BNI members generate over $23bn through business referrals 

Business Network International (BNI) Uganda members generated over Shs 100 billion through business referrals amongst themselves in the last 12 months, Diana Ninsiima Kibuuka, national director of BNI Uganda has said.

BNI is an organization bringing together business owners solely for the purpose of helping them grow their businesses through a very structured, professional, positive, word-of-mouth referral marketing system.

Speaking during BNI East Africa Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Ninsiima said BNI has 231 members in Uganda who meet on a weekly basis. Globally, in the last 12 months, members generated business transactions among themselves worth $22.6 billion [about Shs 75 trillion] across 79 countries.

She said in a bid to thrive, each business owner must be able to specify what they are looking for in business, whether within their country or outside. In business, we are bound by tariffs and policies when it comes to trade across borders.

“What BNI allows you is a pool of credible, verified, certified proven business owners because BNI has a vetting system. Once you connect with those leaders, you are able to reach either the market you are looking for,” she stated.

Mulali Srinivasan, the keynote speaker said the BNI has been around for 38 years, and they have consistently grown in the last 38 years. Initially, they started off in the US, Canada, UK, and gradually spread across the world.

“For the last 38 years, we have established our credibility as people who are here to stay and not move along. During the Covid-19 pandemic, BNI sustained and provided the support that was required for business owners across the world to continue doing business even when the world shut down,” he stated.

He said in BNI, they only pay membership fees and there are no additional fees. Beyond that, members use the attended chapter meeting every week which provides opportunities like conferences to network.

“We have a strongly built online system where they connect with each other across the world. We have 310,000 business owners across the world,” said

Elizaphan Muraguri, the national director BNI Kenya said those who qualify to become BNI members are people who have been trying all marketing tools and are still not getting results.

“We look for people with a positive attitude because BNI requires effort. So if you’re willing to work the system and you are willing to work with people, then you qualify to be a BNI member. It is about forming relationships and working together. It’s a community of people who are willing to build each other,” he said.

He said BNI is a reliable and trusted network that helps businesses to diligently grow to the next level.