Now, more than ever, business people need to network to stay in business. BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment to exchange quality business referrals.BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. We offer members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.

Last year Members of BNI passed thousands of referrals, which generated over 4$ Billion dollars worth of business for each other! BNI is a business and professional referral organization that allows only one person from each profession to join a chapter.

Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you because all the other members carry several copies of your business cards around with them. When they meet someone who could use your products or services they hand your card out and recommend your services. It's as simple as that!

It's simple because it's based on the proven concept of "what goes around, comes around." If I help you, you'll help me and we will both benefit as a result. Would you like to increase your business by 20%, 30%, 50% or as much as 100%? You can see results like this! Many have. Some participants have added as many as 50 new clients in the first 2 years!!!

In 2010, Business Network Int'l passed over 6.5 million referrals in 5500+ chapters with over 135,000 members in 45 countries resulting in more than $2.8 billion in business!  For assistance in being placed in a local chapter, please click here.

Tish Allen – BNI Carson City Chapter
November 2011 – Member Extravaganza Winner 

When Tish Allen first joined a BNI chapter, she had two big hurdles to overcome. Number one – she wasn’t a joiner, never had been one, didn’t necessarily want to be one. She was also terrified of public speaking. But she did see the worth in joining a networking group. And in October, she won the BNI Member Extravaganza trip to San Diego.

    About two years ago, she started thinking about joining. “I thought it would be a good way to get out and meet new people,” she says. Then she visited the Carson City Chapter on Christmas Eve, and instead of the usual format, everyone was asked to share what belonging to the chapter meant to them. The stories weren’t about getting business. They were heartfelt, personal stories about reaching out and friendships made. She was so moved that she signed up that day. She jumped the joining hurdle. The public speaking is taking a bit longer.

    When she first joined, she did think it was a good way to help build a business. She needed more, though, to start building confidence to give her comments. Then she listened to Dr. Ivan Misner and the concept of ‘Givers Gain.’ She understood the importance of really getting to know the people in the group, and she had to climb out of her introverted personality and learn how to do it. She works on the “open groups” concept and Givers Gain and says that’s why she took on the job of vice president this year, because of how important it is to really get to know people.    

    Both she and her husband, Woody Allen, are members of the Carson City Chapter. They own the V&T Pet Clinic and Boarding and Doggie Day Care located next to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Woody has been a vet for 40 years and runs the clinic while Tish runs the daycare center. It’s a perfect match.

    The doggie daycare provides both daycare and overnight stays. She opened in December 2008 as an upscale center that would provide a “just like home” experience. “There are no cages,” Tish says in describing the overnight facilities. There are individual rooms for the dogs with each room painted and furnished for the ‘homey’ look. There are photos on the walls along with shelves holding books and nic nacks. “It’s amazing how they settle in,” she says. And in the daytime, if the owners want, the overnight dogs are part of the daycare crowd.

    About the daycare pets, Tish says newcomers are slowly introduced to the environment until they become comfortable. Each dog’s needs and personality are respected. Most like to play and form playgroups. When they’re tired, they lay down. What’s really interesting, Tish says, is that the dogs respect each other’s needs and don’t bother the ones who are resting. If a dog doesn’t like the romping around, they are kept in another area with other quiet dogs. She says that the thing that most amazes her is how the dogs are ready for the day when they come in. She says, “They’re ready to play. They make friends – like children on a playground.” Occasionally one might have to go into timeout, she says, and they even seem to understand why.

    Oh, and about winning the trip to San Diego to see Misner – the Carson City Chapter had 55 visitors that day, and seven joined. The names of those who brought in the new members were placed in a hat. Woody’s name was drawn, but he had to decline because of a former engagement. But Tish had also brought a guest who joined, so she was awarded the trip. She thanks Willie Christensen, BNI Northern Nevada Executive Director, “for the wonderful opportunity.”

    If you would like to know more about the Carson City Chapter, you can contact Tish at 775-721-1486. They meet on Thursday mornings, 7:00 am, at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. Guests are welcome.

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