Malta is now taking steps to brand itself more effectively to the world. We have an enterprise culture, we invest in education, and we like to compete in the world. As Government, we welcome organizations, such as Malta BNI, which trains and develops its members as professional business people. With its philosophy of ‘Givers Gain’ and its structured, positive and professional approach, BNI has great optimism about the business potential in Malta.
This was stated by the Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business Dr Chris Cardona at the second Annual Awards Dinner organised by Malta BNI to celebrate its three years in Malta.
Forming part of the largest business networking organisation in the world, Malta BNI today is made up of five chapters each comprising members who build long term relationships and are sincerely committed to helping one another find more business through BNI’s ‘Givers’ Gain’ philosophy and business referrals.
As BNI Founder Dr Ivan Misner explains, BNI (www.bni.com) is about creating an awareness of the process of networking. Not just any kind of networking, but ‘relationship networking’– an approach to doing business based on building long-term, successful relationships with people through the networking process.
Malta BNI National Director David Bullock said: “As a disciplined, diverse, and determined organisation spreading in this country, BNI is becoming a valuable first port of call for visiting businessmen and businesswomen to Malta. They are introduced to others who are also hands-on business people and who understand what is required to build a profitable business and to survive in these challenging times.”
The awardees were:
1. Outstanding Ambassador: Carmel Bonello
2. Outstanding Ambassador: Jankarl Farrugia
3. Outstanding Ambassador: Ian Hawkes
4. Outstanding President: Ivan Azzopardi
5. Outstanding President: Stanley Bonello
6. Outstanding President: Patrick Hall
7. Outstanding Vice-President: Janice Briffa
8. Outstanding Vice-President: Paul Ellul
9. Outstanding Vice-President: Ian Portughes
10. Best Education Co-ordinator: Nicolette Micallef
11. Outstanding Visitor Host: Gordhan Mohnani
12. Outstanding Visitor Host: Martin Parker
13. Outstanding Contribution: Adrian Archer
14. Outstanding Contribution: Richard Falzon
15. Outstanding Contribution: Gordon Pace
16. Outstanding Contribution: Steve Micallef
17. Outstanding Contribution: Enrich Stafrace
18. Outstanding Support: Etienne Scerri
19. Outstanding Support in Chapter Launch: Randall Parker Turner Group
20. Inter-Chapter : Verdala Chapter.
The Water’s Edge Hotel in Birzebbuga was also presented with a plaque for hosting BNI weekly meetings.
These annual awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of several Malta BNI members. BNI offers its members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and, most importantly, business referrals. BNI chapters, of which now there are five in Malta, comprise members who are sincerely committed to helping one another find more business through networking and word of mouth referrals.
Figures just released show that, in Malta, notwithstanding Malta BNI is still in the initial stages, its members have passed business referrals generating well over €2.5 million worth of new business for members. Across the globe, BNI members have passed 7.1 million business referrals generating over $3.3 billion worth of business for members. Cumulatively, since 1985, BNI has generated over $27.7 billion in business for BNI members.
The five chapters - all named after Grand Masters - meet in Sliema & Birzebbuga (Tuesdays), Attard (Wednesdays), Floriana (Thursdays) and St Julians (Fridays). Current membership stands at over 120 members from a wide range of businesses of all sizes.
More information about Malta BNI can be obtained from [email protected] and tel 2546 6601, or [email protected] on tel 2124 3211.
A sumptuous dinner was prepared by Island Caterers Ltd at the Radisson Blu Hotel St Julians.