Slackers

Are you a slacker?

Building Your Business During the Holidays

Throughout my 15 years in network marketing, it always amazed me that my slowest time of business was from Thanksgiving to New Years. Now, I fully understand that here in the U.S. we go on a mental Christmas break during that time, but what never made sense is why people didn’t use the natural networking opportunities to build their businesses. I always had great success during this time of year and I hope you will use these ideas to do the same.

First, there are all the Christmas/holiday parties. Instead of hanging around in the corner or by the food table, why not engage with people and find out how things are going in their lives. Find out what they do for a living and how things are going at their job or in their business. Look for pain areas – working too many hours, not making enough money, being taken advantage of, dead end job, business not doing well, etc. It’s very possible your network marketing business just might be the solution for these pain areas. You can also find out about their family – kids, how many, their activities, etc. Again, look for pain areas. This is also a great time to make comments about all the money spent during the holidays and see how they respond, looking for pain areas. Ask if they are going anywhere for the holidays or do they have any great vacations upcoming. All of these discussion areas will help you to build rapport and then present your business as a solution to the pain areas.

Second, are the shopping trips and all the sales clerks. When you find someone who is really doing a great job, compliment them and then say something like, “As good a worker as you are, you must get paid a lot of money to work here.” After the get up off the floor, you can say something like “I’m always on the look out for people who have a good work ethic. I’m a recruiter for a national/multi-national company that is expanding into the area. People just like you are earning a lot of money and enjoying time freedom. I’d really enjoy talking with you further, if you are interested?” If they respond with yes or what’s it all about, say “This obviously isn’t the right time to have a discussion like this, so if you would write your name and phone number, I’ll give you a call.” Here are two of my businesses cards. Please keep one and write your name and phone number on the other. Thanks.”

Third, are those holiday letters and Christmas cards sent out to family and friends. Why not include a promotional piece or information about your business. You never know who might be interested in your products/services or business or both. How can people do business with you if they don’t know you’re in business? Get the word out and watch your business grow.

This is a great season to build your business. If you use these ideas and pass these on to your downline, your business won’t decrease like so many others, your business will prosper.

How to Delegate Successfully

Every entrepreneur knows the power of duplication and leverage available though effective delegation. But few business owners understand how to make the process truly successful. Control freaks need to remember some basic facts about delegation.

The person to whom you are delegating any task or project should see it as an honor, a privilege, a step up, an award and a promotion, instead of a task that the boss is simply too lazy or too inept to take care of himself. The way a task is delegated should inspire and encourage the person to whom the project is being delegated. What is in it for them? How will they benefit from being delegated this work? What will they learn? How does this fit into their career path and personal goals? Why should they be excited at the prospect? These questions should be asked and answered before you even think of delegating anything.

Delegation is not a way out of responsibility. When you delegate a task or a process, you are still ultimately responsible for the outcome. It is not a way to escape accountability or find a scapegoat. With responsibility, comes authority. Give them leeway and authority. Theodore Roosevelt said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” The person to whom the campaign is delegated should be carefully instructed, in writing, exactly why they are being delegated the work, what’s in it for them, what the parameters are of their authority, what the reporting system is, and what support I available to them, along with the timeframe and resources available. Communication and access on an ongoing basis is essential.

Give credit where credit is due. Andrew Carnegie said, “No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.” Be generous in your praise. Focus on what they’re doing right, not their mistakes. Allow them the freedom to fail and make mistakes. Motivate them, encourage them and be there for them. Help them. Don’t be too rigid – flexibility and patience encourages creativity and innovation. General Patton said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” Create champions. Use positive reinforcement. Praise and thank them in public.

The best leaders take the time to get to know the people to whom they delegate. They don’t try to force round pegs into square holes. They allow people to use their strengths. Never try to create a strength – rather use a strength. The right character type/personality style in the right place is a money machine. Compliment one person’s weakness with the strength of another. Be strategic in your delegation. And always be kind. But be clear and firm on the goals, the consequences and the rewards, Lead by example and remember that respect has to be earned.

Blaine Lee said, “The great leaders are like the best conductors – they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players.” Allow your people to be the best they can be. Help them grow and prosper. Zig Ziglar said, “You can get anything you want out of life if you’re prepared to help enough others to get what they want.” Bear that in mind when you next decide to delegate anything. The buck stops with you and you should never take the credit. By all means, inspect what you expect and keep your finger on the pulse, but don’t clip the wings of your eaglets. Finally, be strong enough to revoke a task when the person to whom you have delegated it consistently fails or shows lack of enthusiasm or ability. Business is about profit. In our politically correct, collectivist society, I believe a lot more people should be fired and everyone should work on a commission basis, starting with union workers, bureaucrats, and politicians. Reward people in direct proportion to their contribution and you will lose the losers and create a powerful, unstoppable team of winners.

Shift into A.C.T.I.O.N.

Those who have built large networks don't just sit around waiting for it to happen. They also don't make up excuses for why it's not working - not enough time, no one is interested, don't know enough people, not a salesperson, not the right kind of person, etc. No, the leaders leave the excuses behind and shift into A.C.T.I.O.N.

A = ATTITUDE
Achievers all seem to have a common "can do" attitude. There is no question in their mind that this is going to work. It's just a matter of time and effort. They are positive and upbeat.
It's often difficult to tell whether they are having a good or bad day, because their attitude is always the same. What's your attitude like? This is the first step to shifting into action. Adjust your attitude and then move on.

C = Clarity
Achievers start with the end clearly in their mind. They have a clear vision of what their life is going to look like after all is said and done. They see their life in minute detail, with all the emotions included. When life is not going well for them, they just pull up their vision and revel in it until any negative feelings are gone. Do you have a clear vision of what your life is going to be like after you build a large and lucrative network? If not, then create your own vision.
It's like making a movie in your mind. You're the producer, director, editor, and the star of the show. You and only you decide what goes into your movie, so make it really good!

T = TIME
Once an achiever has a clear vision, they begin to use their time efficiently. Based on the vision, they set goals, objectives (steps to the goals), and daily activities. Then they figure out how to work these daily activities into their busy schedules by commiting a certain amount of time each week. They know how to prioritize effectively. They are working on A priorities (prospecting, presentations, sponsoring, training, supporting) most of the time. They typically can accomplish twice as much in the same amount of time as the average person who is not a good time planner. How are you using your time? Have you commited a minimum amount of time to your business each week?
Are you working on A priorities most of the time? If not, you better become a better time planner.

I = INITIATIVE
Achievers don't sit around wondering what to do or making excuses for why things can't be done that day. They have a vision and a plan of action, so each day they know exactly what they are going to do and they do it. You won't find achievers sleeping in.
They are typically up early reading and planning. They are constantly learning, so they can become better networkers. They attend seminars and all company functions. They get involved in Toastmasters, so they can become a better communicator. Are you up early each day, giving yourself extra hours to work your business or become a better networker? Do you know what you are going to do every day and get right to it, so you can gain the greatest benefit? If you want to be successful in network marketing or any type of business, you need to have a strong initiative.


O = ORGANIZE
Achievers are organized. They have systems for keeping track of information, prospects, and distributors. They don't have to spend hours looking for something important, thus they can use that time to build their business. Do you have systems in place to keep track of important company memos, testimonials, training information, prospects, distributors, etc? If not, talk with an upline leader and have them help you develop those systems.

N = NAVIGATE
The waters tend to get rough at times. Achievers have their sights on a goal. Because they never take their eyes away, they can navigate through the rough waters. Because they have a great attitude and a clear vision, even the huge waves of diversity will not disuade them from their path. Because of their constant dedication to their trade, they know how to build an effective business. Are you properly prepared to navigate through the rough waters? If not, you better get prepared because they are just around the bend.

Many people say they want the time freedom and financial security that network marketing, but most aren't willing to do what is necessary to make those dreams come true.
Want to be an achiever?

Shift into A.C.T.I.O.N.

Network Marketing, MLM and Home Businesses

What is Networking Marketing or MLM?

The topic of network marketing has always been controversial.
While there is nothing specifically wrong with it, and many people have been operating very successful and legitimate networking marketing businesses for a long time, some people feel that the entire system is bogus or fraudulent.

This isn't the case, however it's important to get an understanding of what networking marketing really is, how you can avoid scams and where the future of this business realm is going as the world becomes ever more reliant on the Internet to conduct business.

Networking Marketing, also known as multilevel marketing, is a business system in which a person can make profit not just by selling to individual consumers, but also by creating a personal sales force operating under you. You thereby create commissions for yourself on the sales of the people you have recruited, and of the sales you directly make.

When you think about it then, it's really not very different from most standard selling businesses. If your new to the team, you have a manager who likely has at least one other boss. You're working on commission and might have a quota, and the manager above you probably has a quota and bonus structure for the entire team.

His boss then has goals and receives the profits of all of the separately managed teams in his business.With networking marketing, you are essentially creating your own self-run business following this model. The system is very appealing for so many people because it can be easy to get involved with, and the opportunities for profit are limitless if you know how to succeed.

Avoiding Scams

However, because networking marketing is so easy to become involved with, it can also be heavily influenced by scam artists and bogus schemes. Therefore it's important to take a good look at any opportunity you come across to evaluate whether or not it's legitimate.

An upfront fee doesn't make something a scam, especially if you compare the opportunity to that of a more traditional store franchise, which is actually a very just comparison. However, it's important not to be lured by unachievable promises or situations that seem too good or too easy to be true.

On your end, you also have to make sure that you're prepared to really put forth the effort required to operate a successful business. If you want to earn a great living you have to put the appropriate amount of work into it. You can't expect it to just be handed to you. So by preparing yourself to work hard and by investigating into different opportunities, you'll be able to avoid any scams that exist.

Networking Marketing in the Online World

As the Internet has spread in prevalence and importance, networking marketing is shifting to playing a prominent role in the online marketplace. It was at first believe that MLM wouldn't really make sense on the Internet, however that's not really the case at all. The same system lends itself very well to the world of online business.

The key is in successfully driving people to your website, which is both your selling and recruiting point.As companies are responding to the changing world by making themselves leaner and more flexible, more individuals are doing the same and are setting up their own home based businesses.

A huge percentage of people are already working from home with their own online businesses and the numbers for the future are staggering. Therefore the time is now to get started with your own home based endeavor.You'll need to get yourself familiar not just with the world of networking marketing, but also in the world of online marketing in general, mainly SEO, or search engine optimization.

If you know how to utilize SEO you'll be able to gain a prominent ranking in the search engines. The result is that you'll have a steady stream of traffic leading to your website that you can convert with tried and true networking marketing selling strategies.

Other Home Based Business Opportunities

Of course, while network marketing is expanding rapidly in the world of online business and home based business, it's not the only path that's available to you. Even without having your own inventory or service you can create a lucrative business for yourself from home.

You can participate in affiliate marketing, driving your website traffic to other sites where they can make a purchase and you receive a commission.Or you can sell your own product or service over the Internet, taking advantage of a huge worldwide marketplace filled with hundreds of millions of potential prospects and customers.

Once again, the world of search engine optimization will play a huge role in determining your overall success. The right mix of both onsite SEO tactics such as keyword selection and inclusion and offsite SEO tactics such as link building can build your site into a true money making force.

With the Internet continuing to grow around the world and technology continuing to improve, the opportunities to work from home are only going to continue to increase.

If you want to get a head start, the time to look into your own home based opportunity is now.You'll see that the world of network marketing transfers quite well to the Internet, and there are plenty of legitimate opportunities in this field.

Still, it's not your only option when choosing to operate a home based online business. If you're ready to put the work in to research the right opportunity and maximize your profits utilizing SEO, you'll see that there is no ceiling to your earnings potential.

Manuel JR. Aganza is a traditional business entrepreneur who has owned and operated

an auto detailing service for over 6 years.

He decided that menial labor was not for him.

It was at this point that his entrepreneurial journey began.

With nothing more than a dream and stubbornness to succeeded he took it upon himself to figure out how to run a home-based business, and after many tough years of trail and error his dream soon become a reality.
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/manuelaganza
Due to the time freedom that this sort of business provides, Manuel Aganza now has time to focus on what's important to him:
("Athletics coaching service for at risk youth")

If you'd like to learn more about how you can start your own network marketing, MLM, or home based business on the internet feel free to fill out this form here: http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/manuelaganza and get going today!

Areas of Strength & Interest
Relationship building and social skills
Business and financial knowledge
Internet web building strategies
Inspiration and motivational tips
Internet network marketing and MLM

Motivating Your Downline

Do you have people in your downline who have the potential, but they aren't doing anything?
Unless you have no one in your downline, the answer is YES! This has been a long time struggle in network marketing. All of us face this problem on a daily basis. So, how do we motivate these people?

First, you can't motivate anyone through words alone. You can get them excited, but only they can motivate themselves. They must have a good reason or purpose for their business, then be willing to go out an do whatever is necessary to accomplish that purpose.
Second, people are not all motivated in the same way. Some get very excited about the big money potential in network marketing. Others like the idea of earning an extra couple hundred dollars a month. Many are looking for more time freedom and less stress. It is important to find out what your distributors want, so you can provide them with the most appropriate stimulation.

Here are some ideas for motivating your downline:
1. Within 48 hours of the time the sign up, help them develop a solid purpose, set of goals based on that purpose, and a schedule of activities for the first 30 days. This will give them direction and kick them into action immediately.

2. Provide a proven marketing system that anyone can do. One that has worked well for me is to help your new distributors make up a list of 30 people. Mail or e-mail an information packet to the first 10 and then do 3-way follow-up calls. This gives your new distributors the opportunity to learn by listening to an upline leader and also the chance that some of these people might be interested in either the products/services or business.

3. Keep them active by providing marketing programs such as e-mail marketing, advertising, post card mailings, telemarketing, conference calls, webinars, lead programs, etc. On-going marketing keeps them actively prospecting and then provides a program they can pass on to their new distributors to keep them active.

4. Prepare them for battle - let them know that there will be tough times and mean people. Family members and friends will be rude to them at times, because they don't understand the business. Prepare them for the down times. Building a network marketing business (like any other business) is like a roller coaster - there will be highs and lows. Let them know that when they are excited and up, they should call their downline and spread that enthusiasm. When they are depressed and down,they should call their upline for empathy.

5. Recognition is one of the best motivators.
Constantly recognize your distributors for what they are doing. If they make their first contact, let them know what an AWESOME job they are doing. When they make their first retail sale or recruit their first person, announce it to the world. As they achieve higher levels, give them the recognition they deserve.

6. Stay in touch with them regularly. In the beginning, when you only have a couple distributors, this is easy. As your network grows, it becomes more difficult. Contact your new distributors daily for the first 30 days (whenever possible). Others, you should contact at least once a month.
Some great ways to leverage your time are the use of e-mail and voice mail broadcast. Each allows you to reach groups of distributors with exciting new information, without a tremendous time or financial investment.

The key to motivating your downline is to show them you care about them. Stay focused on their purpose and goals. Work with them regularly to achieve those goals and you will achieve yours too!