BNI Pyramid

BNI Pyramid Business Networking Group meet on Friday mornings Bramhall Golf Club. Can you handle mor

Business Network International [BNI] is a business and professional networking organisation whose sole purpose is to generate quality referred business for the members. The best type of business is usually referral business, and the BNI helps all members to network through each others contacts to open doors for new business opportunities.

08/06/2026

Pretty busy weekend at the BNI National Conference. Over 400 network leaders all in one place. Great speakers, including Andy Bounds author of The Jelly Effect. I also got the chance to “ask Ivan” not the new AI tool we all have on our app but the real man! We (Greater Manchester East) also won a National Award, which is an accolade to everyone. 👏
So much to adsorb and implement!

Well done BNI Greater Manchester East
Kevin Sanders

29/05/2026

Kevin delivered a truly inspirational presentation, sharing how he helps businesses grow and transform lives. He works closely with businesses and charities on a monthly basis, supporting them with strategic planning, goal setting and long-term development.

He posed an important question to the room:

“Where will you be in the next two years?”

Here are some examples of the work Kevin is currently involved in:

A client planning to sell their business in two years. Kevin is helping them build a profitable company that can operate successfully without the owners needing to be involved day to day.

A charity that has historically relied on Government funding. Kevin is supporting them in creating a five-year strategy focused on developing additional income streams and reducing dependence on Government support.

A company aiming to double in size. Kevin helps businesses ask the right questions — such as whether they could realistically handle twice the workload — and then provides the planning, advice and ongoing support needed to achieve sustainable growth.

So why the focus on the next two years?

Because in two years’ time, Kevin plans to retire himself.

Let’s help connect Kevin with busy business owners and charities who are looking for growth, planning for a future sale, or preparing to launch new projects over the next two years

23/05/2026

BNI Pyramid has become silver 🥳👏🏻

Another brilliant Friday morning for BNI Pyramid in Stockport! 🚀

But what makes BNI Pyramid special is that it’s about far more than just business.

Yes, we support each other professionally, pass referrals, and help one another grow — but we’ve also built real friendships along the way. Our recent social trip to Belfast was the perfect reminder of that: great people, lots of laughs, unforgettable memories, and stronger connections outside the networking room too. 🍻✈️

Every Friday morning brings:
✨ Great conversations
✨ Valuable business insights
✨ Supportive local connections
✨ Plenty of laughter
✨ And of course… a hearty breakfast ☕🍳

If you’re a business owner looking to grow your network, raise your visibility, and become part of a genuinely supportive business community in Stockport and Greater Manchester, I’d highly recommend coming along to visit BNI Pyramid.

📩 Drop me a message if you’d like to visit and experience it for yourself.

Alison TaylorStokes says..

One of the biggest benefits of being part of BNI for my architectural practice ICE Arch Ltd has been building trusted relationships with other local businesses and professionals. So much of architecture is about trust, collaboration, visibility, and reputation — and BNI has helped me grow all of those through genuine connections and referrals.

20/05/2026

The Power of One-to-Ones: Building Trust, Finding Opportunities, and Passing Referrals

In a world dominated by digital communication, one of the most valuable business tools remains surprisingly simple: the one-to-one conversation.
Not the rushed networking event exchange.

Not the “pitch-first” introduction.

A genuine conversation focused on getting to know the person behind the business.

The best one-to-ones are not transactional — they are relational.

Getting to Know Each Other

Strong business relationships begin with curiosity.

What motivates someone?
What challenges are they facing?
What type of clients do they work best with?
What are they passionate about outside of work?

When we take the time to truly understand people, conversations become more meaningful and connections become more authentic.

People remember how you made them feel far more than they remember your sales pitch.

Building Trust Through Consistency
Trust is rarely built in a single meeting.
It grows through:
Showing up consistently
Listening more than talking
Following through on promises
Offering support without expecting immediate return

A great one-to-one creates psychological safety. It allows people to speak openly about their goals, struggles, and ambitions.

That trust becomes the foundation for long-term collaboration.

Identifying Opportunities
One-to-ones often uncover opportunities that would never emerge in a group setting.
You begin to spot:
Shared connections
Collaboration opportunities
Complementary services
Potential partnerships
New markets or ideas

The more you understand someone’s business and ideal client, the easier it becomes to recognise opportunities where you can genuinely help each other grow.

Passing Referrals That Matter

Referrals should never feel forced.
The best referrals happen naturally when:
You trust the person
You clearly understand who they help
You are confident they will deliver value
A quality referral is more than passing a name — it is transferring trust.
That only happens when strong relationships are built first.

Final Thoughts
Business networking is not about collecting contacts. It is about building relationships.
Every meaningful partnership, collaboration, or referral usually starts with a simple conversation.
Take the time to have more one-to-ones.
Ask better questions.
Listen carefully.
Build trust consistently.

Because when relationships grow, opportunities follow.

20/05/2026

We have a new member 🥳

It is a pleasure to welcome Dara Curran from DLR Engineering to BNI Pyramid. We wish you all the best and look forward to working with you and supporting your business in the months and years to come.

20/05/2026

Ian Buckley brought his magic calculator and explained how he helps individuals with limited companies with their accounts, through to helping them secure finance, mortgages and loans. He can help with corporate and personal returns, as well as payroll. He has wonderful staff, allowing him to be the face of Bennett Verby Accountants and Business Advisers whilst the specialists provide all the support you need. He works for you, not HMRC.

What was especially powerful was the way Ian highlighted how he works through the testimonials of others.

He has worked with Tony for over 14 years. Ben, now in his second year working with Ian, said you can ask questions freely and that the relationship is one of both business and friendship. David talked about how he could never get hold of his previous accountant, but now sees Ian weekly and says he has saved him thousands. Andy explained how Ian makes everything easy to understand, while Oli praised his instant help and personal touch.

20/05/2026

Strengthening the Chapter Culture

Every thriving BNI chapter is built on a strong foundation of collaboration and mutual support. Kevin Sanders and Jon Bray play a key role in strengthening that foundation.

By going the extra mile, they help create an environment where members feel valued, supported, and motivated. This kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built by individuals who are willing to invest in others without expecting immediate returns.

And that’s exactly what they do.

23 Degrees
Contract Stone Limited

07/05/2026

This weeks feature presentation was Debbie Koziol of Beneficial Family Wills - Debbie Koziol, a well-established firm with 27 years of experience. With a dedicated back-office team, an onsite solicitor, and a strong compliance function, clients can feel confident they are in safe hands.

They take the time to truly understand each client’s circumstances, offering tailored advice on both wills and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). They work with all types of families, including blended families and unmarried couples, helping to minimise the risk of disputes, protect assets, and ensure that intentions are clearly set out — even keeping unwanted parties at arm’s length where necessary.

They also provide guidance around protecting assets from care home fees, giving families added peace of mind when planning for the future.
Having the right LPA in place is essential. It ensures that your wishes are respected if you are ever unable to make decisions yourself — from day-to-day care and routines to medical treatment and potential moves into a care facility. It’s about making sure your voice is still heard when it matters most.
Debbie is particularly looking for introductions to:

😊 Blended families
😊 Unmarried couples with children
😊 Anyone with assets who wants to ensure they are passed on as intended

30/04/2026

We have a new member Ellie Hogan from OPN MND project.

Ellie has taken our charity seat.

The OPN MND Project is dedicated to empowering individuals affected by motor neurone disease (MND) by sourcing and facilitating access to additional treatments and therapies found to be beneficial to both mental and physical aspects of the journey.
We strive to build meaningful connections within the healthcare community and provide grants that support innovative approaches to care.

There mission is to enhance the quality of life for those impacted by MND through collaboration, education, and the promotion of holistic healing practices

We look forward to supporting you. Welcome to the chapter Ellie

https://www.instagram.com/opn.mnd_?igsh=MTc5NzBna2dyYWk1dQ==

30/04/2026

This weeks feature presentation we had Marie Ashton from Spectra

Educating us all on the different services they offer to keep your business in line with HR, Health and safety and ISO consultancy..

Removing all compliance headaches so you can run your business with confidence...

Some Great examples from people in the room who use your services..

Great presentation well done Marie.

Address

Bramhall Golf Club, Ladythorn Road
Stockport
SK72EY

Website

http://www.businessnetworkingnearme.co.uk/

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