Inviting
Guests
&
Following
up with
them
Mike Darnell
BNI United Bangkok

Today’s topic:
GUESTS
Goal:
Improving how we invite & manage our
relationships
with our guests

Agenda
1. Why do we invite guests?
2. Who should we invite?
3. How do we invite them?
4. Taking care of guests before
& during meetings
5. How do we follow up?

“…Visitors are often the best referral
sources and may result in multiple
referrals among chapter members …”
12 weeks of BNI Fundamentals
1.Guests are “fresh blood” – they’re the variable
that guarantees every meeting is a unique
business opportunity
2.Inviting many guests reflects well on us as being
“well connected”
Why do we invite guests?
Inviting guests is
how we
demonstrate the
trust we GIVE
our fellow
members,
& remember:
”GIVErs Gain”

Who should we invite?

The ideal guest:
• Requested - Was requested as a referral by a fellow member
• Well connected - Is a good source of referrals for the chapter
• No competition - Doesn’t compete with any chapter members
• Member material - Could potentially join the chapter

How do
we invite
guests?
“…I'd never join
a club that
would allow a
person like me
to become a
member…”
Woody Allen

How do we invite guests?
• Stress their benefits
Who they’ll meet, What’s the potential for their business
• Provide all the information
PowerPoinTs = Purpose, Place, Time (– a great memory hook)
• Multiple “touches”
Invite your guests as early as possible & remind them a day or two before the
meeting
• Practice makes perfect
The more guests you invite,
the easier it gets…

Taking care of guests
before meetings
Set expectations
•Introduce your guest via email or
social network to chapter members
you think they will benefit from
meeting
•Inform them about the structure of
the meeting. After all BNI is a tad
cultish…

Taking care of guests before & during meetings
• Arrive BEFORE your guests
• Greet them as they enter
• Make sure they’re properly registered
• Introduce them to fellow members
• Seat them near members they’ll connect with
• Make them feel “at home”

How do we follow up?
As a Chapter
Ensure visitor hosts have your guests’ details &
are providing them with registration forms

How do we follow up?
As individuals
“What were the benefits for you?
How can we improve?”
Request feedback. Ask for general impressions as
well as points that can be improved. Focus on the
benefits

THANK YOU
See you
next week…
: )
Mike Darnell