This is a question we got from one of our listeners that we weren’t able to get to on our last call, but we will on our complimentary call July 7th.

Click here to register and save your seat now!

“We hear on conference calls and at convention great stories about results & financial rewards. But we are not told the nuts & bolts of how to create those results and the great financial rewards. What is it they are not telling us?”

The Magic is in the Detail.

When you hear an ‘expert’ talking about the number of people (s)he trained last or signed up last week, do you ask the tough questions you’d like to know? Or are you quiet (intimidated?) and wonder…

Where did they meet them?

How did they stop them?

Were they nervous?

If yes, how did they get over it?

Here is the deal folks, network marketing is a business of stories. Unfortunately all too often we only get the ‘back end of the story.’ The result. Plus, we only hear the good stories. This isn’t fishing folks. You don’t hear about the one that got away! You only hear about the successes. The key to your success is not about listening to the success of someone else.

The key to your success is getting the details of “how” they created the success scenario from step one.

Too often we are told (and tell our downline) what to do but not how to do it.

How many of you have asked your new recruit to make that list of a 100 and then sent them out to “make calls.” It isn’t that you are wrong. Your new recruit does need to make calls. But you have only told them what to do.

Certainly knowing what to do is important. It is critically necessary. But everything falls apart unless they also know how to make those calls. Do you spend the necessary time to make sure your recruit knows exactly what to say (how to do it).

Nothing stops someone faster than sending them out to do something that they feel they are not prepared for.

I’m not talking about feeling like an expert. They simply need to feel prepared.

Of course, if you only know “what to do” but not “how to do it,” it is tough to train and coach your new recruit.

What do you need to do?

If you are listening to someone who gets results you don’t get, then ask questions. Smart Savvy questions. Lots of them.

What is a smart question? Everything you’d like to know. What questions are running through your mind?

• How after being in this business a zillion years do you meet new people?
• If you’ve just heard this great story about someone they recruited, ask them ‘how did you meet them?”
• How many people did you talk to at the (mall, restaurant, event) before someone was willing to talk to you?
• How many of them told you ‘no’ before someone told you ‘yes.’
• What did you say to open the conversation?
• How did you get their attention?
• How do you get their number?
• How soon do you call them?
• Where they there when you called?
• Did they call you back?
• What kind of a message did you leave on the answering machine? (Do you leave a message?)
• How do you deal with “no.”

Aren’t these the very questions you’d like to have the answers to?

The problem is two fold.

1. Too often the stories we are told are all about results.
2. We don’t ask about the details.

Your Savvy Smartness lies in the details. The details bring out the magic of your business.

If you think this article was helpful, don’t miss our call on July 7th and we’ll have some fun with these questions. You can stop someone in a market and not be rude. You can talk to someone in a restaurant and not be rude. You can approach people with professionalism and confidence. You just need to know the “nuts and bolts.”

Come join us for an hour of coaching to talk about “how to nuts and bolts.”

Warmly,

Jillian

Most of us dread either being told ‘No’ or having to say “No.” But there is power in the word “No.” There is positive, good, clean, power.

What happens to you when someone says, “Maybe?” Do you often find yourself working hard to get them to declare “Yes”? The problem, of course, they don’t want to declare. They are either undecided (which is costly for both of you) or really an undeclared “No.” Typically, that is a total waste of time.

Embracing “No” at the right time keeps things moving.

NO is unsticky.

NO is Teflon.

NO is movement forward.

How different would your business look if people were clear and got out of your way with a “No?”

And how about you? (You didn’t think I was going to let you off the hook did you?) When do you say, “Maybe” or “Yes” when you should say, “No.”

Saying yes because “No” is tough, makes life overworked, over burdened and typically you overwrought.

Too many ‘Yeses’ leave little or no room for the ‘Yeses’ you want to do.

An honest, straight forward, courteous “No” is the leader’s edge.

Warmly,

Jillian

There are two approaches to working with your hard found new recruits.

You are Hands off! You say, “I’ll be here to help you if you need me.”

You work with a strategically designed plan of action that includes scheduled check-ins with you after each step or combination of steps.

Here is what happens with the Hands Off approach.

It works well if you have a self starter entrepreneur who is totally committed to being wrong, — often — as they learn the right way to build their business.

Here is what happens with a strategic plan of action with scheduled debriefing check-ins.

Your new consultant keeps moving forward building their business with a sense of accomplishment. She knows what to do, how to do it and takes strength from you being there. You are her sounding board on which she bounces her mis-takes and successes.

Choosing the Hands Off approach often leads to the 500 pound telephone. Without a solid training system that promotes duplication it is easy to worry about recruiting. Recruits new and old only pick up the phone when they are clear they can deliver their promises.

Building a strategically designed plan of action takes an investment in time, energy, often money. It also builds a strong sponsor and duplicating downline.

The “Hands Off” approach is terrific when it works. However, because it seldom works, it is a terrible waste of dreams, energy and hope

How do you work with your new recruits? Tell us here!

Warmly,

Jillian

Ever look at someone else and think yourself inadequate?   Judith Warner writes a column for the NY Times and I thought this post poignant.  Too often we look at others and think we’re not doing enough.  The funny part about that, they often are looking at us and Judging themselves short.  It may well be time to let yourself off the hook.

He went on to say how necessary it was to implement a system to drive the processes in the kitchen. Then have a way to measure the success of those systems long before the customer starts to complain! Sound familiar? It should!

Every business has the same issues. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the restaurant business, the dry cleaners business or you are a network marketer building a distribution center. If you want it to be a financial success your business needs:

1. A system to drive it so processes are done the same way regardless of who is doing it.
2. A method of measurement to make sure that the system is doing the job it should be doing.
3. Regular systematic communication with all the players to keep your hand on the pulse of what is going on with the people inside your business.

Do YOU?

Do you have a system in place that drives your business? Is everyone you sponsor (or your downline sponsors) trained the same way? They should be if they are going to work with the general public as an independent representative of your company. Yes, everyone.

Why would you turn someone loose to talk to people (even if they are only going to do one home event a month) unless you know they can do a great job? They are out there representing your company and the network marketing industry at large. Hostesses either love them because their party was successful or they don’t. People in the room enjoyed themselves and bought product, looked at the business or they don’t. Regardless, they are going to tell people about their experience. Unfortunately, they are most likely going to tell more people about a bad experience than they are about a good experience. People hate having their time wasted!

Do you have a way to measure the results of your activity? Or do you just keep on doing things hoping they are going to work? (Hope is a great thing but it is not a good strategy!) Plus, how sane is it to keep doing the same things over and over again ‘hoping’ to get different results? Hmmmm? If things aren’t working, how do you strategically implement change(s) into your downline?

What kind of communication/training/coaching is in place that your team can count on regularly? Are you limiting your business by trying to talk to every person individually? Or do you have (as they say here in Boston) a “wicked good” team MasterMind coaching call?

Want Some Help?

Want some help in setting these things up? Click here to register for our upcoming no charge to you teleclasses. There are three teleclasses in the series. Don’t miss any of them.

There are 11 months left in 2009. You can either whine or you can shine. (I know sorry, it is a bit corny but fun – and true!)

Don’t have the time to get your business in order?

And by the way for all of you who are saying, “Well I’d like to get my business that organized, but I don’t have the time.” Bull Manure.

• It takes less time to set up a business correctly than it does to run it by the seat of your pants.
• It takes less time to work a business that is set up correctly.
• With systems in place you can run a large vibrant team in the same amount of time you are flailing around now.
• Everyone around you will respect (not necessarily like) what you are doing. (Think about that one for a minute. Kids on board with your time. Your spouse or partner on board. How different would that makes things?)

There are no excuses not to be the best you can be. None!

The Economy is Too Bad

Traditionally network marketing companies do extremely well in hard economic times. Why? People are motivated to make a change. Many have already lost their job or are worried about losing their job. Waiting for the other shoe to drop creates urgency. I urge you to take advantage of this economic downturn to build your business

Are you ready?

Click here for our upcoming (no charge to you) coaching calls.

Warmly,

Jillian

• a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
• the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
• the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

It sounds noble to be ‘resolved’ to get something done. It sounds very adult, grown up and mature. It also means I’m going to have to pull out my ‘will power.’ In other words, to carry out that which I resolve to do (e.g., New Year’s resolutions) I am going to have to rely on my strength of will to make it happen.

I have a problem. It doesn’t sound like much fun. I don’t know about you but I don’t have much will power. Oh, I have internal strength. I know how to put my nose to the grindstone and get things done. But years ago I ‘resolved’ to live a life I enjoyed. Dragging myself around by my will power doesn’t fit that resolution.

If Not Will Power Then What?

If I want to enjoy what I’m doing then I need to FEEL compelled to do it. Here’s what Dictionary.com says about being compelled:

Therefore:

• if I want to make Bikram yoga a part of my life;
• or I want to work diligently at my business in a professional money making manner;

I need to find a way to be compelled to do these things.

How do you find a way to want to get up at 5:30 am to walk into a 110 degree hot room to contort your body and love it?

Or, how do you find a way to want to pick up the phone and give the best business presentation you can give multiple times each day you work?

Here is what I think. Most resolutions don’t last because they are made out of guilt, discontent or fear. And although these are really powerful emotions, they have a tendency to paralyze us rather than actualize us.

Back To The Fun Bit

Take a few minutes and ask yourself what benefit your ‘resolution’ or goal will deliver to you. Careful here, you’re looking at benefits not features. Doing yoga might give me a stronger more supple body but so what. What benefit(s) does a stronger more supple body give me?

A growing financially sustainable business might give me financial independence (feature) but what benefits does it give me?

To be compelled to consistently build a business, you need to want to do it. In order to want to do it, it needs to resonate emotionally. Benefits resonate with us humans. Benefits feed our emotions. If emotions are involved we are pretty much compelled to be in the game. Make sense?

Big Dreams (resolutions/goals) Small Changes

When I started Bikram yoga I was really excited about the benefits. I knew my body would move more freely. It would ache less after being in the car. I would rest better at night and have more energy. I would enjoy being back in touch with my body.

I also knew if I decided to go everyday I’d never do it. I started out two or three times a week (and not at 5:30 am either). I let my practice evolve as the benefits to me increased.

Your business is exactly the same. Don’t try to be the perfect entrepreneur starting January 1st. Be sane.

• Make a list of things you want from your business.
• Prioritize them.
• Take the first one and list all the benefits that are important to you.
• Add small steps of change to your calendar.  Need help with that calendar? See http://www.savvysponsoring.com/store
• Each day look at that list of benefits.
• Each week note any changes you see in your progress.

Don’t spend any time worrying about what isn’t getting done. Keep yourself emotionally engaged with your small steps and the changes will ultimately be huge. (You can take that to the bank!)

If you want to achieve your New Year’s Resolutions in 2009, make sure that everything you do fills your heart with joy because of the benefits it brings to you.

Enjoy your life and still get what you want! This is not a dress rehearsal.

Warmly,

Jillian

Savvy Events :

Are You Ready?

Did you know that a poor economy is the best time to build your network marketing business? In the last couple of months a number of retired network marketing leaders have called me for coaching. They all say the same thing, “In the last recession my business doubled (or tripled).  I’m going back to work.”

Are you ready to take advantage of a recession economy to build your business? Yes! Great. Watch for announcements here for the next Savvy Sponsoring programs to begin in March. These programs are sponsoring and training intensive. They will help you put your business into high gear. People are afraid. People are worried about their jobs, their retirements and the quality of their lives. It is complacency that makes it hard to build a business. If people are happy they stay where they are. But people are not happy. Where do you want them to go?

Are you ready for strong community leaders to join your business? How are you finding them? How are you talking to them? How are you going to train them? Is your system in place? Are you ready to duplicate your efforts?

Want to be ready?  Click here for more information or to reserve your seat.

Whoosh! And the time is gone.

For those of you who have worked with me, you know that I am known to harp…yes I’ll admit it, harp on the importance of how you spend your time. Reflect for a moment about what is more important to you than your time here on earth?

What is the most important thing to you?

In my years of coaching I’ve heard people put forth the argument that their children or their mate are the most important thing to them. I understand that feeling. Tom and I are together now for five years. It is very hard for me to imagine my life without him. I’m sure you feel the same way, but I’m married to the nicest guy on the planet!

Which is all the more reason that I need to put him second to my time on this planet. Why? The quality I bring to the time I have here is the key to living my rich full life with him.

I refuse to “beat time” and do things because I have to. I refuse to get into bed at night tired but not feel that I’ve enjoyed my day and made the most of my time.

Ok enough preaching. Here’s the deal. A little planning goes a long way during these busy holidays. If you want to take the best care you can of all those around you and you have terrific holidays, plan your exit from work.

Then plan your re-entry into work.

Simple idea and a sure bet way to enjoy your holiday. How do you do that?

Exit Strategy

Make a list of what must get done before you walk away from your office. Do your best to keep it short and sweet. Put only those things that really must get done on your list (and only those things that you have to do go on your list – delegate where you can).

Prioritize and schedule time in your calendar for each of these items. Don’t work on anything else until these are complete. If you still have office time left, then work on the “B” and “C” things. But get the most important things done first.

Sometimes we can be moving so quickly we let the basics go. Work out of your calendar. Make sure you’ve allotted yourself enough time. Get that “to do” list out of your hands and give everything a time in your calendar. Not only will you get more done…you’ll have some sanity to enjoy all those important people in your life too.

The Re-Entry Strategy

This is really easy to do but most of us don’t do it.

One of the biggest issues I hear after any prolonged holiday is how difficult it is to get back to work. Often it is mid-January (or later) before people are back into full swing. I don’t have a problem with that as long as it is what you planned. Because if you didn’t plan this extra time out of production, you are most likely spending that extra time fretting and feeling guilty about what is not getting done. And typically, the longer you are in this limbo the more difficult it is to get a handle on yourself and get back into work.

Don’t leave to go on vacation until you have booked at least one money making activity in your calendar for the first Monday or Tuesday (at the latest) that you are due back to work. In other words make sure that you have something booked in your calendar that requires you to show up on your first or second day back from vacation.

There is nothing like an important appointment to bring us back to work.

The more you book your calendar right after your vacation with strong money making events the more likely you are to get back into the swing of things right away.

Why not start the year out right living your time rather than just spending it.

Warmly,

Jillian

I hope that all of you here in the United States had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I did.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and terrific 10 days with my Mom.  But I love what I do and it’s always good to get back to work  However, I must be getting old, time appears to be moving much more quickly than ever before!  It’s hard to believe that those 10 days are over already .. and so is November and 2008 is closing fast.

And even though I love what I do, if I’m not careful I find it easy to fall into ‘feeling behind’ and then want to start pushing, pushing, pushing to get more done faster.  Not a great combination for success or sanity.

I found Seth Godin’s blog this morning really helpful to bring things back into focus.  He reminded me that it’s not about faster and it’s not about pushing.  Once again it’s about savvy. 

Are you thinking through what strategy will work and how to implement that strategy?  Is your current marketing plan for the long haul?  Or are you moving with momentum and expecting short term results?  Or are you doing both?  (Great idea!)  If you’d like a wonderful quick lesson in marketing your product or business check out Seth Godin’s blog.

Cheers and welcome back to your office this Monday morning.

Warmly,

Jillian

What do you do if you’re speaking to someone who is looking for an opportunity.  They take a good look at yours.  Alas, they determine that you just are not in the industry that they want to work.  You might be involved in child literacy, or health and wellness and they were looking for something in communications.  You are simply not a fit.  What do you do?

Do you keep trying to interest them?  (That by the way is the real definition of pushy.  You don’t take “no” for an answer.  Closing someone to an activity or a definitive answer is good business - not pushy!)  Or do you suggest some things they might want to look for in a communications company.  Like strength of company or a solid upline with good systems in place.  Maybe you know someone in that industry you respect and can even refer them.  As Seth Godin who was the inspiration behind this post today says, “Your ego might not enjoy it, but in the long run, your organization will.”

In other words do you do your best for them regardless of the outcome for you at that moment? It is no secret (pun intended) that what goes around comes around.  But it’s not magic.  Do your best for people regardless of what the immediate outcome is to you and you’ll build a reputation of being a real ‘mensch.”

People will talk about you in your world - what do you want them to say?

Are you a self pest yet?