IE182 Dr. Ivan Misner: Mastering the Art of Business Networking: Strategies for Global Connection and Success (BNI - Business Networking International)

In this week’s episode, Amrit interviews Dr. Ivan Misner, Ph.D. in Organizational behaviour, the founder and chief visionary officer of BNI (Business Network International) the world’s largest business networking organization, a columnist for Entrepreneur.com, a keynote speaker, and a NY Times bestselling author of many books including the latest one “Who's in Your Room: The Secret to Creating Your Best Life”

In “Who’s In Your Room”, Dr. Misner shares how the quality of your life greatly depends on the people who surround you: https://amz.run/4jTb

Amrit and Dr. Ivan Misner, talk about the significance of working in your flame and not in your wax, the power of networking and the importance of having relationships in this dynamic world we live in.

Dr. Ivan Misner states you need to work in your flame and not in your wax. This means, you must work hard on what you most love to do in your business to reach success. He strongly believes you can take steps in your journey toward truly loving what you do for a living. 

He started a management consulting business in 1983. At the end of 1984, he needed new business and had to find a way to engender more referrals. So he decided to create his own networking group with people he knew and trusted, and wanted to refer business to. This group integrated business with relationships under one core value of giving first. By the end of the year there were 20 groups and he needed to start a plan to scale. The organization now has over 10,000 chapters throughout the globe. And he keeps on doing what he most loves to do: helping others.

Dr. Misner talks about core values as the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that dictate behavior and help people better understand expectations within the organizational context. 

BNI’s core values start with Givers Gain, one of the best attitudes you can have to live your life. Embracing this philosophy of giving first will change your life and those around you. And when it changes enough lives, it will change the world. Genuine love towards one another. This is the kind of vision that people need to establish with whatever business they start.

He elucidates that being a good receiver is vital. This ensures the philosophy works and leads to a life of infinite giving. You must accept it is alright to gain, if not you will find yourself out of resources, and the giving will stop. It is essential that the givers also gain what they need so that they can give over and over. In this way, infinite giving becomes a part of who you are in all you do. Giving first is fundamental. But, you cannot constantly give at your own expense. 

They dive deep into the importance of cultivating relationships and networking, and the VCP mindset and skill set to help you do so. 

It is important to cultivate long-term relationships and you need the proper mindset to do so. You must be visible and credible, and once they know who you are and are good at what you do, they will be willing to refer business to you. Networking up with people who are leagues beyond yourself in business depends on your authenticity and willingness to help them.

Focusing on the other person and creating value to them can help forge long-term relationships.

Building long-term relationships and having a network is extremely important for you to live a meaningful life and transition through this crazy world. The people in your network are going to be the ones that will help you in difficult times. 

“Your network is a beacon of hope in a sea of fear”

You need a mindset to cultivate these relationships. First people have to know who you are and what you do. Secondly they must know you are good at it. If they know who you are and you are good at what you do, they will be willing to refer business to you. You can build relationships in developing referrals.

If you want to network up and connect with people who are leagues beyond yourself in business, Dr. Ivan insists you must not sell to them, instead be authentic and ask how you can help them. Focusing on the other person and creating value to them can help forge long-term relationships.

“If you are always the most successful in the room, you are hanging out in the wrong rooms. All rooms are ok, but you need to find somewhere you can network up”

About Dr. Ivan Misner:

Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. Founded in 1985 the organization now has over 10,000 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world. Each year, BNI passes millions of referrals resulting in billions of dollars worth of business for its members.

Dr. Misner’s Ph.D. is from the University of Southern California. He is a New York Times Bestselling author who has written 26 books including one of his latest books, Who’s in Your Room? He is also a columnist for Entrepreneur.com and has been a university professor as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of La Verne.

Dr. Misner is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on business networking and has been a keynote speaker for major corporations and associations throughout the world. He has been featured in the L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times, as well as numerous TV and radio shows including CNN, the BBC, and The Today Show on NBC.

He and his late wife, Elisabeth, are the Co-Founders of the BNI Charitable Foundation. 

Tune In: 

• Welcome Dr. Ivan Misner to Inspired Evolution!: (00:00:00)
• The beginning of BNI:(04:20)
• From business consulting to scratching his own itch:(07:03)
• Inflection point. Ready to take a pay cut to pursue something else:(10:00)
• Carrying a vision of something bigger and longer than a lifetime:(15:07)
• Tips on how to build new relationships and be an authentic networker:(19:05)
• Managing expectations in Givers Gain value:(24:08)
• The importance of building long-term relationships in a dynamic world:(27:32)
• Connecting with people who are leagues beyond oneself in business:(30:59)
• About the concept in Dr. Misner’s book “Who’s in your room”:(40:04)
• Dr.Misner’s network supporting tools:(43:18)
• Dr. Misner’s advice to live life to the fullest:(46:02)

Some of Dr. Ivan Misner books:

• “Networking Like a Pro: Turning Contacts into Connections” by Dr. Ivan Misner and Brian Hilliard: https://amz.run/4jTh 
• “Infinite Giving: The 7 Principles of Givers Gain” by Dr. Ivan Misner, Greg Davies and, Julian Lewis: https://amz.run/4jTj 
• “Business Networking and Sex: Not What You Think” by Dr. Ivan Misner and Hazel M. Walker: https://amz.run/4jtQ 

Mentioned resources:

• Richard Branson videos on Dr. Ivan Misner’s blog: https://ivanmisner.com/tag/richard-branson/ - “Circles of Support Concept/B Team Concept - Mentioned in timestamp (30:59) - Conversation about networking up. 
• Dr. Daniel Amen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Amen - Mentioned in timestamp (40:04) - Conversation about the concept of Dr. Misner’s book “Who’s in your room?” 

Connect with Dr. Ivan Misner:

• Website: https://www.ivanmisner.com 
• Find a BNI chapter where you live: https://www.bni.com 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivan.misner 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivanmisner/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvanMisner 
• Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEq8rtIgxbwhCQ2OEkFQUGw   

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