Do you run a business and want it to grow?

Yes. BNI brings together business owners running anything from sole proprietorships to companies employing dozens of people. Although they differ in industry, scale and business needs, the foundation of working together stays the same: building trust, valuable relationships and mutual referrals. Whether you run a service business, an accounting office or a construction company, you can grow your network among business owners who understand the value of long-term cooperation. As your business grows, its needs change too. That is why we are also developing BNI+ and Corporate Connections — communities designed for owners of larger-scale businesses. You start where you are today.

Then we will point you to another Chapter nearby where the seat for your industry is free. Larger cities have several or even a dozen or more Chapters, so a seat is usually found — a single enquiry is enough to check. Exclusivity works both ways, after all: since there is only one business from your industry in the Chapter, all the referrals in your speciality come to you. The more precisely you describe what you specialise in, the easier it is to find a free seat — and the more accurately the Chapter will refer you. We will match the Chapter to your industry and your growth plans.

We grow with you. BNI is the first step for a business owner, and for companies at a higher stage of development the same organisation runs BNI+; for even larger companies there is Corporate Connections. Many Members started in a Chapter — and because they were active, used the training and travelled to events, their businesses grew. The training system grows along with the business. You do not have to plan anything in advance — the path is ready when you need it.

Once we receive your request, we will check whether there is a seat for your speciality in local BNI Chapters and pass your details to the President of the right Chapter. They will contact you to suggest a meeting date and share everything you need to know. The Chapter will be told about your visit in advance, and at the meeting a BNI Director will help you get to know the attendees and how the meeting runs. You come as a Visitor, with no obligation, to see for yourself how BNI works and what opportunities for cooperation it offers.

Most BNI Chapters meet in the morning, usually between 7:00 and 9:00. Meetings take place every week, on a set day and at a fixed time. This regularity helps build trust, lasting relationships and effective cooperation between business owners. You will find the exact schedule in the BNI Chapter search. Some Chapters also meet online, so you can take part in meetings from anywhere.

You do not have to! As a Visitor you can briefly introduce yourself and your business, but it is not compulsory. If you decide to speak, well under a minute is enough to say what you do. You do not need any special preparation or a presentation. It is worth bringing business cards or having your contact details to hand. During the meeting you will get the guidance you need, see how it runs and have a chance to build your first business relationships.

As a BNI Member you take an active part in building business relationships and supporting each other's growth. At the weekly meetings you present your business, learn what other business owners need and exchange referrals. Regular attendance, commitment and responsibility for the referrals you pass on are an important part of Membership. Over time you can also develop your leadership skills by getting involved in running the Chapter. You can take on a role in the Leadership Team or in teams responsible for, among other things, membership, education, events and Chapter growth. BNI supports your preparation for these roles with dedicated training and development programmes.

You do not need to know straight away how to present your business effectively. BNI Directors will help you prepare your self-introduction, so that other Members get to know your speciality better and learn whom to refer you to, and in what situations. At the weekly meetings you have 60 seconds to present your business. Regular practice, support from the Directors and dedicated training help you get better at communicating the value of your offer clearly. It is a skill you will use not only in BNI, but also in meetings with clients, business conversations and when building new professional relationships.

The weekly Chapter Meeting lasts about 90 minutes and takes place at a fixed time. One-to-One meetings are also an important part of membership: business owners use them to get to know each other's businesses, specialities and customers' needs better. It is through these conversations that they build trust and learn to pass on accurate business referrals. It is worth setting aside roughly three hours a week for regular involvement in BNI. This covers Chapter Meetings, building relationships and looking for opportunities to work together. You can also develop your skills through training and BNI Academy, using the learning materials whenever it suits you.

Yes. Attendance is one of a Member’s basic commitments, but if you cannot come in a given week, you send a Substitute — that is a normal part of the system, not an exception. The Substitute passes on your referrals and your presentation, so your business is present at the meeting even when you are not.

In BNI, valuable referrals come from trust and from getting to know each other's businesses. Regular meetings and individual One-to-One conversations help Members better understand your speciality, your customers' needs and the situations in which they can recommend your services. Tracking the results of working together is also an important part of the BNI model. Every week the Chapter goes back to the referrals passed on and checks whether they have led to a business conversation or a specific job. This is what sets BNI apart from traditional networking — the cooperation is based on consistency, accountability and looking at the results.

Yes. BNI membership belongs to a specific person who represents the business. Relationships based on trust, getting to know each other and responsibility for the referrals passed on are built between business owners. That is why joining a Chapter includes a review of your application by the Membership Committee, which looks not only at your speciality but also at your credibility as a business owner and your readiness to cooperate. Regular attendance lets these relationships grow. If you cannot attend a particular meeting, however, you can send a substitute to represent your business.

Once the availability of a seat for your speciality has been checked, you can submit a Membership Application, which you will receive during your visit to the Chapter or earlier on request. After you pay the membership fees, your application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee. If the decision is positive, you will join the Chapter and begin your journey in BNI. To start with, you will receive support and introductory training to help you develop your networking skills, build trust and take an effective part in the life of the Chapter.

The decision to admit a new Member is made by the Membership Committee of the given BNI Chapter. Its task is not only to check whether a seat is available for a particular speciality, but also to assess the application in terms of credibility, business culture and readiness to cooperate. In BNI, mutual trust, responsibility for the referrals passed on and a desire for continuous development matter especially. That is why the Committee looks at the business owner's attitude, commitment and openness to supporting others. This approach helps build a community in which referrals are based on getting to know each other, trust and responsibility for the businesses being recommended.

The cost of BNI membership consists of a one-off application fee and a membership fee. Before you decide, you can visit a Chapter of your choice as a Visitor, meet its Members and see for yourself how working together looks in practice. You will learn the current fees and terms of membership before you submit your Membership Application. The application fee and the membership fee are paid together with the application, and invoicing is handled by the BNI Polska National Office. This way you make an informed decision, knowing the rules and costs of joining the organisation.