President's Weekly Letter, Champions SoCal BNI

Wooooooooo, CHAMPIONS!!

The Champions chapter of SoCal BNI welcomed Darice Nicoletti from Nicoletti Creative and second time visitor, Jason Becker from Sunset Signs and Printing! Additionally, the Champions welcomed an esteemed visitor, President of Velocity chapter and a member of our President's Power Team, Cary Facer!

Today was prop day! The anticipation built until the first SMMs were delivered!! The Champions patiently waited in the breakfast line, called the Champions, listened to visitor intros, L/T intros and the EC moment...all the while anticipating their turn to deliver their SMM with a prop and vie for the coveted Tabasco award for the "hottest" SMM. The Champions had the 1000 yard stare as each rehearsed their 30 second pitch and silently wondered if the "pepper" would find its place in front of their seat...ahh the Tabasco award. Who knew that the pace would be sooo frenetic? We placed a little"spin" on the contest this week. First, the SMM had to include a prop. Second the SMM had to fit within the 30 second time frame and contain a specific ask. As Dr. Misner says..."specific is terrific"!! I have to admit, the profitable introductions are getting much better and the winner is difficult to determine. Dr. Real, last week's winner, gave a valiant stab to start off the competition. Several memorable SMMs were heard. Robert used some old video formats and asked for intros to companies that would like to video introductions; Rosanne used checks and invoices and asked that everyone have a Happy T-giving, and Brett used his mobile phone (did he secretly forget that today was prop day) to demonstrate the fact that he was always available and asked for companies using ADP and Paychex. Steven Stakley used an image of half of a brain to demonstrate "piece of mind" and asked for intros to retirees!...the best pun IMHO. In the end, one of our newest members, Gary Lorge prevailed with a GREAT SMM using...piece of pizza, piece of trash and once again "peace of mind" and asked for auto insureds. So now Mr. Lorge gets to have the pepper displayed!! Way to go Gary!!

EC:

Jim Sando outlined the characteristics of a great SMM...a catchy opening, a story or example, a specific ask, and all done within the time frame. Jim stressed the importance of rehearsing the SMM!! Jim closed with the famous Einstein insanity quote...doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result!

New Member:

The Champions inducted Mr. Randall (Randy Clement) a business attorney from Fullerton. We are VERY happy to have Randy in the chapter and look forward to his contributions. Randy was a group effort as three Champions had a hand in bringing him to the chapter. Rutger will mentor Randy! Welcome number 31...but number 1 in our hearts!!

VP and Membership:

For November, we are on pace to crush our monthly goals for 1-2-1 meetings, referrals, and visitors, and how about $106,569 in TYFCB in the first seven weeks of the new term...KA-CHING!!!

Keynotes:

One veteran BNI member, Jody Houseman, painter extroadinaire; and one somewhat new BNI member, Dr. Paul Kwik...international chiropractor of the Champions, presented our 10 minute topics today. Jody discussed his services, his target market, his contact sphere, his value, and great referrals for him...contractors, interior designers, residential and commercial RE brokers, and of course homeowners. Dr. Paul led us through the "whys" that he became a chiropractor, five people he has helped and how, and perfect referrals for him. The keynotes were well rehearsed and well delivered! Great job you two!!

Stand and Deliver:

We mixed up the "Champions Spark Plug Award" timing to award the plug during Stand and Deliver. Patrick O'Kane, through his tireless efforts as a L/T sub and minute taker was the recipient.

GRC:

Team leaders were announced and the final winners will be determined as the team that achieved the most apps received from the visitors list...stay tuned!!

Announcements:

Champions Christmas Social...Thursday December 9th at 6:30...Branding Personalities, Fullerton. Hors de vours and non alcoholic beverages will be provided!

Champions Toy Drive...bring an unwrapped toy to the meeting on December 21...this is a new date...not the 14th as Dawn will be there on the 21st for her special Christmas wish!! More on this next week.

The meeting was ended with a quote from John Fitzgerald Kennedy about words, deeds and gratitude.

Make it a Champion week! I am THANKFUL for all of you!!

Champions SoCal BNI President's Weekly Letter

Woooooooooo, CHAMPIONS!!!

The New leadership year was embraced by all who attended the meeting this week. Allen Buchanan opened the meeting with a new Champions SoCal BNI greeting, Wooooooooo, CHAMPIONS! This is reminiscent of "calling the hogs" in Allen's native Arkansas.

We welcomed three visitors and one substitute and the room was full of Champions enthusiasm.

Jim Sando, Education Coordinator, delivered his first EC Moment and based his presentation on "How to Improve Your BNI ROI". Jim's presentation encompassed four key points: use your open networking time more effectively, use your Sales Manager Moment more effectively, use the speaker's presentation time more effectively, and finally use your "Stand and Deliver" time more effectively. Great Job, Jim and we are eager to hear more education messages from you!

Allen Buchanan was the leader in one-to-one meetings and referrals for the month of September and Rosanne Grigsby invited the most visitors. Emily Davidson won the spark plug award for her diligent efforts on membership issues for the past two weeks and her skillful execution of the BNI Family Feud last week.

Greg Beck reported that the chapter participated in 209 one-to-one meetings, exchanged 112 referrals, and welcomed 10 visitors for the month of September. Additionally the Champions thanked others for $49,533 in closed business raising the BNI yearly total to $638,531! Tremendous effort Champions!!

Rosanne Grigsby introduced the speakers for this week. Dr. Hercules Real spoke about Snap on Smile and his special promotional price of $999 for cash payment or $99 per month for 12 months. Dr. Real also reviewed several images of dental issues to note when we are conducting our weekly activities. Allen Buchanan spoke about his "Spheres of Influence" and the five professionals that most small businesses rely upon for advice, CPAs, business attorneys, commercial bankers, commercial insurance brokers, and wealth advisors. Allen also demonstrated the new blog site and facebook page for the Champions SoCal BNI Chapter.

Dues for October are now due and payable. A late charge of $5 per week will be assessed on all late payments.

Emily Davisdson outlined our "Top Ten" list. They are:

1. Business Attorney

2. Hair Dresser

3. Merchant Services

4. General Contractor

5. Electrician

6. Roofer

7. Estate Attorney

8. HR Consultant

9. Personal Fitness Trainer

10. Heating & Air Conditioning Company

Emily also reserved four Stack Days for the upcoming year...November 16, February 15, May 17th, and August 16th.

Allen adjourned the meeting with a quote and asked that all of the Champions make it a Champion Week!

Welcome New Leadership Team!

The Champions Chapter of SoCal BNI began its 2010-2011 leadership year on October 1, 2010 with a new leadership team. Allen Buchanan will serve as President. Allen provides location advice to owners and occupants of industrial buildings in Southern California. Gregory Beck, CPA will serve as Vice President. Greg provides accounting, part time CFO, consulting, and forecasting services for closely held businesses that generate revenues of $1,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually. Rosanne Grigsby, Bookkeeper, will serve as Secretary Treasurer. Rosanne provides bookkeeping services to small and medium sized businesses and has extensive experience with non-profit organizations. Jim Sando will serve as our Education Coordinator, Aric Gless will head our Membership Committee, Steven Stakley will Mentor the Mentors, Emily Davidson (2009-2010) VP will coordinate Growth and Retention, and Tom Roberts will manage the Visitor Host Team. The Champions has a long history of success and I am confident that this year's leadership team will make it another Champion year!