Business networking: 200 regional enterprises convene in Kampala

Summary

The Business Network International (BNI) convention in East Africa gathered over 200 businesses to foster growth through a structured, professional, and positive word-of-mouth referral marketing system. BNI, catering to SMEs ranging from single-owner businesses to those with over 50 employees, operates on a 'give and take' philosophy, encouraging members to find clients for each other. With 231 members in Uganda and seven weekly groups, BNI has facilitated over 100 billion in closed business. Globally, BNI has seen over 22.6 billion US dollars in business exchanges in the past year, highlighting its impact on helping businesses expand.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The event celebrates business owners and their efforts.
• 👥 Most attendees are business owners, focusing on networking.
• 🌍 The event is part of Business Network International (BNI), a global networking organization.
• 🎯 BNI targets SMEs ranging from solo entrepreneurs to those with over 50 employees.
• 📈 A business owner in BNI is someone seeking better marketing results and willing to collaborate with others.
• 🤝 BNI operates on a 'give and gain' philosophy, where members help find clients for each other.
• 🇺🇬 In Uganda, BNI has 231 members and seven groups that meet weekly.
• 💰 BNI Uganda has facilitated over 100 billion in closed business deals.
• 🌐 Globally, BNI has passed over 22.6 billion US dollars in business within the past 12 months.
• 📊 The BNI convention brings together businesses from East Africa to explore structured word-of-mouth marketing.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of Business Network International (BNI)?

The primary purpose of BNI is to help business owners grow their businesses through a structured, professional, and positive word-of-mouth referral marketing system.

Who are the typical members of BNI?

Typical members of BNI are business owners ranging from sole proprietors with one employee to those with up to 50 employees or more, who are seeking effective marketing strategies and are willing to collaborate with others through the 'givers gain' philosophy.

What is the 'givers gain' philosophy mentioned in the script?

The 'givers gain' philosophy refers to the BNI approach where members aim to help each other by giving business to one another, with the understanding that in doing so, they will receive business in return.

How many members does BNI have in Uganda?

BNI has 231 members in Uganda.

How often do the BNI groups in Uganda meet?

The BNI groups in Uganda meet weekly.

What is the total amount of closed business BNI has facilitated in Uganda?

BNI has facilitated over 100 billion in closed business in Uganda.

What is the global impact of BNI in terms of business passed in the past 12 months?

In the past 12 months, BNI has facilitated over 22.6 billion US dollars in business worldwide.

How many businesses from East Africa attended the BNI convention mentioned in the script?

More than 200 businesses from East Africa attended the BNI convention.

What is the main goal of the BNI convention?

The main goal of the BNI convention is to bring together business owners for the purpose of helping them grow their businesses through networking and structured referral marketing.

What kind of marketing platform does BNI offer to local SMEs?

BNI offers a platform for local SMEs to market their products through a structured professional networking system that emphasizes word-of-mouth referrals.

What is the significance of the number of employees a business owner has in relation to BNI membership?

The number of employees a business owner has is significant in BNI because it helps to define the scale of the business and the potential networking and referral opportunities within the BNI community.