More Than a Network, a Philosophy of Life

Business Network International (BNI) celebrates seven years in Colombia, promoting genuine reciprocity.

Building a personal network is perhaps one of the most postponed tasks for entrepreneurs, yet it is vital for their growth. However, when these relationships are meaningful, built on trust and credibility, they become a way of life.

Thirty-eight years ago, Business Network International (BNI) developed a methodology for strategically and effectively building a network of connections. The story goes that losing his most important client led Ivan Misner—now considered the “Father of Modern Networking”—to the brink of bankruptcy in his human resources business. However, his determination allowed him to learn valuable lessons from the experience and create an entire ecosystem of support and business growth that has now expanded worldwide.

The idea emerged in Orange, California, when Misner sought help from his circle of friends. They came together, referred business to one another, and built relationships based on trust and credibility. As more chapters were created, the need for policies and guidelines arose. The rest is history.

Sandra Alarcón and Henrique Fontenelle, national directors of BNI Colombia, explain that this methodology arrived in the country seven years ago and has been continuously expanding, connecting entrepreneurs with markets in over 74 countries. “We teach entrepreneurs how to strategically and effectively build their network of connections. In other words, how to intelligently expand their relationship capital through meaningful connections, so that in the future, they can build trust, credibility, and ultimately generate opportunities for themselves and those around them,” they explain.

One of BNI’s core principles is ‘Givers Gain,’ a business philosophy in which professionals help one another based on the principle of genuine reciprocity. “The more you give in life, the more you receive. It must be genuine support because BNI does not operate on commissions,” they emphasize.

This is a demanding methodology that helps shift the mindset of Colombian professionals. “When people truly understand BNI’s culture—how to build meaningful relationships based on respect, trust, and credibility—it becomes a springboard for endless business referrals,” says the national director of BNI.

BNI has strengthened its presence in Colombia by leveraging the power of relationships, to the point of becoming a way of life. “It’s like discovering a real-life philosophy of serving others. That’s the way life works. In BNI, your visibility depends on the quality of your products or services, because you will be part of a strong word-of-mouth network. Connections are powerful,” she adds.

In Colombia, BNI currently has seven chapters in Bogotá, one in Cali, and is about to open its first chapter in Medellín. The next cities on the expansion list are Barranquilla and Bucaramanga. Participation is by invitation only, where attendees experience a session and then go through an orientation and interview process.

“This is an amazing tool. It’s like having a magic wand—if you use it wisely and with good intentions, the effects on business results are real,” concludes BNI Colombia’s director.