Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
One reason I'm so proud; is that I encouraged this new blogger to begin writing.
But, that is just a small reason.
Truth be told, this guy is hilarious, insightful, and makes the topic of "goatherding" on the plains of Detroit, the new parable for marketing.
That sounds like quite a build-up for such a young blog; maybe it is, but I think Tre Whitetree, his herd of characters, such as; "Bill Goats", "Moses", and the irrepressible "Dingo"; can live up to the hype in the long run.
MLM company, Monavie and its distributors should take note of the press their main product's ingredient is receiving at MarketPlace. MarketPlace is a radio program produced by American Public Media and is heard on most Public Radio Stations in the mornings and afternoons. I listen to it on my morning drive to work.
MarketPlace features a story on Acai, a berry making a splash in the health food market. While the story does not mention Monavie, it does cover the phenomenal sales growth of the berry and its benefits.
It's good indirect press for a company in a highly competitive "nutritional drink" market; a market with it's share of hype and health claims.
Listen to the story, if not for anything, except to hear how the word "acai" is actually pronounced. It wasn't the way I had figured.
"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
Okay folks, you have an Internet connection and if you have kids, then there's no reason you can't be doing what I'm doing; and that is, tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world.
I'm working on an upcoming article involving the use of samples as a sales aid. It turns out I had a lot to say on the subject, so I'm editing and paring down the article. I suppose I could do one of my "famous" multi-part articles, but I was trying to avoid that. If you haven't taken the Poll, please do so and feel free to leave a comment. The Poll can accept comments as well as you can leave a standard comment at the blog entry, itself. Either one gives you a voice.
Free Polls Dot Com is a great way to add a poll to your blog, it was pretty easy to set up, and you have a good variety of styles to choose from.
Watch for my Sample article after Christmas.
I want to thank Tom for his comments on my "Standing Promise" entry. Some good thoughts to consider.
Tomorrow, my wife and I are headed to a friend's beach house in Gulf Shores, Alabama to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary a day early. Getting married on Christmas Eve was probably my most romantic moment, but the downside of our anniversary all these years has been the lack of restaurants and places to go that are open on Christmas Eve to celebrate. So, our tradition is to celebrate a day early with a date, and then to spend Christmas Eve at home.
We have a nice dinner date and some dancing planned, followed by a quiet night at the beach house. There'll be no edition of "On The Road With Dave" for December 23rd.
We'll return home Christmas Eve afternoon and finish up the holiday activities with some last minute shopping, cooking, and wrapping.
Catch me back on Christmas Eve for a short edition of "ye olde Yule blog".
Until then, finish up your shopping, put up that last string of lights, and buy that final present or gift card.
It's not necessary for you to be a salesperson for an MLM company to answer the poll. I'd be interested in ANY salesperson's opinion regarding offering free samples.
Imagine if tomorrow you turned on MTV and heard that Ted Nugent had suddenly become a spokesperson for the Fruit and Vegetable Association. Imagine the "Huge Nuge" becoming a vegetarian. You could be an avid member of PETA and sign every anti-gun petition that comes around, but you'd still most likely be surprised, maybe even disappointed that Ted Nugent gave up the principles he has lived by for so many years. An idea that man was meant to hunt, to live off the land, and to care for the land that gives you sustenance. In essence, imagine Ted giving up his integrity.
Independent Music consultant and promoter David Hooper mentioned a similar incident when former KISS band member Gene Simmons decided to endorse Miller Lite.
Gene Simmons, who has many times stated that he has never touched alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, has given up his last thread of credibility by endorsing Miller Lite.
I've talked about selling out like this many times on here. Not having a plan will kick your ass every time. You've got to know what you will do and what you won't before things take off or you get put in a compromising position. When making an important career decision, you should never come from a place of desperation, whether it be from lack of self-esteem or lack of money.
Not having a plan is how women move to Hollywood with dreams of doing feature films one month and end up taking on Ron Jeremy and 15 other guys in an episode of Starbangers the next. While you may make a quick buck with a decision like this, it's never a good career move.
So, what am I getting at here?
If my readers here at "On The Road With Dave" have come to expect certain things from me, I'd like to believe that it is consistency. I want to make a standing promise.
1. This blog will always be about much more than MLM. You will never see my Quixtar IBO number on this blog. It is not a recruiting vehicle.
2. If Quixtar doesn't work for me, you won't see me in another MLM. My Quit Date is set. I'll have have other interests to pursue.
3. Any MLM tools originating from me will be FREE to my downline; including audio training via a podcast.
4. If I ever write a book, it'll be sold to a mass market.
5. Adsense and other affiliate programs available online, won't be available at On The Road With Dave", while "Quixtar" is mentioned, other than Product- Specific ads from Amazon.
There you have it. My Standing Promise. Hold me to it. Thanks for sticking with me.
Gee, don't you hate those inept bloggers that insist on writing, "Read My Archives" when they haven't got much to say?
Yep, they oughtta be lined up against a wall and shot. How dare they rob us of our time visiting their site and then telling us to read something we already have read. In the words of the Immortal Curly, "The noive!!!!"
Now that's outta the way.
My regular 9-5 job has spilled into my night-time hours. This week I am "on call" to assist our DME patients with emergencies, so my time online is limited this week.
In my absence, there has been some controversy about my tribute to the late Richard Pryor over at MLM Blog. My use of a racial slur used frequently by Pryor sparked discussion ranging from disgust over the use of the word; to the defense of yours truly by other commenters; to implication that all white southerners are predisposed to racism. In the end, an agreement to disagreement seems to be the prevailing course. I'm sure Pryor would have enjoyed the discussion and at last look, the comments are still coming in.
But today is December 14th, officially the First Day of Christmas as the old Christmas carol is sung, and partridges everywhere are perched in pear trees.
Soooooooooo, about those bloggers that insist on you reading their archives; I'd like for you to re-visit poor Agnes McAllister as she is inundated with gifts from her "true love" in Part One and Part Two of "The 12 Days of Christmas."
WARNING: The language contained in the hyperlinked entries is R-rated. Read at your discretion.
There is no need for political correctness, racial sensitivity, or a need to not offend; his comedy did none of that.
What he did was make us take a look at all those things in a raw, vibrant manner, that was funny, bittersweet, and truly original.
Many a "hack" comic these days is a mere shadow of what Richard Pryor started.
But when a comic truly shines under the lights, that comic owes in part of his success to the atmosphere and attitude that Richard Pryor brought to the comic industry.
I'm not interested in circumstances that led to your blog's demise, if it indeed is gone for good, I just want to know if you'll be back; in some other incarnation or otherwise.
I was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii at Scofield Barracks. I was walking to work that morning. It wasn't like you see on TV, we didn't have a "fall in" and a line up each morning. We woke up, did our barracks duties and we reported to work.
I was walking across Wheeler Field on my way to my duty station. I had been in Hawaii over a year, but I still loved to take in the scenery even if it was on the base.
I heard a wave of planes flying over the base but didn't think much about it. But then the sirens began and all of sudden there were these planes low over me and the ground started to kick up in front of me. They were strafing(shooting) the field. I thought, "Are we doing some kind of test, am I in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
The sirens began to blare and I heard explosions.
I began to run across and away from the planes and made it to my station. I entered the building and my officer yelled, "Robbie, we are under attack!" Attack, I asked, who would be attacking us! I ran to the window and looked out and up to see plane after plane turn on their side toward the water. They were Japanese planes.
My duty sargent yelled at me again, "Robbie, get your ass out of that window!"
I would always stop Dad right here, and ask, "What did you do, Daddy?" He would pause and laugh.
"I got my aaaaa...um...butt down out of that window. But that's all you need to hear about that day"
There's a story that my daddy tells religiously Like clockwork every time he sees an opening In a conversation about the way things used to be Well I'd just roll my eyes and make a bee-line for the door But I'd always wind up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor Hanging on to every word Man, the things I heard
It was harder times and longer days Five miles to school, uphill both ways We were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor 'Course that was back before the war Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair Flying F-15's through hostile air He went down but they missed me by a hair He'd always stop right there and say...
That's something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on That's a chin held high as the tears fall down A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out Like a small town flag a-flyin' Or a newborn baby cryin' In the arms of the woman that you love That's something to be proud of
Why did Bo Short and Passport decide to associate to Oasis LifeSciences? What happened?
Even though the Pentagon visits "On The Road With Dave", I admit I haven't got access to wire tapping devices, nor am I on the "inside" of the boardroom decisions of Bo Short's company, so I don't have any facts other than the Public Relations notices being published.
What I do have is opinion and conjecture. And in the MLM-blog world, that's sometimes good enough.
Here's why I think Passport "jumped ship."
1. "The Buzz" ceased.
Take an elite Amway Diamond disgusted with the "tools business" and let him start his own MLM. Let this Diamond be interviewed about the vices of Amway and the "tool system" by a national TV news show; couple this with his staunchest new distributors' zeal for getting the word out and in PR vernacular, you have some major "buzz".
It's a start-up company's dream.
But, when the "buzz" dies down, you still have to continue on with focus.
Passport seems to not be able to get past the "buzz" point, in my opinion.
Dropping the MLM component, and switching downlines to another company creates yet another buzz in the MLM industry.
2. Inconsistency
If you start an MLM company and you "set yourself apart" as a company that will provide free training, no training tapes for sale, and inexpensive products that should have a retail market; then you need to stick with it.
Two inconsistencies I noticed from Passport had to deal with tape sales and products.
In March of 2005, the president of Passport kicked around the idea of a "sponsoring tape" produced by Bo Short based on subject matter from his "Amway" days.
Reader comments for that idea seemed less than favorable.
To me it said two things. "Hey maybe we jumped the gun on setting ourselves apart from Amway, cause all of our founder's training and insight comes from building an Amway diamondship." Secondly it said to me, "If we could make a little more money selling a tape, maybe that wouldn't be so bad, if nobody notices. They noticed.
The other inconsistency involved, is faith in the products of Passport. Passport is not a manufacturer. Their products are produced by a private-label company to Passport specifications. Nothing wrong with that.
But, if you have products to sell, you should be concentrating on THOSE products. So if a leader of Passport decides to join another MLM while also promoting Passport, then my question is, "What is the message being sent to the Passport reps?" Even if it is an Experiment.
(NOTE: If you'd like to read more of The MLM Experiment, you'll have to enter the URL: http://mlmblog.typepad.com/vemma/archives in order to access. The current home page has no archives and merely reiterates the Passport/Oasis association.)
3. Ego
Let's say you are an Amway Diamond. Thousands of people come to hear you speak. Thousands more buy every audio tape with your name on it. You are held in high regard among the Amway "Red White and Blue Guard". You may be as humble as Ghandi, but you can't say you don't get a little thrill out all that applause and accolades coming from your adoring downline. (I know I would)
But, you start a company that promises an end to these rallies and love fests. Instead, you are met with the day-to-day challenges of corporate balance sheets, employee payroll, shipping costs, and legal paperwork. You are faced with all the hassles that any good MLMer worth his salt is seeking to avoid. You become the antithesis of what is SUPPOSED to make up the Diamond lifestyle. Plus, rarely does anybody applaud when you show up for board meetings and the sound of the crowd is far from deafening when you give your conference call talks. Those speakerphones can't match the power of 15000 watt Peavy amplifiers.
Your ego has to suffer.
What if you could find a way "back into the game". Rallies, conventions, audiotapes, and oh yeah, some new "Buzz" products promising more than your inexpensive label. Wouldn't you jump?
4. The Greener Pasture Syndrome.
This is the syndrome of "MLM junkies." Those people seeking the "next big thing", The next "groundfloor opportunity". MLM junkies spend 2-5 years with one company and then, amazingly, see the light at the end of the tunnel in ANOTHER MLM. An MLM that will finally work this time...an MLM that finally has the right products....an MLM that finally has the right leadership.
But, the Greener Pasture Syndrome is not exclusive of the MLM junkies, it can happen to the best of us. We strive to make our MLM business work and we are met with frustration and disappointment peppered in with our small successes. We wonder if we can make it from Point A to Point Z. For those who become successful they tackle each letter as it comes, but for some, it's easier to quit at "C" and leave MLM altogether. For other's, reaching point Z requires an entirely new alphabet, where they can skip some letters.
5. Website Awareness and URL obscurity.
Do a simple search for "Passport" on Google and you'll be hunting for awhile for the company Passport, LLC. Do a search for Oasis LifeSciences and "BINGO", you're there. You can even hit the "I Feel Lucky" button.
These are just a few perceptions I have of this new development at Passport, LLC.
They are items that speak to my main objections of many MLM companies being operated today. The Greener Pasture syndrome; the seemingly unending desire of MLM leaders to seek the limelight,and the dissatisfaction of just running a good business and adapting to the marketplace or failing in the attempt. Switching companies makes good headlines, creates "buzz", and provides a "fresh start".
Sticking with the basics can be boring for some.
My wish is for success for the former Amway reps, who are now former Passport reps who are now to become Oasis reps. I hope they find a true "Oasis" in the MLM industry.
My fear is that the "Oasis" will become merely a mirage in another 5 years and they will become former Amway/former Passport/former Oasis reps seeking another new company.
God knows, I am involved with an MLM that faces heavy criticism. Say the word "Quixtar" to someone and be prepared to explain your self. So, I'm used to the blogs, and articles, and commentary from friend and foe alike regarding the "pros"and "cons" of being involved in Quixtar.
Which is why I have delayed publishing my opinions on the recent announcement of Passportgiving up on it's MLM component and effectively moving the company's distributors to another MLM company, Oasis LifeSciences.
And even though I know two Passport reps that also blog, and I respect them as individuals, I still feel like I need to comment on the situation. After all, most blogs are about "feelings" and opinions, and I certainly have both of those.
Passport's founder, Bo Short was an ex-Amway distributor. Not JUST an Amway distributor, but a Diamond Amway Distributor. And not JUST a Diamond distributor, but a Diamond on the "inside" of the "kingpin tool business." He embraced the tools, the books, the tapes, the huge rallies, he promoted them, AND he profited from them.
But, he experienced problems with his own upline and the corporate officers of Alticor/Amway/Quixtar and I truly believe at the time, he experienced some pangs of guilt for his promotion of the "tool business" and his own involvement with causing thousands of Amway/Quixtar IBOs to lose money by "investing" in these tools.
So, Bo Short leaves Amway/Quixtar and sets out to start his OWN MLM. He forms Passport and declares that Passport will be "set apart" from other MLM companies, namely Quixtar, and will be the company that does everything right. No special titles like Diamond, no promotion of tapes, inexpensive products, no "system" expenses.
Not surprisingly, many Amway and Quixtar IBOs followed Bo Short to his new company. Whether a planned strategy or not, many of these former IBOs and Bo Short himself begin blogging about the perils of Quixtar.
These blogs built credibility for Passport. An internet surfer seeking information about Quixtar could be drawn to many articles about Quixtar at these Passport blogs. They could read first hand experiences from these former IBOs about how bad Quixtar is AND also read that there was FINALLY an alternative with Passport. Although in many of the entries, finding the reference to Passport took further digging.
During this time, Bo Short was also featured on NBC's Dateline program. Dateline aired an expose' on Quixtar. Bo was interviewed by the program citing the evils of the "systems", but little was said about Bo's involvement in Passport as a competitor to Quixtar. Passport blogs and Quixtar-related blogs promoted the then-upcoming episode for months.
I'm sure that Passport reps expected another influx of former Quixtar IBOs rushing to join Passport after the airing. Surely, the expose' would spell disaster for Quixtar and prove that Passport would truly be the new face of Multi-Level Marketing.
The episode came with great fanfare in the blogosphere, and many hours of writing, reading, analyzing and commenting on the effects of the airing were consumed. And yet, Quixtar weathered the storm.
