In this episode, in a conversation with Bijay Shah, the Master Franchisee of Business Network International (BNI) in the UAE and the person behind one of the most successful business networking ecosystems in the region.

Bijay shares the entire journey, starting from the moment he first encountered BNI to building a thriving community that now spans hundreds of members across the UAE. He talks about the early challenges, the scepticism, the financial pressures, and the turning points that pushed him to take BNI from a side project to a full-time mission.

This conversation breaks down the real meaning of networking and why most people misunderstand it. Bijay explains how to choose the right communities, build relationships that actually matter, and ask better questions that can completely change the quality of the connections you make.

Founders, leaders, and entrepreneurs will find practical insights on team building, personal development, breaking limiting beliefs, and growing a business through community. Bijay also shares his favourite networking questions, the underrated skills that separate average networkers from great ones, and the principles that guided him as he grew BNI from 23 members to a powerful network across the UAE.If you want to build deeper relationships, expand your influence, or grow a business through meaningful connections, this episode offers lessons you can apply immediately.