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May 8, 2006
All the World a Stage
By Truth in A/QMOs
When someone first gets introduced to Quixtar he is often unaware of anything that goes on behind the scenes of this business. Everything he sees can be taken for granted as a genuine experience. For the most part he is unaware of the act that some IBOs put on just for him.
A while back I did a couple of Podcasts on this very subject. One of those Podcasts referred to the Open Meeting and the other was about Contacting.
In the Open Meeting Podcast I went into great detail about how many IBOs are taught to "create" a certain atmosphere in the room for their prospects. Sometimes leaders try to ensure that the room has nothing but happy smiley faces, and that everyone is engaged in a "positive" conversation.
I also talked about the deception that can take place when one IBO introduces a prospect to another IBO. In those types of conversations I was taught that no matter how bad that person is doing in business I was to tell the prospect that their business is "a smokin business," and that they are on "the fast track" to success.
In Contacting I discussed an equal amount of deception that takes place when some IBOs try to get contact information from a prospect. There is often an "Ice Breaker" that you could use, and in my group the most popular was to go up to a potential prospect and say "Hey, you look familiar! Do I know you from somewhere?" We said that even though we clearly had no idea who this person was.
Questions for you
So the question becomes are the Quixtar IBOs who practice the methods I discussed above deceptive to a fault with their prospective IBOs? Are they just putting on an act for them, that leaves the prospect in the dark?
Of course if these practices are seen as highly unethical, the ramifications of that spread to those IBOs who are not being deceptive, which in my opinion should outrage those IBOs.
But, could it be that many Quixtar IBOs are putting on no more of an act, or deception then the rest of the business world? If so, show some comparisions to the examples I gave above.
Also, does deception have a place in the business world, and what are its limits?
Comments
QBlog,
The blog has taken a decided step down, with these sophomoric discussions. Give us your old style, there was far more substance to it.
Tex, I highly agree. The farcical help desk (bring it back!), chatter, observations, news, monday reader mail, and general posts that Qblog did are what made this blog so popular - an effective moderator that fostered discussion, if you will. Your format is what set your site apart from the many others - creatively making points and expressing opinions. It needs organization, weekly features (build on what you already have!), and an enhanced focus in general if you want to have this many writers going on and on everyday with different topics. Growing pains, I'd say. Just one man's perceptions...
And I can't resist...LOLOL I am so busness inclind that I form incohernt sentences and LOLOL can't stop excessive punctuation!!!!!!!!!!! LOLOLOL. I am the reason why intelligent IBOs have trouble adequately conveying their point of view because I listen to tapespeak from diamonds and give people the impression that I'm being taken advantage of by some sly clever people LOLOL
Drew,
you asked for some feedback about "deception" in the biz world. I worked for a few Fortune 100 companies (in sales) and when we cold called, in order to get appointments, we were told to say things like "I'm going to be in the neighborhood". We would also call to say they won a drawing for a free whatever.
We also ALWAYS put on a positive, "smiley" face, especially in front of customers, business partners, and the like. The "negative" or "real" aspect of our job was saved for personal gatherings at the bar or wherever.
As for this particular business, it makes sense to "put on" a happy face & to only go to your upline with any potential "negative" feedback or input. As in corporate america, why would you want to be negative to a potential client or downline? (team member, business parter, whatever you want to call them).
I hope that answers your question.
Baz,
Yeah I know I have only owned three businesses since leaving Quixtar and still have two running making good profit every month. When you tell a person's prospect that they have a "smokin" business when they clearly are not on the move, that is Deception.
As far as the conversation goes I can understand wanting positive conversation but in the meetings I went to you can't even talk about how busy you have been because heaven forbid a prospect hears that you are gonna be busy in this business.
Sally,
I agree, I worked with some folks in sales when I got out of Quixtar and similar practices were used. I believe you have to put on your best face. I think all too often because I am seen as a "critic" folks think everything I write is a slam on their business.
But what about the outright deception about how good your business is doing. The supposed "fake it till you make it" routine? Why should I be encouraged to tell a prospect that another IBO has a smokin business when they clearly don't?
So I clearly understand the positive face aspect of the business. I don't go pick up computers from my customers and talk about the negative aspects of fixing their computer. But at the same time I don't BS them about how quick I can get it done, etc.
When the positive face you have put on your business has gone over to being deceptive about how well you are doing, has it gone over the line? Clearly some who have left comments here don't see a difference between being positive and being deceptive.
Sally>We also ALWAYS put on a positive, "smiley" face, especially in front of customers, business partners, and the like. The "negative" or "real" aspect of our job was saved for personal gatherings at the bar or wherever.
Moi>EXACTLY. You shared the real aspect of your job with your colleagues (I assume). You cannot do this, according to the AQMOs, i.e., you cannot share "negative" stuff with your crosslines. God forbid you should even speak to them without your upline present.
Drew>As far as the conversation goes I can understand wanting positive conversation but in the meetings I went to you can't even talk about how busy you have been because heaven forbid a prospect hears that you are gonna be busy in this business.
Moi> This is the problem - the deception used from the time the person is contacted till s/he presumably quits. Prospects are told that they have to work 8-10 hours a week (or 10-15 hours, depending on the plan show-er), for 2-5 years and then they'll be free. The 8-10 hours doesn't even cover the amount of time a dedicated IBO may spend just driving to and attending meetings - opens, PASE, phone team, and night owls. Then when they get hooked on the biz, they are told that they're supposed to become "sold out" to the biz and drive countless miles and lose countless hours of sleep and attend countless meetings. And don't even get me started on the 2 - 5 year thing.
What the AQMOs do is take legitimate principles (e.g., don't burden your client with your problems) and corrupt and twist them.
Hi guys. Ok, here it is:
If you're outright LYING...that's WRONG. Period. I've had people ask & I can absolutely understand why they want to know how much we're making and how much time we put in.
I don't understand what all the secrecy is about. We tell them! Plain and simple! When we were at $50 a month, that's what we told them (if they REALLY needed to know) and when we were at $300 a month, we told them & when we were at $1000 per month, we told them...again, IF they needed to know.
Our business is growing as people we "sponsor" start their own business & start using the Professional/Personal Development System.
We happen to be a part of a Diamond Team that is all about products. They focus on Merchandising Seminars, Educational Seminars, Product-oriented seminars. Obviously, we all know, without product movement, there is no money or growth.
By the way, my hubby & I have some GREAT relationships/friendships with crossline. I've been "real" with some of the ladies. When I've gotten frustrated or curious about the why's & how's of this biz, I do go to my upline. I do however, have my own thoughts & opinions. We take what will work for us & we leave the rest behind.
If people are deceptive up front, it'll come back to bite them in the a-s. :-)
Sally,
How do you tell IF someone REALLY needs to know?
I see nothing wrong with creating a "positive" atmosphere, but that doesn't have to require deception - it's an attitude. The other stuff is common in traditional business too, but that doesn't make it good. I find sincerity and honesty is nearly always the best choice.
Sally, it sounds as if you and your husband are really trying to run your business without deception and I commend you for that. I truly hope your uplines are doing the same. I know that not all groups are being dishonest. That being said , I think that allthe honest groups should make sure to tell a prospect everything including what the dishonest people are doing with this business
Drew,
First off, I reread my post and I came off with a bit of too much sarcasm. For this I apologize.
For your info. I do not tell anyone I have a smokin' business, when I do not. Nor is this the norm for my upline or downline during open meetings or any other time.. Deception is always and mean always going to bite you in the azz down the road. I refuse to allow it to permiate my team or anyone involved with us at any level. Also, my wife and I NEVER discourage the free exchange of ideas or concerns positive or negative during closed training(IBO's only). We also focus intensely on retailing. Being profitable is our 1# priority and responsibility to ourselves and our downline. Retailing and marketing of our huge product line is the very first thing we teach new IBO's. The products always come first. Put them in their hands and let them try everything. We teach total business ownership. Period.
One more; The majority of groups that I have personally had involvement with are teaching these vary same things. Gala, Miller, Baker, Markeweicz to name a few. Hope this sheds some light.
Baz
You're right, GAE. We should (and do) let "prospects" know about other goings'on. We heard about some groups saying that you had to purchase 2 water filtration systems to get in. We said...WHAT?!?!? Anyway, we share that kind of stuff along with the separate stream of revenue from the motivational & training materials.
My husband and I were THE MOST skeptical people you would ever have met! We were both prospected several times prior to getting married then we were prospected at least SIX TIMES since we got married. We figured "someone" was trying to tell us something so we thought we'd take a look.
We've been working our biz (very part time) for 3 years and are almost Double Eagle. We know if we just kicked it up a notch, we'd be Platinum then Ruby before we know it. I hope you don't think that's an egotistical statement...it's not!!! We feel VERY blessed and we look at it as a numbers game. We are HONEST and we develop RELATIONSHIPS with people. If we have to "pressure" someone then something is wrong. Either they want it or they don't and either they get it or they don't. It's not for everyone.
Anyway, I ALWAYS (in the back of my mind) have been purposefully looking for something that smells illegal or deceptive. The more I look for it, the more good things I see and the better I feel about being involved with it. So, that's what I gotta go with. I can't base my life decisions on some ex-IBO's negative experiences.
Thanks for the feedback.
Sally
You all need to get a life, and stop getting your information over the internet, hiding behind your computers. Go out into the real world and meet some real people who are creating success in this business. I am in one of the top 3 business teams in the country and anyone who wants it bad enough can and will succeed in this business. We've got 21 year olds hitting the top of the bonus scale in 1-2 years. Stop hiding behind your computers and making sorry excuses as to why you aren't out putting in the work.
Well Jeff since I wrote this post I will assume you are talking to me. For the record I am anything but hiding behind a computer. But just for fun let's see if you practice what you preach.
I can be reached by e-mail at truth@quixtarinsideout.com or by phone at 1-775-908-9383. Let's see you come out from behind your computer and you tell me where I am wrong. BTW, my bio and pic are on the about page of this site.
Ironic isn't it? You telling people to quit hiding behind their computer, while typing that message from behind your own computer ;)
Anyway, like I said I look forward to seeing if you practice what you preach.
Sometimes leaders try to ensure that the room has nothing but happy smiley faces, and that everyone is engaged in a "positive" conversation
This line is absolutely correct.
DREW:: Deception??????? Why in god;s green earth would you tell people to have a sour puss on or It is okay to be openly negative during any kind of business meeting in any business Drew?? LOLOl No attack but it is apparently obvious you have very little real world business experience friend. This entire site is a riot. Thanks for the giggles. People go out and build something , anything, how about a bird house??? LOL
Posted by: Baz | May 9, 2006 1:20 AM