ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Thank You to Diane Hochman, the marketing matriarch of the Million Mind March, for her continuing crusade to "Keep It Real" and the advice she continues to provide freely on her weekly broadcasts.
You should give these a listen sometimes, just let Diane know I sent you. They are on Tuesdays at 9:00 PM EST. Call 414-944-0004 PIN 9774024#
Thank You to Kristen Darkenwald for cutting through the social media hype with her social media rescue program, which she has made freely available at http://www.socialmediarescue.com. Again, just let Kristen know I sent you.
Thank You to Andre Vatke, to Molly Stevens and the rest of the folks at the Leaders Club, who are all so dedicated to countering the hype and instead are focusing on developing the individual and the skills necessary for success in the Network Marketing Industry.
Thank You to my personal advisor and friend Shana Prince, and
Thank You to the members of the Million Mind March and Mentoring For Free networks who are putting people first in recognition of the fact that Network Marketing is, first and foremost, a People and Leadership Development industry.
THE BUSINESS OF NETWORK MARKETING
For today's program, since it is a Mindset Monday segment, I would like to talk to what I perceive as some of the misconceptions that people have who are either considering a career in the industry or who have just gotten into it.
Now why do people get into the industry.
Perhaps they feel trapped in their current financial or job situation.
Perhaps they just want a way to establish long-term financial security for themselves and their family.
Whatever their reason, the most common misconception that we are coming across is that success will be instant. That just by connecting with volumes of people on the internet, or by getting thousands of Twitter followers that somehow, as if by magic, these will instantly become long-term business partners who love whatever product or service you are offering - so much that they will be repeat buyers, forever. So you can, with no effort or commitment on your part, sail off into the sunset and live happily ever after - without a financial care in the world.
Let me just ask you - does this pass the "smell test". In the bottom of your gut, in your heart of hearts, aren't you at least suspicious?
Remember, if money grew on trees it would have the value of leaves. And come fall I can't even give mine away.
So let me take away the hype, strip back some of the veneer and be really clear.
You need to approach any network marketing opportunity clear in the understanding that you are buying a business! It will take time to grow. You will need to develop skills you don't necessarily have from the get go. You will need to show up for work on a regular basis, or you won't get paid. There is no "free lunch" and if you have a "something for nothing" mindset you will be taken for a ride.
My heart bleeds for people who become fodder for the unscrupulous.
Now, before anyone takes this as being a shot at the Network Marketing Industry, let me make this also quite clear - I love this industry.
It has provided a vehicle for so many with the right attitude to distribute great products and provide service and be compensated not for the title they hold - which is the model of regular employment - but for the results their business produces.
Which is another mindset threshold that people entering the industry often have to cross. You will not be paid just for showing up. You will be paid on results. This is why the development of appropriate skills is so critical.
Let me ask again, in anything you have done in your life have you ever walked in and been able to do everything needed, perfectly, from the day you started? Of course not! It takes most of us a year or two to learn to walk safely.
When I hear "this business doesn't work" I cringe. The statistics alone belie this statement.
In 2006, as estimated by the Direct Sales Association, the industry produced $30 billion is sales in the US alone. $100 billion world-wide. Though this is just a fraction of all retail it certainly is not an indication of a business model that won't work.
So what is required for success?
Let's look at some more statistics:
- 60% of the sales happen directly - person to person
- 75% of those actively involved in the business are at least 35 years of age and are married
- 90% work the business part-time (defined as 30 hours or less)
What do these figures say to me?
One - that success is based on relationships. Relationships that last are built on integrity and a good end-product. Not on taking advantage of people for a 'quick-buck'.
Two - that life experience and relationship experience is a desirable attribute.
Three - that the business is DESIGNED to be worked part-time and provide complementary income - rather than replacement income.
As a business model Network Marketing compares favorably to other income producing activities, such as:
Semi-skilled employment where you are paid for your time but have limited options for long-term success
A professional career where you can earn good money - lawyers, doctors etc. - but where you have limited control over your long-term financial prospects. You can't work more hours and make more money.
Having and Executive position in a company. OK, but how limited are these positions? Is not a history of exceptional performance required? How long is the life-span of a senior executive?
Starting your own business from scratch. What does that really take in terms of a time and money investment? What revenues will it take before you make a profit in excess of overheads? How long will it take to break-even?
Buying into a franchise. This at least reduces the start-up risk of the business by buying into a profitable model, in return for reducing YOUR profitability margins.
Freelancing. This is most similar to Network Marketing in that most people are working from home, setting their own hours and selling special skills. However, the question becomes, what do you do when you can't work? YOU, and you alone, ARE THE BUSINESS.
SO:
when you treat your network marketing business with the respect it deserves
when you know that although you set your own hours you still have to show up
when you know that you need a market for your product or service and YOU will need buyers
when you know you will need, in order to achieve a dependable residual income, to be able to find, recruit and train an additional work-force - which will be, by the way, an army of volunteers,
when you know that you will have to duplicate your efforts and intentions into the hearts and minds of others
when you know YOU are in control of your message AND your cash flow
THEN
you will have the mindset to acquire the skills and develop a business that rewards people for their labors in a way few others do
with an income that doesn't stop on the days when you cannot work.
Obtain the skills, apply them, teach them, and teach others to do the same.
That may not sound as sexy as the get rich quick messages that are out there. But my job today was to give you my perspective
Because
I am Peter Pocklington
I am a Good News Merchant
I am a purveyor of prosperity, and
I am my own personal guarantee.
Contact me any time. My organization is built to help you help yourself by helping others.
You can join in every Monday on the Million Mind March public call at 9:27 PM US E.S.T. Just call 641-594-7000 PIN 600088# .
Thank you, thank you, thank you for listening
Invest in yourself, YOU ARE SO WORTH IT.
GOD BLESS!
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