Sam Alred IT Solutions. Define that. Is it networking a company’s computers so they work happily together? Is it creating a paperless environment for your business? Is it creating secure networks among many locations? Is it creating a Web site? Yes, it’s all those, and if you’re like most of us, you kind of get it. But if you have to articulate exactly what you want, well, that could be a problem. Sam Allred seems to have found the perfect solution for integrating the language of his work with getting the word out about his work – his BNI group. Sam Allred works in IT solutions. We may not be able to define it, but we all know when we need it, especially when the computers in the company network stop talking to one another. So when the owners of the company he works for, Advanced Computer Technology (ACT), discovered BNI at a networking function, they told Allred about it, and he joined. “It was definitely worthwhile,” he says, especially when it turned out that it helped him turn “geekeze” into regular language. “You know those 60-second commercials you have to do in BNI? That was brutal for me,” Allred says. “But having to do that helped me refine and clarify what I do and turn [technical language] into layman English.” The company, which started in 2001, offers a full range of services from onsite projects to remote access solutions. They can help you create the system you need from the ground up, designing new systems or working with what you have. They want to discuss with you exactly what you want to get from your technology. “We prefer to sit down with you, find out what your IT goals are and your business goals are,” Allred says. “Our first objective is to understand your company and where you are going.” Allred says the up-and-comer in the IT world is going paperless – you know, that message at the end of many emails now that asks you not to print the document. “We’re seeing a lot more interest in it,” Allred says. Companies want to be less dependent on paper and are looking for cost savings solutions to not only store records, but move to paperless communications for many things like billing statements and internal and external memos. Allred and ACT can help your business get there. Allred says BNI can help you reach your personal business goals, too. According to Allred, succeeding in BNI is all about attitude. Attend some meetings, find the right chapter for you, and show up expecting to be active and involved. “See the referrals that are passed, see the BNI bucks that are turned in. [And] we’re not just about referrals; we’re kind of a board of directors for each other,” he says. Allred belongs to the Reno Professional Chapter, meeting Wednesdays at 7:00 am at Mimi’s. He wants people to find out what he knows about BNI and says, “Come see; I’ll even buy you breakfast.” Information technology is what keeps today’s businesses running and preparing for the future. If you need something new or just need help with what you have, you might want to contact Sam Allred with Advanced Computer Technology. 775-852-4333. The company retains about 79 percent to 82 percent or their clients – a pretty good recommendation. And BNI is the kind of organization that can help you succeed in your business. Explore a chapter, and you’ll question why you hadn’t joined before.

Chris Noel - May Featured Member The Furniture Department..com He brings coffee to every weekly 7:00 am meeting. He and his wife were on the spot with dinner for eight at the home of a member whose husband had to have emergency surgery. So when the members of the Sierra Executive Chapter of BNI were asked to submit a name to be featured in the BNI of Northern Nevada newsletter, the group nominated Chris Noël to take the lead. Noël appreciates the kind words of the Sierra Executives BNI and says, “You cannot be part of a group that is as close knit as our BNI and not become true friends with people in the group.” He takes that attitude in his work, too, helping clients find the office furniture that bests suits them. “A good chair or keyboard tray should adjust to fit your body, not the other way around,” Noël says. What a concept – office furniture that doesn’t have you taking aspirin every few hours to get through the day! Noël is in the business of bringing clients together with commercial furniture sellers to create the best space possible for your business. If you’re looking for the chairs and desks and other pieces that each of us spends most of our days sitting in, writing on and waiting in, then Chris Noël is the person to talk to. If you need furniture for your office, conference room, lobby, reception room or any area that needs that special look and ergonomic comfort you want, then you should talk to Noël, owner of the Furniture Department. And if you meet him, enjoy this business card that says, “Merry Office Furnishing and Happy New Chair.” Yeah, it’s a play on his name. Noël has been in the business of representing commercial furniture for over 17 years and has now started his own business. Clients he’s worked with have included the state of Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College, the cities of Reno and Sparks, Chase International and Washoe County, to name just a few. He is a consultant bringing together commercial furniture sellers with clients to create a working, comfortable business space. “I’m more of a consultant for modern office furnishings,” he says. “I bring together dealerships and clients and help find solutions that fit the client’s needs. And I love ergonomics – I have an absolute passion for helping people stay healthy and happy.” And what does BNI add to his business philosophy? As a national sales director, he learned that working with people and getting to know them is the best way to do business, and BNI fits right into that model. “As a business owner, it helps me to grow my business. You never know who someone knows, and BNI sets the stage for that. It’s the perfect example of how business-to-business works.” What does that mean in numbers? Noël says that he’s received at least $70,000 in referral business this year and has given at least $50,000 in referrals since the beginning of the year. Sierra Executives BNI has been a great fit for Noël. When he first joined, he saw a synergy, an energy in the group that he liked. “They are confident about how they develop business with each other and they want to help you.” The group meets Tuesday’s, 7:00 am, at VIA Seating in Sparks. If interested, email Noël at chris@the-furniture-department.com .

Wesley Kikuchi Wesley Kikuchi – Carson City Chapter BNI June 2009 BNI Nevada Newsletter Wesley Kikuchi There are lots of ways to get your message out there to promote your business, says Wesley Kikuchi, founder of Contact Media Technology (CMT). When Kikuchi saw a need for better ways to find a product or service on the Internet to generate more hits, he created CMI. It took over a year to research and to come up with the technology, but now it’s up and running creating a new and exciting advertising venue to promote your company. Contact Media Technology is “The Fastest Way to Revenue on the Internet,” says Kikuchi. Why the Internet to market and sell? It reaches buyers all over the world. Your message or product is just a keystroke away from a sale if you’re using his search engine optimization (SEO) for video called “Fusion Optimization.” He says, “We’re the infomercial online in five minutes or less.” But the business offers even more than video production and SEO for video. Kikuchi’s business gives you the opportunity to create your message using any number of tools to get the look you want. You want a video to sell your product or service? Kikuchi has the studio to put that together, including your choice of personalities to represent you. A standard website with word content and graphics is good, but when adding video you can get an increase in sales by 60 percent immediately. Then add his Video SEO and you have an even greater amount of traffic and sales by being found on the Google search engine organically, immediately. No pay per clicks. His company can also get you online with services like ‘video blogging’ and ‘micro directories’ that can instantly promote your product or service with a text coupon on your cell phone or post it to social networks wall-to-wall bulletin boards such as Face Book. And then there’s his ‘Call to Action Landing Pages.’ With this technology, you don’t have to go to the expense and time of creating a website. Instead, this one sheet poster page can get your message out fast at low cost, responding to all those busy fingers surfing the Internet, 24/7. “Anyone in the world can find you now,” Kikuchi says. He adds that your market is not just local, state or nationwide; it’s worldwide. Kikuchi also recognizes the other important way to market your business. BNI is that other tool. He first found BNI in San Jose when he helped the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. He set up six networking groups for the chamber of commerce in San Jose using BNI as a model. When he moved to Carson City, knowing the importance of networking, he found a chapter there. He’s been a member of the Carson City Chapter for over eight years. “In BNI, once members know you and develop a relationship with you, they promote your business and give you referrals. It gets you up and running fast; it’s the best way of marketing, word-of-mouth,” says Kikuchi. “I don’t use radio, TV or print advertising because of the cost compared to the results. And the Internet combines all three forms of media. You know what’s really working due to tools like Google Analytics.” Kikuchi has some advice for those looking for a chapter. He says you need to find a group you resonate with and then join! Then do the work and meet with everyone for lunch or breakfast. “Give BNI six months, take time to acclimate, and develop relationships,” he says. “It’s not about just showing up, it’s the connections you make with everyone.” He says you have to build your credibility, create the trust and do what you say you’re doing to do. “If you don’t make it in BNI, you didn’t develop the relationships.” And when you’re ready to get your business known everywhere and you want to increase sales, call Wesley Kikuchi where he’s “connecting communities to create commerce.” Check out his video technology at www.onlineproductvideos.com and call him at his office 775-841-1112.

DAmian Janssen Damian Janssen – Truckee Meadows BNI September 2008 BNI Nevada Newsletter Damian Janssen was busy selling real estate and tending bar at night when he first found out about BNI. Actually, it was a clown who originally invited him to a BNI meeting, but Janssen didn’t join. No, it wasn’t the clown’s fault. It’s just that the 7:00 am meetings didn’t work into his round-the-clock working schedule. Things changed, though. “It got to the point that it was costing me to tend bar,” Janssen says. A BNI group was forming, the timing was right, and he’s now been making 7:00 am meetings with Truckee Meadows BNI group for seven years. Doing business by referral is just about the only method that Janssen thinks really works. He says his business is 80 percent referral, and the BNI philosophy is in sync with his. Janssen says, “In BNI, you work hard to help others build their business, then the law of reciprocity suggests they help me build my business. The value of BNI is harmonious to my way of thinking – giver’s give.” He likes the 7:00 am start time, too. He says you have to like the kind of person who will show up once a week at that time – they have a genuine interest in building their business, and like Woody Allen is credited with saying, ‘Ninety percent of life is showing up.’” BNI is more than just passing business cards, and that’s part of the reason Janssen thinks it’s such a successful idea. As a member of a chapter, you get referral education. It’s a place where people share what works, and it teaches you about how to treat referrals. Janssen says that, “Cold calls can’t generate near what we do. And we don’t penalize [anyone] for not bringing a referral. Some groups do,” he says, “and that just encourages bad referrals.” What BNI does is friendly and ethical, says Janssen, and it works. “If you’ve attended one or two meetings already, and if you didn’t get it, go out and spend a few more $1,000 on advertising. Then come back when that doesn’t work.” When people talk about making back their investment in advertising, Janssen says that that isn’t profit. He wants people to track what they get from their BNI group – it’s easy, he says. “Just keep track of your referral slips, and then try to tell me you didn’t get 10 times your investment.” BNI does something advertising can’t, says Janssen. “If you refer me, it’ because you trust me and know me. With BNI, it’s not a cold call; it’s a welcome call. You don’t have to make a hundred cold calls to get one good referral.” If you’re a chiropractor or a commercial real estate agent, the Truckee Meadows group is looking for you. Take time to visit and see what you’re missing. They meet at Carrows Restaurant at the corner of Plumb and Kietzke Lanes on every Thursday, 7:00 am. Find out more at www.bninevada.com.

jane O'Brien Jane O’Brien says she was a “bit of a gypsy” in her younger years. In fact, after she completed her schooling to become a physical therapist, she traveled from Boston to Santa Fe and other points west to practice her profession. Jane says it was a great way to work in different parts of the country and observe different styles while working in her field. Then she found a clinic for sale at Incline Village. What better setting than beautiful Lake Tahoe to set up a practice. She opened North Tahoe Physical Therapy and found the perfect opportunity to live in a spectacular setting while creating the “whole body” approach to her work. “We don’t take a ‘cookbook’ approach with an injury,” says O’Brien. “You need to involve the people in their own therapy.” She says that means taking the time to let each patient talk about the problem, how the pain is affecting his or her life, and to see the whole person, not just the person with a broken ankle. O’Brien’s whole body approach also includes the practice of Myofascial Release. She has people coming from all around the state seeking relief from chronic pain, caused either by accidents or from suffering from an ailment such as fibromyalgia. After a slip on the ice and a broken tailbone, one Eureka woman made regular trips to Incline Village to visit O’Brien for relief from the pain she was suffering. She found out about O’Brien from a friend who works in the mines and had been hit by a loader. Both found the relief they needed to get back in the game after just a few visits to the clinic at Incline Village. Word of mouth is one of the best ways for people to find out about your business. O’Brien knows that, and when given the chance to join a BNI group, she says it was a no-brainer. Competition was moving into the area and she saw the networking group as the best way to let others know about her practice. BNI became the perfect outlet. “I saw the value in it as a way to get the word out. And it also gave me the ability to be known in the community from a business perspective and as a person, to see my commitment and enthusiasm,” O’Brien says. She says she also learned so much more than just networking. “I learned how to focus on and how to define my business. What is the message that I want to get out? What kind of clients would I really like to have?” She says each meeting she goes to helps her refine her vision and her message for her business. According to O’Brien, even the teamwork that goes on at BNI has filtered into her business. “I’ve seen more clients come in and more teamwork with my staff members who, on their own, are promoting who we are,” she says. Her staff of four has taken it upon themselves to market North Tahoe Physical Therapy along with her, and now she hears clients say, “We heard about you from BNI.” Suffering from chronic pain or an injury? Find O’Brien in Incline Village at 775-831-6600. Want to join a BNI group that is welcoming new members? Tahoe/Incline BNI, meeting on Thursday mornings, 8:15 a.m., is accepting new members. Plan to visit them on Thursday.

Jennifer Rose It's Just Lunch Jenifer Rose, owner of It’s Just Lunch, a dating service for busy professionals, made a big decision about seven months ago – she decided to join a local Business Network International (BNI) group. It turned out to be a great decision because she won an all-expense paid trip to Orlando. “I was hesitant [about joining] because I’d been to other networking groups that had been a waste of time,” Jenifer said. But when she saw how committed to the process the members in BNI were, she went for it. And Jenifer was equally committed, bringing in new members, who worked well considering that BNI was running their 2008 Member Extravaganza contest. Bring in new members, get entered into a contest, win a trip. Jenifer understands the benefits of networking and is able to convince others, so much so that she sponsored enough members to be entered into the contest. The chapter had to sponsor at least six new members, and every member of the chapter who sponsored a new member was entered into the drawing for the trip. The result? In October, Jenifer will be on her way to Orlando. There she’ll stay at the beautiful Royal Pacific Resort, visit Universal Studios and attend a workshop/breakfast hosted by Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI International. And BNI? Jenifer said, “It has generated lots of business. I’ve paid for the membership dues many times over. It’s the least expensive form of advertising that I could possibly do.” She’s been a business owner for a number of years and built her first business from scratch, a computer supply and print service company. It was a good business, she says, but she wanted a change and wanted to do something where she could make a change other people’s lives. Along came It’s Just Lunch, a franchise opportunity that was just her ticket. Jenifer says this dating service is unlike others in that it all starts with a face-to-face interview with each client. There is no Internet dating, no computerized matching. Everything about the process is explained thoroughly to each client. Matches are hand-chosen; privacy and discretion are vital. And It’s Just Lunch is exactly that. People meet for lunch or a drink after work, and It’s Just Lunch has done all the preliminary work from personally matching a couple to finding out their availability to scheduling the meeting place. And it works. It might take a year; it might take a first date. Jenifer had one male client who had been a member for a year and was thinking about not renewing. He did, though, and met the right person. It was her first date – a match made in, well, by It’s Just Lunch. For more information about this no-hassle, easy-going service, contact Jenifer at 852-1001 or visit her website at www.itsjustlunchreno.com.

Jojo Meyers Matrix Leadership Jojo Myers – Carson City Chapter BNI July 2009 BNI Nevada Newsletter Time management. Team building. Communication. Leadership. If you’ve owned or worked in a business in the last 20 years, you’ve heard these terms – sometimes to the point of not hearing them at all. But what if you and your employees actually had the chance to have these words become something that you could fully understand, and you were given the tools and the follow-up to implement the ideas behind the words? What a difference a workplace could be, says Jojo Myers, owner of Matrix Leadership, a leadership development company. Myers started her business two years ago and works with individuals, small to big companies and corporations and parts of corporations. With the downturn in the economy, Myers has also seen a greater need for what she offers. She says that downsizing, having one employee do the job of three, budget cuts, changes in management – all of that causes fissures in a workplace, and owners and individuals can turn to Myers to put it all back together. When Myers contracts with a company, she designs a program specifically to its needs. “You can’t cookie cutter it. You go in and see what their challenges are. While it might be time management for one business, another might need to know how to build a team.” Imagine you’re company has to cut back. The workplace on Friday is not going to be the same one on Monday morning. Maybe you’ve collapsed departments and employees are placed in different positions. Some employees might now be managers who have never managed. How will you handle the stress and still guide your company to success? A company facing these changes needs the tools to turn this new stage into a productive, successful matrix of confident employees and well-defined responsibilities. That’s when you call Myers. Matrix Leadership not only has a number of programs designed for individuals to enroll in, Myers will also come into your workplace and work with you to pinpoint exactly what you need. “We really do put effort and energy into their challenges and they come out on top.” Myers also puts effort into her membership with the Thursday Carson City BNI chapter. “This is my internal family,” she says. “I never have to go outside of this for anything.” If she needs work on her own house, an electrician, a plumber, her lawn mowed, insurance advice, a restaurant recommendation, she can look to her BNI group. Referrals? “I’ve gotten both internal and all outside referrals here,” she says. She’s also formed some “great, true friendships. We have a camaraderie.” That includes a group of friends, all from her BNI chapter, who meet regularly in the evening to “solve the problems of the world or sometimes just drink margaritas.” Myers brings the same enthusiasm and caring to her business. She’s in the business of helping companies be the best they can be. “If we help a company increase productivity, performance and quality of the work, they’re reducing costs and increasing their income,” Myers says. Myers is also trained in LMI (Leadership Management Inc.), an internationally acclaimed leadership development process. Matrix Leadership is one of only three companies in Nevada certified to teach the LMI process. Visit Matrix Leadership at www.matrixleadership.net to find out more about all the programs the company offers. If you’re ready to get the training and tools to put your company on the fast track, call Myers at 775-884-6161.

KAThleen Barron When it came to nominating someone to be featured in the monthly BNI Northern Nevada newsletter, Business Accelerators in Reno didn’t hesitate when they nominated Kathleen Barron. Her philosophy has helped her achieve success in both her business and in her BNI chapter. Maybe that’s because Barron’s philosophy in both are, as she says, “All about giving.” It was 14 years ago when Kathleen had her pink Cadillac moment. Kathleen’s life includes the outdoors, taking care of horses on a spread in the Red Rock desert. Although she had been using Mary Kay Cosmetic products for a few years to help fight the attacks of sun and wind that comes with the outdoor life in the Nevada countryside, she wasn’t a representative. Then her neighbor came driving up to Kathleen’s house in her pink Mary Kay Cadillac to borrow water. She left with a new recruit. Kathleen was on her way to her own pink Cadillac. Interested The sales job was a perfect fit for Kathleen. Between taking care of four small children and mucking stalls and exercising a corral full of horses, she found she could fit in a few hours to sell Mary Kay and make a little pocket money. When her youngest turned 7, she decided to grow her business and win her car, a reward for a motivated woman. Kathleen says there are many similarities between selling Mary Kay products and belonging to a BNI group. “Mary Kay give lots of good training,” says Kathleen, and she found the same to be true in her Business Accelerators group. Time management is a key features that is part of both. She first learned the techniques through Mary Kay Cosmetics training, and that is what’s helped Kathleen recruit other women to sell the product. “I always ask someone who seems interested if they can see themselves doing what I do,” Kathleen says. She often gets no for an answer, with women saying they just don’t have the time. But Kathleen says that if you have a few hours a week, you can make up to $200 to $300, and she can show you how. Apparently it works, because Kathleen wouldn’t be driving a Mary Kay Cadillac if the women she’s recruited hadn’t been successful. Mary Kay products are sold at both parties and one-on-one consultations, but no matter the setting, it’s the personal relationship that convinces someone to buy. “It’s givers gain, the same philosophy in both Mary Kay and BNI,” says Kathleen. It’s more than just meeting people or just the hard sell, it’s making connections, she says. So joining a BNI group was a natural move for her. The same friend that recruited Kathleen for Mary Kay Cosmetics also opened the door to BNI. The friend was moving and asked Kathleen if she would like to take her place. That was three years ago, and now Kathleen is also a top performer in Business Accelerators. Not only has she had nine referrals, but she’s brought four visitors, had four dance cards and has perfect attendance. She says, “My product speaks for itself.” She adds that it’s the same with BNI. “Are you looking to build your business?” she asks. “Then BNI is the answer. If you’re a business person, you can certainly see the value.” Like selling Mary Kay Cosmetics, in BNI you build your business through the oldest technique available, the one-on-one, build the trust relationships that then turn into referrals. For more information about Business Accelerators, call 775-788-4487, or visit the group on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., at Meadow Wood Courtyard Super 8, 5851 South Virginia St.

Catherine Trainer Alie's Flowers & Gifts I joined BNI as a way to get myself and my business in front of the community. I was looking for an organization that not only catered to professionals within my community but also made sure the professionals within the group were up to a certain professional standard. BNI makes sure we are referring our clients, friends and family to other professionals that hold themselves up to a high ethical standard. I feel confident when I send someone I know to another member of my BNI group that they are going to be taken care of in the same way they would be if they were in my shop. We all value customer service and the quality of our products. My membership has been paid for through the referrals I have received many times over since I have been in the group. The weekly meetings have become part of my routine and I actually feel like something is out of whack when I can’t make it. My group is really fun and it is a great way to start my day, with people that are working not only for their own business but for my business as well. A prime example of the exemplary service of a BNI member comes with Tracey McCleod of Elliot Ames Nevada. I referred my grandmother to her and she took the care and time to explain what she was going to do and to get the best rates for her. My grandmother was never left to wonder what was going on with her refinance and had no need to “shop” around because I knew Tracey was going to get her the best rates she could and would take great care of her. My grandmother now has experienced a great transaction with someone from our group and will refer her friends to her as well. That is how BNI works, word of mouth. I refer my grandmother to someone, she has a great experience with her and now my grandmother is a member of Tracey’s sales team. She tells anyone looking for a mortgage that Tracey is the one to see. Catherine Trainer Alie’s Flowers & Gifts

Dan Wagner I did want to take the time to thank BNI corporate as well as the members of our chapter for the opportunity to go to New Orleans and visit with Dr. Misner and all of the other members from the various chapters around the county. It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Misner as well as a number of other chapter members at the event. Dr. Misner’s speech was filled with insight, wisdom and a nice mix of humor. Needless to say he is a wonderful speaker, expert net worker and accomplished teacher. The hotel was awesome the food divine and the entertainment superb. Lydia and I in a nutshell felt very fortunate to be able to represent the BNI region and come away with some best practices that we will each employ in our respective professions. Inspired by the trip I came back to our chapter and relayed a few of the ideas and points of interest that Dr. Misner had shared with us. I also referenced a couple of articles in his latest book Masters of Sales and gave away a copy as a door prize. Again, let me thank BNI corporate and my fellow chapter members who made this truly memorable experience possible. Sincerely, Dan Wagner

Jenn August C. H. MakeALivingDoingWhatYouLove.net "I moved to Reno 4 months ago and because of the contacts I made in BNI, I filled my practice and made $20,000.00 - it works!" Jenn August

Jennifer Pyle Morales & Associates When I started my own business, I knew I would have to do a lot of cold calling and I wasn't exactly thrilled about it. Gradually, little by little, my business started to grow. Then one day I was approached by a client, and friend of mine. She told me about BNI. I was skeptical because I had gone to other marketing groups in the past and they just proved themselves to be a waste of time. After all, who has time to take a couple of hours each week when you are trying to build your clientele? I couldn't have been more wrong about this group! It was such a pleasure meeting everyone and learning about their businesses. I have developed great alliances with several of my chapter members and even some friendships! I receive referrals almost every week!! What BNI means to me is not only getting referrals but actually getting to refer so many great people into my clients that I can count on and trust they will take care of them as if they are their own clients. To me, that only solidifies my client relationships because they know that I can be a sustaining resource to their business. I love BNI and always recommend them to people who are as serious about growing their businesses as I am. Best Regards, Jennifer L. Pyle Jennifer L. Pyle - Broker/Consultant Morales & Associates 6170 Ridgeview Ct., Suite A Reno, Nevada 89519 775.825.3001 office • 775.825.0770 facsimile 775.224.0587 cellular • jenniferpyle@sbcglobal.net

Micheal Reynolds Global Studio In the early days of my business, I traveled down highway 80 from Tahoe Vista each Thursday morning through sleet and snow to make my BNI meetings. At the time, I was running my operations from the third bedroom of my home. Not longer after this, we opened an office in Reno and almost nine years later, we have been blessed with having served hundreds and hundreds of clients in Northern Nevada and throughout the nation. I can safely say that my advertising agency was built on a foundation of BNI leads and relationships. My business continues to prosper, and much of it can be attributed to my continued and vibrant participation in BNI. Joining a BNI Chapter and working hard at networking will be the best business decision you'll make. Global Studio "You climb the mountain, we'll tell the world..." http://www.globalstudio.com http://www.globalstudioagency.com Phone (NV) 775-853-8333 Fax 775-853-0200 Toll Free 1-800 WEB ARTS (800-932-2787) 9590 Prototype Court, Suite 100 Reno,NV. 89521

Kathy Baldock Future Computer Technologies "I have never been at a loss for words nor confidence in my personal life; but, that does not necessarily translate to business. It may even surprise some of my group members that I was quite intimidated by them my first few meetings. These were a group of hot shots! Could I ever get to their level of comfort and presentation? Well, it did not take long. Being around successful people who encouraged and were good examples brought me to a higher professional level. I am so comfortable in business networking now; I do not believe that there is any group I can go into and not either know people or be able to adjust in milliseconds! My group is quite active in the business community and they introduce me face to face to contacts that are beneficial to my business of selling printers and the consumables that go along with them. I recently took a new sales position at Future Computer Technologies and presented my fellow members with my "wish list" of companies to get in front of. I fully expected them to help me with contact names and they did. It is much easier to use a name as a reference when going in cold; it warms it right up. Not only are they business associates and extensions of my sales team, they are my friends. I see them socially to dine, hike, chat and learn. BNI is an asset in my already blessed life." Kathy Baldock Sales Consultant Future Computer Technologies Reno, Nevada 775-329-0909

Courtney Ferguson Copywriter/Marketing Consultant After 25 years in London, I enjoyed a rock-solid reputation as a writer and marketing consultant. Moving to Northern California virtually meant starting my career all over again. Our BNI chapter's members are diverse, active and influential - and have helped me take a shortcut to establishing my business here. Courtney Ferguson Copywriter/Marketing Consultant courtney@bardalisa.com Grass Valley, CA.

Dawn Heins, Truckee/Tahoe BNI Chapter Jaffra Dawn was our 2005 member extravaganza winner. She had a "blast" in New Orleans with winners from all over the United States. She is pictured with her husband to the right and Ivan and Beth Misner to her left. Congratulations Dawn!!

Sean Boyd Freeman and Williams, CPA I have just passed my one year anniversary as a member of BNI and I wanted to say thank you for an amazing year. BNI is a network of professionals that allows me to better serve my clients by being a referral resource. As a CPA, I am usually a “gatekeeper” for many of my clients. The BNI network allows me to refer, with confidence, services, professionals and goods to our clients. In fact, in the past year I have referred over $100,000 of commissions, sales, contracts and professional fees to my fellow BNI members. These referrals included roof repair, refinancing, insurance, legal, health and beauty products, direct mail pieces, and a host of other products and services. When I talk with new clients about their business, I talk to them about BNI and how it can greatly improve the quality and quantity of business referrals. They usually think I’m exaggerating until they see a meeting in action! BNI teaches that “Givers Gain”; our business has benefited from not only being a better referral source for our clients, but also from stronger, higher quality referrals. I would be happy to answer any questions potential or current members may have and share my views of BNI. Thank you again for a great year and I look forward to reaching my goal of doubling the amount of business I refer in the next year! BNI is “THE” Business Referral Organization. Respectfully, Sean T. Boyd, CPA, CFP, CVA

Bob Belknap University of Street Smarts I have been in advertising and marketing for over 30 years. So my primary career model has been in sales. I’m always looking for ways to find new prospects and increase my client base in the most efficient way possible. Before coming to Northern Nevada in 1983, I belonged to several referral groups. I have always gotten my best results from BNI. My first exposure to BNI happened in 2000 when I helped to Charter the Carson City Chapter. Later I helped Charter the first Business to Business Model in the country and now am President of the Sierra Executive Chapter. I’m here to tell you that it works. Do the one on one dance cards, be a regular attendee and look through your rolodex and find people you can refer to other members. Because the key is Giver’s Gain…you start giving quality referrals and you’ll receive platinum in return. A couple of months ago, one of our members gave me a very cold referral…it just turned into a $12,000 order. Working for a television station, I have to constantly keep my sales pipeline full. BNI has been and will remain the cornerstone of my networking efforts and referral base. And to back that up, feel free to call me any time and I’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Just remember, it is not net-sit or net-eat. It is network and if you’re willing to do that as serious business, you will get results from BNI.

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