You’ve probably heard it many times in your BNI meeting: “BNI Power Teams are the key to unlocking more referrals.” It’s one of those concepts, like Contact Spheres, that gets thrown around a lot. But I’ve noticed something. A lot of people talk about Power Teams, but not many truly understand how to make them work. I’ve seen them fizzle out, become just another meeting on the calendar, or fail to produce any real business.
But what if I told you that a well-run Power Team isn’t just a concept? It’s a strategic system that can completely transform your BNI experience and, more importantly, your bottom line. I’m talking about a consistent, predictable flow of high-quality referrals.
You’re here because you want to know how to make that happen. Maybe you’re in a Power Team that feels stuck, or maybe you’re looking to start one from scratch. Either way, you’re in the right place. We’re going to break down exactly what BNI Power Teams are, why they are so powerful, and how you can build one that actually generates business.
So, What is a BNI Power Teams?
Let me clear this up first. A Power Team is not just a random group of chapter members who get along. It’s a strategic group of professionals who are in complementary, non-competing professions. The magic ingredient? You all serve the same type of client.
Think of it like a wedding. A bride and groom need a whole crew of professionals to make their day perfect: a wedding planner, a caterer, a florist, a photographer, a DJ, and a venue coordinator. They all work with the same client (the couple) at the same time, but none of them are in competition with each other. In fact, they make each other’s jobs easier. That group is a natural Power Team.
Another classic example is the “home services” Power Team. This might include a real estate agent, a mortgage broker, a home inspector, a moving company, and a painter. When someone is buying a house, they likely need several of these services. If your Power Team is established, the real estate agent can pass the client down the line, creating a seamless experience for the customer and generating business for everyone involved.
Why You Absolutely Need to Be in a BNI Power Team
If you’re treating BNI like a room of 30+ potential customers, you’re missing the point. You’re not there to sell to the other members. You’re there to get access to their networks. A Power Team is the most efficient way to do this.
Here’s why it works so well:
- Building Trust Faster: It’s much easier to build deep, meaningful relationships with a small group of 5-8 people than it is with a chapter of 30 or 40. You’ll meet more often, learn each other’s businesses inside and out, and build the trust necessary to pass high-quality referrals.
- Easier, More Natural Referrals: Think about it. When the mortgage broker in your Power Team has a client who just got approved for a loan, the next logical question is, “Do you have a real estate agent?” It’s not a forced referral; it’s a natural, helpful next step. You become part of each other’s business processes.
- Bigger and Better Business: Referrals passed within a Power Team are often warmer and more qualified. The client has already had a great experience with one member, so they trust their recommendation for the next. This leads to a higher closing rate and, often, larger projects because you can collaborate on a single client’s needs.
- It’s a Support System: Let’s be honest, being a business owner can be lonely. Your Power Team becomes your personal board of advisors. You can bounce ideas off each other, share challenges, and celebrate wins together. This support is invaluable.
How to Build a BNI Killer Power Team from the Ground Up
Ready to build a referral-generating machine? It’s simpler than you think, but it requires intentional effort.
Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Partners
First, get crystal clear on who your ideal client is. Then, brainstorm all the other professionals who also serve that client, just before, during, or after you do.
- Who does your client talk to before they need you? (e.g., for a business coach, it might be a banker who just approved a business loan).
- Who do they need while they’re working with you? (e.g., for a web designer, it might be a copywriter and a photographer).
- Who do they need right after they’re done with you? (e.g., for a real estate agent, it’s the moving company).
Write down every profession you can think of. This is your target list.
Step 2: Find the Right People
Now, look around your chapter. Who fits these professions? Don’t just look at their business category; look at the person. You need people who are committed, collaborative, and have a Givers Gain® mentality. If the right people aren’t in your chapter, you can help find them and invite them to join!
Step 3: Set the Ground Rules
Once you have your group, you need to establish a structure. A Power Team without structure is just a coffee club. Discuss and agree on:
- Meeting Schedule: How often will you meet? I recommend at least once or twice a month, separate from your main BNI meeting. Keep it consistent.
- Meeting Agenda: Have a clear agenda for every meeting. This could include a member spotlight, a referral-passing segment, a discussion of a specific client type, or collaborative project planning.
- Goals: What do you want to achieve as a group? Set a tangible goal, like “Generate one qualified referral for each member per month.”
- Leadership: Rotate a leader or coordinator to keep everyone on track and accountable.
Keeping Your Power Team from Falling Apart
I’ve seen it happen. A Power Team starts with a ton of energy, but after a few months, meetings get canceled, referrals dry up, and it all just fades away. Here’s how you prevent that.
- Focus on Education: The number one job of your Power Team meeting is to educate each other. Don’t just talk about what you do; teach your partners how to spot a referral for you. Give them trigger phrases to listen for. For example, a financial planner could tell their team, “When you hear a client say ‘I’m thinking about retiring soon,’ that’s a perfect time to introduce me.”
- Make it About Collaboration, Not Just Referrals: Look for opportunities to work together. Can you host a joint seminar? Co-author an article? Bundle your services for a specific client project? When you actively collaborate, the referrals will flow naturally as a byproduct.
- Track Everything: Keep track of the business you pass to each other. It’s not about keeping score in a negative way. It’s about celebrating the wins and identifying where you can improve. Seeing the dollar value of your collaboration is a powerful motivator.
- Hold Each Other Accountable: If someone isn’t pulling their weight—missing meetings, not participating—you need to have an honest conversation. A Power Team is only as strong as its weakest link. It’s about mutual commitment to each other’s success.
Your Next Step
Stop thinking of BNI as a weekly meeting and start seeing it as a hub for strategic alliances. Your Power Team is the most important alliance you can build.
If you’re not in a Power Team, your homework is to start one. Identify your ideal partners this week and schedule a coffee to talk about forming a team. If you’re already in one, bring these ideas to your next meeting. Ask the group: “How can we be more intentional? How can we create more value for our clients and for each other?”
The promise of BNI—more collaboration, easier referrals, and more business—is real. But it doesn’t just happen. You build it. And it starts with your Power Team.
