Welcome to the Orinda Referrals Group
(temporary name) aka Orinda BNI
Member survey
Survey responses to date
Who are we?
We are a group of professionals who work in Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) and beyond, and are interested in
increasing our business.
We believe that one way to achieve this is to develop a referral network, possibly as a BNI group.
To explore the possibilities, their suitability to our group and their ramifications, we are conducting a survey of our members. If you would like to join us please contact us.
Seeking professionals in the following areas: Landscaper, Attorney, Bookkeeper, CPA, Caterer, Career
Coach, IT (computer maintenance), Contractor, Handyman, Personal trainer, Janitorial (cleaning), Marketing, Mover, Travel
agent, Writer
Business Builders Contest
On July 20, 2007, we agreed it was time for a little friendly competition -- competition that would help us
build our group and our businesses. So, here it is, the six-week Business Builders Contest.
You're wondering, "What are the rules?"
- Begins 7/21 and runs for 6-weeks.
- Four teams of three people each will compete.
- The losing teams buy lunch and margaritas for the winners.
- Points will be tallied at each meeting via a pass-around score sheet.
You like margaritas, so you want to know, "How do I win?" You earn points five ways.
- Attending Friday Meetings On-Time (8:30 a.m.)
- Finding a Substitute If You Can't Attend
- Recruiting a Prospective Member to a Meeting
- Giving a Referral
- Raking up Bonus Points Earned by Your Recruit Who Joins the Group (Pays Dues)
The contest starts this week and points will be tallied on Friday. So, which team will take an early
lead???
Goals for members
- Members need to maintain at least 80% attendance.
- Members need to bring more guests. To that end we have established a competition
(see below).
- Member's leads would be tracked
- We need to have more 1-on-1s and members should identify power partners.
Power partners (a BNI term) are professionals in categories of businesses that are related, but complementary
to a member's area of business. They would supplement each other's services, but not be in competition with
each other. Clear examples are a Realtor and Mortgage Broker, an investment broker and an lawyer, etc.
- We need to increase the number of members.
Go to top!
Meetings
Meetings go from 8:30 to 10 am and consist of:
- Intros - Every member gets 1 minute to introduce themselves and 30 seconds to introduce any guests they bring
- Brochures - bring your brochure/special offer and present it to the group
- Group’s Goal & Vision
- Plans to grow the group – Next Mixers, member sign-up
- Report on mixer attendance
- Presentation
- The I have portion: I have referrals, testimonials, Thank yous with $$$$$
- One to ones outside the meeting and who has had one with someone
- Close
Go to top!
Dear Members! Please respond to each point by completing the form. Please send it at your earliest convenience.
Your responses will be held in the strictest
confidence. We will use the anonymized responses as a basis for discussion in the group.
Go to top!
Four members and one previous member voted. Responses by previous members were omitted.
Members' personal goals:
Building ongoing business relationships; getting and giving referrals
Top Priority: Grow my business/leads. Second: Networking and feedback from other business people.
Expand network, give and get referrals and grow my business
To have a good referral source network, both getting leads and sharing them. as well as learn about business-related things
Discuss goals in the group? Yes - 3; No - 0
Disallow people from coming? Yes - 0; No - 3
Attendance standards? Yes - 3; No - 1
Suggested attendance standards:
Regular participation required, keeping in mind that since our meeting is on Friday, there will
be excused absences for people who go out of town, etc.
I think it will take care of itself...
Requirements of participation? Yes - 2; No - 2
Suggested requirements of participation:
70% attendance.
Track leads/recruitment/participation.
Give 2-4 referrals or more per month (let's keep track)
I think it will take care of itself.
Suggest more (will be added to the web site)
I think the serious interested members will stay and contribute on their own without being...
Rules of etiquette
Members should be allowed to come and go as they wish - 3
Members should refrain from taking phone calls during meetings - 4
Suggest etiquette
I think we should focus on cultivating an environment of respect. Arrive on time, turn off your cell phone, only one conversation
at a time, etc. Rules seem heavy handed. Who cares if on one or two occasions someone arrives late?
Group size: 15-20 - 1, 20-30 - 3, 30-40 - 1 (one member voted twice - I had a error in the programming...)
Willing to sign up to go to networking events? Yes - 3; No - 0
Which events would you go to?
BNI etc but not too often
Professions we want in our group
legal services
TV Advertising
Closet Organizer
More specialized trade people in addition to the painter
contractor
I personally like home service businesses, retail, etc.
Do you want to be part of a BNI group? Yes - 1; No - 2; Maybe - 1
What else would you like to know about BNI?
How much is it actually going to cost? What, specific and tangible, will they provide?
Name suggestions
something relating to the place we meet?
Orinda Optimists
Lamorinda Loons
EBBB -East Bay Business Builders
CCBB -Contra Costa Busienss Builders
Lamorinda BNI
Go to top!
Our members (in alphabetical order):
Troy Cannon - Mortgage broker
Seri Gomberg - aka your webmaster and Manager by the Hour
Jeff Kaplan - Private Investigator
Burt Kaufman - Coupon advertising
Jackie Lopey - Certified Interior Refiner
Rob Jacobus
My apologies to those who are not yet on the list. When you respond to the survey above, I will
add you and a link to your web site!
Go to top!
Contact us!
Robert Jacobus/Broker
Red Carpet Select Realty
23 Orinda Way Orinda, CA 94563
Email me
(510) 339-0813
(925) 254-4820
(925) 254-4525 Fax