Is Passion enough to have a person be successful in a Sales Career? or Do you find any success in Sales is more structured than just Passion for the product/ service? Share your thoughts as a comment.

Let’s clarify a few commonly used words for those who are new to the scene.

Pyramid:  ”a shape”!  It’s what people refer to when referring to the organizational layout of a Network Marketing company.

And, … well it’s the shape of every corporation, and government. and school. Take a look.

(Source: http://www.network-marketing-business-school.com/pyramid-scheme.html)

Robert Kiyosaki had this to say about Pyramids.

“One type of pyramid, the traditional type, has its base on the ground; the other type has its base in the air. It’s a pyramid that pulls you up instead of pushing you down. A network marketing business gives everyone access to what used to be the domain only of the rich.”
(Source: http://www.wynman.com/kiyos.html)

“Pyramid scheme” is a word that many people use to describe something they saw on the internet that they are uncertain about. Pyramid schemes are illegal.  A company would be classified as a pyramid scheme if money was being exchanged for no product, or if it was fraudulent.  Network Marketing Companies that have a viable product for sale, are not classified as pyramid schemes.

Pyramid scheme: a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment, services or ideals, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme or training them to take part, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public. Pyramid schemes are a form of fraud. Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme

Multi-level Marketing - (MLM) is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they recruit, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. Most commonly, the salespeople are expected to sell products directly to consumers by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing. Some people equate MLM with direct selling, although MLM is only one type of direct selling. (Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-level_marketing)

Direct selling: a retail channel for the distribution of goods and services. At a basic level it may be defined as marketing and selling products, direct to consumers away from a fixed retail location. …  (Source:  http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_selling)

Many people mistakenly use the terms Network Marketing, Direct Selling, and Multi-level Marketing (MLM) interchangeably.  Whereas, they are all related,  Network Marketing (word of mouth marketing, or building your market via a network) is the umbrella over Direct Selling and MLM.  Companies are then divided into “Direct Selling”  or “MLM” based on the company’s compensation structure.  Direct Selling is a direct sale to the customer, and is paid out as such, the customer  directly pays the distributor.  In MLM the sale is between the customer and the company, and is paid out as such through the downline, thus creating residuals.

Clearly the most powerful compensation plan you could participate in, have the best of both worlds;  the front end profit, (aka direct sale), plus a bonus structure (aka MLM/residual).

So why is Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, Warren Buffet, Brian Tracy (etc)  and now the Wall Street Journal  so excited about Direct Selling?

In Sunday’s June 26th, 2011 edition, the Wall Street Journal describes Direct Selling as “The Ultimate Social Business Model”!

As you do your research on a Direct Selling company, may I offer these few quick tips:

1. Fall in love with the product.
2. Understand the cash flow of the compensation model.
3. Ensure your upline is authentic, approachable, and someone you can work with.
4. Make the decision to have success.  and you will do it UNTIL you get that success.
5. PRESS GO!  over and over and over again.

For those that like quotes, here are a few relevant ones:

“Network marketing gives people the opportunity, with very low risk and very low financial commitment, to build their own income-generating asset and acquire great wealth.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

“I am often asked if Network Marketing is a Pyramid Scheme. My reply is that corporations really are pyramid schemes. A corporation has only one person at the top, generally the CEO, and everyone else below.” — Donald Trump, Entrepreneur and Author

“The future of network marketing is unlimited. There’s no end in sight. It will to continue to grow, because better people are getting into it. – Brian Tracy, Author and Motivational Speaker

“If you are a person with big dreams and would love to support others in achieving their big dreams, then the network marketing business is definitely a business for you. You can start your business part-time at first and then as your business grows, you can help other people start their part-time business. This is a value worth having – a business and people who help others make their dreams come true.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

“Network marketing is based purely on relationship selling, which is the state of the art in selling today. Small and large companies throughout the country and the world are realizing that individuals selling to their friends and associates is the future of sales, because the critical element in buying is trust.” — Brian Tracy, Author and Motivational Speaker

“Only take the advice from people who are currently building a business.” – Don Failla, Network Marketer and Author

“If I had to do it all over again, rather than build an old style type of business, I would have started building a network marketing business.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

“Network marketing is the big wave of the future. It’s taking the place of franchising, which now requires too much capital for the average person.” — Jim Rohn, America’s Business Philosopher

“Of all the entrepreneurial opportunities available today, one of the most important is direct selling, also called network marketing.” — Paul Zane Pilzer, Nobel Prize Winning Economist and Author

“You only win when you help others win.” – Paul Zane Pilzer, Nobel Prize Winning Economist and Author

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – Anthony Robbins, Author, Speaker, and Self Help Guru

“In Network Marketing, duplication is what success looks like!” — Michael S. Clouse, Network Marketer and Trainer

“For people choosing to use a network marketing system to build a business in the B quadrant, the price of entry is a lot lower, the risks are lower, and the education and support are there to guide you through this personal development process.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

“In today’s world, working for yourself is actually the safer route, and working for a corporation has become the riskier propositions.” — Paul Zane Pilzer, Nobel Prize Winning Economist and Author

“Network marketing is based purely on relationship selling, which is the state of the art in selling today. Small and large companies throughout the country and the world are realizing that individuals selling to their friends and associates is the future of sales, because the critical element in buying is trust.” — Brian Tracy, Author and Motivational Speaker

“Network Marketing is the fastest growing business model in the world today” – Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

“The rich look for and build networks. Everyone else looks for work”– Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur and Author

Sources:

The Business School for People Who Like Helping People, by Robert T. Kiyosaki, with Sharon Lechter, CPA, authors of Rich Dad, Poor Dad

http://moonloh.com/famous-network-marketing-quotes/

Best,

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Prepare to be BuzzZed!

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He talked about the benefits of Stress.    Yes, I said BENEFITS!  

Whether you realize it or not, stress actually has many positive qualities!
Stress increases brain processing, memory, and attention.
It speeds recovery, enhances immunity, fosters mental toughness, allows for deeper relationships, and allows for a greater appreciation for life.

When we resist stress we get more of it.  We think we have to push it away, and in doing so, it continues to attack us in ways we don’t wish it to.  In stead of resisting it, let’s simply thank the stress for being there, to do all the above.
Thomas, being an Aikido instructor, said, “The ‘attacker’ (what we do want in our life) will only continue to attack when we give them the advantage.”

Compassion will serve us, as we know, and when we learn to acknowledge and embrace the ‘attacker’ (the Stress)  it will remove  the negative charge, and allow the energy to flow where we choose it to flow!  We have FULL control over where the energy goes.

So when stress enters in,  decide to use it to your advantage.

Don’t resist it.  Embrace it.  Be Grateful for it!

Breathe it in.

With your breathe, breathing in the qualities you want in your life, use that raw energy, to further propel your goal!

When Stress shows up, be grateful for the Energy!  Now, take that Energy and use it to your advantage!

With all the tips I received, If you desire more information, contact me and say “I am a ready to use my Stress to WIN!”

New meaning to Stress filled Holidays everyone!

Here’s to an energy filled Happy, Healthy, therefore, Wealthy 2011 !

This was passed on to me years ago via email, from a tennis buddy at the time. It originated from a coach named Grigsby.

You Could Play like Roger Federer, but you Won’t!

Here is my instruction to my students in a doubles drill: “Play consistent, move the ball around and wait for the right opportunity (a high short ball) to hit the winner.” They always reply, “Okay, I got it.” The players then proceed to the court and begin the game.  On the very first point one of the players up at the net receives a low ball and Blam! goes for a winner.  Does this sound familiar?

Questioning that player I ask, “What were you doing?” The answer, ”I was trying to win the point.” I respond, “Trying to win the point! I thought you were supposed to wait for the right opportunity (a high short ball) to go for the winner!”

Players are constantly thinking one way but acting in another. The problem lies in a misunderstanding of what “trying to win a point” means.  What does it mean to you? Does “trying to win a point” mean hitting the ball for a winner and ending the point? For most players this is exactly what it means.  If that is your definition of “trying to win a point” would you then say that when Roger Federer is strategically moving his opponent around the court he is not trying to win a point? Of course that’s absurd! Roger is definitely trying to win the point!  He just realizes he can win tons of points without hitting winners.  He clearly understands that “trying to win a point” is a process that is part strategic and part blasting the ball for a winner.

Unfortunately this is NOT the way most players approach match play.  Subconsciously they think they must go for something big, blast the ball for a winner or do something spectacular to try and win a point. This is the main reason why players constantly agree to wait for the right shot to go for the winner, but in reality do the complete opposite. This incorrect mindset causes players to lose many, many more points then they should. Are you guilty friends?

Do you realize if you could adopt this new mindset you could mentally begin playing like Roger Federer? He’s a master at blending strategic play with winners. In order to accomplish this change of mindset you must first understand what wins on the tennis court. Consistency and control. From now on, think of “trying to win a point” as strategic play moving the ball around the court while allowing your opponent to crumble under the pressure of your consistency. If, during the course of this strategic play, your opponent presents you with the opportunity to hit a winner – take it!

A PLAN TO DEVELOP PATIENCE

Of course, if you are going to adopt this new mindset you will have to develop some patience. To help players understand this concept and to fight the impatient demons inside I have an interesting drill that you can try. When teaching a doubles drill I have one side do whatever they want and the other side hit only medium pace
shots (NO BLASTING WINNERS OR POWER SHOTS). They can hit a winner but they cannot add extreme power. If there is a violation that team loses the point. I’m the judge whether the ball has been hit too hard.  More often than not, the team that is allowed to use power and go for winners loses, and the team that cannot use power wins.  Why?  Well, you should have that figured out by now. The team that cannot use power becomes a more consistent and controlled team, allowing the other team to make more errors. Sure, the other team can hit the ball harder but that does not mean they will hit the ball in the court! Hitting the ball faster, harder or with power does not automatically translate into winning. The principle: POWER WITHOUT CONTROL IS MEANINGLESS.

Interestingly, the team that cannot use power begins placing the ball all over the court. Since that team is devoid of power they instinctively begin looking for other options. This causes them to strategically look for openings to move the ball around. Bingo!  They are mentally playing like Mr. Federer.

In conclusion, remember “trying to win a point” is a process that is part strategic and part going for winners. And unbeknownst to the majority of players, most points are won in the strategic, patient phase of a point, and not the winner phase.

See you on the courts,

Grigsby   (If anyone knows of this coach, can you please notify me so that I can give him proper kudos.. thnx)

The Inner Game we play in life, whether in tennis, golf, skiing, or any other sport, the inner game we play in our careers or businesses, and the inner game we play in our personal lives in relationships…  All of these can directly benefit from the way this very accomplished, winner, Roger Federer plays Tennis!

What is the best quality of a leader?

If you could only teach one thing to a young person about leadership, what would it be?

These conversations are interesting.  I’d like to take it a step further.

It seems to me the hundreds of different answers all say the same thing in one way or another….Be the Example!

We know leadership skills can be acquired, and the way we learn leadership, is by emulating another.  Even when we study the list of qualities of a leader from a book or a class,  it is the actual examples, that we learn most from.  As social beings, we learn by mimicking.

Who do you think of when you hear the word,  ”Leader”?

We may think of a parent, a mentor, grandparent, teacher, aunt, uncle, a friend, a hero from the past, etc.   Any of you think of yourself?!

Through out our years, we recognize a person that has has impacted us and take note.  For others, we learn how to lead by not doing what was demonstrated to us.  Some of us were brought up with the forceful mentality, “you’ll do this or else!” This way of  being with another, can hardly be considered leading.   Whether we agree or disagree with the way we were raised by our parents, the influence of  adults and other people in our lives, shapes our own leadership behaviors.

For some of us, leadership happens upon us and can take us by surprise.  We may land a certain position or find ourselves in a place where all eyes are on us. (OMG, I am leading this group!)   And yet for most of us, leadership is something we choose into, because we want the responsibly.

In all cases,  a leader is one whom is leading in their own life.  They are taking responsibly for their own lives, and through being the example, it is natural for them to lead others.  Naturally, a person that is living on purpose and being the best they can, setting and going for  their personal goals, would be a person  who is being a great example to others, aka a leader.

One of the greatest principles being taught in some schools, is asking the children, age 3+, “Are you being a good example?”

Brilliant!

We have agreed as a society that older kids should be a good example to younger kids.  Because of this agreement, anytime children can be in school where they have a mix or older and younger children, this principle will naturally come into play!  Love it.  Or it will naturally show up where you have older siblings.  Unfortunately, most schools segregate children by their age, therefore, within the school systems where children receive their structural learning, this simple, yet profound principle,  is not being taught.

The responsibility of teaching leadership is left to the parents.  I am satisfied, that our son get lessons of leadership at school, and also at home.

However, it surprises me that most people I come in contact with on a daily basis,  do not consider themselves a leader. They reserve that right for people with fancy titles, who have loud voices, who stand at podiums, show up on TV , etc.   This fact, has prompted to write this article.

Here is where I will state the obvious!  If you are a parent, YOU ARE A LEADER!    If there is any children in your environment EVER, you are a Leader!  However you show up to that child, if only for a second, you are being an example of leadership. There is no amount of verbal communication from parent/ adult to the child,  that will have the child learning the principle of leadership.  Remember, we are human beings, we mimick.

Whether a parent or not,  Our actions speak so loud, they can not hear a word we are saying!

It is so relevant to take a look at our actions.  Our words are so secondary.

Lists of the attributes of a leader , are nice and fun to ponder, however taking one quality from the list and implementing it, is of much more value.

Yes…  Be the example.  Be the change you want to see in this world.  (Thanks Gandi!)  Show up to win, and on purpose in your own life.

You are being an example right now.

The question, Is the example you are being right now, leading people where you want them to go?

Share your thoughts about being a leader, and  share your ‘everyday’ examples of  leadership here.  And please be sure to share for all those out there who don’t see themselves as a leader.                                                 Let’s hear it for our leaders!!

My son is sooo excited for us to hang out as a family, cook as a  family, play games, and celebrate our gratitude this Thanksgiving.
The other day we were out and about in Los Angeles, and he says, “Mom, so what are you grateful for?”

I answered him with the first 5 things that came up.  He proceeded to ask Dad (Bob).   Bob very happily answered.

Happy with himself, Skye then answered his own question.

My heart sang.

This was something I did with him when he was just age 1 and 2, when he was first saying words, when I’d put him to bed.  He would repeat the words that I would say I was grateful for.

Then one day, he didn’t want to do it.  He wasn’t interested.  He didn’t want to repeat nor say anything he was grateful for.

Although admit-tingly a bit sad, I let it go.

Now he does it spontaneously, and as often as he wants to.   And man, if that doesn’t just feel like the best ever!

You can utilize this tip all year long! For sure picking 5-10 things you are grateful for each day is an instant mood lifter, vibe enhancer, and result attractor! Not to mention one amazing way for a family to express their thoughts and open up to each other.  When you are feeling defeated, angry, sad, frustrated with your results, lonely, or to attract even more of the things you find gratitude already, watch what happens when you simply say I am grateful for  ….x……!

Have a FAB Thanksgiving!

Having challenges getting your point across, with your child or with your colleagues?

Would you like more control over the effectiveness of the way you speak?

Communication or lack thereof, is the cause of much stress, heartache, loss of jobs, divorces, troubled teens, and all different sorts of  insanity, in our lives and culture today.

Communication is simply the exchange of ideas or things between people.  It is something that is sent AND Received.

This information has changed the way I communicate – Forever!

When I first started studying Communication, I thought it simply meant how I spoke. (Some of you are busted right now!)  What’s funny is I also thought I was a pretty good communicator!  (still do, lol!)  and that I didn’t really need any assistance with communicating.  I tend to be fairly direct when I communicate.  I have affectionately termed this  ”heart of the matter sort of gal”.  Little did I know, I had MUCH to learn about communicating. (and of course I still do)

What I realized was communication, is much more than just sending your message.  It is also about someone on the other end RECEIVING IT,

and  most importantly, DUPLICATING IT.

Have you ever been around someone that just loved to talk.   He/ she just kept talking.  Ugh, so annoying.   On the contrary – Have you ever been around someone who didn’t respond when you said something; just flat,  no comeback.   Both ways are extremes, and yet,both examples are typical.

We live in an under-acknowledged world. So many messages, so little real communication occuring.

You have heard that people just want to be heard.  I have learned this as people just want to be understood.

What will it take to truly communicate?

The following 2 things will have you aware of how to most effectively communicate:

1.  Your desire to improve, therefore your willingness.

In Sales training, we learn to listen.   To do this it takes being able to simple BE THERE.

The 3 ways one can listen are:

1.  Agree with

2. Disagree with

3. Be with

Agree with.  We know this well.  We seek for the ways you agree with what the person is saying. Head nods, yeps, I agrees indicate one is agreeing.

Disagree with. We know this too.  We  seek and find what we disagree with. Interruptions, shaking the head, either silently or not are indications of this.

Be With.   Now, this takes some practice; to simply be with the person and hear what they are saying.  We don’t have to agree, we don’t have to disagree. Just Be.

What a concept!

Clearly, to communicate, it takes receipt of the communication. So when someone communicates to you, it is not a communication until it is received.  How do you feel when you communicate and there is no acknowledgment.  (some of you consider this very normal. I know I certainly did.)

2.  Acknowledge that you heard the communication when someone communicates to you.

A simple, “I heard you”, or “I understand”, “O.K.”  is adequate.  Let them know you received what they said.  This has nothing to do with you agreeing or disagreeing. This is simply you being a recipient of their communication.  This will change the way they view you.  You become valued, as you are BEING WITH them!

Acknowledging simply means you let the person know you “get” what they are saying.  That you heard it and understand.  It does not mean you agree with it.

You can always agree or disagree after you received their communication.   To acknowledge someone does not mean you have to listen to or agree with every thing you hear.  The effectiveness of what you communicate, will absolutely GO UP when you are willing to acknowledge others.  Now, when you are communicating to them, they will begin to learn from you, and you can expect them to begin acknowledging and really duplicating what you say.

At first it felt really weird to acknowledge everything I heard from the people that matter to me.  Now, if there is no acknowledgement, the words get repeated until there is acknowledgment.

Last night I heard my son, Skye, saying, “Thank you!”, as my husband, Bob  left his room at bedtime and flipped on the hall light.  Bob walked into the dining room and didn’t hear Skye.  Skye shouted this time, “Thank You!”, waiting for the response, not getting it, and then yelled louder, “THANK YOU!”.  Realizing what was going on, I hightailed it to dining room to let Bob know that Skye was looking to be acknowledged!  Bob moved quickly to say, “You’re welcome!”, which had Skye promptly drift off into dreams.

Skye knows the valuable lesson that what he said, had not landed, therefore was not yet communication!   (happy mommy dance!)

When we speak, we are communicating, but does this mean we are Effectively Communicating?

Let me know your thoughts on effective communication, and  I would love to hear your wins when you give the acknowledging part a go!   If you are already effectively communicating, share any other tips, and share this info with your friends.   I am working with Skye’s school on a Communication Workshop here in LA this weekend and would love to meet any of you in the area.