Posts

Deadbeat Sponsorship is a Culture Issue

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Social Commerce has an inherent problem of the blind leading the blind.  It is a function of people joining people who have "joined" and neither have a real clue of what to do - beyond making a list of 100 names.  The question is:  is this an industry issue, or an individual company issue? Well, you can't really control an entire industry.  Therefore, the answer has to lie in all of the individual companies whose model is basically to let people "wing it".  There is no structure, no planning, no accountability.  This is for daily activities, scheduled communication (check-ins), or any other form of "active" mentorship/sponsorship. For most, sponsorship ends when the transaction is complete.  It's simply a, "OK, I got mine.  Good luck in going to get your's" approach.  The contention of this post is that this is when the "relationship" should begin.  The issue is that there is no formal process (in most scenarios) to ...

PaaP Businesses

Platform as a Product (PaaP) businesses have been around (in earnest) for at least a decade.  These businesses provide the system, processes, and administrative functionality to both market and track digital commerce.  Most require a one-time (or periodic) Administration Fee that is paid to the Platform owner.  As well, many now have peer-to-peer-based money-exchange models where funds (the commerce) is made on platforms such as Bitcoin, PayPal, Cash.app, Stripe, Googlepay, etc. Typically, these platforms have training information or service-based offers.  However, no matter "what" the offer is, all have a front-end marketing system (capture pages, autoresponders, sizzle calls, chatbots, etc.) and a back-end where "the business" is tracked and administered.  This marketing and administrative platform is the product.  It enables Social Commerce where people agree to participate in the exchange of money for mutual benefit by engaging with "the platform...

Everyone Wants a Map

So... if everyone wants a map, is it the same map?  Does the same map get everyone to the same destination?  I don't think so. If you are talking a literal, conventional map with roads and streets... sure, the concept applies.  However, here, we are talking about a map to the "promised land" of success, profitability, leadership, etc.  As such, everyone has a different starting point and this is why we say, "we will work with you based on what you bring to the table".  In other words, we may know where we are going, but the route to get there has to be tailored and specific to an individual's starting point. This is based on current skills, amount of time, the amount of money, likes and dislikes, introversion versus extroversion... ultimately, what someone is "willing" to do.  But leave no doubt, "something" has to be done.  This is not an empty gesture. The "map" has to have directions.  On the first leg of the journey, y...

The Mirror: CRM's and Sales Funnels

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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 m...

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 exp...

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 ...