At risk of sounding too simplistic, our business philosophy is to make a positive difference in peoples' lives. The reality is that money lubricates life. When income exceeds expenses, money literally eliminates the stress of daily living and liberates people from financial demons. This allows people to be their best-selves - happy and comparatively free - at least on a financial dimension.
As such, and in a much broader context, our culture (our ethos) positively impacts society. This is much larger than a "business opportunity". Inherent in this is collectively, as a community, we elevate the quality-of-life for large groups of people who we support through education and through teaching to take purposeful, well-defined action(s).
We make a positive difference by paying attention to relationships and to the best of our ability, doing all we can to ensure others' success. This is inherently a process that happens over time - and with time, we build stable and lasting businesses that are built around our culture and sense of community. When applied to large numbers of people, the societal benefit becomes somewhat self-evident.
If you look at the real potential to build something to pass along to your heirs, there is no other way to approach what we do.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Permission Marketing
First, let me preface:
Without giving away too much about what makes our marketing group unique, it is safe to say that we seek to establish stable, long-term relationships. This is done within the context of a community. We rely on and support each other in building businesses that create financial stability. The kind of stability that evolves into higher and higher levels of prosperity. Individual by individual, this defines what we do as we grow participation in our groups.
This being said, how we initially approach and market to the groups we target has everything to do with the initial contact(s) we make. We do this through asking for permission (if they are receptive to?) receiving further information about what we offer.
In this context, the chapters that Seth Godin shares a great primer to get your head around how we build large, stable organizations. We are not mass marketers in the traditional sense, but very specifically and intentionally are thoughtful, courteous and methodical in our approach. This level of sophistication (both in terms of etiquette and strategy) is one of the key variables that sets us apart. Depending on the group we are marketing to, this has to be done right.
Without giving away too much about what makes our marketing group unique, it is safe to say that we seek to establish stable, long-term relationships. This is done within the context of a community. We rely on and support each other in building businesses that create financial stability. The kind of stability that evolves into higher and higher levels of prosperity. Individual by individual, this defines what we do as we grow participation in our groups.
This being said, how we initially approach and market to the groups we target has everything to do with the initial contact(s) we make. We do this through asking for permission (if they are receptive to?) receiving further information about what we offer.
In this context, the chapters that Seth Godin shares a great primer to get your head around how we build large, stable organizations. We are not mass marketers in the traditional sense, but very specifically and intentionally are thoughtful, courteous and methodical in our approach. This level of sophistication (both in terms of etiquette and strategy) is one of the key variables that sets us apart. Depending on the group we are marketing to, this has to be done right.
A Right Way and A Wrong Way
Is there a right way and a wrong way to approach a home business? Around the Holidays, between Thanksgiving and New Years (every year) there are always multiple promotions from different "follow me and my system" marketers. Typically, they host webinars and then have a campaign to follow-up (forever) until you unsubscribe.
There are a lot of clues left by this process. The problem is that for the vast majority of people, the skills sets required to execute this kind of "marketing funnel" to a targeted national or worldwide audience are well beyond their time and talent. So, even though there are many examples of state-of-the-art processes, building one yourself is an extremely tall order.
Some advocate "the only way" is through paid advertising and they will show you how to make it happen. Others sell the process itself and include landing page builders integrated with free offers and auto-responder campaigns. Many or most of these have affiliate programs and "the model" is to sell their tools and their process as an additional income stream. There are different levels of sophistication and integration that make all of the pieces of marketing funnels fit and work together.
The issue is this: it is really a full-time second job to learn and implement all of this stuff, and the commitment required to make it happen is simply beyond the capabilities of most people. Therefore, even if they invest in a course, a process, or a suite of tools... getting it all to work and having the skills to make it "hum" is a huge problem.
Therefore, somewhere between knowing + doing nothing - and - these state-of-the-art systems are some common sense best-practices that the majority of people can engage in to build a home business. At the end of the day, our "job" is to get our message of "what we do" in front of people for them to evaluate and then provide on-going information that reinforces the viability of making money and encouraging them to join in the effort to enhance their own income.
The most simple, first thing anyone can do is to point people to a company capture page with no other supporting resources (that talk about who you are as a marketer or a leader). However, you can piggy-back off of other people until you gain and build your own resources (like this blog and individual posts within it).
The key is to get started doing something/anything - and then building on your time and talents. This will differ for everyone based on your personality type, the skills you initially bring to the table, whether you have other commitments, including children and any number of other factors.
Short of investing thousands of dollars in your education to implement state-of-the-art systems, you have to find your sweet spot of engaging with your business. Your business is finding people who will embrace the idea of partnering with you to make money. We are "selling" participation and group-think. We are marketing a community of shared values. The key here is "buying into" a philosophy, as opposed to buying a business opportunity. We are not selling a "deal" as the means to our end, we are selling a culture of interdependence that will sustain everyone.
There are a lot of clues left by this process. The problem is that for the vast majority of people, the skills sets required to execute this kind of "marketing funnel" to a targeted national or worldwide audience are well beyond their time and talent. So, even though there are many examples of state-of-the-art processes, building one yourself is an extremely tall order.
Some advocate "the only way" is through paid advertising and they will show you how to make it happen. Others sell the process itself and include landing page builders integrated with free offers and auto-responder campaigns. Many or most of these have affiliate programs and "the model" is to sell their tools and their process as an additional income stream. There are different levels of sophistication and integration that make all of the pieces of marketing funnels fit and work together.
The issue is this: it is really a full-time second job to learn and implement all of this stuff, and the commitment required to make it happen is simply beyond the capabilities of most people. Therefore, even if they invest in a course, a process, or a suite of tools... getting it all to work and having the skills to make it "hum" is a huge problem.
Therefore, somewhere between knowing + doing nothing - and - these state-of-the-art systems are some common sense best-practices that the majority of people can engage in to build a home business. At the end of the day, our "job" is to get our message of "what we do" in front of people for them to evaluate and then provide on-going information that reinforces the viability of making money and encouraging them to join in the effort to enhance their own income.
The most simple, first thing anyone can do is to point people to a company capture page with no other supporting resources (that talk about who you are as a marketer or a leader). However, you can piggy-back off of other people until you gain and build your own resources (like this blog and individual posts within it).
The key is to get started doing something/anything - and then building on your time and talents. This will differ for everyone based on your personality type, the skills you initially bring to the table, whether you have other commitments, including children and any number of other factors.
Short of investing thousands of dollars in your education to implement state-of-the-art systems, you have to find your sweet spot of engaging with your business. Your business is finding people who will embrace the idea of partnering with you to make money. We are "selling" participation and group-think. We are marketing a community of shared values. The key here is "buying into" a philosophy, as opposed to buying a business opportunity. We are not selling a "deal" as the means to our end, we are selling a culture of interdependence that will sustain everyone.
Friday, December 16, 2016
The Community is Your Asset
There is a point of confusion that most digital marketers to not adequately address.
This entire blog talks about culture and community, and here's why.
Businesses (can) come and go. Unless you literally "own" the company - you are promoting someone else's opportunity. You are not in control of your business. What you do control, however, are the relationships, the "group think" and the alliances and common purpose you build with people.
This is your asset - and it is all relationship-based. Some call it your "list". And... the industry adage is "the money is in your list". Actually, some marketers advocate collecting names and having a lot of names to make different offers to - over time. As such, they say that this large list is the asset. I agree with this to a point, but am also inclined to disagree.
There is also the industry mantra of "know, like and trust". The admonition is that people need to know, like and trust you to do business with you. I have no argument with this. The question for me is that from a large "list", you may or may not have people who are currently participating with what you do - and putting money in your bank account. Therefore, all of the good will, liking and trusting is of no tangible monetary value.
Therefore, the notion of inter-dependence is key to my definition of community. Or said differently, having a stake, or "some skin in the game" is a requirement. As such, names and email addresses are of little utility other than the "potential" of them participating with you financially at some future date.
Again, the asset is the sum total of the relationships you build - one at a time - with the trust of everyone holding everyone else's best-interest as a core value. And, with the understanding that this community moves forward as its own economy where everyone has a vested interest in ensuring that all who participate have success.
This entire blog talks about culture and community, and here's why.
Businesses (can) come and go. Unless you literally "own" the company - you are promoting someone else's opportunity. You are not in control of your business. What you do control, however, are the relationships, the "group think" and the alliances and common purpose you build with people.
This is your asset - and it is all relationship-based. Some call it your "list". And... the industry adage is "the money is in your list". Actually, some marketers advocate collecting names and having a lot of names to make different offers to - over time. As such, they say that this large list is the asset. I agree with this to a point, but am also inclined to disagree.
There is also the industry mantra of "know, like and trust". The admonition is that people need to know, like and trust you to do business with you. I have no argument with this. The question for me is that from a large "list", you may or may not have people who are currently participating with what you do - and putting money in your bank account. Therefore, all of the good will, liking and trusting is of no tangible monetary value.
Therefore, the notion of inter-dependence is key to my definition of community. Or said differently, having a stake, or "some skin in the game" is a requirement. As such, names and email addresses are of little utility other than the "potential" of them participating with you financially at some future date.
Again, the asset is the sum total of the relationships you build - one at a time - with the trust of everyone holding everyone else's best-interest as a core value. And, with the understanding that this community moves forward as its own economy where everyone has a vested interest in ensuring that all who participate have success.
Our Marketing Sites (so far)
You can click on any of following sites to get a sense of how we approach market segmentation and drill down on specific groups, or geographic areas. You will note they are all "neutral" in terms of contact information and does not disclose nor link to the business that drives our incomes.
Also, you will note that each site is built on a FREE Google Sites host. They are simple, one page sites that encourage people to get back to the person who led them to the information. As you advance in your skill sets, you can develop your own.
In any event, here's the list:
Also, you will note that each site is built on a FREE Google Sites host. They are simple, one page sites that encourage people to get back to the person who led them to the information. As you advance in your skill sets, you can develop your own.
In any event, here's the list:
- 401Konundrum - Targeted to people who are about to retire, but have done a less than adequate job at saving and planning for it.
- Business Owners - Targeted to individually owned, small retail shops, food establishments, child care centers, contractors, etc.
- Independent Grad - Targeted to college students, including fraternities and sororities as well as student organizations. These can and should have discrete sites.
- Money Club - This site is Money Club Warwick, which is my "home town". It is obviously intended for local marketing. The Banner can be changed and used in any town, anywhere.
- Our Money Bus - This was one of the very early sites that is now primarily used as a follow-up site - to send people to as a further explanation. You will note that the video is used at the end of a couple of the other sites. This can stay or go, if you get to the point of creating your own sites..
- Union175 - Targeted to Unions of any labor stripe.
- Motivated Volunteers - Targeted to Fundraising Groups. Youth Sports, Religious Affiliated, School Groups... any group seeking to make money.
It is important that you understand that these are additional resources that are specific to our Marketing Community. There is a whole host of additional resources that our business provides and the larger marketing community provide.
Our group is one of many that all lead to our core business. You will note on my "About Me" page on this blog, I am just one person out of thousands carving out "one way" to get from Point A to Point B, in terms of educating people about what we do, and then enrolling them in our business.
One aspect of our training is to teach you how to "employ" any of these sites. Again, you need to develop some of your own resources to make this work. This will begin your learning curve.
The first thing will be to make a landing page that you tell people about yourself and the business. This will be a Google Site. It is not complicated and there are tons of YouTube videos that teach how to make it happen, in addition to our training.
The point here is, there are things to do, and things to know as you ramp up your skills and knowledge.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
The Launch to Profitaiblity
This is critical. People need to launch to profitability as quickly as possible. This does not happen on its own - and therefore hand holding, cajoling or any other means of motivation in the first weeks is essential.
Perhaps a bit over-stated, but the general idea is that if people are in profit, there is no reason to quit. Therefore, initial profitability is a first little insurance policy. It follows that to get into profit, something needed to have been "done". It is a bit more complicated than wash, rinse, and repeat because at that point the "recruit" having just had their initial success - now has two roles, instead of one. In addition to finding people to get involved, they need to apply the skills necessary to support their newly enrolled person.
This defines the life cycle of our business: enroll and support. Or said differently: marketing and teaching. It defines the success cycle. We really only do two things: 1) find and enroll people into our business, and; 2) support them i whatever they need to be doing to become competent and profitable.
Perhaps a bit over-stated, but the general idea is that if people are in profit, there is no reason to quit. Therefore, initial profitability is a first little insurance policy. It follows that to get into profit, something needed to have been "done". It is a bit more complicated than wash, rinse, and repeat because at that point the "recruit" having just had their initial success - now has two roles, instead of one. In addition to finding people to get involved, they need to apply the skills necessary to support their newly enrolled person.
This defines the life cycle of our business: enroll and support. Or said differently: marketing and teaching. It defines the success cycle. We really only do two things: 1) find and enroll people into our business, and; 2) support them i whatever they need to be doing to become competent and profitable.
Literally: Our Business is Others' Success
Your main responsibility as a business owner (in our business) is to do all you can to ensure people [those you rely on for their monthly participation in your on-going income] have success. This happens on a number of levels, the most fundamental one is ensuring you develop a relationship and you engender a culture that includes a sense-of-belonging.
Servant leadership obviously involves serving. There is nothing more important than serving others and ensuring they are on track and have the skills and habits to apply on a daily basis. We are in the people development business. If "our" people are not evolving and gaining competencies (incrementally, day by day, week by week) then our business(es) will be made of sticks, and not of bricks. (Three Little Pigs analogy, intentional)
The tools of the trade in this regard are that of any other relationship. Phone calls, emails, texts, participation group training, getting on company calls. You need to get comfortable with asking the question, "What did you do to build your business today?" in the context of how can I help? Nothing happens in our business without "activity: and doing the things that will get what we do in front of other people for them to evaluate.
Your success is in direct proportion to the success of the people you support and work with. Your income is in direct proportion to the amount of money the people you are working with are earning. The size, stability and total dollar value that passes through your group is the asset you are working to build. However, please understand this point: economies are made of people. People drive business. If people go away, the money goes away... or said differently, everything is people-dependent.
You are building your own economy that is independent of your job, the State, or the National economy (other than owing taxes on what you earn). Our business is a people development business. If we engender competence, if you and I are competent and can pass along what we know - the money is a by-product of this value you bring to the equation.
Servant leadership obviously involves serving. There is nothing more important than serving others and ensuring they are on track and have the skills and habits to apply on a daily basis. We are in the people development business. If "our" people are not evolving and gaining competencies (incrementally, day by day, week by week) then our business(es) will be made of sticks, and not of bricks. (Three Little Pigs analogy, intentional)
The tools of the trade in this regard are that of any other relationship. Phone calls, emails, texts, participation group training, getting on company calls. You need to get comfortable with asking the question, "What did you do to build your business today?" in the context of how can I help? Nothing happens in our business without "activity: and doing the things that will get what we do in front of other people for them to evaluate.
Your success is in direct proportion to the success of the people you support and work with. Your income is in direct proportion to the amount of money the people you are working with are earning. The size, stability and total dollar value that passes through your group is the asset you are working to build. However, please understand this point: economies are made of people. People drive business. If people go away, the money goes away... or said differently, everything is people-dependent.
You are building your own economy that is independent of your job, the State, or the National economy (other than owing taxes on what you earn). Our business is a people development business. If we engender competence, if you and I are competent and can pass along what we know - the money is a by-product of this value you bring to the equation.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Ignorance is Expensive
This is a provocative title that is potentially off-putting. I understand.
It is really meant to be an attention grabber and nothing more. So allow me to apologize if it raised your eyebrow.
In writing about "ignorance being expensive", the reality is most people have not taken the time to understand the difference between active and passive income, not even mentioning how to make it happen.
Most people have a job and pay their bills and are content with the cards they have been dealt. They get up every Monday morning and do it again and trudge through to the following weekend. Of the active income they earn, perhaps some is saved. For most, little is invested. It is how most people describe (and end up in) the rat race.
All we are here to tell you is that there is an alternative. It is passive income. You do the work once, and the same money comes month after month after month - passively, and grows geometrically.
This is the model we operate under. Nothing more. It is not a magic pill, but merely describes what we do. Therefore, if you do not have stocks, or own real estate, have written a book and receive royalties or any other mechanism to realize residual income...
Simply, we invite those who may not know about "our world" to learn more.
It is really meant to be an attention grabber and nothing more. So allow me to apologize if it raised your eyebrow.
In writing about "ignorance being expensive", the reality is most people have not taken the time to understand the difference between active and passive income, not even mentioning how to make it happen.
Most people have a job and pay their bills and are content with the cards they have been dealt. They get up every Monday morning and do it again and trudge through to the following weekend. Of the active income they earn, perhaps some is saved. For most, little is invested. It is how most people describe (and end up in) the rat race.
All we are here to tell you is that there is an alternative. It is passive income. You do the work once, and the same money comes month after month after month - passively, and grows geometrically.
This is the model we operate under. Nothing more. It is not a magic pill, but merely describes what we do. Therefore, if you do not have stocks, or own real estate, have written a book and receive royalties or any other mechanism to realize residual income...
Simply, we invite those who may not know about "our world" to learn more.
Already have a successful business?
If you already have a successful business, what we do will complement (not compete with) what you currently do. As such, we are a diversification option.
There was an analogy that I heard recently that you cannot be the pastor of two churches under two denominations. The question posed was 'what do you really believe' and those who follow (attend your church) would have legitimate cause to wonder what your true convictions are? If you are marketing products within the same category, I would be inclined to agree... i.e. two weight loss products, two skin care lines, two anti-oxidant health drinks, two travel companies... name your deal...
We represent a tools, training and education"deal". Our business ramps quickly due to person-to-person commerce with no money going to the parent company, other than a monthly administrative fee to cover the back office and on-going product development.
Therefore, what we do, does not compete with product or service-based businesses. The closest thing we do compete with with"launches" and / or learning platforms - that provide tools, teach skills and have a monthly membership fee - associated to belong.
Therefore, we very casually expose our philosophy (first) to people who posture themselves as successful online. We share this blog and see if they choose to reach out to us. Many companies preach focus and fidelity and not chasing the next shiny object. Frankly, we are inclined to agree.
However, we are a great complement to any business, and; once people are established with their primary business, we would be shooting ourselves in the foot if not exposing current successful business builders to another viable source of complementary income.
There was an analogy that I heard recently that you cannot be the pastor of two churches under two denominations. The question posed was 'what do you really believe' and those who follow (attend your church) would have legitimate cause to wonder what your true convictions are? If you are marketing products within the same category, I would be inclined to agree... i.e. two weight loss products, two skin care lines, two anti-oxidant health drinks, two travel companies... name your deal...
We represent a tools, training and education"deal". Our business ramps quickly due to person-to-person commerce with no money going to the parent company, other than a monthly administrative fee to cover the back office and on-going product development.
Therefore, what we do, does not compete with product or service-based businesses. The closest thing we do compete with with"launches" and / or learning platforms - that provide tools, teach skills and have a monthly membership fee - associated to belong.
Therefore, we very casually expose our philosophy (first) to people who posture themselves as successful online. We share this blog and see if they choose to reach out to us. Many companies preach focus and fidelity and not chasing the next shiny object. Frankly, we are inclined to agree.
However, we are a great complement to any business, and; once people are established with their primary business, we would be shooting ourselves in the foot if not exposing current successful business builders to another viable source of complementary income.
Security
The definition of security differs for everyone. For some, having a "secure job" meets their definition. For others, being on a track for a secure retirement needs to fit into the equation. For many, the idea of not having to depend on someone else is key to their definition. In this sense, security has everything to do with control - and having the ability to control your life and your future.
Our market is not people who fit neatly into the first two categories and who are satisfied with their stable existence. Therefore, right off of the top, we can exclude 80% of the population who are employed and buying-in to the conventional American dream of a house, a car and meeting all of their bills.
Your potential success will be affected if you do not understand this reality. And, it begs the question of who we target as "higher" probability prospects. Are there groups/populations who inherently have an "itch to scratch" as it relates to security and improving their personal status quo? On the one end of the continuum are people who are unemployed or underemployed, which one would think makes them inherently "hungry". If you are to believe the current national statistics, this percentage of the population is now 4.6%. So, that will never get us there.
Then, if we apply the 80/20 rule, and assume that 80% of people think they are doing 'just fine', this leaves about 15% of people who have the attitude and aptitude to "innovate" and do something different in their lives. This is 15% of people who will take a risk, get out of their comfort zone - and who have the initiative and drive to do something more with their lives.
Therefore, your personal security is inherently dependent on finding and educating a minority of innovators and early adopters. It also points to the fact that you can waste a lot of time and money on chasing your tail in pursuing non-viable people. In other words, to work smart, you need to "get clear" on who our market is, and who it is not.
We will help you get there. To talk about these market segmentation strategies here, would really be tantamount to providing the keys to the cash box and are considered proprietary.
How, who, when, and why we target and approach potential business partners is both a fundamental skill and understanding that will contribute to your success and personal stability.
Our market is not people who fit neatly into the first two categories and who are satisfied with their stable existence. Therefore, right off of the top, we can exclude 80% of the population who are employed and buying-in to the conventional American dream of a house, a car and meeting all of their bills.
Your potential success will be affected if you do not understand this reality. And, it begs the question of who we target as "higher" probability prospects. Are there groups/populations who inherently have an "itch to scratch" as it relates to security and improving their personal status quo? On the one end of the continuum are people who are unemployed or underemployed, which one would think makes them inherently "hungry". If you are to believe the current national statistics, this percentage of the population is now 4.6%. So, that will never get us there.
Then, if we apply the 80/20 rule, and assume that 80% of people think they are doing 'just fine', this leaves about 15% of people who have the attitude and aptitude to "innovate" and do something different in their lives. This is 15% of people who will take a risk, get out of their comfort zone - and who have the initiative and drive to do something more with their lives.
Therefore, your personal security is inherently dependent on finding and educating a minority of innovators and early adopters. It also points to the fact that you can waste a lot of time and money on chasing your tail in pursuing non-viable people. In other words, to work smart, you need to "get clear" on who our market is, and who it is not.
We will help you get there. To talk about these market segmentation strategies here, would really be tantamount to providing the keys to the cash box and are considered proprietary.
How, who, when, and why we target and approach potential business partners is both a fundamental skill and understanding that will contribute to your success and personal stability.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Business is a Team Sport
There are a lot of ways to write about this. The obvious one is to make football or basketball analogies, and then have the discussion evolve to leadership with quarterbacks and point guards. Somehow, I think all this has already been done.
As such, I am not going to go in that direction, but more importantly want to contextualize "team" and what it means to "our" sport. So, let me start here: a team is a group of people who work together with the common goal of winning a game. Our game is money.
Teams practice and have coordinated strategies (plays) that define what everyone's role is for bursts of time. The question then becomes, what "plays" do we run and how do we coordinate among ourselves in our business? And, even before this, what drills do we run in practice to sharpen and refine fundamental skills and mechanics?
All of this is completely analogous to athletics. However, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about individual skills. The key to all of this, from my frame of reference, is how we coordinate our teams on a state-wide, national or worldwide basis? Some call it support, some call it being an effective sponsor... whatever the case, it should be obvious that we all do not end up in the showers together at the end of practice and give each other a lift home.
We talk about our business being a relationship business. We talk about the importance of understanding community as a core construct. Building a team (or) being a part of a team is simply another way to express the same thing.
If you want to have success, you need to embrace the fact that you can not "go-it-alone" and inherent in the process is a great deal of communication and coordination. Business is a team sport.
As such, I am not going to go in that direction, but more importantly want to contextualize "team" and what it means to "our" sport. So, let me start here: a team is a group of people who work together with the common goal of winning a game. Our game is money.
Teams practice and have coordinated strategies (plays) that define what everyone's role is for bursts of time. The question then becomes, what "plays" do we run and how do we coordinate among ourselves in our business? And, even before this, what drills do we run in practice to sharpen and refine fundamental skills and mechanics?
All of this is completely analogous to athletics. However, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about individual skills. The key to all of this, from my frame of reference, is how we coordinate our teams on a state-wide, national or worldwide basis? Some call it support, some call it being an effective sponsor... whatever the case, it should be obvious that we all do not end up in the showers together at the end of practice and give each other a lift home.
We talk about our business being a relationship business. We talk about the importance of understanding community as a core construct. Building a team (or) being a part of a team is simply another way to express the same thing.
If you want to have success, you need to embrace the fact that you can not "go-it-alone" and inherent in the process is a great deal of communication and coordination. Business is a team sport.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Finding People to Support
This post is about mindset. The home-based business industry typically has used the words recruit, enroll, sponsor, get sign-ups... to define the activity of business building.
I want to tweak this just a bit. There is more to the proposition beyond the next silver ball being loaded - and then flung up to the top of the pin ball machine and left to bounce around - and then needing to be whacked to keep it in play.
When we "find people to support", the idea from the outset is that we need to understand how the person we are talking to. Our orientation has to be how we can help someone. In some cases, this will mean that we "turn down" people if we do not think they have a likelihood of success.
This comes down to our assessments of people as potential business partners. Have they taken the time to understand what we do? Do they have the ability to articulate our business philosophy of learning and teaching? Have they, in some manner, stated that they "get" that their life will inherently change and - by definition - be different? Are they willing to commit to this change?
These are the people we want to find to support. You will know you have a solid, long-term business when you are able to discriminate between who is worth investing your time in, who you are willing to take a chance on, and helping those you do not think there is a good match - understand why that is.
We do not want to "recruit people and see who sticks". You need to decide, as a business owner, that people are worthy of the investment of your time. The people we support need to demonstrate growth and learning. They need to communicate and be curious about "what's next"? If you are truly in business with someone, you will have a relationship with them and help them to incrementally become more competent. This takes regular contact and communication to build skills and habits.
So, BEFORE someone enrolls in this enterprise, you need to make some assessments. Do all you can to get to know people and ask some relevant questions regarding their need for change and what they are willing to commit to - to make it happen.
Set the expectation early that you will be an accountability partner and that they understand that no business builds itself. This is another way of saying that their effort is an expectation. Don't allow people to sell themselves short by being paralyzed by not knowing what to do. If they do not come up with things to do - tell them what to do, until they "get it". They will get it when they see returns from their effort.
This is a serious, life-changing proposition. Treat is as such. Procrastination is not an option.
I want to tweak this just a bit. There is more to the proposition beyond the next silver ball being loaded - and then flung up to the top of the pin ball machine and left to bounce around - and then needing to be whacked to keep it in play.
When we "find people to support", the idea from the outset is that we need to understand how the person we are talking to. Our orientation has to be how we can help someone. In some cases, this will mean that we "turn down" people if we do not think they have a likelihood of success.
This comes down to our assessments of people as potential business partners. Have they taken the time to understand what we do? Do they have the ability to articulate our business philosophy of learning and teaching? Have they, in some manner, stated that they "get" that their life will inherently change and - by definition - be different? Are they willing to commit to this change?
These are the people we want to find to support. You will know you have a solid, long-term business when you are able to discriminate between who is worth investing your time in, who you are willing to take a chance on, and helping those you do not think there is a good match - understand why that is.
We do not want to "recruit people and see who sticks". You need to decide, as a business owner, that people are worthy of the investment of your time. The people we support need to demonstrate growth and learning. They need to communicate and be curious about "what's next"? If you are truly in business with someone, you will have a relationship with them and help them to incrementally become more competent. This takes regular contact and communication to build skills and habits.
So, BEFORE someone enrolls in this enterprise, you need to make some assessments. Do all you can to get to know people and ask some relevant questions regarding their need for change and what they are willing to commit to - to make it happen.
Set the expectation early that you will be an accountability partner and that they understand that no business builds itself. This is another way of saying that their effort is an expectation. Don't allow people to sell themselves short by being paralyzed by not knowing what to do. If they do not come up with things to do - tell them what to do, until they "get it". They will get it when they see returns from their effort.
This is a serious, life-changing proposition. Treat is as such. Procrastination is not an option.
First Complement - Second Replace - Then Retire
In general, I hesitate in talking too extensively about money. Although any business success is ultimately "measured" by profitability, the money is the end and not the means... and without the means - talking about the end is simply a pipe dream. This having been said, there is a path to retirement with our business. The intent here is to share what this looks like.
The first goal is the first sale. It all begins here. We need to attract just one person who is interested and believes in what we do. This breaking-of-the-ice (and breaking even) is all important and will establish the first bit of conviction that what we do is viable and do-able - for you.
Being realistic, we then need to learn how to grow. As you grow, you can reach more things higher and higher on the learning tree and make connections between people and concepts. During this time, you complement your income. At first, it feels like tidbits and the return is not worth the investment. This is how it is for almost everyone. Things do not happen overnight for most people. You need to be prepared for this.
However, once you create momentum, compared to most businesses, replacing your income can happen relatively quickly. As an example, to replace a $60,000 income requires earning $5,000 a month. Given how our business leverages people and money, this requires a group of 28 people who are investing at $175 a month. This does not mean you need to find 28 people personally, but your group needs to be at 28 or 29 people. Typically, this would mean that you personally support 8-12 people.
"Relatively quickly" will vary for everyone. One a month will get you to 12 in a year. There are many examples of people getting to this level much more quickly. How quickly you grow really depends on your ability to help and develop your people. We encourage you to "go to school" on this. During the first year, look at $175 a month as a tuition payment as you learn to earn. By any objective standard, the "potential" of being able to consider retirement within a year is sobering. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to decide if this makes sense to you, and then, make it happen.
What will you need to retire? For most people at the most fundamental level, this means meeting all of your bills and covering your own health insurance and taxes, Very obviously, this is different for everyone, but again you now know the metrics of what it takes to get to $60K.
We leverage money through leveraging human development.. It is a wealth-building strategy that embraces peoples' competence as the key driver of success. We are community - culturally defined - as learners and teachers who are committed to ensuring each other's success.
If you can come to understand and trust that at our core, this is what drives us, you can and will represent us with the pride in knowing what we do is a socially redeemable enterprise.
The first goal is the first sale. It all begins here. We need to attract just one person who is interested and believes in what we do. This breaking-of-the-ice (and breaking even) is all important and will establish the first bit of conviction that what we do is viable and do-able - for you.
Being realistic, we then need to learn how to grow. As you grow, you can reach more things higher and higher on the learning tree and make connections between people and concepts. During this time, you complement your income. At first, it feels like tidbits and the return is not worth the investment. This is how it is for almost everyone. Things do not happen overnight for most people. You need to be prepared for this.
However, once you create momentum, compared to most businesses, replacing your income can happen relatively quickly. As an example, to replace a $60,000 income requires earning $5,000 a month. Given how our business leverages people and money, this requires a group of 28 people who are investing at $175 a month. This does not mean you need to find 28 people personally, but your group needs to be at 28 or 29 people. Typically, this would mean that you personally support 8-12 people.
"Relatively quickly" will vary for everyone. One a month will get you to 12 in a year. There are many examples of people getting to this level much more quickly. How quickly you grow really depends on your ability to help and develop your people. We encourage you to "go to school" on this. During the first year, look at $175 a month as a tuition payment as you learn to earn. By any objective standard, the "potential" of being able to consider retirement within a year is sobering. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to decide if this makes sense to you, and then, make it happen.
What will you need to retire? For most people at the most fundamental level, this means meeting all of your bills and covering your own health insurance and taxes, Very obviously, this is different for everyone, but again you now know the metrics of what it takes to get to $60K.
We leverage money through leveraging human development.. It is a wealth-building strategy that embraces peoples' competence as the key driver of success. We are community - culturally defined - as learners and teachers who are committed to ensuring each other's success.
If you can come to understand and trust that at our core, this is what drives us, you can and will represent us with the pride in knowing what we do is a socially redeemable enterprise.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Money is a By-Product of Service and Value
Having been in or around the online money-making industry since the beginning of the internet, I have seen things come and go. I am or have been on the email lists of many, many "gurus" who have marketed the latest and greatest systems, strategies and formulas.
I have been exposed to and evaluated "money-making opportunities" that are every color of the rainbow, at investment levels from 5 cents to $52,000. Systems that use phone broadcasting, to postcards, to auto-posting to social media, local guerilla marketing, email autoresponders and capture pages. And this is just the tip of the possibilities Frankly, all of these have their place (and) are a fit for some but not for others - based on your background and experience.
To put it like my father would have said it, there are more ways to make money than "you can shake a stick at". The corollary to this is that there is an equal number of people willing to impart advice on how to go about it. Frankly, I am just one of these people.
The common theme of all successful internet entrepreneurs / digital marketers is a point that I make in many other posts on this blog. Money is a By-Product of Service and Value. What this means is practical terms is that "success/money" is driven by supporting peoples' learning curves to competence. It follows that you need to have the knowledge and skills to impart.
The amount of money you will earn will grow incrementally with the level of service and value you provide. This is a direct correlation. This is an irrefutable "law" of online marketing. No skills and no value - beget no money. Therefore, your "job" is to increase your skills and value so you can be of higher and higher levels of service to those you directly support and the internet marketing community in general.
This is the reality, and how it should be. I hope you appreciate the candor.
To put it like my father would have said it, there are more ways to make money than "you can shake a stick at". The corollary to this is that there is an equal number of people willing to impart advice on how to go about it. Frankly, I am just one of these people.
The common theme of all successful internet entrepreneurs / digital marketers is a point that I make in many other posts on this blog. Money is a By-Product of Service and Value. What this means is practical terms is that "success/money" is driven by supporting peoples' learning curves to competence. It follows that you need to have the knowledge and skills to impart.
The amount of money you will earn will grow incrementally with the level of service and value you provide. This is a direct correlation. This is an irrefutable "law" of online marketing. No skills and no value - beget no money. Therefore, your "job" is to increase your skills and value so you can be of higher and higher levels of service to those you directly support and the internet marketing community in general.
This is the reality, and how it should be. I hope you appreciate the candor.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
The Seven Social Sins
At the end of the day, among all the ways we define ourselves, we are a social business. When I came across The Seven Social Sins, it was an "ah-ha" moment because these encapsulate so much of the Working Poor No More philosophy and what we strive to communicate to people in the process of evaluating whether to join us.
The Seven Social Sins are:
Commerce without morality is a key differentiator in our marketing community. You will find that truth and honesty drive every conversation to the point of discouraging people to join us if they can not commit to the change required in regard to fundamental lifestyle choices.
Hours need to be invested to build a business. People having the ability to negotiate the transition from old habits to new habits will succeed. Those who have the inability to focus and commit, less so. And, although not a sin, the 8th might be: "Success without change"... is simply an enduring principle that needs to be understood and embraced. You will not and can not be the same person if you create success with us. You need to understand this principle. Your life need and ought to be different in terms of the choices of how you utilize and invest minutes and hours of your day(s),
The Seven Social Sins are:
These represent our core values in regard to wealth, knowledge and commerce. Of course, the rest are all good ponder fodder. If you delve at any depth into this blog, you will find that wealth requires work, especially when like most of us, we start from nothing and incrementally build a business and better life.
- Wealth without work.
- Pleasure without conscience.
- Knowledge without character.
- Commerce without morality.
- Science without humanity.
- Worship without sacrifice.
- Politics without principle.
Commerce without morality is a key differentiator in our marketing community. You will find that truth and honesty drive every conversation to the point of discouraging people to join us if they can not commit to the change required in regard to fundamental lifestyle choices.
Hours need to be invested to build a business. People having the ability to negotiate the transition from old habits to new habits will succeed. Those who have the inability to focus and commit, less so. And, although not a sin, the 8th might be: "Success without change"... is simply an enduring principle that needs to be understood and embraced. You will not and can not be the same person if you create success with us. You need to understand this principle. Your life need and ought to be different in terms of the choices of how you utilize and invest minutes and hours of your day(s),
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Moral Authority
Isn't it interesting that a topic like Moral Authority is relevant in today's business environment, especially in the "home business" arena? I have thought about this topic for quite some time and reflected on my life experience to illustrate something that I hope will be beneficial.
I was trying to impress upon them that they need to stand for something. I wanted to convey that someone trusting you - implicitly - is the highest compliment and honor you can ever receive. There is a great deal more that I tried to do in helping (them) form their character, but you get the idea... So, this is a nice tidbit of family nostalgia... but what does it have to do with business and the subject of Moral Authority?
Moral Authority has everything to do with perceptions we create. We are in the business of managing perceptions and (to a degree) need to control what conclusions people draw about what we say and do. This is accomplished pretty easily if we simply choose to not over-inflate nor over-simplify. Moral authority is earned based upon consistent truthfulness and how we posture what we do.
This is why we lead with statements like, "Not everyone can do this... and, not everyone will be successful." We talk about needing to learn things and how difficult it is to integrate change into your life. We talk about competence and being worthy of being followed.
This is why we lead with statements like, "Not everyone can do this... and, not everyone will be successful." We talk about needing to learn things and how difficult it is to integrate change into your life. We talk about competence and being worthy of being followed.
As such, the people we attract to our business need to know that our motives are genuine and we have their best interest at heart. When we say "we help people" they need to feel it, not just hear the words. We need to demonstrate through the investment of time - teaching and helping people - that our actions align with our words.
In this context, our mission in attracting people to our community is pretty simple. And, moral authority must be at the foundation. If people do not trust us, they will not do business with us. Therefore, talking about the negatives is as equally as important as the positives.
This is just one more way we distinguish ourselves.
This is just one more way we distinguish ourselves.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
A Viable Means to Complement Treadmill Income
We try very hard to not over-inflate what we do and stay firmly grounded in the practical and reasonable. Our "appeal" is to anyone wanting or needing to stabilize their finances as a springboard to higher and higher levels of prosperity. However, if you spend any time learning about our philosophy of doing business, this pre-supposes a lot.
We strive to be perceived as calm and rational, and as the title states... to simply posture ourselves as a viable alternative in the total universe of money-making opportunities. Our goal is not to appeal to everyone, but to appeal to people who will invest the time necessary to understand, on a very pragmatic level, "why" we are a special organization to be a part of.
The title also mentions treadmill income. This infers that most people who will find what we do appealing - are looking to elevate themselves beyond their frustration with a life of squeaking by and barely "making it". People who go to a job every day, get a paycheck, meet their bills and then have little or nothing left to enjoy (or) have any quality of life.
What we offer does represent (one) viable means to complement treadmill income. As an initial step, we simply encourage people to learn about who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
That's it. Simple. Rationale. If it is for you: you decide. Our job is simply to convey the information.
We strive to be perceived as calm and rational, and as the title states... to simply posture ourselves as a viable alternative in the total universe of money-making opportunities. Our goal is not to appeal to everyone, but to appeal to people who will invest the time necessary to understand, on a very pragmatic level, "why" we are a special organization to be a part of.The title also mentions treadmill income. This infers that most people who will find what we do appealing - are looking to elevate themselves beyond their frustration with a life of squeaking by and barely "making it". People who go to a job every day, get a paycheck, meet their bills and then have little or nothing left to enjoy (or) have any quality of life.
What we offer does represent (one) viable means to complement treadmill income. As an initial step, we simply encourage people to learn about who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
That's it. Simple. Rationale. If it is for you: you decide. Our job is simply to convey the information.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Decent, Honorable People
As a business owner, I want to attract decent, honorable people. This is important on a number of levels, not the least of which are the implications of attracting the opposite.
In my "day job", I manage a group of 72 people. When I first introduce myself to any group I talk about having two extra eyes. I then go on to explain that I really mean they need to have to extra "i's". These two i's are initiative and integrity. Decent, honorable people, for the most part, have these two i's.
Let me tell you how I define them. Integrity means that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing when no one is watching. Initiative means that you do things on your own, without having to be told.
In our business, you need to engage in productive daily activity. Your sense of integrity needs to drive doing what you are supposed to be doing. Discipline is absolutely essential. And this rolls right into initiative because the only one you are accountable to is yourself.
However, the best organizations encourage teamwork and having an accountability partner. An accountability partner can be one of your business partners, it can be your spouse, it can really be anyone who is tuned into your daily activity. You need to "do" things to build your business. Nothing happens on its own.
When you get started, all your time is spent marketing (getting your message or what you offer) in front of people for them to evaluate. A portion of your time initially also needs to be spent building resources and learning tools. Then, progressively more and more of your time will be spent supporting and teaching people in your business.
To bring this full circle, attracting decent, honorable people simply makes things easier and you will grow your business on a much more solid foundation when you attract people who understand their own character and can commit to doing what it takes to be successful.
In my "day job", I manage a group of 72 people. When I first introduce myself to any group I talk about having two extra eyes. I then go on to explain that I really mean they need to have to extra "i's". These two i's are initiative and integrity. Decent, honorable people, for the most part, have these two i's.
Let me tell you how I define them. Integrity means that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing when no one is watching. Initiative means that you do things on your own, without having to be told.
In our business, you need to engage in productive daily activity. Your sense of integrity needs to drive doing what you are supposed to be doing. Discipline is absolutely essential. And this rolls right into initiative because the only one you are accountable to is yourself.
However, the best organizations encourage teamwork and having an accountability partner. An accountability partner can be one of your business partners, it can be your spouse, it can really be anyone who is tuned into your daily activity. You need to "do" things to build your business. Nothing happens on its own.
When you get started, all your time is spent marketing (getting your message or what you offer) in front of people for them to evaluate. A portion of your time initially also needs to be spent building resources and learning tools. Then, progressively more and more of your time will be spent supporting and teaching people in your business.
To bring this full circle, attracting decent, honorable people simply makes things easier and you will grow your business on a much more solid foundation when you attract people who understand their own character and can commit to doing what it takes to be successful.
A Community Approach to Income
Let me be clear. Earning vehicles come and go and should not be the ultimate determining factor in your decision to get involved with something.
Here's the point: the value in what we do is relationship-based. It is not about this deal or that opportunity, it is about the community that supports the concept of income generation. This is the asset. The network of positive, lasting relationships you build is directly proportional to the success you will have.
As such, the business is secondary (essentially). If you land on a good one, and it has "market permanence"... is well respected... all the better. This is not to advocate that we should all be looking for the next shiny object, but it does not negate the fact that when people are tied into the pulse of "what is working now", mass migrations can and should take place to capitalize on the next-big-thing.
This does not discount your core program or programs. I strongly believe that a strong core program is ideal. However, again, the value in what you build is not the payments you receive on a monthly basis, but the people making the payments.
Said differently, if you want success, it has to be about your people. The money will take care of itself if you build strong, caring, supportive relationships. If you don't care for, teach and help people in their progression to competency, frankly... you may have some success initially, but the odds are you will not maintain that level of success. If they are not profitable, you have a short-term asset.
Therefore, the title of this post, "A Community Approach to Income" speaks to the idea of "it takes a village". Communities share norms and values and culture... and so much more. Let me close by repeating this core construct: The asset (the value) in what you build is the human beings you come to know, like and respect as business partners. In this sense, our "work" is socially redeeming in that we elevate people's lives and as a community, we prosper together.
Again, be people-driven. The "long money" is a by-product of successful and mutually beneficial relationships. The more of these you have (the more people you mentor) the more money it will represent.
Here's the point: the value in what we do is relationship-based. It is not about this deal or that opportunity, it is about the community that supports the concept of income generation. This is the asset. The network of positive, lasting relationships you build is directly proportional to the success you will have.
As such, the business is secondary (essentially). If you land on a good one, and it has "market permanence"... is well respected... all the better. This is not to advocate that we should all be looking for the next shiny object, but it does not negate the fact that when people are tied into the pulse of "what is working now", mass migrations can and should take place to capitalize on the next-big-thing.This does not discount your core program or programs. I strongly believe that a strong core program is ideal. However, again, the value in what you build is not the payments you receive on a monthly basis, but the people making the payments.
Said differently, if you want success, it has to be about your people. The money will take care of itself if you build strong, caring, supportive relationships. If you don't care for, teach and help people in their progression to competency, frankly... you may have some success initially, but the odds are you will not maintain that level of success. If they are not profitable, you have a short-term asset.
Therefore, the title of this post, "A Community Approach to Income" speaks to the idea of "it takes a village". Communities share norms and values and culture... and so much more. Let me close by repeating this core construct: The asset (the value) in what you build is the human beings you come to know, like and respect as business partners. In this sense, our "work" is socially redeeming in that we elevate people's lives and as a community, we prosper together.
Again, be people-driven. The "long money" is a by-product of successful and mutually beneficial relationships. The more of these you have (the more people you mentor) the more money it will represent.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Money Alliance
This is what we do. This is who we are. We are an alliance of people who pool our knowledge and resources to make money. It is really not complicated. We share a common goal and are "allied" in achieving it.
The rest is just details. We market a subscription and need about 20-30 people participating (in a group) to replace most middle-class incomes. We collectively build to this point progressively and work with people to ramp up to profitability. There are no secret formulas or inside strategies... but just common sense and practical steps to understand and implement.
We reject the notions of simple and easy. The fact is that if simple and easy defined what we do, everyone would be doing it and be successful. We all know that this is not the case.
Our job is to find people who will take the time to understand what we do. Informed people with whom we develop a level of trust, choose to join us. Again, it is really not complicated. The challenge is to simply "expose" as many people as we can to what we do and how we do it.
That's where little articles and blog posts like this come in. This is meant to educate. Nothing more. People make judgments about our authenticity. This is fair and as it should be. Not everyone "gets it" or buys-in. This is what makes the world go round. We do not want people to think they have landed in money nirvana and things will miraculously happen.
However, for those willing to lean in, with their eyes wide open - and are willing to apply focused effort to achieve a goal, our Money Alliance is one of the better places you can choose to invest your energy and resources.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)