Multi-level marketers have been NFIed – not flipping invited – to events held by NFI Networking. They join a growing list of professionals, including lawyers, life coaches, accountants, financial advisors, money lenders and ‘entrepreneurs’, who are no longer welcome at such events.
Multi-level marketers include sales representatives often from the cosmetic and home ware industries. They make sales via catalogues and ‘parties’ hosted at customer’s houses and typically work as part of a large network. They receive commission for their sales and for the sales of other multi-level marketers they have recruited.
The decision to remove them from networking events was made after feedback from NFI Networking attendees showed they were being over-represented at events. This meant attendees were meeting too many candidates from the same industry and were unable to make the most of their networking. NFI feels that by barring members of this profession they will attract a greater variety of delegates to their events making the networking experience more valuable for those welcome. Similar justifications were made when NFI banned other leading professions from networking events in December 2009.
A spokesperson from NFI said, “Networking events can be overrun with certain groups of people making them of limited value for attendees. It's not because we don't like these people, and we'd rather they didn't take it too personally or seriously. It's just that they're so over represented at other networking meetings, that it's very difficult to meet other people”
NFI Networking events are designed to help professionals meet a diverse range of business people. To encourage this attendees must bring a representative from a non-NFI industry different to their own, to each event. NFI say their events are “about back-scratching, offering selfless advice and doing favours. It's about business karma.”
For more information, details of upcoming events and to register for events visit http://www.nfinetworking.com/. Those who do not respect the NFI list will be asked to leave.
-ends-
Note to editors:
For further editorial information or to arrange an interview please contact the NFI Networking press office at
imhelpful@nfinetworking.com or telephone 020 7609 1900.
About NFI Networking
NFI Networking is a networking organisation for business people who want to selflessly help other business people, to buy services and recommend the services of other people. It's about being helpful, not the hard sell. It's about back-scratching, offering selfless advice and doing favours. It's about business karma.
It's not a place where you simply sell your services. It's about helping people.
http://www.nfinetworking.com/
Monday, 13 September 2010
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Which industry would you most like to see banned from networking events?
Please contribute to the poll on LinkedIn.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Go to make a connection not a sale
New business doesn’t come from attending networking groups. It comes from you. Commit and be helpful.
Last week, Dave Clarke, CEO of NRG Networks published an article ‘The BIG Mistake That Means Networking Doesn’t Work’.
NRG offers facilitated business networking groups across the UK based on the NRG Advocacy System, a five stage “relationship marketing model”.
The system aims to create and motivate an inner network of people who know their target market. They choose to become advocates for others in the group, producing referrals on a regular basis.
Dave’s ethos is that building relationships leads to better long term results so don’t go to networking events expecting immediate results.
In the article, he outlines the common mistakes made and offers ten networking tips to avoid them.
Before turning to networking as the answer to your business problem, he believes a clear understanding of what networking is about is vital. This will prevent the otherwise inevitable disappointment when networking fails to offer an immediate fix.
This is where networking groups come into their own, facilitating the networking process and ensuring you don’t succumb to common mistakes.
It’s apparent throughout Dave’s article that taking time to develop relationships and not expecting instant results is important. He advises investing time to get to know people, sharing knowledge and connections and believes, “[The] best business is developed when both parties know, like and trust each other.”
He talks a lot about how being helpful and going out of your way to connect people in your network really pays off, a value of NFI Networking.
A summary of Dave’s ten points are:
1) Networking takes time as it requires commitment to earning trust and so will not generate instant results.
2) Build networking into business plans and identifying your niche market. Dave points to the need for accessing the right people.
3) It sounds obvious but having a confident and enthusiastic explanation of what you do and your target market will stand you in very good stead. Passion and enthusiasm is vital.
4) Invest time in the relationships you already have and willingly support them.
5) If your existing network is not big enough to generate enough word of mouth then identify people likely to have access to, and influence with, your target market and join the networking groups they are members of.
6) Enjoy attending the networking groups, as people advocate those they “know, like, rate and trust”.
7) Take the time to get to know the members and the ways you can help them.
8) Meet up one-to-one outside of the structured events. Get to know people better and try to connect them to your contacts.
9) Join the online networks of those in your target market and openly share your knowledge and connections. Perhaps LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, if appropriate.
10) Be an advocate for your fellow netwrokers; go out of your way to connect them to key members of your network who might benefit from their services. People will eventually become advocates for you.
“[Networking]'s about back-scratching, offering selfless advice and doing favours. It's about business karma.” So says, NFI Networking, a networking organisation for business people based on the rationale that for networking to succeed, there needs to be a diverse group of business people all willing to be selflessly helpful.
NRG is all about forming a “like minded community”. Where NFI’s ethos differs, is the belief there is an over representation of certain groups at networking events. It therefore excludes them from attending events.
It is not because we don’t like these people but there is usually a saturation of NFIs at networking events. We are trying to attract a diverse group so that you can network with a variety of people.
NFI Networking stipulates you must be selflessly helpful and would strongly agree with Dave that a networking advocate should willingly connect people to others in their network.
Let’s not forget that as Dave outlines, the networking process is essentially only going to succeed if you are willing to devote time to it and make it an enjoyable experience. This is very much the basis of NFI Networking.
If you are a helpful, unselfish networker and interested in learning more about NFI and applying for membership have a look at our website http://www.nfinetworking.com/. If you prefer, find us on Meet Up or LinkedIn.
Practising the policy that if someone helps you, help them in return supports the theory that the more you give, the more you will receive. If you can offer a lead to someone else, then do so – and wait to see the successes of networking.
Last week, Dave Clarke, CEO of NRG Networks published an article ‘The BIG Mistake That Means Networking Doesn’t Work’.
NRG offers facilitated business networking groups across the UK based on the NRG Advocacy System, a five stage “relationship marketing model”.
The system aims to create and motivate an inner network of people who know their target market. They choose to become advocates for others in the group, producing referrals on a regular basis.
Dave’s ethos is that building relationships leads to better long term results so don’t go to networking events expecting immediate results.
In the article, he outlines the common mistakes made and offers ten networking tips to avoid them.
Before turning to networking as the answer to your business problem, he believes a clear understanding of what networking is about is vital. This will prevent the otherwise inevitable disappointment when networking fails to offer an immediate fix.
This is where networking groups come into their own, facilitating the networking process and ensuring you don’t succumb to common mistakes.
It’s apparent throughout Dave’s article that taking time to develop relationships and not expecting instant results is important. He advises investing time to get to know people, sharing knowledge and connections and believes, “[The] best business is developed when both parties know, like and trust each other.”
He talks a lot about how being helpful and going out of your way to connect people in your network really pays off, a value of NFI Networking.
A summary of Dave’s ten points are:
1) Networking takes time as it requires commitment to earning trust and so will not generate instant results.
2) Build networking into business plans and identifying your niche market. Dave points to the need for accessing the right people.
3) It sounds obvious but having a confident and enthusiastic explanation of what you do and your target market will stand you in very good stead. Passion and enthusiasm is vital.
4) Invest time in the relationships you already have and willingly support them.
5) If your existing network is not big enough to generate enough word of mouth then identify people likely to have access to, and influence with, your target market and join the networking groups they are members of.
6) Enjoy attending the networking groups, as people advocate those they “know, like, rate and trust”.
7) Take the time to get to know the members and the ways you can help them.
8) Meet up one-to-one outside of the structured events. Get to know people better and try to connect them to your contacts.
9) Join the online networks of those in your target market and openly share your knowledge and connections. Perhaps LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, if appropriate.
10) Be an advocate for your fellow netwrokers; go out of your way to connect them to key members of your network who might benefit from their services. People will eventually become advocates for you.
“[Networking]'s about back-scratching, offering selfless advice and doing favours. It's about business karma.” So says, NFI Networking, a networking organisation for business people based on the rationale that for networking to succeed, there needs to be a diverse group of business people all willing to be selflessly helpful.
NRG is all about forming a “like minded community”. Where NFI’s ethos differs, is the belief there is an over representation of certain groups at networking events. It therefore excludes them from attending events.
It is not because we don’t like these people but there is usually a saturation of NFIs at networking events. We are trying to attract a diverse group so that you can network with a variety of people.
NFI Networking stipulates you must be selflessly helpful and would strongly agree with Dave that a networking advocate should willingly connect people to others in their network.
Let’s not forget that as Dave outlines, the networking process is essentially only going to succeed if you are willing to devote time to it and make it an enjoyable experience. This is very much the basis of NFI Networking.
If you are a helpful, unselfish networker and interested in learning more about NFI and applying for membership have a look at our website http://www.nfinetworking.com/. If you prefer, find us on Meet Up or LinkedIn.
Practising the policy that if someone helps you, help them in return supports the theory that the more you give, the more you will receive. If you can offer a lead to someone else, then do so – and wait to see the successes of networking.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Next NFI Networking event: 18.00, Thursday 9th September 2010
Let us know you're coming to the next NFI Networking event.
Sign-up on on MeetUp at , the LinkedIn event at a or on the Registration page.
The next NFI Networking event will be held at 18.00, Thursday 9th September 2010 at
The Woodstore Bar and Grill
1 Carpenters Mews
North Road
London
N7 9EF
Sign-up on on MeetUp at , the LinkedIn event at a or on the Registration page.
The next NFI Networking event will be held at 18.00, Thursday 9th September 2010 at
The Woodstore Bar and Grill
1 Carpenters Mews
North Road
London
N7 9EF
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Misner's Misery at Lack of Engagement
The ferocious act of flinging of business cards to whoever, whenever, wherever, is becoming a lot more prominent- not only at networking events. Now, this brutal nature of networking is suffering a backlash. New business networking events are being formed in light of a more personal connection between businesses, those who do not comply to the more selfless rules are Not Flippin Invited.
Dr Ivan Misner of Business Network International is suggesting the personal touch of networking has been lost because of the misuse of massively popular sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn yet even though he would still say, "Absolutely do social media."
As one of the world's leading business networking guru's, Misner is on a mission to hit out at the people hitting on others to do business through the social networking sites. Too many people, he said, were being 'tapped up' for business by people they did not know or trust. This is purely bad networking; the rush of exchanging details without bonding resulting in a pocketful of business cards but with no real knowledge of the person who they're dealing with. When pushing your business sales pitch, your potential customer is trying to do the same, no one is listening to each other yet everyone is claiming they have 'networked'. Misner presents the idea of more giving, and not taking, saying not only does it feel good but also an engaging listener will be remembered more in a crowd of talkers.
"Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It's about cultivating business relationships." says Dr Misner, commenting as BNI released the findings of a survey of 14,000 of its members about their networking preferences. The customers, it has been found, don't want to be shoved business cards, they want to nuture a bond.
Back-Scratching Business
This is where the concept of 'business karma' is enforced. Back-scratch, be selfless, give advice and favours and you will reap the rewards of networking. Don't follow the 'premature solicitation' crowd of bulldozing potential customers with generic sales spiel. Instead, be individualistic by attending a networking event and actually listen to other people.
Those on the Not Flippin Invited list are those that tend to swarm into such events with more business cards than help to hand out. Businesses guilty of such behaviour and sectors that are always well represented at networking events like life coaches and business coaches amongst others will be finding themselves taking the bus home after being turned away; others feeling the pangs of rejection include NLP practitioners, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, money-lenders and those who call themselves 'entrepreneurs' without actually defining their business interests. If selfless enough you may just be joining the new sector of people in the business world, and you may just be slipped an invite.
Sign up for the NFI groups on http://www.meetup.com// or http://www.linkedin.com/
You could even register to be on the accepted list at http://www.nfinetworking.com/
Dr Ivan Misner of Business Network International is suggesting the personal touch of networking has been lost because of the misuse of massively popular sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn yet even though he would still say, "Absolutely do social media."
As one of the world's leading business networking guru's, Misner is on a mission to hit out at the people hitting on others to do business through the social networking sites. Too many people, he said, were being 'tapped up' for business by people they did not know or trust. This is purely bad networking; the rush of exchanging details without bonding resulting in a pocketful of business cards but with no real knowledge of the person who they're dealing with. When pushing your business sales pitch, your potential customer is trying to do the same, no one is listening to each other yet everyone is claiming they have 'networked'. Misner presents the idea of more giving, and not taking, saying not only does it feel good but also an engaging listener will be remembered more in a crowd of talkers.
"Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It's about cultivating business relationships." says Dr Misner, commenting as BNI released the findings of a survey of 14,000 of its members about their networking preferences. The customers, it has been found, don't want to be shoved business cards, they want to nuture a bond.
Back-Scratching Business
This is where the concept of 'business karma' is enforced. Back-scratch, be selfless, give advice and favours and you will reap the rewards of networking. Don't follow the 'premature solicitation' crowd of bulldozing potential customers with generic sales spiel. Instead, be individualistic by attending a networking event and actually listen to other people.
Those on the Not Flippin Invited list are those that tend to swarm into such events with more business cards than help to hand out. Businesses guilty of such behaviour and sectors that are always well represented at networking events like life coaches and business coaches amongst others will be finding themselves taking the bus home after being turned away; others feeling the pangs of rejection include NLP practitioners, lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, money-lenders and those who call themselves 'entrepreneurs' without actually defining their business interests. If selfless enough you may just be joining the new sector of people in the business world, and you may just be slipped an invite.
Sign up for the NFI groups on http://www.meetup.com// or http://www.linkedin.com/
You could even register to be on the accepted list at http://www.nfinetworking.com/
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Next NFI Networking Event
The next NFI Networking event will be held at 18.00, Thursday 27th May 2010 at
The Woodstore Bar and Grill1 Carpenters Mews North Road London N7 9EF
Map and info at http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/woodstore-bar-and-grill-info-16331.html
Let us know you're coming to the next NFI Networking event.
Sign-up on on MeetUp at http://www.meetup.com/NFI-Networking/, the LinkedIn event at a http://events.linkedin.com/NFI-Networking/pub/150268 or on the Register page.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
The next NFI Networking event will be held at 18.00, Thursday 28th January 2010 at
The Woodstore Bar and Grill
1 Carpenters Mews
North Road
London
N7 9EF
Map and info at http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/woodstore-bar-and-grill-info-16331.html
The Woodstore Bar and Grill
1 Carpenters Mews
North Road
London
N7 9EF
Map and info at http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/woodstore-bar-and-grill-info-16331.html
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