Networking

Local BNI members listen to a presentation in December 2019. There are currently six chapters in the CSRA with a total of 128 members. (Photo from Augusta BNI Facebook page) Over the past year, many business owners have struggled to survive both the pandemic and intense competition. But in that same time period, local Business Network International members have made 4,725 referrals and secured $4.3 million worth of business, according to Andy Passmore, who serves as the local BNI area director and works as a mortgage loan officer at Security

Tom D’Abruzzo, owner of BrandStorm Promotions, LLC, has sponsored Networking for Leads at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for the past four years. (Photo by Josh Heath) In today’s competitive business environment, it’s more important than ever for business leaders to be effective networkers. It’s not always about what you know; it’s about who you know that matters in business. Fortunately, there are many networking opportunities right here in the CSRA. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet about 10 local business leaders, including a few I already knew,

Time, effort, and authenticity are important ingredients to building strong, mutually beneficial relationships. The art of genuinely connecting with others and helping them climb in their own journey seems to have been forgotten over the years. As passionate entrepreneurs and business owners, it can be hard to just listen and connect with others. Listening and learning more about others and their business, vision, dreams, and goals takes an investment of time & effort that some are not willing to commit. Focusing on relationships and others can be analogous to long-term