If you’ve ever attended a BNI meeting, you’ve likely sat through at least a few 10-minute presentations. Some are engaging, informative, and inspiring. Others, as Darren Jamieson bluntly puts it, are “absolutely awful.” In a recent talk at BNI, Darren pulled no punches in explaining why so many of these presentations fail and how members can improve their delivery to maximize engagement and effectiveness.

Through years of experience, Darren has seen countless BNI presentations—both the good and the bad. His talk serves as a guide for members who want to refine their presentations, capture their audience’s attention, and, most importantly, generate meaningful business opportunities.

Why the Traditional BNI Presentation Format is Flawed

According to BNI’s Member Success Program (MSP), the recommended structure for a 10-minute presentation includes:

The first two minutes: Introducing yourself—your background, family, hobbies, even pets.

Four minutes: Discussing your business and services.

Two minutes: Outlining the types of referrals you’re looking for.

Two minutes: Q&A.

Darren quickly points out the flaws in this structure. First, spending the initial two minutes talking about personal details is a mistake. He doesn’t mince words: “Nobody cares about this stuff. No one is interested.”

If you meet someone for the first time and they spend the opening few minutes talking about their holiday, their dog, or their university, you likely tune out. The same is true in a presentation setting. If you don’t grab attention from the start, you risk losing your audience before you even get to the important part—what you do and how you can help them.

The closing two minutes for Q&A is another common pitfall. “Why would you save two minutes for questions at the end of a presentation?” he asks. The last thing people hear is what they’re most likely to remember. If your final moment is a question from the audience—especially one that derails your key message—you lose control of your presentation’s lasting impression.

How to Start Strong

Darren offers practical alternatives to the traditional BNI format. The key is to engage your audience immediately. He suggests:

Start with something controversial or bold. He begins his own talk with, “The vast majority of 10-minute presentations in BNI are awful.” This grabs attention and makes people want to hear what comes next.

Ask an engaging question. But not just any question. “Don’t ask open-ended questions like ‘Who’s your favorite author?’” Instead, pose a binary question—one with a clear yes-or-no answer. This ensures engagement without derailing the flow of the presentation.

Be intentional with audience participation. If you ask for a show of hands, make sure you clearly communicate what you want people to do. If instructions are vague or unclear, participation will falter, and your momentum will stall.

The Right and Wrong Way to Use Slides

A common feature of BNI 10-minute presentations is the use of PowerPoint slides. Unfortunately, many presenters make critical mistakes, turning their slides into a hindrance rather than a help.

“I’ve seen some atrocious BNI 10-minute presentations,” Darren says. He recalls one instance where a presenter filled their slide with text and then proceeded to read it line by line. The problem? The audience had already read it the moment it appeared on the screen. “Now we have to wait three minutes for this person to catch up.”

Instead, he advises:

Use slides as a visual aid, not a script. They should complement what you’re saying, not replace it.

Limit the text on slides. Keep it minimal, and reveal information gradually rather than dumping everything at once.

Use images and videos. These can enhance engagement far better than text-heavy slides.

He also references a highly recommended TEDx talk on “How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint”—a must-watch for anyone who regularly delivers presentations.

Controlling the Flow of Questions

In his presentation, one of Darren’s strongest recommendations is to never end a presentation on a Q&A session. He shares a personal experience where he ended a talk with questions, only for the last question to completely derail his intended message.

Instead, if you plan to take questions, do it in the middle of your presentation. This allows you to regain control and leave the audience with a strong, intentional final impression.

Body Language and Engagement

Presentations are not just about what you say but how you present yourself. Darren highlights common body language mistakes:

Avoid turning your back on the audience. Some presenters face their slides instead of their listeners, breaking engagement.

Maintain eye contact. “Make eye contact with every single person. Don’t stare them out—it’s not a fight—but engage with them.”

Be mindful of your hands. Many presenters unknowingly put their hands in their pockets, which can appear disengaged or casual. Worse, some fidget with loose change, creating an annoying distraction. “If you’re the kind of person who does this, empty your pockets first.”

Being Specific in Your Referral Requests

One of the main purposes of a BNI presentation is to generate referrals. However, many presenters make the mistake of being too vague or self-centered in their requests.

BNI advises members to be specific about who they want to meet, which is good advice—but not enough. The real question is not “Why do you want to meet this person?” but rather “Why does this person want to meet you?”

As Darren puts it, “It’s obvious why a financial advisor wants to speak to wealthy individuals. But why would those individuals want to speak to that financial advisor?”

This shift in perspective helps members frame their services in a way that highlights the value they bring.

How to Get More Referrals

If you want people to introduce you to potential clients, make it easy for them. Darren advises:

Be clear about the introduction process. What should someone say to make an introduction?

Provide an easy-to-remember referral phrase. If members can’t remember how to introduce you, they likely won’t do it.

Articulate the value you provide. People need to understand what makes you different and why referrals should care about what you offer.

Conclusion

Darren Jamieson’s talk at BNI was a masterclass in how to structure a compelling and effective 10-minute presentation. By avoiding common pitfalls—such as unnecessary personal details, text-heavy slides, and poorly timed Q&A sessions—BNI members can deliver talks that captivate their audience and generate meaningful business opportunities.

Key takeaways:

Start strong. Hook your audience with a bold statement or a direct question.

Use slides wisely. Keep them minimal and visually engaging.

Control your ending. Never let an open-ended Q&A dictate your final message.

Master body language. Engage with eye contact, avoid fidgeting, and project confidence.

Clarify your referral requests. Make it easy for members to introduce you by focusing on the value you provide.

With these strategies, BNI members can elevate their presentations, create lasting impressions, and ultimately secure more business connections. As Darren concludes, “That’s just a few tips on how to do a better presentation.” Follow them, and your next BNI talk will be far from awful—it will be unforgettable.