My name is Rodney Grocock and I am a local business man based in SPALDING, Up until very recently I had never heard of the initials BNI and I had no idea what they stood for and what BNI was all about until I was invited by a member of the Spalding Chapter of BNI to attend a Breakfast Meeting.

I attended two meetings as a visitor and I very quickly formed the opinion that this could be extremely beneficial for my business and I decided to join BNI as a member.

I have now had six meetings as a member and in this time VANTAGE has generated an additional £8,000 worth of business. This £8,000 worth of business would have never come my way if I had not decided to join BNI. These are the types of questions I asked when I was a visitor and I hope the questions and answers are beneficial to you and, hopefully, convince you that BNI could be what your company needs in the future.

Question: What does "BNI" stand for?

Answer: BNI stands for Business Network International.

Question: What does "BNI" do?

Answer: BNI is a business and professional networking organisation. It’s like having dozens of sales people working for you and your Company.

Question: Why do business people join BNI?

Answer: BNI is an ideal format to promote your individual business within a networking format. They join to increase the amount of referrals to their own business from non-competing business people within the Chapter. Only one trade or profession can join a BNI Chapter. BNI meet every Wednesday morning at 6.45am and the meeting ends at 8.30am prompt – early start but the meeting will not encroach on the day-to-day running of your business. As well as enjoying a very nice breakfast, each individual business within the Chapter is given a platform from which to promote their own particular field. Equipped with a selection of business cards from each member and a comprehensive knowledge of what each business has to offer all members are then geared up to promote each member’s business. It’s like having dozens of sales people working for you.

Question: What’s in it for my business and why should I join?

Answer: BNI is an extremely cost-effective way of promoting your business. Quality leads obtained from BNI referrals can readily be converted to that all important sale. To have dozens of BNI members acting as your sales force supplying you with quality referrals is a massive incentive for anyone to join. This year alone, since January 2007, the Spalding Branch of BNI has passed over 1,200 referrals to the Spalding Chapter of BNI.

Question: What does it cost?

Answer: You only pay an initial £100 registration fee and an annual subscription of £400 plus VAT. Over the year, you will achieve more sales and make considerably more than your registration and annual subscription fee – so you really can’t lose!

The Spalding Chapter of BNI has decided to hold an OPEN DAY & BUSINESS FAYRE in the MARQUEE HALL, SPRINGFIELDS, EXHIBITION CENTRE, SPALDING, LINCOLNSHIRE on the 9th September 2007 from 10am to 5pm..

If you are a business that needs help to increase profits or you are just interested in the BNI concept then why not come along to SPRINGFIELDS? You will be able to have a chat and some refreshments and see what you, as a company, can get out of it. It’s FREE ENTRY to the Marquee Hall and you won’t be disappointed. We will leave you with the following comment:

“A unique opportunity to meet BOSSES/SENIOR MANAGEMENT to discuss how your business can also achieve increased profits and exceed all possible targets by joining the Spalding Chapter of BNI.”

A SPALDING window firm is putting the buyer in the driving seat with a unique scheme. Vantage lets customers looking to buy new windows, doors or conservatories price up their own project without the help of high-pressure salesmen. Instead, user-friendly information sheets show the style, size and cost of a wide range of products and what would have been the salesman’s commission is passed on to the customer as a saving. The only time you see a member of the Vantage team is when you are ready to confirm costing, sizing and your overall order.

However, for those whose project is more bespoke, experienced staff are on hand to offer advice. With more than 20 years’ experience in the uPVC double glazing industry, senior partner, Rodney Grocock said: “Our business approach is uniquely different to others in our industry".
“We understand that people don’t want to be hassled or pressured into buying".
“Customers often have a firm idea of what they want and we wanted to make it really easy for them to price up their own project".
“If they need advice then we are always available to help”

Vantage of Bank House Farm, The Delph, works within a 25-mile radius of Spalding covering Grantham, Stamford, Kings Lynn and Peterborough. Each project is expertly managed from start to finish.

SPRINGFIELDS Events Centre in Spalding has been given a makeover with a new painted exterior and conservatory entrance.

South Holland Flower Queen, Rebecca Rayner and her deputy Joanna Coaton cut the opening ceremony ribbon at the new conservatory, which was supplied and fitted by Vantage Windows and Conservatories.

The company was only given a short time to fit the conservatory but managed to keep pace with Springfields’ busy summer schedule to get it ready in time for the Willow Foundation Ball, the Prom Ball and three weddings.

Rodney Grocock of Vantage Windows said: “We hope visitors to the event centre will enjoy it for many years to come.”

Guests toast the opening of Springfields Event Centre’s new entrance.