Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Can't Seem to Find It?

I talk a lot about MLM, Network Marketing, Transformation, and all sorts of other goodies on this blog.

Guess that makes sense, huh? I mean, MLM and NM IS about transforming from who you are, to who you can truly be in all your glory.

But there are times when we are just beat down. Lots of bad news on the media (I keep telling you, stop watching!), lots of 'no, I'm not interested', and giving giving giving (not that that's a BAD thing).

Well I found this little nugget of hope today and I want you to pass it along. Pass it along to EVERYone you know. Even better, bring them to this blog and have them link through from here. (can't hurt to ask spread the joy, right? ;) )

Anyhoo, it's a site called  Gives Me Hope. 

http://www.givesmehope.com/


GMH for short. I've started tweeting about it using the hashtag #GMH .  I'm sure on Twitter people think, for the most part, think it's a business link, or there's a price attached, or some sort of catch.

But if I can get even ONE person on my followers (which is now nearing 1,000 quality followers) to link through to it and be affected by it, AND create their own 'gives me hope' moment, then I'm happy.

Go take a peek. Read some of the very short, beautiful moments. Bring kleenex. Get ready for your heart to grow 1,000%.

~Namaste',

Jhanna

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Don't Forget Your ABC's

Don't tell me you don't say them anymore? Hmmm, well, class, let's get to it then. It's probably gonna be a different version than what you learned at such a tender young age.

Now that I think about it. I'm going to teach my children this version of the ABC's. Keep on lovin' each other and keep on dreaming.


Remember Your ABCs:
by Wanda Carter

A -void negative sources, people, things and habits.

B -elieve in yourself.

C -onsider things from every angle.

D -on't give up and don't give in.

E -njoy life today: yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

F -amily and Friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.

G -ive more than you planned to give.

H -ang on to your dreams.

I -gnore those who try to discourage you.

J -ust do it!

K -eep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. It will get better.

L -ove yourself first and foremost.

M -ake it happen.

N -ever lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.

O -pen your eyes and see things as they really are.

P -ractice makes perfect.

Q -uitters never win and winners never quit.

R -ead, study and learn about everything important in your life.

S -top procrastinating.

T -ake control of your own destiny.

U -nderstand yourself in order to better understand others.

V -isualize it.

W -ant it more than anything.

X -ccelerate your efforts.

Y -ou are unique of all of Nature's creations. Nothing can replace you.

Z -ero in on your target, and go for it!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

What's With Your Company?

So, let's really find out why you joined your current MLM company. It's anonymous, so if your mom really did tell you which company to sign with, it's ok, go ahead and let us know. We won't know that it's you.

Then, if you want to expand on your answer, scroll below, hit the comment button, and give us the details.

We'll give the poll a few days for people to answer. Feel free to send it out to your team and upline, so we can get a decent idea. Tweet it, put it on facebook, and any other social media site. Let's get some numbers going here.

Then we'll look at the results and go from there.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Don't Fall Victim to This Day!

I was recalling with business rock star, Patty Gale,  about what it was like working in corporate America. I'm sure it's still the same in today's workforce (for those still employed), but I've been out of that workforce for almost 10 years, so things may have changed. And people in hell now get ice water.

Anyhoo, we were reminiscing about the days when upper management 'rewarded' the staff by having special shirt days, allowing the employees to kick off their heels, loosen their ties, and dig deep into their dresser drawers or into the back of their closet to find that crazy Hawaiian shirt, that seemed like such a good idea at the time or, in my case, the green shirt to wear on St. Patrick's day, or whatever else those wild and zany employee board members came up with.

Actually, if I remember correctly, upper management had nothing to do with those ideas anymore than they had to do with 'bring your kid to work day', but I digress.

This was when 'casual Friday' was still in its infancy, (that's a whole 'nother post) so having an opportunity to wear something that didn't have to be dry cleaned was considered their best effort at throwing the dogs a bag of bones.

So my memory was this. We all got the notice (on green paper, of course), that St. Patrick's Day was coming up. (I should be saving this post for St. Patrick's day, but oh well, I'm feeling creative today.), and we all were 'given' the opportunity to get as crazy as we could in order to celebrate this one day furlough from pinched toe shoe hell.

For me, as much as I couldn't stand my job, my best idea to celebrate was to put as much Irish Whiskey in the sludge they called coffee and actually be happy during the nine hours I had to put in.

But I didn't. I found, in my extensive collection of crap clothes that I had yet to take down to Goodwill, a greenish shirt with hints of blue in it. I knew it was pushing the envelope, but hey, WHO is to say what 'green' is? So many shades, and what if someone is color blind? I figured it was good enough, and put it on with my best pair of Levis.

Ahhhhh, never mind the color, it was a T-SHIRT & JEANS day! YA, BABY.  The way I saw it, I was more productive than when I was in my 'office attire'. I was willing to be reprimanded if I could just be comfortable for once.

As I suspected, every one went stone cold crazy, wearing mile high hats with shamrocks on them, lime green and shamrock green shirts, socks, over sized clown sunglasses that were green and, dare I say, green pants.

About two hours into my workday, I was approached by the head of the 'employee morale board' (I'm not kidding) in my very official cubicle and started speaking softly to me.

"Jhanna", She leaned in and half whispered to me. "Ummmm, a few of the employee morale board members have come to me and have mentioned that your shirt really isn't (insert air quotes here) "green". You know, this is green." She gave the thumbs up to her own shocking green shirt with shamrocks emblazoned on it.

I leaned forward in my synthetic fiber office chair. "uh-huh. Go on." I said, squinting my eyes slightly to express that, perhaps, this news might actually have me concerned.

"Well, here's the thing. If you don't abide by the rules of the fun shirt day, well, we just won't have them any more. And I can understand if you don't, you know, have the (air quotes again) "funds" to purchase a real green shirt, then you'll just need to wear your normal professional office attire." (thanks for acknowledging how little the company actually paid me.)

She leaned back and stared with her head cocked to the side, and pinched her brows together, like a concerned cocker spaniel.

I wanted to pinch her arm until she cried.

I gave a sigh, slumped my shoulders a bit and said, 'I understand, and am truly, so ashamed. I mean, look at me.'

She cocked her head even further, to the point I thought it might fall off her shoulders. She gave a small smile and perked up.

"I'm glad you understand because, hey! This is supposed to be FUN! We work for such a fun company! (it was a bank), and we want everyone to have fun! Ok, then! Let's go have some green Tampico punch and shamrock cookies in the break room!"

I could not make this up if I tried. This is corporate America at its best. Or it's worst. I dunno. I'll let you decide.

As I sat in the bar that night, slurging down my beer with all the other lost business souls, I couldn't help but think, 'What the F*CK am I doing WRONG?! Why don't I get it? Why do I not fit in at ANY job I work?!"

I had answered my own question. "Why do I not fit in at ANY job I work". Because it's a JOB!

Corporate America is not intended for people to thrive. It's just not. They have a bottom line that they want to accomplish, and you are there to help fulfill that goal. their goal, not yours. You get paid a certain amount and, if you're in a 'good' job, you get two weeks vacation after exchanging fifty-two weeks of your life for it.

I'm sure some readers will say, 'Hey, now! My company is great!' Great. Live long and prosper. More power to you and 'your' company.

But the majority of people who work in a corporate J-O-B are M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. It's where their dreams go to die. Nothing will kill your dreams faster.

The reason some one's dreams succeed while working at a corporate job is because the dream is to get OUT of the corporate work force.

Ok. Enough of that. Now go. Go work on your business. Go create your dream career. Go get to your MLM company's convention. Just promise me, you'll get out of the corporate world as quickly as possible.

If you don't have a social marketing company you're affiliated with, contact me. If you've got one and you don't know where to start, then contact me and we'll just talk. Just GO and release yourself from the pain of a possible Casual Shirt Friday.

If it's too late and you already have your story, let me know and I'll do my best to help you so you don't end up with another story.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Is This Part of Your 'Thing'?

I went out with my friend, a respected professional in the area, the other day, for lunch at a nice restaurant.

When the server delivered our drinks to us I asked, 'What's your name?"

"Cheryl", She said with a smile.

"Thank you, Cheryl". I said.

My friend looked at me, 'That was nice that you asked her name. Is it one of those things you do in order to start the conversation about your network marketing business?'

I looked at her and laughed.

'No', I said, 'It's one of those things I do as a matter of respect. I always ask the person's name. If I'm just getting a coffee, I'll ask the person who is serving me and then thank them by name. To me, it's reminding them, and me, that they are important.'

She sat and thought for a few moments.

When the server came back with our food, my friend looked up at her and said, 'Thanks, Cheryl.'

The server smiled. "My pleaure."

"Wow, that felt good.", My friend said.

"Think how she feels. We took the time to learn her name. Validate and appreciate. It's important to others, and just feels good."

For the rest of the meal we received the most outstanding service I have ever experienced.

Something as small of an act such as asking a person's name can mean the world to someone else. Don't rob them of it, and don't rob yourself of it. We're all connected and when you remember to do this, you'll be reminded of our connection to each other.

Get out there and spread the love.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Referral What?

As mentioned in my last post, selling is the backbone of our industry. No one makes money until something is sold, whether it's a product line or services.

One of the big keys to success with any kind of business is the word of mouth referral service we all have access to. If we take care of our clientele, the chances of them referring business to us become much higher than if we just sell our product or service and let it be.

Our clientele can create more business than we ever thought possible if we give them permission and let them know we are looking for referrals. Here's the trick to this: You've gotta ASK for the referral. Now this can be done one of two ways, or both.

1. You can ask your client if they know of anyone who might benefit from your services, product, or opportunity and have them give you their contact information with the intention of you contacting them. Now with this path, I give my client the opportunity to contact the other person first, let them know I'll be calling, and endorse me before I even contact the person.

2. Give the client your information, and allow them to go out and bring people to you. A referral program is the perfect way to reward your current clients for bringing new business to you. That reward can be product from your product line, which also gives the opportunity to introduce your current client to a product that they, perhaps, would not have tried otherwise which, obviously, can turn in to future sales.  Or extra services for discounted cost or free.

Your client is receiving something for just telling friends, family, co-workers, and perhaps their own clients about you. They receive a gifty from you, which is always cool, and their referral gets introduced to some really great products, opportunities, and/or services from you.

HOLY CRAP, EVERYONE WINS. WHAT A CONCEPT.

Next time you're with your client, bring it up. In fact, put it on the back of your business cards. What? You don't use the back of your business cards? Get on that.

Here's a few tips for your referral program:

1. Give your clients at least three business cards. That way, when the time comes, they'll have extras to give to people.

2. Always ask for more than one business card from your clients. This is so you can return the courtesy.

3. Make sure you deserve those referrals. Don't do half assed work and then expect a referral.

4. Let your clients know your process for contacting referrals. This way, your client will be more comfortable giving the lead, if they know your process is simple and professional.

Let people know you have a referral system in place and give them an idea of what they are able to receive should one of their referrals become a new client of yours. We refer people all the time without even realizing it, ('oh, hey try this restaurant!') so reward people for sending people your way.

It's is a huge business tool. HUGE.

If you have a program already in place or, if you implement one, go ahead and put the results down below.

The world is your oyster, my friends. Get crackin'.

~Namaste'

Jhanna

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Are You Doing This With Your Product Line?

For most MLM companies, selling product of some sort is the backbone of revenue, and most distributors have a tendency straight out of what it looks like in their catalog or website.

Some companies are getting smart and are now grouping products that are designed to be sold together. This increases sales, and exposes the customer to different products that they otherwise might not have tried.

Ok, so perhaps your company does not do this. Who is to say that YOU can't do this?  The company I am a distributor for doesn't group products together. I'm actually ok with this, because it gives me the freedom to create packages for my customers that suit their needs.

You can do the same. Create generic packages that give, for example, a sampling of each product line. If you're in nutritionals pick one product from each line, perhaps a multi-vitamin, a probiotic, and something else that enhances the general well being of your customer.  If it's makeup, a lipstick, a foundation, and a blush, or powder. Then let them pick the colors.

Your packages don't have to be big, in fact, you can have different sized packages. I use, from my line, a package that has three products, four, and up to 10 products.

Now, here's the trick. Don't discount these packages. We're inclined to think that because it's a package, it needs to be discounted, but that's not the case.

There is no reason to discount your products because you are packaging them together. You are only packaging them together, to make it convenient for the customer. Trust me, busy customer's will appreciate that you have taken the time to do this. With a large product line, it can actually be quite overwhelming to pick only a few. Customer's can go into 'analysis paralysis' with too many options. In the end, many just end up not ordering.

Make it easy for them to order. It's why meal deals are so popular at fast food restaurants. They can just say, 'give me meal # whatever.' They can now do the same with you, 'Oh, I'd like package #3'. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

You're making your customer's life easier, and respecting their time by doing this, and you're increasing your sales and income! Rock on!


~Namaste'

Jhanna

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I Dare You To Check This Video Out.

I use the word dare because it's long. It's almost two hours. But DANG. It's entertaining, informative, and could transform the way you think, approach people, and do business. So there's that.

The other reason I say dare, is because sometimes it takes a dare in order for people to do something. This is some heady, life changing stuff, and I don't want you to miss out on the potential.

You've heard me mention and show some of Frank Kern's stuff before here on this blog. I think he's brilliant. Anyone who gets me thinking out of my normal programmed thinking in ways that are going to benefit me and others is okee dokee by me.

This one rocks. Now, a couple of things. It's FREE. No strings, no selling, no pressure, nothing like that. He does ask that you opt in. Needless to say, you can opt right back out if you so choose, so don't let a minor thing like 'having' to opt in as an excuse, because that would be a lame excuse, and I know if you are a subscriber to my blog, you aren't lame. So there.

Here's the link.

Core Influence

Get ready to take notes. I think I took probably about 10 pages. I kept stopping the video and writing stuff down. It's rare I feel the need to do that, but there is a lot of stuff here you're going to want to go back and read right after.

Then do the exercise he talks about. Don't just watch the video and do nothing. Do it. As I said, it could change the direction your life is heading. Maybe not, but maybe so.

So go on. Putt, putt, putt put wings on yer butt and head over. I dare you.

Core Influence

Namaste',

Jhanna Dawson