I received an email today from an old friend.
The email was giving me kudos for my experience and success in the industry, and went on to ask me for advise on the opportunity he was taking a look at.
I didn’t have to think long, excited he was looking to be an entrepreneur, and knowing he has a daughter, I was excited to assist him anyway I could in being more available for her. I replied right away happy to assist.
What came next felt like a hit below the belt.
I received an auto responder email titled, “Lisa will you be one of my three?” This email said he could only bring 3 on board with him, and I was one of the 3 he selected.
Mistake #1….
To put me into an auto responder system without me choosing in, violated my agreement with him.
About an hour later, I received an email from him, titled “Thanks”. The email read…
“Apparently you are already in the database so I doubt the email went through. Like you said, you’ve probably seen them all by now.”….and he went on to say, “Thanks again and let’s talk soon.”
This had me confused. Like oh, ok, if you don’t get the email with the information, well thanks anyway……. HUH?
Mistake #2….
Asking me to do something, then not following up on what he asked me to do.
Why did I find myself frustrated at him? He was new, and I remember being new…
Then I realized why I was tweeked.
He was not seeking advise from me. He had already joined the opportunity. What he wanted was to get me to see the video/ opportunity.
I do not fault his desire and willingness to play up. I definitely respect him for being in action.
There are many opportunities and we all believe ours is the best.
HOW you treat people will make ALL the difference. and today, I got the great reminder from my old friend, so I could pass it on to you,
The Fatal Mistake of an Entrepreneur….
Not being Authentic!
I can certaintly get over mistakes a new one to the industry may make. It takes a bit more forgiveness when one is not being, nor wiling to be authentic.
Entrepreneurs, New and Experienced, at All costs, BE AUTHENTIC!
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26 Comments on Fatal Mistake as an Entrepreneur
26 Comments
Lisa,
These kind of issues happen much too frequently as far as I’m concerned. People you know & trust as friends sending you info without asking first if you’re interested. Unfortunately the information given to most new entrepreneurs is to hit the road running & “give” everyone an opportunity to join.
I did the same thing when I first started, so I understand where he’s coming from. Never again though, I didn’t feel right being that person, so why would I do that to someone else.
Great notice,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..When the Why is Big Enough…
Val, I am grateful that I was willing to learn. and even more grateful there were people willing to guide me! Part of me feels I could really serve him in having a conversation, and the other realizes that “when the student is ready, the teacher appears!” Best, Lisa
Wow can I realte to this Lisa. What was worse was that I was tought as a greenhorn that this was teh way it was done. Autoresponders that say “I took a look at your oppoortunity and thought you might be interested in…” Arggggh! YOU DID IN YOUR PATOONY TAKE A LOOK! lol. I email back and ask, “Oh really? Which part of the opportunity intrigued you most?” Never do get a reply for some reason…
That was when… I find instant forgiveness gets rid of the bad taste and trying to understand helps too. I find it disconcerting that people in positions of ‘authority’ adovcate such behaviour but I’m not going to lose sleep over it.
Posting and retweeting articles like this is a great start for positivity though, eh Lisa?
Howard´s last blog ..Social Media Guru
Yes Howard, we can educate! Thanks for being a stand by demonstrating the higher road in networking! Just by doing this, we educate those willing to learn!
Hi Lisa, wow that really hit home with me and I’ll share the experience that I just had this morning!! I just recently got off the phone from an unexpected ‘prospecting call’ because I am in this particular ladies “circle of influence” and her ‘mentor’ had told her to ‘make a list’ and was waiting in the wings to do a 3way call to fill me in on all the details. I could hear in her voice that she was just CRINGING at what she was doing and when I politely declined and hung up she called me back soon after and apologised!!. I just LOVE our ATTRACTION MARKETING, that interested people come to us and that we don’t have to do that style of uncomfortable-bordering-on-harrassment-marketing! Businesses with integrity and leaders that TEACH integrity will win hands down in my book!!
Katrina Murray’s latest blog…My first Triathlon – the journey begins!
Katrina, Thanks for this story! So great that this person recognized it and called you back! That is a huge shift for her as an entrepreneur and now she can really know for herself!
Best, Lisa
Isnt it great that we can choose to surround ourselves with INTEGRITY. The more I witness this behaviour I connect with who I truely am being and “know for myself” that I am building a business with high ethics and more than anything I love these opportunities to see where I want to build on assisting others to know a better way.
Thank you Lisa.
Leanne Oshea’s latest blog…The time is now – is this your moment of truth?
Leanne, YES YES YES! Love that more people are demonstrating that Authenticity and Integrity is the only way to do business! xo Lisa
Thanks for posting such a valid article. When people are new they do make mistakes and need to learn so having patience is key, however being inauthentic will never get them anywhere. Thanks for pointing this out and making it a reminder.
Emmie
Emmie, Great to hear from you. I agree that patience is the key.. thinking about it, I also was just as, if not, more ignorant and thankfully someone was willing to educate me!! : ) Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Seems like your friend was feeling as uncomfortable as Katrina’s friend – he just tried a different approach to get around his discomfort. We all do it! Maybe not in the same kind of situation, but with an honest look inside, I think we can all look back to a time when we thought we needed to do something that conflicted with our authentic self. It’s simply a good opportunity to do some soul searching and make changes in our approach to match who we are.
Thanks for sharing your experience and giving us a chance to look at ourselves.
Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..Do You Work For Free?
Teresa, well said! A few days have passed and I am over the irritation.
In fact, have recognized the only reason I could even have attention on it, is due to the fact that I have done this to others in some way or another. Forgiving heart. We were all new once! and although I am no longer new.. last time I checked I was far from perfect. lol! You are a beautiful spirit Teresa! Lisa
Integrity and Ethics are the two main things that made me highly successful in my brick and mortar business. I Love the “tribe” because that is what is being taught. I know first hand that it is the cornerstone of any business or any relationship. Without that cornerstone all will crumble. I see it time and time again. Offline or online. But in the online business one must have their eyes open all the time for people who slither in. That’s why we have the delete button!
I have had this experience also and it got under my skin. But then I dug deeper into mySELF, Forgave the person for the action, and came to peace within myself. I Forgave but didn’t forget. That’s the action I took. At that point I wrote about it just like you and shared it on my blog.
The beauty is that we all have each other who holds on to integrity. (sorry for the long post but it is a pet peeve of mine lol)
Donna
Donna Merrill´s last blog ..10 TIPS ON BRANDING YOURSELF
Thanks Donna. I have heard more than once, “We teach what we most need to learn.” I consider myself an educator, and I can only continue to stay open and forgive myself so to really continue to learn. This blog came around full circle for me… I must have really annoyed someone with this! Lol
Really great to be connected!
Lisa,
Oh, this is a great post! I too made some silly mistakes when I jumped into the world of “opportunities”
Luckily I kept all my friends and learned a thing or two. Hmmmmm, looks like a good idea for an “Authenticity Marketing” training!
Take care,
Becca
Becca´s last blog ..Are You Connecting With Your Clients?
Thanks Becca.. Agreed on the training. Isn’t it amazing that people need to learn how to be Authentic?! Wow. We all have our insecurities we are so busy hiding.. but the truth is, that is the only time others can really relate and connect. I’ve been told my vulnerability is my Power.. and after 10 years in the industry, I actually am getting it!
Great story. I just never got the hang of calling all of my friends and family. I especially like social media because people are essentially looking for you or looking for me. It may take a while to get going but it never felt authentic to me to call all of my old garden center customers and that is what I was told to do by my up-line. Being authentic is a must. People can see right through it when you are not.
Nicole, Thanks for your comments. I too was one that wanted people to respond to my ad. I love the fact that some simple marketing efforts – when done consistently, absolutely pay off. All the way maintaining friendships. There is also something to be said about friends and family inquiring because they are INTERESTED not because they are supposed to do you a favor. Best, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Clearly this person is operating from a place of fear rather than authentic power. To go around you the way he did just so you would look at the business he was already in violates so many basic laws of relationships! I think what he did is a perfect example of the dark side of network marketing, and why it continues to be perceived as an ugly business model. No one likes to be tricked, or feel betrayed! Those of us who have chosen to be professionals in this business need to band together and teach through our own example how to do it right. The more education we can share with the world about the beauties of this business model, the less we will witness behaviors like that of your “friend.”
I am sorry this happened to you, but I am grateful you shared it with your readers. What a teachable moment!
Mary Lou
Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..Is It in Our Best Interest to Accept All Friends on Facebook
Mary Lou,
You have stated well, what I was feeling. I was hurt and frustrated with him! It does show ignorance and it also demonstrates that we have our work to do to teach others how to really use network marketing to better our relationships, not destroy them! Best, Lisa
well, at least you where in his “top 3″! After all, he is ONLY chosing 3 people and YOU made it.
That just shows how much demand there is in this marketplace for what we do. Plenty of eager people willing to work, but lacking the knowledge of how to do it right.
Someone once told me, the more you get “pitched” the more “in demand” you are… The other day, I actually had someone ask me to buy them a new faster computer and a vacation for their family so they could relax… funny.
Thanks for the story, and the knowledge you share!
Justin
Justin Glover´s last blog ..How To Get Unlimited Free Traffic And Opt-Ins By DOMINATING The Search Engines
Justin, Yeah, after the flattery wore off I was hopping mad! lol. (Flattery can only get one so far!) Giggling about the request you got.. I have people ask me if I can give them a loan to get started in my business. Then I get to tell them, the first rule of an entrepreneur – is to Find the Money! It sets everything else in motion. I agree that we have a huge opportunity to educate the uneducated! Best, Lisa
Hi Lisa, oh that’s some mistake I’ve done in the past on the way to learn the proper way. I still get lots of prospecting like this calling my landline regularly and they don’t make me feel good neigher, lol. It is good to see non ideal example so I don’t have to make the same mistake again. Thank you for letting me share!
Yoshimi Kawakami´s last blog ..Hidden Unconscious Modules
Yoshimi, great to hear from you. Yes, we live and “learn” !
Thank goodness for that!
So long as we are willing to learn from our mistakes, we certainly are succeeeding!
Best, Lisa
The more and more i read.The more i want to find out.I own an airbrush makeup application business and you have such great tips for the most important steps and behaviors that make us a better person and help us succeed.Everything makes sense even if i don’t know where to begin. Learning to love your self is key to making you a better person. People want to be around better( calm, happy,direction in life)people. Its not pleasant being around people that seem lost negative and drag you down along with them. Where is the hope?!
I’m interested in hearing more please e-mail me at the address i have provided you with.
Thank you,
Daniela
Great to connect with you Daniela. Let’s stay in touch so I can support you in what matters most to you.
Best, Lisa
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