Every giant leap begins with a first baby step. The Goa region Business Network International (BNI) is no different, but what makes it stand out is the amount of business generated in just a matter of five years.
The total business generated by the BNI, Goa Region for financial year April 2015 to March 2016, is a whopping Rs 144 crore. The BNI Goa recorded a business of Rs 56 crore during April to September and from October to March it showed a meteoric rise of 56 per cent and recorded a business of Rs 88 crore. And all these came from members’ referrals for each other, a perfect show of camaraderie and support for each other. Today BNI, Goa has evolved itself as the premier business organisation which has substantially contributed to the business development of Goa.
BNI, Goa at present has nine chapters which has a total of 476 members enrolled and it is growing on a weekly basis. The first chapter, Aparant was born on April 23, 2010 with 21 members, as the BNI norms are to have a minimum of 20 members to launch a chapter.
Aparant today, has about 70 members, while the newest kind in the block – Titan, has about 50 members. All members belong to a different category of business in a single chapter and no two members in the same chapter can represent same type of business.
Despite this astounding growth, the BNI, Goa region feels the need for adding one more chapter and very soon it will launch its tenth chapter at Verna Industrial Area. At present, there are six chapters in North Goa and three in South Goa.
“The growth of business generation has encouraged us. The team work amongst the members has been the biggest driver to this growth. We will soon be launching our tenth chapter,” said Rajkumar Kamat, the founder and executive director of BNI, Goa Region.
He further added that every chapter meets once a week, which as an attendance percentage of 95 per cent and above, at 8 am in the morning in their business suits in Goa.
“This punctuality and seriousness can only happen if one gets business and every meeting have some business growth. In fact, many chapters outside Goa were amazed and encouraged by the Goan standards and they are emulating us by saying that if Goa can do, then why can’t we,” said Mr Kamat.
BNI, Goa firmly believes each crore invested in business generates an average of eight jobs and BNI, Goa expects confidently that by 2020, they will generate business to the tune of Rs 1000 crore, which in-turn should generate about 8000 jobs in Goa. However, BNI, Goa is into generation of business and marketing, rather than investment as being mandated to Investment Promotion Board. For BNI, Goa, the investment will be incremental and it will be generated within the members of the BNI.
Senior Director of North Goa BNI Rasik Naik who is a member since its inception in 2010, said that, “earlier we were fishing with rods and now when we entered BNI it virtually provided us a net to fish. It helped me gain confidence and spread my own business of roofing solutions in Goa. In the last six years I can say that I received a business of about Rs 10 crore from BNI.”
Real estate advisor Prasad Amonkar has been with BNI, Goa for last three years. “As a realtor, my business depends on network and trust. There are various ways by which we can generate leads like for example from newspaper advertisements, close contacts etc. However, the conversion rate with such leads are low unless it comes from a very reliable source. When I did a turnover of Rs 10 crore in the first year of joining BNI then that made me realise the importance of BNI. About 40 per cent of my business is by the referrals provided by the BNI members. The recent Goabizfest 2016 also helped me connect with business persons outside Goa,” said
Prasad Amonkar.
Life insurance and mediclaim Advisor Khairoo Andani Khavtay is a member of BNI for last four years. “I get at least 15 per cent of my business through BNI members’ referrals. BNI has given me more visibility and new opportunities by which I have been able to meet my short-time goals and I am confident that I shall achieve my bigger goals by staying in this ever helpful set of selfless and dedicated professionals around who believe in ‘Givers Gain’,” Khairoo Khavtay told Herald.
Similarly, the founder of Tatva Element Salon and Spa, Asha Arondekar is a member of BNI, Goa since last three years said that the organisation is great platform to network. “My brand specialises in running star hotels and resorts and also set up outdoor spas for large events. BNI, Goa has helped me immensely. In the recent Goabizfest 2016, I got connected with a Mysore based entrepreneur who is interested in setting up a joint venture here which will generate jobs for 15 persons in Goa. The examples are plenty and BNI is a great tool for networking,” said Asha Arondekar.
BNI, Goa members were further encouraged by the recent visit of its global CEO Graham Weihmiller to attend Goabizfest 2016.
