Rainmakers, Chambers and BNI

Rainmakers, The Chambers of Commerce and BNI.....What a powerful group of organizations to be involved with. WHY can't we support one another?

Lately I've felt a sense of animosity and competitiveness between the 3 organizations and I do not believe it is in the best interest of the organizations to go with an either or attitude.

Last week I met a gentleman who was trying to figure out where he had met me, he said, "Maybe it was at Rainmakers!" I said that was a possibility but I had not been to a meeting in several Months due to a series of classes I teach. I gave him my BNI business card, his next statement and the ensuing conversation left me frustrated and concerned.

"Oh, you're BNI! Of course I didn't meet you at Rainmakers since we are your Number One competitor you wouldn't be there!" I replied, "We're not competitors we are very different and symbiotic. Many BNI members are also members of Rainmakers." He simply could not understand why I did not understand, that we are competitors, and with that he left our table. Several people at the table commented on how resolute he was to that notion and how I was wasting my breath trying to explain. (by the way, no one at the table had heard of either organization1)

So, to all Rainmakers, BNI Members, and Chambers. We are NOT Competitors, we can coincide together very nicely. Saying that we are competitors and we must choose one or the other is like saying, if you LOVE Football and hold a season ticket, you cannot love Basketball and hold a season ticket. The fact is, in most cases the person who holds one season ticket often holds a second season ticket of another sport.

Here are a few of our differences:

BNI - Closed Contact, limited to One per profession
Rainmakers/Chamber - Open Casual Contact, unlimited professions are welcome

BNI - Very Systematic Structure
Rainmakers/Chamber - Casual, less structured

BNI - Requires a level of participation from all members. No Long Term Bystanders
Rainmakers/Chamber - it is up to you how much or little you wish to participate

BNI - System for moving members in and out of the organization
Rainmakers/Chamber - As long as you can pay you can play

BNI - Extensive training to ensure every members success
Rainmakers/Chamber - Training and mentoring offered

BNI - Track results and attendance of members and chapters
Rainmakers/Chambers - encourage attendance and participation

BNI - Referral Organization
Rainmakers - Networking Group
Chamber - Business Support and Networking

We encourage BNI members to join their Local Chamber of Commerce, after all, the chamber supports your community and your business in a variety of ways.

We encourage BNI members to join other OPEN CONTACT networking groups like Rainmakers, or women's groups such a NABOW. If you are going to help your fellow members and grow your chapter you need to network and create visibility.

Are we right for everyone? NO, but you get out of each of these organization what you are willing to put into them.

Best of Success,
Hazel M. Walker
Referral Marketing Strategist