How is this different from other networking groups?

Let’s start with what is similar: only one person per industry. In every other way, we are different. Yes, members can expect referrals. In fact, NIA has an industry-exclusive guaranteed ROI on every membership. However, our focus is much more on growing someone's business. We have monthly meetings instead of weekly, state-of-the-art technology, and the leader of the group is a paid professional. They are not replaced annually and are compensated for continuing to grow their group. Additionally, members are provided with software to get more five-star reviews, two professionally edited videos, a Google My Business Page consultation, a CRM system, and monthly agendas each valued at $2K or more!

Is Network In Action a competitor to BNI?

In short, no! NIA is an organization that works to help business owners and decision-makers grow their businesses. We hold monthly meetings that focus on a topic providing valuable insight with a different focus every month. No elevator pitches, no requirement to bring friends, no standing and reporting on leads passed. No volunteering. Members show up to work together to build business, and referrals happen naturally. But NIA is far more than a traditional networking group.

What is the single biggest difference between traditional networking and NIA?

Traditional networking asks members to spend 3 to 5 hours a week and recruit friends to grow the group, all while meetings focus on guests. NIA focuses the meeting time on members who receive valuable information to help them grow their business and relationships. The networking is more organic, and each month we attempt to bring you over $2K in real value!

Can a monthly meeting work?

Network In Action has been in business since 2014. Currently, we have over 300 groups in four countries, and NIA is one of the fastest-growing franchises in North America. Entrepreneur Magazine has named NIA Number One in the networking space for four straight years! This is not an experiment, just a more efficient way to build your business and create a great network of referral partners, with a written guarantee for every member!

Am I required to recruit members?

This is another difference between NIA and traditional networking. We believe you have enough to do to build your own business, so we take care of building the group. You are our client, and while you are welcome to bring your friends, you will never be required to. Most of our members end up bringing their friends because they want them to experience this great group, not because they are required to.

What if I have a non-compete with my other networking group?

On April 23, 2024, the FTC ruled against the enforcement of non-competes. We would encourage you to determine for yourself whether this clause is enforceable. A more important question might be why any organization would want to prevent a valued client from growing their business!

NIA claims they are a technology company. What does that mean?

We believe we have the best technology in the industry. It starts with a very intuitive smartphone app for members to stay connected on the days they are not meeting. But it does not end there. NIA can actually launch a new franchise in 42 minutes! We have been able to provide solutions utilizing technology that have long plagued networking groups. Our technology changes the structure of monthly meetings and allows us to provide the most efficient tools in the market.

What role does the NIA franchise owner play?

We refer to the leaders of the group as community builders. These community builders do just that: they build out groups of like-minded individuals, one person per industry, who are all interested in growing their organizations and creating the most efficient networking possible. These franchise owners, as you might imagine, are well trained and supported. While they may be independent business owners, they are part of one of the largest networking organizations in the country. The corporate office is responsible for providing technology, methodology, and ongoing support. The franchise owner will not only act as the membership committee, being very selective about who they put in the group, but they will also run professionally orchestrated monthly gatherings.

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Category: What Is Network In Action?

My name is Louisa deason, and I got started with Network in Action as a member of Network Connection in the Memorial area in Houston, Texas.

I've been very, very tired of networking the wrong way. When I entered Network in Action, I realized it was a whole different, like the next level with people and business owners who were making decisions about their businesses, helping close bigger sales. So, what attracted me to Network in Action was that I was dealing with people who could make decisions right away, and I was dealing with technology that allowed me to not spend so much time at networking events but rather be a lot more intentional and purposeful about the relationships I was building within that Network.

So, one of the things that attracted me to Network in Action was I'd been networking most of my life, but I was networking the wrong way. The wrong way for me in creating businesses and trying to build them successfully in sales was always trying to go to networking events with a multitude of people. People who were just interested in drinking or picking up business cards, and that would happen to me. But then I'd get home and I'd go, "What was the point and purpose of picking up this individual's card?"

What I started realizing is that the moment you start getting together with the right people and talking about the right things that happen in business, and you connect with like-minded people, it becomes a lot more intentional and purposeful so that you can close that sale. And that's exactly what I was looking for. Network Connection has worked for me, not only as a prior member of Network in Action but now as a franchise owner two years in. I can tell you that we're making a real difference in the way that people network today.

Would I do this all over again with Network in Action? Absolutely. I've never been more impressed with a platform and a group and an organization of like-minded individuals that actually take the time to really look forward to helping others so greatly in their sales.

The training that Network in Action has offered me as a franchise owner has been absolutely wonderful. This is not something that I have to kind of guess and try to figure out on my own. I'm going to apply things that I think work best for my particular groups. But at the end of the day, the training has been phenomenal. The technology platform that we use and the things that continue to be added, not just for franchise owners but for the members of my own organization, is unlike anything that we've ever experienced before. There are no competitors out there with Network Connection.

I'd have to say that the first tip that I would suggest to anybody looking at purchasing a Network in Action franchise is, do you and have you lived in your area long enough to really wrap yourself around the idea of creating power teams within your groups? And I'm not talking about power groups with people who are successful in business. Maybe you have people who are hungry in business. The thing that I would focus on is, do you have someone interested in creating the wealth and creating the relationships that ultimately will last a lifetime with Network in Action.

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Category: What Is Network In Action?

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Category: What Is Network In Action?

Connector, supporter, and business grower, Jennifer’s driving force is helping business owners make meaningful connections, expand their referral base, and surpass their financial goals. She runs three NIA groups in Houston, Texas.

What’s your why?

I love this question. I know it sounds corny, but my why is that I love to help people. When I make an introduction that works and people make their business stronger, that’s the reason I get out of bed in the morning. Before I put my feet on the floor every single morning, I’m asking, Who can I help today? What difference can I make today? Whose business can I help today? That is such a great, satisfying, motivating factor. I just want to help people; I want to make a difference. It’s a passion of mine. I get goosebumps thinking about it.

Why did you buy an NIA franchise?

Before NIA, I was a realtor, and the best part of being a real estate agent was networking. In fact, I loved networking so much I launched a BNI Chapter—another networking organization— and was president of that chapter for about two years. I loved forming and managing the group, but it was purely a volunteer situation. I must have spent at least twenty-five hours a week running the chapter but never saw any income from that. After my terms were done, it was time to step back and re-evaluate what I wanted to do. I started to think, I’ve got to be able to make a living at this and turn it into a real business. I just wanted to do something I wanted to do. I’m fifty-four, and I just wanted to have a good time and love what I do every time I put my feet on the floor in the morning. Then somebody that we both know introduced me to you. I must say the world works in mysterious ways. You always have to be open and ready for an introduction and open to the possibilities. After I talked to you and learned more about Network In Action, I knew in my heart and my gut that I could do this—that I have to do this. It’s hard work—I’m on the phone or at appointments all day—but I’m loving it. I love meeting people and connecting them with each other.

How is owning a Network In Action franchise different than running a BNI group?

Other than getting paid well, I think the main difference is that I’m the membership committee, I’m the voting committee, I’m the recruiting committee, I make the final decision—good or bad—about who’s going to be in the group. Personally, I think I have a knack for that. I’m a Pisces, and I can tell pretty much 99 percent of the time if somebody is going to be a good fit or not— and not everybody is a good fit. Sometimes that’s a tough call, but you have to do what’s best for the group as a whole.

What jumps out at you as a big differentiator between Network In Action and traditional networking?

I think the most exclusive difference is the guaranteed ROI. What other networking group does this? I don’t know of anyone, and I’m out there a lot. That makes it a no-brainer. People literally have nothing to lose. Where else can you say that?

In your own words, tell me what you do within the context of your Network In Action franchise.

I’m absolutely living my best life. I’m having the most fun and really doing what I love, love, love to do—connecting people and helping their businesses grow. I’ve got three to five appointments a day, so I’m out of the house meeting people, having coffees and lunches, networking, going to events—I just go to everything I can because you never know who you’re going to meet and how that will help someone. I’m not just going out to recruit members—I’m also there representing the members who are already in my groups. Unlike other networking organizations, this is my full-time job and I’m working for my members. I’m out meeting people so I can make introductions that make their businesses stronger. I’ve got boots on the ground when they don’t have time to do that.

Tell me about one of your members’ success stories.

I tell my husband all day, “Oh, this person did that, and this person did this—here are all the success stories that people have experienced!” My group is only five months old and 99 percent of the members have already made their membership fee back— some by tens of thousands of dollars. A dear friend of mine who is a member has new clients she would have never met before, and her business is picking up. I also have a member who has gotten clients and she’s doing videos and hosting speaking engagements at seminars. My favorite story is that my new member gained four new clients during one happy hour event. As you can see, my members are just doing really well, and we’re all having so much fun.

What do you believe is the future of networking?

I think COVID taught us that we really do need each other. We need human interaction; whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, we need to be together. We thrive on that, some more than others. But I think the future is that we’re building relationships—especially with NIA. This isn’t about tracking numbers or tracking dots or counting anything. This is about building long-lasting, beneficial relationships; and with beneficial relationships comes business. That’s how it works. I think that’s the model that we’re living in. In every meeting, we are a thriving group built on kindness, love, and support. That’s where business will come from—those three main components.

What would you say to business owners who haven’t had experience networking?

It will change your bottom lines drastically. When you go into a group, you’ve got a built-in marketing team, you’ve got a built- in mastermind team, you’ve got a built-in sales strategy team, all in one group. It’s amazing! You don’t have to go and do the hard work or the hard sell; just be yourself. From that, you will build relationships and those people will be your support team. Through thick or thin, they will be there for you. It will make a huge difference in your business, no matter what it is. If you’re a lawyer or a doctor or a vet or a mortgage person or a realtor—it will make a tremendous impact. Don’t be afraid to show up; people will take care of you.

What would you say to anyone considering joining Network In Action as a member?

Do it! Don’t waste another day of opportunity; join a group now. I mean this from the bottom of my heart, you will not find a better networking organization. I can speak truthfully about that because I attend many events, but nothing compares to NIA. Don’t be afraid of the price. It will pay for itself—tenfold, twenty-fold, a hundredfold—if you show up and build relationships. Even if you’re an introvert, you will succeed here.

On a scale of one to ten, how much freedom of time have you experienced being an NIA franchisee?

The freedom of time is very much my own, so I give it a 10- plus. I have the flexibility of traveling with my husband. In fact, I’ve already had a vacation or two since I started owning my franchise. I worked on vacation for a couple hours—it never, never turns off—but I have the flexibility to work anywhere, and I love the work, so I do a lot of it.

On a scale of one to ten, how much earning potential do you have with Network In Action?

It might be cliché to say the sky is the limit, but it really is, though. The earning potential of owning my franchise puts the control in my hands, and the potential is endless. In real estate, I was at the mercy of buyers and sellers who could be very fickle—but not here. I have control of when, what, and how money comes in. It’s all up to me and the effort I put in. And believe me, I’m going to do very well.

On a scale of one to ten, where are you in terms of being satisfied and being able to give back to your community?

I’m not just saying this, but I think one hundred. That’s the best part of this. The money is important; I appreciate that. Time, flexibility—it’s important. But giving back to my community is the most important thing to me. It’s beyond satisfying to know that we’re changing lives, changing the trajectory of families— we’re paying for college educations, we’re creating sound nest eggs, and we’re giving people freedom that they may not have had otherwise. And besides, I’m too old; I wouldn’t do this if it didn’t make that kind of difference.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could go back and start your franchise over?

I wouldn’t rely on my warm leads. Once you’ve given prospects the opportunity, that’s it. Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving. If they’re interested, they’ll catch up with you. And they usually do!

What would you tell someone looking at Network In Action as a future franchisee?

Do it! Your life will never be the same, and I mean that in the most positive way. If you’re ready to take your future into your own hands, make a very good salary, meet amazing people, and make a huge difference in the lives of those in your community, then now is the time to invest in a NIA franchise.

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