I’ve been nominated at the next chapter director in BNI Broadway. I feel honoured to be granted this opportunity. The current director told me that I’d need to choose my team… How was I supposed to do this?

Ultimately, I went on the first impressions I got from any BNI chapter, went through each stage of the BNI script methodically and came up with a winning team. All of whom accepted the role.

As a visitor, you enter the room. You’re greeted (or not) by a variety of people. I decided my visitor hosts need to not suffer from bad breath (I’m harsh) but should be friendly, well presented and speak on an Adult-Adult level. I’ll put them aside for the moment.

Ok, I’ve been ushered around the room talking to different people, I’m now armed with a stodgy fry-up and a cup of unbranded coffee and sat down next to some interesting people. The chapter director stands up and introduces various people around the room. This stage is harmless so we’ll skip through. Eventually the Education coordinator stands. (S)he is the first person so far to offer any real value to the meeting. I want an Education coordinator who will offer advice and information, not one that will shame and guilt the rest of the room for not bringing enough visitors.

Mental note: Education coordinator needs to be good at constructive critisism and equally friendly, knowledgable and well presented.

Everything is going well, I recite my 60 second speech and listen to everyone elses, I’ve decided on two people I’d like to speak to after the meeting.

Suddenly, the secretary/treasurer stands up and starts talking about money! Watching the reactions on the other visitor’s faces, I realise I’m not alone. The BNI script is quite pushy considering how well things had been going so far!

Mental note: Secretary/treasurer must be someone who appreciates BNI’s value already, someone who charges at least £1000 per average sale in their own business. The person I saw in one chapter obviously didn’t and looked almost ashamed for asking.

Not forgetting the dreaded MC position; Membership Coordinator. (S)he’s the one who got us here to start with, so he needs to be methodical, down to earth, constructive and goal orientated.

Working backwards, my chosen MC for our BNI chapter accepted on the spot. We discussed the Secretary/Treasurer and came up with two ideas. My first declined for his own reasons, but the second was over the moon.

Education coordinator, events coordinator and visitor hosts quickly followed.

We have a winning team and aim to wipe the floor with any other chapter in BNI by increasing membership and bringing Broadway back to it’s former glory.

Anyone for bowling?