International referral organization launches chapter in BGC

BNI Executive Directors Jarmo Kihlstrom (seated, center) and Judee Quiazon (seated, fourth from right), who are leading the growth of BNI Philippines, are seen with members of Iconic, the newest chapter of BNI based in Taguig City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Business Network International (BNI), the world’s largest referral organization will launch a new chapter in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City on Thursday, May 31.

“The new chapter, which is named BNI Iconic, is a mix of business owners in the fields of technology, marketing, advertising, property development, and trading, amongst many others,” said BNI Taguig Executive Directors Jarmo Kihlstrom and Judee Quiazon.

According to Kihlstrom, their Philippines organization has been growing steadily, from just 64 members in January 2016, to more than 280 currently, “because small and medium enterprise (SME) owners realize they can increase their business through a structured, positive and professional word-of-mouth program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.”

In the last 12 months, members of BNI across the globe passed 10.1 million referrals that generated over US$14.3-billion dollars worth of business for its members. In the Philippines, 5255 referrals have been passed, generating P595.5-million worth of business for its members.

In another BNI Taguig chapter alone, BNI Elite, P144 million worth of business was generated in a span of 6 months.

The organization is built upon the idea of “Givers Gain”, says Quiazon. “Being a member of BNI is like having sales people working for you every day who market your product or service.” BNI offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts, networks and most importantly, business referrals.

BNI’s headquarters are in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Its CEO is Graham Weihmiller, and its roster has more than 233,000 members in 8,399 local chapters worldwide. The President of the new Taguig City-based Iconic chapter is Elbert Or, Chief Visual Consultant of Pushpin Visual Solutions.