BNI Members should plan not to attend every meeting. That's right, you should plan to be away from BNI a few times every year. It is understood that people take holidays, business trips, have other commitments from time to time and that this prevents members from attending.

The message is that while members can plan to be away, they should plan for someone to substitute for them so that their business is represented at your regular business referral meeting.

Substitutes are easy for some and challenging for others. Remember that your substitute does not have to be someone who is associated with the running of your business. It could be a spouse or personal partner, a neighbour, friend, adult child, customer, supplier.....anybody really who you are confident can represent your business for a morning or two.

Substitutes are great sources of referrals and ensure that your business appointment is kept every week. So find yourself a substitute, it's easier than you think!