Americans are famous for two things: amazing BBQ and an incredible ability to network with people. Business leaders are starting to utilize different networks as an attempt to gather contacts and market themselves. No matter where you live or what you do, you are part of several networks; but what sets Americans apart from the rest of the world is that we’re good at utilizing both our business networks as well as our private ones.

As we approach the end of summer, now is the time to combine what has proven to be the most successful networking method together with your grill skills! The networking method we’re referring to is BNI.

BNI is a referral organization where main focus is to help one another to connect and create new business. By creating your own BBQ BNI in your backyard you will combine great food, a chance to meet friends and their friends and at the same time have the opportunity to develop new and exciting business and partnerships for your company. It requires a bit of planning, and the number one thing for a successful BNI is that people from different industries are represented.

Make sure to compile a list of your friends that you want to invite and write down the industry that they represent. Once you have the list done you can move on and start planning the second most important thing. The food! After attending a numerous different networking events we can establish that one of the things always mentioned when people summarize their experience is if there was anything to eat. Sometimes you will even get a detailed description of what kind of food, snacks, and/or appetizers that you could munch on. Nobody who arranges a networking event wants the attendees to leave because they’re hungry. Last but not least, don’t forget to tell people to bring business cards. You want to make it easy for your guests to follow up quickly and efficiently.

One of the advantages of having your own BBQ BNI is the setting. Chances are you will have a far more relaxed social networking event since nobody has been forced to connect with one another just because they wear a name-tag with an industry that they know they have to interact with. Let’s face it, there have been too many times that you just want to leave that stale and stiff networking event where 38 of the 40 business people there feel slightly uncomfortable.

So, light that fire and get your business moving before fall is here!