it too!

Ian (and the back of the lovely, and greatly missed, Emma) having a good time.

Did you know, Michael, that on this day in 1971, Mozart died in Vienna? Aged only 35? (and just before Christmas!)

Ian and Carol share a lovely red wine…

John is really holding court, captivating his audience.

The snifters are out, time for the talk to get deep…

More photos of David and Emma, they just couldn’t get enough of the camera! (you should hear how much they like the camera…wait, there is video, who wants to hear how much they love having their photos taken?).

Wasshail!

Someone cruelly turns the camera on the photographer. Oh, the humanity!

Merry Christmas indeed!

Look, party poppers blow their own smoke rings! Makes up for what I now see is, frankly, a rather sparse amount of streamers inside (next year, let’s get one of these!)

Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays) Everyone!

Charles

What’s happened in the weeks since I last gave the details of a BNI Clerkenwell meeting? Lots!

Debbie Neville (Neville and Rowe) has performed admirably as substitute Chapter Director for the last two meetings, and deserves our thanks for so successfully herding us Clerkenwell cats (which reminds me of my very favourite pre-dot com bubble TV ad).

Debbie and Michelle hold court at the Top Table

We met twice in a row at a potential new venue, which, sadly, didn’t turn out to be the perfect fit we were all hoping for. And so, we remain at The Old Sessions House. The Sports Bar was a great place for photos, I personally would have loved to stay there, if only for the much better light:

The Sports Bar prepares for our arrival

Breakfast is on the way

Full English, good fortification for vigorous networking

We’ve had so many subs and visitors that I’ve lost count (don’t worry, Michelle, our Membership Co-ordinator, knows exactly how many) including the soon to (perhaps!) become a member: the irrepressible Lucy Long (WPA).

Lucy employs an Attention Getting Device

This week’s subs included “Cool Dave” (Ace Services) with his great strap line: “Don’t choose a joker, choose an Ace“, Simon Wilkinson (London Voice Over Studio and The Big Bang Boom), Robert Sacks (The Utility Warehouse Discount Club), and Keith Cunningham (Success in Planning).

Valued Visitor, Robert Sacks, is passionate about his business

This week, Colleen Tillet (Made Simple Group) was officially made a member of our Chapter, following a few years as an always-welcome unofficial member. Welcome Colleen! (I know you are gutted that there are no photos of you, you were sitting beside me this week, too close for my camera…excellent strategy

We’ve had informative and valuable 10 minute presentations from Jean Ligget (Properties of the World), Michelle Fanus (Dynamyk Events), Anuschka Fritz (Moustique Design), and this week we had Andrew Pegg (Midas Corporate Consulting) speaking in difficult circumstances about his business (Ken, we missed you, we had projector/PC problems and needed free tech support!).

Michelle holds our attention

Dynamyk does this, this and this...

Jean Liggett makes good use of the big screen

Anuschka Fritz in action

Andrew braves a laptop-less presentation, wows the crowd anyways

Recent winners of the John Magee Memorial Cup (neé “Silver Tongue”) have been Daniel Lloyd-Morgan (DLM Garden Design), Lina Christodoulou (Christo Print & Design) for her excellent use of props (her lovely printed materials) and her clear & precise presentation; Carol Couling (SRS Bureau) for “precise referrals requested”; and Chandra Sharma (Tangent Office Resources) for this week’s dynamic, definitive demo of a conveniently canned keyboard cleaning product.

The Coveted Cup awaits the next winner...

Daniel wins!

Lina wins!

Chandra wins!

We have of course been enjoying ourselves at the top of the London BNI League table, and this is of course due to the efforts of everyone around the table here at Clerkenwell BNI. Come join us!

To order, to order!

What it's all about: Business!

But that’s enough about us, how are you doing?

Charles (Both Hemispheres Photography)

David and David, joined at the twip

This is the essence of BNI. The idea that you have 25 or 30 people out there spreading the word about your business. Howard’s point was when that business provides legendary service, people are even keener to talk about you.

Howard also made reference to a number of BNI books including Masters of Networking and Business by referral, both by  Ivan Misner and stressed the importance of self education.

Complimetary drinks and nibbles will be served and you will be able to see (and test) a selection of chairs and some desking. Please let me know if you would like to attend – good opportunity to also continue your networking!

Regards,

Chandra

Just want to remind everyone of my six reasons for attending training courses:

1. You will always learn something new attending any training course. I know that I picked up some great tips on presentation skills generally and specifically as far as BNI is concerned. This is particularly relevant for the sixty second presentation and we can all benefit from this. Remember, we are never too old or too wise to learn something new.
2. Undoubtedly, attending a training course will help you improve your referring skills.
3. Training courses are a great opportunity to network. There are always people present from many other chapters around London and sometimes from further a field. Often, they are in trades and professions that aren’t represented in our chapter. Meeting new people in the familiar BNI environment is good for networking and may lead to additional work.
4. It’s good for the chapter. The chapter is currently number one in London, but it’s not doing very well with regard to attendance at training courses. Attending training courses will help us stay at the top which in turn, makes it easier for us to attract visitors which in turn leads to more business for us all.
5. It’s free. Remember, this is a breakfast meeting for a defined time where you will learn new skills, meet new people and it will cost you nothing. The chapter will pay for everyone’s training courses.
6. Because the chapter wants you too. It is the wish of the current leadership team to encourage and promote training for all our members to improve the performance of the chapter generally.

I hope that summarises my short presentation and look forward to see an increase in people attending training courses.

Best Wishes