Networking group generates £0.5m of business
A SOLIHULL networking group is proving a success for its members, generating more than £500,000 of business.
The 40 members of the BNI Phoenix group have created business worth £514,000 between themselves during the calendar year to date.
The group, which meets each Friday in Dorridge and has members from Sutton Coldfield, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Pershore and Dudley, has seen 1,418 referrals in the nine months so far this year. It remains on target to reach £750,000 by the end of the year.
The group was formed in 2006 and has grown to the point where each meeting generates an average of £15,000 of business for its members, although many deals are much larger.
Qasim Majid, chairman of BNI Phoenix, said: “Our main aim for the meeting is to gain business for each other. As we limit our group in terms of size and ensure that no competing businesses attend, we get to know each other really well.
“We encourage our members to meet outside our Friday morning sessions on an individual basis and as part of our Power Circles, where groups of complementary businesses explore how they can generate new leads.”
In addition to regular members, the group also accepts guests, who may benefit from gaining new business.
Group member Judith Fine, a virtual PA who runs Finesse Services, recommended a guest to one of her clients and helped to generate new business for them as a result. Visitors also use group members as a supplier source, again helping to generate new business.
