Hyderabad|India|May'2012: Getting new business is a constant struggle for many small companies. A lot of companies market aggressively and spend a lot of money to increase brand awareness. But, what about small businesses. They can't spend money on marketing. So business referral organisaiton comes into help.

You want to buy anything, you want to go a film, you ask a person or seek reference. Based on this concept, Business Network International(BNI) formed in USA several years ago. The BNI India started a new chapter called 'Artha' at Hyderabad.This is the first Chapter for Referrals in Andhra Pradesh.

Business Network International India(BNI)-India, the world's largest word of mouth/referral organization arrives in Andhra Pradesh. Launched its first Chapter in Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad. With this new Chapter, BNI has 54 Chapters in India. BNI has 6000plus chapters in over 48 countries. The New Chapter in city has has 30 members. We will reach to 10 Chapters in Andhra Pradesh in next one year informed, Bharat Shah, Regional Director—Hyderabad of BNI India. BNI India has well over 1800 members.

BNI is a 27 year old business and professional organisation that allows only one person from each trade or profession to join a chapter. By joining a BNI chapter, your business instantly is part of a community of other regional business people - you gain exposure, professional contacts, business referrals and the oppurtunity for increased revenues. Each one member of the Chapter promotes the business of other members. Which means many members promote by word of mouth of another members business. This referral business is catching up like wild fire across the globe and now in India.

BNI has over 140,000 members worldwide, in 48 different countries, from over 300 different types of professions… all of whom have benefited from increased referral business as a result of BNI. In 2011, BNI helped generate 6.9 million referrals which generated Rs. 15,500 crores (US$3.1 Billion) of business world wide. Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of salespeople representing your business. BNI India is the Indian Chapter with many local chapters attached to it said Mr. Niiraj R Shah (Co-National Director), BNI India, in a press note issued in city today.

Each week, BNI members meet with their local group and exchange business referrals.

We see Rs 20,000 Crore Referral Marketing Opportunity In India. We expect rapid growth in the referral marketing industry in India in near future. BNI India now targets the business of Rs 20,000 crore in the next 10 years, informed Mr. Niiraj R. Shah. BNI offers its members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals. BNI India is helped its members generate over 300.5 crores of business in 2011 in India, disclosed Mr. Niiraj R. Shah.

Despite the importance of referrals companies are very poor at actively triggering referrals. In fact, practically every company the world over has a marketing plan which has a section for advertising, PR, brochure design and print, e-commerce, etc. But they do not have a section on referrals. In other words, companies do not strategically focus on increasing the amount of referral business they get even though their customers are craving referrals. Imagine if a company found a proven way to generate more referrals than ever before. They would grab it with open hands. And that is exactly what BNI is: A forum for helping businesses create more word of mouth business, more referrals, than they ever had before informed Mr. Murali Srinivasan District Director-South India of BNI India.

Speaking further Mr. Niiraj Shah added that the our members meet once a week on pre determined date and time. The weekly meetings last for 90 minutes. Members need to arrive on time and stay for the entire meeting. All participants expected to represent their primary occupation. Attendance to the meetings is critical. If a member cannot attend a meeting, he/she may depute a substitute.

There is an initial application fee, annual membership dues, and chapters may have a venue fee. Joining in such referral chapter helps substantially increase business through referrals. This concept is doing wonders in wherever it is launched. Now people in Andhra Pradesh will have networking benefits through BNI.

The business of referrals makes sense for most companies because of many reasons. It reduces sales expenses and sales cycle. It increases sales revenue. With less time calling cold prospects, small business can focus on customers and their circle of influence. According to world-renowned sales trainer, Tom Hopkins, in "Sales Prospecting for Dummies"; closing ratio for non-qualified leads is 10 percent versus a 60 percent close ratio with referred leads.