BNI Business Connect

🏠 Last week's feature presentation at BNI Business Connect was delivered by Steve Tempest from Mortgage Advice Bureau - Hinckley, who showed us that mortgage advice is about much more than simply buying your next home.

Steve talked through some of the different situations where he and his team can help – from re-mortgaging to fund an extension or alterations, through to navigating bigger life changes such as a breakup or divorce.

There are also times when the numbers simply need another look. Perhaps disposable income is becoming tighter, circumstances have changed, or an elderly relative is considering releasing equity from their home. Having someone who understands the options available can make those conversations much easier.

The key message was simple: mortgages aren't just something to think about when you're moving house.

With a team of experts behind him, Steve can help people understand their options and find a way forward that's appropriate for their circumstances.

Thank you, Steve, for an informative presentation and a great insight into the many different ways Mortgage Advice Bureau Hinckley can support people. 👏

If you'd like to learn more about the businesses in our chapter and build relationships with a supportive group of local business owners, we'd love to welcome you to BNI Business Connect as a visitor.

🏆 Congratulations to this week's TESSA (The Excellent Sixty Second Award) winner, Steve Friendship from Large Scale Film!

The Excellent Sixty Second Award celebrates members who deliver a clear, engaging and specific 60-second presentation, helping fellow members understand how they can generate great referrals.

Recognition is one of BNI's Core Values, and we're delighted to recognise Steve's achievement this week.

Steve from Large Scale Film creates compelling videos that bring products, services, brands and company values to life.

Congratulations once again, Steve! Well deserved.

Everyone wants more referrals.

But the strongest referrals are rarely immediate.

They begin with a conversation.
That conversation builds a relationship.
The relationship creates trust.
Trust leads to recommendations.
And recommendations build a reputation.

Great networking is not about selling harder. It is about building genuine relationships with people who understand, trust and are happy to recommend you.

Do that consistently, and opportunities start finding you.

💻 This week's feature presentation at BNI Business Connect was delivered by Sharon Lewin from Kudos Designs and Websites Ltd, who shared how the right website can help businesses win more enquiries and convert more visitors into customers.

Using real-life case studies, Sharon showed examples of websites before and after working with Kudos, demonstrating how improvements to design, content and user experience can make a real difference.

One of the biggest takeaways was that a website isn't something you build once and forget about. Like any successful business, it needs regular updates to keep working effectively. Sharon also explained why DIY website builders aren't always the best long-term solution. While they can be a good starting point, they often become restrictive as a business grows.

What makes Sharon's approach different is that she doesn't expect busy business owners to write all the content themselves. Instead, she works with them to understand their business and create the website together, helping turn ideas into a finished website rather than another unfinished task.

Thank you, Sharon, for a practical and thought-provoking presentation that reminded us our websites should be one of our hardest-working business tools. 👏

If you'd like to experience informative presentations like this and meet a friendly group of local business owners, we'd love to welcome you to BNI Business Connect as a visitor.

🏆 Congratulations to this week's TESSA (The Excellent Sixty Second Award) winner, Alison Preston from NuMe Health Coaching!

The Excellent Sixty Second Award celebrates members who deliver a clear, engaging and specific 60-second presentation, helping fellow members understand how they can generate great referrals.

Recognition is one of BNI's Core Values, and we're delighted to recognise Alison's achievement this week.

Alison from NuMe Health Coaching helps busy professionals improve their health through realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes.

Congratulations once again, Alison! Well deserved.

📦 Last week's feature presentation at BNI Business Connect was delivered by Hannah from David Gilkes & Sons Ltd, who brought plenty of fun to the morning with a circus-themed quiz all about the world of professional removals.

Members were challenged with a series of questions about how belongings are packed, transported and protected, with audience participation making it a fantastic way to learn. One of the biggest takeaways? There's far more to a cardboard box than meets the eye! Choosing the right box and packing items correctly can make all the difference to ensuring treasured possessions arrive safely.

Hannah also shared the wide range of services David Gilkes provides, including house removals, secure storage, specialist moves and confidential paper shredding. Backed by years of experience, a friendly team and expert packing techniques, they help take the stress out of moving home while treating every customer's belongings with the care they deserve.

Thank you, Hannah, for such an engaging and informative presentation. It certainly gave us all a new appreciation for the skill that goes into a professional move! 👏

If you'd like to meet local businesses, learn something new every week and build valuable relationships, we'd love to welcome you to BNI Business Connect as a visitor.

🌍 Last week, Business Connect welcomed a very special visitor — Mike Slagle, a fellow BNI member from Show Me Referrals Mid Missouri.

We’d like to think he heard such good things about our chapter that he flew halfway across the world just to visit us…

Or he may have already been on holiday nearby. We’ll let you decide. 😆

It was fantastic to have you with us, Mike. Thank you for joining us and helping make this week’s meeting such a memorable one!

🏆 Congratulations to this week's TESSA (The Excellent Sixty Second Award) winner, Sima Chauhan from Travel by Sima (Not Just Travel)!

The Excellent Sixty Second Award celebrates members who deliver a clear, engaging and specific 60-second presentation, helping fellow members understand how they can generate great referrals.

Recognition is one of BNI's Core Values, and we're delighted to recognise Sima's achievement this week.

Sima from Not Just Travel creates holidays to remember, making sure everything goes smoothly and your trip is remembered for all the right reasons—not as a holiday from hell!

Congratulations once again, Sima! Well deserved.

🏆 Congratulations to our Networker of the Month, Valerie Viot from Together Against Cancer!

Each month, our Networker of the Month award recognises a member who has made an outstanding contribution to our chapter.

Valerie was recognised for her outstanding commitment to Business Connect by generating an incredible £16,933 of Thanked Business for fellow members during June.

Congratulations once again, Valerie, on this fantastic achievement. Well deserved!