The BNI UK Podcast

Building Your Tribe: Why Relationships Beat Data in BNI with Emma Easton

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Easton, Director at Business Communicate and a BNI member of over 11 years. Emma shares her perspective on building a true “tribe” within BNI — moving beyond tracking numbers and focusing instead on genuine relationships, trust and shared success. The conversation explores how consistency, authenticity and deeper connections lead to stronger referrals and long-term growth. Key Takeaways Focus on people, not just data While tools like the traffic light system provide structure, real success comes from building genuine relationships with your referral partners. Upgrade your one-to-ones Move beyond “tick-box” meetings. Approach one-to-ones with intention, strategy and a clear outcome to deepen relationships. Consistency builds trust Showing up, being prepared and following through on commitments are the foundations of credibility within your chapter. Create shared momentum Referrals shouldn’t be one-off transactions. Stay involved, follow up and work together to grow opportunities over time. Look internally first If results aren’t where you want them to be, review your own activity, effort and strategy before looking elsewhere. Key Moments “People buy into people - not just numbers.” “You put in what you get out - but you have to really go for it.” “BNI gives you the foundation, but it’s what you build on top that matters.” “It takes time to build trust - but it can be lost very quickly.” About the guest Emma Easton is a Director at Business Communicate and a long-standing BNI member with over a decade of experience. Known for her energy and commitment to helping others succeed, Emma focuses on building strong relationships and creating high-performing teams within BNI. About BNI UK BNI (Business Network International) is the world’s largest business networking organisation, helping members grow their businesses through structured referral marketing and meaningful relationships. How to Get Involved Website: https://www.bni.co.uk [https://www.bni.co.uk] If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share it with your network and leave a review. The BNI UK Podcast is produced by The Media Insiders https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/ [https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 9 - How to Deal with a Bad Referral

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell speaks with UK National Director Mike Holman about a challenge every BNI member will face at some point - receiving a bad referral. They explore what actually defines a “bad” referral and, more importantly, how to respond in a way that strengthens relationships rather than damages them. Mike shares a refreshing perspective that shifts the focus away from blame and towards accountability, communication, and education. The episode is packed with practical advice on improving referral quality, refining your messaging, and turning frustrating situations into long-term opportunities for growth. Key Takeaways Take responsibility, don’t assign blame: If you receive a bad referral, start by looking at how you may have miscommunicated what you’re looking for rather than assuming poor intent. Education is the key to better referrals: Your network can only refer effectively if they clearly understand your ideal client - vague messaging leads to vague referrals. Refine your 60-second and one-to-ones: If multiple people are giving poor referrals, it’s likely a messaging issue. Be specific, clear, and consistent in how you communicate your needs. Always respond with professionalism: Thank the person, apologise, and have a constructive conversation - ideally face-to-face or over the phone, not via email. Every referral is an opportunity to improve: Even poor referrals can highlight gaps in your process, whether that’s communication, follow-up, or your sales approach. Best Moments “A bad referral is anything that you don’t want.” “Say thank you for the referral… and apologise.” “If you don’t deal with a bad referral, you deserve the next one.” “You’re asking people to shop blind if you’re not specific.” “Don’t be the person talking about others behind their back.” About BNI BNI is the world’s largest referral networking organisation. Local chapters meet weekly with a proven agenda based on Givers Gain®, helping members build credibility, share qualified referrals and grow revenue. With training, 1-2-1s and clear metrics, BNI turns business networking into predictable results for SMEs and professionals. Visit as a guest to experience the format. Find Out More: https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index [https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 8 - Accountability, Consistency & Personal Brand: Building a Network That Performs

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman are joined by guest Rich Hayden, Managing Director of Made By Seven and a founding BNI member with over 22 years’ experience. Rich shares his journey from ineffective, transactional networking to building a powerful, accountable network that has generated millions in business - not just locally, but globally. Packed with real-life storeys, practical advice and honest reflections, this episode highlights how small actions - done consistently - can lead to significant long-term success. Key Takeaways Networking without accountability doesn’t work. Without structure, follow-up and consistency, networking becomes little more than a social activity rather than a driver of real business. Consistency drives results. Long-term success in BNI comes from sustained effort over time, not short bursts of activity. Step into leadership roles. Taking on responsibility within your chapter increases visibility, builds confidence and accelerates business growth. Protect the experience for guests. Creating a positive, high-energy environment helps convert visitors into members and strengthens the overall network. Small actions create big outcomes. Something as simple as offering a coffee, following up or making someone feel welcome can lead to significant long-term opportunities. Key Moments “Networking without accountability is merely a coffee club.” “Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not there.” “Show up - don’t just turn up.” “If you’re going to be in the room, be the most positive person there.” About the guest Rich Hayden is the Managing Director of Made By Seven and a founding member of BNI Enterprise in Ilkley. With over two decades in BNI, Rich has generated millions in business for fellow members and built global connections through the organisation. Known for his energy, consistency and commitment to personal development, Rich is a strong advocate for accountability-led networking and building a powerful personal brand. About BNI BNI is the world’s largest referral networking organisation. Local chapters meet weekly with a proven agenda based on Givers Gain®, helping members build credibility, share qualified referrals and grow revenue. With training, 1-2-1s and clear metrics, BNI turns business networking into predictable results for SMEs and professionals. Visit as a guest to experience the format. Find Out More: https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index [https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index] The BNI UK Podcast is produced by The Media Insiders https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/ [https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 7 - From Start-Up to Success: How BNI Helped Build a Thriving Gifting Business

In this episode of the BNI UK Podcast, host Ed Nell is joined by National Director Mike Holman and guest Emma Robson, Director of Stort Valley Gifting and member of BNI Success for Business in Harlow. Emma shares her journey of launching a business during COVID after redundancy and how BNI played a pivotal role from day one - even securing her first customer before officially launching.  This episode is packed with practical insights on making BNI work effectively, from mastering one-to-ones and refining your weekly presentation to building long-term client relationships and maximising return on investment. Key Takeaways Start networking early. You don’t need to wait until your business is established - BNI can generate opportunities and clients from the very beginning. You get out what you put in. Success in BNI comes from consistent effort: one-to-ones, subbing, optimising your profile and actively engaging with members. Use real examples in your 60 seconds. Talking about recent work and real clients helps others understand how to refer you more effectively. One-to-ones drive real business. Building relationships and truly understanding other members leads to stronger referrals - even when you’re not in the room. Leverage your network for ideas. BNI isn’t just for referrals - it’s a powerful sounding board for developing new products, services and business ideas. Key Moments “80–85% of our business comes from networking - much of that through BNI.” “You have to put a lot in to get it back.” “That one-to-one led to 190 hampers - and I wasn’t even in the room.” “Use your 60 seconds to talk about what you’ve actually done this week.” “BNI didn’t just support our business - it helped shape it.” About the guest Emma Robson is the Director of Stort Valley Gifting, a business specialising in bespoke corporate gifting and hampers using locally sourced products. A member of BNI Success for Business in Harlow, Emma has built her business largely through networking, with a strong focus on relationships, creativity and customer experience. https://stortvalleygifting.co.uk/ [https://stortvalleygifting.co.uk/] About BNI BNI is the world’s largest referral networking organisation. Local chapters meet weekly with a proven agenda based on Givers Gain®, helping members build credibility, share qualified referrals and grow revenue. With training, 1-2-1s and clear metrics, BNI turns business networking into predictable results for SMEs and professionals. Visit as a guest to experience the format. Find Out More: https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index [https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index] The BNI UK Podcast is produced by The Media Insiders https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/ [https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 6 - Building a National Network Through BNI: Trust, Scale, and Saying Yes

In this episode of The BNI UK Podcast, Ed Nell and National Director Mike Holman welcome Andrew Payne of UK Property Service SW Ltd and BNI Spirit in Devon. Andrew shares how, in less than a year, he has used BNI not just to generate direct business, but to build a trusted national contractor network that helps him service commercial properties and student accommodation across the UK. He explains how BNI Connect, leadership, visibility and relationship-building have enabled him to say “yes” to clients more often and grow with confidence. Key Takeaways Andrew joined BNI with a clear goal: to create a reliable network of trusted contractors across the country. For his business, the value is not only in direct referrals but in being able to quickly source dependable people to help fulfil client needs nationwide. Trust makes speed possible. Before BNI, finding contractors meant lengthy checks, references and onboarding. Through BNI, Andrew has been able to fast-track that process because the network already carries a level of trust and credibility, helping him respond to urgent client requests far more quickly. BNI Connect can become a national business tool. Andrew has used BNI Connect strategically to find members across the UK, including as far afield as Northern Ireland. Rather than limiting his focus to his local chapter, he has treated the wider BNI network as an extension of his business infrastructure. Leadership in BNI strengthens leadership in business. Serving as Vice President has helped Andrew identify weaknesses in his own organisation, improve preparation, and sharpen his leadership skills. He highlights how much of what is learned in BNI is transferable into day-to-day business. Be present if you want people to trust you. Andrew credits trust-building to regular visibility: weekly meetings, leadership involvement, member days, socials and ongoing conversations. His view is simple – if you are not building relationships, you are missing the real value of BNI. Problem-solving creates referrals. Andrew’s approach is to be a “yes person”. When clients ask for something, he focuses on finding a solution rather than saying no. Because he knows the network is there to support him, he can confidently help clients solve problems beyond his in-house team’s direct capabilities. A strong chapter vision drives momentum. Andrew is ambitious not only for his own business but for his chapter. He wants BNI Spirit to become the biggest chapter in Devon and top the regional traffic lights, while also helping launch another chapter in the west of Devon as part of the legacy he wants to create in BNI. Key Moments “I knew that I could go straight onto the BNI Connect app… and I could fulfil those services within an hour.” (On using the wider BNI network to respond quickly to client needs.) “With BNI being BNI, it already has that trust value in it.” (On why the network helped remove friction from sourcing reliable contractors.) “I’m a yes person… no doesn’t enter my mind.” (On his problem-solving mindset and how BNI supports it.) “If you’re not building those relationships, I must admit, you may as well look at the Yellow Pages.” (On the importance of conversations, trust and real relationship-building in referral networking.) “I’d like to be the biggest chapter in Devon and I’d like to be top of the regional traffic lights.” (On his vision for growing BNI Spirit and creating chapter-wide success.) About BNI BNI is the world’s largest referral networking organisation. Local chapters meet weekly with a proven agenda based on Givers Gain®, helping members build credibility, share qualified referrals and grow revenue. With training, 1-2-1s and clear metrics, BNI turns business networking into predictable results for SMEs and professionals. Visit as a guest to experience the format. Find Out More: https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index [https://bni.co.uk/en-GB/index] The BNI UK Podcast is produced by The Media Insiders https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/ [https://www.themediainsiders.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.