BNI is not just a networking opportunity for businesses. BNI is a place where business owners / members can come together to serve a greater need than just turn a profit.
Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI, has always been very clear that BNI is not just about numbers; it is about business culture, it is about communities, and it is about what businesses bring to the communities.
His often repeated mantra is – ‘culture eats strategy for business. An organization needs a sound strategy to succeed, but it needs a great culture to excel.’
To that end, BNI was started with a number of Core Values that inform the activities of each member of each chapter. These define and establish the BNI culture.
One of these core values is a Commitment to Lifelong Learning. This means that you are constantly updating your information, constantly looking for newer and better ways to do the things you do whether as a business, or as a person. It can also mean that you are committed to expanding your horizons and looking at something you might not have considered before.
A lot of times, businesses just pay lip service to the idea of education and training. They don’t consider it as an important part of their culture, nor are they on the lookout for ‘what more’. This often stultifies their approach, keeping them mired in the same rut.
A commitment to constant learning will help a business keep ahead of the curve. It allows you to find more efficient ways of doing your work. It helps you keep track of emerging trends and lets you predict upcoming requirements. It can help you upgrade and offer better service to existing clients. It can also give you ideas for expanding your business, or find newer customers.
BNI experience shows that businesses that try to better themselves and improve what they do everyday through constant evaluation and learning are the ones most successful in the long run.
Those who ensure regular upgradation of skills for the members of their company will notice the difference it makes, for it is only through constant investment in learning that you can cement your success.
