Greene County Business Referral Group Names New Leadership

GREENE COUNTY, OH - The Greater Dayton Professionals (GDP) Chapter of Business Network International (BNI), based in Greene County, has named a new leadership team for the 2010 business year. Chapter members are appointed by the previous leadership to fill each of three annual positions including chapter president, vice president and secretary treasurer.

Founded in 1985 by professional networking guru Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI is an international organization designed to assist entrepreneurs and sales professionals to expand their network of contacts and spend less time on cold calls and unqualified leads. The organization now consists of more than 5,900 chapters around the globe with members in all types of businesses from real estate and insurance agents to florists and mortgage brokers.

Only one member from each occupational classification is admitted to a single chapter of BNI. The goal is to help members network with one-another on a level that is not possible in other types of groups such as chamber organizations or service clubs and directly exchange qualified referrals.

The Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter of BNI includes members from as far north as Vandalia and east to Jamestown. The new leadership team will be Secretary Treasurer Tina Paddon of Cool Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning of Dayton, Vice President Gery L. Deer, managing director of the entertainment and public relations firm GLD Enterprises & Productions, and President Sharon Zeljak, owner of Automated Advantage, a marketing firm based in Riverside.

"The Greater Dayton Professionals is the best recession-busting tool ever created," said Zeljak. "When you are an active member of such a dynamic networking group, the benefits are tremendous both professionally and personally." Zeljak's new team will manage the group for the next 12 months, focusing on growth and the business development of the members.

"It helps a person to strengthen their focus," Zeljak continued, "identify business and life goals, create outstanding business tools, become more comfortable speaking, build solid relationships with respected business people, and secure more business on a regular basis."

Gery L. Deer of Jamestown was the group's previous president but has stayed on for the upcoming year in his new role as vice president and chairman of the membership committee. A freelance writer and entrepreneur, Deer is also sold on the BNI formula. "We are no coffee clutch," Deer explained. "Expanding our networks and working together are the only ways that small businesses are going to survive the economic changes going on and BNI gives entrepreneurs a sales force to help them succeed."

According to the GDP leadership team, commitment to the organization and the desire to learn the process is imperative to the success of the members as well. "I've been with this group for five years," explained Zeljak. "Now I no longer need to look for work or worry about doing cold calls. Business comes to me."

The Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter of BNI meets every Thursday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. at City Barbecue, 2330 B N. Fairfield Rd. and visitors are welcome. Details about BNI and a complete list of the chapter membership are available online at www.greaterdaytonpros.com. For more information contact Sharon Zeljak at (937) 427-3277 or email szeljak@automatedadvantage.com.