Small Businesses Drive Global Economy, Says BNI

THE National Director of Business Network International (BNI) Nigeria, Mr. Chimaobi James-Agwu, has advised against underrating small businesses, even as he said that small businesses have become the lifeline of many economies in the world. 

 James-Agwu, who stated this in Lagos during an event organised by BNI Nigeria to celebrate International Networking Week, however, regretted that small business owners do not often have the resources they need to move their businesses forward. 

 He, therefore, encouraged small businesses   to network, even as he said   that “if small businesses network together, the sum of the whole becomes greater than the individual parts.”  

  International Networking Week is a week centred on helping businesses in every part of the world, including Nigeria, achieve growth and success through effective networking. An initiative of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organisation, the week presented an opportunity for networking groups, companies, organisations and individuals across the globe to start 2015 by taking proactive steps to strategically use networking to promote business growth.

 According to James-Agwu, “International Networking Week is open to business professionals, trades people, entrepreneurs, press representatives, government representatives and absolutely anyone who would like to know more about how business networking can grow individual businesses, strengthen local communities and make a powerfully positive impact on the global economic landscape.”

  James-Agwu said: “All of us are in business to make profit. But if that is the primary driving force in business, we become mercenaries to that process. We in BNI believe that we can make a good living while serving a greater good. We believe that business can be honorable. It can make a difference for both individuals and communities.

  “As we all know, small business is the engine that drives many of the economies around the world. Unfortunately, small businesses do not have the resources of large corporations. However, if small businesses network together, the sum of the whole becomes greater than the individual parts. Well-designed collaboration based on an effective system and strategy can lead to small business success. 

  “Therefore, collaboration should be part of an organisation’s culture or core values. We believe that culture eats strategy for breakfast. An organisation needs a sound strategy to succeed but it also needs a great culture to excel. For us in BNI, this approach has been about creating core values around a culture of collaboration, and collaboration is the foundation for effective business networking.” 

  He added: “We are emphasising core values and cultures. But what is the relationship between these two. Core values establish culture. It is never too late or too early to think about your core values in business and in life. Understanding your core values will help you communicate your message when you are networking with others, whether formally or informally.  

  “These core values that we in BNI have tried to apply in our life and businesses have helped to create a culture of collaboration within the context of building our various businesses. We in BNI firmly believe that this approach is not only a great way to get business, it is an even better way to do business.”

 James Agwu continued: “As has been proved time and again, business truly can be honourable. It can be something that improves people’s lives as well as supports and helps local communities. It can accomplish these aims not only by businesses helping to generate more business for one another, but also by giving back to the community, mentoring others, immersing in a culture of shared learning, and by collaborating with others. In relation to this, BNI is a perfect fit for you, for your business and for the community as has been proven in the past 30 years around the World. BNI provides a way for business to give back within communities all around the world.”