Networking group passes business milestone

Members of a Shropshire networking group are celebrating after passing the milestone of £5million of business and a successful post-Covid bounce back.

The BNI (Business Network International) Thomas Telford business networking group was meeting face-to-face on a weekly basis in Ironbridge prior to the pandemic but swiftly moved their meetings online as they knew how important it was to continue to support each other.

The members, who have since voted to remain as an online networking group for the foreseeable future, have passed £5million of business between members since the chapter was launched in May 2010 and £66,491 during the first six months of this year.

The members have also seen the amount of business passed in the group grow each month as businesses have navigated through and out the other side of the pandemic.

Paul Naylor, chapter president, said: “Our Chapter proves quality of members comes above quantity when you are looking for business success. 

“Our members are dedicated and have supported each other throughout the pandemic and as those relationships have grown, the business figures have increased too which just shows how much business is based on relationships.

“BNI as a global organisation moved to online meetings immediately without hesitation and we had consistency and confidence in each other. We have enjoyed such fantastic success our members have voted to continue with online meetings as it has worked better for all.

“The importance of meeting face-to-face should not be underestimated though and this still happens with monthly power team meetings and one-to-one meetings throughout the week which suits the members so much better.

“Reaching the £5million milestone of business passed in the group is great and the recent weekly figures really show the success of the group right now - in June alone, we passed nearly £27,000 of business in the room between us."

Pictured: BNI Thomas Telford leadership team Jack Fallows, Paul Naylor and Rob Griffiths