This morning’s BNI Surrey Hills meeting at Reigate Manor Hotel showed what good business networking can achieve.
The room brought together local business owners, trades and advisers. Members shared referrals, gave updates, welcomed visitors and found ways to help each other.
That is why BNI Surrey Hills is such a strong place to do business.
More Than Business Cards
BNI is not about swapping cards and hoping for the best. It is about trust, support and useful introductions.
This week, members passed 68 referrals. The work covered waste removal, roofing, flooring, car repairs, electrical work, health cover, tax advice and more.
One member also received the chance to quote for 13 glass balconies in South East London.
The chapter’s “Thank You for the Business” total is now £1,736,109. This covers the period from 1 October 2025 to 31 July 2026. It puts the chapter £69,442 ahead of target.
These numbers show what an active network can do. Members do not just talk about helping each other. They help create real paid work.
A Useful Lesson on Substitutes
Simon Roberts of WPA Cedars Health Ltd led this week’s learning slot.
He spoke about the difference between a “Super Sub” and a “Supersub”.
A Super Sub adds value to the room. They may be a customer, supplier, workmate, visitor or member from another BNI group. They may bring fresh contacts, give a good review or even become a future member.
The message was clear. Do not always choose the easiest person. Choose someone who can bring new value and new links.
Members were also asked to follow BNI rules and not use the same substitute too often.
Local Building Expertise
The main talk came from Ray Turner of R & M Turner & Co.
Ray has been a BNI member for 11 years. His firm works on home extensions, lofts, full home updates, hard landscaping and church repairs.
He likes to work close to the Surrey Hills area. He is booked until October and wants to build a six-month order book. His jobs range from small repairs to major work worth up to £250,000.
Ray also showed how BNI members work as a team. Recent jobs have used trusted people from the group for scaffolding, carpentry, roofing and electrical work.
This is a key strength of BNI Surrey Hills. Members do not work alone. They build trusted teams and pass work to people they know.
New Faces and New Links
The meeting welcomed visitors from many types of business.
They included plumbing and heating, surveying, air conditioning, tile supply, hairdressing, video and outside cleaning.
Each visitor had time to explain what they do, who they want to meet and how they can work with members.
The chapter aims to reach 40 members by the end of September 2026.
It is keen to meet a surveyor, a chiropractor or osteopath, a hairdresser and a car detailer.
For the right local business owner, this is a chance to take a clear place in a busy referral group.
Support That Leads to Work
Members also used their weekly talks to ask for clear help.
Some were hiring. Others wanted links to care homes, schools, landlords, homeowners, builders or business owners.
There were offers too. These included a cruise voucher, a free social media meeting and a free patio or drive clean with a roof clean.
The group also backs good causes. Louise Long spoke about The Dylan Strong Foundation. It helps families with very ill children by giving them healthy food and support. The charity has raised more than £300,000.
Why BNI Surrey Hills Works
A good network needs more than a room and a weekly meeting.
It needs trust, a clear plan and people who take action.
BNI Surrey Hills gives local firms a simple way to build strong links and win work. Members learn how to ask for the right contact and how to follow up well.
They also gain a trusted group of local experts.
For trades, service firms and advisers, this saves time and cuts risk. It is easier to find good people when they are known and backed by the group.
Visit BNI Surrey Hills
BNI Surrey Hills meets every Thursday morning at Reigate Manor Hotel.
The group keeps growing, passing work and building new links across Surrey and nearby areas.
For more referrals, stronger local contacts and real support, BNI Surrey Hills is the number one place to do business networking.
The best way to see the value is to visit a meeting, meet the members and feel the energy in the room.