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.
"While Alticor made its announcement, Quixtar's final sales disclosure is not yet ready. I think we have the sales figures nailed down, but the IBO compensation piece is going through its final audits. Alticor does not announce that in their release. I'm pushing for these numbers so we can announce Quixtar sales asap. All I know is it's over a billion in sales for the fourth consecutive year (because that's what Alticor's release said!). Maybe we will announce this week still. Stay tuned!!"
I've been watching the corporate sites for Alticor over the last month waiting for a sales announcement for 2006. Quixtar had announced in October they would delay their sales announcement until the first of 2007.
Growth reported in 45 of 57 markets; renewed confidence in China
Alticor Inc. and its family of companies reported sales of $6.3 billion for the 2006 performance year, which ended December 31.
Sales declined slightly from $6.4 billion in 2005. Company officials attributed the dip to a period of regulatory uncertainty that chilled sales in China, the company's largest direct selling market. However, Amway (China) Co. Ltd. received its direct selling license December 1, 2006, leaving company officials optimistic that China sales will return to growth this year.
The company still exceeded its sales forecast for the year. Alticor Chairman Steve Van Andel said: "After six straight years of growth, we expected we might be down this year because of the China situation, and we planned for that. We are still very pleased with these results, because there was very strong growth in several of our mature markets as well as in our newest ones."
Said President Doug DeVos: "No one works harder than the people who sell our products around the world. We thank all of them for their efforts, which helped us beat targets in a challenging year."
He added: "Going forward, we have placed new emphasis on innovation throughout the company. We expect that will result in better products, new approaches, and increased appeal to consumers in our markets around the world."
Alticor operates primarily through Amway Corp., a global leader in direct selling; Quixtar Inc., a North American Web-based business opportunity; and Access Business Group LLC, a product development, manufacturing and logistics provider to Amway, Quixtar and other companies. Alticor employs more than 13,000 worldwide, and enables more than 3 million people to own their own businesses. Alticor is also the parent of Alticor Corporate Enterprises, a new company that manages Alticor's non-direct selling holdings such as Amway Hotels Corp., Gurwitch Products, and Fulton Innovation.
Amway Amway, a global leader in the $102 billion direct selling industry, saw 45 of 55 affiliate markets post sales increases this year. Noteworthy increases were registered in Europe, where sales rose 42 percent, led by new markets Russia and Ukraine.
More than 70 percent of the company's sales come from Asia. Strong performers in 2006 included the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Korea sales increased by 4 percent, while Japan sales declined.
Sales for Amway (China) Co. Ltd. (ACCL) declined 23 percent from 2005, but China continues to be Amway's largest individual market with more than 180,000 active sales representatives and more than 180 retail shops and service centers.
Said Van Andel: "We lowered our sales targets in China last year, knowing that our sales force would be distracted until our license was granted. The resolution of the China issue gives us great optimism, and we expect ACCL to continue to lead the direct selling marketplace in China."
Latin America had an overall solid performance, with especially strong sales this year in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Puerto Rico.
Said DeVos: "We set out a couple of years ago to concentrate our efforts on improving the performance of our existing markets, and we're now seeing the fruits of those efforts," said DeVos. "As a result, more customers throughout the world are discovering the great products and services we provide."
Quixtar In North America, Quixtar, established in 1999, introduced new products and reported its fourth straight year of sales surpassing the billion-dollar mark.
This year, Quixtar rolled out its first national advertising campaigns. The "Land of Will" television and "It's Been Another Good Day" print campaigns appeared last fall in the U.S. and Canadian media on numerous venues including NBC's Sunday Night Football. National print ads for Nutrilite brand nutritional supplements appeared in Newsweek in the U.S., and Macleans in Canada.
"Quixtar continues to adapt to the changing marketplace online," said Van Andel. "They have honed their skills at online marketing, streamlined the web site based on user feedback, and maintained impeccable standards for order accuracy and customer satisfaction."
The Quixtar business has also benefited from increased product visibility and third party endorsements. The unit's SA8 with Bioquest detergent was named by a leading consumer magazine, as tops for high-efficiency washers, for the first time. Asafa Powell, the world record holder in the 100 meters, signed with Nutrilite as a sponsor through the 2008 Olympic Games. And Quixtar again ranked as the number one online retailer in Health & Beauty sales by Internet Retailer, and 20th overall among e-commerce sites.
Access Business Group Access Business Group enjoyed an outstanding year in 2006. Access Business Group led Amway and Quixtar to several new product launches this year: expanding Atmosphere air treatment systems into seven additional markets, redeveloping the core Double X nutritional supplement, launching the Artistry Dramage 14 skin care system in China, and developed a children's DHA supplement called Brainiums, available in the United States and Korea.
Al Koop, chief operating officer for Access Business Group, said: "Since we became a company six years ago, we've invested heavily in our people, our processes and equipment. This is paying dividends, as we have more capacity to work with and expertise to offer our customers. The gains we've made prepare us to support some great new ideas in our core business."
This year, Access Business Group received two international awards from the Supply Chain Council: Operational Excellence and Global Award for Supply Chain Excellence. The first speaks to overall attainment of operational efficiency, and the second to organizational improvement.
Its third-party product development, manufacturing and logistics sales for the year totaled $138 million in revenues, an increase of more than 12 percent from 2005. These sales are in addition to products and services sold to sister companies Amway and Quixtar.
Alticor Corporate Enterprises This year, Alticor announced a new holding company for its non-direct selling companies, called Alticor Corporate Enterprises (ACE). The new company is parent to two new members of the Alticor family of companies as well as Amway Hotels Corp.
"We expect these companies and investments to bring a steady flow of consumer insights and innovations to Alticor," said ACE Chief Operating Officer Bill Payne. "ACE brings us closer to the marketplace and that will be a benefit to Amway and Quixtar as well."
In July 2006, Alticor announced the acquisition of Gurwitch Products, a luxury cosmetics and skin care company which develops and markets cosmetics under the brand name Laura Mercier®, from The Neiman Marcus Group. Gurwitch allows Alticor access to powerful marketing, research and development talent in the premium beauty industry. Alticor expects to invest in its Artistry brand of cosmetics and skin care products with the insights gained from this relationship.
In December 2006, Alticor also announced a new technology venture that enables power to join the intelligent wireless revolution. Fulton Innovation LLC has been created to license and market exciting new technologies such as eCoupled™, which enables electronic devices like cell phones to be charged wirelessly.
In August 2006, Alticor also increased its majority stake in Interleukin Genetics, which develops innovative nutrition and health products including the Quixtar-marketed Gensona line of consumer genetic tests and accompanying nutritional supplements.
The construction of the 340-room JW Marriott Grand Rapids hotel in downtown Grand Rapids remains on schedule for its fall 2007 opening. Construction of the world-class hotel tower recently reached its final height of 24 floors, and the glass-encased structure is now fully enclosed. The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel has completed renovation of its 28th floor Cygnus restaurant and maintained top rankings for its accommodations and restaurants.
A year of increased visibility In addition to Quixtar's advertising and sponsorship activities, Alticor launched an advertising campaign in Michigan in response to political ads criticizing the company by opponents of former Alticor president and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos. The "I Am Amway" ads featured employees talking about the company and were well received in the marketplace.
Pro basketball fans around the world who follow the NBA's Orlando Magic are now greeted by the Amway name. The Florida team's home arena in December was renamed Amway Arena following Alticor's purchase of naming rights. The team is owned by Amway co- founder Rich DeVos.
Corporate citizenship Alticor's "One by One Campaign for Children" is now in its fourth year of operation, and continues to develop programs and services that improve the lives of children worldwide. Since its inception, Amway, Quixtar and Alticor employees have volunteered more than 545,000 hours, and more than $37 million has been spent globally on a wide range of initiatives benefiting more than 5 million children.
About Alticor Alticor (www.alticor.com) is the parent company of Amway Corp., Quixtar Inc., Access Business Group LLC, and Alticor Corporate Enterprises. Headquartered in Ada, Michigan, USA, Alticor and its affiliates offer products, business opportunities, and product development, manufacturing and logistics services in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. In its most recent performance year, the company reported worldwide sales of $6.3 billion. For further information, please contact Alticor's media information line at 616.787.7565 or e-mail Alticor's media relations staff at mediainfo@alticor.com.
I just saw an interesting blurb on the Quixtar website. The story may not be viewable for casual visitors of the site and may require logging in as a customer or Independent Business Owner, so I'll repeat it here.
Quixtar donation to help very special family on ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
Tune in on February 11, 2007, at 7 p.m. ET.
Big news regarding a couple of your favorite Quixtar products: the Atmosphere® Air Purifier and the eSpring® Water Purifier! Both were donated for the February 11, 2007, edition of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is more than just a paint job. The show's designers and producers take careful consideration when deciding what products will best contribute to making each home a nicer place to live. That's why Quixtar is so proud to be part of this very special show and to help this deserving family.
We can't disclose details about the family before the episode, and our specific products will not be mentioned,(emphasis: mine) but it is an honor that this hit show, watched by 44 million viewers, chose our products to enhance this home's environment.
Watch the two-hour special on Sunday, February 11, 7-9 p.m. ET.
We watch the show regularly here at the Robison household; (actually, my wife hides the remote from us during the show) so I reckon we will be tuned in.
That Ty Pennington is a hottie! (yeah, my wife said I had to write that)
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
--Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"
Today is my wife's birthday. It's a particularly happy birthday and one that we are really glad she's having.
The gang at our office surprised her with a cake and presents today.
One gift was a small blue furry monster that sang a birthday song and "skatted". (Think Mel Torme', not something disgusting)
BUT, it also sang "Mahnamahna."
Now, if you have no idea what this song is, then you probably never watched an episode of "The Muppet Show". But, the tune and the--shall we say--lyrics to the song are funny and infectious. My wife continually hit the play button on the little critter all day, and anybody in earshot wound up either laughing or singing along.
So, for your Friday Night Diversion, and just to "stick" the tune into your head for the rest of the weekend; Here's The Muppets Do "Mahnamahna"
Back when Quixtar introduced their Personal IBO websites I was quick to sign up and put my own personal shopping site out on the web.
I want to thank all of the customers that have visited the site and trusted me enough to place an order.
Sure, everyone trusts Amazon and Netflix, and of course Quixtar is a trusted website for folks that have been introduced personally to the site from a Quixtar IBO. But, it makes me feel good that people that merely know me from my blog and what I write about would feel comfortable clicking on my Quixtar Personal website and deciding to order something from me.
I have two of the Personal IBO websites. One features the Incentive Gift Albums along with a selection of Home Care products and Vitamins and Supplements.
The other is targeted towards Health and Fitness with a small selection from Home Care and Skin and Oral Care.
The sites are pretty cool for IBOs, in that there's no reason to ask the IBO for his IBO referral number, as it is embedded in the site already. And of course, once the new customer registers (IT'S FREE) at my site and acquires their own Quixtar customer number; they can then have access to the ENTIRE shopping experience at Quixtar.com
And unlike Amazon or Netflix, MY customers can email or call ME with questions or concerns. Quixtar notifies me each time a customer signs up, or places an order. I can then welcome my customers, and let them know that a real person is behind the site and he appreciates them.
No, these sites are not unique to network marketing; nor are they revolutionary in the way they work. What surprises me, is that for now, my sites are quite effective for acquiring traffic and sales conversions with very little promotion. And, I'm meeting and talking to GREAT customers.
And did I mention that the sites are FREE for any Quixtar Independent Business Owner to build and operate?
Free AND you can make a profit while providing good service for your customers. You gotta love it.
Some people specifically blog about just their personal life. Other "professional" bloggers could write five years' worth of blog posts and not once reveal a single thing that relates to their private life.
I think I strike a fairly good balance between informative articles and commentary sprinkled with a dab here and there of who I am personally. Occasionally, I have been real specific about certain personal events.
You might have noticed over the last several weeks that I might have been remiss in returning email, phone calls, detailed blog entries, or comments left on others' blogs.
To tell the truth, there have been nights since before Christmas, that I have logged on to the Internets and stared blankly at the computer screen or at the most read some email and cleaned out some SPAM.
The reason is that a family member of mine has been facing some serious medical issues that were filling the family with dread, and some confusion as to what the diagnosis might be. There was concern that the diagnosis could be life-threatening or at the very least, life-altering.
We can now breathe a small sigh of relief that "life-threatening" is not a factor and "life-altering" will be achievable.
There's a definite road to recovery, but many prayers were answered and some normalcy is returning with treatment.
That's all the details I'll divulge, but rest assured; things are better.
I only stared at the screen a few seconds before I wrote this. That's progress already.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
My name is Leyla and I work in Public Relations at Quixtar doing things like writing news releases, emailing editors and (this is my favorite part of my job) coordinating our corporate philanthropy program. I am the One by One Campaign for Children person at Quixtar.
I'm a Turkish, German, Irish, middle-aged (I can hardly believe it myself!), curious, Democrat, Spartan (Go Green!), kind, opinionated, curious, silly, giving, American woman...
...My dad is big on Turkish sayings. He once said, "When I say cucumber, you run like salt!"
OK, I didn't know what that meant either, but apparently, he was commenting on my habit of volunteering for the latest, greatest cause. I used to say that I have this spring mechanism in my arm that would automatically trigger upon hearing the phrase "...we really need some help...” especially when it comes to kids. I LOVE kids, and old people, and animals, and...the list goes on and on. How fortunate for me that I ended up in a job that allows me to focus on helping kids. :) Yea!
Hey all you, People Of The Year; you are upsetting some mainstream journalists.
Internet users are getting pretty used to reading an article and then speaking their mind about said article. They leave comments; or are inspired to write a blog entry about the article adding their commentary and opinions.
They are quick to spot an email address, or "Contact" link and quickly send in their two cents worth.
And after leaving a comment at a blog, or an article, or dashing off an email; they may log back onto the same page a dozen times or more waiting for a response; a reply; or a rebuttal. Blog owners may check their blog visit stats on the hour; laughing with glee as the counter clicks up and up and up.
Well, listen up all you Internet users who think the Mainstream media is also at your beck and call; Joel Stein DOESN'T CARE!
"Here's what my Internet-fearing editors have failed to understand: I don't want to talk to you; I want to talk at you. A column is not my attempt to engage in a conversation with you. I have more than enough people to converse with. And I don't listen to them either. That sound on the phone, Mom, is me typing....
"...Not everything should be interactive. A piece of work that stands on its own, without explanation or defense, takes on its own power. If Martin Luther put his 95 Theses on the wall and then all the townsfolk sent him their comments, and he had to write back to all of them and clarify what he meant, some of the theses would have gotten all watered down and there never would have been a Diet of Worms. And then, for the rest of history, elementary school students learning about the Reformation would have nothing to make fun of. You can see how dangerous this all is.
I get that you have opinions you want to share. That's great. You're the Person of the Year. I just don't have any interest in them. First of all, I did a tiny bit of research for my column, so I'm already familiar with your brilliant argument. Second, I've already written my column, so I can't even steal your ideas and get paid for them."
In Joel's defense, he tries to explain:
"A lot of e-mail screeds argue that, in return for the privilege of broadcasting my opinion, I have the responsibility to listen to you. I don't. No more than you have a responsibility to read me. I'm not an elected servant. I'm an arrogant, solipsistic, attention-needy freak who pretends to have an opinion about everything. I don't have time to listen to you. I barely have time to listen to me.
Part of the problem is that no etiquette has yet been established for the hyper-interactive world. And I, born before MySpace and e-mail, don't feel comfortable getting a letter and not answering it. And then, if I do, suddenly, we're pen pals, with all those pen pal responsibilities.
And I don't want a pen pal who already has strong opinions about me. What fun is that? I want a pen pal named Simone who lives in Grenoble and is trying to learn English while I learn French, and teases me with vague promises to come visit over summer break even though she never does."
And while Joel doesn't want to hear from you, his bosses certainly do, and so Joel has suggested (and his bosses have complied) your very own section of the LA Times website to spout off about what you think of Joel.
And don't think that all the comments have been brutal towards Joel for his opinion.
He has a few fans:
"As a journalist I agree with Joel, our job is not to appreciate or reiterate the opinions of the undereducated American populous who thinks because they watch their local FOX affiliate as they put on their Carhart shirt and Timberland boots every morning they are an expert. Our job is to tell you the story from our point of view, and your job is to know we are smarter than you, and we are right.
Kudos for speaking your mind.
Posted by: Ryan Fishman | January 02, 2007 at 12:43 PM"
OUCH! You can feel free to email Mr. Fishman your comments, as well.
But, don't rush off just yet to leave Joel a comment that he is not going to read. The ever-lovely PR Strumpette(of whom I learned of Joel's rant) has even more to say directed at the blogging community that may have spawned this hyper-interactivity.
Strumpette feels that the cyber-relationships we are building with readers and clients may be at a breaking point.
"Now apply that to the virtual world. On the frenetic Web, the make-believe land of porn, podcasters, petty thieves and pedophiles, where "friendship is a stranger who thanks you for the MySpace add," "relationships" seem to be at a breaking point.
The evangelists of this whole social-networking fad forgot one essential thing: people, i.e the dirty masses... the uncouth-drunken-my-Name-is Earl-trailerpark-meth-crazed-idiots struggling with the decision of whether to pee or puke.
Stein's solution is actually quite polite in its directness. His conclusions are fundamental. Simply, Joel has relationships; he doesn't have the extra time; and incorporating sporadic uninvited external input compromises his creative product.
Simple enough. Joel's right on the money.
See...whether we want to admit it or not, all relationships are about cost/benefit. It's becoming more apparent that this blogging thing just isn't worth it. And the long tail grows more weary of all the bullshit with every day. The lying, the pretense, leaving the seat up, the constant flatulence, blogging just isn't working out."
I don't think it's time to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Joel Stein has put a limitation on the "relationship" he wants with his readers. We all do that everyday with no pretense. We have "working relationships", close personal friendships, acquaintances, and lovers and family.
You can write a content-driven blog aim AT your readers like Mr. Stein's columns and you can have a close personal friendship blog open to all your readers' comments and your exchanges with them like Wil Wheaton.
Or you can have a "hack" blog filled with advertising and pitches that does little more than collect key words that attract search engines.
The choice is yours, and the relationships you build are yours to direct.
I know he lives somewhere in the land of Terrance and Phillip, although I think his mouth may move normally.
He is definitely not a fan of Quixtar; but he loves to debate Quixtar IBOs on the merits or demerits of their individual businesses. I'd venture to guess that his main complaint is not the Quixtar IBOs, themselves; but the rote of memorized arguments they make.
He describes his writing as "Rants", and they often can be.
I've read exchanges between him and other IBOs and he can bring a Quixtar IBO to textual tears of frustration.
Rocket has featured "On The Road With Dave" in his links section since the inception of his blog. I've spoken with "Rocket" via email on numerous occasions and I consider him a friend.
Yep, we disagree on whether you should join Quixtar or not. But, that's about it.
"I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second."
or Netflix, MY customers can email or call ME with questions or concerns. Quixtar notifies me each time a customer signs up, or places an order. I can then welcome my customers, and let them know that a real person is behind the site and he appreciates them.