Hello Shoreline East Members, Guests and Visitors,

As previously discussed, we are very lucky to have had early, significant growth in our Chapter and to be one of the largest BNI Chapters in Connecticut.  At one time, we moved our focus from growth to assuring quality members.  As we look around the room on any given Tuesday, I believe we have succeeded in that regard.  Another goal of a previously Leadership Team was to increase the quality of referrals.  This is certainly apparent in our closing ratios (that are simply outstanding).  One of the goals of the present Leadership Team is to add some additional quality members to our group to complement existing members in power teams and to create additional power teams.  We welcome the recent addition of Dustin Galvin and Alphonse Balzano, Esq.  They represent a step in this direction.  With guests this week such as Paul Canestri of Canestri Plumbing and Heating and Noah Meyer of Levey Miller Maretz, a commercial realtor and commercial property manager, you can see the quality people that our Chapter is attracting.

Those of you who aren’t present power team members should look around the room this week and see what members would be particularly suited to assist you in business.  Form a power team with these members.  Once you are together with your power team, your goal should be not only assisting each other but seeking and adding new members to our BNI Chapter that can assist the power team you’ve created.  By focusing on quality members that do not create conflict with existing members, we will strengthen not only the power teams, but Shoreline East BNI as a whole.  As you know, by doing this the results will be exponential.

Our Leadership Team has goals for the Chapter.  You as members need to have your own goals to assure a successful BNI experience.  For those of you who are not in a power team, that goal should begin with joining one or forming one.

Speaker/Presentation - Beth Leamon

Beth Leamon of Murtha Cullina, an Estate Planning and Probate Litigation Attorney, was our speaker this week.  Beth is very knowledgeable in her area of the law.  By combining that with a terrific personality and client relations skills, it is no wonder why she is a “rising star” in her field.

Guests & Vistors

As indicated above, it was a pleasure to have Noah Meyer and Paul Canestri here with us this week.  While speaking with Noah, it was immediately apparent who his potential power team members could be.  Paul Canestri is a guest that came with “built-in” testimonials.  Members from around the room who have used his services had great things to say about his company.

MSP Training is required for all presenters! Upcoming sessions are:
February 2nd in Norwich.
RSVP at http://bnict.com/events.html

To download The Dance Card Planner, login to this website on the home page and click on Fast Track To Success.

One-to-One Meetings 
Have you had a 1-to-1 this week? Members are encouraged to set up 1 to 1 meetings with new members to help them hit the ground running. You can even log in to this website and write about it! See "How to Submit an article" or submit one now! (login required)

Closing Ratios (HOT numbers this week!)
Last week we passed 28 referrals and closed 29 for an 103% closing ratio! 

Open Classifications - Please make an effort to focus on a Plumber, Haidresser and CPA.

This week’s 10-minute presentation was by Guy Esposito of Repellapest.  His presentation was compelling and frightening (bed bugs) at the same time.  It is clear that Guy possesses the two business traits we discussed over the last two weeks.  He has the “consider it done” attitude and passion for what he does.  He has a following of very satisfied customers, which are a testament to the quality of his work.



At this week's meeting, Jim Pease of Puro Clean was our featured speaker. 

Puro Clean is much more than a water and mold remediation company.  We also learned that Jim, with his masters degree in environmental engineering, is much more qualified than most in his industry.  His enthusiasm for his work is evident.

This week we heard from Mary Stager from re-thinc.  Mary showed today her passion for helping small businesses with 25 or less employees propel their business to the next level.  Mary showed today how she helps the business owner find out where their ultimate goal is and what they would like to achieve.

House and yard need work? Body and soul? SEBN came through.

This Letter to the Editor of the Madison Patch (from Lurrae Lupone) outlines the many services provided by Shoreline East Members for restoration of damage from Hurricane Irene.

http://madison-ct.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-after-irene-sebn-to-the-rescue

Thanks to designer Paul Halagan, Printer Dan Litwin and Feng Shui specialist Lurra Lupone, Shoreline East now has business cards for its valued members.

Brandishing the familiar logo of the Shoreline East Business Network, the two-sided card allows members to address their information as desired to any and all recipients.

Trusted Members Serving the Greater Connecticut Shoreline
Whether connecting with a prospective member, a prosective client or a referral for a fellow member, these unique, attractive calling cards  bring to bear the many powerful and helpful resources of Shoreline East.

Dan Litwin, owner of Young's Printing in Middletown, produced thousands of these cards at no cost to members.

The cards also provide a central contact email address, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) from which both clients and prospects' messages will be routed to SEBN members with specialties most appropriate for each inquiry.