Pavan Agni, President of BNI Aparant Chapter speaks on his plans during his tenure
What can you tell us about BNI Aparant Chapter
BNI Aparant was started 14 years ago and we celebrated our anniversary on April 23rd, the day BNI first came to Goa. BNI is a 35-year old global organisation that focusses on business growth via networking.
When BNI started out in Goa, the idea of promoting someone else’s business conjugally was not prevalent but in the last 14 years we have grown by leaps and bounds, reaching 15 Chapters across the length and breadth of the State. Aparant is the first Chapter in Goa, and being the pioneer Chapter we have a certain kind of image that we have to live up to.
Over the last 14 years, we have had over 28 terms with 25 Presidents and plenty of initiatives have been taken up during these terms. When a Chapter is formed it starts with 15 or 20 entrepreneurs and then grows to a medium level size of 50 members. So the idea of reaching a critical mass of 100 members is essential, because when that happens the matrix of relationships that is formed is much larger than when it is lesser
What is your primary focus as President?
Over the last 14 years, we have had over 28 terms with 25 Presidents and plenty of initiatives have been taken up during these terms. When a Chapter is formed it starts with 15 or 20 entrepreneurs and then grows to a medium level size of 50 members.
We have crossed 100+ members several times over the years. So the idea of reaching a critical mass of 100 members is essential, because when that happens the matrix of relationships that is formed is much larger than when it is lesser.
The web of relationships that we have in the market is larger and my primary focus during my term as President is to increase our membership to that 100+ level.
Having said that, any business which is part of a forum thrives on holistic achievement and growth of all its members; the difference is usually felt more in a state like Goa.
Earlier, we had mining and tourism and off late, due to the real estate boom, a huge difference between the median and the average is something I look forward to bridging. I also hope to ensure that every member of the Chapter gets a good share of the pie of the business value, which is earned through the referrals that we generate in BNI Aparant.
What legacy programs do you plan on continuing from your predecessors?
Goa being the state that it is, we are the first and oldest Chapter here. We have members who have been with us right up from inception till date. We also have new blood that has come in, in the last few years.
We have members in their early 20s and members who are in their late 50s. There is an amalgamation of experience as well as innovation at BNI Aparant. Tradition combined with innovation is one of the bedrocks of BNI. With this in mind, the legacy I would like to have for our Chapter is a culture of camaraderie and bonding. Whenever there is a good bond between members and trust that is when we are free to share our networks with one another. I look forward to having a larger focus on the parameters of bonding. When we spend time and do business with various members of our Chapter we not only trust each other in the ways of doing business, but also as individuals. A lot of members have become friends and get along well with each other’s families. This is something that I would like to build upon as a legacy.
Who feature in your team at BNI Aparant and what strengths do they bring to the table?
This is a leadership team consisting of six people which has a President, a post that I hold; Avinash Borkar, the Senior Director Consultant; Vishwesh Kamat, the Support Ambassador; Divyanand DeshBhandari, the Vice President; Dr Riddhi Sampath, the Secretary and Treasurer and Gifty Abraham, the Lead Visitor Host (LVH).
The Vice President is essentially tasked with handling the structural activities of the Chapter including memberships, renewals, and the systems. The Secretary/Treasurer is entrusted with handling the administrations, finances and making sure that the renewals as well as payments are handled in a proper manner.
The LVH is involved with handling the visitors; right up from the invitations till the time they are given an orientation to help them join the Chapter.
