BNI (Business Network International) is a global networking organisation where business owners meet regularly to build trust and pass referrals, guided by the philosophy “Givers Gain®”. Tejwaans Corporate Group consultants Khaoula Hachani and Keerti Tariq attended the BNI Phoenix Qatar meeting in Doha, which brought together entrepreneurs from many nationalities and industries — a clear reminder that in Qatar, business is built on relationships, and trust comes before referrals.
Key takeaways:
- Networking is about meaningful relationships, not the number of business cards you collect
- Trust comes before referrals — and relationships take time
- Giving first (“Givers Gain®”) creates more opportunities than only asking
- Qatar’s diverse business community is a huge opportunity to learn across cultures and industries
- Confidence grows when you put yourself in rooms where you can learn
On 29 September 2026, two of our Senior Business Consultants, Khaoula Hachani and Keerti Tariq, represented Tejwaans Corporate Group at a meeting of BNI Phoenix Qatar at the Radisson Blu hotel in Doha. Their experience reinforced one of the most important principles in business:
Business is built on relationships.
From the moment they arrived, the environment felt different from a typical business event. It was professional, structured and welcoming — and, most importantly, focused on creating meaningful connections between business owners.
Khaoula Hachani (left) and Keerti Tariq (right) at the BNI Phoenix Qatar meeting, Radisson Blu, Doha.
What Is BNI?
BNI stands for Business Network International. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner, it is a global business networking organisation built around structured, relationship-based networking and referrals.
BNI brings business owners and professionals together regularly in local groups called chapters, so they can understand each other’s businesses, build trust, exchange referrals and support one another’s growth.
One of BNI’s central principles is “Givers Gain®” — the idea that by helping others and creating value for them, you also create opportunities for yourself.
But as Khaoula and Keerti discovered, BNI is not simply about collecting contacts or exchanging business cards. It is about building trust before business.
A Room Full of Different Cultures and Businesses
One of the most impressive parts of the meeting was the diversity of people in the room.
Khaoula and Keerti met business owners from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds — Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Qataris and people from many other communities. Despite coming from different countries and cultures, everyone was brought together by one common purpose: to build relationships and grow through business.
The variety of industries represented made it even more interesting. The room included professionals and business owners from:
- Business services and consulting
- Trading
- Construction and real estate
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Finance and professional services
- Marketing
- Hospitality and other sectors
This diversity meant every conversation offered a different perspective. A conversation with someone in trading could teach you something completely different from one with someone in healthcare, construction or technology. That is the real value of being in a room like this — and a snapshot of how diverse Qatar’s business landscape really is.
Members and visitors of BNI Phoenix Qatar — business owners from many nationalities and industries.
Inside the BNI Phoenix Qatar Meeting
The meeting was scheduled from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, and the conversations and networking continued until around 11:30 AM. Spending those hours surrounded by established business owners gave Khaoula and Keerti a first-hand look at how different professionals approach business, relationships, growth and collaboration.
What stood out most to them was the quality of interaction. People were not simply introducing themselves and moving on. They were genuinely interested in understanding what others do, who they serve and how they could potentially support one another.
That made the experience much more meaningful.
More Than Networking
One of the biggest takeaways from the meeting was that networking is not about how many people you meet. It is about how many meaningful relationships you build.
Khaoula and Keerti didn’t just meet business owners — they started building new relationships on behalf of Tejwaans Corporate Group. They connected with established professionals, exchanged ideas, learned about different businesses and opened the door to potential future collaborations.
And sometimes, that first conversation is where something much bigger begins.
Confidence Through Connection
Another valuable outcome for both of them was the increase in confidence.
Walking into a room filled with experienced business owners can naturally feel challenging. But once the conversations started, the atmosphere became comfortable and encouraging. Every introduction, every conversation and every handshake helped build confidence.
It was a reminder that every successful business owner was once at the beginning of their journey too. Being around people who are already building, growing and leading businesses creates an environment where you naturally learn — and challenge yourself to think bigger.
A Professional Yet Friendly Environment
The environment was one of the highlights of the experience. It was highly professional, but at the same time warm and friendly. The structure of the meeting kept everything organised, while the people created an atmosphere where conversations felt natural.
And, of course, the breakfast was another highlight! Starting the morning with good food, good conversations and ambitious business owners made the experience even better.
Key Lessons From the BNI Meeting
The meeting reinforced several simple but powerful lessons:
- Relationships take time. One meeting opens the door; consistent follow-up builds the relationship.
- Trust comes before referrals. People refer businesses they know, like and trust.
- Focus on giving, not just receiving. Networking is more valuable when you ask how you can help others.
- Different cultures and industries create opportunities. There is always something to learn from someone who works differently from you.
- Confidence grows in the right rooms. Put yourself where you can learn from people further along the journey.
You never know which conversation could become the beginning of a new opportunity.
Tips for Your First BNI Meeting in Qatar
If you are planning to visit a BNI chapter or any business networking event in Doha, a little preparation goes a long way:
- Prepare a short introduction — be able to explain what your business does and who you help in under a minute.
- Arrive on time — many BNI meetings start early in the morning and follow a set structure.
- Bring business cards and have your LinkedIn profile ready to share.
- Listen more than you talk — ask others what they do and who their ideal customer is.
- Think about who you could refer — that is the fastest way to build trust.
- Follow up within a few days — a connection only becomes a relationship if the conversation continues.
Why Networking Matters for Businesses in Qatar
Qatar’s business community is diverse, international and relationship-driven. For entrepreneurs — especially those starting a business in Qatar as a foreigner — networking can help you find partners, suppliers and clients, understand how the market works and get introductions that advertising alone cannot create.
At Tejwaans Corporate Group, relationships are at the heart of what we do. We support entrepreneurs across every stage of their journey in Qatar — from company formation and registration to PRO services, corporate banking, accounting and business consulting. Meeting business owners face to face helps us understand their challenges and where we can genuinely help.
Networking events are becoming a regular part of how our team connects with Qatar’s business community — read about another event Tejwaans attended, the QDB–MOI B2B Matchmaking Meeting in Qatar.
Looking Beyond One Meeting
This was not just another business event for our team. It was an opportunity to step outside the usual office environment, meet established entrepreneurs from different nationalities and industries, understand different businesses, exchange ideas and start developing new professional relationships.
For Khaoula Hachani and Keerti Tariq, it was a valuable experience and a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from working harder behind a desk. Sometimes, growth comes from walking into a room, introducing yourself, listening to others and building relationships one conversation at a time.
Because in business, opportunities may come from many places. But very often, they begin with people.
And every relationship starts with a conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat is BNI?
BNI (Business Network International) is a global business networking organisation built around structured, relationship-based networking and referrals. Members meet regularly in local chapters to understand each other’s businesses, build trust and pass referrals to one another.
QWhat does “Givers Gain” mean in BNI?
Givers Gain is BNI’s central philosophy: by helping other members and creating value for them, for example by passing them referrals, you also create opportunities for your own business.
QIs there BNI in Qatar?
Yes. BNI chapters meet in Qatar, bringing together business owners from many nationalities and industries. The Tejwaans Corporate Group team attended a meeting of the BNI Phoenix Qatar chapter at the Radisson Blu hotel in Doha.
QCan I attend a BNI meeting as a visitor?
BNI chapters commonly welcome visitors who want to experience a meeting before deciding whether to join. Contact a local chapter or BNI directly to arrange a visit.
QHow long is a BNI meeting?
It depends on the chapter and format. The BNI Phoenix Qatar meeting our team attended was scheduled from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, including breakfast, and the networking conversations continued until around 11:30 AM.
QWhy is business networking important in Qatar?
Qatar’s business community is diverse and relationship-driven. Networking helps business owners build trust, find partners and suppliers, learn how other industries operate and receive referrals that advertising alone cannot create.
Written by Syed Muhammad Shabbar Ali Naqvi
· Tejwaans Corporate Group
Based on the experience of Khaoula Hachani
and Keerti Tariq, who attended the meeting.
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