Business tastes sweet for a Wearside referral group who have ridden the recession by passing thousands of pounds worth of business amongst each other and donated a giant cake to a local hospital’s children’s ward.
The members of The George Chapter of BNI (Business Network International) meet over breakfast at 7am every Friday at the Wessington in Sunderland to generate business for themselves and each other. In the last year a staggering 1376 referrals have passed hands worth in excess of £140,000.
BNI was founded in the 1980’s by American management consultant, Ivan Misner who created a highly structured referral group with the philosophy of “givers gain”. Now, the organisation has grown to more than 6199 chapters and 138,961 members worldwide. In the UK and Ireland alone, there are more than 611 Chapters which last year gave 670,000 referrals, leading to business worth £269 million.
At a recent networking gathering of each of Northumbria’s twelve BNI chapters, George member Gemma Lupton of South Hylton based cake makers and decorators, Vanilla Lace donated a special “Breakfast “cake which took pride of place in front of all the delegates. Gemma and her BNI colleagues then decided to donate the cake to Sunderland’s Royal Hospital Children’s Ward where Ward Manager, Maria Lynn was delighted to receive it on behalf of the children.
“This is a wonderful gift which I’m sure all the children will enjoy. It’s so nice for local businesses to get involved with sick children in this way and I hope we can work together in the future. Please thank everyone who is part of the George Chapter of BNI.”
The chapter membership benefits from a wide range of businesses including conventional trade’s people, a photographer and a business support professional. Unlike many networking groups, however, members have the advantage of knowing that there is no business competition amongst other members as only one representative from a particular profession is allowed to attend the meeting.
George Chapter is particularly keen to welcome visitors and currently the Chapter has vacancies for members particularly in the sign writing, insurance, plastering, travel agency and kitchen installation businesses.
Interested businesses can contact Chris Williamson on 07713 167002
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Photo shows Gemma Lupton, Maria Lynn (Ward Manager at Sunderland Royal Hospital) and Callum Cuthbertson, age 7yrs.