Networking Now:

I founded BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization, on a philosophy called Givers Gain.  Now, 25 years later, BNI has grown into an organization that spans more than 40 countries and has a membership of more than 111,000 people who meet every week to pass each other business referrals.  Last year alone, BNI generated more than $2.3 billion (USD) in business for our members worldwide, and this year, even in in a down economy, I wouldn’t be surprised if that number is even higher.

Why am I telling you all of this about BNI?  Believe it or not, it is not because I’m trying to plug my organization.  I’m telling you all of this because I’m trying to show you how powerful the Givers Gain philosophy is.  It’s simple, really . . . when you genuinely show an interest in others and help them build their business, they will naturally want to do the same for you. That is the No. 1 reason BNI has been so successful.

If you want to hear more about how you can greatly build your success by simply being of service to others, listen to the upcoming interview I have scheduled with Ariel & Shya Kane of the Being Here radio show.  The episode is called “Being of Service: A New Possibility,” and we’ll be discussing how to have success in business and life and, in particular, how being of service to others can be a great business model.

The show will air at 9 a.m. Pacific (click here to adjust the time zone according to where in the world you will be listening from) next Wednesday, Nov. 18, and you can listen live or access the archived recording at a later date.

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON LISTENING TO NEXT WEEK’S LIVE BROADCAST or INSTRUCTIONS ON ACCESSING THE ARCHIVED RECORDING IN THE FUTURE.

OK, wait, let me rephrase that . . . ask me any business networking question–not just any question. If you’re thinking along the lines of embarrassing moments and possible blackmail material, then you’re out of luck on this one ( Sorry, I’ve still got disclaimers on the brain after my blog about the legal system! )

Anyway, I’m happy to announce that AskIvanMisner.com is now live, and this is your chance to ask me any question you have about how to build your personal and professional network.

On the third Tuesday of each month, beginning on Nov. 17 (10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern), I’ll be conducting a FREE, live teleseminar, co-hosted by my friend Alex Mandossian, where I’ll answer a handful of questions selected from those submitted on AskIvanMisner.com.

I’m encouraging anyone and everyone to log on and submit a question for me. You’ll be given the call-in number once you’ve submitted your question, and it’s perfectly fine with me if you invite any of your friends and/or business colleagues to join the FREE calls as well.

I’m looking forward to reading your questions, so log onto AskIvanMisner.com now and ask away!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Speakers-Authors Networking Group (SANG) in Las Vegas and got to spend some time talking with my good friend Marci Shimoff.  Marci is one of the teachers in the movie The Secret and I met her some years ago at a meeting of Jack Canfield’s Transformational Leadership Council, of which we are both members.  While in Vegas, Marci shared with me some ideas from her new book, Happy for for No Reason. I found her ideas about finding happiness amid a recession to be particularly valuable, so I’d like to share them with you here.

Marci’s “Rx for the Recession,” as she calls it, is to follow these four simple techniques:

1. Reach out and touch someone.  Schedule time every day to call or visit someone you love or care about.

2. Anchor yourself to silence.  Take a moment to step off the hamster wheel of your everyday activity and just “be” for a change  . . .  sit quietly, close your eyes and breathe.

3)  Become a “joy juice barista.”  Your brain contains natural happiness-enhancing neurochemicals–endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.  Use this to your advantage by releasing those chemicals as much as possible through proper nutrition, exercise, getting plenty of rest, and–simply enough–smiling.

4) Don’t just stand there, express yourself.  When you’re being creative, the parts of the brain associated with fear, anxiety and worry are less active.  So instead of stewing about the state of the economy, think of a creative project you can begin or a workshop you can take.

“In times of uncertainty,” Marci says, “when the events in your life seem beyond your control, the key to staying afloat–and even thriving–is to find that place of unshakable peace and well-being inside.  Join the ranks of the resilient by becoming ‘happy for no reason.’  It’s the best Rx for the recession there is.”

I can tell you from firsthand experience that Marci is a person who really walks the talk.  She has achieved a significant amount of success by putting her ideas about maintaining a positive mindset into action. I highly recommend her material to all.  If you’d like to find out more about Marci and her new book, click here.

Welcome to the “Networking Now” Blog here at Entrepreneur.com.  My name is Ivan Misner and I am the Founder & Chairman of BNI – the world’s largest business networking organization and the Senior Partner for the Referral Institute – the world’s leading referral training organization.

I am looking forward to creating an environment where we can talk about topics related to relationship networking, referral marketing, and maybe a few other themes from time to time in a way that helps you, as an Entrepreneur, to improve and develop your networking and marketing skills to grow your business. 

Make sure to check back in on a regular basis.  I promise you that we will cover some interesting topics as I travel the world networking with some leading experts on business and marketing.

All the best.

Dr. Ivan Misner
September 17, 2007