August 26, 2010
- VISIT OUR WEBSITE at www.bnialphaomega.com -

Alpha Omega Mission Statement:  To build productive relationships that will inspire and educate individuals toward the highest standard of professionalism to serve our community.

"Will you stay committed to a course of action that... will take a daily commitment on your part?"
-Tim Templeton

(Thank you Diane Bennett!)

NEW MEMBER!: Please welcome Redford Maust from LifeWorks into the group! DUES REMINDER: Membership dues are owed at the beginning of each month.  Please be sure to get these paid on time! SOUND SYSTEM SCHEDULE: August - Linda Sokol September - Terry Kurtz October - OPEN November - OPEN December - OPEN Please volunteer to get on the schedule for one of the open months to help with responsibility for the sound system. "Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success." -Author Unknown Horizon Bank Tailgate Party & New Location Celebration!  Please join Horizon Bank for a tailgate party in celebration of their new location. Where: Horizon Bank (corner of SR 23 & Douglas) When: Thursday, September 9, 2010 Time: 5:30p - 7:30p (17:30 - 19:30) RSVP by September 2nd to Cindy Overmyer at 574.287.1109 or by email at MOvermyer@accesshorizon.com See flyer here! Are You a Big Loser?  Click here to find out! Are you on Facebook?  Lookup and become a fan (Like button) of Cookies By Design, Gates Chevy World, and M/T Box Computers! Attention Members!  If you have an announcement or event that you would like added in the next newsletter, send an email to Terry Kurtz. Are you aware of any Networking Opportunities?  Let us know. Previous Meeting (08/19): Terry Kurtz - M/T Box Computersal Group Recent Meeting (08/26): Chris Boynton - The WSBT Radio Group Next Meeting (09/02): Mark Griffin - Cookies By Design Upcoming (09/09): John Rodriguez - Graphie-Tees & Mito Craft Upcoming (09/16): OPEN!!!  See Beth Winzeler Upcoming (09/23): OPEN!!!  See Beth Winzeler Upcoming (09/30): Pete Rekitzke - Midwest Envirospect Please see Beth Winzeler to get on the schedule! Speakers... Don't forget to bring a door prize valued between $20 and $25.  Purchasing your door prize from another BNI member is a great way to exercise our "Givers Gain" philosophy. Also, please be sure to fill out and bring your speaker profile so you can be introduced properly. Want to get on the speaker list? If you have completed your MSP training, just let Beth Winzeler know you want to speak!        08/19 Meeting Linda Demel for Kelly Dinsley          08/19 Meeting Jamie Rodriguez for John Rodriguez Steve Singleton for John Curtis No Visitors This Week (bummer dude...) Reminder: Do you go out of your way to welcome our visitors?  Do you get their business card and follow-up with them to see what they thought of our chapter and to encourage them to join?  Remember, that's not just the "job" of our leadership team, but the responsibility of all members.

Top 10 Things NOT to Say
During your 45-second Commercial

Here are the top 10 things NOT to say during your commercial at your BNI meeting (all of these have been heard at a meeting…yes, they have!).  You will nod at some, be outraged at others, and that’s okay.

1. “Sorry I haven’t been here…” – no need to draw attention to your absences.  They KNOW you’ve missed a meeting, and it’s okay.  Commit to yourself to have a sub next time so you never feel you have to say this!

2. “I’m too busy to take any referrals this week”…  If you say this at a meeting, trust me, you won’t be busy for long!  Consider hiring someone or raising your prices!

3. “Um…well…I don’t know what to say…”  We all feel that way sometimes, but it doesn’t do much for you.  Prepare 5 commercials in advance and keep them with you so you can always be prepared.  People refer people who they have confidence will do a good job.  If you need help with your commercial, ask for it!  From your Leadership Team, another member, your chapter’s Ambassador or Assistant Director are all available to assist you.

4. “Today I want to skip my commercial and tell you about….my kid’s new cat, our vacation, my walk for charity”  Whatever it is, just don’t do it.  Again, stay focused on the job at hand.  As much as we like you, this is inappropriate.

5. “I’m New to my profession” – If you feel you must talk about how long you’ve been in the business - use the bigger number.  In other words, “My office has been here since 2001” or “I’ve been in the computer business for 20 years”.  You don’t build trust and confidence by giving the impression you don’t know your job.  You do, or you wouldn’t have started out on your own.  You bring some experience to whatever you do.

6. “I have to leave early” – Best case is that you never leave before the meeting ends.  If you must, just go quietly, without drawing attention to it.

7. “I have nothing to say” – Whether you are unprepared or just can’t think of a commercial today, don’t say it.  This comes back to being prepared.  Spend 15 minutes this week coming up with several commercials you can use when needed.

Referral Time: This is for REFERRALS and TESTIMONIALS.  We all know what a referral is, but Testimonials are a bit tricky.  A testimonial is saying something about someone else and what a good job they did for you or your referral.  DO NOT SAY “I don’t have any referrals this week”.  This is your last opportunity to shine in front of your sales force, and pointing out that you have no referrals does not do that.  It’s okay that you don’t this week, commit to yourself to have them next week.  Say something good about how BNI has helped you and your business, say something nice about what a good job someone did for you or your referral, or give a referral.  Those are the only acceptable choices.