From The Mountain/Reprint

Back during the month of March, I did several guest posts at Quixtar Blog as part of the March of Perceptions, a feature of guest articles from IBOs and ex-IBOs of Quixtar.

Today, I want to reprint my last article that was included in the series. Just in case I have readers that don't frequent QuixtarBlog.

The original and all the articles included in this fine series are available there in the Archives section.


FROM THE MOUNTAIN


"And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the Promised Land"


Those are eloquent words. I would not attempt, nor imply, nor infer, that I am in any way as eloquent as the Reverend King. Nor do I want to minimize his message of justice and civil rights for all Americans, but rather I would like to use his words as inspiration for my final entry as a March of Perceptions guest blogger.

If I had the chance, to go back in the history of Quixtar as a corporation, I would not have to travel too far back in time; a mere 6 years; so I would rather decide to travel back into the history of Amway Corporation. Back even before Amway, I would travel into the history of the Ja-Ri Corporation. I'd be there as Rich DeVos struck a deal with Jay Van Andel. The historical one where Rich offered Jay gas money, in exchange for a ride. I would watch as their friendship grew, but I wouldn't stop there. I'd be there when they opened their aviation school, their drive-in restaraunt; I'd be there when their boat sank off the coast of Cuba.

I'd be there when they began their Nutrilite partnership, and I'd be there when they decided Amway would be the answer for their group of distributors.

But I wouldn't stop there — I'd be there as Amway grew. Right up into the 1970s, when Amway offered training for their distributors. Complete programs to sponsor, to sell products, to grow as businessmen.

But I would not stop there; no I would endure the 60 Minutes interview of the 1980s. I would endure the "Fake it Till You Make It" book expose'. And I would endure my experience in Amway, as a distributor in the 80s as Amway, the training company and products company, gave way to the Amway, that was just a products company and effectively gave all training control to it's distributors. I would witness the birth of these Amway Motivational Organizations.

And I'd be there when Rich and Jay stepped down and their kids took over. I'd be there when Quixtar started.

I would witness the existing IBOs take an idea that was born to provide more independence to the newest IBO, and transfer it back to the motivational systems of Amway.

And after scanning over all the history of corporation, I would ask to remain in this time today.

That's a strange statement I know. Why would I struggle against the mounting information on the Internet about this company? The confusion of motivational organizations clouding information. The deceptions, and even more, the revelations of dishonest practices.

But I am happy to be involved at this time, because I am now forced, as every ethical IBO should be forced, to grapple with these problems. To solve the problems of a company trapped by the bottom line. But, it is becoming a problem not of just a "negative presence" on the Internet. The problem has the potential of making the company fade into non-existence on the Internet and in the world.

What does this mean to new IBOs? It means they must research, study and face the realities of the business they have chosen. They must embrace "cross-lining" of information and work together in unity. They must revert back to those days of Rich and Jay. They must provide an opportunity to anyone with the desire to have a business of their own, by duplicating, not a motivational system, but a marketing plan available to anyone that has the ability to comprehend the materials in a small sales and marketing kit.

If it takes the act of blogging. Then we must blog. If it takes the action of setting up like-minded communities on the web, then we shall inform. We must stress the advantages of product sales, of sound business, and open honest discussion and training, not motivation and hero worship.

Somewhere, I read the words, Independent; somewhere I read the words, Business; and somewhere I read the words, Ownership. It's time that we as IBOs become true to those words.

It's alright to talk about the negative comments on the "bathroom walls", but we can not ask the Corporation to clean these walls, we must in fact decide to change, to not be the inspiration for these negative comments. We must not point to the "losers" who quit, but rather we must look at our practices and ourselves lest we become even a worst "loser'. Not a loser who "steals dreams" but a loser who corrupts the original dream of those founders that wanted to provide an opportunity to those desiring to better their lives through simple business ownership.

We don't have to argue with anyone, we don't have to curse anyone. We don't have to answer charges by "critics" of our business, if we are actually running OUR business of being a Quixtar Independent Business Owner. We should not be a pawn of some motivational system that defies corporate policy, or minimizes the infrastructure and principles that the founders originally wanted all IBOs to be a part of.

And if we build organizations of IBOs on these principles, then matters of arbitration, scandal, terminations, Google Bombing and "quitters" will fade into the past. Because the future will be bright for each IBO and the corporation will thrive on the Internet.

The question is not; What will happen to me as an IBO, if I decide to act independently? The question is what will happen to Quixtar Corporation, our business; if we continue to provide the impetus for lawsuits, complaints, and negative websites?

And how will we survive as business owners? That's the question.

Well, I don't know what will happen. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter to me now. Because I have been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like any IBO, I want to be a Diamond; I want to be a Crown Ambassador. But I am not concerned about that now. I just want to run a business within the Rules. And the way it was run by the Founders has allowed me to look back in history, as if I was on a mountain. I have seen how it was once accomplished. I have seen the promised land. I may not get there, with you. But I want you to know that any IBO CAN get there. I'm not worried. I can not fear the future, only change the present. My eyes have seen the "name changes", but my spirit sees real changes.

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The "March of Perceptions" is a special Quixtar BLOG project featuring the perceptions of four guest bloggers during the month of March.

Quixtar Corporate Blogs Get Deleted

This morning I went to Quixtar and Beyond, a Quixtar employee blog, written by guy under the name of Figure 8 (I do know his real name).

Figure 8 announced that there would be three people acting as vice-presidents of different operations overseas as well as Quixtar in the USA. These three are to report directly to the Office of the Chief Executives( The DeVos and VanAndel boys) The announcement came as a result of yesterday, being current Quixtar president Ken McDonald's last day at Quixtar due to retirement.

The Quixtar corporate blog Quixtar Opportunity also mentioned the announcement as well as Quixtatic providing a link to Quixtar Opportunity.

I remember one guy's name Jim Payne( I believe). I can't tell you the other two people's name, BECAUSE none of the posts exist anymore.

They have been deleted. Maybe some clever computer whiz can track down the screenshot of the blogs in question, or maybe Google has a cache of the page.

I'm not concerned that the stories were false, or that new vice presidents were named, but I suspect the announcement was to be held off for some "Official" press release. That's all fine and good, BUT once you print the story, it'd be a lot better for the blogger-in-question's credibility, if you'd just let it stand and not delete it.

I can asume, and everyone else too, that the bloggers' probably did not remove the stories without some corporate input. And yeah, Quixtar is still playing with this idea of open employee blogging, but it ain't like they gave away trade secrets to the LOC All Purpose Cleaner's unique formula.

Deleting posts may delay the information for some readers, but like I said, "I already saw it" and I had no problem with 3 Vice-Presidents answering directly to the Family head honchos...sounded like a good idea to me.

Maybe Quixtar will allow the info to be put back up.

Anyway, Jim Payne, that's one of the guys now in co-charge of Quixtar, if you didn't read it here first, at least you can read it here now.


UPDATE



Thanks to a reader's quick response, here's part of the info deleted from Quixtar and Beyond (in order to not cause any problem for the blogger I'll only print the actual information, not the circumstances or commentary he derived it from)

In response to Ken McDonald’s retirement, we are pleased to inform you that we are realigning the responsibilities of Jim Payne, Eva Cheng and David Ussery in the management of our global direct-selling business.

Jim Payne has been named Executive Vice President, responsible for North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Latin America. Global Rules and Conduct will also continue to report to Jim.

Eva Cheng has been named Executive Vice President, responsible for Greater China and Southeast Asia, including the markets of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

David Ussery serves as Vice President and Managing Director, responsible for Japan, and also adds responsibility for Korea.

Jim, Eva and David will report to the OCE
OCE = Office of the Chief Executive aka Steve Van Andel and Doug DeVos)

Another's Perspective

Never let anyone say that I'm not willing to hear the other side or accept criticism.

The following came from a forum I frequent. I'm just gonna let the person's perspective stand here, without any commentary from me.

"The fact that you defend a flawed system and recruit others into a flawed system either makes you ignorant (with all due respect) or you intentionally look the other way and overlook glaring weaknesses and bring other (often unsuspecting or mixed motivated people) into the fray. I find the latter, as I said in my post, deceptive and unethical...although, perhaps in most areas of your life you may be doing just fine (?!) ethically. I really don't know. I just know what I know about MLM and about Quixtar, et al...and I think you are deceiving your downline by allowing them to labor under the illusion that they'll make it big or even do pretty darn well with Amway/Quixtar...when most of all downlines are mediocre or failing...or paying premiums for no particular reason (again a failed economic system.) You're like a planner defending East German economy before it was swallowed up by free enterprise...I say you're on the wrong side of the economic pendulum and on the other side of immutable economic laws. It's as if you're trying to debate with those who know the world is round and yet you're maintaining its flatness - and doing so as a 'really nice guy.' But you're still plain wrong - with all due respect - so perhaps you do speak from ignorance."

Stand-Up Workshop

If you are in Real Estate, you've probably had one of those nagging feelings everyday when you pass by an empty building that you feel has some potential. You want to buy it, but can't quite figure the angle, but you know if you don't. somebody else is going to snag it.

If you write a blog on a consistent basis, you get that feeling when another blogger writes an article or references a site that you just know you could have done a better job, had you known about it.

And when you are an aspiring comic, things like this workshop is what nags at you.

Stand up comedian and author, Judy Carter will be conducting a workshop in Palm Springs in October. I just got the email notice of it. I have some of Judy's books and she's got some good comedy writing techniques. But I'd love the chance to rub some elbows with her line-up of speakers and attendees.

It's going to be one of those things that nag at me until the date passes or I manage the funds to go.

Jane's Prediction

I'm a fan of Lip-sticking, a blog devoted to women marketing online; and even though I'm JUST a man, I get a lot out of author, Jane and her insights.

Yesterday, she gave her thoughts on "Monday" and how it relates to a new paradigm of women and work schedules.

A smart woman (or man) involved in network marketing could take yesterday's post and brainstorm quite a few ideas based on Jane's prediction.

How Many MLMs? Revisited.

Last month I attempted an informal reader survey.
I'll recap the questions.

How many MLM companies have you been in at one time and why?

How many different MLM companies have you tried in the past?

What are your reasons for multiple companies at once?

Do you combine your downlines in both companies, inter-sponsoring them?
(If Applicable)

I got very little response, but I had promised to give my thoughts on the matter following the responses, and so that's what I'm doing today.

To do this, I figure I'll answer my own questions

How many MLM companies have you been in at one time and why?

I've been in two MLM companies at one time. I had my primary MLM company that I conduct business on a regular basis, and I joined another company merely as an associate to buy one product at a discount. I never tried to sponsor anybody into the other business. In fact I never considered it as "a business". I was just a customer.


How many different MLM companies have you tried in the past?

In High School, I joined Shaklee for a short time. I sold their carob candy bars(it was the 70s) and their Vita-Lea product. Oddly enough, I had only heard about Amway at the time, but when I saw the Shaklee presentation for the first time, I blurted out, "This is like Amway!"; much to the presenter's chagrin. It's funny that even though I had never seen an Amway plan, I somehow had already been "culturalized" as to what Amway was about.

I later joined Amway after my first year of college, and then went inactive, until joining again, and then later converting to Quixtar. For some reason, the idea of Amway and MLM and completing what I had started, always haunted me, I knew I had to return to make it "right."

What are your reasons for multiple companies at once?

As I said, the only reason I can vouch for, is the opportunity to purchase a product that your primary MLM does not offer. I realize that some MLM companies have instituted "non-compete" clauses these days; including Quixtar. But truthfully, I do not see how they can enforce this clause, if you are merely a consumer of another company's product.

Do you combine your downlines in both companies, inter-sponsoring them?
(If Applicable)

Here, I feel they could enforce this clause. And this is the question, That really sparked the entire article.

I realize that a lot of marketing gurus are promoting this idea of "multiple streams of income" and usually that includes adding an MLM opportunity to the mix.

Some MLMers have taken this overboard and are adopting the idea of multiple MLMs as their sources of income.

But look, Multi-level Marketing is a tough business to build, no lie. If it's tough to build a stable downline in one, why on earth would you attempt two?

I think it instills a state of confusion among your downline, as well. "What business is he focusing on today?" "What product line should I focus on" "How can I learn two compensation plans" "Which one is most important?" "How can they both be the 'best', 'most explosive on the Internet' and 'awesome'?"

So, if you must build "multiple streams"; I suggest start with your job first, add MLM second(just one company) and then invest your money in a separate venture, such as stocks, real estate, a traditional business, or like me, a comedy career.

Use your MLM income for exactly what it was promoted as...extra income to achieve your dreams. And to do that, the easiest thing to do, is only involve yourself in one company and focus your efforts on that company.

Those are my thoughts.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty."

-- Edward R. Murrow

"SYSTEMS" / Conclusion

Today marks the end of my series on MLM "SYSTEMS". You can take whatever good you find in the series and apply it to your own MLM. I suppose my lowly blogging efforts won't make that much of a change for those entrenched in the "motivational cycle" of MLMs, nor it probably will do much good for the MLM junkie, who skips from one MLM to another on the trail of elusive riches made quickly.

But someone, somewhere will have read it and begin to think about not how he can make money off his downline, but how he can train more effectively, so that his downline may make a profit based on his leadership.

I have designed my system that I use based on much of what I have written about, and some foundational knowledge provided by my OWN MLM leader. My sponsor Fred Johnston, is the man that introduced me to "community building on the web", but he would be the first to tell you, we don't agree on everything. But, unlike most leaders in these systems I have discussed, he encourages individual thought. He recognizes that a system evolves with each member within the system. And he encourages that evolution.

So what is the Perfect System? I'm afraid it doesn't exist, beyond a system that encourages thought and creativity over blind duplication. But, if we can duplicate creativity and integrity within a system, along with profit, not expense; then we truly have mastered the most important part of the MLM duplication equation.

Be Honest.
Sell Products
Sponsor People that will be Honest and Sell Products.

Include those factors, and you are well on your way to an almost Perfect System.

Earth Day 2005

I wanted to do the typical cool blog thing today and upload a neat photo of the Earth from one of the Apollo space missions and say something clever like,

"One system we can't afford to screw up"

Well that didn't happen, I tried to capture a couple of photos, but had some trouble with Hello. So anyway, Happy 35th Earth Day!

Of course, this isn't considered by some to be the proper Earth Day. That was last month during the Spring Equinox.

But today is the Earth Day that gets all the publicity.

I'm sure you have noticed a couple of environmental friendly websites in my "Links I Like" sidebar.

But here's a few more in case today has you feeling "green".

Good Book...I own it, had it for years

Jeffrey Hollender's "How to Make the World a Better Place: A Guide to Doing Good.

Jeffrey is CEO of Seventh Generation.

His new Book is about Green Companies and more and is entitled, What Matters Most.


I'll leave you with a quote from the Guide to Doing Good's prologue,

"The shape of the future is in our hands. It is our responsibility, for it can be no one else's. The world won't be destroyed tomorrow, but it can be made better today. Step by step, one by one, find the actions that suit you best, try them out, tell your friends, and things will change. They always have in the past, and no matter what anyone says, you and I do have the power to begin to make the world a better place."

That almost parallels what I have been saying during the SYSTEMS series, too.

"SYSTEMS" / A Day In The Life of A New System

Jill and Simon are Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar. Jill is a stay-at-home Mom. Simon works in personnel at a chemical company. Jill is active at the iVillage community and often gives grant-writing advice; her previous profession. Simon has caught the blogging bug and writes constantly about his hobby, golf. He reviews courses, players, and follows the tournaments.

Jill and Simon were sponsored in Quixtar after meeting Steve and Lori at a neighborhood community yard sale several months back. Steve is a manager at a local nightclub. Lori is a returning adult student at a technical college, she is training to be a masseuse.

Jill met Shelly online at iVillage. Shelly lives over a thousand miles from Jill and Simon, but Jill and Shelly talk daily through Instant Messaging. Shelly is a medical biller. Her husband, Warren, is a firefighter. Jill told Shelly about Quixtar during one of their conversations. Shelly visited the website and emailed Jill with some questions. After a few weeks, Shelly decided to join, but her husband Warren decided that he spent too much time at the firehouse, and wanted his day's off to be day's off.

Shelly gets up an hour earlier than she used to these days. She spends the hour checking her email, and then logging on to several Internet communities to speak with friends online. Today she sees a message to her, asking about her business. She had been involved in a discussion at the community about Network marketing and had answered a question regarding compensation plans. She has become quite the expert on simplifying company plans. (All that experience in defining legal jargon and dealing with Medicare, she suspects, she just has a knack for it.)

She responds to the message at the community and offers to send a private email to answer specific questions.

She then heads off to work.

Zack is a college student and weekend golfer. He works as a carpet installer for a carpet supply house. He discovered Simon's blog on golfing and left a comment at the blog about a golf course in his home town, and the way they deal with "green's fees."

Simon sees the comment and strikes up an email conversation with Zack. Simon finds out that Zack's ambition is to be a chemical engineer. They have a lot in common.

It's noon and Lori comes home from class and logs on to her Quixtar organization's free web community. She had left a message earlier congratulating Terrell, another IBO in the group, but not sponsored by Steve and Lori; about his recent successful sale to a restaurant in his town. It seems he had asked Steve for advice, given Steve's experience in restaurant and bar management. Steve's advice had proved helpful.

Terrell responded to Lori thanking her and Steve once again, and had summarized his sales call and analyzed the results for the group. Lori noticed that 21 other IBOs had viewed the discussion. Terrell also left advice on the proper use of samples with prospects. He had some further success with a next door neighbor.

Later in the evening, all these IBOs were invited to a private chat, conducted by Platinum IBO Yvonne. Yvonne fielded questions from the group and got to know Zack a little bit. Seems Simon was talking to Zack in IM when the "Invite to Chat" was sent. So he invited Zack to join on the spur of the moment. "Hey, I have to go to my online Quixtar meeting, wanna follow me in?"

During the meeting, Yvonne relays some company news and directs everyone to the Quixtar site to bookmark a mp3 she had just heard. She also gives links to Shelly who has an offline IBO with no computer. Shelly will print out these articles and give them to the IBO in question. Yvonne also suggests that a copy of the chat log should accompany the articles.

Warren has come home by now and Shelly bids all farewell for the weekend. 3 days off for Warren and Shelly doesn't do "business" when Warren is home.

The chat ends with Yvonne recommending a book on Debt Management and Steve recommending a website on Internet Marketing.

Terrell leaves the chat, and logs on to the Quixtar site, to check on his downline sales for the month, and then goes to Blogger.com. Steve has convinced him that he might be good at doing a blog on Sales Techniques.

"Hmmm, he thinks, "What would be a good name for the blog? Terrell Sells? Sales Training Simple? Sales Made Simply? That's it! A new blogger enters the community.

He writes his introduction post and heads off to watch some television.

"SYSTEMS" / Re-Inventing The Wheel

It's an admonition you hear a lot in MLM, "Don't re-invent the wheel" "Go with what works." "Follow a proven system".

I don't buy it.

Look, if the first wheel was made of stone, and then someone made a wooden wheel, and a metal wheel and then learned to make a wheel out of rubber, and then decided to have polyester cords added to it and then steel belted bands were added, it seems to me that the wheel has been re-invented a lot over the course of history. Each new modification has been for the better.(Except for those silly, over-expensive spinning rims)

So why can't we re-invent the wheel when it comes to MLM Motivational Systems?

Because it's not proven?

Naah, that can't be it, because the first system wasn't proven,in the beginning.

Every new system, or modification has to be tested. You don't spend all your advertising on one single direct mail campaign; you do short test runs, to see if your ad copy is effective, to test the validity of the "lead list" you have purchased. You test, you evaluate, you modify.

Over the past week, I have evaluated the history of these MLM systems; what works, what doesn't; and what I feel needs to be changed.

A few key points.

A new system needs to be free to the newest distributor.

A new system must be honest and straight-forward with no deception.

A new system must work cooperatively with the MLM company and it's available information.

A new system should stress a balance between retailing and recruiting

A new system should allow for a free flow of ideas both up line to the "leaders" and downline to the newest distributor. Both can learn from each other.

A new system should embrace the use of the Internet as the true tool it can be. It should not discourage those who are afraid of technology but it should provide the avenue for those that desire it. (I'm not the only one with this idea)

A new system should be secondary to building an MLM business, not the business.

A new system should not overshadow the MLM business, itself.

A new system should allow for change.

A new system should be non-political and non-religious.

A new system should provide inspiration.

A new system should stress individuality, not follow the herd.

Did I leave anything out?

I have an idea for a new system, and I'm willing to test it.

Join me tomorrow as I conclude the series on "SYSTEMS", with my vision of what a day in the life of this New System should look like.

Audio On The Road with Dave #2

Ok, um...uhh...um...I made my second version of Audio On The Road with Dave.

Damn, I hope no members of Toastmaster's are listening because the "uh's" and "um's" that you can count on this one is staggering. I promise I don't say "uh" that much normally, but I was trying to find a balance between reading something and speaking off the cuff. Anyway, you are gonna laugh, and I wasn't EVEN TRYING to be funny.

UPDATE: AUDIOBLOGGER BY ODEO WAS DISCONTINUED...THE RECORDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

"SYSTEMS" / Company Communications

If you've decided to join an MLM company and you've already "plugged into a system", stop and think about how much you are hearing about the actual company you sell products for.

Were you told not to worry about the kit you received from the company?

Are you being chastised for worrying about "details" of the company.

Are you being told, "just listen to us and how WE do it, and you won't have to worry about the company manual."

Are you spending a lot of time at your "System's" website instead of the actual company website?

And this is kind of a weird question, but it comes from speaking with actual MLM distributors; Do you know that you are ACTUALLY a distributor with a MLM Company? Not some system?

Strange, huh? But I have heard some Quixtar distributors adamantly exclaim they are with some company like ABC Limited, and have some small supplier called Quixtar that sells products through ABC.

In my opinion, your MLM company's corporate communications is your first priority in running your MLM business.

Read THEIR Manual FIRST!

Navigate THEIR website FIRST!

Study THEIR literature FIRST!

Listen to THEIR tapes FIRST!

Let's think about this. The MLM company is who pays you and who supplies you, and most likely they are the one's with the distilled knowledge from the "field" that is going to be your basis for increasing your own knowledge.

I'd much rather learn the basics from the founder of a company. Who better has the knowledge of what the company is all about.

Remember a while back, when I said I discovered some old tapes by Rich DeVos. He was teaching on the tape his knowledge of how he built his OWN distributorship. Sure things have changed since the 70s, but who better to teach me?

And I have to say, Quixtar has given up some of those principles in it's current management. It leaves a lot of the actual teaching of MLM principles to their IBO field. And surely Quixtar and Alticor must have countless hours of recordings and writings of the founders and the founding distributors. I say take them out of the mothballs and put them out there as training for the new IBO.

Heck, pull out one of those old distributor manuals from the beginning, republish it, embrace the Founder's teachings as well as their overall Vision.

Anyway, that's a side issue.

My point today is that if we are to change the current "systems", then we need to start with learning about our MLM company we represent as a first priority.

Getting started with a system, makes little sense if we are unaware about the actual company we represent, and we should not discount company knowledge, after all, the company had sense enough to start, manufacture, promote, and finance products and services for the MLMer to sell, surely they know a little bit when it comes to running a business.

"SYSTEMS" / Motivation Versus Inspiration

Today, I want to discuss motivation versus inspiration. If I have learned anything in my study of the motivational systems; it is motivation is fleeting and temporary. It is a feeling that must be constantly renewed in order to retain distributors in an organization. And if that feeling can not be maintained in a system, then the system is ineffective, in my opinion.

Part of the reason I have been discussing "Systems" is that I think a better way can exist to train and motivate distributors. In order to put my theories into practice, this study of the motivational systems has been necessary. I think first and foremost, the focus should be clearly taken off of "motivation" and we should substitute INSPIRATION.

What’s the difference?

Sometimes, I feel sorry for people who are charged with the task of learning English as a second language. I hear that it is not an easy language to learn. And after they endure all the rules and pronunciation study, they are met with American slang, connotation, sarcasm, etc. Plus, they must endure those of us who, even though it is our primary language, use it improperly. We often judge sentence structure, by the way it sounds to our ears or looks. How many times have you spelled a word and then said, "that doesn't look right".

The definitions of Motivation; motivate and Inspiration and Inspire are very similar.

Both basically cause a desire to act.

Motivate: to give a motive for…"Love motivated his actions" Motive; a desire, feeling, etc that makes one do something.

Inspire: 1) to cause, urge or influence to do something. 'The sunset inspired her to write a poem' 4)guided by a higher power.

An archaic use of inspire also means "to breathe, to give life"

But, using the examples above we could also say, "Love inspired his actions" and "The sunset motivated her to write a poem"…See? The usage is very similar. Confusing, no?

I feel like they are very different, though. I know the connotation of each word means something different to me. But, I may be walking a thin line in making my point today.

An artist's collective work might inspire one to become an artist, a life calling; while a painting of a seascape might just motivate one to visit the beach.

To inspire is to breathe to live for the cause.

Motivation comes from a feeling and inspiration is more of a cause. Inspiration is more internal, motivation happens externally.

The best example I can come up with is that of an aspiring artist. Let’s say I view the works of Da Vinci and I am inspired to become an artist. I live and breathe art. I may be motivated to finish a painting so that it can be viewed, evaluated, and possibly sold…but my cause, for painting, is for the sake of my inspiration.

So, the MLMer must be inspired internally to even attempt MLM. He must have some small inspiration inside of him prior to joining an MLM, or there is no cause for him to continue. It is up to the sponsor, to find this inspiration.

The perfect "system" should act as a tool to carry out and fulfill this inspiration.

The motivation comes from the accomplishment of attaining an MLM level of success or a monetary value. It may also come from overcoming an obstacle. But the system provides the principles and techniques to achieve these things. It is not the vehicle of the motivation itself. In designing this system; this new system, that is what should be taken into account.

We as MLMers must learn to fulfill the internal inspiration, not exert external meaningless motivation upon the people we work with.

Your hope as an effective sponsor is that your opportunity will feed the inspiration for your prospect to carry out his "life cause".

I believe that the true motivation comes from the satisfaction of building a strong network and the profits derived from it. This is like the artist who is inspired to paint as a calling, and is then motivated as he sees his work come to life.

"SYSTEMS" / The Bully Pulpit

Writing a daily blog on the same subject is difficult. Sometimes there just isn't any material to draw from, or inspire you to write about the subject. Some days you just want to rant and express your ideas on other matters. You get drunk with the power of knowing people are reading your words (or listening to them). You sometimes belabor your audience with your own opinions and views about life, politics, religion, and other things that have little to do with your blogging subject, unless your blogging subject is merely random thoughts and day-to-day activities.

But in MLM, the focus is on business. How to start it, How to grow it, How to keep it growing. And yes, personally I feel that if you have a personality that procrastinates, or is cynical, or unsociable, your chances of success are minimal, unless you make certain personality changes. Or you are able to tap into other strengths of your personality to overcome the weaker traits, so that you might carry on in your business. So, you may also need guidance and advice on how to do this, in order to succeed in your MLM business.

I think this is what "The Systems" had in mind in the beginning.

Tapes were produced, books recommended, (sometimes specifically written) to teach the principles of Multi-Level Marketing. How to start it. How too grow it. How to keep it growing. And yes, ways and techniques to think positively, and correct personality traits that would hamper your business, and tap into the traits that could help your business.

On top of that, stories and testimonies to inspire a distributor to persevere and press on, examples of people that started with little or no success, and overcame the odds.

But as "The Systems" grew, I believe the originators realized the same thing a blogger realizes; some days you feel like you have said all you can say about the subject and you just want to rant about something else on the tape.

Now, as a blogger, I know that my reader can merely hit the "X" button or the "Back" button and escape my blog if s/he begins to read something she doesn’t like. Like watching television, you can always change the channel.

But this was/is not so in "The Systems". The audience has paid to hear the speaker, maybe driven many miles, rented a hotel room, and is a captive audience.

The speaker has the power of "The Bully Pulpit"

From the Maven at Random House:

The expression bully pulpit is used to mean 'a position of authority or public visibility, esp. a political office, from which one may express one's views'. The connotation is almost always one of forcefulness, that the position gives you the ability to bully other people into agreeing with you, or at least that the position is one from which you can forcefully express your views. A rather clear example of this: "He often speaks of using the 'bully pulpit' to get his way, but to him it means little more than 'telling people how deeply you feel' instead of knocking heads together to get things done"

The original bully of the phrase was different, however. As Theodore Roosevelt used it--he really does seem to have originated the expression--the bully was the adjectival sense meaning 'fine; excellent'. "I suppose my critics will call that preaching," he said in 1909, "but I have got such a bully pulpit!"

And so, if the speaker at an MLM rally wants to use his audience to preach from the Bully Pulpit, he indeed has a captive audience. Which is one of the problems I mentioned before:

The opinions of the "leaders" expressed on these tapes, and CDs and videos, and rallies, are sometimes merely that; opinions. And yet, because of the atmosphere, they may persuade a distributor to believe these opinions as fact. Ideologies expressed, other than basic business building, may conflict with the distributor’s own beliefs, leaving the distributor confused about his own faith, political views, or family values. The distributor may erroneously believe that he must adjust his "thinking" to match the leader's views or success may not be in his future.

If a speaker says, "You must cut your hair to be successful", (something I used to hear) or "Democrats are definitely not pro-business, you must vote Republican, if you want capitalism to survive", then what is the MLMer to believe?

After all, the speaker is on stage, in power, and the MLMer PAID to hear him speak; surely the speaker knows what he is talking about.

And furthermore, the MLMer is told at each rally he attends, that the speaker is an "expert", and of course he should really buy the tape of this rally as well, to hear the points again—and again—AND AGAIN!

But it gets worse, as it often does with egos.

Eventually, "The System" speakers, beget other "System Speakers", who now only want to express their ideas, their political ideologies, their religion, to the throngs of people buying the tapes and attending the rallies. Little or no MLM business building principles are addressed anymore. The focus becomes the matter of inducing the throngs of adoring fans to "become like me!" The speaker becomes the "ranting blogger", with no focus other than themselves.

But also, during each of these speeches; at least twice, the listener will hear, to some effect, "To be like me, YOU MUST BE ON 'THE SYSTEM'"!

It’s a sweet gig for the speaker. He gets to say whatever he wants, and he subtly(or not so subtly) convinces the audience to PAY to hear it over and over and over again.

It's no wonder that critics charge that MLMers, specifically those in Amway and Quixtar, exhibit clone-like behavior. Powerful charismatic speakers convince them in the "bully pulpit"; preaching and converting them to the behavior as they continue to pay for the ideas of these speakers, that far exceed any knowledge they need to build a MLM business.

Again, "The System" becomes the end-all-be-all, not the just a means of teaching.





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The Series, "SYSTEMS" continues tomorrow.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped."

-- Elbert Green Hubbard

"SYSTEMS" / More on the "Secondary Business"

Today we are going to finish talking about the “secondary business” of motivational systems.

The motivational systems of MLM companies started with good intent, but by the 1990s critics are charging that the secondary business and revenue generated from these systems are causing more harm than good. Still, the participants and promoters of "The Systems" point to the continued success that the systems generate.

By the late 90s, there exists in Amway, groups of Diamonds that know no other techniques to building an Amway business, other than the "motivational systems." Testimonies, and objects of wealth are displayed by these Diamonds as clear evidence that the Amway Sales and Marketing Plan is the ultimate opportunity for becoming wealthy. But, there profits from "the System" goes largely undisclosed.

And yet, the majority of wealth is coming not from the sale of Amway products and services, but from the sale of motivational books, tapes, and motivational rallies with adoring distributors hanging on to each motivational tidbit coming from the speaker’s mouths.

Reports in the media compare the frenzy to everything from a rock concert to
an "old-fashion evangelical tent meeting".

"The System", although still relying on Amway to provide quality products, services, and support; distance themselves from even mentioning the Amway name, and when they do, they do it almost apologetically, referring to Amway as "just one of our suppliers".

Amway had been monitoring some of the rhetoric being spoken at the meetings and on tape since the mid-1980s and had instituted certain rules on the content of presenting the Amway Sales and Marketing Plan, but had little control over what was being said from these "motivational speeches".

The debate on the Internet rages even today, as to what could have been done to prevent ex-distributors from leaving the business, after tiring of these meetings and the expenses of the motivational tools.

But, the fact remains that by 1997, Amway’s meteoric rise to the top of the MLM Industry with annual sales of over $7 Billion dollars had reach its plateau. Sales plummeted to under $5 Billion dollars worldwide. Forbes Magazine in their annual Forbes 400 reports a loss of around $4 billion in the net worth of Amway’s co-founders.

So, in 1999 a new company, a new business model is formed. Amway becomes 5 separate companies with other divisions as well. The new MLM company formed for North America is named Quixtar, and it’s formation will depend on the Internet. This is the same Internet that had been criticizing Amway and the motivational systems for more than 5 years.

I believe the formation of Quixtar was done for several reasons. The one most cited is the tarnished name of Amway, due in no small part to the "The Systems". A new name and a new model might steer the negativity away from the ethical distributors, (now called Independent Business Owners or IBOs) that were still operating by selling products and services, NOT motivational materials.

"The System" IBOs saw the change as a chance to promote a "NEW" company, that was "definitely not Amway". After all, they had been distancing themselves from "that name" for years.

But my main belief is that the DeVos and Van Andel families envisioned a company that would give the newest IBO a chance to directly connect with the corporation, apart from any system of motivation.

The hope is/was (in my opinion) that the Quixtar model will give rise to the entrepreneur again. This is what I believe they were thinking.

But, the problems of "The Systems" still exist in Quixtar today. Even with the direct access to the website, "The Systems" still entrenched the new IBO into a system that is now antiquated. They are still trying to gain control over the newest IBOs with training tapes, and private "websites for sale", and antiquated voice mail systems to deliver their messages of hope and hype at a premium cost.

This "good idea gone bad" still needs change. And there is hope that changes are on the horizon. Small groups of non-System IBOs are gaining favor, IBOs that insist on ethical behavior, product sales, and minimal expenses. IBOs that favor inspiring leadership and action rather than a "good feelings pitch"

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"The Systems" series will continue on Monday April 18, 2005. Next week we will discuss the content and topics covered in a "System" meeting, my thoughts on inspiration versus motivation, and what I believe needs to happen in designing a NEW System.

"SYSTEMS" / A Good Idea Gone Bad

We have discussed how a system of motivation and training through continuing education is important. This continuing education provided by books and tapes and social gatherings is effective in giving the new distributor a feeling of camaraderie, and educating him on the techniques of sponsoring new distributors, and selling products, and encouraging him to overcome obstacles, rejection, and depression.

One Amway distributor around 40 years ago, felt that a system such as that was needed; and he succeeded in growing a large organization of distributors. He began by merely loaning books, recommending books, and producing audiocassettes to exchange with his organization.

Now, I want to discuss one of the issues many have with this "system". It's the issue of turning "The System" of training and motivating distributors into a secondary business. How did that happen? Why was it allowed to happen?

We've established that these "motivational systems" were successful in the beginning, but my opinion is they, in fact, became too successful.

Early on in Amway's history, the founders decided that the distributor field should be in charge of the distributor field. Provided the company’s Rules of Conduct were followed, then distributors were free to train their distributors and conduct business within those parameters.

As demand for tapes increased, the originators of the system were forced to make an investment in more equipment to produce them. Their overhead increased with the demand. Naturally no one objected to a small charge on some professionally produced materials to further their growth. Enough to cover the cost of production and the expense to distribute the materials.

I know I would not object, if I knew the materials were beneficial.

In a few years, of this successful system's implementation, a second generation of "systemized" Diamonds was now on board and on a roll. They had learned how to get tapes and books into people's hands and they had learned that success was coming from the techniques.

Now in business, you must be paid for your time.

The motivational system, if it takes up a portion of your business time, then it must also, on reflection, pay you for that time. It is; after all, part of your business, and no one can slight you if you derive some profit from it, right?

And so, the Diamonds and the Diamond’s Diamonds still produced, distributed and provided materials of motivation for their downlines, but they instituted a profit into the system, as a means to pay for their time training these distributors. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. After all it's business.

And so the growth of these organizations continued, and naturally catapulted Amway to the top ranks of the MLM world. As the late 80's approached, Amway's success kept dwarfing everyone in the industry. From 1980 to 1990, Amway doubled from a billion in sales to two billion in sales world-wide and advanced into just about every country in the world with a zero failure rate. Every market opening was an incredible success.

And since duplicating the success of others is a mantra of MLM, many other MLM companies formed. These companies adopted similar products, similar training methods all vying to be the "next Amway", the next big thing.

"The System" and Amway had formed a symbiotic relationship. The "systemized Diamonds" were providing billions of dollars of revenue for Amway, and Amway in turn, was providing a stable infrastructure for the system to flourish.

But, Amway does see some problems with "the system". One of those problems is the secondary profit being derived from it. There is a danger of the focus being removed from the actual sale of Amway products. Rich DeVos is quoted as saying,

"If the system becomes the business folks, we are in trouble, because it's an illegal pyramid scam."

Still, Amway is bound by their own agreement to let distributors train distributors as long as the Rules of Conduct are being followed.

Well, these were very powerful Diamonds creating billions of dollars of volume for Amway. They were going to protect their interests, which they believed, is the system. They had been brought up believing the system they had (and no other) was the key to success.

Amway's worldwide sales scream from $2 billion in sales to over $7 billion dollars in 1997! There are not even any other MLMs with HALF that much sales in any year. The Diamonds are saying, "Look at us! "Look what we have done with this! How could you say this is bad?"

But the system becomes so ingrained and so profitable, it really replaces Amway as the business profit-center.

This is not to say that products and services are not still being made, nor that Amway is not still making good on every point in the compensation plan, just that the secondary business become more the focus.

Now in most MLMs, when a distributor quits, he leaves quietly, he or she comes to whatever business decision they make and for whatever reason decides not to pursue it. Refunds on unsold products are given, and the distributor walks away. But with the "systems", the distributor walks away usually at a loss.

Whatever money they made, they were encouraged to "invest" in the motivational tools, in hopes of furthering their business. With this total focus on selling "The System" over the products and services, the image of Amway declines dramatically. Those distributors who left "The System" as well as Amway see themselves as drastically changed. They emerged from a daze of motivation and hype, and are left bitter and less financially stable. And they equate "The System" AND Amway as the cause for their predicament.

Pushy salesman tactics, and inventory loading problems that ALL MLMs had problems with in the 70's and 80's, had already began to taint the image of the MLM industry. Add on top of that, the relentless prospecting of new recruits to fund "The System" and replace the old distributors who can no longer afford the expenses of the system and the image only gets worse.

Tomorrow we’ll continue to discuss the financial symbiosis between "The System" and Amway, and some proposed solutions to the image problem.

"SYSTEMS" / One History

Napoleon Hill first published "Think and Grow Rich" in 1937. "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George Clason was first published in 1933. Peter Kyne published "The Go-Getter" in 1921. Russell Conwell was first inspired to write his "Acres of Diamonds" in 1870 long before his establishment of Temple University and his death in 1925. The late Og Mandino often cited the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin as one of the best self-help books he ever read.

Motivational books, speeches, and sermons have been around a long time. Long before the idea of Multi-level Marketing ever reared its head.

But, Multi-level Marketing is somehow inextricably linked to the motivational speech, the "feel good" pitch, the almost evangelistic zeal of it's distributors spreading the "gospel" of capitalism.

Certainly, Amway and Quixtar are not the only multi-level marketing companies (or company, depending on your viewpoint) that have relied on systems of motivation to attract and retain distributors, but they also seem to be as inextricably linked to "motivational systems".

And although all will admit that Amway founder Rich DeVos is a rousing speaker, most critics will lay blame to the roots of "motivational systems", and the image problem that plagues these systems and Amway; at the feet on just one Amway/Quixtar distributor.

His name is Dexter Yager, a Crown Ambassador (the pinnacle level of achievement) in Amway/Quixtar.

Whether this is a fair accusation and burden to place upon Mr. Yager is up for debate; while I am no apologist on the merits of motivational systems or Mr. Yager, I will say that he is not the sole cause of every evil of the image of Multi-level Marketing. I DO BELIEVE Dexter started with a good idea.

Who is Dexter Yager?

Dexter Yager is the one of, if not the most Successful Amway distributor in the world. Some report that Dexter's income exceeds $1.5 million dollars a month. Dexter joined Amway in the early 1960s. He had a background in sales and he had a dream of owning his own business. He was a go-getter, if there ever was one. He wanted to be successful and he succeeded.

He was also a reader. He read a lot of business books and got involved with leadership training.

Dexter recognized early on that in order to have a sustainable and growing organization, what he needed to do was get others in his organization reading and learning about business and leadership. So, Dexter starting HANDING OUT (notice I did not say selling) information and books to his organization so they could start developing these business and leadership skills that gave Dexter the edge.

Not only did Dexter create a growing organization and achieved the level of a Diamond Amway distributor, also he actually created a few diamondships. No one to date at that time had created this much success so fast.

The next problem Dexter had, as his organization grew, was how do you keep people motivated? It's hard being in business. Staying motivated and getting started is not easy. Dexter developed the ability (even though he had a bad stutter) to speak and motivate others. So, in his home, Dexter started making tapes of "talks" he did with his different "legs" within the organization. These tapes, while talking to one group were recorded on a new device called a "tape deck" and then distributed to other groups. Now, Dexter could do ONE training session, and send it by tape to 3 or 4 others. Then, the other groups could get one of these tape recorders and get together and listen to it too. This was, no doubt, a breakthrough.

So, with the recommendation of certain books to improve the distributors' personal life and business acumen AND the addition of rousing speeches and personal testimonies on tape; Dexter taught thousands of people the importance of continuing education, and he had learned the importance of establishing leadership among his distributors.

Over the next ten years or so, this "breakthrough", this system; grew to the point that Dexter’s organization contained more than 100 distributorships at the Diamond level. All these Diamonds adopted his system. Each Diamond experienced incredible growth in their own organization as thousands of distributors learned from the tapes the proper techniques of sponsoring and motivating a downline.

This is how the Amway Motivational Systems got their start. A simple idea that would effectively communicate a viable message to as many people as possible for the time frame. This system contained face-to-face meetings, books, and tapes; all contributing to educating the new distributor. Larger meetings were also held that allowed distributors to meet in a positive atmosphere of camaraderie.

It really was a good idea.

Tomorrow we take up the issue of "A Good Idea Gone Bad."

"SYSTEMS" / Overview

PROBLEM. At some point in your leadership of your MLM downline, you will lose your control as a leader. If you’re lucky your downline will reach a point where you will not be able to communicate with the newest distributor; you may not even be aware that someone new has even signed up deep within your organization for days or even weeks.

You can only train so many people effectively by yourself. And if you spawn a trainer, you can only control his actions so far until he achieves his own influence over your downline. If you are lucky enough to build a huge organization the very fact that it grows so big will eventually negate your influence over the newest person because you have little or no contact with that person.

SOLUTION. So, "Systems" developed in MLM, specifically Amway and Quixtar. The newest person is handed a tape by the upline, and told to "listen to this person; he is your leader". A certain familiarity is bred, the new person knows that a leader exists at the top; a leader worth listening to. The leader is an example of success. The leader is proof that the opportunity is valid.

Proponents of these systems insist that listening to the tapes lend continuity downline, as a recognizable leader or leaders is always present on the tapes. And if everyone is listening to the same tapes, when a sponsor quotes advice from the tape to the new person and that new person then hears the same advice later on a tape, the ideas, lessons, and examples are recognized and given credibility.

Also, given the usual atmosphere of these recordings, the listener will hear applause, laughter, music, personal stories of overcoming obstacles, and heart-tugging emotional outbursts. A "good" feeling sweeps over the listener, s/he can feel compelled or motivated to "work the business" due to these good feelings.

Even more effective, is when the new person attends one of these functions where a recognized "leader" is speaking. The new person is surrounded by these sights and sounds, and "good feelings". A camaraderie develops with his fellow distributors sharing the moment and absorbing the stories of encouragement and motivation.

S/He leaves the rally, or turns off the tape, and feels that the business opportunity truly is valid, the leaders are competent, and their teachings will be effective in building their own MLM distributorship.

Opponents (including myself) of these "systems" see AT LEAST THREE problems with the current systems.

1. The motivation is temporary. The hard reality is that potential new distributors and potential clients did not hear the same words as the distributor. The "real world" overcomes the motivation in a short time.

2. The opinions of the "leaders" expressed on these tapes, and CDs and videos, and rallies, are sometimes merely that; opinions. And yet, because of the atmosphere, they may persuade a distributor to believe these opinions as fact. Ideologies expressed, other than basic business-building, may conflict with the distributor’s own beliefs; leaving the distributor confused about his own faith, political views, or family values. The distributor may erroneously believe that he must "adjust his thinking" to match the leader's views or success may not be in his future.

3. Because of the temporary nature of the motivation supplied, an insistence is made by the leaders to continue with daily listening of these media. This creates THREE additional problems.

A. The distributor becomes ingrained (some would say "brainwashed") with the mantras, stories, and rote responses of the leader. Their personalities change, they become "automatic" in their thinking, equating everything they do and say with what the leader might do or say.

B. The tapes and rallies are not free. They are an additional expense to running an MLM business. And because of the repetition of hearing the leaders say that daily motivation is essential; they become a daily, monthly and yearly expense of purchasing more and more in order to be "on the system"; to be "committed to the system."

C. The "System" is a profit center, a secondary business, to the leaders. A conflict of interest is present. The rallies, the tapes, the books, become more than a training aid for the distributor. They become a "product" promoted more than the products the MLM distributor is supposed to be motivated to sell.

These are the pros and cons that I see with MLMs promoting these type motivational systems. A system is needed for the newest distributor to follow, to learn the techniques she needs to be a success in an MLM venture. Yet, care has to be taken in order that she does not become a "clone" of a charismatic leader or merely a "captive client" purchasing the motivational "dream" and never building an MLM business.

Tomorrow, we will look at One History of these motivational support systems.

Pluck News: RIP

There's a death in the IBO blogosphere....

and a rebirth.

Quixtar IBO Michael Broderick from Pluck News of late has decided to close that blog, in favor of a new format.

Back in November, I introduced you to "Mikey" and his then-new blog, Pluck News.

Well, "Mikey" has decided to start a new blog at Blog Harbor. This one seems more like it will be focused mainly on Michael's Quixtar business. And Mike seems more "focused" himself. Looks like he has some definite ideas and plans on the direction he wants to take the new blog entitled InstantFranchise.

The new blog is open for comments from all.

So stop by Pluck News and pay your last respects, or drop in at the new blog and offer congrats on the new venture.

"SYSTEMS" / An Introduction

Today begins a new series at On The Road with Dave. For the next few days I'm going to talk to you about "systems" and how they relate to Multi-level Marketing and Quixtar.

If you've been around the world of MLM for any length of time, you've heard the term, "system".

A system can be defined as an organized or established procedure.

Quixtar and Amway are often criticized because their distributors make use of "motivational support systems". These "support systems" are supposed to be a network of people that provide practical, motivational and emotional support to the new distributor through training and motivational tapes, CDs, books, and seminars and rallies.

Step-by-step guidelines are also published. The new distributor merely follows the scripts, and cookbook-type steps to get started selling and sponsoring new people in their new venture.

These support systems are not unique to Quixtar, and can be found in other MLMs though not as prevalent or as organized.

There are also many third-party books and "nationally-known" speakers that hawk their own training and motivational programs to individual MLMers in other companies, not just Quixtar.

I've developed something of a reputation for being "anti-system", because I don't make use of the motivational tapes and books and rallies promoted by my distant upline in Quixtar.

These tapes and books and rallies are but just one aspect of following a system. I'm not against a new person using an organized system or set of guidelines in carrying out their MLM business. Nor am I against motivating yourself and a positive mental attitude.

In fact, I think it is unwise to sign up a person in an MLM and just turn him loose with a box of products, and say "good luck."

The main problem with most systems is they rely on static, rote guidelines to follow, their methods of motivation are temporary, or they become a means to an end of selling mostly worthless hype to a captive audience.

Yes, some procedures and guidelines can be standard-issue and effective. Such as basic principles of selling can be learned easily. The steps of creating interest, conviction, desire, demonstration, and closing can all be learned. After that, you just practice those steps consistently and develop your "selling style". Sales techniques to sell products as well as presenting the opportunity to a "prospect" are similar in most aspects.

Also you can teach very easily, some basic steps to getting started. Company rules, ordering procedures, basic record-keeping.

Other specific activities as they relate to marketing are varied. A system can teach the proper use of email lists, direct mail lists; how to make cold calls; how to conduct home parties; marketing through a website, commercial blogging, internet forums, message boards, conference calls, and yes, even "hotel meetings" as they relate to MLM.

So many of these things could be incorporated into a system to help the new MLMer, including providing some motivational support

Over the next several days I"ll be tackling the issue of "The systems". I'll be giving you my opinions of the history of the Quixtar Motivational Organization systems, as well as my thoughts on what a proper system should be and how it should be carried out. Stay tuned.

"Sunday Thoughts"

"Don't join the book burners. Don't think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they ever existed."

-- Dwight David Eisenhower