Kim Ellet has recognized the value of networks and working within groups for quite some time. As a member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and several smaller groups within that organization, Kim has grown her professional friendships and her business. Kim had visited a number of BNI groups over the years, too, but wasn’t sure BNI was for her. She knew if she was going to be referring business to her fellow BNI members and depending on them to help her grow her business, it had to be the right fit. So when she found the Smyrna Business Exchange, met the high-caliber membership and saw their dedication to results as well as fun, she decided to give it a shot. “When I found this group, the time was right and the people were right – it just felt like a great fit. The energy, dedication and knowledge the members of the Smyrna Business Exchange bring to the group is extraordinary …  Any team is only as strong as its members and we’ve had the opportunity to bring on people who are fully committed to continuing to uphold the values and purpose of the group as a whole,” she said. Now Ellet has been appointed president of the Smyrna Business Exchange, which has been ranked as the top BNI chapter in the region for the past 28 months. Kim is the owner of The Growth Coach of Metro Atlanta and is an experienced business owner and coach. You can learn more about her and her business here: http://thegrowthcoachatl.com/. Joining a BNI Group can be a powerful tool for your business – if you’re selected to fill a vacant seat within the chapter and if you put the effort into making the most out of the experience. BNI is a closed networking group, which guarantees your competitors aren’t in the room. There is only one member for each profession admitted to each chapter. This enables the members to get to know each other, develop a high level of trust and confidence, thus feeling very comfortable referring business to one another.  The BNI philosophy is “givers gain.” Members also gain an opportunity to better serve their clients by referring trusted service providers as well. The concept of a group of professionals adding value to one another is also a tenet of Kim’s business coaching philosophy and The Growth Coach process. In addition to individual executive coaching, The Growth Coach also serves business owners, leaders and managers in a group coaching format. “It’s powerful to get a group of business owners and leaders together to realize that they are not alone. Many business owners are facing the same issues of leading a growing business, even though their industries may be very different from each other. Not only do they have the benefit of working with an experienced, certified professional coach, they also have a group of peers to help hold them accountable. It’s a very powerful process that generates results.” There is great value for business owners and leaders in working with peers in a group format, whether it’s a closed networking group such as BNI and/or within a group coaching program, like the Growth Coach provides. It’s important for business owners and leaders to connect. Filed under: Business Coaching Tagged: atlanta, balance, benefits of business coaching, blog, BNI, business, business blog, business coach, business coaching, business coaching client success, business news, business owner emotional management, business owner mindset, business systems, business workshops, entrepreneur, georgia business, Growth Coach, kim ellet, leadership, marketing, small business leader, small business management, Smyrna Business Exchange