While most Maltese businesses are working harder to survive the current difficult economic reality, several are realising that, when marketing their products and services, they should return to basics with some innovation.
Business Network International in Malta is enjoying considerable success for this reason as the organisation virtually guarantees customer leads for its members.
In the short span of 20 months, BNI Malta established chapters in Sliema, Valletta and Attard with a fourth one being set up in St Julian’s. All offer highly motivated business people a structured format for the exchange of business referrals during weekly breakfast meetings designed to conclude by 9 a.m.
BNI Malta is now planning a Visitors Day for October 5 at Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard. Starting at 6.45 a.m., this is an opportunity for visitors to get to know how BNI works, meet other members hailing from the chapters, as well as other business people, and ultimately, develop one’s own business by growing the respective chapter network. It is estimated that, initially, each visitor to a BNI’s Visitors’ Day represents at least €1,000 of business – even if they don’t join.
David Bullock, National Director of BNI Malta, says: “BNI sponsors Visitors’ Days to help businesses to grow, to help chapters increase their membership in quantity and also in quality, and for each business to succeed. Even if the macro-economic situation is far from ideal, the rapid growth that BNI is experiencing in Malta, is in line with what BNI is going through in other countries.”
“The main purpose of BNI is to produce sales referrals specifically for our chapter members. We are here to help each other make money. Although still in our initial stage in Malta – BNI was set up 26 years ago in the United States – we already generated more than 700 business referrals for our Maltese members leading to tens of thousands of euros in new business. Not many other business organisations can claim such a record,” he said.
“If you believe that most business comes through networking with whom you know, then BNI is for you,” says JanKarl Farrugia from Regus Malta, who holds the current role of BNI Malta Ambassador after setting up the Verdala Chapter in Sliema last year.
Carmel Bonello from BPC International who founded the de Paule Chapter in Attard earlier this year explained how the BNI philosophy can be summed up in two words: givers gain.
“The more Malta opens up to an international dimension through BNI, the more we are realising that there are very few differences between BNI members in the Europe, the Gulf , United States, Australia, or Asia. They are generally so motivated and inspired that they have a distinct edge over their competitors.”
People interested in BNI should contact BNI Malta Ambassador JanKarl Farrugia on 2546 6601. More information about BNI Malta’s Visitor’s Day can be obtained at Jankarl.Farrugia@regus.com or by visiting www.bni.com.