You are here: Home / Business Lessons

The Truth About New Year’s Resolutions

January 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

Happy New Year!

Now, I realize I’m a day late than the rest of the world to wish everyone a Happy New Year…better late than never, right?

While I was out of town with family,  I had the good fortune to “relax” and read a lot while my kids were entertained by their aunts and cousins they don’t get to see very often.  I read a lot of good blog posts and really enjoyed seeing everyone’s goodbye’s to 2011 and hello’s to 2012.

But I also had a chance to get some perspective on everyone’s new year’s resolutions.  In no way am I judging people – I actually admire them putting their resolutions out into the world.  It helps give us accountability, you know.

However, when I saw Scott Stratten’s video, How to Set Business Resolutions, I really got a new zest for resolutions and how to set them. After watching the video (posted below), I really stopped to understand why my new year’s resolutions had failed so often.   It’s not that I didn’t try, but I got frustrated when the “result” wasn’t right on target.  The mistake I think I made was focusing on the actual result, rather than the actions to get the results.

If we set our new year’s resolutions to change our actions, and the actions create results, then we can really be proud of ourselves because we have changed a fundamental habit to make lasting change.  For example, one of my new year’s resolutions is always to lose weight – specifically 50 pounds.  Still hasn’t happened.

The reason it hasn’t happened is all me – I start off really well and then when I don’t lose the 4.2 pounds I need to lose in the first month I get frustrated, think I’m never going to reach my goal and quit.  Bad..I know.

However, if I made my new year’s resolution to exercise 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes in the first 3 months, then that’s a goal I can track, measure and stick to.  And best of all, I can reward myself for that goal!  Then, when the first three months are over, I can reassess that goal and say 4 times a week for 3o minutes for the next three months and so on.  The funny thing is, while I’m focusing on the exercising goal guess what happens?  The weight will more than likely come off.

By focusing on the action of getting to my ultimate goal, I can change life long habits, rather than just go for an arbitrary goal that I have no idea how to attain.

See what I mean?

I think this really goes along with setting manageable goals too.  There’s nothing wrong with setting huge goals for ourselves as long as we set little goals to help us get there.  Don’t you think?

So, what’s your new year’s goals for 2012?

Here’s Scott Stratten’s video in case you haven’t seen it:

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: , ,

Do You Reek of Desperation?

March 31, 2011 By 8 Comments

Have you heard the phrase, “Bees and dogs can smell fear?”

Well the same is true for people, we can smell desperation.

Being in the direct sales industry has taught me a lot over the last few years.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve learned more about how to build my business the right way in the last year, than I had in the last 15 years with various companies.  This is in no small part due to the information on the internet.  I thank coaches like Lynsey Jones, The Party Plan Coach, Lisa Robbin Young at Direct Sales Classroom and others for sharing their knowledge and to pick up where my uplines left off.

I don’t want to sound like a snob or anything but it used to drive me nuts that I didn’t have the “success” like I imagined I would have with my other direct sales companies.  I did almost EVERYTHING they told me to do in the training documents.  I followed the scripts to a “T”, I consumed every marketing idea and tried it, I talked to people about the business opportunity…

And nothing.

Well not “nothing” exactly, but far less than what I expected.

It wasn’t until the last year that the light came on and I realize that the direct sales business is really about relationships and not about promoting my product and opportunity.

I also belong to the largest referral organization in the world and I have learned the right way to network and life has gotten so much easier.  But, it has also taught me how to spot the “wrong” way to do things.

I can spot a desperate person a mile away.  They’ve got that crazed look in their eyes like, “I have to pass out all my business cards so I can get some business.”  They introduce themselves and all they start talking about is themselves and their business.  They tell you what they sell and ask for the sale before you’ve had a chance to look at their name tag.

When I meet someone in another direct sales business, I know their opportunity before they even know my name.

Eek…

I’m sure I sounded like them too because I was focused on me and growing my business, rather than building relationships.  And that is the key.

The other problem is that when people sense you are desperate, it turns them off to you, your product and your opportunity like a light switch.   You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.  When I see a desperate person at an event, I run the other way  – so does everybody else.

Right now I’m at a crossroads because an acquaintance of mine in another direct sales company who stinks to high heaven of desperation.  I don’t know what has transpired over the last few months that has made her so aggressive about her business, but it’s really bad.  Friends that I have introduced her too have told me they don’t like her because she’s too pushy.  Now I don’t want to introduce anyone else to her for fear of the same feedback, yet I want to help her build her business.

I’ve tried to talk to her to see what’s going on, but she has these walls built up and she hasn’t shared anything personal, she just wants to talk about business.  I want to help her and tell her how she’s coming across, but she won’t give me a chance.

Her main goal is recruiting to get people under her to make more money.  People see that and run the other way because they know she doesn’t have their best interests at heart.  Plus, the people who do sign up with her are likely to have the same aggressive personality because you attract the type of person you are.

It’s a vicious cycle!

The only way to stop the cycle is is to change the mindset about the business and opportunity.  If you work on building relationships and helping people rather than trying to see what you can get out of everyone you meet, you will be much more successful in your business.  Plus, you’ll meet some really wonderful people, build great relationships and you’ll actually get to enjoy your business.

Trust me, it works :)

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: , ,

FREE Newsletter Tips for Direct Sales Consultants

September 17, 2010 By 1 Comment

If you are in any kind of direct sales, you need to sign up for the free newsletter from Party Plan Divas.  The newsletter and daily tips is filled with practical and low cost options to grow your business.

Plus, you’ll also get first notice of contests and product reviews.  There are so many great things available to help you grow your business that you will get a ton of ideas in just one week.

The newsletter is completely free.  All you need to do is fill out the form to start receiving your newsletter.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:  There is a contest going on right now for the person who refers the most people to sign up for the newsletter.  So when you fill out the request form, and it asks, who referred you to Party Plan Divas, please put my name:  Ivette Muller.  Once you sign up for the newsletter, then you’ll be eligible for the contest too!

Enjoy the free tips!  Make sure you come back to post your favorite tip and how you implemented it!

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With:

Vultures Go Away! An Open Letter of Apology to eFusjon Reps and Customers

September 2, 2010 By 11 Comments

Before today, I had never heard of the MLM company eFusjon.

But I saw this post from Ty Tribble, and found out that the company had basically just stopped their direct sales and MLM business yesterday, 9/1/10.  Unfortunately this kind of thing happens in the direct sales and network marketing industry.

While I am very sorry for the distributors and customers of eFusjon, I am more upset by the vultures that have already set sights on their prey.

Within  minutes of seeing that post from Ty Tribble, I saw tweets from people  inviting distributors to join their company because their was the “best”, with the best compensation plan in the business, great customers, blah – blah – blah.

Gimme a break!

These poor people haven’t even had time to digest what has happened and you’re already trying to get them to join your company.  They need at least a couple of days to get situated:  there are customers to call, presentations to cancel, blogs to update, etc.  And, hopefully, these “vultures” weren’t the ones breaking the news since the company just sent out an email to their distributors.

So, here’s my rant (in case you didn’t know it was coming):

  • Instead of trying to sign up a newly “unemployed” distributor or gain a new customer with your products, you should be trying to find out what those people need FIRST.  If you didn’t have a relationship with them before this happened, you need to take time to get to know them, their goals, their needs and wants. Sending them invitations to your opportunity call and next demonstration “out of the blue” only speaks badly of the industry and your ethics. It’s really just SPAM if you think about it.
  • Bad mouthing eFusjon doesn’t do anything for your credibility either.  While I am the first one to admit that falling for hype isn’t a good thing, I’m not going to kick someone when they’re down.  By telling someone all the reasons they should join your company or buy your company products because they’re superior only leaves a bad taste in their mouth.  This doesn’t speak well for you or the company you represent.
  • Building wealth in your direct sales and network marketing opportunity takes time.  Like with anything, you should always do your research.  If someone says it’s “easy money”, “ground floor opportunity”, “make money fast”, “get rich quick”, etc. stop and really think about the opportunity.  If it was that great, would they have to make such a hard sell?

Now, in full disclosure, I am in network marketing and direct sales.  Would I love to have an eFusjon distributor on my team – SURE! I am always looking to grow my team, but only…

IF IT’S THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM!

One of the best things about direct sales and network marketing is that ANYONE can be a success if they are willing to work hard and spend time developing their team.  At the end of the day, if you choose to sponsor people into the business, you have to really want to help them achieve their goals, no matter what they are.  Whether someone want’s to make a few extra dollars or replace their income, you have to support them in their journey.  We don’t make any money unless they make money.

One last thought before I get off the soapbox -

If you knew someone who had just lost a spouse or significant other, would you be rushing to introduce them to your “great single friend”?

Of course not!

In my opinion, this is the same thing.  Losing a business and income is a difficult thing. A true friend would be there to offer help and support, not try to make a quick buck. In the end, people want to do business with those they know, like and trust.  If you have built that relationship with someone before this all happened, then things will fall into place if they want a new business opportunity.

Otherwise, it’s just your job as a friend to support them on their next journey.

OK, rant over.  You can now go back to your regularly scheduled program :)

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: ,

Increase Website Traffic with an Interactive Email Signature

August 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Finding unique ways to increase traffic to your website is an ongoing task.  One of the ways to maximize your website exposure is to include an email signature on all of your outgoing emails.  And, you can actually increase website exposure with an interactive email signature.

Interactive email signatures allow you to draw attention to your website and increase click-through rates.  By creating a nicely designed and easy to use email signature box, you are helping the email recipient to find your information and click it for more information.  One of the nice perks of having an interactive email signature like the one below, is that the paid service actually tracks your click-through rates for each of your buttons.  This is a great help to identify which topics most people are interested in!

Since plain email signature lines have been a common practice over the last few years, their usefulness has decreased.  Even when you add a few asterisks (*) or dashes (–), it’s still “boring” and email recipients tend to ignore them.  You could really have a great offer, promotion or important information that simply isn’t being read.

Take a look at my interactive email signature for my greeting card business:

Ivette Muller Marketing Consultant 915-274-3232
Bus. Opportunity Send A Card e-Signature
Signature powered by: esigmarketing.com Get yours today!

What do you think?

* Did it call your attention?
* Did you read the information scrolling under my picture?
* Were you tempted to click one of the buttons for more information?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then that demonstrates the power of the interactive email signature line!

I have seen a 50% increase in people requested more information about my business from people who have seen my emails many times before. Which tells me it’s working. :)

While interactive email signatures are great for any business, I have seen them work really well for direct sales consultants (to drive traffic to their store and blog), real estate agents (to their house listings on their website) and insurance agents.

Even though this is a paid service, it is very affordable and effective.  The increase in my business more than pays for the monthly fee itself.  There are no contracts to sign, and you can cancel at any time.  There are many templates to choose from, or you can have eSig Marketing create a custom signature for you and your business (and an additional cost.)

I highly recommend this service if you are trying to drive traffic to your website.  Please feel free to check out the service and try them out.  I want to know what you think!

Note: I did not receive any compensation for writing this review.  I am a paying customer and have used the service for about 4 months.  However, the link to the website includes a referral code which is necessary to make a purchase.  If you sign up for the service, I will receive affiliate commission for it.  As a customer, you can then refer the service to your friends, family and colleagues with the same income earning potential.  See website for more details on their affiliate program.

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: ,

Scott Fox Radio Show: Virtual Assistants – Your Top 10 Questions about Hiring VAs to Grow Your Business

June 23, 2010 By 1 Comment

Part 1 of a 2 part Radio Show with Scott Fox.

For more information on Scott Fox and his wonderful Click Millionaires Social Network, visit www.ScottFox.com

Listen to internet radio with ScottFox.com on Blog Talk Radio
Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: , , ,

Business Lessons from my OB/GYN: Relationship Marketing at Work

November 16, 2009 By 9 Comments

Warning: This post does not contain any details not suitable for my children to read someday! :)

A few weeks ago, I had my yearly check up with my OB/GYN. I was actually somewhat looking forward to seeing her. Weird huh? Well it’s not when you realize how amazing she is.

My OB/GYN is an angel.

My husband and I met her almost two years ago when I was pregnant with our first daughter.  My previous OB/GYN was horrible, cold and had zero bedside manners. Needless to say, going to a new doctor was a little scary given our previous experience.

“Dr. Angel” (not her real name) came highly recommended by an acquaintance who also happened to be a midwife. She knew I was unhappy with my previous doctor and recommended I see Dr. Angel. I remember she said that Dr. Angel was very nice, young and really good with patients.

I made that appointment ASAP and she far exceeded our expectations. We knew immediately after that first consultation that she was the doctor for us. She was beyond compassionate about our previous experience, thoughtful about my “advanced age” and very optimistic that we had good chance for healthy babies in our future.

While pregnant with our first daughter, I was nervous and apprehensive for every appointment. I was just waiting for bad news. However, after every appointment, my husband and I were relieved and excited about the pregnancy. That was all thanks to Dr. Angel. She did everything she could to calm our fears. She asked me how I was feeling, what questions I had, how work was, was I being pampered…and the list went on. Even though we waited an average of 45 minutes to see her, she was well worth the wait. And, it became evident why we waited that long because she took her time with EVERY patient.

We never felt rushed. We were never embarrassed to ask any questions.  Each time we went to the doctor, she was just as pleasant.  One time, we had to wait almost 2 hours because she had an emergency delivery.  That’s understandable given her profession!  When she came into the room, she apologized for making us wait.  What?  SHE APOLOGIZED TO US!

Are you getting a sense of how amazing she is?

As my due date approached, we had more frequent appointments.  All were the same.  I once saw her at the craft store, and she stopped to have a quick conversation with me and we laughed about all the things she had to buy for her kids’ school project.

My last appointment before my daughter was born was funny in some ways.  Dr. Angel walked into the room, happy as she always does, and apprehensively asked, “How are you doing?”  I said, I am done.  I want to have this baby already.  She said she knew that the minute she walked in the room.  She said I had a different look on my face, and my new mom glow was fading.  We made plans to be induced the following Monday if nothing happened over the weekend.

Then, some magical words.

I don’t remember the exact words because I couldn’t believe them, but here’s an idea of what she said:  “I have attended over 80% of my patients’ deliveries.  I try hard to be there for every one of them.  Even though I am not on call this weekend, make sure the hospital calls me if you go into labor.  I am seeing a few patient’s on Saturday morning, but can get away for the delivery.”

On Saturday, April 5, 2008, our first daughter was born at 10:51 a.m. and Dr. Angel delivered her.

About 6 months later, I went back to see Dr. Angel, because I was pregnant again. :)

She was excited for us.  She said when she saw our names on the patient list for the day, she knew why.  And, she said she was looking forward to seeing us!  Each doctor appointment, we went  as a family, with our oldest daughter in tow.  She held her, kissed her, and doted on her for a few minutes at every appointment.  She gave us practical advice about what to expect with two little ones so close together in age.  She shared her experience with her kids who are 18 months or so apart.

On May 18, 2009, our second daughter was born, and again, Dr. Angel delivered her.

So, when it came time for my annual exam, I was looking forward to seeing her because it was like seeing a friend after a long time.  She connected with us.  We bonded.  She cared about us.  We cared about her.

Now, I share how amazing she is with everyone who will listen.  I recommend her to anyone and everyone who is pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant or needs to find a new doctor.  I even recommended her to my mom!

Dr. Angel is genuinely nice, compassionate and caring.  This is just her nature.  But, it’s a great example of relationship marketing at work.  It is her honesty and genuine demeanor that makes her a great person, a great doctor, and someone you want to be around.

So, the business lesson from my experience is this:

We should all strive to genuinely care about our clients, business partners and customers as if they were family.  Each one of them has needs, a family and things they are trying to accomplish.  By truly caring about other people and their needs, they will care about you.  You will be on the forefront of their  mind, and they will talk about how amazing you are whenever they have a chance.  That will naturally bring you more referrals.

But don’t screw it up!

You need to start this process of relationship building with every new person you meet.  Yes, it will help you be more successful, but it will also fulfill you in other ways that cannot be replaced.  There will be a tangible peace in your life and your business, just knowing that you are surrounded by people you care about, and who care about you.

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With:

Challenges with Working at Home

November 11, 2009 By 6 Comments

Being a work at home mom is a wonderful thing.  I get to be here for my girls every single day, watch them grow and develop.  However, there are challenges that cannot be ignored…

Your kids won’t sleep when you need them to. I work hard to schedule meetings, webinars and training while my kids take a nap or before they wake up in the morning.  They are usually like clock work except when I have something scheduled.  For example, this morning I scheduled a meeting at 6 a.m. my time (8 a.m. EST) with a prospective customer. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get going so I wouldn’t sound like I just woke up. And, wouldn’t you know it, my oldest daughter woke up crying at 6:20 a.m.  I couldn’t get her back to sleep so I had to reschedule the call.

One of the things I firmly believe in, is telling the truth to all prospective clients and customers.  Everyone I work with knows I have two babies and they come first.  Most are very understanding, and have no problem with rescheduling, or hearing them in the background.  Thankfully, my girls are good and don’t make too much noise.

While life is full of hiccups and challenges, you have a few extra to manage when you work from home.  However, you need to be flexible and calm with your work plans.  Remember, you work from home to take care of your kids so they should stay the priority!

Filed Under: Business Lessons Tagged With: ,

Business Lessons from McDonald’s

November 2, 2009 By 2 Comments

OK, I know McDonald’s is not a healthy place to eat.  But, every once in a while we indulge…

This last weekend, my hubby and I watched a special on McDonald’s operations and how hard they work at testing new products.  They have this intense process where they test and retest and taste products before even rolling it out as a trial to customers.  They also work  very hard with their multiple vendors to ensure the food tastes the same no matter where you get it from.  (We actually had breakfast at McDonald’s when we were in Hawaii and it did taste the same!)

The documentary also detailed how McDonald’s ensures that their food is easy to make so that a 20 year old cook can make it as good as the cook with 20 years experience.  This was fascinating but we both looked at each other and asked, “Why can’t they get the salt to fry ratio right?”

You know what we mean.  Sometimes, you go to McDonald’s and the fries are way too salty.  So salty you can’t even eat them.  Not to mention the old fries you know have been sitting their awhile.

So how is this a business lesson?  Well, its about meeting your customers’ expectations.

When you go to great lengths to get everything “right” in your business, why would you allow a “failure”?  For me, McDonald’s fries are a failure because they aren’t consistent.  You can have old, soggy, salty fries or fresh salty fries, sometimes they are just right, etc.

McDonald’s is a very successful business, and they are not going away.  People will still eat there despite the fries.  But, wouldn’t it be so much better to have a great experience every time you go to McDonald’s rather than a crap shoot?  You really don’t know what you’re going to get.

So why do you keep spending your money at McDonald’s? Is it OK that they don’t meet your expectations?  Do you lower your expectations for McDonald’s?

Why would you lower your expectations for anything you are spending your hard earned money on?

Filed Under: Business Lessons

Business Lessons From My 18 Month Old Daughter

October 28, 2009 By 8 Comments

OK technically, I am on vacation.

But when you own your own business, are you ever really on vacation?  No, of course not!  As business owners, we are constantly working our business, following up on leads, prospecting for new clients, catching up on business news, etc.

I got a very interesting and timely business lesson from my 18 month old daughter today.  Actually, she’s been trying to show me this lesson for a while, I just hadn’t been paying attention to the details.  Even though she can’t really speak yet, my daughter communicates very well. Using non-verbal communication skills, my daughter tells me when she’s hungry, tired, needs a diaper change, bored, not feeling well, etc.

One of my daughter’s favorite things to do is to stand at her toy box, and pull out every single toy.  She flings it about aimlessly, not watching where the toys go, and not really paying attention to what she’s throwing out.  Once all the toys are on the floor, she takes a mental inventory, and starts playing with one.  Then, another toy catches her attention and she goes and plays with that one.  If you have kids, you know how the rest of this story goes, she just keeps going from one toy to another.

The living room floor is a disaster.  There are toys everywhere. You have to be very careful where you step or else you might trip.  As a busy little 18 month old, my daughter does not pay attention where she steps, she just runs.  When she trips on something and falls, she gets very angry and has a little melt down.  But, she doesn’t pick up her toys so she won’t fall again, she just steps over that one and keeps going.

This scenario reminded me of some entrepreneurs I’ve observed lately.

I’ve been  a student of entrepreneurs for the last few months and I have a list of people I have been observing.  These entrepreneurs are from all different kinds of businesses so that I can get a wide range of techniques and methods.  But some seem to be running their businesses in kinda the same way my daughter plays with her toys.  In their quest to find the “next best thing” and make money, they are aimlessly moving from one project to the next.  It appears that they are trying anything and everything in their business without any real plan or direction.

What strikes me as odd is that they don’t take the time to finish a project, analyze it and come up with a plan to improve for the next time.  They keep making the same mistakes in each new program and it makes it difficult for me to follow their business.  It also makes it difficult to view them as an expert in their field.

To be honest, this is exhausting, frustrating, expensive and painful to watch.

I will admit, that not all my business adventures have been home runs -  I have made mistakes just like everyone else.  But I think one of the important things that anyone in any business can do is, figure out what went wrong and how not to make the same mistake twice.  Its not an easy task to identify your failures and sometimes it can be frustrating.  However, its a very necessary step to be more successful.

So how does my daughter’s toys fit into a business lesson?

Its simply a reminder to finish a project and put it away when its completed.  That way you can look at it from start to finish and identify what worked well, and what didn’t work so that your next project will be better.

Not too bad for an 18 month old, wouldn’t you say?

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Filed Under: Business Lessons
« Older Posts