Multiple Streams Of Activity

I have had several conversation lately with associates seeking advice about building their businesses. The common thread in these conversations begun with the question,
"what's the best way to market my business?"
The honest answer to this question is that I do not know what the singular best way to market a business. Despite what many organization may try to pawn off on their business associates, I do not believe that this problem can be addressed by subscribing to a system, per se. I believe that each person's situation is unique relative to their skill set and their personality and their respective efficiency (comfort level) in completing any number of methods.

My experience has been that I needed to have many plates spinning to create the broadest net of exposure. I also found that I attained my best results by applying more creative solutions in promoting my products and the business opportunity. System-based training has little tolerance for creativity however. Many of these organization tend to invoke the acronym, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) and rely on perpetuating the myth of keeping things duplicatable. Applied technology is by it's nature duplicatable but the equation of process and result with a person's activity is not. Those that market a tape program to teach their "students" various contacting techniques, for example, are effective only if the respondent knows the words they are supposed to say. Scripted contacting dialog rarely develops conviction on the part of the speaker and potential clients/associates will sense this. Scripting and lack of immediate profitability for the new enrollee are probably responsible for the short lifespan of the average MLMer, from frustration of not believing what that have been told to say and having the overhead from a training program that is largely ineffective.

There is no magic pill for building an MLM or any other business. The business owner in MLM needs to seek many outlets for promoting their business - both utilizing current technology but also implementing methods used to promote more conventional business types. If you are involved with a business that is "web-based", my advice to you is that you understand that "web-based" does not necessarily mean "web-exclusive". You would be well advised to use ALL resources at your disposal. Do not make the mistake of letting your past efforts or training, exclude you from implementing core concepts. You gotta sell stuff in your business, right? You have to find clients/partners that are in the market for what you are offering?

I have offered ideas to the people I have talked with on the phone. I have tried to present both a conventional and non-conventional list of potential activities for the caller to consider. Some may work and some may not, for that person. I think it is more important to discuss the process rather than a "system". If you have settled on a destination, what means are you willing to consider to get where you want to go? In Jules Verne's story, "Around The World In 80 Days", the means to circumvent the globe were varied. How you achieve your goals will be largely determined by your willingness to surmount your challenges through creative problem solving.

Tap Into The Jim Rohn Experience

From Best MLM Resources:

You can't go wrong with any of the resources available at Jim Rohn's website.

Tons of stuff from books, newsletters (great read), seminars, coaching, and more.

........Best MLM Resources........: Tap Into The Jim Rohn Experience

I, too, am a big fan of Jim Rohn. Mr. Rohn offers uncommon insight on common challenges that face us all in our businesses and life.
(I wish I could get Jim Rohn to speak on a Passport conference call.)

The Content Manager: SEO Today Article: Strive to Be in Top 10 of Google's Results

From the Content Manager:

"Suttons Bay, MI - Oneupweb, a leading national search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing (SEM) firm released a new study demonstrating a clear benefit to being listed on the first three pages of Google results, and describes even greater sales benefits to being listed on Google's first page. The SEO industry has been telling clients for years that very few searchers review more than the first three pages of search engine results; this study confirms that higher positions sell better.

The Content Manager: SEO Today Article: Strive to Be in Top 10 of Google's Results

For more information about SEO - be sure to check The Content Manager often. I am finding a lot of information here that is beginning to allow me to better understand effective utilization of search engines.

B2B Lead Generation Blog: Small companies blogging for leads while big companies watch

Do you blog in your efforts to build your business?

B2B Lead Generation Blog: Small companies blogging for leads while big companies watch

Rick Bruner wonders how many Fortune 500 companies have external blogs - maybe 3% to 6%? Ensight's Jeremy Wright puts the number somewhere around 10% to 20%. Why so few?

Big companies are big targets. As a result, they must to deal with much higher level of scrutiny (Sarbannes-Oxley, SEC disclosures, etc.) and thus, blogs are simply another risk to mange. Can you imagine having your corporate counsel review each draft (for compliance) before you post it online?

Getting It Done - Part Two

Having started to read "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, I am deep in the chapter about getting the proper tools to organize your workspace and office area. There's not a lot of frills here, just the essentials;

• Paper-holding trays (at least three)
• A stack of plain letter-size paper
• A pen/pencil
• Post-its (3x3)
• Paper clips
• Binder clips
• A stapler and staples
• Scotch tape
• Rubber bands
• File folders
• A calendar
• A wastebasket/recycling bins
• And one of these....

I spent part of the evening getting my supplies together - tomorrow I put it in motion.

Getting Things Done - David Allen

I picked up a copy of this book today. I posted about David Allen when he appeared on a local radio show a few months ago.

David Allen also offers a cool add-on for Outlook&trade that may be of some interest. You can download it free for a test drive and if it suits you, purchase the full system.

Carnival of the Capitalists is up at RFID Weblog

I apologize for not staying current with my posting these. Take a few moments to check 'em out.
The RFID Weblog - "Implementation and Application of RFID technology " - Carnival of the Capitalists Arrives
Good stuff!

On The Road with Dave: "Prospecting Leads to Suspecting"

Great post here from David Robison:

He says that he asks everyone that looks like a good "prospect" about real estate when they come into the store. He claims he get 40 or 50 "prospects" a day.

On The Road with Dave: "Prospecting Leads to Suspecting"

There are too many network marketing companies / organizations that teach the notion "throw enough mud on the wall...." and this practice does nothing constructive for the business builder or the industry. The belief that this business is just "a numbers game" is a deceptive way to keep people from becoming discouraged by the facts of the marketplace. The truth is that NOT everyone is good for your business and certainly NOT everyone will want to do it.

Getting an Education in Search Engine Marketing

Friend blogger Barry Johnson at The Content Manager, shared a link to this story recently. For anyone actively marketing anything on the internet, this will strike a famaliar chord.

The search marketing industry changes at such a fast pace that even if a university were to offer a degree in search marketing, the information they taught would be out of date before the graduate could even put it into practice.

Getting an Education in Search Engine Marketing

Network Marketing 2005 and beyond!: Ya gotta sell it...

JBNET notes the one crucial element needed to fuel a successful MLM business - Ya gotta sell stuff baby!

One of the biggest red flags for any MLM company is the practice of telling you that you do not have to sell anything! WHAT??? Hello McFly!!

Network Marketing 2005 and beyond!: Ya gotta sell it...

My dream is to drive down the road in a motor coach pulling a stretch limo pulling a Hummer pulling a bass boat. Nah, not really. I don't fish much.

Working Smart: Mac Quest: Contemplating the Switch

The idea of switching to MAC has once again surfaced for me. I have once again outgrown my PC and will be making a purchase to upgrade soon.
As I have begun to evaluate my projected needs versus features and benefits available on many PC models, I have been giving more serious consideration to jumping over to a MAC.

Okay, this is getting serious. It’s starting to feel like a religious experience. One Mac user wrote to me privately and told me he was “praying for my conversion.”

Working Smart: Mac Quest: Contemplating the Switch

I am still undecided but this post and others I have read recently are making give MAC serious consideration.

The Most Widely Read Blog on the Internet!

Great title, no? Self-fulfilling prophecy? I am going to add him to my link list as I hope he can achieve his goal. For everything, there is a beginning....

Alright..so maybe the title is more of a goal than a reality at this point...but a guy can dream can't he? Let's just call it my personal experiment with "self-fulfilling prophecy". Grab a seat...this should be fun.

Ok Rich, I'm on board.

The Most Widely Read Blog on the Internet!

Seth Godin - Liar's Blog

More from Seth Godin:

This is a blog inspired by my new book, All Marketers are Liars, published this May. There are three things you can do before you get started:

Seth Godin - Liar's Blog

Of What Leadership

Since the early days of my personal involvement in network marketing, the term "leadership" is bandied about almost carelessly. And yet, having witnessed the coronation of dozens of so-called and even self-proclaimed "leaders", I cannot help but wonder if the title of leader hasn't become so diluted that it is hardly a recognizable trait?

Does a title make a leader? Of course not. Most people recognize this and are certainly smart enough to realize that there are plenty of titled people without leadership skills. There is little more destructive than a caste system that promotes it's leaders. Leaders here are more often chosen on the basis of "who will play ball" rather than "who will inspire and set an example?" Effective organizations need more builders than 'brown-nosers'.

In addition to expressing the 'why' solution to any challenge, a leader should be able to share the 'how'. In reaching a point of understanding, the leader needs to be able to explain how each solution will affect each member of the participants. The leader must never lose touch with their origin; their roots, and never disregard the roots of others in the organization.

A leader should be a facilitator. Laying the foundation, paving the way, and acting as a sign post for all that choose to walk that road. Loyalty and mutual respect are the cornerstones in this process and the leaders must be the hallmark of these traits. You can say "follow me" all day long but unless you first live your commitment, you are not likely to keep the attention of those you may wish to lead.

I also believe that a true leader should be confident in themselves, absolutely; more importantly, they need an unshakeable confidence in those around them and consistently seek opportunities to involve them in arriving at solutions. A person in the leadership role may have the ultimate veto power, and will need to be able to exercise it tactfully, but this authority need not be advertised. The leader should seek to be able to say "WE have developed this solution" over using the word, "I".

Lastly, a leader should grasp their own limitations and admit their failures when they occur, which they undoubtedly will. Discard the conditional apology and contrived humility for both are readily apparent.

Of what value is leadership if one seeks domain over sheep? A leader that seeks to empower others, respect the tacit ownership role that ALL participants possess, will allow growth and development in the organization that will be nothing short of unstoppable.

Speaking Of Dreams

As suspected. This article appeared in the Detroit Free Press yesterday.
Dick DeVos creates exploratory committee for gubernatorial bid

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Dick DeVos, a southwestern Michigan businessman and a major Republican donor, has taken a step toward running for governor next year by creating an exploratory committee.

DeVos, the husband of former state GOP Chairwoman Betsy DeVos, on Friday filed paperwork with the secretary of state's office, the Detroit Free Press reported. Creating an exploratory committee is a first step toward forming a full campaign committee.

This will be interesting.......

via WDTK AM 1400 Detroit

Dream Exploitation

"You gotta have a dream!"

For years, I heard this statement, repeated ad nauseum, at business meetings and conventions, in numerous recommended books, and on countless tapes. At first glance, one may accept this as a good thing and is perhaps the first step is the goal setting process.

Unfortunately, my experience reveals to me something entirely negative and destructive.

The "dream" mantra has been the catalyst employed in some businesses to "lock" people into programs that provide little, if any, substantive benefit except to those promoting the program. The "dream" is held as the reason why people are encouraged to pursue a difficult undertaking. The "dream" is shown to be the point of fire in one's heart and mind that should propel them into action. The "dream" becomes the unquestioned acceptance; the faith and confidence that the advisors share some common element of belief and support.

But, if success is not achieved or some larger difficulty not surpassed; the common response is " your dream just isn't big enough". I can't tell you the amount of times I heard, "you need a bigger dream" as my trusted counsel would advise. Sadly, the "dream" is more like a "wedge". I suggest the analogy of a wood-splitting wedge.

The "dream" is both the driver for one's deepest, heartfelt desires and through the continuous focus upon why you need this dream, it is also a weapon that can be used to manipulate. The slogan "you gotta have a dream" could be interchangeable with something like "leave the driving to us".

My "dream" equation would be more like this: Dream leads to Vision leads to Goals leads to Action.

Yes, you may need a dream but there must be more. I'm all for dreams. No one succeeded only by dreaming. This is the first step in a progression that must conclude with activity in order to achieve it's form in reality. No one can do the dreaming for you nor set the goals necessary so you cannot expect anyone to do the work for you. Guard against those that tell you their system works, it's your "dream" that is the problem.

Passport LLC Announces MAP

Announced tonight during our What Sets Us Apart conference call, Passport has launched our MAP concept. MAP stands for Merchant Affiliate Program.










We are starting this program with six affiliates, Amazon.com, NetFlix, Office Depot, Sharper Image, Inphonic, and PetCo.com.

At the core of our MAP concept is that qualified Passport Independent Associates will earn a share of the revenue created by purchases through the referral links. What is unique about the Passport MAP? Up to 75% of the revenues generated will be placed into a pool reserved for qualified Passport Independent Associates.

Follow the link and read more details of this new program.