What Does Leadership Look Like?

Ginger Williford, New Executive Director

What does a leader look like? Are there born leaders, or are they developed? What attributes do leaders possess? 


John Maxwell says, "A potential leader is the one who would be able to mentally sustain you organization's vision if you quit thinking for the next month."


Stephen Covey, the 8th habit says, "Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves." 


Both of these great motivational speakers and authors define leadership as having vision, being able to communicate, be mentally strong and focused on the task, and able to develop and empower people. In our business of network marketing these attributes are evident, and adding to that ... leaders lead by example and follow the path laid out for them by their leaders. They plug into a system, teach that system, don't try to re-invent the wheel, and stay on target with their goals until those goals are achieved. They are goal-oriented, busy people who, no matter what, get the job done. They are plugged into weekly calls and activities, promote those same activities with their team, and stay positive and productive.


We are blessed to have some of the best leaders involved with us on our team. Our newest addition to the Executive ranks is mother of five (5), Ginger Williford of North Carolina. Ginger juggles managing an office, her five children and her Voyager business, and does it all with passion and love. She radiates a positive attitude and is always looking to help with a solution vs a criticism. Ginger gives credit to those who have helped her along the way, and is always listening and learning how to do this business better. Her duplicating spirit is why she is succeeding with building her business. 

So, when answering the question "what does leadership look like?" Our answer is simple, Ginger Williford. A hard-working, goal-oriented woman who wants everyone around her to succeed. That why network marketing is the perfect business for her. Ginger (and all of our fabulous mothers and leaders)...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Balancing the Biz!

Annie Arnes, Michigan

No one is better with juggling business building, six kids, four grand children, church involvements, school activities, community involvements and the role of supportive wife than executive leader, Annie Arnes from Grand Blanc, Michigan. Annie and her husband, pharmacist Tom, also achieved the founder position with Voyager in the nooks and crannies of their very busy days. Annie uses and teaches the system to build her team. She understands the importance of being on the calls and webinars, and sets the example for her team to follow. In the nooks and crannies of her days, she is consistent with her efforts and feels like she is always talking and sharing the opportunity of Voyager. Her local team is plugged in with the weekly Team Gideon Thursday night call, and has found success in holding Executive Business Opportunity luncheons with the other key executive leaders in the area. Annie has learned to effectively juggle the biz and see success.

Heather Bishop

Looking at our incredible Voyager team, we see many stories that are similar to Annie's. Strong women who know how to juggle the biz, fitting into the nooks and crannies of their lives. And they are always busier than most that are seeing the great success. Take Heather Bishop for example. She is attending school, has five kids, runs an in-home daycare, started a foster program for abandoned dogs, and works V3 local shows on the weekends. She wears her button everywhere she goes - even to school. She makes biz building a way of life - sporting her V3 car magnet, she mingles, messages (Facebook) and has fun building her business for the future.

Melissa Butts and Gretchen Vatter

Lucille Ball is quoted as saying:
"If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do."


Gretchen Vatter took a leap of faith with getting involved with Voyager. She is a mother of two children, found she and her husband out of work, and wondered how to even drum up enough money to purchase her Pro Pak. But she did it, and even ran out of product before it arrived!  She made things happen, set her goals, used the system, and achieved director - and is well on her way to achieving executive. Gretchen is someone who didn't say, "I think I can." She said, "just watch me!" 


Stories like this empower all of us to want to do more, set higher goals for ourselves, and reach for the stars. Daring to succeed drives these success stories and is proof positive that with the right attitude and work ethic, anything can be achieved.

Shannon Jenkins

Mary Kay Ash (a woman I highly admire and respect) said:
"Most people live and die with their music still unplayed.  They never dare to try."


With our strong Voyager women (don't worry men..I will highlight you on Father's Day), They dare to play their own personal "music" by never quitting because they are too busy. They are seen doing local weekend expo's, posting their before and after pictures on Facebook, plaster planning with fliers on bulletin boards, holding up grocery lines sampling the checkout clerk, and they never leave home with their samples of V3.  Look at Shannon Jenkins who has gone back to school, is raising her children and building the business whenever she can. She is amazing, and is doing more than just making some extra money in the nooks and crannies of her days. She is setting a strong, important example for her children to follow. They can see first-hand what self-worth and ambition is all about. And that is worth its weight in gold. Shannon has learned how to effectively share Voyager and V3 whenever and wherever she can. Thank you Shannon.

As with all of the ladies from coast to coast, we extend a very "Happy Mother's Day," and thank you for making a difference in so many peoples lives. You are loved, appreciated and admired for everything you are doing. Thank you for sharing your passion, love and success with us. Keep up the great work, and continue with your biz building on the side!

The Main Thing

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  

- Dr. Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey's phrase says it all.  First, you've got to know what your main thing is. Our main thing is to recruit and build a team of independent associates from coast to coast. This business is all about building a team. This means to consistently meet face-to-face with people to share the opportunity, sponsor them into the business, and then help them sponsor people into the business. That is your main thing. Keeping the main thing the main thing will see you succeed with growing your businss. Secondly, learn how to use the available tools to assist you with building your team. Tools include: recorded 24/7 Hotline, 3-way calling, weekly calls and webinars, and the team support site www.burgessbiz.com.

Don't get side-tracked with busy work, hanging around Facebook chit-chatting, or just selling product for that easy retail sale. The main thing means to book appointments to meet with people face-to-face. Invite guests to join you on a 3-way call into the weekly Tuesday Team Testimonials call. It means to watch the Wednesday Opportunity Webinar with a couple of prospects at your home around your computer, then sponsor them into the business while they are excited.

Once you sponsor a new person, immediately use your 48-Hour Checklist to orient them into the business. Assist them with writing their goals, starting their Prospect 100 list, and making the first 5-10 calls. Get them started right so that they see success with team building and growing their business too.

Keep the main thing the main thing. Let no one detur your efforts. Stay on target. Stay on track. Once someone is sponsored in, engaged and anchored (have started building their team), say ... "the next one's even better!" Then sponsor someone new - keeping the main thing the main thing!

It's Fun When It's Simple

"If you complicate, you can't duplicate."

- Sandi Burgess

I've learned and taught for over thirty-five years that if you want to see success with building and duplicating a network marketing business, you have to keep things very, very simple. My "Sandi-isms", as people call them, are created to do just that - to keep things simple. I try to find catchy and simple ways for people to remember things. "Sample - Sell - Sponsor - Support," or Monday MLM Mentoring, Tuesday Team Testimonials, Wednesday Webinar, Saturday Success Strategies, Biz Binder, etc. Simple tools = $$$.

Years ago, I was training all over the west coast with a skin care company, (this was in the early 80's) when this hit me right between the eyes, the importance of keeping everything we do and say with business building and training our people simple. At the time, I found myself studying every ingredient in the products, then spouting off all of that knowledge in the front of the room. And, yes, it may have felt good at the time to be smart, but I quickly learned to keep all of that information to myself. What happened was this. A good-looking young man (new to the business) came up to me on a session break and said, "The anti-roll bar, the brake caliper, and the cam shaft need alignment, and the center-locking differential and damper." My confused reaction was, "what are you talking about?" He responded, "Exactly. What are you talking about?" That's when I learned to simplify everything.


Don't take anything for granted with your new distributors. Regional Director, Elaine Tomrell and I have discussed this at length with regards to training our teams. You can't assume the person you are prospecting and sponsoring understands this MLM business. In fact, network marketing is a new "animal" to most people. Unlike traditional business models, our fabulous industry of MLM is all about building teams of people where teaching, assisting, 3-way calling, encouraging and empowering are the tools used to effectively build our business. Before enrolling into the business, our prospect silently asks, 1) what's in this for me, 2) can I see myself doing this, 3) why should I do this now, and 4) do I have to change what I'm currently doing to do this? If you complicate this business, from the approach to the enrolling of them into the business, they will not be able to see themselves doing what you do. And if they think they have to change their life, they just won't do it, try it, or get involved in any way.


We have to introduce this business to our prospects in "digestible doses." Little by little, they will start to catch the vision, and start to understand the mechanics that make this all work. Step-by-step with the tools. Don't overwhelm. Let them know they learn as they earn. A great network marketing business is made up of goal-oriented, positive, productive, happy people. Those traits don't always exist in today's world, and can be a shock to anyone looking at us for the first time. So, back it up a bit. Take your time, and make sure everything you do can be simple for your prospect to see themselves doing. Use the 3-way call with your sponsor, Tuesday Team Testimonial calls and Wednesday Webinars to paint the picture and share the story. Let the tools talk. Also, don't forget to show that fun little 90-second commercial, and memorize your One Minute Message. Remember, it's fun when it's simple!

The Winning Attitude!

Melissa Butts                                        Karla Harms

"Attitudes are contagious. 

Are yours worth catching?" 

- Mannering

There are certain people that you just love talking to and being with. They are positive, productive, passionate people who - no matter what - keep moving forward in an exemplary winning way.


Two individuals who stand out from the crowd and fit this bill to a tee, are "Backyard Buddies," Melissa Butts and Karla Harms of Illinois. In this crazy network marketing world, filled with rumors, gossip and hearsay, finding people like this - true leaders - is joyous, and a blessing to all those whose lives they touch. With the challenges of the day, unlike any other day in todays world, Melissa and Karla have kept a winning attitude that is reflected in the explosive growth of their team, and the depth of success of their customer base. They are excited, stay excited, share that excitement - no matter what - about this business, and nothing gets them down. They are on every call, every webinar, and the incredible, heart-felt product testimonials that pour in from their group is awe-inspiring. And their actions should motivate all of us to duplicate their inner spirit and winning attitude. 


Tonight's Tuesday Testimonials call featured Melissa and Karla's team. For those of you who didn't have the awesome opportunity to hear their team's stories, I recorded it and am posting it on www.burgessbiz.com. 


Developing a winning attitude is crucial to your success with this business folks. When you are negative and find yourself getting caught up in bad-mouthing, gossiping and spreading of rumors --- it will effect your business building in a very devastating, negative way. We have a phrase in network marketing that says, "edify your upline, empower your downline." If your activities are contrary to this, you are hurting yourself and your business. And your team will do exactly what you do. Best idea ... develop a winning attitude!

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 

- Martin Luther King

.

Same Time, Same Place

Thanks to my mom for making me practice the piano every morning from 8 to 9 AM, I learned how to play the piano fairly well. I was forced initially into this consistent daily habit at age 7, when my grandfather started giving me weekly piano lessons. While the neighbor kids were out playing in their yards, I was practicing the piano. I could hear them running around outside, laughing and having what sounded like fun. But I was not allowed to move off of that piano bench until I'd gone through my entire piano practicing ritual. I started with my scales for finger dexterity and flexibility, followed by practicing my assigned songs. And every week I would get new songs, so it wasn't a matter of memorizing a single song and playing it over and over. Learning meant "sight-reading," and that took consistent daily practice. 

My doorbell would often ring, while I was practicing, with a friend asking if I could come out and join in the fun. But my mother would proudly announce, "Sandra's practicing her piano. Come for her later." (Yes...she called me Sandra, and still does so today.) Once school started, that practice time never wavered or took a break, it just got booted up to 6:30 - 7:30 AM so I would have enough time to "walk" to school. (That's a whole other post where my children picture me trudging through heavy snow uphill :-) However, being born and raised in Utah, that isn't far from the truth!)  This same consistency was hammered into me when I started taking cello lessons from my father. Once I added cello practicing, I would practice a full hour on piano, followed by a full hour on the cello. Talk about "missing out" on the door bell ringing and running, prank calling, and getting into all sorts of mischief!

I often felt "pushed" into this practice-makes-perfect ritual during my middle school years, but by High School, college and beyond, I am so thankful that my mother drove consistency home with me. Why, you ask?  Because I can now play piano, cello, organ, sing, an actually majored in both vocal performance and music education at the U of U! What a blessing music has been in my life. And I have been told a hundred times (or more), "I wish I could play the piano like you."  My answer: "You can if you consistently practice!"

 (Click on link to listen.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owReY1yNCV8
"A consistent man believes in destiny, a capricious man in chance." - Benjamin Disraeli

The same thing applies to seeing success at anything. Whether it's playing professional basketball for a living like two of my sons do, or developing a strong, lucrative network marketing business, you need to consistently do the biz basics: 3-way with your sponsor, hold in-home meetings, and 3-way prospects into weekly calls. If you choose to sometimes 3-way, occasionally hold in-home meetings, and if time permits "invite" someone to listen to a call, you won't see the success you dream about. "If you work this biz casually, you become a casualty" is simply the name of the game with network marketing.

Nancy Feinberg (GA) --- Elaine Tomrell (MI)

Two of my favorite people on the earth doubled their income this month. Why? Because they consistently 3-way call with their people, hold a weekly team "update" call, put people on the Monday MLM Mentoring training, and participate in the Tuesday Team Testimonial call. They are, and always have been, consistent. Now their group is exploding, and so can yours. Be consistent with "income generating activity" - daily - weekly - monthly - yearly until your goals are achieved with rank advancing and building leaders (Gold Ships). Consistency with "same time - same place" gives your team the business basics that they can count on. When their out talking to people, they will know that there is a Tuesday call, a Wednesday Webinar and a Thursday Team call. Reliability should be  at the core of your biz building strategies. Your "action assignment" for success!


"Reliability is a most wonderful virtue. We should cultivate it. We should be consistent about the things we do, so that others will know they can count on us. But more important, we want to be able to count on ourselves. The greatest pain is to have to disappoint one's self." —Sterling W. Sill

Shine!

Martin Luther King, Jr once said, 

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 

Henry W. Longfellow said,

"The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken."

Both of these quotes give us comfort and pause having the confidence and understanding that in order for us to continue to grow and develop, we will need to overcome a number of bumps in the road along our journey through life. People will disappoint us, possibly betray us, and even try to stop our success and our peace of mind. But, with an honest heart, real concern for others, consistent hard work, a strong knowledge of who we are, and a thankful heart for all of our blessings, we can overcome any obstacle that life may throw our way.

My heart goes out to those who are going through personal challenges with their health, their marriage, or their financial and family trials. Struggles seem to polish our edges and make us wiser if we allow it too. Keeping the trials of others in our thoughts and prayers will also draw these people close to our heart. As we do this we will recognize how best we can help them and understand their needs. Being aware of these challenges gives us insight into knowing that timing may not be right for them now to look at our opportunity. These individuals may just need a friend to talk to, someone to listen, and to understand.  Be that friend first. Feel what they feel, and be there to help them in their time of need. The blessings and rewards that come to you when you do care and truly serve your fellow man, far outweighs the bonus checks that could be made.

Stephen Covey says,

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey."

Ask questions that bring understanding. Use the formula we call - "FORM" - which is family, occupation, recreation and message. This formula for communication will always remain the key to getting to know the people you'd like to work with now or in the future when timing is right. Remember that network marketing is a people-to-people business. That's why meeting prospects face-to-face across from each other over a kitchen table, or in a casual in-home gathering, brings warmth and safety to the sponsoring process. Yes, it may be a business that, as we're told, needs to be treated like a business. But it's the people caring about people that separates network marketing from the corporate atmosphere. And our business building foundation must be solid with honesty, integrity and truth. We are trusted to share truths along with our products. That's why we share our personal "why" along with our stories. We share from our heart. If we do this, we will reach all of our goals and achieve our dreams. But more importantly, we will be truly fulfilled with knowing we have attempted - the best we can - to leave the world a better place.

A favorite phrase of mine is, "the sun is the sun because it shines, not because it tells you it's the sun."  Be the sun and shine. Let what you do radiate with love from your heart. Let us all grow and develop personally with this business and become better people because of it. Let us create a positive environment where we truly care for those we contact. Let us be a friend to those we involved with us. Let us always edify our upline and empower our downline. If and when this is done, we won't find ourselves caught up in things that can hurt ourselves in the long run, or hurt others we work with. Our goals will be to uplift as many people as we can. Simply "shine" should be the first thought to start your mornings. And when you shine, you become a light for others to follow and emulate. You have the chance to make a difference. And therein lies the secret to a successful, positive business. So, my networking friends...simply shine!