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June 30, 2005
Happy Forum-versary
By QBlog in Blog News
On June 30, 2003 the Quixtar BLOG Forum went live. The original blog post announcing the launch of the Forum reads thusly:
The Forum is live and ready for action. Anyone can participate. It's free and easy to get set up. If you have questions about Quixtar, ask them here. If you have a success story to share, tell it here. If you have a complaint about the business, complain here. If you want to talk about other MLMs, BSMs or whatever, talk about it here.
You get the idea. This is your forum. It will only be as good as you want it to be. I realize that there are many MLM forums on the Web and I don't expect this one to be some enormous success. I expect it to start very slowly and hopefully build over time. Developing online communities is no easy task and I hope nobody views this community as competition to any of the other, established communities. I just want this to be yet another forum for people to express their thoughts and feelings about Quixtar and MLMs.
So, get set up on the new forum and start talking.
Two years later the Quixtar BLOG Forum has nearly 600 registered members, almost 32,000 posts and a wealth of information and commentary. Thanks to everyone for making the Forum such a cool place for Quixtar and MLM discussions. I can't wait to see what it will look like two years from now.
DeVos Speaks - Direct Distributor
By QBlog in DeVos Speaks
"DeVos
Speaks," is special series that features comments made by Amway co-founder
Rich DeVos. Each DeVos quote is published without comment and includes a link
to the source material (for context) when available. This series doesn't have
a regular publication schedule but all posts are available under the Category
listing on the Archives page.
Someplace along the line, we lost sight of the fact that the Direct Distributor is the operating head of their organization. All due respect to the upline. I don't care who they are; I don't care what pin level they are. Many of you have heard me talk over and over again about the fact that if your sponsor did nothing more than tell you about Amway, they opened a door of opportunity for you; but only you can walk through it.
And those of you that I'm talking to today are Direct Distributors; you took the challenge; you walked through that door, and you became a Direct Distributor in the world of Amway. In our book, that makes you the head, the star the outstanding performer, who, unlike many others who looked at it and listened and either turned it down or did nothing with it, you did, and you are to be commended.
I'm disturbed, because I find too many people are putting Directs down and saying, Oh, what are you? "You don't know enough," a Diamond's where it's at. And you know, it's true; we have a lot of awards at Diamond. But we decided a long time ago in this company that Direct Distributor is where it's at. After all, a Diamond is only a person who has six Direct Distributors, and a double Diamond is one who has twelve; but this whole Plan revolves around the leadership of the Direct Distributor. And that's, of course, why we're talking to you.
- Rich DeVos, Directly Speaking - 1983
Quixtar Leader Series - Getting A's In Business
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
This is the sixth and final installment of the Quixtar Leader Series.
» Harteis Business Insights: Getting A's in Business - (originally posted June 29, 2005 at Randy Haugen Headlines)
Quixtar IBO Fred Harteis offers his advice on getting straight A's in business: Accept, Approve, Applaud, and Appreciate.
by Fred Harteis
When working with my potential or developing leaders, I keep the four A's in mind. The letters remind me to Accept, Approve, Applaud, and Appreciate.
Accept means that I accept my responsibility as the leader. I model the behavior that I want to see in my team.
The next three A's remind me that people tend to thrive in an atmosphere where they are Accepted, Approved, and Applauded. Potential leaders will take risks and learn lessons if they are not penalized for the behavior.
Great leaders in every field know that acquiring and keeping good people is a leader's most important task. Equipment tends to lose its value. People are assets. They can grow and add more value over time if the leader understands how to develop their potential. That's our focus at Harteis International and Harties Associates.
About columnist Fred Harteis
Information: Fred Harteis owns Harteis International and serves on the Independent Business Owner Association International (IBOAI) board. A background in construction and agri-business laid Harteis' business foundation. Under Fred’s leadership and vision, Harties businesses like Harteis Associates have grown exponentially.
Keywords: Fred Harteis, Harteis International, Jerry Harteis of Harteis Associates, Business News
© 2005 provided to Randy Haugen Quixtar blog by Esource News.
Keywords: jerryharteisofharteis, randyhaugenquixtar, harteisassociates, esourcenews, hartiesinternational, fredharteis, harteis
I hope you enjoyed the Quixtar Leader Series. I know I did. If you missed any of the previous entries here they are for your reading pleasure:
What did you learn from the Quixtar Leaders? How have their messages helped improve your understanding of the Quixtar business? In what ways do you see their blogs impacting the overall quality of so-called Blogosphere?
Please leave your comments and thank you.
June 29, 2005
True Lies
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Yesterday a site visitor sent me an email that he received from some IBOs in Orrin Woodward's TEAM organization. The site visitor, whom we'll call Ludwig, is good friends with the TEAM IBOs and explained that they are contemplating an exit from Quixtar and TEAM. Ludwig also said that his IBO friends had expressed some concerns to their upline after recently discovering Quixtar's direct connection to Amway.
In response to those concerns, the IBO's sponsor sent them an email to convince them to stay in the business. After receiving the email, the IBOs forwarded it to Ludwig and he then, with their permission, forwarded it to me.
I was given permission to publish portions of the email under the condition that it remains anonymous and doesn't directly identify the IBOs, their upline or Ludwig. What I did is excerpt the most interesting portions of the email and edited them a bit to maintain anonymity. I'm also adding my own comments after each excerpt.
...We know about all the websites that bash TEAM and Quixtar. As with all businesses, there are always a few people that are negative and like to make it known.
Often on these sites, the people do not reveal their identities and if they do, they represent someone else that is not necessarily honest.
For example, there is a man that bought lots of stuff from Quixtar to inflate his PV to go Diamond. He wrote a book which was sold as the most expensive book by the system.
After his diamondship fell apart, because he just did not have the organization to back it up because he basically bought his diamondship, he decided to head up a movement against Quixtar and anyone and anything affiliated with it. He has a website and signs it under a different name where he only tells half of the story to make it look bad - but the picture is incomplete - which is quite unfair in my opinion. So a question to ask ourselves is "How reliable is the source? Who do we listen to?"
Who is this man? Bo Short? He's admitted to buying most of one leg in Honduras but I haven't seen or heard anything accusing him of buying products to reach Diamond.
Or maybe the email isn't referring to Bo Short? Maybe it's some other former Diamond. I don't know. It doesn't provide a name.
And ironically the vast majority of websites that criticize Quixtar are run by people who are very upfront about their identities. There's Scott Larsen, Robert Todd Carroll, Dave Touretzky and Robert FitzPatrick to name a few.
Contrast that with the Quixtar and Diamond run blogs. There's Kia, Bobble, ahb and TheNedster to name a few.
...So what does this all mean?
Well Quixtar has a team of lawyers looking after all the legal issues for their affiliated IBOs.
TEAM is standing strong by the following principle: "People who have integrity expect to be believed and if they are not, they let time prove them right."
Also check out Orrin's site where you will find an attorney's perspective.
It's also convenient that the attorney perspective linked from Orrin's site is an IBO in the TEAM organization. That couldn't possibly be a conflict of interest.
...TEAM's founders did start out in the old business model so they obviously kept all that they thought would be beneficial to the growth of the TEAM including books and CD's.
Why? Because our business is not shopping on line but developping leaders. So, they had to keep and improve on the system to help people develop the necessary skills.
That is why the TEAM is known today to have the best leadership development program — the growth of the TEAM proves it. In 2003 the entire TEAM membership was 30,000, now we are near 100,000. So does this work, yes.
TEAM has 100,000 members! Someone better tell WWG. Also, that would mean that roughly half of all active IBOs are in the TEAM organization. Interesting.
...The TEAM is also the only organisation that profit shares below diamond. Usually all the money from the system would go to the diamonds and they decide what to do with it. The TEAM is run differently, it is based on franchising principles not multi-level. The money goes into the TEAM pot and is profit shared back down to a little lower than Platinum level.
...So the benefits of participating in a concept like Quixtar remains the convenience of e-commerce, the great customer service they have, and the profit sharing program on our purchases. No other store gives us up to 25% of purchases back.
Notice that there's no mention of actually retailing products to customers.
Where to begin? I really don't know what to say. Such emails are consistent with my limited experience with Quixtar and consistent with what IBOs have shared with me over the last couple of years. There's a mountain of misinformation that's repeatedly fed to IBOs and nobody seems to be doing a damn thing about it. Not one damn thing.
And you know what? Ludwig's friends are leaving the business partly because they feel like they were misled. How many others leave for similar reasons? How many more IBOs would there be if Quixtar acted more aggressively to stop the flow of such misinformation.
Why won't they do it? Why won't Quixtar draft a comprehensive strategy to end the lies and swiftly punish those who spread such rubbish? I don't know. Maybe it's money. Maybe it's ego? It's the big mystery.
What I really want to know is if YOU have been told similar things by your upline. If you want to keep your anonymity, post a comment with a pseudonym using a fake email address. Just let us know what group you're affiliated with and what misinformation you were told by your upline.
Thanks.
June 28, 2005
Burning Ears
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I don't normally use this blog to promote the QBlog Radio but today I'd like to direct your attention to a couple of recent shows that I believe are worth a listen. There's a Conversation with LawDawg and an Interview With Imran. Great stuff, fun and educational.
If you're not a regular QBlog Radio listener then now might be the time to get in the habit. There's at least one new show a week and now that I can record Skype conversations I may produce shows a bit more frequently.
June 27, 2005
Comment Alert
By QBlog in Blog News
I did two things. One stupid. One maybe smart.
I changed the way comments are displayed here. Previously they were displayed in "descending" order, with the newest comment at the top. Now that's reversed. The oldest (or first) comment is now at the top. So the whole blog post now reads in a manner that accurately represents the way the comments were submitted. First comment is first. Last comment is last. Fun. That was the "maybe smart" thing that I did.
The stupid thing I did was change the blog's global time settings in the middle of the day. I love GMT, it's the coolest thing since Daylight Saving Time (yes, I know it pre-dates DST). So for quite a while this blog has been set on Greenwich Mean Time. Today I changed it to Eastern which seemed like a good idea (since most of the traffic here is from that time zone) but it turns out that the idea was rubbish. The time change made some comments display before others that were actually posted first. Confusing isn't it?
It's all back to GMT now so you Brits can rejoice at your timely victory. If some comments are out of sorts, it's me who screwed it up though I'm tempted to blame our English brothers.
Monday Reader Mail: 49
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Sometimes Reader Mail can be almost poetic in its simplicity and profundity.
name: Toya
date: June 25, 2005
message: What Do you do for a living now that you're not in quixtar.
That's great question even if it doesn't end with a question mark. What do I do for a living now? Well, let's see. I have bright red grocery cart full of cans that I push around while asking motorists for spare change. Sometimes I sit in the park and scream at the pigeons because I know their dark, insidious secrets. And occasionally I stop by the local library to freshen up, post to this blog, answer emails and read Highlights for Children.
Indeed, my life has taken a downward turn since my exit from everyone's favorite MLM but this is the life I've chosen and I make due the best I can. Thanks for writing Toya!
June 26, 2005
- These are businessmen/women from Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- These are businessmen/women from Quixtar
"These people in my opinion are simply beggars/blood suckers in disguise!"
- So I have this business I'm looking to expand
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- So I have this business I'm looking to expand
"It is vaguely disturbing that anyone actually thinks that pyramid schemes/multilevel marketing/whatever is a good idea for anyone but the guy on the top"
Blogging 101 - How To Blog
By QBlog in Blogging 101
The winner of the 2005 Weblog Awards for "Best article or essay about weblogs" demonstrates the futility of this "Blogging 101" series by explaining all you need to know about blogging in a single post. How To Blog is Tony Pierce's popular essay on how to build an internal combustion engine with common household items.
No, not really you dork. His essay is on how to blog, which is why it's titled "How To Blog." And since this "Blogging 101" thing was created to help people blog, I thought sharing the wisdom of a Weblog Award Winner would be a good thing to do.
Here are a couple of highlights from the famed "How To Blog" essay:
1. write every day.
15. dont be afraid if you think something has been said before. it has. and better. big whoop. say it anyway using your own words as honestly as you can. just let it out.
26. dont be afraid to come across as an asswipe. own your asswipeness.
29. dont apologize about not blogging. nobody cares. just start blogging again.
So, get blogging. Do it like your life depends on it, or maybe like someone else's life depends on it. Sometimes I pretend that every time I publish a blog post a starving child in Asia gets a meal. Or, if you don't want to go the benevolent route, pretend that every blog post kills a terrorist. It may be true. You never know.
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
June 25, 2005
QBlog Toons - Amoeba
By QBlog in Humor
June 24, 2005
Quixtar Leader Series - Getting Along
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
This is the fifth installment of the Quixtar Leader Series.
» Getting Along With People - Be Like-Able - (originally posted February 22, 2005 at Billy Florence - Founder of TeamDCI)
One of the greatest predictors of a person's success is their ability to get along with a wide range of people. Job skills without people skills can make your work life unnecessarily difficult. Billy Florence is a master at people skills.
Orrin Woodward: If a young professional was interested in developing their people skills what's one tip you'd give them, Billy?
Billy Florence: Orrin, I'd suggest that you focus on developing their relationship skills in baby steps. It takes persistence and practice. I've noticed that many of the people who do this best, had to learn this skill over time.
Orrin Woodward: That's sensible. What is a first baby step?
Billy Florence: Step one would be to focus on the word "like." Orrin, if we genuinely like people, like to talk to them and like to be helpful to them; they will genuinely like us, too.
Orrin Woodward: I agree, Billy. And thanks for stressing the quality of being genuine. It is vital.
Billy Florence: How about you, Orrin? What do you suggest for the second baby sep?
Orrin Woodward: I'd add "able" to the word "like," Billy. I've known some brilliant and talented people, who make it tough for others to be "able" to like them.
Billy Florence: What's causes that difficulty, Orrin?
Orrin Woodward: I've noticed that they have parts of their attitudes or personality that can be described as "scratchy."
Billy Florence: Scratchy?
Orrin Woodward: Yes! They can often rub people the wrong way.
Billy Florence: So, am I hearing you say that developing the skill of genuinely liking people and listening to them is an excellent exercise for smoothing out any scratchy personality patches?
Orrin Woodward: Exactly.
© provided to Bill Florence blog by Esource News. Keywords: Orrin Woodward, Billy Florence
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 28
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: So, let me get this straight. I have to sell
70% of everything I buy from Quixtar or I won't get my bonus?
Answer: That's right.
Q: But that's crazy talk. How can I sell all the products
I buy? I buy a lot of stuff and how can I figure out what equals 70%?
A: Well, you are running a business and you'll need to keep up with stuff like
that.
Q: Oh my God. This sucks. This totally sucks. Surely
Quixtar can't keep up with who sells 70% or not right?
A: Actually, they do have a way to keep up with everything. Each product you
order has to be marked for personal use or as eligible for retail. There's a
check box on Quixtar.com that you must select for each order. The Quixtar computers
keep track of what's for personal use and what's for retail. If you end up not
selling things you bought for retail, you go back at the end of the month and
indicate that in the system. If Quixtar sees that you're close to violating
the 70% rule an email alert is automatically sent to show you how to quickly
get back into compliance.
Q: Really? I had no idea? Crap, I've been doing this
all wrong.
A: No, not really you dork. I made that up. Of course Quixtar doesn't enforce
the 70% rule or monitor what you buy and sell. They could but they don't. It's
all very convenient.
Q: Ah, I get what you're saying. So the 70% rule is
just to keep the FTC off of Quixtar's back but nobody at Quixtar really gives
a crap what the IBO does, right?
A: Officially, Quixtar is very interested in your compliance with the 70% rule.
Unofficially... well. Wink-wink. Nudge-nudge. Say no more.
Q: What's up with this Bruce Anderson character? Is
he for real?
A: Bruce Anderson is an alien from the Planet Nepton. He has come to Earth to
befriend us and teach us the ways of the Zoovians.
Q: Bruce Anderson, the Quixtar
Diamond?
A: Yep. One and the same. He's half Zoovian and half Samoan. Do you think it's
coincidence that he set up operations in Florida? Obviously not. Florida is
the perfect place for strange beings from other planets to co-exist with humans.
Q: But he worked his way to Diamond in Quixtar. How
could an alien do that?
A: Brother, you've got a lot to learn. Most of the Quixtar Diamonds
are aliens or at least genetic mutants. You know Randy Haugen? Alien from the
Degoba System. Oh, and Dexter Yager. Genetic mutant. He can unhinge his jaw
and swallow a baby whole... not that he's ever done it but he could if he wanted
to.
Q: That's simply amazing. Gives a whole other dimension
to the Quixtar business opportunity. Now it's not just a way to earn a residual
income but it's also a way to learn from sentient beings from other galaxies.
A: You know ALF was
an alien too?
Q: Yo, I got dis fine honey lookin to hook me up in
dis Quixtar bidness. Whachoo know bout this stuff?
A: Well, Quixtar is a business that grows as much as you want it to grow. You
get paid based on your efforts. You're in business for yourself but not by yourself.
Quixtar is a world of opportunity.
Q: Yo, what the hell you barkin dawg? What kinda smack
you talkin'? I just wanna know if I should get hooked up with dis chic's bidness
or not.
A: Well, if your sweetheart is an IBO and she would like for you to
participate in the Quixtar business opporunity...
Q: Ho- ho- hold on one sec aight? Dis honey ain't got
no B-O knamean? She's always wearing dat Tommy Hilfigger stuff. So step off
talking bout my honey like dat aight?
A: Ok, it's a misunderstanding. I said "IBO" which stands
for Independent Business Owner. In Quixtar you're independent which means that
you are in control of your own destiny.
Q: You one a dem Scientonogists or something? Ya know,
like Tom Cruise n stuff?
A: Ha ha. No, no, no. Quixtar is NOT a cult. Absolutely not a cult.
Nope, it's not a cult at all. What a silly thing to suggest. That Quixtar's
a cult. Oh, that's funny for sure. Quixtar IBOs may do some strange things but
they're definitely not a cult nor do they act like a cult. I mean, to think
that Quixtar is a cult is just silly. Really silly. If Quixtar is a cult then
I'm L. Ron Hubbard. Quixtar is so NOT a cult it's not even funny. What's funny
is thinking that Quixtar is a cult.
Q: Aight. Well, I'm outta here dude. You ain't been
no help you babblin freak. See ya.
A: Good bye and have a pleasant day and remember that Quixtar is not
a cult.
Quixtar Revenue and Bonus
By QBlog in Quixtar
How much has Quixtar Revenue grown since 2000? How does the Bonus and Incentive payout compare to that revenue trend? Here's a helpful graph that puts it in black and white... or blue and purple and black.
June 22, 2005
Who's Making Money In Quixtar?
By QBlog in Quixtar
PROLOGUE: I began writing the following post last night and finished it today during my lunch break. I ate at a "cyber cafe" and was able to publish while eating a tasty ham & cheese on rye. I mention this to explain that after the post went live, I immediately knew that I needed to revise it, add some more content and correct a few grammar errors. Now I've done all that and hope the effort has improved the post.
So who's making money in Quixtar? Are you making money? According to the Quixtar Average Income most IBOs aren't making any money after taxes and business expenses.
However, the Quixtar Newsroom reports that IBOs earned more than $373 million in bonuses and incentives last year. That's an impressive amount and I applaud Quixtar for moving roughly 34% of earned revenue back to its distributor force.
But let's examine that $373 million a little more closely, shall we?
Excluding money from motivational businesses (tool money) there are two ways an IBO can earn income from Quixtar:
- Bonuses and incentives ($373 million earned last year)
- Selling products at a markup (nobody knows how much was earned)
Why exclude tool money? Because the Quixtar opportunity is almost always presented as a source of residual income independent of any motivational money (with a few noted exceptions). Additionally, the tool money isn't "guaranteed money."
Markup
We know that IBOs earned $373 million last year in bonuses and incentives but how much did they earn from marking up products sold to customers? That's the mystery number and honestly there's no way to know. Anecdotally most IBOs I've contacted do not earn significant income from retail sales. If they do sell products, they often sell them at cost to boost their PV/BV.
Crunchy Numbers
Ok. Are you ready kids? Let's crunch some numbers! We begin with the $373 million paid out to IBOs last year. We're going to get "hypothetical" here so put on those thinking caps.
Out of $373 million, which is BEFORE taxes and expenses:
- 3,730 people could earn $100,000
- 7,460 could earn $50,000
- 74,600 could earn $5,000
Again, all that money is PRE-TAX and PRE-EXPENSES. And when you calculate the large bonus checks paid to people like Dexter Yager and Jody Victor that pool of $373 million shrinks significantly.
There's also another factor to consider. How do all the old-timers get paid? Those who worked "the biz" years ago but got out for one reason or another yet still continue to receive bonus money each year. Their Quixtar income is paid from that same $373 million pool. How many are there? 500? 1,000? 10,000?
How much do they earn, on average, considering that many of them built the business to a level that would ostensibly provide them with residual income? $5,000? $10,000? $50,000?
I'll pull a number out of the air and crunch it to see what happens. Let's say there are 2,000 "retired" IBOs who still receive a significant bonus check from Quixtar. How much is that annual check, on average? Let's say it's $40,000. That's significant, right? That comes to $80 million. Subtract $80 million from $373 million and you're left with $293 million. The bonus pool is draining.
Reality
The reality is that people are making money in Quixtar, but not many. Quixtar's own numbers demonstrate that fewer than 4,000 IBOs are even able to earn $100,000 each year.
Just sit and think about this for a minute.
Think about the fact that the business is marketed as a method to create residual income, income that can be passed down to your children.
Think about the fact that fewer than 8,000 people are able to earn a "living wage" (assuming $50,000 per year is a living wage) by working Quixtar without even calculating the cut distributed to the "retired" IBOs or taxes or business expenses.
Think of how many people are currently working Quixtar full-time as their only source of income? Right now, as you read this, fewer than 5,000 IBOs are earning $75,000 a year from Quixtar. It may even be as few as 1,000. And again, that's before taxes and business expenses.
Think about how many IBOs are in your Line of Sponsorship. How many of them are "retired" and how many have quit their J-O-B? How much money are they earning from Quixtar?
Think about taxes. Did you know a 30% tax on $373 million leaves you with $261.1 million? And that's with Uncle Sam being overly generous. The IRS usually wants a bit more than 30% of your income.
Odd Reality
Don't think this is about the "odds." This isn't about beating the odds or losing to the odds or personal achievement or anything like that. This is about reality.
The reality is that there simply isn't enough money paid out by Quixtar to support the image that's presented by so many IBOs. The reality is that this business works like it's consistently marketed to work ONLY when tool money is added into the equation.
How much money is made from the tools? Nobody knows. Those numbers will never be released without a court order.
Alternative Weekly
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Why do Quixtar Employees and IBOs read this blog? Does it make them laugh? Cry? Angry? Do they read it because they secretly agree with me or maybe because they love to disagree? Or perhaps (and I hope this is why) they read it because it's just a damn good blog and they appreciate quality writing even if they don't always agree with the expressed opinions? Maybe.
Most large cities have at least one daily paper and what's commonly referred to as an "alternative paper." The Alternative Newsweekly in each city is generally published as a tabloid (while the daily is usually broadsheet) and has a habit of taking shots at the local daily.
I work for the local daily.
The "alternative weekly" in my area hits newsstands every Wednesday. I make a point to pick up a copy each week and the first thing I read is the column that takes shots at my employer.
Why am I so eager to read the "bash the local daily" column? Is it because it makes me laugh? Sometimes. Cry? Never. Angry? On occasion. Is it because I secretly agree with the criticisms? I agree at times but disagree just as much.
The reason I regularly read the "bash the local daily" column is that it's about me. Ok, it's not really about ME (well, once it was about me) but it's about something that consumes a large portion of my life and creative energy. It's about something that I know a lot about. It's about my friends, colleagues, associates, bosses, etc.
Even when it's critical (and it usually is) and even when I don't agree, I still like to read the column because... well, because it's about something I know.
So, why do Quixtar Employees and IBOs read this blog, even though this blog is often critical of what they do? Maybe for the same reasons I read the "alternative weekly." Maybe this blog is the equivalent of an "alternative weekly" to Quixtar's local daily? What do you think?
June 21, 2005
Quixtar Leader Series - Customer Focus
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
This is the fourth installment of the Quixtar Leader Series.
» Ron Puryear Talks: Customer Focus - (originally posted June 19, 2005 at Fred Harteis International & Biznet News Today)
No matter what the business type customer focus is number one. Afterall, where would business be without customers? To stay in business you have to keep your customers happy and Ron Puryear has valuable tips in customer focus.
Ron Puryear, WWDB: "Business rises on falls on its customers. The people who interact with the customer should be the most highly trained, but this is rarely the case. These three quick quotes address three important principles of having a costumer focused company..
If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful. - Jeff Bezos
We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better. - Jeff Bezos
Our business is about technology, yes. But it's also about operations and customer relationships. - Michael DellRon Puryear leads WWDB (World Wide Group) and is a member of IBOAI.
Billy Florence, Fred Harteis, Greg Duncan, Don Wilson: IBOAI
IBOAI, official trade association, lead by 2005 board president, Billy Florence, with past president Fred Harteis , vice president Greg Duncan, treasurer Don Wilson serves and protects the business interests of Quixtar powered IBO's (Quixtar IBOs) throughout North America.
Fred Harteis owns Harties International.Billy Florence leads the Team DCI TEAM and owns Equad News www.e-quadnews.com. Greg Duncan leads WWDB World Wide Dream Builders.
© provided to Fred Harteis blog by Esource Business News
Keywords: Puryear, Ron, SmallBusinessNews, RoyPuryear, quixtar, IndependentBusinessOwner, Harteis, fredharteis, Fred
I can't resist adding just one little comment of my own. The three quotes that Ron Puryear mentions above are among the top six quotes on the Customer Quotes website. Ok, I'll try to keep quiet for the rest of the Quixtar Leader Series and let the esteemed Quixtar leaders have the metaphorical floor.
June 20, 2005
Quixtar Leader Series - Choice Hotels
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
This is the third installment of the Quixtar Leader Series.
» Orrin Woodward: Partner Review of Choice Hotels - (originally posted June 19, 2005 at Ron Puryear WWDB Quixtar)
Quixtar IBO Orrin Woodward reviews one of Quixtar's partners, Choice Hotels. Independent Business Owners can enjoy up to a 30% discount when they stay in any of the Choice-brand hotels. That adds up with business travel!
A relevant value added benefit for business travel. --Orrin Woodward
Membership does have its benefits. Independent Business Owners have a great discount on Choice Hotels. That always comes in handy with business travel.
Choice Hotels are everywhere so you are sure to be able to stay and save no matter where you travel. Save up to 30% off the regular rates at participating Choice(TM) Hotels, worldwide. Choice Hotels International is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. Built on the foundation of the venerable Quality Inn chain, a pioneer in consistent mid-priced lodging, Choice Hotels today is the worldwide franchisor of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn brand hotels.
Quixtar IBOs can reserve online or call 1-800-533-2100. Have your Quixtar ID card ready.
Orrin Woodward and Laurie Woodward are members of IBOAI.
IBOAI: Serving and Protecting Business Owners
IBOAI, official trade association, led by 2005 Board President Billy Florence, with Past President Fred Harteis, Vice President Greg Duncan, and Treasurer Don Wilson, serves and protects the business interests of Quixtar-powered IBOs (Quixtar IBOs) throughout North America.
Fred Harteis owns Harties International.
Billy Florence leads the Team DCI and owns Equad News: www.e-quadnews.com.
Ron Puryear WWDB and Greg Duncan lead WWDB World Wide Dreambuilders.© 2005 Ron Puryear WWDB Quixtar blog
Keywords:
orrinwoodward, ronpuryear, billyflorence, teamdci, donwilson, ronpuryearwwdbquixtar, quixtaribos, gregduncan, quixtarpoweredibos, gregduncanleadwwdb, wwwequadnewscom, fredharteis, hartiesinternatioanl, lauriewoodward, iboai, Quixtar
Monday Reader Mail: 48
By QBlog in Reader Mail
I haven't inserted my own comments in the last few Reader Mails so I'm making up for it with this one. Enjoy and, as always, my comments appear in bold.
name: Cliff
date: June 17, 2005
message: Mr. whoever you are.
Looks like somebody didn't follow the instructions on the contact page.
This is one man's perception but obviously not a good one. Go to the ftc and you'll find that it found that neither amway nor quixtar is a pyramid scam. There is no substantial investment and I've never been lied to.
My "upline" put everything infront of me in the begin and I was quite ok with everything he said. By definition, a pyramid is a scam where all money flows to the top. So whomever is in earliest get's the most money. I know this to be quite untrue in this business because I make more money then the 2 people who are in my direct line of sponsorship above me.
Actually, the FTC definition differs slightly. It says, "In pyramids, commissions are based on the number of distributors recruited. Most of the product sales are made to these distributors - not to consumers in general."
I see you are a little upset because of you inability to perform such tasks. This is not an attack but one must question why one man would go through all the trouble of getting a web blog page, paying for it, just to say negative things about it.
It's really not much trouble at all and it's much cheaper than golf.
I absolutely love this business, make very good money and it's only getting better and I've only been in a year. I don't care that there are a bunch of people above me making hundreds of thousands of dollars becaus in the end they're helping me pay off $41,000 of debt in school loans that I didn't have the money to pay off working as an certified public engineer.
In reality, there aren't that many people above you making hundreds of thousands of dollars per year from Quixtar. According to Quixtar's own numbers, there are less than three thousand people who could even earn $75,000 per year. As that annual income increases, the potential pool decreases.
I'm sure if you and your wife were strong enough to make any money with the business, you wouldn't have any this. How about you make a blog about enron, usair, southwest or the local elementary school teachers getting laid off. How about the government and the ridiculous war that's going on. May about the colombine shoot years ago, terrorism or any of the other negative stuff that's going on in this country and world wide.
Coincidentally, all the people running blogs about the subjects just mentioned are asked why they don't run a blog about the evils of Quixtar or multilevel marketing?
This is the first business I\'ve seen that actually helps people in more ways than just riches. I've found God, my girlfriend, great friends, mentorship, direction and focus because of this. You tell me at you job that your boss is showing you how to make more money than him or your co workers want to actually see you become their boss? Probably not, your boss wants to always be your boss and you co-workers want to make sure you never pass them and won't ever lift a finger to see you succeed in life out of pure jealousy. I see this at my job everyday but that's to this business I won't see if after 2005. I'm retiring at the age of 25 and will never work a job again.
Good for you.
My children will never see their dad go to work a day in their lives.
I'm not entirely convinced that's a good example to set for children.
I'll be the one raising my children and not some day care. Again, I'll stand by this business forever and I'm proud to be an IBO.
Glad to make your acquaintance Cliff.
I'm always concerned when people speak in absolutes about businesses. "Stand by this business forever" is a long time. Things change. People change. Businesses change. Oh well, I'm sure Cliff knows what he's doing.
June 19, 2005
Blogging 101 - Develop Regular Features
By QBlog in Blogging 101
The question I'm most frequently asked by new bloggers (and some veterans) is, "how do you keep blogging for so long? Don't you run out of material?"
My answer is that yes, I run out of material all the time but with practice and a few "tricks" I'm able to overcome some of those "content droughts" and stick to a regular publishing schedule. I've outlined some of those "tricks" in previous installments of Blogging 101 such as The List, Consistency and The Interview. Today I'll outline my "ace in the hole" which is either a bit of blogging brilliance or blogging stupidity, depending on your perspective.
The Content Schedule
Traditional media (newspapers, radio, television, magazines, etc.) has had regular programming/publishing since the very beginning. A content schedule gives the audience something to look forward to, gives advertisers something to spend money on, gives content producers something too plan for and generally creates a structure that everyone enjoys. Blogs can benefit from similar structure and a schedule can make developing blog content a simpler process and less demanding of your "creative juices." It also gives your blog readers another reason to regularly check in.
I know, it sounds a little crazy. You're wondering how creating specific publishing expectations makes blogging easier. Well, allow me to explain with some personal examples.
I run a weekly feature on the Quixtar BLOG called Monday Reader Mail. Each Monday I select an actual email sent in by an actual reader and post it on the blog, usually with a few of my own comments. It's something that blog readers seem to enjoy and it doesn't take much time for me to produce. And after publishing the feature for a while, I've learned how to produce it more quickly and with less effort.
Think of any repetitive task. At first it's difficult but after a while it becomes almost second nature. A little like riding a bicycle though that's oversimplifying.
Developing Content
The real devil is in the details. A wise blogger will carefully choose the type of content to shift to a regular publication schedule. Don't create a weekly series critiquing European socialism unless you know you can pull it off. I suggest beginning with something simple, something like Monday Reader Mail or David Robison's Sunday Thoughts. Once you're comfortable with a simple feature, consider expanding to something more complex. The key is in finding your groove.
But be warned, don't bite off more than you can chew. If you start a regular feature you should plan to stick with it or else set an end date. There's nothing wrong with creating a seasonal feature, like "Summer Memories" or "Winter Travel Log." And if you run a feature for a limited time and find that you can extend it, then you've just developed a permanent fixture for your blog. Cool huh?
The Trap
There's a definite downside to developing regular blog features. I've bumped up against that with my own regular features, including this one. While I firmly believe that having specific expectations makes me a better blogger, there are just some times when the well is dry. On occasion I'd rather not expend creative energy posting a Blogging 101 entry or drawing a goofy cartoon and simply blog about whatever is on my mind instead.
When you develop a regular feature you give up some of the flexibility that has helped define blogging. That can trap even the best bloggers. Is there a way to avoid such content traps? I think so, by making it clear that every feature can be replaced by something more interesting and more spontaneous at any given time. Don't give up your flexibility and allow the quality of your blog to suffer. If you ever notice that your blog is harmed more than helped by regular features then end them immediately, or at least shelve them for a while.
Think of a regular schedule as a little like fire. When used correctly it can improve the quality of life but when neglected or misused, it can cause devastating destruction.
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
June 18, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 27
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: Where is the Help Desk™ staff? It's
Saturday and there's nothing. No note. No questions. Nothing. Where are you?
Answer: Hey, we're here. Sorry. We just lost track of time. We're visiting Wal-Mart
headquarters here in beautiful Bentonville,
Arkansas.
Q: Really? Why?
A: Because Wal-Mart is the largest company in the world and we want to learn
from the best.
Q: Ok, so what have you learned?
A: Well, we learned that Wal-Mart owes much of its success to effectively marketing
itself as a low-cost alternative to traditional retail outlets.
Q: So, is Quixtar going to start marketing its business?
A: No, not at all. Quixtar already has thousands of walking, talking billboards
who advertise for free. In fact, many of them pay Quixtar for the opportunity
to advertise... uh... did I just say that out loud?
Q: Good point. Word of mouth marketing is highly effective
but aren't there a lot of walking, talking billboards who say things like "stay
away from Quixtar."
A: I guess. But Quixtar still has an advantage because, unlike Wal-Mart, Quixtar
is blessed by God. With God helping Quixtar, all things are possible.
Q: I see. And I suppose Wal-Mart is run by idol-worshipping
Satanists?
A: Heck no. It's run by dirty, gay communists.
Q: Isn't Quixtar the number one Health and Beauty website?
A: Yep. That's what they say.
Q: Then why hasn't anyone ever heard of it?
A: Because it's Quixtar's belief that the best way to operate a successful business
is to keep that business a secret and hide it from as many people as possible.
Q: That's an interesting strategy. How's it working
out?
A: Excellent. Quixtar has been around for over 40 years... I mean Amway
has... I mean the Quixtar business model has been working... oh crap. I get
so confused. It just works. Trust me.
Q: But can't Quixtar do more to promote its products
to the general public? I mean surely there's something that can be done right?
A: Quixtar is doing something. It publishes blogs run by anonymous employees.
You can't beat that with a stick!
Q: I got this new Atmosphere thing and it totally blows.
Can I get my money back?
A: It blows huh? What's wrong with it?
Q: I just told you, it blows. That's all it does. It's
an air purifier so it should suck in bad air and blow out good air. The problem
is that it just blows air, like a hair dryer.
A: Well, in order to blow air a device must get that air from somewhere
so it has to be sucking air in somehow, right?
Q: I guess you're right but the air in my house just
isn't getting any cleaner. Maybe it doesn't work?
A: Well, the Atmosphere Air Purifier works in practically any situation
and is guaranteed to automatically clean your air. The only exceptions are if
you're running a Meth Lab or something. You're not running a Meth Lab are you?
Q: Ummm. Well... depends on what you mean by "Meth
Lab."
A: Pretty straightforward. A lab that is used to make Methamphetamines.
Q: Oh, well if you mean THAT kind of Meth Lab then sure,
I got one in the kitchen.
A: The problem ain't the Atmosphere Air Purifier dude. By the way, how'd
you get one? I didn't think they were selling them yet.
Q: One of my Meth customers works in Quixtar R&D
and he hooked me up.
A: I see.
June 17, 2005
Daddy, What's A Pyramid Scheme?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
An alert reader sent me a copy of something called the "Pocket Plan." It's a fascinating little document, a tiny brochure small enough to fit snugly into a pocket or purse. Of course the "Plan" referred to in the "Pocket Plan" is the recruitment pitch used by Quixtar IBOs to generate new business.
Apparently the "Pocket Plan" is being distributed by the EiBiz motivational group, part of Quixtar leader Dexter Yager's InterNET Services Line of Affiliation.
What's noteworthy about the "Pocket Plan" is that not once, in the entire script, does it mention that IBOs are required to sell products. The script explains that by "redirecting your buying power, you create business volume" but never mentions that IBOs must meet "specified retail selling requirements each month" to receive any income.
The Facts
According to Quixtar's "Scam Alerts" page the sales-based compensation plan is what distinguishes Quixtar from illegal Pyramid Schemes.
1. Sales-based compensation. Compensation in the Quixtar Plan is based on sales of products and services to consumers. An IBO who sponsors other IBOs earns income based on his own sales and on sales made by the IBOs he sponsors. IBOs cannot receive income based on sales by downline IBOs without meeting specified retail selling requirements each month. Unlike Quixtar, pyramid schemes often do not require the sale of products to non-plan participants to earn bonuses.
Additionally, Quixtar's Business Reference Guide (pdf) clarifies the specific requirements for selling products to retail customers:
4.22. Member/Client Volume: In order to obtain the right to earn a Performance Bonus on downline volume during a given month, an IBO must (a) make not less than one sale to each of 10 different retail customers (e.g., Members or Clients); or (b) have at least 50 PV of sales to any number of retail customers; or (c) have $100 at Member/Client Volume Cost.
So if IBOs are required to sell products, why doesn't the "Pocket Plan" mention that requirement? Why does it repeatedly characterize Quixtar as a way to "buy from [your] own business?" Isn't that a Pyramid Scheme? Let's see what the FTC has to say about such plans:
In pyramids, commissions are based on the number of distributors recruited. Most of the product sales are made to these distributors - not to consumers in general. The underlying goods and services, which vary from vitamins to car leases, serve only to make the schemes look legitimate.
Deception?
Ouch! It looks like the "Pocket Plan" is promoting a Pyramid Scheme instead of a legitimate business (anyone know how to contact Quixtar Business Conduct & Rules?). Coincidentally, the "Pocket Plan" is very similar to what I was shown several times while my wife was involved with Quixtar. We were encouraged to change our shopping habits and teach others to do the same. We were also admonished to ignore the Member/Client Volume Rule (Rule 4.22 cited above). My wife didn't know any better and she trusted her "friends" and believed that they wouldn't lie to her about how to operate her Quixtar business. And maybe her upline didn't know any better either, seems that ignorance of the rules is pretty common among Quixtar IBOs.
IBO Cost
I want to point out one more problem with the "Pocket Plan." On page 5 of the plan it states that one can become an IBO "for around $130." The problem is that it only costs $42 to become an IBO and Quixtar makes that very clear in the Business Overview.
What does it cost to get started?
The annual business fee for IBOs is $42. It includes:
- Quixtar Business Services and Support fee.
Quixtar's corporate services include full access to the Quixtar website, order processing, customer service, business information services, bonus payment administration, business reporting, technical support, and more. You'll also receive selected product catalogs and other business materials.- Independent Business Owners Association International (IBOAI) membership fee.
As an IBO, you may support your trade association, the IBOAI, which, through its Board of Directors, provides a channel of communication with Quixtar on key issues affecting your business.- Independent Business Owners Benefits Association (IBOBA).
IBOs automatically are eligible to participate in this nonprofit association offering valuable business liability and property protection plans at this favorable group rate.
To repeat the earlier question, why is the "Pocket Plan" misleading? My guess is that those who created it understand that selling soap, energy drinks and water filters is hard work and not something that excites the average Joe. But telling the average Joe that he can earn thousands of dollars by simply shopping at Quixtar is virtually guaranteed to get his attention. And the dirty little secret at Quixtar is that nobody in Ada seems to care whether IBOs sell products to customers or not. That's why the "Pocket Plan" gets published and distributed.
I'll even make a prediction: Quixtar won't do a damn thing about this "Pocket Plan" and those responsible will continue to misrepresent the Quixtar opportunity with impunity. Just call me Nostradamus. If there's one thing Quixtar has perfected over the years it's the art of "looking the other way."
June 16, 2005
Quixtar Leader Series - Seeing The Good
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
This is the second installment of the Quixtar Leader Series.
» Orrin Woodard of Team - Seeing the Good - (originally posted May 12, 2005 at Orrin Woodward Team Resources)
Saw in interesting quote yesterday: "NO ONE IS SO GOOD THAT HE HAS NO BAD IN HIM, AND NO ONE IS SO BAD THAT HE HAS NO GOOD IN HIM."
We human beings are a complex lot. Most religious writings and great literary works are based upon the constant struggle between good and evil that goes on inside every one of us - a struggle that is as old as mankind itself. Yet, while we recognize our own inner struggles, most of us are often quick to condemn others. Not so Orrin Woodward. Years ago, Orrin decided to focus on the good he found in others and point that out ot them.
Rather than being so quick to criticze, why not make it a point to look for the good in others? Nurture the good character traits. Like plants in a garden, the character traits that grow strong and productive will be those that are fed, watered, and weeded regularly. Feed the good and watch the results.
June 15, 2005
Wal-Mart Is The New P&G
By QBlog in Quixtar
Pssst. Quixtar IBOs. Pass this on but don't say where you heard it ok?
Wal-Mart is the new Proctor & Gamble.
June 14, 2005
Quixtar Leader Series - Priority
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Several Quixtar leaders (such as Fred Harteis, Brett Deimler and Billy Florence) operate personal blogs. However, I fear that nobody reads them and I want to do my part to end their blogging obscurity by exposing the Quixtar BLOG audience to the insight and wisdom of Quixtar's most exciting leaders.
I'm calling this the "Quixtar Leader Series" and each entry will be an exact duplicate of the Quixtar leader's blog post with links back to the source. I will not edit for grammar, spelling or anything else.
If some of these blogs seem familiar, you may remember them from the infamous "So Busted" post from January. Yes, they're still around and better than ever!
Ok, enough with the intro crap, let's get to the "Quixtar Leader Series."
» Deimler: What's The Priority - (originally posted June 13, 2005 at Deimler International Inc.)
I ran across an article the other day titled "Harteis Business Insights: Setting Priorities". This is a great article for helping anyone set their priorities in the right direction to be successful. Wheather success is at work, in their own business, at home, etc. this article will help you out. I always hear Brett Deimler say the same thing that was mentioned in this article: "Priorities set people apart. Leaders never grow to a point where they out grow their need to prioritize."
I found this to be so true! To me a leader starts at home. Being a full-time wife and mother I have to set my priorities even more today. I like what was say about a list in this article: "Daily everyone should write a list of the thing that need done tomorrow and list them in order of importance not convenience". I don't know what I would do with a list to keep me focused and on track.
I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
Keywords: i, harteis, brettdeimler
June 13, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 47
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail is a bit of a departure from the norm. It features an email from Don Hargraves, one of the original Amway/Quixtar website operators.
name: Don Hargraves
date: June 12, 2005
message: Just so you know, I've started a blog of my own. At present it's formless, I plan on letting the topics develop on their own.
Anyway, here it is: An Outsider in Saul Alinsky's World
And your blog is in my list of blogs - the first one on that list, in fact.
It's cool that he's blogging. I usually don't link brand new blogs like this because so many just start up and quickly fade away but I have confidence that Don's will continue for quite a while.
Don has been following the Quixtar BLOG since the beginning. It was his encouraging emails in those early days that helped convince me that maintaining my blog was worth the effort.
For those that don't know, before this blog there weren't any blogs about Quixtar. None. Zilch. Nada. Just a bunch of websites similar to Don's Memory Hole and a couple of message boards. So, I was concerned that people seeking Amway/Quixtar information just wouldn't "get" blogging. In fact, for a long time I had a big "blog explanation" on the main page to define blogging for newcomers.
Anyway, Don's blogging and his efforts look promising. If you've ever spent time at his other site you'll see that he's a pretty fascinating guy. So go check out An Outsider in Saul Alinsky's World and say howdy to Don.
June 12, 2005
Blogging 101 - The Interview
By QBlog in Blogging 101
Blogging can be hard work. After a few years of regular posting every good blogger is going to run out of things to say from time to time. That's when you turn to the interview and let other people say something instead.
Who To Interview?
Blog interviews are easy. The hard part is getting one set up and that all starts with deciding who to interview. You need to create a list (that's what I did) of people you'd like to interview. If you're not sure who to put on that list just think of people that you find interesting and that you would like to know better.
Your list should be realistic. Sure, shoot for the stars but don't expect Tom Cruise to be your first interview. Maybe try for Tom Coates instead.
Also, keep your blog audience in mind. If you write about rap music your readers may not be interested in an interview with Bill Dance.
The List
You should arrange your list into three categories:
- Likely to say yes
- Likely to say no
- Not likely to respond to the request
The first people you should contact are those who are unlikely to respond. Then, when they don't respond you can slam the stuck-up assholes in your next blog post. Instant content!
The Interview
I've done all kinds of interviews and by far the easiest are email interviews. They're easy because they write themselves. The problem with them is that they often read like a script and lack the spontaneity of real-time interviews.
Instant message interviews have the benefit of being real-time so you can quickly ask follow-up questions and they don't read like they're scripted. It's easier to capture that conversational tone with IM than with email.
The phone interview is very difficult but can produce the best results. I recommend recording the conversation if possible. After the interview, go back and transcribe the recording to be sure that you have all the quotes correct.
If you can do it, a face-to-face interview is fun but can be extremely difficult though the hard work usually pays off with quality content. Again, if possible record the interview to ensure accuracy. If recording isn't an option then take lots and lots of notes. Ask questions to be sure you get your quotes correct.
I recommend that bloggers new to interviewing do a few email interviews before attempting anything else.
The Benefits
The best thing about blog interviews, besides not having to think of an awesome post, is that many good interviews can lead to friendships with some really great people. Some interviews I've done have resulted in lasting friendships. Doing an interview is really a great way to get to know someone while providing some interesting content for your blog readers.
And yes, I'm available for interviews. ;o)
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
Do You Remember When?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Please leave a brief comment if you remember the old QBlog design pictured below. Since we can't raise our hands, just saying "I remember" will serve as a substitute.
Thanks.
Kick Start Winners!
By QBlog in Quixtar
Check out this Quixtar Flash Presentation of March 2005 Kick Start Winners Nate and Amanda Giles. Looks pretty damn fun. Be sure to watch the video.
This is awesome. This is crazy. This is cool.
This is just a question, not in any way intended as a criticism, but why didn't they take their 20-month-old daughter on the trip with them? Are Kick Start winners prohibited from bringing their children? Just asking to no one in particular.
NOTE: For some reason you may need to click the link twice. If it doesn't load, hit your browser's "back" button and then click the link again. Seems to work after that.
June 11, 2005
QBlog Toons - Retired
By QBlog in Humor
The QBlog Curse
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Beware the QBlog Curse!
Or maybe I should say Beware the QBlog Jinx! Beware!
Scary stuff ain't it? Have you ever been hesitant to publicize your sporting predictions for fear that you'd somehow jinx your favorite team and cause them to lose? I know I have. Or how about that whole "knock on wood" thing? You've done that right? You say something definitive like, "I've never been in a car wreck, knock on wood." That's the fear of the jinx. Knocking on wood is some sort of superstitious jinx antidote.
So, where was I going with all this? Oh yeah, Quixtatic. There once was a wonderful blog run by a Quixtar employee named Kathleen. The blog was young, still finding its place in the world but had tremendous potential. After holding my breath for a few months I decided the blog wasn't just some blessed accident and lauded its departure from the fare other Quixtar sanctioned blogs produced. My post, titled "Thumbs Up Quixtatic" pointed out why the blog was worth reading and for a brief moment I felt a glimmer of hope for Quixtar's blogging future.
Alas, last month David Robison reported that Kathleen, the Quixtatic blogger, had shuttered her blog for good.
I contacted Kathleen, author of Quixtatic and expressed my dissapointment over the demise of her Quixtar-related blog. I told her that as an IBO, I had grown to rely on her insight and thoughtful posts as they relate to MY OWN Independent Quixtar Business.
She expressed some remorse over closing Quixtatic, but has decided to pursue blogging on a more personal scale. For those readers that enjoy her style of writing, even if it doesn't relate to Quixtar, you can still enjoy Kathleen's thoughts at "Things I Have Seen."
And the curse... or jinx. Well, I posted my Quixtatic kudos at the beginning of April and about a month later the blog was gone. And when I say gone, I mean gone. Deleted. Vanished. Coincidence? I sure hope so but the circumstances sure do have the old gears in my head spinning — all three of them.
Why did the entire Quixtatic blog get deleted? Why not leave the content up but just end the updates and even disable comments? Or why not move the posts to draft state, instead of deleting the whole blog? This whole thing has me suspicious but of what, I'm not sure. It just reminds of the Memory Hole from 1984 and I really don't like Memory Holes. Doughnut Holes I like. Memory Holes I don't like so much.
So, good-bye Quixtatic blog. Wish there were more like it. And if my "thumbs up" post jinxed anything, I'm truly sorry. Now, this year the Cubs will win the World Series for sure!
June 10, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 26
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: What's up with
this NAO Cosmetics thingy from
Quixtar?
Answer: It's a new line of cosmetics designed to appeal to Asian women... and
possibly young Asian males.
Q: Asians huh? Is that politically correct to develop
cosmetics for a specific race?
A: Who knows? It's been done for years so why should it be a problem? You remember
Afro
Sheen don't you? Different people have different needs.
Q: And you're sure it's designed for Asians?
A: Of course it is, the NAO website features an Asian woman on the front page.
Q: That's not very convincing. Lots of sites feature Asian
women on the front page. That doesn't mean they're designed for Asians.
A: Ok, well who is the most famous Chinese leader of the modern Era?
Q: Ummm... Charlie Chan? I give up.
A: Mao Tse-Tung. That's MAO which is only one letter different than NAO! See
the connection? And, what about TAO Te Ching? Again, one letter difference!
TAO-MAO-NAO.
Q: You're nuts dude. You've been no help at all. Good-bye.
A: Did I tell you that the cosmetics were made with ginseng?
Q:
Hi, this is Mike. I just heard Quixtar is extending its Kick
Start recruitment program, is that
true?
A: Yes. Quixtar believes the program may become a permanent part of the business. They're
also looking at several similar programs that would continue the recruitment
initiative that Kick Start began.
Q: Really? Like what?
A: Well, there's Jump Start - where each IBO is given a set of jumper
cables for every new recruit who buys an eSpring
filter. And there's Smart Start - each IBO gets a set of vintage
encyclopedias (circa 1990) for every 10 new recruits who renew at the end of
the year. And
the last one being considered is called False Start - where IBOs are
rewarded for lying to new recruits and making them think they're joining ANYTHING
but Quixtar. Each IBO who successfully fools 5 recruits gets a hug from Dexter
Yager.
Q: Wow. That's awesome. I heard Dex gives great hugs.
A: You heard right Mike!
Q: Is it ok to date your upline?
A: Sure. I mean, it could present some problems but there aren't any rules against
it.
Q: Yeah. Problems. Ok, thanks.
A: Wait. Are you dating your upline?
Q: Oh, well not yet but I'm trying to but she's a tough
nut to crack.
A: Explain.
Q: Well, I keep sending her flowers and cards and leaving
her poetic messages and asking her out for a date but she's just been really
busy.
A: Is she a Platinum? Platinums can be very busy.
Q: Yeah. But she also says things that I don't understand.
Stuff like "leave me alone" and "I'm not interested in you like that."
A: Dude. You're stalking this chic?
Q: No, no, no, no... well... yeah. Ok, some may say
I'm stalking her but I look at it like this – I'm fiercely loyal to my upline.
A: You've got some issues. I think you should back off her for a while.
Q: But I'm in love!
A: Well, you could always write a country song. "I'm in love with my
upline but she don't love me!"
June 9, 2005
Mainstream Baptist Discusses Amway
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
According to his blog (Mainstream Baptist), Bruce Prescott is the host of "Religious Talk," a local radio show, and president of the Oklahoma Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS, pronounced Oz-Cuss). Last month he posted about "Amway's Victims" and pointed out an article by Bill Berkowitz that explored the story of former Emerald Eric Scheibeler.
What's interesting to me is that Prescott is publicly stating that Amway is a pyramid scheme. But he doesn't stop there, he continues by calling out "fundamentalist ministers."
I suspected that Amway was a pyramid scheme with a lot of hapless victims. Too many fundamentalist ministers that I knew were so heavily invested and so blindly committed to it that it was impossible for them to make objective judgments about it.
I often find that people either vigorously support or vehemently oppose the Amway/Quixtar business. However, I don't often find public figures (locally or nationally) who speak so definitively about the business and I take notice when they do.
June 8, 2005
Quixtar and Nic Ivy
By QBlog in Quixtar
Last week I received an email from a fellow named Nic Ivy who thought I might like to read about his experience with Quixtar over Memorial Day weekend.
» Quixtar: the truth can afford to be fair
In four sections I will describe my experience with Quixtar over Memorial Day weekend, my concerns with the business, how I identify a Quixtar representative, and links for further reading. I explain why I declined to be recruited and why you should also be careful.
After reading Ivy's tale I concluded that he's one shrewd dude. It's amazing that he's not an active participant in the ongoing Quixtar debate but has skillfully described some of the key issues facing Quixtar. Here are a few selected excerpts:
When you tell the truth, you don't care if someone investigates your claims because further research will only strengthen your position...
The salesman invited me to do my own "research", but he warned me against "bad research" like keyword searches on the Internet...
The marketing material largely ignores the retail aspect of the organization...
The social circle of a Quixtar or Amway representative quickly dwindles to include only other representatives...
Success is attributed to the organization, but failure is attributed to personal weakness...
That last excerpt is simply profound. Why haven't I thought of it like that before? It's neat how a fresh take on something can reveal things that were previously difficult to see.
June 7, 2005
Message To Quixtar Critics
By QBlog in Quixtar
There's absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out the flaws of a particular business. It's an American birthright, a tradition upheld by the likes of Upton Sinclair and Ralph Nader. There's no shame in criticizing that which deserves criticism.
However, it's become painfully obvious that some Quixtar critics prefer to behave like mean-spirited bullies launching verbal assaults against everything related to "the business." And those attacks sometimes develop into lengthy tirades of incivility.
A friend recently asked me if "something snaps in people when they are too negative about Quixtar for too long?" It's possible. I've seen people descend into a black hole of negativity, unable or unwilling to climb out. They refuse to recognize the positive in anything and become blinded to reality. They view the Quixtar debate as divided into two camps — friends and foes. Black and white. Good and bad.
Such behavior is unfortunate. I wish it would stop, but know that it probably won't. There will always be a few Quixtar critics who are determined to plunge any Quixtar discussion into an old-fashioned pissing match rife with name calling and stereotypes.
As I'm writing this I honestly don't have anyone specific in mind, I just notice that lately some of the dialogue has become more acrimonious. And that tone seems to work against the goals of Quixtar critics. Just like yesterday's Reader Mail only serves to strengthen my resolve, bitter attacks by Quixtar critics only strengthens the resolve of devoted IBOs. See how that works?
Am I asking that critics withhold deserved criticism? No, just that they try to keep this debate from becoming personal.
June 6, 2005
Forbes Must Read
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
The Mark Glaser article about Quixtar's use of Google-bombing made the Forbes list of Ten Must-Read Tech Stories. Cool.
Monday Reader Mail: 46
By QBlog in Reader Mail
I assume today's Reader Mail is from a Quixtar IBO but I sincerely hope that I'm wrong.
name: rob
date: May 21, 2005
message: What a stinking negative bag of shit you are? Why don't you go and help some people, those who are hungry, needy, downtrodden people. You will get all the curse in the world for trying to tarnish a honest company which gives an opportunity to people to succeed.
You don't mind being loyal to Colgate toothpaste for the rest of your life without even a thank you note from them; you don't mind paying retail and sending Macy's owners to hawaii and pay for some one else's divorce with your consumer money; your mouth is full of dog shit. Go and kill yourself.
Your existence is a waste of space. Do atleast 1/1000000th of what Bill Gates has done to this world God will give you some blessings. If you cann't do good, don't do harm. You LOW SELF IMAGED stinking ass hole. Why don't you shut both--your ass hole and your cakehole. WASTE OF SPACE!!!
Be thousands of curses be showered on YOU!!!
After reading that profane rant all I can do is chuckle and shake my head. And if "rob" is an IBO I'd probably pay money to see him show the plan.
June 5, 2005
Blogging 101 - Dominate a Niche
By QBlog in Blogging 101
Until the advent of blogging an individual had to overcome at least one of two obstacles in his effort to reach a mass (and potentially global) audience.
- Cost
- Skill
For example, while a Ham Radio is relatively inexpensive, it requires a certain skill level and technological aptitude to operate. And using a word processor is pretty easy, but getting the document published and in the hands of the masses can be quite costly.
Blogging removes those barriers. The Internet (and the World Wide Web) made mass publication affordable and blogging made it as simple as using a word processor.
Scratch That Niche
niche - noun
"Generally, a niche is a special place within the scheme of things."
Because blogging gives individuals the power to publish, they aren't forced to depend upon traditional Media for content — they can create their own. That power shift has caused exponential growth in the types of content available and the beginning of a new era in "niche publishing."
Blogs that target the unique interests of small, specialized audiences fill a publishing void that's existed... well, since the invention of the printing press. With blogs, reaching a niche audience is cheaper, easier and more effective than ever before.
Identify a Niche
If you're thinking about blogging, or want to refocus your existing blog, you could identify a niche. Find a unique topic that you feel especially passionate about and use that as the foundation for your blog.
EXAMPLE: If you're passionate about basketball, think of ways to distinguish your contributions from the crowd. Maybe you can write about basketball shoes? Describe the colors, styles, laces, performance, etc. Or focus on a particular type of shoe — Nike Air Jordans or Tretorns. You could also write about basketball in your region, city or local gym.
Remember, when identifying a niche be sure it's something you feel very passionate about or else you won't write. It's pointless to blog about a niche that you have no interest in.
Dominate That Niche
The more specific your niche, the easier it is to dominate. If you're the only woman blogging about purple jars made from recycled glass then you've easily dominated the purple, recycled glass jar blog niche. As your topic loses specificity the field of competition obviously grows but so does your potential audience.
But how do I dominate a niche? Unfortunately, there's not a simple answer. If you write like a retarded third-grader then you're unlikely to dominate any niche (unless it's the retarded third-grader blog niche). But assuming you can at least string a few sentences together here are my suggested tips for niche domination.
- Blog Often - People are more likely to forgive poor writing if a blog is updated frequently. Blogs that are well written AND frequently updated (while rare) are much more likely to dominate their respective niches.
- Blog Well - Good writing. Good linking. Make sense. Be funny. Be sincere. Be informative. Be like Jason Kottke.
- Know Your Competition - I've always studied my competition to borrow ideas, identify weaknesses and gain inspiration.
- Know Your Niche - Sounds obvious but many niche bloggers don't know much about their chosen topic. Their blogs generally suck. Don't be like them. Study. Learn. Educate. Know your niche.
- Know Your Audience - Be in tune with what your niche audience wants from your blog.
The above tips really apply to all blogs, not just niche blogs. And I'm not suggesting that every blog should be a niche blog. Most bloggers are probably better suited for tackling mainstream topics and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind that niche blogging often provides audiences with content they can't get anywhere else.
Examples of Niche Blogging
Blogging 101 publishes every Sunday and provides blogging tips, advice and tutorials for blog newbies and veterans alike.
June 4, 2005
- Quixtar Kingpins - Criminals or Victims?
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Quixtar Kingpins - Criminals or Victims?
"I was blinded of the abuses for years"
- Just finished reading Merchants of Deception
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Just finished reading Merchants of Deception
"It's an amazing case study of how cults work"
QBlog Toons - Super Kia
By QBlog in Humor
