West Michigan Celebrations

Originally submitted by Lynne Stechschulte, Advantage Marketing & Publications, Inc. on July 8, 2011. Scroll down for a membership list updated October 15, 2011.

I've just joined a wonderful group of people who gather together weekly to grow a focused referral network, and wow! This network effectively utilizes the principles behind how to reap what you sow.

HOW I DISCOVERED BNI
BNI (Business Network International) Coastal Connections was first explained to me several years ago by Joni Potter, who occasionally attends as a subsititute for Richard Dust, the owner of Dusty's Auto Body & Detail in Ludington. Joni and I are business friends and we were finally squeezing out some time to catch up with each other over lunch. She told me she enjoyed the people and the process the BNI organization follows. It sounded interesting, but the timing wasn't right for me.

This spring, I ran into Erin Doan while he was running his booth at the local Home and Garden Show and he encouraged me to consider joining BNI. Several days later, I received three letters from three different BNI members, Dusty's Auto Body & Detail, Erin Doan Insurance Agency, and Best Western Splash Park Inn, each inviting me to attend an informative Visitors Day Presentation event to learn about BNI. Now that got my attention!

QUALIFIED BUSINESS REFERRALS
What I learned at the meeting convinced me that this organization will provide an excellent stream of referrals to my business. I filled out my application on the spot. The membership committee reviewed my application and checked my references--yes, I had to provide references, just as if I was applying for a job. I find it impressive that this organization wants to attract only high quality companies and individuals with a good business reputation.

SHUT OUT YOUR COMPETITION!
Another neat thing about BNI is that only one business is allowed in any given field. So there is just one electrician, one car repair center, one body shop, one marketing person, and so on. Once a business is accepted into BNI, the competition is essentially locked out of that group, for so long as a business remains in good standing within the network.

Good standing means that you need to be personally present at all meetings (some excused absences are acceptable) or that you need to have a substitute attend on your behalf. The point here is that we are committed to learn about the business of each member in order to be a qualified source for referrals. If you don't attend, the trust in your participation won't grow. And this network is all about growth and confidence in each other.

GIVER'S GAIN
According to the BNI Member Policies brochure, "Success in BNI means you need to be a positive and supportive member of an organization based upon mutual support. This requires commitment to your fellow members as well as to the philosophy of "Givers Gain" --by giving business to others, you will get business in return."

I've attended four or five meetings now and have discovered that the agenda moves quickly as each member takes a 60 second turn at presenting their business. This is one impressive group of people! I plan to fully engage in keeping each of my network businesses at the top of my mind, always ready to pass on their name when the opportunity presents itself.

In summary, if you own a business in the Ludington area, I recommend that you find out about this network to see if joining would be right for you. Locally, you may contact any BNI member for more information.

COASTAL CONNECTIONS BNI MEMBERS, UPDATED OCTOBER 15, 2011
Kathy Andersen, Lighthouse Title Group
Colleen Avedisian, Shaklee Independent Distributor
Vern Blocher, Village Plumber
Jana Brockwell, Green River Cleaning Company
Tyrone Collins, Ludington Car Care Center
Erin Doan, Erin Doan Insurance Agency, Inc.
Richard Dust, Dusty's Auto Body & Detail, Inc.
John Erbel, Servpro
John Fargo, Checkmate Cabinets, LLC
Jim Foley, Realtor with Greenridge Realty
Bob Gilchrist, The Culligan Water Clinic Pool & Spa Center
Jim Henke, Superior Electric
Paul Garland, JNJ Mobile
Peggy Jablonski, Cutting Edge
George Karl, Lenz and Associates, Inc.
Donna Knudsen, Best Western Splash Park Inn
Bruce Mitchell, Bruce Mitchell Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Dave North, Instrumental Music and Sound
Pam Prior, Synergy Broadcast Group
Tami Schultz, Ziehm LP Gas
Jacob Seng, Northstar Chiropractic
Lynne Stechschulte, Advantage Marketing & Publications, Inc.
Diane Watts, Watts Group, Inc.
Charlie Weber, Webber Investments Service, LLC

Follow this link for a more detailed current list of Business Network International members (BNI-Coastal Connections) in the Ludington area.

Or check out the official website at BNI of Michigan today.

May your business prosper,

Lynne Stechschulte
Advantage Marketing & Publications, Inc.
president