Blog Post

Forget Google! Why Networking Is Still My Choice For Getting Business

Clare Runham

It’s fair to say that my business wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of the breakfast networking I do on Thursdays at BNI. As a Virtual Assistant, most of my competitors are in the same situation today that I was when I started – working from the kitchen table, at home by myself. The difference is, unlike them, I now have my own dedicated office with three members of staff.

“My business wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of BNI”

Starting out, I tried various networking events, but I have found that BNI was the only serious option – we have to commit to working for each other and that really yields results; I’m proud that my Chapter (containing around 18 other small companies) has referred £800,000 of business to each other in the last year . In fact, 90% of my business comes through referrals from my colleagues at the Enterprise Malling Chapter.

The BNI family stretches far; when I attend exhibitions and shows it’s inevitable that I’ll meet other BNI members. This has led to me gaining more business through invites to substitute at other local Chapters, providing me access to an even bigger pool of like-minded professionals.

The fact that we all work so hard for each other is that, as a result, we have formed great friendships. Running a business is tough, so it’s great to have a support network around me.

“Running a business is tough, so it’s great to have a support network around me.”

Being part of such a large network is particularly useful as a large part of my team’s role is to help our clients find and manage suppliers. Fulfilling a Personal Assistant role, we’re often asked to find options for everything from insurance to IT support. At Miss MPS we can provide more value than simply doing a Google search – we know plenty of tried and trusted suppliers and will always get a better deal. In some cases, using my contacts within BNI has saved my clients thousands of pounds .

From almost nothing a couple of years ago, today our call handling service takes over 2,000 calls a month on behalf of our clients. I’m pleased to say many are for my fellow BNI members, where we’re booking appointments for plumbers and electricians, and taking messages for busy solicitors and mortgage brokers. It certainly makes me smile to think I was once doing this all on my own at the kitchen table – thanks to BNI I can see my business going from strength to strength.

For anyone thinking about joining their local BNI Chapter, stop thinking and do it! Happy to chat with my network about it if they're still unsure. Before you ask, nope, I'm not paid or rewarded in any way for endorsing BNI!

To find out more about Clare’s virtual assistant business, you can visit her website at www.missmps.co.uk . Visit her LinkedIn profile to connect.

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