Global businessman confirms the business of transforming lives

Port Elizabeth - Global businessman confirms the business of transforming lives Business Network International’s (BNI) National Director, Mike Levin, visited Port Elizabeth on Saturday to inspire local business people.

Having brought BNI to South Africa 21 years ago and growing it to more than 2 700 members in 14 different regions countrywide, he introduced Global Master Trainer, Murali Srinivasan, to 50 business people at Running Waters.

“We are in the business of transforming lives, helping other people to grow. BNI’s principles are simple, but not easy. It is about making more money – impacting more lives. Keeping it simple. However, it means getting out of your comfort zone,” said Srinivasan, who is based in India and visited four different countries in five weeks before arriving in Port Elizabeth.

He challenged the audience to set high financial targets, build support teams to delegate to, establish processes, measure progress and create an organisational culture of ownership that reflect one’s values. He emphasised the importance of applying these principles consistently.

“The road to success is always under construction,” Srinivasan said.  

5 Steps to grow your business

He regards it as important to focus on the following five points to ensure sound business growth:

1. Add new clients – It is the business owner’s role to create new business. The team to do the rest of the work. It is important to invest time in earning trust from building relationships. You should know who your ideal clients are and they should know exactly what you do. You should educate them in this regard.
2. Sell more to existing clients – Make sure you have more products or services to offer your existing clients. You should cross sell and up sell. Add to the cart.
3. Sell more often – Get clients to come back again and again. Consider what you should do to keep in touch with them more often.
4. Build your team and infrastructure – You should enable your team to not only manage your business while you are away, but they should grow it in your absence. Get the right people on board – when you ask the right things, the right people will find you.
5. Tell stories – You should tell your success stories more often. Use your smart phones, cameras and Whatsapp groups to share the testimonials of happy customers.

Who is BNI?

“BNI’s underlying philosophy is ‘givers gain.’ We demonstrate that by giving business to others, you will get business in return.

"We help members to increase their business through a structured, positive, supportive and professional referral method that enables them to develop meaningful and long-term relationships with quality business professionals,” said Warren Tagg, Vice-President of the BNI Trade Winds chapter in Port Elizabeth.

Image: BNI members celebrating business growth are from the left, back Warren Tagg, Lecia Amaral, Anchen Jacobs, Murali Srinivasan, Butch Coetzee and Charné Stoter. In front are Melonie Gobel and Riaan Hanekom. 

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