A1 Networkers Times
The monthly newsletter of BNI A1 Networkers · Givers Gain®
Beating the Heat and Keeping the Referrals Flowing
This month we spotlight My AZ Electrician, share heat and pool season tips for West Valley homes and businesses, and look at what BNI Arizona offers members.
Summer has arrived in the West Valley. The pools are open, the triple-digit days are lining up, and a lot of people slow down until fall. That is exactly why June is a good month to stay visible. While some businesses coast through the summer, the ones that keep showing up, keep meeting and keep giving referrals are the ones people remember when things pick back up.
Givers Gain® does not take a summer break. A 7:00 AM Thursday meeting also happens to be one of the cooler hours of the day, so there is no better time to get together, swap referrals and start the day with people who want to see you succeed.
Member spotlight
My AZ Electrician
This month we are shining the spotlight on Michael Rogoz of My AZ Electrician LLC, who holds the electrician seat in our chapter.
My AZ Electrician is a Peoria-based, family-owned electrical contractor founded by Mike. The company is licensed, bonded and insured, and handles residential, commercial and industrial work, from a single outlet up to large commercial service. It also offers 24-hour emergency electrical service, which matters a lot in an Arizona summer, when an electrical problem can mean a home or office with no air conditioning.
June is a heavy month for electrical systems. Air conditioners run nearly nonstop, pool pumps work overtime, and the first monsoon storms can bring power surges and outages. Great referrals for Mike include:
- Homeowners whose breakers keep tripping when the AC kicks on
- Anyone with flickering lights, warm outlets or a burning smell near an outlet or panel
- People adding a ceiling fan, outdoor lighting or power for a backyard project
- Business owners who need a commercial electrician for a buildout or repair
- Real estate agents and property managers who need a licensed electrician they can count on
If you know someone with an electrical problem, connect them with Mike.
Seasonal tips for the West Valley
At home
- Give your AC some help. Change the air filter, keep the outdoor unit clear of weeds and debris, and close blinds on west-facing windows in the afternoon.
- Use ceiling fans the smart way. Set them to spin counterclockwise in summer so they push air down, and turn them off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.
- Keep the pool safe. Check that gates latch on their own, keep a phone and a flotation device poolside, and always have an adult watching kids in the water.
- Look at outdoor outlets. Pool equipment and patio outlets should be on GFCI protection. If a GFCI keeps tripping, have it looked at instead of resetting it over and over.
- Get ready for monsoon. Monsoon season officially starts June 15. Trim trees near the house, secure patio furniture and think about surge protection for TVs and computers.
- Never leave kids or pets in a parked car, not even for a minute.
For your business
- Protect your people from the heat. If you have crews working outside, plan the hardest work for early morning, build in shade and water breaks, and know the signs of heat illness.
- Do a mid-year check-in. June closes out the first half of the year. Compare where you are with your goals and adjust your plan for the second half.
- Plan for summer slowdowns. If your business gets quieter in summer, use the time to update your website, clean up your client list and book one-to-ones.
- Have an outage plan. Know what you will do if the power goes out during a storm: backups for important files, a way to reach customers and a list of who to call.
Networking tip of the month: book your summer one-to-ones
Summer is the best time of year to schedule one-to-ones. Calendars are a little lighter, and a coffee in an air-conditioned spot is a welcome break from the heat. Set a goal to meet with two or three members you do not know well yet. Ask what a great client looks like for them, what they wish more people knew about their business, and how you can spot a good referral for them. You will come out of the summer with a much clearer picture of who to send their way, and they will know a lot more about you.
BNI news: the value of showing up
One of the ideas BNI comes back to again and again is that referrals are built on trust, and trust is built through consistency. Members who show up every week, give their presentation and follow through on what they promise become the people others feel safe recommending. In a slower season, that consistency stands out even more. Showing up in June says something to your fellow members that no sales pitch can.
Happening at BNI Arizona
BNI Arizona keeps a full calendar of training and networking for members and visitors throughout the year. Regular offerings include:
- Member Success Program sessions to help members get the most from BNI
- 1st Year Member Essentials for newer members
- Open Business Days at chapters across the Valley, a great way to see how other chapters run
- BNI Tech Talks and National Speed Networking sessions
See current dates, times and registration on the BNI Arizona event calendar.
In our chapter
- Book a one-to-one. Pick a member you have not met with yet and get something on the calendar this month.
- Invite a visitor. Think of a business owner you trust whose profession is not yet represented in our room, and bring them on a Thursday.
- Thank your leadership team. Our chapter runs because members volunteer their time. If you see a leadership team member this week, say thanks.
Bring a guest
Visitors are always welcome, and an early morning meeting is one of the easiest ways to network in the summer heat. We meet every Thursday at 7:00 AM at Brothers Family Restaurant, 8466 W. Peoria Avenue in Peoria. Plan a visit.
Stay cool, and we will see you Thursday!