President's Weekly Letter, Champions SoCal BNI

Wooooooo, CHAMPIONS!

Well, as the image to the right indicates, there is a new sheriff in town and his name is Greg Beck! Greg, shown at the right, is the first two time International Tabasco Award winner for the "hottest" SMM. Today was "choose your prop" day. The chapter could choose to use one, two, or all three props laid upon the dais. The three props were a Bob Marley lava lamp, a hand weight, and a wooden kitchen spoon. Greg used a reference to all three and parodied the song "I shot the Sheriff" by singing "I shot the IRS"...Greg is a CPA in case you hadn't guessed. The approach was catchy, all three props were used (not a requirement, but extra points were awarded), and the SMM ended right before "the Sheriff" was buzzed for the time limit, AND the ask was specific! Outstanding effort, Mr. Beck. Don't be surprised if you are awarded a tin star next week! Robert Perez videoed the proceedings...film at eleven!

Visiting Visitors:

We welcomed three visitors today. The first was Diana Chen of Tobin Acupuncture. During stand and deliver, Diana exclaimed that she really learned alot about BNI...great, we intend to educate. The second was Bonny Thompson, from time Warner Cable and she commented that she has rarely seen a room so full of energy, fun, and diversity! We hope that you ladies find your way back to the Champions in the weeks to come and that you "block out your competition"! Third was Gary Reeves who was a special sub/visitor and added a great deal to our meeting by outlining some upcoming MSP training classes.

EC AND Champion Spark Plug Award:

Yeees that is Jiiiiim Sando! Jim, along with several "volunteers" demonstrated the closed and open networking groups. This is a very important networking skill to learn with our stack day fast approaching on February 22. Remember we are after a plumber, a merchant services provider, and a family law attorney. Several teams were seen meeting after the adjournment. Should be a GREAT day!

Jim was recognized for the work that he did with Tom Roberts and Tom's recent job search AND his willingness to allow BNI trainings to take place in his office...a true giver! Congrats, Jim! You deserve the award!

Keynotes:

Randy Clement, an attorney with Clement and Ho, and Angelo Dionisiou, Argo insurance, commercial insurance broker keynoted. Both discussed their backgrounds, reasons for choosing their professions, things that they both enjoy and ways in which we can provide strategic intros and referrals. By the way, both Angelo and Randy share something in common other than being active Champions...did you remember what that was? I especially enjoyed Angelo's graphic outlining the "anatomy of risk" and Randy's expanation of FAQ he receives...retainers, flat rate, and contingency fees.

Angelo Dionisiou's Keynote:



Chapter Biz:

The Sheriff (Greg Beck) reviewed our pace for referrals, one-to-one meetings, and TYFCB. If we annualized our month-to-date TYFCB, the Champions would exceed this year...wait for it...$1,200,000! If you dream it you can do it! December's category leaders were announced and the one-to-one leaders recognized at the dais. Jim Sando was the leader in one-to-one meetings last month. There may be a star in your future, Mr. Sando!

Upcoming Events:

February 11, 2011 Six chapter mixer to cap International Networking Week. More details to follow!

February 1, 2011 The Beach Cities Business Builders will visit our chapter with their director, Trent Clark. Should be epic!

The meeting was adjourned with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King.

Make it a Champion week, ya'll!

My best,

Allen