As a Direct Sales Coach and trainer, I've always wondered about the other coaches that don't tell you what company they were with.
They'll tell you they earned fancy trips, shiny cars, and made a ton of cash climbing the leadership ranks, but the never tell you what company they were with.
When I became a coach, just over a year ago, I vowed I wouldn't use my business as a recruiting platform, so while I didn't advertise any of the companies I worked with, I also didn't really HIDE it from anyone.
I've ben involved in numerous direct selling/network marketing companies in the past decade. None of them made me feel more at home than the At Home division of The Body Shop. I loved the values, the products and the people. They quickly became "my primary bizop".
And today, regrettably, they have announced a closing of the doors in the US. Amid some other scandalous issues from late last year, we are all elft wondering the root of the decision, but ultimately, At Home was not a profitable, sustainable channel for The Body Shop brand.
People have already started coming out of the woodwork asking me if I'm going to be okay, which makes me chuckle.
Of COURSE I'm going to be okay. I never promoted The Body Shop in the first place.
I always branded ME.
This isn't the first company I've been a consultant for that's closed it's doors (it's the third, actually), yet, of all the companies I've worked with, they're the ONLY ones that I've seen do it RIGHT.
A stream of correspondence showered the morning. With REAL commitments to help us transition to other opportunities, plus increases in pay, bonuses, etc for teh remainder of the term.
For some of these women, TBSAH was the ONLY source of income for their families. Many were earning $10,000 or more each month - and in 6 weeks that will all be gone.
The Body Shop has done a outstanding job of making a bad situation more tolerable. They are proactively seeking ways for us to transition to other opportunities, even offering up priority consideration for employment within TBSAH stores.
It's never a good thing to have to lop off a division of a company - in terms of headcount, morale, etc. But if it has to be done, The Body Shop is a good example of the right way to do it.
And I'm not the least bit concerned about my direction now that TBSAH is closing in the US. I'll just turn back to the sme methods I've been teaching in Home Party Solution. I know offers will come out of the woodwork, so it's just a matter of finding the right fit for me.
And I never promoted my direct sales company - I took my own advice. I am the most important produt my company has to offer, so I promote myself first. That's why people know me, instead of the face cream, candles, toys, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, and other products I used to sell.
Now more than ever, I maintain that you NEED to be creating a name for yourself first - your product second and your company third. Most companies don't like that idea.
Who cares!?! It's YOUR life that's at stake here. Build it to YOUR benefit.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
The BIG Unveiling: What The Heck IS Going ON?
Let's piece the clues together:
I'm closing the doors to something at the end of February (or sooner).
I've gotten very clear on who I want to help and where I want my business to go.
I'm not just addressing the Direct Sales industry.
I'm focusing on working with Christian business women.
I'm giving something away for free.
I'm also creating something even better.
I'm doing it in a BIG way.
There's going to be some VIDEO involved.
And I keep mentioning my "Build a Better Customer" Program
Can you stand it any longer? Okay, here's the BIG news:
Say goodbye to Home Party Solution as you know it. That ship has sailed.
Or it will come the end of February (or when all the current copies are sold out).
Yep. I told you people would think I'm nuts.
More on that in a minute.
What am I giving away? The entire updated curriculum for the Build a Better Customer program. In full - with nothing left out.
See, during the pilot program, I was hesitant to share a lot of what made this program really tick for me. Quite honestly, my faith and belief in God really drives my success, and it's at the core of this program.
I felt like I had to water it down tremendously in order to create "mass appeal" for the product.
But in my coaching sessions, my clients were actually appreciative of the references to God and faith, when I was feeling so apologetic about it. It became clear to me that THIS was the way GOD wanted me to operate. Not from some shady, half-veiled product creation.
And someone once said that knowledge should be free. I agree to a point. I believe that basic constructs designed to improve our human existence shouldn't have a pricetag. I also believe that my hard work and creativity should be rewarded/compensated appropriately.
So after offering up this project in prayer, I've decided that the beginning of my "crack addiction' will be to GIVE the content in my Build a Better Customer Program away. I'm still working out the details, but rest assured, this program will be a fantastic tool in your business building arsenal. I've already charged hundreds for this content, and I feel confident that it's worth ten times what others have paid for it - especially now that I'm dding in all the components, like my P.E.A.C.E. process that brings even more clarity to the method.
Yep, I know. My husband thinks I'm mentally ill, too.
But I say I'm crazy like a fox.
See, when you've gone through this system, you'll feel so empowered, so motivated, and so ready to do what comes next, you'll KNOW what you need to do. And I'll be there to provide you with teh step-by-step coaching to take your business to the next level.
I will, in short, have created my 'crack addiction'.
Yeah, but what about Home Party Solution? Before you stand there, staring at the door, I want you to know that it's not gone forever - it will be making a comeback - but in a completely reborn format.
More comprehensive, more informative, and so much EASIER to follow. This will be a multimedia experience like you've never seen before in the direct sales industry. But it will come at a MUCH bigger price tag.
Yep, there I go, raising prices when everyone else is lowering them. I really am insane, huh?
Not really.
See, I can't afford to keep cranking out the same old stuff that everyone else is churning out on a monthly basis. You're too savvy for that. If you're like me, you're tired of seeing the same stuff, repackaged with a shiny new label.
About every six months, I've released an updated version of Home Party Solution, incorporating the latest information and strategies for using online marketing to grow your business. And each time I do, I raise the price. Because I'm adding more content and more knowledge. I'm shortening your learning curve immensely.
And I think that's worth a few pennies in the bucket.
But the one thing I kept hearing over and over was that people wanted to see some video, hear some audio, make it a little more interactive.
Your wish is my command.
So I'll be spending the next couple of months totally revising, revamping and suping up the engine that is Home Party Solution. In the end, the finished product will actually be TWO products: A solution specifically for Direct Sales consultants, and another solution targeted to small business owners in general.
So much of what I teach crosses over, and I've seen my subscriber base expand from just home party consultants to a wider array of work from home, small business entrpreneurs.
It will be concise, powerful, portable and interactive. And we're going to cover more than just the basics. You won't BELIEVE what you're going to be experiencing. And I can't wait to share it with you.
In the meantime, you best pick up your copy of Home Party Solution before it becomes a collector's item. Once that happens, people could be selling it on ebay for a few hundred bucks.
Don't laugh! I've seen it happen before!
When they're gone, we're closing the doors. And I promise you it'll be at LEAST March before the new version is ready - possibly even April or May. I'm not going to do this thing half way. If you want the insider tips and secrets I've been sharing with my clients for the past year, now's the time to get on the bandwagon before every last copy is sold out.
Yes, the PM2 Mastermind group will still be available, and if you get the complete Home Party Solution package now, you can lock in the lowest PM2 rate now.
Don't stand there staring at the door at the end of February. Jump through the window now while there's still time!
It looks like Lauren is our big winner, although I got a few emails asking all kinds of questions in addition to the posts on the blog. I think you got all the big elements of the announcement: closing Home Party Solution, giving away BBC. email me, girlie, and I'll get your content out to you.
Congrats!
I'm closing the doors to something at the end of February (or sooner).
I've gotten very clear on who I want to help and where I want my business to go.
I'm not just addressing the Direct Sales industry.
I'm focusing on working with Christian business women.
I'm giving something away for free.
I'm also creating something even better.
I'm doing it in a BIG way.
There's going to be some VIDEO involved.
And I keep mentioning my "Build a Better Customer" Program
Can you stand it any longer? Okay, here's the BIG news:
Say goodbye to Home Party Solution as you know it. That ship has sailed.
Or it will come the end of February (or when all the current copies are sold out).
Yep. I told you people would think I'm nuts.
More on that in a minute.
What am I giving away? The entire updated curriculum for the Build a Better Customer program. In full - with nothing left out.
See, during the pilot program, I was hesitant to share a lot of what made this program really tick for me. Quite honestly, my faith and belief in God really drives my success, and it's at the core of this program.
I felt like I had to water it down tremendously in order to create "mass appeal" for the product.
But in my coaching sessions, my clients were actually appreciative of the references to God and faith, when I was feeling so apologetic about it. It became clear to me that THIS was the way GOD wanted me to operate. Not from some shady, half-veiled product creation.
And someone once said that knowledge should be free. I agree to a point. I believe that basic constructs designed to improve our human existence shouldn't have a pricetag. I also believe that my hard work and creativity should be rewarded/compensated appropriately.
So after offering up this project in prayer, I've decided that the beginning of my "crack addiction' will be to GIVE the content in my Build a Better Customer Program away. I'm still working out the details, but rest assured, this program will be a fantastic tool in your business building arsenal. I've already charged hundreds for this content, and I feel confident that it's worth ten times what others have paid for it - especially now that I'm dding in all the components, like my P.E.A.C.E. process that brings even more clarity to the method.
Yep, I know. My husband thinks I'm mentally ill, too.
But I say I'm crazy like a fox.
See, when you've gone through this system, you'll feel so empowered, so motivated, and so ready to do what comes next, you'll KNOW what you need to do. And I'll be there to provide you with teh step-by-step coaching to take your business to the next level.
I will, in short, have created my 'crack addiction'.
Yeah, but what about Home Party Solution? Before you stand there, staring at the door, I want you to know that it's not gone forever - it will be making a comeback - but in a completely reborn format.
More comprehensive, more informative, and so much EASIER to follow. This will be a multimedia experience like you've never seen before in the direct sales industry. But it will come at a MUCH bigger price tag.
Yep, there I go, raising prices when everyone else is lowering them. I really am insane, huh?
Not really.
See, I can't afford to keep cranking out the same old stuff that everyone else is churning out on a monthly basis. You're too savvy for that. If you're like me, you're tired of seeing the same stuff, repackaged with a shiny new label.
About every six months, I've released an updated version of Home Party Solution, incorporating the latest information and strategies for using online marketing to grow your business. And each time I do, I raise the price. Because I'm adding more content and more knowledge. I'm shortening your learning curve immensely.
And I think that's worth a few pennies in the bucket.
But the one thing I kept hearing over and over was that people wanted to see some video, hear some audio, make it a little more interactive.
Your wish is my command.
So I'll be spending the next couple of months totally revising, revamping and suping up the engine that is Home Party Solution. In the end, the finished product will actually be TWO products: A solution specifically for Direct Sales consultants, and another solution targeted to small business owners in general.
So much of what I teach crosses over, and I've seen my subscriber base expand from just home party consultants to a wider array of work from home, small business entrpreneurs.
It will be concise, powerful, portable and interactive. And we're going to cover more than just the basics. You won't BELIEVE what you're going to be experiencing. And I can't wait to share it with you.
In the meantime, you best pick up your copy of Home Party Solution before it becomes a collector's item. Once that happens, people could be selling it on ebay for a few hundred bucks.
Don't laugh! I've seen it happen before!
When they're gone, we're closing the doors. And I promise you it'll be at LEAST March before the new version is ready - possibly even April or May. I'm not going to do this thing half way. If you want the insider tips and secrets I've been sharing with my clients for the past year, now's the time to get on the bandwagon before every last copy is sold out.
Yes, the PM2 Mastermind group will still be available, and if you get the complete Home Party Solution package now, you can lock in the lowest PM2 rate now.
Don't stand there staring at the door at the end of February. Jump through the window now while there's still time!
It looks like Lauren is our big winner, although I got a few emails asking all kinds of questions in addition to the posts on the blog. I think you got all the big elements of the announcement: closing Home Party Solution, giving away BBC. email me, girlie, and I'll get your content out to you.
Congrats!
Clue #6: One Part Mom, One Part Rock Star
If you've read my bio blurb in my weekly ezine, it says "one part mom, one part rock star". That's only slightly tongue in cheek.
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of touring the country, being a rock star, singing songs I wrote. In fact, I've even self-released two albums. You can even listen to some of my music. It's 'defniitely not mainstream pop music' - or at least that's what one of the guys at Universal Music said when I submitted my demo for a listen.
I've never been a conformist - at least not on the surface. I have some core beliefs that are pretty standard, but my mode of operation has always been a little on the rebellious side of things. If people tell me I 'Can't' do something, I almost always say "watch me!" and figure out a way to do it anyhow.
So even though I'm a relative unknown in the music industry, I have fans across the globe that listen to and enjoy my music.
And just to be clear, this post has NOTHING to do with me forming a rock band, releasing a new album or touring whilst playing my music. The Stand Up Coach and I are planning a 'world tour', but you'll hear more about that at another time, and it has nothing to do with these new developments.
It's really been the last couple of days that have crystallized these must do activities for me.
As far as your guesses go, Lauren's on the right track. This isn't about a speaking tour (there's more details about that coming later in Spring), and it isn't about me quitting my DS company (HEAVENS NO!). This is about me stepping into a space that I should have been in all along, and was too afraid to do it.
The only antidote for fear is faith.
I always envisioned Rock stars, in my mind, as fearless. They could get up on a stage, entrance a crowd of thousands and inspire throngs of people with their work. Everytime their music plays freely over the airwaves, you get re-inspired, transported and motivated to feel this kind of empowerment from within the very music itself.
I always wanted to have that kind of effect on people. Without the drugs, scandals and bad habits that many musicians were known for. I wanted to inspire and motivate people with my creations and do it in a very unconventional way.
That means taking a zig when others zag. It means standing out in a crowd. It means going against the grain.
Like a Rock Star.
In this economy, people are still paying $500 a seat to see The Police live in concert. Why?
Because they're Rock Stars! They've established themselves as a household name to the audience that loves them. They don't have to worry about whether or not people will show up to their concerts, or if they'll make enough money to pay the bills this month.
They're ROCK STARS!
Watch what other direct sales coaches are doing right now: they're sweating. They've taught you everything they know. You've heard it all before, and to keep themselves alive, they're doing bargain basement price slashing. One direct sales coach is offring a teleseminar series (5 calls) for $40! That would barely cover the costs of putting on the FIRST call, let alone all 5.
Why is she doing that? Simple, just like you (well, some of you) bookings are down. Her income is tanking, and she needs to stay at the top of mind to keep you buying from her.
Another diect sales coach piloted a monthly telecoaching program at an introductory rate, and couldn't get enough members to raise it to the standard rate she wanted to charge. Why? Because she's just regurgitating her content!
There's nothing new there.
Like a good Rock Star, you have to have new material on a regular basis. Sure, the Greatest Hits are fun to hear, and familiar. They're easy to embrace. And YES, you run the risk of alienating some of your die hard fans when you create something new. But on the whole, your fans want to be delighted with something exciting, different and NEW.
Do you remember the first time your favorite band played a new song on the radio? I do. I would scooch up to the radio as close as I could so I didn't miss a single note. I'd scribble down the lyrics as fast as my pencil could keep up. I wanted to be the FIRST to know that new song, so I could share it with everyone - and look cool in the process.
Sometimes I still do that, although I will admit I'm a bit more restrained as a 'grown up' than I was as a child. i don't actually push people out of the way anymore to get to the radio.
So when direct sales coaches offer "new" products, I get excited! I scramble to the front of the line to see what it's all about.
And I usually shuffle away with my head hung down in shame at another batch of regurgitated content.
Don't get me wrong, booking, selling, and recruiting are the 3 pillars of direct sales. If you want to be truly successful, you have to do all three in some combination.
But there's more to this business than just those three things, and frankly, I'm tired of hearing so-called industry 'experts' that just keep saying the same things over and over and over.
Maybe that list of 100 people ISN'T enough to get your business started. Maybe you DO have to think outside the box - especially in this economy.
So that's what I'm doing. I'm thinking outside the box. I'm doing something that, as far as I know, no other direct sales business coach has ever done before. I'm going against the grain and doing some things that no other direct sales coach would ever DREAM of doing, because to them, it would mean losing money.
But I think like a ROCK STAR!
Think you've got this all figured out yet? Bet ya don't! But the clues get hotter as the day goes on today. We're leading up to the BIG unveil tonight at 7pm eastern. Post your comments below. The first one to correctly guess will win a complete set of all the physical products I've ever created (yes, even my music CD's, if you want them!).
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of touring the country, being a rock star, singing songs I wrote. In fact, I've even self-released two albums. You can even listen to some of my music. It's 'defniitely not mainstream pop music' - or at least that's what one of the guys at Universal Music said when I submitted my demo for a listen.
I've never been a conformist - at least not on the surface. I have some core beliefs that are pretty standard, but my mode of operation has always been a little on the rebellious side of things. If people tell me I 'Can't' do something, I almost always say "watch me!" and figure out a way to do it anyhow.
So even though I'm a relative unknown in the music industry, I have fans across the globe that listen to and enjoy my music.
And just to be clear, this post has NOTHING to do with me forming a rock band, releasing a new album or touring whilst playing my music. The Stand Up Coach and I are planning a 'world tour', but you'll hear more about that at another time, and it has nothing to do with these new developments.
It's really been the last couple of days that have crystallized these must do activities for me.
As far as your guesses go, Lauren's on the right track. This isn't about a speaking tour (there's more details about that coming later in Spring), and it isn't about me quitting my DS company (HEAVENS NO!). This is about me stepping into a space that I should have been in all along, and was too afraid to do it.
The only antidote for fear is faith.
I always envisioned Rock stars, in my mind, as fearless. They could get up on a stage, entrance a crowd of thousands and inspire throngs of people with their work. Everytime their music plays freely over the airwaves, you get re-inspired, transported and motivated to feel this kind of empowerment from within the very music itself.
I always wanted to have that kind of effect on people. Without the drugs, scandals and bad habits that many musicians were known for. I wanted to inspire and motivate people with my creations and do it in a very unconventional way.
That means taking a zig when others zag. It means standing out in a crowd. It means going against the grain.
Like a Rock Star.
In this economy, people are still paying $500 a seat to see The Police live in concert. Why?
Because they're Rock Stars! They've established themselves as a household name to the audience that loves them. They don't have to worry about whether or not people will show up to their concerts, or if they'll make enough money to pay the bills this month.
They're ROCK STARS!
Watch what other direct sales coaches are doing right now: they're sweating. They've taught you everything they know. You've heard it all before, and to keep themselves alive, they're doing bargain basement price slashing. One direct sales coach is offring a teleseminar series (5 calls) for $40! That would barely cover the costs of putting on the FIRST call, let alone all 5.
Why is she doing that? Simple, just like you (well, some of you) bookings are down. Her income is tanking, and she needs to stay at the top of mind to keep you buying from her.
Another diect sales coach piloted a monthly telecoaching program at an introductory rate, and couldn't get enough members to raise it to the standard rate she wanted to charge. Why? Because she's just regurgitating her content!
There's nothing new there.
Like a good Rock Star, you have to have new material on a regular basis. Sure, the Greatest Hits are fun to hear, and familiar. They're easy to embrace. And YES, you run the risk of alienating some of your die hard fans when you create something new. But on the whole, your fans want to be delighted with something exciting, different and NEW.
Do you remember the first time your favorite band played a new song on the radio? I do. I would scooch up to the radio as close as I could so I didn't miss a single note. I'd scribble down the lyrics as fast as my pencil could keep up. I wanted to be the FIRST to know that new song, so I could share it with everyone - and look cool in the process.
Sometimes I still do that, although I will admit I'm a bit more restrained as a 'grown up' than I was as a child. i don't actually push people out of the way anymore to get to the radio.
So when direct sales coaches offer "new" products, I get excited! I scramble to the front of the line to see what it's all about.
And I usually shuffle away with my head hung down in shame at another batch of regurgitated content.
Don't get me wrong, booking, selling, and recruiting are the 3 pillars of direct sales. If you want to be truly successful, you have to do all three in some combination.
But there's more to this business than just those three things, and frankly, I'm tired of hearing so-called industry 'experts' that just keep saying the same things over and over and over.
Maybe that list of 100 people ISN'T enough to get your business started. Maybe you DO have to think outside the box - especially in this economy.
So that's what I'm doing. I'm thinking outside the box. I'm doing something that, as far as I know, no other direct sales business coach has ever done before. I'm going against the grain and doing some things that no other direct sales coach would ever DREAM of doing, because to them, it would mean losing money.
But I think like a ROCK STAR!
Think you've got this all figured out yet? Bet ya don't! But the clues get hotter as the day goes on today. We're leading up to the BIG unveil tonight at 7pm eastern. Post your comments below. The first one to correctly guess will win a complete set of all the physical products I've ever created (yes, even my music CD's, if you want them!).
Clue #5: If You Love Something, Set it Free
"If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was. We do not possess anything in this world, least of all other people. We only imagine that we do. Our friends, our lovers, our spouses, even our children are not ours; they belong only to themselves. Possessive and controlling friendships and relationships can be as harmful as neglect."
A Chinese Proverb, this quote has been in my head in one form or another since childhood. My grandmother cautiously reminded me to let the butterflies be, instead of trying to catch them by their wing on the flower.
Nobody said I was classy. I thought catching bugs was cool.
But Grandma was truly a woman. She was kindhearted and earthy. She didn't think catching bugs was ladylike. She strove to "meet me where I was" though, and used a little psychology on me.
"If you love it, set it free and see if it comes back to you. If it doesn't it wasn't yours."
I lost more butterflies that way. Thanks Grandma!
But the lesson was indellible in my mind. And in the past year, my childhood memories have been replaying - a bit more somberly now than before - and I'm remembering some valuable lessons.
I love learning. I've loved reading and growing and powering up my brain for as long as I can remember. I started reading at an early age, and I really wanted to see my kids grow into loversof learning as well.
Right now, my oldest is NOT big into learning. Although I did catch hm checking out a book of Latin poetry at the library a few weeks ago. He said he wanted to impress a "chick at school" by writing out the latin and the english side by side.
There may be hope for him yet.
I've always wanted to share my passion for learning and knowledge and skill-building. But I NEVER wanted to be a teacher. Our educational systems are assembly lines for cranking out kids that meet the minimum requirements for life. And I say that with all the love I can possibly have, because my mom was a teacher, my aunts are teachers, my cousin is a teacher. My sister even did a stint as a teacher.
And I guess some would say I'm a teacher, too.
But public school teaching in this country is a thankless, tough job. I never had the intestinal fortitude to endure the grief so many in my family willingly did. They gave up a lifetime of working to teach childrn, mold minds and create a different world. I give them all teh props in the world - because I never could have done it.
Instead, I turned my desire to teach into an income-driven business model. I taught voice, piano and clarinet lessons from my mobile studio. I even taught guitar briefly. Then I developed my newsletter, the book, and ultimately the entire construct that is now Home Party Solution.
And along the way, I found myself felling like it wasn't all exactly right. Like I was only doing part of the work God set out for me to do.
I reached a turning point last July.
If I could do anything, if money were no object, if what others said or thought didn't matter, and if I knew I couldn't fail, where was I feeling God pulling me?
I couldn't dodge it. And the process that I went through inspired the build a better customer program. It's truly been a labor of love for me.
I knew I had developed something life changing, but I was so afraid that mine would be the only life it would change. I was scared to share my findings because deep down inside I wondered:
"What if this process only works for me? Then what will I do?"
But January proved to me that this s one of the most amazing and transformative processes I have ever experienced - and it works for others, too. And I've been thrilled with the way it has changed people's businesses and outlooks on life as well.
But I keep hearing Grandma's voice in my head...
Think you've got this one figured out? Post your guess. The first correct answer will win the keys to the kingdom! Every physical product I've ever created. We've had some creative guesses so far, but we're gettng to the wire and NO ONE's gotten it all right yet. There's only a few more clues between now and Sunday night at 7pm eastern.
A Chinese Proverb, this quote has been in my head in one form or another since childhood. My grandmother cautiously reminded me to let the butterflies be, instead of trying to catch them by their wing on the flower.
Nobody said I was classy. I thought catching bugs was cool.
But Grandma was truly a woman. She was kindhearted and earthy. She didn't think catching bugs was ladylike. She strove to "meet me where I was" though, and used a little psychology on me.
"If you love it, set it free and see if it comes back to you. If it doesn't it wasn't yours."
I lost more butterflies that way. Thanks Grandma!
But the lesson was indellible in my mind. And in the past year, my childhood memories have been replaying - a bit more somberly now than before - and I'm remembering some valuable lessons.
I love learning. I've loved reading and growing and powering up my brain for as long as I can remember. I started reading at an early age, and I really wanted to see my kids grow into loversof learning as well.
Right now, my oldest is NOT big into learning. Although I did catch hm checking out a book of Latin poetry at the library a few weeks ago. He said he wanted to impress a "chick at school" by writing out the latin and the english side by side.
There may be hope for him yet.
I've always wanted to share my passion for learning and knowledge and skill-building. But I NEVER wanted to be a teacher. Our educational systems are assembly lines for cranking out kids that meet the minimum requirements for life. And I say that with all the love I can possibly have, because my mom was a teacher, my aunts are teachers, my cousin is a teacher. My sister even did a stint as a teacher.
And I guess some would say I'm a teacher, too.
But public school teaching in this country is a thankless, tough job. I never had the intestinal fortitude to endure the grief so many in my family willingly did. They gave up a lifetime of working to teach childrn, mold minds and create a different world. I give them all teh props in the world - because I never could have done it.
Instead, I turned my desire to teach into an income-driven business model. I taught voice, piano and clarinet lessons from my mobile studio. I even taught guitar briefly. Then I developed my newsletter, the book, and ultimately the entire construct that is now Home Party Solution.
And along the way, I found myself felling like it wasn't all exactly right. Like I was only doing part of the work God set out for me to do.
I reached a turning point last July.
If I could do anything, if money were no object, if what others said or thought didn't matter, and if I knew I couldn't fail, where was I feeling God pulling me?
I couldn't dodge it. And the process that I went through inspired the build a better customer program. It's truly been a labor of love for me.
I knew I had developed something life changing, but I was so afraid that mine would be the only life it would change. I was scared to share my findings because deep down inside I wondered:
"What if this process only works for me? Then what will I do?"
But January proved to me that this s one of the most amazing and transformative processes I have ever experienced - and it works for others, too. And I've been thrilled with the way it has changed people's businesses and outlooks on life as well.
But I keep hearing Grandma's voice in my head...
Think you've got this one figured out? Post your guess. The first correct answer will win the keys to the kingdom! Every physical product I've ever created. We've had some creative guesses so far, but we're gettng to the wire and NO ONE's gotten it all right yet. There's only a few more clues between now and Sunday night at 7pm eastern.
Clue #4: Scriptually Speaking...
Here's where I'll lose a truckload of subscribers, but I'm okay with that.
I am a Christian.
I am a God-fearing woman that has really struggled with the question "Just how much God can I sprinkle into my work without coming across as a Bible thumper?"
I still screw up. I still make horrible, terrible mistakes in my life. I am FAR from perfect. And I still love God and hear the voice of the Baptist pastor from my youth telling the entire congregaton that if we wanted to have peace in our hearts, "You need JEEESUS!"
I don't think it's wrong to say I need Jesus. I don't think it's wrong to share that love and gratitude with others - or to cite the source. To NOT do so would be contrary to everything I believe, in terms of giving credit where credit is due.
To God be the glory.
That said, I DO think it's wrong to try to ram scripture down the throats of people that aren't interested. That's just a waste of time and energy -two commodities I've discovered this year that are very precious to me. I think it was Victor Frankl, in his book, Man's Search For Meaning, that laid down a challenge to meet people where they are. You can't push people into your space. They have to be led, and desire to go there of their own will. Only then will they embrace the space you're in as their own.
So while my Catholic charge is to preach the good news in the world, as a business person, I have to temper my fervor for God by meeting people where they are. Many of the business women I work with are stay-at-home moms. Many are from a Judeo-Christian background, but some are not. My business is NOT here to convert people. But it IS an extension of my mission to serve God.
So as a Christian, how do I convey to the world that part of why I'm good at what I do is a direct result of the relationship I have with my creator and sustainer?
That was one of the biggest challenges I faced when I was developing the Build a Better Customer Program. In fact part of creating my perfect fit customer was the idea that I wanted to serve more Christian business women - regardless of their industry. But I also wanted to continue to serve my core client base - home party consultants - in a way that would elevate everyone and help me fulfill my mission without burning bridges unnecessarily.
I created Home Party Solution because a number of my friends, family and fellow direct sales consultants said that I should write a book about how I grew my business. 'PartyOn!' was a newsletter I created because I wanted to help consultants grow their business like a real business. Everything I've ever done in this crazy little company has been an extention of serving others.
I wanted to help others. I wanted to bless others as God had blessed me. There's no real secret to my success. I just found something that worked for me and I implemented it. I stayed consistent with it, and I was rewarded for my commitment.
So as I roll into 2009, I'm looking at ways to help even more people, reach even more people, and effect positive change in the lives of even MORE people still.
Think you've figured out my Big Announcement? Post your guess here. I'll announce the big winner (and the BIG Announcement) on the Blog on Sunday night.
I am a Christian.
I am a God-fearing woman that has really struggled with the question "Just how much God can I sprinkle into my work without coming across as a Bible thumper?"
I still screw up. I still make horrible, terrible mistakes in my life. I am FAR from perfect. And I still love God and hear the voice of the Baptist pastor from my youth telling the entire congregaton that if we wanted to have peace in our hearts, "You need JEEESUS!"
I don't think it's wrong to say I need Jesus. I don't think it's wrong to share that love and gratitude with others - or to cite the source. To NOT do so would be contrary to everything I believe, in terms of giving credit where credit is due.
To God be the glory.
That said, I DO think it's wrong to try to ram scripture down the throats of people that aren't interested. That's just a waste of time and energy -two commodities I've discovered this year that are very precious to me. I think it was Victor Frankl, in his book, Man's Search For Meaning, that laid down a challenge to meet people where they are. You can't push people into your space. They have to be led, and desire to go there of their own will. Only then will they embrace the space you're in as their own.
So while my Catholic charge is to preach the good news in the world, as a business person, I have to temper my fervor for God by meeting people where they are. Many of the business women I work with are stay-at-home moms. Many are from a Judeo-Christian background, but some are not. My business is NOT here to convert people. But it IS an extension of my mission to serve God.
So as a Christian, how do I convey to the world that part of why I'm good at what I do is a direct result of the relationship I have with my creator and sustainer?
That was one of the biggest challenges I faced when I was developing the Build a Better Customer Program. In fact part of creating my perfect fit customer was the idea that I wanted to serve more Christian business women - regardless of their industry. But I also wanted to continue to serve my core client base - home party consultants - in a way that would elevate everyone and help me fulfill my mission without burning bridges unnecessarily.
I created Home Party Solution because a number of my friends, family and fellow direct sales consultants said that I should write a book about how I grew my business. 'PartyOn!' was a newsletter I created because I wanted to help consultants grow their business like a real business. Everything I've ever done in this crazy little company has been an extention of serving others.
I wanted to help others. I wanted to bless others as God had blessed me. There's no real secret to my success. I just found something that worked for me and I implemented it. I stayed consistent with it, and I was rewarded for my commitment.
So as I roll into 2009, I'm looking at ways to help even more people, reach even more people, and effect positive change in the lives of even MORE people still.
Think you've figured out my Big Announcement? Post your guess here. I'll announce the big winner (and the BIG Announcement) on the Blog on Sunday night.
What the Devil's Goin' On Around Here?
So my husband calls me from work on Wednesday and tells me we need to cancel our trip. He said that work was a chaotic mess and that he couldn't leave with things out of control. Add to that the fact that a co-worker had to tend to his father's medical emergency, and well, he had to stay, and had to work on what were supposed to be his days off.
I was SO bummed, I almost cried.
My oldest was pouting and pcing the floor, very upset that he was going to miss out on swimming at the hotel. North Carolina is balmy compared to the zero degree weather we have in Flint, right now.
I was more bummed that I wasn't going to be able to hook up with my pal from school and my new pal, Tracy Needham.
But I finally figured out that I could use this time to be TOTALLY productive - since everyone thought I was leaving town anyway!
No phone calls, no distractions, no email just focus on getting things done.
Then I had a MAJOR epiphany. One that will change my business FOREVER.
I make the big announcement Sunday night. But if you can guess what it is, you'll win the KEYS to my Kingdom: a copy of every physical product I've ever created.
I know you'll never guess. In fact, I'll drop clues to you all weekend, and I bet you'll STILL never guess.
It's transformative, and it's going to blow EVERYONE out of the water!
Here's the first hint (as if the above wasn't enough):
My good friend is a Mardi Gras FANATIC. She absoluetly loves the celebration, the history, culture and heritage of the whole event. She frequently visits New Orleans during this festive time, when the whole town becomes a giant street party. She knows more trivia than you can possibly imagine, and is currently holding a trivia contest as a lead up to her big Mardi Gras Party at the end of February. While I'll be at her house getting swept up in the revelry of Fat Tuesday (on a Saturday!), another tradition will have already begun.
LENT.
So what's your guess? Post a comment to this post, and more clues will be coming every few hours. The First Person to correctly guess the big changes will get the keys to my kingdom: a copy of every physical product I've ever created!
I was SO bummed, I almost cried.
My oldest was pouting and pcing the floor, very upset that he was going to miss out on swimming at the hotel. North Carolina is balmy compared to the zero degree weather we have in Flint, right now.
I was more bummed that I wasn't going to be able to hook up with my pal from school and my new pal, Tracy Needham.
But I finally figured out that I could use this time to be TOTALLY productive - since everyone thought I was leaving town anyway!
No phone calls, no distractions, no email just focus on getting things done.
Then I had a MAJOR epiphany. One that will change my business FOREVER.
I make the big announcement Sunday night. But if you can guess what it is, you'll win the KEYS to my Kingdom: a copy of every physical product I've ever created.
I know you'll never guess. In fact, I'll drop clues to you all weekend, and I bet you'll STILL never guess.
It's transformative, and it's going to blow EVERYONE out of the water!
Here's the first hint (as if the above wasn't enough):
My good friend is a Mardi Gras FANATIC. She absoluetly loves the celebration, the history, culture and heritage of the whole event. She frequently visits New Orleans during this festive time, when the whole town becomes a giant street party. She knows more trivia than you can possibly imagine, and is currently holding a trivia contest as a lead up to her big Mardi Gras Party at the end of February. While I'll be at her house getting swept up in the revelry of Fat Tuesday (on a Saturday!), another tradition will have already begun.
LENT.
So what's your guess? Post a comment to this post, and more clues will be coming every few hours. The First Person to correctly guess the big changes will get the keys to my kingdom: a copy of every physical product I've ever created!
Business Stripped Bare: What I've learned from Sir Richard Branson, Part One
I'm a reader. Folks who know me know my bookshelves are stocked to the gills with books read, underlined, notated and paraphrased. They also know I have boxes of books that won't fit on my shelves. So what better gift to give a girl like me than Sir Richard Branson's book, Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur? Along with a book light and a lifetime supply of batteries for that light, my sister made my holiday bright (no pun intended) with this gift.
My intention this year is to write more, and read more, and most importantly to share my findings with my subscribers so they too can benefit from what I learn. This is the first installment of revelations from Sir Richard's book.
After swimming through the first chapter, dozens of action steps popped into my head that I felt compelled to implement in my business. But nestled in the center of that first chapter was this little gem:
"business has to give people enriching, rewarding lives, or it's simply not worth doing."
I stopped cold when I read those words. I must have re-read them 16 or 20 times, because the underline is pretty black on the page. Then I took out my notebook and started writing down ideas about what makes an enriching, rewarding life - and how my businesses could do that for me.
Beyond the monetary considerations, your business must provide social/emotional fulfillment.
You've got to feel good about the work you're doing, and share that joy with others. That's the beauty of work: different people get joy from doing different tasks. Why put yourself in a position where you HAVE to do the work you hate? If you find yourself foucsing on the drudgery of the work you do, you'll quickly hit burnout, become disgruntled, and look for excuses to not get your work done.
Direct Sales consultants suffer from a chronic dread of getting on the phone and doing the requisite follow-up with their customers. If this is a problem for you, there are solutions. Hire some help. Recruit a customer service rep to handle the calls and follow ups for you. There are two immediate benefits: you'll be freed from the work you hate, PLUS your customers will get the follow up they deserve. The downside? There may be a cost to hiring help. But not necessarily. You can often find inexpensive help through a local college or via online help at places like elance.com.
You will do your best work when you are pursuing your passion.
So often, we find ourselves plugged into work that we thought we would enjoy, only to find out we're really not cut out for it. We haven't taken the time to investigate where our passion truly lies. As a result, we may feel stuck or trapped in a position that we can't escape. That's simply not the case. There are always alternatives.
A coaching client recently made the discovery that, although she loved her work, her real passion was in spending time "being a good mom" to her babies. She felt as though her mission had to be work related, and during our coaching sessions, she came to realize that her work is the vehicle that helps her fulfill her mission of being a good mom. Are you clear on what you live to do? What is that thing that makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
In Direct Sales, we call it your "why", but it can really be anything. The passion that inspires you to do out-of-the-ordinary things to achieve your goals. The fire that pushes you through some of the more mundane moments in your business. When you structure your work around pursuing your passion/mission, nothing can prevent you from achieving success - all it can do is delay it a bit.
There has to be reciprocity. You must give to get.
Sir Richard talks about the various charitable activities that are tied into the Virgin brand. In Direct Sales, many of our companies already donate a portion of profits to worthy causes. At the consultant level, what are YOU doing to give back to your community/customers? It can be a simple hostess appreciation event, giving extras with orders, or any manner of giving back as a way to establish a deeper connection with the people you serve. Service is the key. A business that seeks to serve it's customers (not sell to them), is more profitable, more successful, and more powerful in the marketplace.
In a saturated marketplace, the company that cares - the business with heart, that has concern for the public, makes a bigger splash. Customers "don't care what you know, until they know that you care."
Finding your passion in your business, and serving your customers in a value-added way makes a tremendous difference in the value YOU derive from it as a business owner. When an opportunity presents itself to serve your customers, take it. You'll find your business to be more rewarding, enjoyable, and successful in the long run.
© 2009 Lisa Robbin Young
==========
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR PRINT OR WEB PUBLICATIONS?
I'd be honored - so long as you include this complete blurb with it: Lisa Robbin Young teaches entrepreneurs how to be celebrities in the eyes of their customers. Lisa's mission is to educate entreprenurial women about big business ideas they can apply to their small business enterprise for stellar success. Learn the 4 steps to Building a Better Customer at http://www.homepartysolution.com/bbc.
My intention this year is to write more, and read more, and most importantly to share my findings with my subscribers so they too can benefit from what I learn. This is the first installment of revelations from Sir Richard's book.
After swimming through the first chapter, dozens of action steps popped into my head that I felt compelled to implement in my business. But nestled in the center of that first chapter was this little gem:
"business has to give people enriching, rewarding lives, or it's simply not worth doing."
I stopped cold when I read those words. I must have re-read them 16 or 20 times, because the underline is pretty black on the page. Then I took out my notebook and started writing down ideas about what makes an enriching, rewarding life - and how my businesses could do that for me.
Beyond the monetary considerations, your business must provide social/emotional fulfillment.
You've got to feel good about the work you're doing, and share that joy with others. That's the beauty of work: different people get joy from doing different tasks. Why put yourself in a position where you HAVE to do the work you hate? If you find yourself foucsing on the drudgery of the work you do, you'll quickly hit burnout, become disgruntled, and look for excuses to not get your work done.
Direct Sales consultants suffer from a chronic dread of getting on the phone and doing the requisite follow-up with their customers. If this is a problem for you, there are solutions. Hire some help. Recruit a customer service rep to handle the calls and follow ups for you. There are two immediate benefits: you'll be freed from the work you hate, PLUS your customers will get the follow up they deserve. The downside? There may be a cost to hiring help. But not necessarily. You can often find inexpensive help through a local college or via online help at places like elance.com.
You will do your best work when you are pursuing your passion.
So often, we find ourselves plugged into work that we thought we would enjoy, only to find out we're really not cut out for it. We haven't taken the time to investigate where our passion truly lies. As a result, we may feel stuck or trapped in a position that we can't escape. That's simply not the case. There are always alternatives.
A coaching client recently made the discovery that, although she loved her work, her real passion was in spending time "being a good mom" to her babies. She felt as though her mission had to be work related, and during our coaching sessions, she came to realize that her work is the vehicle that helps her fulfill her mission of being a good mom. Are you clear on what you live to do? What is that thing that makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
In Direct Sales, we call it your "why", but it can really be anything. The passion that inspires you to do out-of-the-ordinary things to achieve your goals. The fire that pushes you through some of the more mundane moments in your business. When you structure your work around pursuing your passion/mission, nothing can prevent you from achieving success - all it can do is delay it a bit.
There has to be reciprocity. You must give to get.
Sir Richard talks about the various charitable activities that are tied into the Virgin brand. In Direct Sales, many of our companies already donate a portion of profits to worthy causes. At the consultant level, what are YOU doing to give back to your community/customers? It can be a simple hostess appreciation event, giving extras with orders, or any manner of giving back as a way to establish a deeper connection with the people you serve. Service is the key. A business that seeks to serve it's customers (not sell to them), is more profitable, more successful, and more powerful in the marketplace.
In a saturated marketplace, the company that cares - the business with heart, that has concern for the public, makes a bigger splash. Customers "don't care what you know, until they know that you care."
Finding your passion in your business, and serving your customers in a value-added way makes a tremendous difference in the value YOU derive from it as a business owner. When an opportunity presents itself to serve your customers, take it. You'll find your business to be more rewarding, enjoyable, and successful in the long run.
© 2009 Lisa Robbin Young
==========
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR PRINT OR WEB PUBLICATIONS?
I'd be honored - so long as you include this complete blurb with it: Lisa Robbin Young teaches entrepreneurs how to be celebrities in the eyes of their customers. Lisa's mission is to educate entreprenurial women about big business ideas they can apply to their small business enterprise for stellar success. Learn the 4 steps to Building a Better Customer at http://www.homepartysolution.com/bbc.
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