Win-Win

Thank you John S.- great picture of excited distributors and their guests loaded up in a minivan headed to an exciting business opportunity meeting. This tried and true, well-known opportunity meeting is one of the oldest and success-proven secret to building a strong business in network marketing. These fun meetings celebrate the business of MLM and bring us all the important up-close-and-personal vision of the opportunity from the leaders that are actually having success with the business. And listening to the top leaders - each with their unique talents, perspectives and personalities - gives us more depth, awareness and understanding of how this incredible business really works, and how to succeed at it. And although all of the leaders pretty much sing the same song; the tempo's, pitch and tone may differ and hit just the right chord with each of us - and we finally "get it". That "I can do this" lightbulb goes on for us because someone shared the opportunity in a way that appealed to us.

Deb L & Cathy S

Hold meetings. Attend meetings. And make sure you open your meetings up to everyone. The synergy of the group is powerful. A family of distributors worldwide working together as a team creates that important "culture" totally unique to network marketing. The culture gives purpose and a sense of belonging to something that matters and can make a difference, and is why this kind of marketing strategy continues to thrive decade after decade, creating millionaires. Work together. Play together. Celebrate together. Share everything, keeping nothing a secret exclusive to your team. 

"Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own effort. Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success."  - Stephen Covey

Cynthia Maurice Holds Open Meeting

Momentum is created when we are all working towards that common goal - to see the company succeed. Combining our own efforts with the efforts and talents of everyone will see us all succeed in a huge way - way beyond our wildest dreams. Work alone and nothing happens. Sharing the dream with an openness and love embraces an energy that returns itself tenfold. 

A true win-win for all!

Nancy Feinberg Shares the Opportunity

Small Events Feed the Big Event!

Billy Banks, Regional Director February Meeting with Over 90 People!

There's nothing I like better than meeting face-to-face with my downline teams of distributors and their guests. The synergy of the group, the team spirit, the recognition of local leaders, presenting the opportunity and enrolling new people into the biz, creates the "magic" of MLM and builds the culture of this business.

I'm getting back on the road with my key leaders in April and May, and I'm psyched! And in order to have huge, successful meetings where incomes double, attendance soars, and new leaders are developed, individuals must "build towards the event." How? By doing the smaller events that lead up to the main event. In fact, without those smaller events, the large event will fail miserably. Do to duplicate - but only if you want to take full advantage of the big events and momentum created by it.

To'mika Cooley, Chad Rubner, Melissa Butts, Billy Banks, Karla Harms

Get back to the basics of biz building. The basics begin with talking and sampling new people, then putting them on the Tuesday Testimonial calls and Wednesday Webinars. Utilize your sponsor to assist with this and validate your opportunity, especially if you are brand new to the business. 

Hold Launch home events with your sponsor and/or your Backyard Buddy (that's someone you have sponsored in your area - your backyard.) If you have been involved for awhile - relaunch your business as many times as you need to to get things happening in your area. Shake those bushes! Hold weekly home meetings, and utilize a speakerphone to listen to the calls and watch the webinars together with your prospects. Note: Skype meetings (or Facetime) are also effective with home meetings, especially when you are new and need validation and support. Meet face-to-face with 2-on-1 or 1-on-1 appointments to present the opportunity. Hold monthly area meetings to bring your teams together once your home meetings are beginning to see success. These monthly area hotel meetings paint a bigger picture for your distributors and guests.  Also, hold Super Saturday events at your home where you gather your teams, listen to the training together on a speakerphone, then strategize and recognize everyone in attendance for their efforts. If there are guests (and there should be guests always invited) present the opportunity. Remember, all of these small events feed into the big event and will guarantee you a large, successful meeting! Be ready, get ready, use the tools and system, and build your empire with the biz!

Ongoing Live Weekly Events

3-Way Into Tuesday Testimonial Calls

Network marketing is all about building towards the next scheduled event, using the weekly live events as your goal with showing new people what it is you are doing. Showing the plan, sharing the dream, and selling the opportunity is how you build your independent business to a six-figure a month income. Being consistent with this "sharing" activity guarantees success with growing your business. That is why we have always anchored in a weekly business building schedule for ourselves and our downline teams. 

Gather Prospects to Watch Wednesday Webinars

When you are seriously building your business, showing the plan and sharing the opportunity to new prospects, it is crucial to have in place a next event scheduled for your prospect to attend. Often referred to as the "process" or "prospecting pipeline," each step is another step towards them making a decision to get involved with you and start building a team of their own. 

It's not about selling product with network marketing, that is direct sales. When the opportunity is presented correctly, the product will sell itself. Network Marketing success comes from exposing prospects to the exciting culture and lifestyle it offers, creating hope and possibility for financial and time freedom. That is why we present the opportunity with weekly scheduled calls, business opportunity webinars, and face-to-face appointments and meetings.

Face-to-Face Appointment with Your Sponsor & Prospect

As you are daily building your business, you will want to immediately put your prospects onto the Tuesday Testimonial calls by saying, 
"You will love hearing the success people are having with the product and business. I will dial you in and we will listen together."  

Once the call is completed you will chat with them about the call, answer their questions, and ask them to enroll into the business with you. If they enroll on Tuesday after the call (or even if they don't), you will continue to move them through the pipeline - to the next event on Wednesday with the live business opportunity webinar. The visuals of the webinar will give a complete overview of the company, product and business opportunity. Meet with them and watch the webinar together, in fact, make it a weekly fun, intimate home gathering where you watch, answer questions, and enroll. 

Every live event moves your prospect closer to getting excited about your opportunity, enrolling and building the business with you. Each event shows your prospect how simple it is for them to have success with building their business by using these scheduled, live weekly events. Remember: your prospect and new distributor will do exactly what you do. That is why you must use the events to grow and develop your business every week. Target the events with new prospects. By targeting the event (weekly goal), you will consistently be introducing new prospects to your business, and new prospects = new team members! 

Along with (not in competition to) the weekly scheduled events, hold your own team and individual meetings. And always ask your sponsor to be an active part of your business building with 3-way calls, 2-on-1 appointments, and speakerphone (or Skype) conferencing. They will give you further validation with your opportunity, and will strenghten team building every step of the way. Again, actively use the scheduled live events to build, and avoid being just a spectator...be a builder! 

Digestible Doses

This incredible world of network marketing is definitely exciting for all of us who are currently involved with it, and have caught the vision of the opportunity it offers. We love the freedoms that come with working from home (in our pj's), choosing when we work, with whom we work, and the fun of looking the boss in the mirror every morning as we plan our days activities. We feel tremendous joy and fulfillment from building and developing people and growing our teams. And we know that the more people we can meet with face-to-face, sponsor into our program and help them succeed, the more success we will see for ourselves. However, network marketing can be very confusing and overwhelming to a brand new person who has had no prior experience with this type of business. That's why it must be shared step-by-step. Here's one particular story that will illustrate my point.

I recall a few years back inviting a friend from North Carolina to attend a large convention for the company I was involved with in New Orleans. I purchased her airplane ticket, paid all of her expenses and was psyched to have her see what I saw, feel what I felt, jump in with both feet and be a key leader for me in that company. It was a large event, typical of network marketing conventions, with bright lights, loud upbeat music and tons of happy and excited networkers. And I did what every motivated leader should do. I took her around the convention hall and introduced her to the key people, bragged on her, sat her up on the front row, and tried to involve her in all of the fun and excitement. But she, needless to say, just wasn't ready for all of this. In her words, "Everyone is just too happy and excited here! I don't see myself doing this."

Chris #34

Well, long story short, I needed her. I had to have her as a key leader for me there in North Carolina because my son, Chris, had just signed to play basketball at Duke University, I wanted to attend the games, and she was the only person in NC that I knew. So, I began to break the business down for her into bite sized pieces, or what I call, "digestible doses." I started having her just put people on the phone with me on a 3-way call (A), then had her put people in front of me when I came to town for games with a few 2-on-1 presentations (B). Then once a few people were sponsored under her there, I had her host a few in-home meetings (C).

Step-by-step, until she understood how to build the business right, I assisted her with building and developing her team. It was frustrating at times, but also very rewarding. I was there when she got her first $5,000 check for the month, and there when she received her first $10,000 check - which was a game changer for her. When she hit that $20,000.00 a month check she was unstoppable. She had learned the business and I had duplicated myself. Mission accomplished - check! She talked like I talked, did what I did, and taught what I had taught her to those she personally sponsored. She eventually became one of my key leaders making as much as $50,000.00 a month, and no longer needed me there holding her hand. From that point on, she just needed me there to validate her with the 3-way calls and occasional large hotel meetings and trainings. And that, my friends, is what this biz is all about - duplication - learned and executed in "digestible doses".

This brings me to outlining the trainings that I have developed over the years to chunk down this business building into those important "digestible doses". Each training is important with teaching and duplicating business building, and are systemized to streamline the process. 

Note: Once you've learned how to do the business the right way, you must never dump all of your know-how and experience onto your new person all at once. Put yourself in their shoes. Take yourself back to the beginning where you started. And make sure you are not just teaching the 4-step system, but doing every step in the system with each person you sponsor. It's a show and tell biz, and it starts with the way you approach your prospect. Learn and deliver your One Minute Message, show the 90-second commercial, then guide them through your website. Follow-up (another post), give them a sample, then 3-way call them into the Tuesday Testimonial call. Ask them with every step to get involved with you. Have them then watch the Wednesday Webinar with you - at your home, and continue working the process (and the 4-step system) until they are enrolled in the biz. Once sponsored in under you, it's time to break the business building training down. Remember..."digestible doses."

Your "newbie" (new distributor) needs to plug in immediately to what is available to help them build their business. These are the available tools. These simple tools are already in place and makes duplication easier on you as the sponsor. Before beginning the trainings, first, have your new distributor download the "Welcome Packet" at www.burgessbiz.com. You will use these downloads included in the packet throughout the training process. Second, make sure they are registered for the Monday New Associate training webinar that covers the basics to getting started. Thirdly, meet with them individually using the 48-Hour Sponsoring Checklist. This important face-to-face interaction is crucial to building trust and rapport with your new distributor. Fourth, have them now listen to the five (5) basic trainings on our team support site www.burgessbiz.com. These four events of training - Welcome Packet, New Associate Training, 48-Hour Sponsoring Checklist, Basic Training at www.burgessbiz.com - overlap each other for an important reason - repetition. Educators tell us that repetition is how we learn. By the 4th and 5th time of hearing something, it starts to sink in! 

Once your newly sponsored distributor has done these four trainings, involve them immediately in the Super Saturday Strategies training calls, your individual weekly team calls, and the twelve (12) session MLM101 Mentoring™. Know that there will always be questions along the way that you, as their sponsor, will answer for them. If there is a question you can't answer, simply do a quick 3-way call with your sponsor. They will most likely be able to answer the question. 

For the "magic" of network marketing - residual income - to kick in in a very big way, you must do and teach like outlined here; in digestible doses. It's not about overwhelming your newly sponsored distributors, lecturing to them, bossing them around, impressing them of how smart you are, or demanding something of them that they may not be capable of doing right now. It's about inspiring them to dream again and help them achieve those dreams. It's about empowering them to know that they can do what you do. And never do anything that your people can not do, duplicate, or teach others to do. That will kill your biz long-term. Follow the system. Break it down. Do the steps. Do to duplicate ... in "digestible doses."

Relationship Marketing

This is one of my favorite pictures I have found online under network marketing. It visually depicts what makes this incredible business work. The famous Zig Ziglar quote, "You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want," says it all. If you want to succeed in network marketing, help others succeed. Do the basics. Make your list, follow the system, plug into the scheduled events, meet with people face-to-face and build relationships.

People in this high tech day and age often forget that network marketing is built on trust and building relationships, and must be saturated with "high touch". Luckily, the high tech aspect of business building integrates beautifully with high touch using 3-way calling, speakerphone, Skype, and Facetime to interact. Communication and follow-up can also be enhanced with Facebook postings, groups and messaging, Twitter, text reminders, email, and group conference calling. It is an exciting age where all aspects of business building can speedily be accomplished.

Billy Banks and His Team in Illinois Building Relationships

In my first days of building a network marketing business with the Cambridge Diet, I had available to me the mail, telephone and meetings. But that was it. And I still built to $100k a month! How? By meeting face-to-face all the way through the "process". I initiated sponsoring with a one-on-one appointment, sharing the business and product face-to-face. I lead with the business right out the gate, and then started dove-tailing home meetings from those appointments. And more appointments were dove-tailed from the home meetings I was holding for myself and for those I was sponsoring. Everything was done face-to-face. And it worked. And when I would sponsor someone new, I did the 2-on-1 meetings with their contacts to get those I sponsored making money and achieving immediate success with business building. 

Nancy Feinberg Builds Georgia by Building Relationships

Holding home meetings was the way the business was built, and it still is the way strong teams are anchored in. And once you have developed a few key leaders, starting with your "backyard buddy," you can hold a monthly area hotel meeting to share the bigger picture of your business, and recognize those team members for their achievements.This creates that all-important team spirit.   

Deb Landreman and Cynthia Maurice Hold a Weekly Sunshine Team Call

So for those that are involved with internet marketing or lead generating programs, recognize the importance of building relationships. If someone sounds interested in the business you are advertising, pick up the phone and call them. Get to know their needs, their wants and their dreams. Meet face-to-face as soon as possible. Plug them into the systems and the scheduled activities so that they feel a part of your team. Work their contacts. 3-way immediately with their top ten people, teaching them by showing how this business is built. It takes a little effort on your part to do this, but the results will show in the growth of your team. And once you reach that first rung of leadership, use the high tech tools to communicate, update, motivate and congratulate every step of the way. Build relationships and the friendships will follow. That's where the "magic" kicks in.

Streamline with the System

It's time. Time to talk about the proven 4-step system. As a network marketing company grows, adding new and excited distributors, I can not stress enough about why a definite system was put into place, and the importance of using and teaching this system to your new distributors. Let me take you back to a company I was with as the Master Distributor for thirteen years.

My husband and I had tremendous success with this company, making consistently six-figures a month. We traveled  twice a month doing meetings all over the United States, and our teams were strong with great leaders under us. At one point we had nearly 90,000 distributors in the downlines! I wrote the training programs for the company, taught this everywhere (it seemed), and I hoped (with fingers crossed) that the duplication process, which makes network marketing work, would kick in and duplicate downline, reaching all levels of those involved in the company. But I soon found out that this was not exactly what was happening downline. People weren't being taught how to build correctly. Somewhere, somehow the "buck stopped here" with teaching the basic concepts of network marketing, and new distributors were found floundering. Thus a definite "system" was born and developed by me.

I have learned a few things in my near forty (40) years involved with network marketing, mostly by trial and error, and, because of this experience, I am first, totally opposed to anyone teaching network marketing business-building principles if they have never built a huge organization for themselves! To be honest, I actually get a little more than perturbed with even seeing MLM books being written by individuals with no real success and experience. It make me a bit violent - not in a "hurt someone" way - but I do toss their book across the room with a bit more force than needed. But I digress ... back to the subject at hand.

You see, distributors need step-by-step guidelines. They need a franchise-approach to what it is they are doing. Know this - Network Marketing is very different from any and all traditional businesses. And if you attempt building your business like a traditional business, or become a salesperson ... you will fail miserably. That's why a proven system has to be in put into place to plug into. Distributors need not re-invent the wheel when the "wheel" has been proven to work. Just follow the system. Plug into the system. Work the system. And that system all starts with a simple phrase that creates intrigue, and initiates questions, when asked what it is they are doing. Simply say - "I'm having fun, losing weight and making money." 

Really? It's that easy. This is your personal "sound bite" or commercial to get things started. After more probing (and questions on what it is you are doing), I created the One Minute Message. Why, you ask? Because I found distributors hesitating to talk about their business opportunity. And when asked, it is usually easier for a new distributor to start "selling" their product vs sharing their incredible business opportunity, or they stumble-bumble around with trying to explain what they are doing, and kill the "deal," as they say. Thus, the One Minute Message. Just memorize something like this to get the recruiting ball rolling.

"I've gotten involved in a very fun project that you need to take a look at. It has that happy skinny pill that everyone is talking about that brightens your mood, gives you a boost of energy, and completely slams the appetite! You will love this. In fact...you need to do this with me! When is it best to meet today ... 3 or 4?"

The Three-Way Call

Once that One Minute Message is delivered, the 4-step system kicks into full action with:
1) hotline,   2) website,   3) 3-way call,   4) event. 
The hotline is a recording with options to listen to with your prospect. The first option should briefly introduce the opportunity where once heard you simply say, "now you can see why I'm so excited about this!" Do this with your prospect on a 3-way call or hand them the phone to listen right there on the spot.

This recorded hotline message leads you right into guiding your prospect through your replicated company website, and support team site www.burgessbiz.com. Once that step is complete with tenacious follow-up, the important three-way call takes place with you, your prospect and your sponsor. This 3-way call validates you and your opportunity, and is part of the system! So...don't leave this step in the 4-step system out. If you are brand new to the business use a 3-way call with your sponsor to launch your business with your prospects. Never work alone!

Once the three-way call is complete it's time to move your prospect to the next step - the next event, if you will. Events include the Tuesday Testimonial calls, Wednesday Webinars, face-to-face presentations, area events, and home meetings. With each event your prospect understands the culture and catches the vision of your opportunity. I call these events "parading" where you march your opportunity in front of your prospect over and over again until they catch the vision of what it is you have to offer, enroll and get excited to duplicate what you are doing. That is why the system works. With each step make sure to ask your prospect to get involved. Some catch the vision quickly, while others take going through the steps a few times before committing to get involved with you. Just share your opportunity and use those tools that make up the system. With each step, parading the opportunity with your 90-second commercial, your website, your calls, webinars and meetings, you will see your dreams come true. It's all about streamlining with the system!

Learn to be Lean

I was listening to a morning program while sitting in the chiropractors office in Vegas this morning, and loved the schedule outlined by a fitness expert. We all need some sort of program to go along with our 2013 fitness goals of getting lean. And with V3 as our secret weapon, we can make huge lifestyle changes that will equal excellent health. We discussed with Dr. Karen Smith on a Super Saturday training that the holiday season was a perfect opportunity to give the GIFT OF HEALTH. So let's start with ourselves - Ken and I included. Here's the scheduled that was very cool-y (is that a word) outlined this morning. (I loved the way he matched the words to the week day...my kind of guy!)

Monday - Meal Planning
Plan your meals for the week to include more low glycemic fruits, veggies and lean protein. Write it dow and place it on your refrigerator. When you have a plan, you will shop for it and stick to it, which equals success!

Tuesday - Tone the Body
Use weights or milk cartons to do basic exercises to help tone your body. More muscle means more fat burning. So tone away!  Great sight for basic toning:  http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2011/02/8-workout-moves-for-a-toned-body-in-two-weeks#slide=8

Wednesday Walking
Get out there and do a Wednesday Walk briskly for 30-45 minutes. This is one of the best cardio workouts that anyone can do - without going to the gym. Some of you may need to bundle up, but you'll love the results.

Thursday Thighs
Lower body workout is important to overall health. Simple movements like standing and sitting, repeat, on a chair helps strengthen your core. Thigh strengthening is very important to optimum health.  Great Site: http://www.ehow.com/how_2211958_strengthen-thigh-muscles.html

Friday Fiber
Add more fiber to your daily diet.  Americans do not eat enough fiber. Add more grains, nuts and veggies to your diet. Example: Instead of cereal, have a bowl of oatmeal. Instead of white rice eat brown rice, etc. Snacks? Nuts!

Super Saturday
Do general workout that will involved the entire body. Take a hike, swim, garden (when weather permits), get out there and move your body!

I love this. Let's all get HEALTHY & WEALTHY together - then report in!  

LEAN & MEAN IN 2013!

I don't know about you, but I love "firsts." First day of the week - Monday - first day of the month, but best of all, the first day of a new year. Love, love, love it. That's why I tend to be the most productive in the morning. So let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you made a few New Year's resolutions for yourself for 2013?  If yes, good for you. Are they achievable? If you set similar goals year after year, but don't see them happening (maybe fall a bit short), it’s time for you to sharpen your goal setting skills (maybe listen to Gary Landreman's training posted at www.burgessbiz.com) and see yourself achieving those goals this year. Time to get LEAN and MEAN in 2013!  Use Jim Rohn's guidelines that he calls S.M.A.R.T. goals. Goals should be:

1. SPECIFIC
If you just set out to get healthy and wealthy, this is are vague and will see you falling short with achieving your goals. Vague goals don't give you the motivation and focus needed to achieve your goals. Instead, write down what it is, exactly, that you want to achieve. Example: I will walk 45 minutes briskly everyday. I will avoid the "whites" (sugar, flour, salt) and eat "clean" (vegetables, low glycemic fruits and lean protein.) I will sample two new people a day. I will sponsor three (3) new distributors a month.

2. MEASURABLE
Make sure you can gauge and monitor your progress daily, weekly and monthly. Set short term and long term goals to keep yourself on track. Write these goals down. Use a simple steno pad to record your daily income generating activity. I personally love the steno pad to record my daily activity. Across the top write the day and date. On the right-hand side jot down the nitty gritty stuff you have to do, then check it off when completed. Example: Make the bed, do the laundry, pick up cleaning, etc. On the left side record the income generating activity you did that day, as you are doing it. Example: 3-way call with Melissa, sampled Mary and Karla (circle S by name), left message (circle M by their name) with Nancy, etc. At the end of the day tally up (and evaluate) how productive you have been.

3. ATTAINABLE
Chunk those written goals down into "daily digestible doses." Example: you can't lose 50 pounds by the end of January. And you can't achieve NATIONAL DIRECTOR in six months. It takes you developing THREE REGIONALS. So make sure you step-by-step it so that your goals are attainable.

4. REALISTIC
If your life is buried-busy with six (6) children (like mine was), maybe you can't find three (3) hours a day to work at your business. But you can find one (1) hour. Make that your POWER HOUR! Be realistic with your life and current lifestyle.

5. TIME SENSITIVE
It's been quoted, "Goals are Dreams with a Deadline." A deadline creates a sense of urgency. A deadline puts your goals into an important priority category. Stay focused on achieving those goals by a certain date. Then celebrate each goal as you achieve it!

Take time today, after your New Years Day  nap, and find a quiet place to ponder, reflect on your past year of 2012, what you have accomplished and what you now want to accomplish. Journal it. Blog it. Write it down, then treasure map it. Treasure map? Making that fun chart to post up on your bulletin board that visually keeps your eye on the target. Read those goals first thing in the morning. Say them out loud. INTERNALIZE the REALIZE!  Remember...

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."  - Henry Ford

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." - Les Brown

HUDDLE UP!

You'll often hear me use the phrase "huddle up" when talking about leadership. And these important two words are very key to being a great leader in network marketing. I learned the importance of "huddling up" back in the 80's when I was involved with the Cambridge Diet. The big "C" that took the network marketing nation by storm. Cambridge broke all records and made millionaires over night from regular people because there was such a demand for the diet. At one point I remember them soaring over $90 million a month in sales (wholesale) and expanding rapidly. And with that company I saw incredible financial success, and fell in love with the entire network marketing "magic" - seeing my groups explode and six figure a month incomes come into play. It's where my strong belief in the MLM industry came into focus, and where I adapted the phrase, "when in doubt, diet!" My Cambridge success and experience was also the place I learned how not to be a leader, and how to truly be a leader, and came up with my leadership "Crazy 8's".

Now, here's where I will share the important thing I learned from my involvement with the Cambridge Diet, and how I learned it. Like many network marketers who go from "rags to riches" with their opportunities, often the "rags to riches" goes to their head and they slowly become, as my grandmother used to say, "too big for their britches."  The first huge Cambridge convention was held in Hawaii, and I was selected as a key note speaker with one of the afternoon breakout groups. And I, along with Ken, had achieved one of the top positions. As I entered the large hall for the general assembly, I saw that many of the other top leaders were sitting up front waving at me to join them. So (ego in tact) I quickly walked up to the front of the room to sit with those leaders. And, quite honestly, I was excited to be in that position, sitting up front. I had worked hard, given more meetings and trainings than I'd like to think about, driven more miles than I wanted too, flown to various states to work with my downline, and worked hand-in-hand with my people to help them achieve success. "I've earned my place up front," I thought, proudly. Well, that is where I learned what leadership is all about.

One of my awesome key leaders whom I'd done countless meetings with came up to me after the general assembly and in a scolding way said, "you need to be sitting with your people! We are the reason you have achieved your success here! Your sitting here in front, instead of with your team, is a slap in the face!" Her comments definitely slapped me upside the head and took me back for a bit, but I apologized to her and even thanked her, and continue to thank her for being abrupt and honest with me at that point and time. She had pointed out a very important key to leadership - that of "huddling up." My team of distributors who had made the effort to be in Hawaii with me at the convention needed to know that they mattered, that they were part of my team. It wasn't about me. It was about the importance of gathering my team, sitting with them, holding a special meeting with them while there at convention, strategizing with them, recognizing them, handing out awards, and motivating them to continue building their business. They needed to know that I cared. They needed me and I wasn't there for them. This taught me what true leadership is all about.

Your networking team is made up of a "volunteer army" of independent people with hopes and dreams of success. They look to the leaders to guide them, to recognize them, to love them and care that they are there doing whatever they can to build a business. And no matter how small of a contribution, it needs to be appreciated and recognized in some way. Whether that is on a weekly team call, a team communication, an area monthly meeting, or simply a "thank you" phone call, it must be done. Communicate - Update - Congratulate - Initiate - Motivate - Anticipate - Eliminate - Celebrate - are the Crazy 8's that embrace with open arms "huddling up." While at our first convention, gather your teams, sit together, eat together, "round table" and sizzle, and know that whatever you do with your team is important to each of them. Personal growth comes when someone stretches to achieve new goals, attempts to  develop new skills, and is recognized for doing so. The "congratulations" goes a long way with new and established distributors. And it is for all of us a blessing and privilege to have the teams we have, to expand and grow with them. And with every new team member we must always, no matter how successful we become ... "huddle up" and show them we care.

Sharing Your Story

Cynthia Maurice - 70 lbs Lost on V3!

Brandi Clark - 43 lbs Lost on V3!

Jennifer Hood - 100 Lost Using V3!

My first introduction to this amazing network marketing business was with the Cambridge Diet in the 80's. The Herbalife company came into existence about the same time. Diets were the buzz word in network marketing, and big bucks were made over night. It was an exciting time. I came from the skin care world, so instead of washing faces like I had been doing with the cosmetic company I was with, I started blending shakes and enrolling people as fast as I could. What I had was hot, so I ran fast, had fun, and made five, then six figure a month incomes pretty quickly. I embraced everything that was written about network marketing, attended trainings, meetings, and realized that the secrets to building this business were quite simple. You wear a button that gets folks asking questions, talk to people, share your story (and the success stories of others), and promote the next event. Pretty simple huh? Well keep it simple, but learn to tell your story!

Melissa Butts - 54 lbs. Lost on V3!

Your story must be passionate and to the point. 1) Share your name, where you are from, and your occupation. 2) Tell how you stumbled across V3. 3) Admit that you were skeptical and had already tried lots of diets to lose weight before. 4) Share how V3 helped you with mood, energy and appetite. 5) Tell how simple it has been to build a business with V3 and Voyager. 6) Share how much money you have made with your business so far.

Remember that you want your audience to say to themselves, "me too, me too," not "so what!" That's why you admit that you were skeptical, had tried everything and that V3 sounded to good to be true. That brings on an audience response of "me too, me too." And keep your story to no more than 45 seconds.

Darryl Hayes - 35 lbs. Lost on V3!

Avoid long, lengthy stories that take you back to grade school, or don't list 75 ailments that you were suffering from, or medications that you are taking. Don't go into psychological personal challenges that see you blaming your weight gain on teasing siblings or a nasty neighbor. And don't make impossible to believe claims. Just mention (briefly) other benefits you've noticed from using V3. And avoid listing all of the degrees you have, or start to train people listening on why they should do the business. Grasp the importance of your story. This is your story. Own it. Write it down. Tweak it. Better yet, have your upline tweak it. Then time it, memorize it - then rehearse it.

Example: "Hi, this is Sandi Burgess, here in Southern California. I'm a mother of 5, grandmother of 18, and very involved in music. I've struggled the past few years with my weight, and I've dieted for far too long. I've tried everything from juicing, to shakes, to shots. But never quite felt in control, and when I stumbled upon this little pill called V3, it sounded too good to be true. But, I was desperate so I tried it. Within 30 minutes I felt a happy feeling - one that I hadn't felt for quite a while. And I had no appetite. I just wasn't hungry. My usual late night snacking stopped dead in its tracks with V3, and I felt totally in control for the first time in years. Before finding V3, I'd even considered having my stomach stapled! I lost 20 pounds within the first couple of months, lost lots of inches, came off blood pressure meds and my blood sugars are normalizing. I jumped in with both feet and built a business with this product, have made 5 figures a month, and can honestly say that this is the easiest thing I've ever done. I love it!"

www.burgessbiz.com

COUNT DOWN TO CONVENTION!!!

My first few trainings that I attended for network marketing (then called MLM or multi-level marketing), I was told that there were only a few secrets to success with building this business. Besides being a story teller, sharing the success that others were having with the business, wearing the infamous Herbalife-type button, ("Lose Weight Now, Ask Me How) and utilize 3-Way calling from day one. The #1 most important thing you must do to see big-time success, and move your business forward, is to get your team to convention. Fill up as many seats as you can with your people. Your distributors can only capture the vision and dream with your opportunity, if they are at convention and experience it first-hand. You can share what you experienced with your team, take pictures of the event, and shout from the rooftops your excitement. But when you spend the majority of your time 90-days prior to your convention working at promoting convention and filling up those seats with as many people from your team as possible, magic and momentum starts to happen for you, your business grows and you start making money with your opportunity.

So your job, if you are serious about making money with your opportunity, is to get on the phones right now and promote convention October 27-28 at the Mirage Resort and Casino. 3-way call with your sponsor to promote this convention with team members. Promote this first convention on all of the weekly calls, webinars and individual team calls. Promote our October convention at your area meetings. Team your people up to room together, fly together and sit together while there at convention. Make team t-shirts, team buttons and banners that scream, "Team Burgess is in the House!" (Of course...add your teams name :-) While at convention, don't sit alone and hope to be entertained and motivated. Make sure you "huddle up" and strategize as a team on how to utilize the new marketing tools, product, and training concepts presented at convention. "Huddle up" and recognize your people for their accomplishments - no matter how small those accomplishments may seem to you. "Huddle up" and create team pride and team spirit. And create your own "Count Down to Convention" team contests, then give out prizes while there at convention with your teams in a separate reception or meeting in your hotel room. Bottom-line...be at convention - promote convention - live, breathe, and talk convention ... and make convention the place to be for business builders serious about success with their business. Action Assignment: Get your people to convention, starting with you!

RUB-A-DUB DIET

Yes, we all wish we could find the elusive "Rub-a-Dub Diet" where all it takes to lose weight and get fit is to bathe and bask in the bubbles - 10 minutes you lose 10 pounds, 20 minutes you lose 20 pounds - right? But, this just doesn't exist. It takes a little effort.

Like all MLM products on the market, people often look for a shortcut to getting healthy (and wealthy) with various lotions, potions, pills and powders. And these are all great, but it's time we all face the music and use these wonderful products as tools to help us make permanent lifestyle changes. And with V3 we have the ultimate secret weapon for mood, energy and appetite. Control means hope and possibility!

Eat less, move more is the mantra of all health professionals. When feeling in control, energized and happy making smarter food choices can be made, and that is why V3 was formulated the way it was - to assist you with making permanent lifestyle changes.

Some of you know by reading my personal blog that I spent July with my son, Chris in Utah. He is a pro international basketball player, and P90X certified. He had me come spend time with him so I could make some needed lifestyle changes. And I'm so glad I did. V3 was helping me lose weight, but I still had an unhealthy outlook on "dieting." He wanted me to start eating smarter, consistently working out daily, and incorporating healthy snacks. With any habit we know it takes at least 21 days. And that proved to work perfectly for me. After 21 days, I was making healthier food choices, moving and changing my outlook on food and "dieting."

There is an epidemic in this country called obesity, and it is growing yearly. Our opportunity is to start with ourselves, using our V3 as our secret weapon - a tool - to eat smarter (and less), and move more. We need to look at avoiding the evil "whites" - white flour, white sugar, white pasta, white rice, white salt - and adding more veggies, lean protein, low-glycemic fruits and grains into our diets. From there we will feel and see our lives change, and sharing that personal change can make a difference on the planet, while at the same time, building a lucrative business from home. That should be our mantra - to make a difference. Voyager's name implies movement forward. Let us take the Voyage of health, happiness, and wealth together. And ... let's all REJOICE and celebrate together at the Mirage Resort and Casino at convention October 27-28!

NEXT - NEXT - NEXT

I am asked all of the time, by everyone I chat with about network marketing, "what is your secret to consistent success with network marketing - for near 40 years?" My answer to that question embraces three versions of the word NEXT. Let's explore those three word/phrases.

After you have set your goals, reflected on your "why" (writing both projects down on paper), begin with enthusiasm jotting down your Prospect 100(0) list, which is an on-going project. Then take the time to make three important visual signs to pin up on your bulletin board above your desk. These signs should read:
NEXT!
NEXT STEP...
THE NEXT ONE'S EVEN BETTER!

You are building a team. That is your goal. The stronger the team, the more leaders you develop, the more money you'll make. It's a numbers game. And not getting side-tracked, discouraged, or caught spinning your wheels with people who drag you down, or waste your time is crucial. These stumbling stones can be side-stepped if you put these three signs up on your bulletin board where you can see them, read them out loud, and visually focus on your goals to succeed with your business building.

Let's say you are working on a prospect who pretty much turns you down, to even take a L@@K at your awesome product and business. Simply look up at your sign (after hanging it up on your bulletin board above your desk where you can focus on it visually) and say out loud, "NEXT!" Then move on to the next person on your list. And when you have sampled, sold, or sponsored a prospect, look to your second sign as say out loud, "the NEXT STEP IS..." Then simply move your prospect thru the pipeline of exposures until the outcome you are striving for (sponsoring and adding them to your team) is achieved. But that's not all. Once they are signed, sealed and delivered (so to speak), get them plugged into the system, calls, webinars, trainings, etc. Again...the "next step!"

After you enroll a new prospect, take time to CELEBRATE (another Crazy 8) your victory. While doing your "happy dance" (yes...dance) say out loud, "the NEXT one's even better!" Then keep on looking and adding people to your team. Look for people just like you. In fact, some teach the ole' "sponsor up" concept. That means to go for top notch people that you aspire to be like. And, of course, doing sponsoring up is done with the 3-way call with your sponsor! To recap ...it's NEXT - NEXT STEP - NEXT ONE'S EVEN BETTER! (signs posted www.burgessbiz.com...soon.)

THE CRAZY 8'S OF SUCCESS!

Understanding what makes network marketing companies work is important to not only us, the field distributorship, but to the corporate teams who run the company on a daily basis. Too many companies fail because they have either never worked the field as a distributor, are underfunded, or both. The "ivory tower" syndrome where corporate keeps themselves isolated from the field and the field leaders, finds themselves making random, bad decisions that hurt vs help the independent distributor force with regards to growing their business. The very best network marketing and direct selling companies are those that were started by successful independent distributors. These are individuals who have done weekly meetings, slept on their teams couches when traveling, held meetings where no one shows, have built massive downline teams, trained these teams a duplicatable simple system to follow, and have seen the rewards in six-figure monthly bonus checks time after time. These rare individuals have been there ... done that.

That leads me into my Crazy 8's. As I was writing training years ago for the company I was with, I found a way to describe what it is we do in this business to see it succeed long term. Communicate - Update - Congratulate - Initiate - Motivate - Anticipate - Eliminate - Rejuvenate. There they are. All eight (8) categories of what must be done to build, maintain, sustain and create momentum within the walls of the corporate offices, as well as in the field with individual downline teams as a leader. Let's briefly look at these categories.

COMMUNICATE: You have got to communicate with your people on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This is done through personal contact, replicated website back offices, and email.

UPDATE: People want to be included, feel part of a team, and in-the-know. Individuals left out of the loop will quit. And if they weren't updated about calls, meetings, special events or promotions, they get frustrated and angry. Utilize technology to update, i.e. Facebook groups, Facebook pages, weekly email bulletins and events.

CONGRATULATE: Every chance you get to congratulate your distributors is critical to their ongoing involvement and growth. Rank advancement, successful shows, and promotion winners need to be bannered everywhere for all to see.

INITIATE: Take the lead and initiate activities within your groups. Competition is good. Events are crucial. An event includes calls, webinars, meetings, parties, trainings, promotions and gatherings.

MOTIVATE: To create that hoped-for momentum where sales and recruiting soars, you must keep your downline teams motivated. Plugging in and staying plugged in is crucial to staying motivated.

ANTICIPATE: Keep current with trends and happenings to be involved with. Catch the timing factor and run with it. Stay abreast and informed so that you can anticipate changes needed, products added, do what needs to be done, adapt and move the business forward.

ELIMINATE: Keep your communications and activities positive and powerful. Eliminate negativity. Nip it in the butt. Don't let your company and teams get caught up in it. Don't dwell on it. It will be a cancer that zaps your energy and the growth. Success is a companies (and persons) best revenge. Show what you are doing and continue building with a positive attitude that reflects hope and possibility.

CELEBRATE: Celebrate the victories for yourself and with your team members. Whatever large or small achievement they realize, make it a point to congratulate them and celebrate with them with a phone call, a blurb in the magazine or weekly bulletin. Encourage them to celebrate a successful meeting, a new enrollee, or rank advancement. Each step is a step that moves them forward to achieving their goals. And the celebration can be a new pair of shoes, dinner out, or a simple hair cut. "I'm celebrating success with my new business!" should be heard when they are out and about celebrating.  Each celebratory act reinforces and empowers one to continue growing, developing and achieving. So encourage your team to "go out and celebrate" with the victories, and always keep the positive attitude, whether silently or out loud, say, "I'm cookin' in this business!"

Go for 1000!

"Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start. When you read you begin with A, B, C. When you sing you begin with Do-Re-Mi."

One of my all-time favorite musicals, The Sound of Music, has a great song where Maria is teaching the children how to sing. This relates to my post about teaching the basics with network marketing. People who are new to this business need to be taught the basics. As I have just started teaching my 12 sessions of MLM 101 Mentoring this month, I love teaching the nuts and bolts of biz building where I take distributors from A to Z on learning the mechanics of how to effectively build a networking business from home. I've found that once a distributor learns these crucial biz building basics, and follows them exactly, they will see SOLID success with the growing of their network marketing businesses. So, as they sing, "let's start at the very beginning."

Take a legal pad and start writing that all-important Prospect 100 list. While you are excited, using your Memory Jogger to "jog your memory", write names of everyone you know with their phone numbers. Who cuts your hair? Who grooms your dog? Who cleaned your carpets? Who teaches your children piano? The list is endless. In fact, your Prospect 100 list should eventually, over time, turn into a Prospect 1000 list with all of the people you know!

Do not hesitate to write names down as fast as you think of a person, and as fast as you can find their phone numbers. There is literally a place for everyone in this business. Whether they are simply a wholesale consumer, or a part-time retailer, or a career-minded, full-time business builder, you want them involved. And you offer the business to every one of those people on the list. Yes, I said, "offer the business to everyone," not just "sell the product." Think like a "business builder" and you will see your dreams come true with network marketing.

Dig up your old lists. Think about who you know and have known in the past. These include Christmas card lists, Booster Club rosters, parent phone-tree lists, neighborhood watch lists, church groups, social groups, soccer parents phone lists, etc. You name it. Make every effort right now to find these lists and names. Then start adding names to your Prospect 100 (1000) list. In fact, pull out the phone books yellow pages and thumb through. Let your fingers do the walking, so that you can do the talking, right? Right.

Now, start friending everyone on Facebook. Message them and say, "hi...I met you (or knew you)..." As you start to renew these old friendships, add them to our V3 SUCCESS STORIES group, messaging them first with a simple, "I've added you to a fun group called V3 SUCCESS STORIES. This is where people share their success with that fun, happy, skinny pill called V3. You'll have fun checking out the stories." Then start following up with 3-way calls and inviting. But first...create the list as soon as you can, adding to it until you reach that Prospect 1000 mark. Got it? Now begin writing.