Alana McKinney, award-winning best-selling author and speaker, was recently featured in Forbes as one of America’s PremierExperts.

Chicago, Ill. – March 1, 2013 – Best-selling author Alana McKinney, managing Executive Director of BNI Marketing, LLC, was recently seen in Forbes with other leading professionals as part of a feature called “America’s PremierExperts® Presents: Forecasts & Strategies For the New Year & Beyond.” In the Forbes feature, Alana McKinney and other leading experts from various industries were asked for their “top tips on health, wealth and success to help you thrive in the New Year and beyond.”

Ms. McKinney remarked, “Siedah Garrett wrote lyrics to the popular song, Man In the Mirror. “No message could be any clearer, if you want to make the world a better place”- the person looking in the mirror needs to change. Practice small disciplines daily in specific areas of your life and see the world transform. Champions don’t become champions in the ring—they are merely recognized there.”

Alana McKinney discovered the power of networking years ago when a gun shop opened across from her children’s high school. Realizing she couldn’t change the situation on her own, Alana reached out to others—including First Lady Hillary Clinton, the late Senator Henry Hyde, and Sarah and Jim Brady. Her crusade was picked up nationally, and the gun shop agreed to move.

She then used networking to expand her women’s clothing business. This brought her into contact with Business Network International (BNI). Its philosophy of “Givers Gain” spoke to her. Alana became an Executive Director and Partner for the Chicagoland region, responsible for the operations, marketing/PR and nurturing of a franchise of more than 90 BNI chapters.

Today, Alana advocates the benefits of networking and word-of-mouth referral marketing to BNI members, entrepreneurs, businesspeople and not-for-profits. She is a frequent presenter and a coach on networking strategies and techniques. Alana has worked with Action Coach International, The Brian Buffini Organization, Herbal Life, Mary Kay Cosmetics, SendOutCards, Shaklee Corporation, and Signs By Tomorrow, among many others.

Alana has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS, as well as in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, and on radio interviews. She is also an award winning best selling author with Jack Canfield in The Success Secret.

Learn more about Alana McKinney please visit http://www.alanamckinney.com