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.
This morning, a co-worker of mine, on her way to work spied what appeared to be my stolen car sitting in the parking lot of a apartment building just a scant 6 blocks from my place of employment.
We borrowed a car and decided to go investigate.
Sure enough, it was my old, yet strikingly handsome, Buick Century. We called Mobile's Finest.
A "gentleman" had the trunk open and was removing bags of clothing. We circled the parking lot and he decided to go up to his apartment.
We stopped the car and got out.
Well, what do you know? He left the keys in the car. We reached in the car window, (rolled down) being careful not to touch anything, and snatched the keys.
The "gentleman" came back out of the apartment with his spouse and/or girlfriend and casually asked, "That's ya'lls car, ain't it?"
We said, "Yes."
The "gentleman's" significant other slapped him and screamed, "I told you THAT car must be stolen!"
He begins to tell us the that a "friend of his" living at the Budget Inn had offered him the car, so he could move into this apartment. He was suspicious, but needed the car to move, so accepted the offer.
He told us the room number of the "friend" and was very calm and collected when the Police arrived. He even offered to take the Police to the motel to "roll on the friend".
The Police searched the car, removed a gym bag containing clothing bathed in the scent of an illegal substance, commonly smoked in little glass tubes, and asked the gentleman to sit in their air conditioned automobile.
Our car, had had its hubcaps removed, a lug nut was missing, and the thief had removed all my change from the ashtray. (Probably about 6 or 7 dollars in quarters) Our license plate had been replaced with another plate. The thief had also removed bumper stickers my son had placed on our car.
The good news was the thief must have been overcome with guilt when he stole the car only 1/4 full of gasoline, and replaced it with a FULL tank.
The Police released the car to us and we returned to work after filling out some paperwork and promising to show up at court, coiffed and ready to testify as victims of the crime.
The Detective called us later on in the afternoon to say that the "friend" at the Budget Inn denied the charges, but the "gentleman" at the apartment had a long list of previous charges related to receiving stolen property.
So, my car was stolen, not for it's parts, not for it's intrinsic value, but simply because somebody needed to move a "few things" from one apartment to another.
Passenger floor must be littered with empty Dr.Pepper bottles and crushed Marlboro boxes.
Would prefer a small cigarette burn on edge of driver's seat.
Why do I want a car like this?
Well, up until sometime between 8am and 10am this morning, I owned that very car.
At some point in those two hours, someone decided that they, too, would like to own that car. So, they drove away with it.
I firmly believe in the adage, "what goes around, comes around" and I think that I try to put out "good stuff" that will multiply back to me. I, also, admit that I have done things in the past that have come back to bite me; but gee whiz, what the heck did I do to get this kind of karma?
Now I'm not sure if Beth Dornan with Quixtar's Communications Department reads my blog regularly, but she recently posted a new entry at her blog, that seems to answer the question brought up by one of my readers.
"I recall hearing some of the comments about us not advertising because we invest our money into IBO bonuses rather than massive advertising budgets as well. This was part of the rationale as we discontinued the Amway campaign to focus our time, attention, and resources around the Quixtar launch. While we aren't going to be a major advertiser, helping increase awareness and understanding of Quixtar and our products will benefit all IBO businesses.
And one comment to a blog post suggested that our prices would rise or bonuses be cut due to the campaign. Not true."
On this anniversary of one of the worst storms in a century, and the event of Tropical Storm Ernesto currently going ashore in the Florida Keys; I take a look back to August 29, 2005. The day I met Hurricane Katrina.
"It looks like Hurricane Katrina will be hitting New Orleans by Monday Morning. Due to several circumstances we are not going to be able to evacuate...."
".....The storm's total coverage at the moment in the Gulf of Mexico is 750 miles. Sustained winds are 175MPH. So, when Katrina reaches New Orleans, all of the Gulf Coast will feel it's effect.
Not since, 1969 has a storm this large hit landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Storm at that time was Camille, and I remember the devastation Mississippi went through at that time. As a small boy, we lived 200 miles inland and we went through a night of terrible tornadoes due to Hurricane Camille. All of Mississippi was effected for days following landfall.
We've retreated inland twice in the last year due to hurricanes, but this time we are going to "ride it out." Local news coverage is now constant, and some coastal flooding and storm surges are now affecting us as the waves move in with heights currently at 12 feet.
We have "boarded up" the house, laid in a supply of food and water, charged our batteries, taken showers and baths for maybe the last time for a few days, and now we wait......"
".....It's 12:47AM, about 5 hours from landfall in New Orleans.
We are getting some sporadic thunderstorms and wind from the early "leader bands" from the storm.
Hurricane Katrina is currently a high Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds at of 160MPH.
We'll see what happens as the night wears on......."
".....Downtown Mobile has 8-10 feet of water standing in the streets and flooding some buildings. The storm surge was estimated at 22 feet.
Luckily our power is restored temporarily. I hear the sounds of generators in the distance.
I'm going offline again as the electrical power continues to flicker......."
"....If you are following the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina and you have never been in a hurricane before, then you might be thinking that since the "eye" of Katrina is now in Central Mississippi, we folks down on the coast are "in The clear".
I wish.
In the last several hours we have been experiencing the "back" of the storm.
Local news has been reporting that there are still 50-75MPH wind gusts and we get bands of torrential rain still....."
"A few facts.
At 2:00PM CST winds were still being clocked at Category 1 speeds.
196,000 people are without power in the State of Alabama. We are among the lucky few that have power. A good deal of the town I live in outside of Mobile is still without power.
5319 people are in shelters. Shelter population is expected to rise as people with damaged residences seek a place to stay.
A drilling rig broke free and collided with a bridge in Mobile.
All of Mobile and Baldwin Counties are under a curfew until Dawn Tuesday.
From New Orleans, there are reports of people stranded on their roofs. There have been unconfirmed reports of bodies floating....."
"....Tree limbs continue to fall, and we have had a few hit our roof with no damage.(Thankfully) But, we have been startled several times by the loud boom the branches make as they hit the roof.
An interesting observation I made about the wind; occasionally rather than a wind exerting a side force on the trees, we also get incredible downdrafts, that bend the limbs of the trees downward toward the ground on all sides. I had never seen that before.
Last report I saw, we have had 13+ inches of rain since last night and more still on the way.
I feel sorry for the folks in New Orleans and Mississippi and know full well they bore the brunt of Katrina's force. I also know that all of the State of Mississippi will endure the force of Katrina on into the night.
But even as the eye of the storm marches northward, we on the coast are not out of the woods yet.
One last personal note, I'm out of cigarettes, and since businesses are closed or without power and the existing curfew; I have no way to get anymore "smokes" until tomorrow. It's gonna be another long night.
All in all, that's a problem I can live with."
"Good Night Katrina
Last Post of the Day
Katrina, you had a pretty name, but you were an ugly storm.
I'm glad you are gone from here, and hope you die out as you drive north. By next week you should be a light rain past Pennsylvania.
Tomorrow will be a day of clean-up.
My daughter and her husband and a roommate of theirs will be staying the night with us. They are still without power and rode the storm out at a local shelter, unbeknownst to us.
Special Thanks to all who commented, emailed, and Instant Messaged me while I was online off and on throughout the day with their well wishes for our safety.
Thanks to all the regular readers of Will Wheaton Dot Net that paid me a visit. It was much appreciated.
"Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down", is the old song; well today was a rainy Monday; but knowing people think about you in times of trouble, even if they don't know you in person, can more than make up for it.
Good Night."
You can relive the entire day with me in My August Archives; scroll down to Monday, August 29th. Many people left me me kind words in the "Comments" section.
My thoughts are with those enduring Tropical Storm Ernesto tonight and tomorrow and days to come. Although not a hurricane now, weather systems can be unpredictable, and I hope all will remain safe.
There's a sentiment here on the Gulf Coast that some who have not experienced a hurricane might not understand or find cruel. But, it's an accepted sentiment:
"I'll be thinking of you, but I'm glad it's not me this time"
Is Tom Anderson in your Extended Network? If you are a member of the online social network, MySpace, then you are one of Tom's 105,270,576 friends.
Tom is the Founder of MySpace, currently the largest online social network.
MySpace is a place to connect with online friends, meet new friends, blog, voice opinions, post pictures, meet a lover, or even promote a business.
Comedian Dane Cook used his MySpace presence to build a huge network of fans, long before his HBO show, Tourgasm.
Yes, even MLMers can promote their business at MySpace, like AskPappy, who sells beef jerky through an MLM.
But, the problem with MySpace and MLMers is that very few hot 19 year old college co-eds looking to meet a tall, hunky sensitive guy, that listens to "Disturbed" are really interested in selling make-up, pots and pans, nutrition drinks, or even beef jerky.
So, what's an MLMer to do, who wants a social network of like-minded people?
But, last night I was "prospected" in a chat room to join a new MLM social network. A social network not only for MLMers to promote their affiliated companies, BUT to actually SELL the network via a multi-level compensation plan.
Moneymachinefhtm: so is everyone in here a part of Direct Matches? Moneymachinefhtm: to promote thier businesses?
davidrbsn: Direct matches? Dking57: i know of Direct Matches and don't choose to use it DennisMeredith: Why not, Dot? davidrbsn: <--has not heard of Direct matches?
Moneymachinefhtm: dking? you don't like DM?
davidrbsn: lead program? davidrbsn: ad site?
Moneymachinefhtm: david can i IM you? Moneymachinefhtm: i'll tell you about it
davidrbsn: just tell me here, is it covert? Dking57: the way I see it , is people hoping other people will join their group or order their product
Moneymachinefhtm: actualy no its not like that at all Moneymachinefhtm: david DM is a site that you can connect with millions of like minded networkers....there are a lot of people who are already invovled in a business but network marketing is about building relationshiops
davidrbsn: Ok I get it now..I went to the site...a fee based social network a la Linked In
Moneymachinefhtm: and to be honest a lot of people whill join several different businesses before finding the one that actually works for them
Dking57: david and you have to upgrade to really get full usage of it Dking57: if you can afford that as a business expense good
davidrbsn: I think I'd prefer LinkedIn davidrbsn: or Spoke
Moneymachinefhtm: DM is also a way to create a residual income on top of useing it to promote your business and connect with other netowrkers Moneymachinefhtm: its actually a win win situation Moneymachinefhtm: I love it Moneymachinefhtm: I signed up in DM and in the first three days had five phone calls from peole who were interested in my business opporutnity
davidrbsn: So basically its an MLM biz that charges to recruit for your other MLM?
Dking57: david some are hooked on it , me personally am not
Moneymachinefhtm: no actually its an MLM that you can network with other like minded networkers and you get a bonus of getting paid to promote the marketing tool
davidrbsn: I think this could be the topic of a new blog post for me
"DirectMatches.com is an innovative system for meeting people. The inventive combination of person-to-person marketing along with our original concept of a social and business network produces a new kind of service. Driven by a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, the company markets a broad range of highly developed matchmaking technologies.
DirectMatches is the first in the online business and social networking industry to deploy a multi-matchmaking system that helps people locate everything from business contacts to finding friendship and dates online. It is the first business and social networking service with a contact management system that operates on a "dynamic basis", where members are able to select from dedicated networking communities."
The MLM compensation plan for "Direct Matches" features a binary plan requiring 4 sales in each leg before a commission is paid; with a feature called PowerPay Plus, that promises a 50% commission. Direct Matches states an earnings potential of:
"As a Manager you have an earnings potential of $6000 a wk and as an Executive you have an earnings potential of $12,000."
"Direct Matches" offers a limited free membership, but you can join as a customer for $9.95 per month billed to your credit card or you can become a Managing Independent Representative for $19.95 per month or an Executive Independent Representative for $29.95.
Okay, you might guess, from my tone of "voice"; I'm not all that "bowled" over by the concept. I prefer social networks such as LinkedIn or Spoke. These networks provide you the opportunity to network with potential business contacts and associates outside of the MLM arena. These networks are not prospecting or ad sites.
In my experience, those MLMers searching to prospect other MLMers, often wind up being prospected into another MLM themselves. The niche of associating with MLMers online is great for finding friends that relate to the trials and tribulations of being an MLMer and I think it's great for keeping yourself motivated and in focus; but I prefer people looking for a business opportunity first, and may not even know Multi-level Marketing might be that opportunity.
There are also other virtual communities on the World-Wide Web that may relate to your 9-5 job, your hobbies, your religion, or politics. The options are limitless and will expand your scope outside of the MLM niche.
But, in case you think this is a great idea, and maybe even yet a second residual income source, I'd be remiss if I didn't refer you to the people that told me about it.
Remember AskPappy, the beef jerky guy at MySpace? He's got a page at DirectMatches.
"MLM Mondays" is featured every week on (what else?) Monday; and offers information, advice and tips on operating an MLM-affiliated business. On The Road With Dave does not guarantee any results from the information, but offers it as opinion.
"We have to abandon the idea that schooling is something restricted to youth. How can it be, in a world where half the things a man knows at 20 are no longer true at 40--and half the things he knows at 40 hadn't been discovered when he was 20?"
I tried publishing a new entry at The Quixtar Blog this morning. I'm new to the blog publishing tool, Movable Type; and couldn't quite get it to work right.
I tried to use the feature that allows you to publish only the first part of the entry on the front page, and then a link leads you to the longer post.
It published the first 3 paragraphs, but not the rest of the entry or a link leading to it.
NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN FOR QUIXTAR TO LAUNCH IN SEPTEMBER Ads to run on TV and in newspapers, magazines
A multimillion-dollar campaign for Quixtar will soon blanket the U.S. and Canada with print and TV ads.
The goal of this expansive ad program is to generate excitement and pride in the Quixtar business opportunity and in the Nutrilite® brand. By creating and running its own ads, Quixtar will no longer allow its critics to define this business. Instead, Quixtar will tell its own story, in its own words, and on its own terms.
The campaign will kick off in late September with full-page newspaper ads in USA Today that address Quixtar's foundations and the success of Alticor, its parent company. The ads will be followed by a three-month campaign blitz for Nutrilite in Newsweek magazine, beginning in October.
During the last week of September, TV spots for Quixtar and Nutrilite will begin airing on CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox, as well as on cable networks like The Learning Channel (TLC) and FoodTV. The ads are also slated to appear on shows like the "Country Music Awards," "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," "Sunday Night Football on NBC," "Trading Spaces," and "30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray."
"The Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi Sucks!"
In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm canceling today's edition of "MLM Mondays" for a special "blogger's rant" (It's a long one)
My wife and I decided to go out for the evening Saturday Night. We made the hour drive over to Biloxi,(pronounced Buh-Luxie) Mississippi to have dinner and visit a couple of the renovated post-Hurricane Katrina casinos. It's been a year since the massive hurricane destroyed most of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the recovery and rebuilding effort is coming along nicely; with massive amounts of money from the re-opening casinos providing tax revenue and employment opportunities to the residents.
I'd encourage anyone that wanted to vacation on the Gulf Coast to do so, and enjoy sugar white beaches, excellent seafood, and top-notch entertainment.
Anyway, back to my topic, and in case you have forgotten, it's;
"The Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi Sucks!"
So, my wife and I make the drive over to Biloxi, and the first casino we decide upon was The Imperial Palace Casino(which sucks.)
The "I-P" as it likes to be called was one of the first casinos to re-open and in their rush to get back into business they neglected to include any semblance of opulence, luxury, or ventilation.
This casino doesn't live up to that Vegas-image you might see on "CSI", nor does it live up to that Native-American casino you saw on "Family Guy".
First, it was hot. Not warm, HOT...as in no ventilation, as in the A/C barely worked. Imagine a throng of thousands; thousands of mostly desperately broke and unwashed people thrown together for hours on end; now imagine them chain smoking, drinking endless rounds of alcohol, and sweating.
Nope, James Bond in a tuxedo playing Baccarat was no where to be seen.
Second, we decided to have dinner first.
Remember that horde of people I was telling you about? They wanted to eat, too. There was a two-hour wait for the buffet, and the line went on forever.
Every other restaurant(I think there was 4) also had a wait of an hour or more. We finally got on a waiting list at the Grill, and waited 40 minutes, but did manage to have a nice dinner with good service. But, I had to trade down from my craving for dungeness crab to the menu that the grill offered; and opted for a steak sandwich. The dinner was the only semi-bright moment in the evening.
But, here is the REAL reason why I should buy the domain name,
WWW.THE IMPERIAL PALACE SUCKS.COM
Shortly after arriving, my wife went to the cashier's cage to buy a roll of quarters. You see, my wife has this thing she likes to do, where she wanders about the casino, just placing a quarter into available slot machines that she "feels" lucky about. Go Figure. It makes her happy.
She asks the cashier for a roll of quarters. The cashier says, "What you want quarters for, you making a phone call?"
It seems that since we last visited a casino last year, they have done away with quarters or tokens, and now the machines only take paper money and pays off with a voucher ticket.
That's right, no more "plinkety-plink" metal on metal sound when the slot machines payoff. They now make a computerized sound and prints out a little ticket that you can redeem for your cash.
The cashier explains this by saying..."Them machines don't take nothing but dollar bills! You don't need no quarters."
So, my darling wife goes to a slot machine and puts in a dollar and wins 12 bucks. By this time though, she has thought about the line, "What you want quarters for, you making a phone call? Them machines don't take nothing but dollar bills! You don't need no quarters."
She decides she didn't like that tone, and goes back to the same cashier window to redeem her 12 dollar voucher and asks the cashier for her name.
The cashier wants to know why my wife needs her name and my wife explains that she thought possibly that the cashier was rude earlier.
The cashier apologizes profusely by saying, "I don't know what you are talking about! I've never seen YOUR UGLY FACE BEFORE! YOU MUST be DRUNK!
My wife collects her 12 dollars from another cashier and gets the name of the rude cashier from her badge on her shirt, as she turns to leave.
Now, my wife would be the first to tell you that Hugh Hefner has not invited her to the Playboy Mansion, but she still turns heads when she walks down the street and I'm still amazed she decided to hook up with the likes of me so many years ago.
Also, my wife is a tea-totaler, a non-drinker, we have a Culligan water cooler in our house and she drinks about 12 glasses a day. She simply doesn't get drunk.
When I heard about this episode, I immediately took my wife to the front desk of the "Imperial Palace Sucks" and asks to speak with someone about this cashier's rude behavior.
I was offered a form to fill out, but declined and asked to speak to a manager personally. After a few minutes, my wife and I was greeted by a Casino host. WE asked if we could speak privately about a rude employee, but was told that where we stood would be fine. ( the front desk was across from one of the casino's lounges, complete with a live band playing well above 120 decibels)
The casino host took down our name and address, the name of the cashier, and then weakly apologized by saying, "I'm sorry you experienced that, we've never received a complaint about that person; I'm not saying it didn't happen, and we will address it."
That's it.
Oh yeah, she did say, "I hope you give us a second chance."
I then told her, that I was not impressed with her apology, I thought that the cashier needed to be moved to a NON-customer service position, and that I would be writing a full-fledge-righteous-indignation blog post on this very night and to please inform her bosses to please read "The Imperial Palace Sucks" at "On The Road With Dave"
Right after that, I asked her one last question, "Could you give me directions to The Biloxi Grand Casino?"
In closing, I just want to add that I-P may stand for Imperial Palace, but I think the more appropriate choice would be:
Inconsiderate People, Incredibly Poor, and Icky-Poo.
"The Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi Sucks!"
Thanks Dave Stone, for leading me to this site. DSN offers some great articles on the Direct Selling industry, informative company profiles, and some good sales techniques.
After browsing the site for a half hour or so; and increasing the number of articles to my "Favorites" list, I found an article from Joseph N. Mariano, Direct Selling Association Executive Vice President and COO.
DSA member companies have also worked diligently and thoughtfully to craft appropriate responses to the Rule, while also reaching out to their salesforce, political contacts and other allies. Additionally, DSA and several member companies have retained counsel whose attorneys consist of former FTC staff and/or Commissioners. Moreover, DSA and several member companies have met one-on-one with FTC officials to discuss the potentially devastating impact of the Rule and possible alternatives. The dialogues have been very productive; the Commission recognizes the impact on direct selling and is willing to work with us in achieving their goals while preserving the industry.
So what is the status thus far? As you may remember, initial comments to the Rule were due on July 17 and the current deadline for rebuttal comments is August 7. The FTC has recently informed us that they have received more than 17,000 comments regarding the Rule. Our initial review of a sample of these responses reveals an overwhelming concern over the impact on direct sellers in particular. We believe this is a great achievement and thank everyone who took the time to submit comments.
Due to this overwhelming number of responses, however, DSA has officially requested a time extension for rebuttal submissions. This will allow the FTC to fully process the information while permitting interested parties to review and respond to the comments.
17,000 COMMENTS! That's a lot, but still a pittance when you compare it to the number of people who make claims they operate a Direct Sales-related company.
A lot like voters in the US. Millions more register, than ever exercise the right to vote.
Anyway, my points today are; you can find more information than you were looking for, if you take the time to click on a few links in an article you are already reading.
And...Dave Stone is always a good place to already be reading something.
It's hard to believe that it's been 29 years today since the death of Elvis Presley.
I haven't heard of a "Elvis sighting" in many years, but Elvis fans can still be sighted everywhere. Much to my wife's dismay, she sights an Elvis fan everyday living with her.
I'm experiencing a slight spike in traffic due to an announcement at Quixtar Blog that I will be doing some writing for Eric Janssen's hugely popular blog visited by both MLM/Quixtar critics and pro-MLMers and current Quixtar IBOs.
You'll be able to read my thoughts and opinions here at "On The Road With Dave" every day and then get a double dose of whatever is on my mind on Thursdays at Quixtar Blog.
But, in case this is your first time here at "On The Road" and you've read Qblog's intro of me, and yet have no clue as to what kind of Quixtar IBO I am, then let me suggest just one post from my Archives.
If you didn't know Scott was definitely "anti-MLM", you could use this video to motivate your downline in ANY Multi-level Marketing meeting.
The trip looked like a lot of fun. The video is a little over 4 minutes long with a great soundtrack. I'd give it a "shmaltz" factor of 8. That's a compliment.
Maybe it's the start of a new "critics" duplication system. You know the spiel;
"If you become a critic just like me, then YOU TOO, can live this lifestyle."
"MLM Mondays" is featured every week on (what else?) Monday; and offers information, advice and tips on operating an MLM-affiliated business. On The Road With Dave does not guarantee any results from the information, but offers it as opinion.
Back in July, I responded to the FTC on their proposed Business Opportunity Rule. Today, as I was searching the FTC website looking for my response, (it has not been reported yet) I found the 45-page pdf document submitted by BrianCave, LLP on behalf of Quixtar, Inc.
The only other Multi-level Marketing company that I could find thus far that has responded is Herbalife.
The response for the most part is an "easy read", with a minimum of legal mumbo-jumbo and "cites" and footnotes.
Of interest to Quixtar critics will be the disclosure of the number of Quixtar IBOs who officially resign from Quixtar, rather than merely let their renewal lapse.
From Page 8:
"Fewer than 20,000 North American IBO'S formally resign each year, and almost two-thirds of them claim and receive a refund of their original registration payment"
The response should provide excellent fodder for Quixtar critics to analyze and report their spin on each topic.
However, I found the response typical of most of the MLM industry companies.
And while my response to the FTC disagreed on some points made by Quixtar, I found that Quixtar's response was reasonable and justified.
Okay, so if you haven't heard already, you can no longer carry on liquids or gels onto an airplane due to a terrorists threat and arrests of said terrorists as they had planned to construct a bomb on an airliner using liquid explosive-type materials.
And, in light of the upcoming anniversary and the imminent buzz that will surround the new movie about the 9/11 terrorists attack, feel free to check out My Good Deed Dot Org.
Take a good look at the "Links I Like" section in this blog's sidebar. You'll notice that a new link has been added.
Since 1996, Pamela Slim has been working with hundreds of professionals and entrepreneurs to help them find and do their best work. Her corporate clients include Hewlett Packard, Cisco Systems, Charles Schwab, Sun Microsystems and Fireman's Fund Insurance. But her drive, "her Ganas"; is to help those interested in running a business of their own. From transition from the corporate life to the entrepreneurial life.
Pam runs Ganas Consulting in Mesa, Arizona and she has a great blog called,
"Escape"'s description is "How to go from corporate prisoner to thriving entrepreneur"
MLMers will like the upbeat, motivational tone of the blog. But really, anyone that has a desire to run a business of their own could benefit from the blog. (From what I have read so far)
Pam also is working on a book, (What blogger isn't?) with the same title as the blog.
"But Dave, is there a "shmaltz factor" at this new link?"
Yes, indeedy there is, and it's pretty good as flash presentations go. It's also brand-spanking new. It's my guess that "My Declaration of Independence" will be the "most emailed link" among the "home business" sector in a matter of weeks.
Wander over to "Escape", I'll be paying it a regular visit.
August 31st is supposed to be my last day in Quixtar if I'm not in Platinum qualification. Well, unless something miraculous happens in the next two weeks, I should be bowing out of MLM forever.
I did not reach my goal. And when I set the goal; I even told my readers here at "On The Road With Dave", to "hold me to it". "Mark my words", I basically said.
So, it's a matter of credibility...if I stay in Quixtar and continue to pursue MLM success, then I'm a liar, a man prone not to keep his word and his commitments.
And the failure at not achieving this goal was completely my fault. Not my sponsor's; he felt it was a rash decision.
Not my reader's...most were very encouraging.
Not Quixtar's...they were there with new material, new products, and some nice web site improvements offering more detailed business instruction, new rewards, and just recently; a new program to increase THEIR OWN credibility.
But, I don't want to quit.
The past 6 months I have dealt with the impending and subsequent birth of my first grandchild, and an increase workload and responsibility at my employment. This little blog has seemed to have increased in popularity; and I'm making contacts and networking with others in my other chosen career as "wannabe" comedian.
So, I admit that there were many nights after I arrived home from work whereby all I really wanted to do was watch "Big Brother 7" or an old episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Weekends were for spending time with my daughter and her husband, or taking the wife and my other two kids on "outings."
I merely maintained the status quo with my Quixtar business and I didn't follow my "Quit Date criteria, of devoting a specific time each day to the goal.
I admit it again, I failed. I failed at achieving the goal and moreso, I failed at even working on the goal during some months.
So, as I said, if something miraculously doesn't happen in the next two weeks I have to quit MLM, and quit writing about it.
But, I don't really want to.
That's my plight.
I think I can STILL achieve an official leadership status as a Quixtar IBO; some readers have said I already write this blog with some unofficial leadership skills.
It's my business, I can really just say, "I don't want to quit, I want to continue and give myself more time". But there again, I kinda worry about what readers, current MLMers, and Quixtar IBOs would say. I worry about my credibility.
James Prichard, Associated Press reporter, has a corporate background story on Alticor, Amway, Quixtar, and the relation it's playing in the gubernatorial race in Michigan today.
Alticor Media Blog states that Mr. Prichard spent a few hours at the Alticor facility several weeks ago preparing for the story. Overall, the corporation seems pleased with the story, although the story is not all hugs and kisses.
"Asked if DeVos' ties to Alticor would make them more or less likely to vote for him, 21 percent said less likely and 14 percent said more likely. More than half — 62 percent — said it wouldn't influence their decision, and 3 percent were undecided."
The article also focuses on the international expansion of Alticor, and the history and change the corporation has experienced.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...Quixtar-affiliated Independent Business Owners(IBOs) should read the Quixtar Blog. Yes, it's a website that is critical of Quixtar; but more times than not it releases news about the Quixtar Corporation before any one else.
I'll let you read the article, but it announces the introduction of Quixtar's new Quixtar Accreditation website.
The new accreditation program is open for ALL North American Quixtar Diamonds(a high level distributor). The program sets parameters for these IBOs to follow if they operate a "motivational and educational materials" business separate and apart from their Quixtar business.
These Diamonds can continue to operate these "motivational organizations" as they have always done, or they can make changes to some of their practices and achieved Quixtar approval or Quixtar Accreditation.
Only one organization has achieved this status so far; a relatively new group called E-finity. This group offers educational and training programs starting at $19.95 a month. Still too much in my book. I still believe training should be free.
Quixtar sums up the program's criteria by saying the program is "Focus on business. Follow the Golden Rule."
But the details involve forbidding such things as:
Statements that indicate an IBO must be of a certain religious belief or doctrine if he is going to succeed in this business.
Disparaging remarks about any religious beliefs.
Personal expressions of religious beliefs in a business meeting that are not connected to the speaker's perspective on his own business experience.
Excessive reference to or reading from religious writings in a business meeting.
Endorsement or denouncement of specific candidates, political parties, and/or issues, unless specifically related to the operation of independent Quixtar-powered businesses.
Inflammatoryy labels or personal attacks on the character or integrity of government officials or candidates.
Demeaning statements regarding personal lifestyle, ethnicity, or the societal roles of males and/or females.
References to the abortion issue outside of worship services.
The program also requires an open disclosure to the fact that monies will be earned by these "motivational organizations" by selling to new IBOs. Income claims made by these organization leaders must now clarify that certain lifestyle examples such as homes, cars, etc came from his Quixtar income or other income such as motivational material sales.
Most importantly, (to me) is that a requirement is made that in presenting the business opportunity, there shall be a clear recognition that QUIXTAR is the business opportunity being presented. IBOs can not skirt around the issue saying that the motivational business name or distributor business name is the opportunity; nor can they use the Alticor Corporation or Access Business Group(Parent corporation and manufacturing division) name as a deflection from mentioning Quixtar.
Also, the importance of Quixtar Corporation must be presented factually and not diminished. I see a falling away of the old line, "Quixtar is JUST our supplier". I hated that.
Basically, meeting this new program's criteria is an enforcement of Rules of Conduct and Best Practices that has been in place for years.
If a Diamond were to follow the Rules set forth by Quixtar and Amway in the Business Compendium; accreditation would be a cinch.
