Page 10 - Real Rochdale Issue 17 Spring 2023
P. 10

Best in region for Rochdale BNI                                                                                “You pass referrals in the

                                                                                                                                 hope that someone else will
                                                                                                                                 pass back to you. You can
                                                                                                                                 ask for specific contacts and
                                                                                                                                 being part of Rochdale BNI
                                                                                                                                 gives you the strength in
                                                                                                                                 business that you wouldn’t
                                                                                                                                 have had.


                                                                                                                                 “As soon as I joined, we had
                                                                                                                                 thousands of pounds of
                                                                                                                                 business passed to us, and it
                                                                                                                                 really helped with exposure.
                                                                                                                                 Being part of BNI has also
                                                                                                                                 enabled us to showcase
                                                                                                                                 other things we do that
                                                                                                                                 aren’t about profit, such as
                                                                                                                                 offering advice to people.


                                                                                                                                 “I’m really, really proud to be
                                                                                                                                 part of the group.”


                                                                                                                                 John Fitton, the group’s
                                                                                                                                 president and managing
                                                                                                                                 director at Office Supplies
                                                                                                                                 Now, said: “I’m proud to be
                                   Steve Worrall, Kerry Hargreaves, John Fitton, Mike Holman, Ian Madeley and Ian Cunningham     the President of BNI
                                                                                                                                 Rochdale, it’s been a
                                                                                                                                 fantastic success with
               The Rochdale chapter of Business Network International                                                            £300,000 of invoiced

               has become the most successful group in its region.                                                               business being passed
                                                                                                                                 between the members since
                                                                                                                                 we started.
               Rochdale BNI – part of a worldwide              Since its inception, over £280,000 of
               business referral organisation – was set up     business has been shared in the group,                            “BNI gives us the tools to
               in April 2022 by five founding members:         which has members from different                                  monitor our success but first     region, of 20 chapters, but         business created is
               John Fitton, Ian Madeley, Ian Cunningham,       industries, such as IT support, estate agency,                    and foremost we’re a group        more impressively, we are           exceptional.
               Steve Worrall and Kerry Hargreaves.             travel, dentistry, financial advice.                              of local people helping each      10th of 470 chapters
                                                                                                                                 other be more successful.”        nationwide.                         “The fact that the group has
               Just a year after being set up, the group has   On the whole, Business Network                                                                                                          already surpassed 30
               quickly grown to a membership of over 30        International has around 288,000 members                          Vice president Jack Lyons,        “We regularly welcome               members is a testament to the
               local businesses and is the most successful     in over 10,000 chapters worldwide.                                of Mysonpages, added: “Our        visitors to network with the        passion and ambition of
               BNI group in its region and 10th in the                                                                           intention this year is to be a    members, learn more about           Rochdale businesses and I
               nation.                                         Kerry Hargreaves, from AST Hampsons                               group sharing £1,000,000 of       BNI and how to join.”               wish the group continued
                                                               and one of the founding members, says she                         business between the                                                  success.”
               On average, 92 referrals of business are        jumped at the chance to be a part of it.                          members, and we are well on       Mike Holman, BNI’s Executive
               passed between the members each month.                                                                            track to do this.                 Director said: “I am extremely      The Rochdale BNI meets on
               At the time of print, 134 referrals were        “I could see the benefit immediately. I could                                                       proud to see what the group         Thursday mornings 7am at
               passed at the most recent meeting, and          recognise the value and wanted in. I love                         “We are currently the             has achieved. The quality of        Rochdale AFC, Sandy Lane,
               £51,000 of invoiced business confirmed.         networking and enjoy meeting new people.”                         number one chapter in the         the individuals and the             Rochdale, OL11 5DR.
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15