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August 30, 2004
Monday Reader Mail: 10
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail is one of my favorites. As always, my comments appear in bold.
name: Kenneth M.I personally find it odd that business associates are referred to as "brothers and sisters" by Kenneth. I realize that the Quixtar culture will probably respond by saying that I just don't "get" what Quixtar is all about and they may be right.
date: April 22, 2004message: My comments about your feelings about Quixtar are not meant by any ill feelings toward you or anyone else that has tried this business or any other business model. I will how ever tell you the many lives that I've seen changed over the years since my IBOship. Lets just say , maybe it wasn't for you. Maybe you require a different type of vehicle to get you where you need to be,and thats cool too,but don't fault anyone else because it didn't work for you.
For the record, I've never been critical of IBOs who work their business honestly, ethically and transparently.
And to all my brothers and sisters who have chosen to step out on faith to transform their minds ,stop e-mailing this guy! You don't have to debat him on the truth, and our truths are not his ,and thats cool too. This bashers page has nothing to do with where we are going. If he doesn't want to be free,let him rest in cheese station "C" ! Peace.
I can only imagine that "cheese station 'C'" is some sort of IBO code talk for "loser." Or maybe it's some literary reference that went over my head?
Comments
It IS from "Who moved my cheese?" See link, if you're interested:
I agree, this is most likely in referenct to the 'Who Moved My Cheese Book'.
On a side note, I couldn't help but notice the name on the email. Maybe Qblog has more on this, but could Kenneth M. be Ken McDonald (Quixand's - I mean Quixtar's Marketing Director)? Interesting if he found Qblogs site so important as to personally email him and debate him on the truth while encouraging his minions to do the exact opposite.
It was NOT Ken McDonald.
I figured it probably wasn't. Sorry for stirring the pot there.
Hmmmmm.
More of the "it changes people's lives" dogma.
One of the things I don't understand about that line of reasoning is this: If this is a BUSINESS, it follows that you are participating in order to MAKE MONEY (because that's the definition of a business). So when your 'business' or 'business model' is criticised, how is it logical to say "it changes people's lives" (unless you mean financially, but that's rarely the claim, except for the 50 or so couples balancing precariously at the top of the A/QMO pyramids)?
If, on the other hand, the purpose is to "change people's lives", then this is a moderately expensive self-inflicted psychotherapy, and that's fine, but call it that.
Note to IBOs posting here in defense of their beloved organizations: Please supply factual, objective information (such as copies of IRS schedule C) along with your assertions of 'help' that the business has provided you or 'those you've seen'.
Without such factual information, one can only assume that "changed lives' refers in fact to unsubstantiable goals such as "I'm a better person", not to the actual turning of a profit.
Which is fine, but then it isn't a BUSINESS.
It is from the Cheese book. I'm sad that such a good book is being used for Quixway. Hopefully, someone will read it and seek the real cheese.
There is a much more entertaining book that gives you the whole idea in a 15 minute read. The pictures are good too!
"Who Moved My Cheese"-For Kids
by Spencer Johnson, Steve Pileggi
"Bashers page"? I haven't seen any bashing going on, unless Kenneth considers expressing opinions bashing. If he doesn't agree, then it must be "bashing". Pffft.
I was wryly amused at his comment about "where we are going". Too bad he doesn't realize it's the poorhouse! We'll just sit back and watch with our bank accounts intact, thank you.
"Italian place, huh? You know they have a Chuck-e-Cheese downtown?"
"Listen, I don't know this 'Cheese' person..."
- Sophia Loren telling Walter Mathau that she is unimpressed with the competition and still plans on converting the old bait shop into a restaurant in 'Grumpier Old Men'.
As a typical wage earner, I've noticed that employees have often been directed to read "Who Moved My Cheese?" just before a round of layoffs. Almost as though the bossman is saying "Sorry we screwed up, but here's a growing experience for you. Excuse me while I go buy another yacht."
I have no idea what that has to do with your letter writer, but I really detest that book.
Now, as Mayor McCheese, I grant the Hamburglar a full pardon for all his crimes and alleged crimes against hamburgers.
While the cheese comment was interesting, what I really want to know is ... how do you debat? Would that be related to debug?
I agree that many lives have been changed over the years of Kenneth's IBOship. I do not agree that it has been all for the good. I am currently caring for both of my elderly parents (83 and 86 yrs), each with debilitating health problems, and never a phone call or "what can I do" from my brother and sister-in-law who are die hard core IBOs in Quixtar. They were in Amway 35 years ago and failed. They each worked J.O.Bs to get a retirement, then jumped back into Quixtar. When he tried to prospect me on their second go-time-around, I made the mistake of asking, "Is this another get rich quick scheme?". I lost my brother at that time and he hasn't been back since. The pitch that there will be more time for family must refer to his Quixtar family. Yes, lives are definitely changed!
"And to all my brothers and sisters who have chosen to step out on faith to transform their minds..."
I find this to be the core of the AmQuix business strategy--too much on faith, not enough on facts.
The facts will show you that the "plan" doesn't work.
As for faith, these people should be putting their faith in the right place, not chasing money.
I like his line:
"You don't have to debat him on the truth, and our truths are not his ,and thats cool too."
Truth, by definition, is 'fact' or 'reality' - neither of which are represented in the Quixtar plan. I'm not sure what their definition of 'our truths' is... Truth is truth, is it not?
I know, maybe they have an IBO Dictionary on their book list, written by a group of Diamonds, with definitions applicable only to the Quixtar business! Available now, from your upline, at a cost of only $19.95! ($2 of which covers the cost of printing....the other $18 is profit for the Diamonds!)
The "cheese" comment was definitely from "Who Moved My Cheese." That book was a Book Of The Month shortly before my wife and I quit the business.
Obviously, we were not stuck in Cheese Room C, were we?
The book was, essentially, about knowing when to move on, step out, take a chance and be willing to leave the known-and-comfortable behind. Seems to me there are some who are stuck in Cheese Room C but are being kept from realizing that that's where they are. In fact, they are being encouraged to stay there.
Sad, really.
PW
I don't know for sure, but I would guess it references something on the Who Moved Your Cheese video that floats around corporate America and MOs.
Maybe maybe not
Usul
Posted by: Muad'dib | August 30, 2004 3:54 PM