Biz (and everyone else),

Thank you for your feedback! As I mentioned, the structure of a BNI type group works exceptionally well for some, but for others it is not the secret ingredient to starting up a small business or gaining sales. One alternative to this style of referral group is a company like mine, Next Level Executives. Our Chapters have three key distinctions that make them a unique alternative than a traditional referral group.

1. Instead of Referrals Next Level provides a private forum for small business owners to get help with their biggest needs, which might not be referrals. We invite our members to become "business naked" in front of their chapter members and ask for advice on anything from how to hire employees to how to develop a marketing campaign. If you help someone build their business- you don't need to wrack your brain trying to remember their thirty second commercial you are invested in them as a person and have a complete understanding of what they do.
2. We help facilitate members' professional growth by cultivating thought leadership in their field. We provide opportunities for speaking engagements on topics that set you apart from your competition. How else are you going to stand out?
3. Next Level provides tools and resources for business leaders to integrate their online and offline marketing strategies.

Please check us out at www.nextlevelexecutives.com or feel free to shoot me an email with questions. I would be interested to hear more about your (or anyone else's) experiences with referral groups in the past. Dani@nextlevelexecutives.com