If you are in business, an individual or a company, emerging or established, BRX could be for you. Do note though, only one trade or profession (discipline) can belong to each Group.

Please contact us on 01707 644822 for further details

From the landing (front) page of the website proceed to the home page. Hover over the Region of your choice and all the Groups in that Region will appear.

Open up the Group or Groups of interest. Then call the Regional Partner who will take you through the details and arrange for you to visit a BRX Group.

There is no obligation and you will not be pressured to join. If you like what you see contact the Regional Partner again or the Group Representative and they will take it from there.

Simple. Participate, attend diligently, listen for others, take a role, however small, in your Group, study and implement the wisdom in your BRX literature.

For starters say who you are, what you do and why you are good at what you do and importantly what specific, yes specific referrals you are looking for. End with a memorable slogan, ask an experienced member/mentor to help you.

Complete your presentation reminding who you are and where you are based.

There is quite a deal of information about presentations. 1, 5, 10 minute presentations in The BRX Business and Personal Development Programme literature.

BRX meetings are structured to give members the maximum opportunity and benefit to build trust and understanding about each others business. Your objective is to ensure that members are confident to refer colleagues to their contacts beyond the Group and be able to recognise opportunities for each other.

After informal networking, members have the opportunity to present their needs to each other, asking for the connections that will benefit their business, whether to clients or businesses with whom they have a synergy.

Many meetings feature a 10 minutes spotlight on one member, enabling them to describe their business in more depth or develop understanding in other ways. At other times, Groups will brainstorm current business issues, break into smaller Groups to focus on one business or take other steps to help build relationships and understanding to a stronger level.

Each meeting ends with a referral and feedback session, where people pass their business contacts to each other, followed by more informal networking.

Further details can be found in ‘Getting Started with BRX’ and the ‘Business and Personal Development Programme’ literature.

Your membership investment in BRX is £50.00 + VAT (£60 inc VAT) per month.  There is currently no joining fee.

An initial five month payment is due in advance for £250.00 + VAT (£300 inc VAT) which must be remitted by cheque, debit card, credit card or bank transfer upon application. Thereafter, starting on month six, payments of £50.00 + VAT (£60 inc VAT) are collected monthly by standing order.

Additionally, you will be required to pay meeting fees which vary locally and are payable directly to your Group by standing order.

Please speak to either your Regional Partner, Area Partner, Group Partner or Group Chairman for further details.

BRX encourages its members to network and belong to other Groups. However, BRX reserve the right to decline membership to persons who have executive leadership roles in competing organisations.

Regular attendance is imperative. Regular attendance builds trust and understanding and leads to more referrals. If you cannot attend you will need to find/appoint a substitute (not a member of the Group) to attend in your place; it can be a family member, friend or whoever.

That substitute will represent you with your 60 second pitch. There are substitute lists and guidance in BRX literature and on the BRX website or speak to your Regional Partner or Chairman. The substitute will be asked for no meeting fee, this will come from your contribution.

Making the most of your sub

Top points:

• Talk to your sub – it’s like a 1-2-1.
• Make their script MORE focussed than your own.
• Keep it short: 60 seconds = 150 words.
• Choose only one aspect for them to talk about.
• Write the script in the third person.

What’s the point?
BRX Members who can’t get to a breakfast with their Group are encouraged to send someone along in their
stead; a ‘sub’. As a fairly regular and experienced sub, I have come to realise that, for most people, this is a somewhat troublesome chore. WRONG!

Having someone represent your company at a BRX breakfast is a fabulous opportunity to show another side of your business and even get something that amounts to a third-party endorsement!

A sub who simply reads out something cut-and-pasted from your website could actually do more harm than good by trying to read out loud something intended for print, stumbling over words and missing the point entirely.

SOLUTION

Talk to you sub. I know, I know, this is an outrageous suggestion but think of it as a short, telephone 1-2-1. If the sub actually knows something about your business, they are perfectly likely to have a referral for you themselves! Also if I, as a sub, read out your script and I actually KNOW something about you, I will be more convincing and, wonder of wonders, I may actually get you some referrals WITHOUT YOU BEING THERE!

What to write

Which brings me onto the point of the point of subs [that's not a typo]: To get you referrals! Having spoken to the sub, send them a script for their (your) 60 seconds’ presentation. Now, the script you send them needs to be more clear and focussed than if you were doing the 60 seconds yourself. Ask for a clear, specific type of referral in the script. Choose one (only ONE) type of ideal referral and put in a request for just that type. And KEEP IT SHORT!

60 seconds = 150 words

Or Less is More.

If you give your sub a three minute script (450 words) it will not all get read out and, if it is, the audience will get bored! So keep it succinct and simple.

You talkin’ ta me?

When you use a sub, there is simply no point trying to introduce your company to new members and guests. They will need your sparkling personality and/or pretty face in order to remember your business, so aim your script at the other regulars: ask for very specific referrals and KEEP IT BRIEF!

Look who’s talking!

I can’t pretend that I’m really you and no-one would be fooled if I tried. So write the script in the third person: go through it and change all the ‘I’, ‘we’ and ‘us’ to your company’s name or ‘they’ as appropriate. If you do it well, it will sound like a testimonial!

If you do all the above you will get better service from your sub and we subs will be more willing to help you!

Thank you for your attention and your breakfasts!

Johnny ‘The Sound Man’ Mindlin
www.green-shoot.com

With BRX there is no pressure to bring referrals every week. We prefer no referrals to ‘bum referrals’ given under pressure.

If you are struggling to generate referrals speak to other members about it, read our BRX publications and speak to you Regional Partner, Area Partner or Group Partners

It is the company that is the BRX member, not the individual.

Your colleagues can attend meetings and other sessions at your Group without paying for another membership The meeting fee for your colleagues must be paid to the Group on the day.

Meetings

Meetings are held on a weekly basis with the exception of Christmas, New Year and Easter. Meetings commence promptly at the time agreed by the Group. The formal part of the meeting lasts for 90 minutes.

Members need to arrive fifteen minutes before the official start time to meet and greet visitors. This period together with the networking period prior to the formal part of the meeting is an important element of the process.

The meeting fee that includes breakfast must be paid monthly in advance by standing order and is paid irrespective of whether breakfast is taken. The relevant Partner and Group Chairman, the account signatories, set the monthly payment and may include an amount towards the Group’s own funds which are used for the benefit of the members. Any funds in the Group’s bank account in excess of its commitments are to be used for local marketing initiatives. In the event of members leaving the Group, there is no entitlement to any refund from Group funds which remain for the benefit of current members.

The Company Structure

Business Referral Exchange Limited is currently developing Groups in various geographical locations. Groups are overseen by Regional Partners (RPs), Group Partners (GPs) & Area Partners (APs) who work with them in developing and maintaining Groups. GPs & APs sign an agreement with the RP and BRX. It outlines the terms and conditions under which they can operate.

The RP for the Region is deemed (for voting purposes) as a member of all the Groups in his/her territory. The AP or GP representing the RP is also deemed a member in the Groups he/she oversees.

At the formative stage of each group a Chairman and a committee may be appointed from amongst its Founder Members. They serve a term of six months, which is renewable. In the case of a Group Partner founding a new BRX Group the management structure is at the GP’s discretion.

Membership

There are currently two forms of membership; the cost of each is identical:

Full Membership – This entitles a company to membership of a specific Group. The company can then elect a maximum of three representatives who may alternate at the Group meeting. The member is guaranteed exclusivity within their core discipline and undertakes to ensure that they are represented every week. A full member can attend other Business Referral Exchange Groups on an occasional basis with prior approval of the RP, AP or GP and the Chairman of the Group being visited. This is dependent upon there being no member present in the Group being visited in direct competition.

Associate Membership – This is designed for companies in rare disciplines who are unable to commit to a regular weekly attendance. Associate Members may attend any Group where there is no full Member offering the same service. Visits should be arranged through the RP or AP of the relevant Group. Associate Members are not entitled to exclusivity at any BRX Group but enjoys all other member benefits.

A critical aspect of Business Referral Exchange Group is that only one business from any trade or profession may join and once a member is accepted no other company or individual in that line of business can join there.

Conditions of Membership

Members must represent a discipline that is their main business or represents a substantial part of their business activities.Where a business provides more than one key product or service, the member must focus on what they consider to be their core activity within the group. No more than one core activity can be represented at meetings without the BRX Partners permission. In the event of the member being other than a sole trader/practitioner the membership is vested in the name of the company. That membership is open to all employees of the company and they should not be discouraged from sending more than one representative of the company to each meeting. In the event of a member wishing to change the discipline for which they are registered in the Group, a new application must be submitted to the GP or committee member responsible for membership for approval.

In the event of members not being able to attend a meeting they must organise a substitute to attend on their behalf. That substitute is there to give and receive referrals on behalf of the member and to make the presentation on the member’s business. An existing member of the Group cannot act as a substitute for an absent member.

With the approval of the Chairman or the Membership Executive, subject to the substitute’s own discipline not being represented in the Group, that substitute will be able to give a presentation of their own company/discipline.

Absence

If a member fails to attend regularly and does not arrange to be represented, the GP or Chairman and committee, in conjunction with the RP or AP, reserve the right to revoke membership. Leave of absence for specific reasons will be considered, but in each instance every effort should be made to arrange regular substitutes.

Members’ Responsibilities

It is essential that Members are prepared to accept the commitment of regular attendance as well as participation in the Referral Development Programme and other training sessions run from time to time. Members who do not comply with this commitment may be liable to have their membership revoked by the Group’s committee or Partner.

Any member who behaves in a manner, which in the view of the Group’s committee, RP, AP, GP and BRX Ltd, is unprofessional and even likely to bring the Group into disrepute will be liable to have their membership revoked.

Members must make every effort to bring visitors/friends to their Group or other BRX Groups. The member needs to ensure that the discipline does not conflict with those of existing members. In the event of a possible overlap or conflict, approval of the visit must be obtained prior to the meeting from the GP/Group Chairman. It is particularly important that members bring the right business people to help build meaningful membership. The more members and the wider the range of disciplines represented the greater the opportunity to generate referrals.

Fee Structure

All payments are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. There is no joining fee. Membership is at £50.00 + VAT. The initial payment on joining is £250.00 + VAT (i.e., 5 months in advance). The standing order must be completed on the application form and will take effect on month 6.

Membership Renewal & Termination

All payments after the initial £250.00 + VAT will be made by standing order. Please note that BRX are unable to cancel standing orders and in the event of the termination of your membership for whatever reason, you must arrange cancellation directly with your bank.

In the event of the standing order payment not being received within 21 days of the due date, membership will deemed to have lapsed. Once membership has expired and the member wishes to rejoin a new application has to be submitted.

In the event of membership being terminated by BRX or its representatives, for whatever reason, no fees are refundable.

In the event of a member wishing to cease membership no fees are refundable.

Membership Incentive Scheme

An incentive scheme to encourage existing members to introduce new members operates as follows.

For each fully paid member that you introduce to any BRX Group you will receive a cheque for £50.00. Details of introductions must be entered on each new member’s application form.

A further £50.00 incentive will be remitted to members who add BRX logos to all their stationery and website as listed below.

* Outgoing business emails.
* All business notepaper.
* All business cards.
* A link to the BRX website from their website.

The words ‘A proud member of BRX’ must appear on all the above. A downloadable BRX Logo with these words is available from downloads on the website.

Training & Development

Business Referral Exchange continues to enhance ongoing development training as well as personal and business development. In the main this will be delivered at multiple Group training sessions.

In most cases there will be a notional meeting charge.

Marketing & Communication

The company has a central marketing budget and we work closely with our Regional Partners to develop the organisation’s profile. BRX produces BRXmail to communicate with members. For those who do not have the facility to receive emails the content may be included in the notes presented by the Chairman of each Group at the relevant weekly meeting.

BRX have Clubs on both www.wecando.biz and www.ecademy.com websites. This allows members to network with each other across the BRX community and also to network with the general membership of both WeCanDo.BIZ and Ecademy. More information is available via the BRX website or by emailing.

BRX run networking events during the year. All members are encouraged to participate in as many as possible; these have proved to be socially very successful, as well as excellent networking opportunities.

General

On acceptance of an application for membership BRX will provide the member with a customised business cardholder a member badge and relevant booklets, brochures and information.

Business Referral Exchange encourages members to be involved in as many networking opportunities as they can reasonably manage. The more networking a member does, the more contacts are made and the more opportunities there are for both giving and receiving business. However regular attendance at the member’s BRX Group is important and must be given precedence over other networking opportunities.

Whereas members are encouraged to network BRX will not accept applications from applicants who are involved in the management of competitive networks and organisations. Business Referral Exchange Ltd will be the sole judge of what is considered to be competitive. If an existing member is found to be involved either in the establishment or management of a competitive network or organisation their ongoing membership will be considered and may be liable to termination. In those circumstances BRX are not liable to refund any unused portion of the membership fee.

BRX reserves the right to change the venue, the day, the breakfast and the breakfast meeting fee, without obligation to refund membership fees, providing that the best effort is made to ensure that the location is as convenient as possible for the majority of the members of the Group.

BRX reserves the right to open more than one Group in any Town, City, District or venue.

The Regional Partner (RP) is an accredited franchisee of Business Referral Exchange Ltd. BRX collect membership fees and other relevant revenues on behalf of and as the agent of the RP. BRX run and maintain the RP’s sales ledger. BRX then remit that income to the RP at pre-agreed intervals and retain a handling charge for this service. Any valid refunds to members are at the discretion of the Regional Partner.

BRX reserves the right to close membership of a Group when it considers it appropriate.

Cancellation of Membership

If a member wishes to terminate their membership, BRX Central must be advised in writing, giving one month’s notice. Failure to do so will result in membership still being active and membership fees will still be due. The member is responsible for cancelling the standing order mandate.

On occasion, BRX may want to pass on details of our members to third parties. This will be specifically for BRX purposes only. If a member does not want their details to be forwarded, they should email. This may result in other general communications, such as the BRXmail not being sent to the member.

Disciplinary Procedure

In the event of any conflict or complaint this should be made in writing to the Partner/Chairman of the Group and the Regional Partner. They will make every effort to resolve the problem and have the authority to suspend membership, terminate membership or issue an official warning. In the event of the problem being unresolved BRX Head Office will make a final decision.

Business Referral Exchange is committed to providing the highest possible levels of service for our members. While the main benefits from membership come from the quality referrals from other members of your Group, we will use our experience to ensure that we enhance the opportunities for these referrals to arise as well as looking to provide further opportunities to network across BRX and elsewhere.

On a local level, this service is provided by our network of Regional Partners, Area Partners and Group Partners and they are responsible for ensuring that the needs of each individual Group are addressed. At Head Office, our role is to make available to our Partners the tools they need to provide this level of service and to look for ways to both continually improve BRX and raise the organisation’s profile nationally and internationally.

We believe that it is important that you know exactly what you can expect from BRX and who is responsible for providing what. Listed below is our commitment to you.

BRX HQ ARE COMMITTED TO

• Raising the organisation’s profile wherever there are BRX Groups.
• Implementing and improving BRX networking and related activities.
• Building relationships on a national and international level with organisations whose involvement will benefit the BRX membership.
• Continually seeking to improve the services offered by the organisation.
• Offering new opportunities to network on a cross-regional basis through exhibitions, events, seminars and training.
• Helping members to network with other members nationally and businesses internationally.
• Increasing the membership on an ongoing basis, both the number of members in each Group and the number of Groups.
• Providing regular communication via Partners to members with details of what is happening within and across BRX.
• Offering an effective, ongoing and user-friendly website to promote both BRX and its members and to provide an additional resource to members and Groups.
• Offering a high level of customer service at all levels.
• Providing a presence at Group events when requested and where possible.
• Supplying literature and marketing materials to help to run the Groups effectively and to help promote BRX Groups and members.
• Ongoing advice and support to help members make the most of their membership.

OUR PARTNERS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING

• Regular updates for new members.
• Training for Group Chairmen and committee members.
• Regular meetings for Group Chairmen.
• Group development sessions as requested – new ways of looking at networking and your business.
• Marketing support for Groups locally and regionally.
• Support to the committee and advice when asked.
• A resource for members.
• Help with disputes where they can’t be resolved by the Group executive.
• A link between BRX Head Office and members.
• A link between BRX Groups – cross fertilisation, information, joint meetings. BRX Partners are committed to ‘Network the Network’.
• Assistance with providing substitutes when you cannot attend a meeting.
• A regular (at least monthly) BRX presence at meetings.
• Help towards Group development and visitor days.
• Additional networking opportunities within regions with more than five Groups.
• Assistance in following up visitors.

BRX thrives as a partnership between the organisation and its members. A BRX Group and your membership cannot be successful without your input.

BRX EXPECTS FROM MEMBERS

• Treat your membership as a serious business commitment and your fellow members as business associates.
• Regular attendance – or arrangements to be made for a substitute from outside of the Group to represent you in your absence.
• Attend at least one member development meeting.
• A positive and proactive contribution to the Group, from looking for and listening for referrals for others and playing an active role in developing the Group.
• Encouraging others to attend meetings and leaving visitors with a positive impression of the Group.
• Prompt payment of fees.
• Feedback and constructive contributions on how we can develop BRX for the benefit of members.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

As much as we try, we may not always perform to your satisfaction. In these cases, it is important that you let us know quickly so that we can take the appropriate action to rectify any problems.

In the first instance, please speak to your Group Chairman or another member of the committee.

If the problem has still not been resolved, you should contact your Regional Partner, Area Partner or Group Partner.

If they are unable to help you, please contact Michael Stern, the BRX Chairman, either by post:

Business Referral Exchange Limited
18 Pine Grove
Brookmans Park
Hertfordshire
AL9 7BS

or by email:

We are now offering BRX Partnerships in Regions, Countries and Continents where BRX is not represented. There are a number of opportunities to make serious ongoing monies via an ultra low investment (please do not be frightened to ask) both here in the UK and beyond.

Contact the BRX Chairman directly at: