044: Dr. Ivan Misner of BNI | How to Master Face-to-Face Networking

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of the world's largest business networking organization,?BNI (Business Network International). I know a lot of people who have participated in local BNI chapters, and many of them swear by it.? BNI has chapters which only take 1 or 2 professionals from a particular vocation (i.e. 1 masseuse, 1 realtor, 1 accountant, etc.) and then the group meets weekly, gets to know one another, and refers business around. BNI boasts that it generated 5.4 million referrals representing $6.5 billion in business amongst its members last year alone. Not too bad, huh? Dr. Misner has written 18 books on the importance of face to face referrals and other subjects, including Networking Like a Pro, Business Networking and Sex, and Masters of Networking (referral links).