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May 16, 2006
A Call for Reform
By Xanadustc in A/QMOs
I would like to propose a reformation in the Amway/Quixtar Motivational Organizations. This reformation is to call the high level pins into check to determine if their reason for the Motivational Organizations (MO) is primarily for profit or to train the new IBOs. As I've discovered, drawing attention to the profits that are allegedly made in the MO prompts many IBOs to say, “Of course they make money off the tools.”
But such candor wasn't always present in most groups. It was only around 2000-2002 and beyond that it became commonplace for MO leaders to admit such profits to downline IBOs. For me it started in the Night Owls and trickled down to the regular teaching level. Prior to that many outright denied making profits from the tools system.
Means To Train?
Some people will point to the system as the means to train your downline. But did you know that according to rule 5.2.4 and 5.2.5 in the Quixtar Rules Compendium, you are not required to utilize any tools system or attend seminars, and rule 5.3.3 says that an IBO can willingly participate in the MO, but they may not be coerced into participating. You are also required to train your IBOs, with the help of the immediate upline Platinum, without necessity of participation in the MO. There is also a clause in rule 7.7 that the tools purchasing must be reasonably related to the sales volume of the business.
Back in 1983, Rich DeVos, the Co-Founder of Amway (now Alticor) released a tape called Directly Speaking to all the Directs, which in today’s Quixtar terminology is a Platinum. In this tape he addressed abuses in the Motivational Organizations, particularly in the area of tape and seminar sales as well as denigrating those who failed to attend them.
Staggering Debt
Nearly twenty years later I will personally testify that the abuses have only gotten worse. My personal loss in BWW alone was over $10,000 during more than three years I was heavily involved with BWW. This was partially my fault, but as a “submissive” (one of the instructions I received in that business) person, I addressed the concern with using credit cards to buy Quixtar products and my cash on the tools system.
My upline Platinum counseled me to use the credit cards because the bonus I would achieve at Platinum would pay all that debt off. I reluctantly followed along. When it got worse, I was counseled by an upline to get a student loan to pay down the credit cards, because my upcoming success would pay all that off. I agree this is not a wise thing to do but I wanted to succeed so I did what my upline counseled.
Shortly after that first tape release, Rich released Directly Speaking II, where he confirmed that:
- The abuses were continuing
- Involvement in the motivational organizations do not help you build and Amway business better
- If you were involved in an MO, it would cost you a lot of money
- The tools business may be an illegal pyramid business
- The curiosity approach taught in the MO then, and even now, is unethical
However, the tapes and seminars continue to this day.
Costs
I have detailed the costs and uses of the Motivational Organization known as Britt World Wide (or BWW) on my Standing Order Tape website. Others will confirm that many of the Motivational Organizations are essentially the same. The main problem is that the involvement in the MO can sometimes cost the IBO an excess of $2,000 a year (a very conservative number). The average Quixtar income is less than $1,400 per year. The basic breakdown of tools sold follows (I have not included the prices because they vary from one MO to another):
- Tapes
- Books
- Seminars
- Website & website access
- Communication tools
Many of the tools are part of a weekly or monthly program that continues until the IBO files a termination request.
The Reform
It is easy to see why the sales of tapes took place in the 80s, as cassettes were the most convenient way to market the exchange of information. However, we are now in the Internet age where we can distribute information must faster, cheaper and more efficiently.
My proposal has six parts:
- All persons directly profiting from tool sales must report those profits to the corporation (Quixtar) to ensure that said profits are proportional to the volume in that business.
- Eliminate the sale of tapes and CDs. A very small annual fee could easily pay for unlimited access to MP3 files of ALL speeches within that organization.
- Books be kept to a minimum. Since it's arguable that Self-Help industry books are very similar and repeat the same concepts ad infinitum, keep the reading list short.
- Keep the seminars as they are currently billed but put all the proceeds into a common system fund and reimburse attending IBOs at the end of the fiscal year with the remaining funds.
- Determine effectiveness of the “IBO Websites.”
- Evaluate the need and cost effectiveness of the communication systems
I understand that many people may not like these ideas, but again, we must ask the question: Are these systems designed to help people or to make money by robbing them for the exchange of tapes and books which repeat the same message over and over?
Comments
You can maintain all of the tools systems, but prices must come down. I propose telling IBO's how much the "kingpins" make on tools, and letting the IBO "market" determine the appropriate cost. This will shift the emphasis to the A/Q products and services, where it should be, and force the tools to be effective to this end. A good place to start would be the 20% tool profit versus A/Q profit for the "kingpins".
GAE,
Platinums could do this, but they would have their businesses, that they put their guts into to build, taken from them by the lying cowardly "kingpins", by accusing the wayward Platinum of "getting off-course", or not being "part of the team". Also, most Platinums are beginning to benefit from the tool scam, and are oh so close to getting into the REAL money at the Sapphire/Emerald level. In other words, they have a lot to lose by rocking the boat. I propose lower level IBO's create their own tool systems, as we are doing. We use the drastically lower tool prices as part of our presentation, and point out the abuses of the others.
The money issue is the point, Tex. There is nothing more glaring to an alcoholic than when he needs to clean up his vomit in the morning, and there is nothing more glaring for a Kingpin when he has to admit publically that his system is to make more money, not train his IBO's.
If anyone from Quixtar is reading this, I suggest to get the word out about this up to your bosses as soon as you can. The common IBO's are being financially raped by the kingpins and this reformation is the solution to see it corrected.
Take the money, banish the abusers, and take the business back into YOUR control.
X,
Question for you- and to any "critic".
If you were making a profit in Quixtar- would you still blog about how much they make in tools profits? My guess is No.
There is an observation to this that I've noticed. "I'm not making any money so therefore it's a scam!" Don't take this the wrong way-But, I don't see the tools as being a scam in and of itself. I do however, see where improvements need to be made in what distributors are being taught.
Also, I don't see where the "abuses" were- if you knew that it was wrong to go into debt in the first place, but you went willingly, I don't see that as abuse in my opinion. I am very sorry you went into debt to build this business, but it wasn't necessary to do so.
If you look at the definition of abuse-
"To use wrongly or improperly; misuse"
You were being provided with the proper training you needed to build this business- that you didn't have to participate in, therefore, doesn't constitute as abuse.
As to your "reform" on eliminating CD's and tapes and go strictly to MP3's. Not alot of IBO's have access to computers all of the time, and are on high speed internet to even download an MP3 file. People still like to listen to tape's and CD's while they are driving.
I've developed an MP3 site for my downline to use (Sorry, not available to the general public.) but my downline still insists in getting a hard copy on CD or Tape, usually because it's more convenient.
Yeah Michael but there are things now-a-days like MP3 players, and CD burners if people really need to listen to these speeches on the go. MP3 players go for less them $100 now a days and can store hundreds of speeches also. you can buy 14 CD's (and therefore 14 speeches) for about $100 as well. Which one is the more cost effective in your opinion? I think X's ideas are spot on, and if any high level pin is out there reading this, they'd be foolish not to seriously consider this. That is unless they're truly in the business of making money off their motivational material.
For future reference:
The correct way to type IBOs is "IBOs," not "IBO's." The former is plural, while the latter is possessive.
The same goes for CDs. It's not "CD's."
Thank you for your cooperation.
I do agree with some of what you say, but time will tell how it may pan out. I have a comment about a couple things you said related to IBO Websites under Cost and 5 in your reform list. I found a free option for an IBO website from Quixtar. I found it last week and like it. It is primarily for clients, and costs me nothing. They are located here, if you have site access: https://www.quixtar.com/business/personalweb/default.aspx
Just my two cents.
Quicksilver,
MP3 technology is really in it's infancy right now, and not many people are using it.
Good point tracy. There is also a ComminiKate-like service available through partner stores with Quixtar. It lacks fax capabilities, however. If it does match up feature for feature though, it will be cheaper than Kate and provide PV-BV which would make it an obvious choice for service.
Shows you something about the corp "pulling in the reins" doesnt it?
Michael,
MP3 has been around for years, I bought a device for $10 (including shipping) that plays your MP3 to your car radio through an unused FM channel. Same device takes cassette tape and CD player inputs. Sounds great, too.
X,
I agree the money is the issue, I have consistently said this when referring to the lying cowardly "kingpins" and their excessive tool profits. You have many good ideas, but we need to be real about who is going to implement them. I am not holding my breath for any Platinum and above to do so, they benefit too much financially from the current scenario, and many literally can't afford to change, as their lifestyle depends too much on the tool scam income.
Good Post. Lengthy, but good. (two parts next time?)
Us ADD folks can't handle more than 4 paragraphs.
MP3 technology could be offered for next to nothing in addition to the CD program.
It's not going to happen because it would dip into the tools profits.
The problem with this whole "fix the tools business" is that it goes under the assumption that Quixtar would be a reasonable business opportunity if the tools systems were fixed.
I actually don't have a problem with the diamonds making some money off the tools. They have to travel and prepare for functions.
That being said, I feel that prices of the tools should come down to where the diamonds get their costs reimbursed, and perhaps a percentage of profit. They should not be making 3/4 of their income from tools while selling you on
the quixtar plan.
Secondly, the teaching should be focused on how to run a profitable quixtar business, how to file your business taxes, etc. Seems like the functions have evolved into religion, and the theme of don't quit, stay plugged into the system. Some motivation is fine, but IBOs should leave the function having learned something about the quixtar business.
Also, the costs of participating in the system should be disclosed up front so the prospect can make an informed decision as to whether to participate or not.
Joecool18,
I agree with everything you just said.
Take it for what it's worth: bww function included IBO CPA talking about taxes.
Brad> Take it for what it's worth: bww function included IBO CPA talking about taxes.
Joe> And then bill britt telling you to respect God (even though he had an affair) and all kinds of other garbage.
In the majority of the functions, do IBO's learn how to run a business or is the theme more about staying plugged in, submit to upline, etc?
Joecool,
There is tax filing information at:
http://www.ibo-tax.com/bookkeeping101.html.
IBO Bookkeeping 101 is now available through many organizations.
Then why pay for a function to learn about it?
Joecool,
Because you wanted to!
JoeCool, your statement claimed functions primarily religion/motivation and nothing to do with business building, i showed how it was business building, therefore invalidating your claim.
You seem to have been out of the loop of function for a while:
BWW last function, kickoff by Quixtar sale rep for 45 minutes on goings on there. Interlaced with: NAO demonstrations, personalized health explanation/rollout, new satinique care education, always XS education in there, not to mention the 4-5 product demonstration and flyer tables manned during 75% of function hours.
But you're right Joe, they need to change. What did you do about it? Get to a level to have your own function, or quit and just complain about those that get to run them?
Geez Brad,
They have functions every month, and four majors when many IBOs must travel. They also have hundreds of tapes/cds. You give one (1) measly example of where they actually taught something business like and you say it invalidates my claim? Haha, I'd say that validates my claims.
All these functions and teaching material and you have one exmaple where business was taught? I'll bet teh critics here can give you tons of examples where business was not taught. I posted two function transcripts onthe forum, one from your righteous holier than thou leader bill britt and dexter yager. Not a lick of business on it.
Thanks for helping me make my point Brad. Are you a critic now?
I haven't been drinking...yet.
Is something fishy going on with the comments?
Insider said something about Tex needing his own blog and I responded with an offer to give Tex a blog:
http://www.mlmblog.typepad.com/kingpins/
All Tex needs to do is email me with his email address and I will set him up as the author.
The comments seemed to have vanished.
Ty,
I have explained several times why I don't want a separate blog.
Yup, a separate blog means excessive tool profit for cowardly kingpins.
Ty,
If Tex don't want it, I'll take it :-)
Michael,
I can (and have) set up my own blog, but we use it to educate our IBO's. Do you know why I have repeatedly turned down this idea?
The kingpins are filled with a greed that allows them to take advantage of thousands of people they proclaim to be helping. There can be no doubt that the vast majority of their income comes not from Quixtar, but from their so called guaranteed systems of success. Ron Puryear is a great example. Here is a man who claims to have an absolute proven system of success. He is promoted as such a great teacher. He sells a CD that teaches Prosumer to Diamond in a couple of years. Yet here is the kicker, "He does not have one single success story where any one has accomplished the goal." It doesn't matter to him though. What matters is that he has once again sold to the people he claims to be trying to help another CD. There is not even an ounce of integrity that would allow these guys to ever be honest about their tools income, let alone a desire to reform it.
Great Post Bob!
You know if diamonds were sprounting up all over the place, then the tools wouldn't be such an issue. The problem is all those people believing that success is coming but it isn't.
It goes back to how many new diamonds with folks who signed up after the inception of quixtar?
I know I'm naive and/or ignorant, but what exactly does CommuniKate do and how is it helpful to an IBO?
Back to the orginal post. Reforming the tool business. Know why it won't work - whatever level you try to initiate it? Because the Corp won't let it happen. They need the kingpins. Anybody remember Team to Fuque us a couple of years ago?
George,
No, please tell us more.
Michael,
You are welcome to have a blog in my MLM Blog Network anytime.
~ Ty
again, JoeCool, not too up to date with your info... i go to 4 functions a year, as guided by my upline LOS.
How many "training days" do you have for your job?
Don't like paying to go to the function? fine, dont go, it is your choice.
You seem to also skim over the OPTIONAL part of this whole deal, AND the buy-back policy. Sorry you got screwed out of that... but you were 4000PV+ you should have known about it... ?
Two questions Micheal,
1. What would your upline tell you faith is?
2. What is "training" in a business?
Regarding books, just have a recommended book list and let the individual IBO buy his (or her) own. If you wanted to keep track of tool flow, let the corporation offer them at wholesale.
A nomial annual fee for unlimited access to mp3 files sounds like a great alternative to tapes / cds.
X,
1. What would your upline tell you faith is?
I am a Catholic by heart, but I am definetly not an always practicing catholic I will admit.
I'll also admit I never really listened to my upline about faith.
I know my upline is a faithful Christian and I've never really discussed religion with him, only business.
I've heard religion discussed at the functions and listened to them on CD, but I'd usually fast forward that stuff, or go on a walk.
This is why I am teaching people to take what they need from this business.
If they are religious people, that's great, if they want to keep on the business side of things- hey, that's great too.
I really don't like to impose my religious beliefs on anyone else or judge people who are religious. I won't discuss it unless I am asked. I do get very uncomfortable when people want to talk about personal religion with me, expecially when they really don't know me. I am very much an introvert out in public.
I had one close friend at a function stop me in the middle of the hallway at a function, put his hand on my shoulder and closed his eyes and started praying. I had no idea what he was doing, and I was very uncomfortable with all these people staring at me. I highly respected my friend, but I stopped attending functions shortly after that.I don't know if he was praying or "blessing me" or what. I've never told my upline about this or anyone else who didn't see it. I am sure he meant well. He just felt compelled he needed to do that.
2. What is "training" in a business?
This question is really a vague question. Are you talking conventional business or an MLM business?
We can look at the general definition of training:
To coach in or accustom to a mode of behavior or performance.
To make proficient with specialized instruction and practice.
To cause (a plant or one's hair) to take a desired course or shape.
To focus on or aim at (a goal, mark, or target); direct. (Manipulate)
To let drag behind; trail.
Thanks Micheal, you proved my point.
1. I was not talking about religion. As far as I am concerned, you are out of edification to the systems. In cult analysis, you never look at the fringe members, but the teachers and the devotees. That is where I am arguing from. If you are in BWW, the definition of faith is: "The evidence of things hoped for and the belief of things not yet seen." It is not about a religion, but their business. I followed that system but the evidence is not there, and for almost all people who get invovled, those "not yet seen" things will be "never seen".
There is another BWW saying: "Everyone makes money in this business, but most people never stick around long enough to collect it." This is just utter foolishness designed to keep people plugged in more and more. The point of this whole post is that it is not about training, it is about getting rich off the backs of the devotees.
As for the Training, training is things like "how to...X" all this rah rah motivation is not training, but it is being sold as such. Training would be:
How do you contact
How do you set up a new customer
How do you arrange your books and taxes
What is allowed by the company rules and what is not
Those things are covered a little bit, but the vast majority of crap you buy from your upline is about rah rah, and nothing else. That is my point. You are not getting trained, you are getting motivated, but the corporation did studies one time to me knowledge about the effectiveness of MOs and the comclusion is that they are not effective.
X,
I am not in BWW, but WWDB. I can't refute what you are saying. I agree with most of it.
However, you're quote,
"Everyone makes money in this business, but most people never stick around long enough to collect it."
I really have to agree with that comment about all MLM's and businesses in general. Although MLM generally sees more attrition than any other business.
The definition of faith above is a direct quote from Hebrews 11:1. Many other lines of sponsorship use the same verse, but perverted by the lying cowardly "kingpins" talking like they are a great, religious person, with their hand in your back pocket taking their excessive tool profits. Hey "kingpins", this will catch up with you, either during or after your lifetime.
Brad> again, JoeCool, not too up to date with your info... i go to 4 functions a year, as guided by my upline LOS.
"4 functions total or 4 majors?"
How many "training days" do you have for your job?
"Irrelevant, I get paid to attend training for my job, not pay my employer"
Don't like paying to go to the function? fine, dont go, it is your choice.
You seem to also skim over the OPTIONAL part of this whole deal, AND the buy-back policy. Sorry you got screwed out of that... but you were 4000PV+ you should have known about it... ?
"Optional? not when you are taught to submit to upline and follow their foolproof system"
Ty,
I was only being sarcastic, but I would be happy to take you up on your offer. I just registered a new MLM blog domain and I would devote it to MLM in general. Thank you for the offer. I'll contact you.
JoeCool, 4 functions. I said elsewhere i have never attended a seminar/rally, nor has my immediate team in the last year. I have attended 3 product education/training seminars which have all greatly harped on member/client sales and accounts. If i find a scanner near by, perhaps i will scan the pages out of the handbook of the day on member/client accounts and the emphasis put on immediate gross profit by selling at retail.
"Optional? not when you are taught to submit to upline and follow their foolproof system"
You may have been taught this but its application is completely up to you. This is where i find fault in personal responsibility. It is your business and the only thing the rules say is: the sponsor/upline is responsible to train their downline, NOTHING says "downline must be responsible to their upline". But i guess you never read through the business reference guide, huh?
Brad have you shown a profit yet? What about your downline?
Brad are you saying you're not on the system?
Joecool,
You're not "listening" to Brad. There are FOUR MAJOR FUNCTIONS A YEAR! One of them is only a 2-3 hour evening, including dinner! There are other training sessions "offered" (not forced!) throughout the year. In fact, we are attending a 3 hour product merchandising training session tomorrow morning. They go IN-DEPTH on product comparisons, price comparisons, HOW to retail, WHO to retail, they ROLE-PLAY, etc. There are also plans being shown by Platinums, Emeralds, Diamonds, Double Diamonds & Triple Diamonds throughout the year. These are open to all IBO's & their guests.
Joecool,
How can you have been so subservient, blind and submissive to your former "upline" and be so stubborn and defensive on this blog site? I must admit though, you seem to still be suffering from blindness.
To answer your question on profit, my husband and I have put our biz "on hold" for a little while due to his job but....guess what....we are STILL profiting EVERY MONTH! Why? Because I contact my downline once a week to "service" them...most of them are on Ditto so it's all automatic. Real tough, eh?!? Most of it was from lots of work done a year or so ago.
Also, we haven't been totally "CORE" for a while now and our upline Diamond just had my husband over to his house and all he did was praise him for being a great provider and "doing what it takes" to keep his kids home with mommy. He told him to keep focused on the most important things, and I quote: "God comes first. Then family. Get your finances & your marriage straight and on-track. Once you make sure you have no debt and you have a little nest egg built up, then come back and build your business". WOW!!!!!!!! Totally conflicts with EVERYTHING you guys have been saying...huh?
There may be other devious creeps out there and there may even be some upline from us. But I'm happy to know that our direct mentors are caring people and not full of greed like you all are describing.
Sally> Also, we haven't been totally "CORE" for a while now and our upline Diamond just had my husband over to his house and all he did was praise him for being a great provider and "doing what it takes" to keep his kids home with mommy. He told him to keep focused on the most important things, and I quote: "God comes first. Then family. Get your finances & your marriage straight and on-track. Once you make sure you have no debt and you have a little nest egg built up, then come back and build your business".
DI> The fact that a supposed "business mentor" is giving advice on family and religion is what's really creepy.
Sally, have you and your husband found a church home where you and your family can be spiritually fed on a regular basis? It worries me that your "business mentor" seems to be the person that is giving you spiritual advice. Find a church that preaches the Gospel in Its truth and purity, and you may not need the pep talks from your upline, not do you need to be concerned about any ulterior motive from the minister.
DI,
People like YOU creep me out.
Inquiring Mind,
As a fellow Christian, I share many of your beliefs. However, I don't agree with your perspective on this business. WHY can't a business coach be a personal mentor? WHY not learn from a person who has a wonderful spiritual life, a wonderful family life, a great physical life (healthy), and a financially prosperous life? WHY IS THAT SO BAD ACCORDING TO YOU???
Yes, we DO go to a bible based church and we love it. I am becoming a little more involved. We would listen to the Pastor IF he had what we wanted. What is he's divorced? Why then, would we listen to his advice? What if he's broke & his wife is out working to also support the family? That's not the way it's supposed to be! Why would we take advice from someone like that?
If someone has what you want, why wouldn't you listen to how they got it? I thought our upline Diamond gave excellent advice. None of you even addressed that fact. You are just looking for ANYTHING to take apart. I can't read this stuff anymore. It's too depressing. I'm disappointed in you guys. Why don't you use your time & energy to go change the world for the better? Why don't you go do something nice for someone else? That's what I'm going to do right now.
So long, farewell & God Bless You,
Sally
Sally, I'm sorry that your pastor is in the process of getting a divorce, that he is broke (That might be something for your church budget may need to address, or an intervention if he has money management issues) and that his wife is working outside the home. What I was hoping you would have heard at your church is God's Word taught, and that you could have a support group of believers who are there for you whether they are your up/downline or what ever.
Believe it or not, I am not trying to attack you, I AM trying to be nice to you. My husband and I have tried this conversation with his family, and it is hard. It seems like an attack on our part, but it is not meant to be. It just seems that when we bring about questions that they can't answer, all of the sudden we are negative and combative. That is not what I'm trying to be. We just don't want to see the Christian faith twisted to meet the needs for Quixtar.
The church (as imperfect as it is) can provide the support, love, and guidance that Quixtar does. The only difference is that it comes without the promise of getting rich.
inquiring mind,
I too, have been trying to be sincere, nice & honest on this website. I tell things from my perspective & experiences & mine alone.
Quixtar (or rather, the MO's), uses scripture to emphasize a certain point they are trying to make. Many organizations around the world do this.
Please hear me when I say this: WWDB is not all about wealth & "getting rich". It is about bettering our lives. About doing something more. Prior to starting our online business, we could not give extra to all the victims of the tsunami, the floods, the hurricane, the earthquakes. We certainly gave when we could but it was as low as $5.00 at times. We always have given at the church we attend.
We have always given and done (taken action) no matter what our financial status. Not once have we been told to "hold off on giving" until we are "rich". It is suggested & recommended to give your soul to the Lord, to give at all times, & to share what you've got with others.
That's been my experience. That's what I've seen done...with my own eyes. I will never stop giving what I can, to those in need.
My husband and I have BIG dreams! With him at a regular construction job (which he did for over 13 years) and me at home with the kids, we wouldn't be able to make much of an impact.
It is truth when I say that, because of our association with WWDB, we are now out of debt, our marriage is stronger & we continue to try to "do the next right thing" and go toward our goals. Quixtar is simply a vehicle to help us to do that.
Two things: We continue to give & do, no matter what our financial status - we've never been taught any different.
Also, if not Quixtar, what? It's a great vehicle with above average products and we have a lot of fun!
I will continue to read the bible for my own knowledge of God's Word and, trust me, if I encounter anything too skewed or that is misrepresented, I will take appropriate action.
I thank you for the conversation & pray for God's many blessings for you!
Sally
Yes, we DO go to a bible based church and we love it. I am becoming a little more involved. We would listen to the Pastor IF he had what we wanted. What is he's divorced? Why then, would we listen to his advice? What if he's broke & his wife is out working to also support the family? That's not the way it's supposed to be! Why would we take advice from someone like that?
There is nothing wrong with a woman going out to help support her family. So many people have an ideal of what family life is and I found many in Quixtar "preaching" that the men should get their wives home from their jobs. Many women find great fulfillment in working outside the home and many such women have accomplished great things. Sounds like you don't really respect your pastor that much.
Lisa,
I'm not disagreeing with women in the workplace. I did it for YEARS!!! Of course women have done great things for our world...I agree!!!
What I personally disagree with however, is the sacrifice of the kids for money. No one can replace mom (or dad, for that matter). So, if you have a CHOICE and CAN stay home with your kids, at least part-time, I think that's the best thing for them. Yes, there are a FEW good daycares out there, but again, they're not the parent! It's someone taking care of them for minimum wage, with a "job" mentality. And please don't mention that a grandparent is taking care of them. What a crime! To take advantage of your parent....they've already done their job! Grandparenting should be just that...grandparenting....not "built in" babysitters!
Most couples could raise their own kids full time if they really wanted to. Problem is, not many are willing to sacrifice the size of their house, or their cars, or any of the other material things they have, in order to make it work.
I used to say I'd NEVER be an at-home mom. It finally got to me when I was leaving my oldest in the care of someone else for literally, 12-14 hours a day! That includes a full day of work plus drive time. That's not why I had kids....so someone else can raise them!
I've been an at-home mom for 4 years now & STILL have many many days when I'd MUCH rather go back to the office. I made VERY GOOD money, got recognition & I could get a break & slow down a little. But, I'm doing this for my kids. Not for me. Short term sacrifice for long term gain.
What has helped my sanity and sense of acheivement is this business. I love it. And I work it around my at-home mom schedule. The kids come first. Period.
So, go to work! Fine! But the day you have kids, you may think & feel differently about it. Don't sacrifice the very precious & important time when they're little, for a few extra bucks or for some self gratifying feelings.
Sally,
My point is that Brad attends all these functions and there are very few points about how the diamonds actually teach anything about business.
About my upline, yes they did teach us
the way I described. I finally did quit because my upline became too intrusive in my life. Your upline may differ, but that was my experience.
Sally> People like YOU creep me out.
DI> Uncomfortable truth creeps you out? That's unfortunate.
Sally, answer this: What is the reason for starting a business?
I respect your husband for working a difficult, honest job for so many years. Is your Quixtar business bringing in more moeny than his paycheck? Or are you using his paycheck to pay for your Quixtar "education"?
Great post X! Your ideas are right on the mark. You never know , maybe a few platinums and above will advocate for this. That is if they have any integrity at all. I would make a call to all the honest IBOs out there to start screaming for this sort of change.
Posted by: G A E | May 16, 2006 1:51 PM