In 1985, Dr. Ivan Misner founded BNI--Business Network Int'l. It began when he assembled a group of friends in Arcadia, California, to exchange business referrals. There was some overlap in the professions represented by the people who attended. As a result, these people asked Ivan to start another group in Pasadena and promised to get twenty people to come to it. The overlapping occurred again in Pasadena. 

Soon BNI had several chapters. In less than fifteen years, it has grown to thousands of chapters throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa, with new chapters continually forming. As of 2000, members of BNI have passed over five million referrals to one another, producing more than $2 billion in business for the participants. 



The mission of the organization is to teach business professionals that the word-of-mouth process is more about farming than it is hunting: it's about the cultivation of professional relationships in a structured business environment for the mutual benefit of all.



1. I will provide the quality of services at the prices that I have quoted.
2. I will be truthful with the members and their referrals. 
3. I will build goodwill and trust among members and their referrals.
4. I will take responsibility for following up on the referrals I receive.
5. I will live up to the ethical standards of my profession.
6. I will display a positive and supportive attitude with the members of my chapter.

International
http://www.bni.com

New York
http://www.bni-newyork.com

Regional
http://www.bniweb.com