Thread by @ondoga

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Many of us have heard about BNI however may have some questions around what they do and who they are, the Country Director of BNI @DNKibuuka is on to share about the power of effective networking though BNI.
@rkabushenga @Comrade_Otoa

twitter.com/i/spaces/1YpKk…

@DNKibuuka , uses an analogy from a book by Adam Grant "Give and Take- Why Helping Others Drives Our Success" in which he categories people as givers, matchers and takers.
Givers burn out, matchers survive and takers are eventually thrown out.

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@DNKibuuka explains that @BNI_official_pg operates on the principal that if there are more givers, then everyone benefits.

In Networks, what value are you bringing? What are you giving?
She says you cannot be the one always taking. Always give something of value
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BNI is Business Network International and is present in 74 countries.
Utilize word of mouth referral marketing.
Started in 2015 in Ug and since then has generated biz of about 49Bn among it's 100+ strong team.

Work with tested and checked organisations that must be compliant.

RK: How do you overcome fear to successfully network?

@DNKibuuka says everyone is networked by virtue of having connection.
Introversion does not mean you cannot have connections with other people. Just that you are not as loud as the extroverts.

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@DNKibuuka says networking is about building relationships and introverts are great at networking because they are better listeners.

She recommends having a plus one that can introduce you to others.
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Networking allows you to scale ideas because you are sharing with others and bringing other people along your journey.

Approach it from a mentality perception rather than scarcity.
@DNKibuuka

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@DNKibuuka recommends Toastmasters as a great place to network and build communication skills too.
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One Toastmaster clubs in Uganda is @BukotoTM1

@rkabushenga
@Comrade_Otoa

Let your purpose drive your networks.
It's not about who you know but if that person you know can open up their networks to you.
Your why should guide you and be authentic as pretense can be detected.

@DNKibuuka

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The person that you are will show in any interaction so start by self analysis and fix that.

What guides @DNKibuuka is that she chooses who she lets into her space. She is intentional on who she relates with. Check your 5 friends.
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Engage people on the things they are interested in so that you understand the person rather than they only looking at what the person has to offer.

Then, be a giver, always!
@DNKibuuka

I thought of Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence people.
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@rkabushenga recommends that;
1.Ahead of an engagement, find out who else will be there
2. Find out about them
3. Prepare five questions that you can ask as these can generate conversation and you may not even have to say much.

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Be intentional about keeping the relationships as you exit a group.

Manage it and let it be an honourable exit. Do not leave in a way that leaves a negative trail.
@DNKibuuka

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@DNKibuuka dwells abit on authenticity to emphasize that we need to be ourselves, be comfortable in our own skins and do an inward search on how you can be authentic.
This authenticity goes even as far as dressing. Do You!!!
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@rkabushenga
@Comrade_Otoa

For those in school, @DNKibuuka advises that never underestimate the people that you are with today.
Choose people for their values and their character.

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If you're a giver @DNKibuuka clarifies that one needs to;
1. Set their boundaries
2. Find ways to recharge.

In BNI, different businesses share about themselves as a way to pitch what they offer and appeal to the emotional connection of their business.

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How strongly can you articulate your WHY?.
@DNKibuuka prompts to challenge businesses in framing their communication to their customers or prospective customers.

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Importance of a mentor in business:
@DNKibuuka says you need to be in the same space and look out for people who have walked the journey.

She recommends coaches for young people rather than mentors.
Mentors share and coaches stretch you so that you achieve your full potential

@DNKibuuka benefitted from a coach who explained to her that;
1. She is the master of her journey and,
2. She has to paint the picture of her vision along the paths of life that she chooses

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@DNKibuuka always shows up authentically and very gracefully. An accomplished matcher and giver, she insists on networking by bringing value to spaces and being a giver rather than a taker.
Thank you Diana and @rkabushenga and your co-host @Comrade_Otoa .