What if the secret to long-term business success isn’t marketing… but relationships?

In this powerful episode, Ed Wilson sits down with John Lisle, former Executive Director of two BNI regions and a 27-year BNI veteran, to unpack why relationships are the true foundation of business growth.

From launching chapters on Australia Day 🇦🇺 to building international web clients across three continents, John shares real-world lessons on how relationship marketing drives referrals, credibility, trust, and sustainable success.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, sales professional, or BNI member looking to grow through referrals — this episode is your blueprint.

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why business is always personal (even when people say it’s not)
✅ How one-to-ones build deep trust and referral confidence
✅ The “ownership” mindset that separates successful members
✅ Why BNI is relational, not transactional
✅ How follow-up builds credibility and authority
✅ Why showing up consistently creates exponential referral growth
✅ The 3 simple habits that strengthen business relationships instantly
✅ How Givers Gain creates a 30-person sales team for your business
✅ Why small businesses thrive inside referral networks

Success in business isn’t about transactions — it’s about trust, consistency, and intentional action.

When you build relationships the right way, referrals become natural… not forced.

🎧 Whether you’re new to BNI or a seasoned leader, this episode will challenge you to deepen relationships, take ownership, and build a business that lasts decades.

👇 Drop a comment: What’s one relationship that changed your business?

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#BusinessNetworking #RelationshipMarketing #ReferralMarketing #BNISanDiego #BNIPodcast #BNISuccess #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #GiversGain #ProfessionalNetworking #SalesStrategy #BusinessRelationships #BNILeadership #NetworkingTips #BusinessGrowth #BNIMember

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this strategic and future-focused episode, Ed Wilson is joined by Andy Cruz for an inside look at what’s coming next for BNI San Diego — and how members can position themselves for their strongest year yet.

This conversation breaks down the four core priorities driving BNI San Diego in 2026 and how they directly impact your business results, referrals, and long-term success.

🔑 Topics covered in this episode:
✅ Why launching new chapters matters (and who should lead them)
✅ How filling chapters strengthens referral flow for everyone
✅ The real reason retention drives long-term profitability
✅ Why BNI is a “time shrinker” for closing new business
✅ How to identify who’s missing from your chapter
✅ The difference between shallow networking and real depth
✅ Why most members leave too early — and what works instead
✅ How tracking your numbers changes renewal decisions
✅ The power of storytelling to grow credibility, trust, and visibility

💡 This episode is both a playbook and a wake-up call: If you want more out of BNI, the answer isn’t doing less — it’s doing what works, more often, with more people.

🎧 Whether you’re brand new, a seasoned member, or considering BNI for the first time, this episode will help you think differently about growth, referrals, and ROI in 2026.

👇 Drop a comment: What’s ONE thing you’re committing to do differently this year?
👍 Like & Subscribe for weekly BNI insights
📩 Want to share your story? Email: podcasts@bnisd.com

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at podcasts@bnisd.com.

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

From being invited for 24 months… to building a business that now spans 26 states and 3 countries — Tommy Thornton, founder of Automates, joins us to share how BNI became the single most transformative factor in his company’s meteoric rise.

In this candid, high-level, and eye-opening episode, Tommy shares how he:

✅ Scaled from $300K to $5M+ in revenue in just 4 years

✅ Grew from a 3-person team to 26+ employees

✅ Went from fixing printers to disrupting the IT industry

✅ Coaches 75+ other MSPs (Managed Service Providers) monthly

✅ Landed on national tech magazine covers and shared stages with Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec

🔥 We also dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and AI:

— Why ransomware is the new battleground

— How solopreneurs and small firms can safely adopt AI

— What business owners need to know NOW about compliance

— The myth of “I’m too small to be hacked”

— Why every company needs a secure AI strategy in 2026

💡 “AI will make smart people smarter… and it’ll make lazy people lazier. It’s up to you which one you become.”

🎧 This is a masterclass in tech, mindset, and BNI-powered growth. If you’re serious about scaling, tune in.

📬 Want to share your BNI story? Email: podcasts@bnisd.com

💬 Comment: What’s one way you’re using AI or cybersecurity in your business?

👍 Like & Subscribe for more real-world BNI journeys

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at podcasts@bnisd.com.

Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter