06-04-2011, 06:34 AM
Ha ha. So sorry Mrs. Oink! And sorry to paint all groups with a single brush, because it's not fair. I'm speaking only from my limited experience. But then, I'm in a different business with completely different cultural expectations and standards. In other words, the networking organizations that I've been exposed to don't work for me. But I can see them working for others.
I'm a bit jaded in that I worked many years in quality control (and still do indirectly), specifically qualifying suppliers to ensure their standards match my client's (and former employers') expectations. It's not easy to qualify organizations, and even when it's done diligently and thoroughly (I'm talking full-blown systems'reviews), some suppliers slip through the cracks. In some cases it's not a bad thing, as long as the supplier is humble enough to reflect and improve. It's worth noting that my customer base has extremely high and tight standards for quality.
That said, BNI was one of the organizations I was invited to join. (A family member also was in the group.) After several informal interviews, they urged me to join, even though they had no way of knowing who I was and whether I had a quality product. (It would be nearly impossible for them to evaluate me, as I'm in a rare niche business.) What I can say for sure is that I knew enough about some members in the group to know I'd never recommend them, hence my reluctance to join. I also attended one of their meetings. I acknowledge the value of networking within the context many of these businesses operate. But to be frank, much of the meeting came across as "feel-good therapy" with lots of applause and "positive reinforcement". That in itself isn't a bad thing, but it seemed a bit over-the-top at times. Again, JMHO. I can see the value for some businesses in certain contexts, but it doesn't work for me.
Please don't think less of me Mrs. Oink. I respect your point of view. And in no way should my personal experience with BNI reflect on the entire organization. The fact that BNI exists and continues to thrive is proof it's doing something right. Just offering my two cents from a different perspective, and really, two cents is about all it's worth.
P.S. I'm not nearly as bad as Oink says I am ;-)
I'm a bit jaded in that I worked many years in quality control (and still do indirectly), specifically qualifying suppliers to ensure their standards match my client's (and former employers') expectations. It's not easy to qualify organizations, and even when it's done diligently and thoroughly (I'm talking full-blown systems'reviews), some suppliers slip through the cracks. In some cases it's not a bad thing, as long as the supplier is humble enough to reflect and improve. It's worth noting that my customer base has extremely high and tight standards for quality.
That said, BNI was one of the organizations I was invited to join. (A family member also was in the group.) After several informal interviews, they urged me to join, even though they had no way of knowing who I was and whether I had a quality product. (It would be nearly impossible for them to evaluate me, as I'm in a rare niche business.) What I can say for sure is that I knew enough about some members in the group to know I'd never recommend them, hence my reluctance to join. I also attended one of their meetings. I acknowledge the value of networking within the context many of these businesses operate. But to be frank, much of the meeting came across as "feel-good therapy" with lots of applause and "positive reinforcement". That in itself isn't a bad thing, but it seemed a bit over-the-top at times. Again, JMHO. I can see the value for some businesses in certain contexts, but it doesn't work for me.
Please don't think less of me Mrs. Oink. I respect your point of view. And in no way should my personal experience with BNI reflect on the entire organization. The fact that BNI exists and continues to thrive is proof it's doing something right. Just offering my two cents from a different perspective, and really, two cents is about all it's worth.
P.S. I'm not nearly as bad as Oink says I am ;-)
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius