The Mirror: CRM's and Sales Funnels

If you do a Google Images search on Sales Funnels, you will find many rainbow-colored funnels with intricate explanations of how they work.  The fundamental concept for any sales funnel is the same.

The way we build relationships moves people through this structured process of Awareness to Loyalty (if the process is working properly).  Here is just one example:

Now, here's the dashboard of how we choose to manage our "pipeline" in our Gmail  CRM add-on named Streak.

As you note, each is the same process.  We move people through an evaluation process from initial exposure to creating a lifelong partnership.  Each step is broken down into actionable "things-to-do".

In the beginning, we are creating Awareness by exposing people to our offer through varied means.  In the end, we are creating Loyalty through our on-boarding process and putting a plan in place that is tailored to an individual's time and talents.

We track.  We manage.  We follow-up and are metrics-based.  There is no guesswork.  Input equals output.  At the same time, we engender skills and ensure a solid foundation for people's success.

No wingin' it.

What is "Fair"?

Fair is a powerful word, perceptually.  It speaks to both sides of anything being in equilibrium... i.e. fair and balanced.

Fair means you get yours, and I get mine - and we are both happy with the result.  So, what does this have to do with our business and our Community?

It is out or a posture of fairness that we want to operate.  We create financial independence through financial interdependence.  Inter means between.  We (you and me) are linked and this concept of "fair".  It extends to everything we do.

However, is it realistic to expect that everyone will invest the same effort?  If not, is this fair?  How do we deal with people who are initially a ball-of-fire, but then peter out and become non-productive?  Do we cajole and attempt to motivate?

Let's take a step back.  We try to attract people who understand standards and expectations.  Our Community is all about, "What it takes".  This is expressed in effort - consistently applied.  Non-productive means not applying effort.

People and their circumstances differ.  Someone working full-time and caring for an elderly parent... and doing our business is much different than a college student who has comparatively less to deal with.  There simply will not be the same amount of hours in a day when effort can be applied.

This comes full circle in accepting people "where they are" and what they bring to the table.  There is no common baseline.  Therefore, it makes no real sense in trying to calibrate what is "fair".

Fair is progress.  Fair is moving forward.  Fair is small successes leading to larger successes.  Fair is being engaged in one's own process pursuant to their goals.  Fair is dictated by one's own standards that are put through the filter of our Community Standards.

Ultimately, what is "fair" is working with people that is "in kind" with their level of effort.  At the minimum, as a mentor, we owe this level of reciprocation.  We invest in people to the level that they invest in themselves.  The committed, the hungry, the active need to be met with the same.  If someone is on a slower, less aggressive trajectory, we need to be mindful and attentive to their progress, however, progress is the metric on which attention is paid.

It is only fair.  Business is about many things, but ultimately it is about transactions and making money.  If someone (anyone) is not engaged in behaviors that will result in earnings, eventually they will atrophy and die in terms of being deserving of your time and attention.

We do our best to prevent this from happening.  It is contrary to our culture and values.  However, we can only reciprocate and reflect back positive effort and move forward with those who have their game face on and "bring it" consistently.

Agreeing Slowly

Frankly, we don't want people "jumping at a hot opportunity".  This is not what we are about.

We offer a long-term proposition that requires patience to get there and understanding of a great deal of content (to get there).

Therefore, as you "recruit", allow for peoples' consideration in learning about what we do and their natural skepticism.  Our job is to provide a context for constructive information acquisition.  We enable adult decisions that have a real-world-bearing on peoples' futures.  Treat it as such.

If we provide an experience that is thoughtful and purposeful, we will greatly enhance the probability of those we work with being around long-term.

So don't rush it.  Don't pressure.  Make a friend.  Provide guidance.  Have conversations about real possibilities.

It will serve you, long-term.

Understanding the Four C Formula

Building a bridge between knowing what to do - and - doing it, is the starting point of "what it takes" to be successful in managing a home business.

This blog, our Training Site, and many other resources are instructive in laying out a game plan for what-to-do.  This is the pragmatic... the daily grind... the activities... the hours invested.

Then there is aspiration... what you want, the reason for your involvement, what is driving you - some call it your "why?".

You would think these two things are inextricably linked.  But somehow in the process of life happening, there is a disconnect.  This results of what-you-want are not supported by what-you-do.

Having a vision of where you are going is critical.  It requires a "grand plan"... a strategy to get there.  This is broken down into skills and knowledge that needs to be applied, both in the academic sense of learning, but also in the athletic sense of practicing and performing.  In football terms, it is the difference between watching film during the week in a classroom and playing the game on the weekend.

To be a winner, you need both.  What you learn needs to be applied pursuant to your goal(s).  Knowledge without application is derelict.  My father used to refer to this as being an "educated bum".  I have termed it as one being an "intellectual vagrant", or simply, knowledge not applied is useless.

Keep engaged.  Professional Development happens both when you are learning and teaching.  In doing so, you refine your thinking, hone your delivery and in so doing, you build your value.

The greater your value, the more money you make.  It is the Law of Compensation (or) The Rules of Reciprocity.  You get what you give.  You reap what you sow.  Or, think of it in terms of this "C formula":  Competence + Credibility + Contribution = Compensation.