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May 10, 2006
Quixtar Backbone Project - Update
By QBlog in Backbone Project
About This Project
The Quixtar Backbone Project is the result of an idea I had back in 2004. The main goal of the project is to initiate a dialogue with regular, hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone" (project details). The first person to participate was Sharon Schlesinger. I recently checked in with her to see how she's been doing since being part of the Project. Here's her response:
Dear Fellow Travelers,
Since I participated in the "Backbone Project," I have learned much more about the business of Quixtar, its products and the opportunity it represents. QBlog asked me if I would give an update, and I am pleased to respond to his request.
I have continued to read this blog and many of the forum threads. The cast of characters in the forum has changed somewhat; I think there must be some combat fatigue that sets in causing individuals to disappear after a time in the trenches. Maybe a better metaphor would be that of tag wrestling teams. In any event, I have learned from this site, and I thank all of you who have helped further my education.
I spent 20 years in Wall Street and 20 years owning and operating retail stores so I was not inexperienced in business when I registered as a Quixtar IBO. Even though Quixtar appeared to be a bit of an "odd ball" as a business model, I felt there was an opportunity in there somewhere. The people I recruited early on were friends who were willing to "look for the pony" with me.
A little over a year ago, our team's leaders introduced the Apprentice Leg concept. Simply stated, it advocates building a single deep leg as a team effort while new IBO's are learning the business. Once they have created a PV pathway with a number of members and clients, learned how to present the business opportunity to prospects, registered at least 4 new IBO's in the Apprentice Leg, assisted in getting them started in the business and have experienced all the product education clinics, they are encouraged to start a second leg.
The Apprentice Leg concept has resulted in a more stable, secure base of IBO's. New IBO's can proceed at their own pace. They receive much more training and support from other team members than in our previous organizational structure. Out of this approach has come group PV pathways, with two or more IBO's pursuing the marketing of a product or service together. One PV pathway has seven individual IBO's working together to market an array of products. This last group is looking for specific skill sets to invite into the business they have created.
As for the "system". My team is left pretty much to their own devices, although our Founders Platinum is always willing to give his advise or to provide training sessions of which he is a master.
Of approximately 2 dozen IBO's, I know of only one that is on the standing order system. Once my sponsor bought a carefully selected group of tapes that everyone shared, but as a rule, there is little tape expense. I find the monthly seminars ($18) very useful, because one-half the session is devoted to product education and ideas of how to market an individual product. All of the products are on display at the seminar, with demos going on and experts explaining value. The remainder of the session is given over to guest speakers, some of them are very, very good, and some of them are not.
Our team has a web site that costs $25 to register. No monthly fees thereafter. It has downloads of speeches we may have missed, marketing tools for new products, training tools, all free.
We carpool. We're installing video conferencing. We pinch pennies. Listen to this statement very carefully, my friends: my sponsor is supported by her member/client retail business. I'm not going to prove it to you nor will I ask her to prove it. But I know this to be true, because I have watched her build the business and I am familiar with her situation.
Do I live on my Quixtar income? No, but I don't live on the proceeds of my retail store either. Do they add to my overall income? Yes. Is everyone on my team making a profit? No. Are they spending a lot of money? Absolutely not. More of our team's volume is member/client than personal.
I always looked at this business in terms of what service or product could be marketed. The idea of redirecting your shopping to the internet and teaching others to do the same didn't sound like a business unless one could offer a lower cost alternative. Obviously Quixtar isn't that. However, it does have some very interesting and appealing products.
I know that you build a business one customer and one sale at a time. There really isn't a short cut. I don't sell exclusive products in my retail stores. And, my prices are not even the lowest. So why do people shop in my store? Because I give them service, I'm friendly, I remember their names, their children, I talk and I listen and I've trained my employees to do the same. In my Quixtar business I have some products (not all of them) that I personally like very much and arguably have a valuable difference that makes them very salable. Can I teach others to build a sweet little business that can support them? Darn tootin'.
Sharon Schlesinger
If you're an IBO and would like to participate in the Quixtar Backbone Project send an email to quixtar@webraw.com and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject.
Comments
Dear Jim70,
I belong to Team 5K headed by the Goetschel family; Chuck is the Diamond leader of the team.
IBO's are definitely encouraged to attend the monthly seminars and the 2 yearly conferences. In fact, I personally encourage my downline to attend because of the product emphasis and the quality of the training provided. However, I discourage anyone from attending anything their business cannot afford. It is usual for team members to share rooms, bring food with them, car pool, etc., just to be able to afford to attend a function. They may sit up all night sharing information received in different breakout sessions. It must be like reliving dorm time in college. They seem to enjoy themselves a great deal.
If this is still outside their business budget, as I mentioned earlier, speeches from major functions are frequently made available for free downloading from the Team 5K website.
Sharon
Sharon,
As a disenchanted former IBO who lost a LOT of money through this business (basically the QMO of Michael Diamonds International, I am really pleased to hear that you are building a successful business under the Goetschels. They spoke frequently at our meetings and I found Chuck especially to be an inspiring speaker. I truly hope that he is the man of intergrity that he appeared to be. I am sorry to say that Scott Michael appears NOT to be the man of integrity he appeared to be, since most of the money I "lost" in the business went to tools and functions.
I do wish you well, and appreciate your honest participation in this forum.
Christy Schlake
Sharon,
I'm glad to read that you and your group are running a stable, and I assume profitable, business and not spending enormous amounts of money on tools. You are fortunate to be part of a group that actually emphasizes the products and apparently allows you to be *independent* business owners. I wish you and your group continued success.
Sharon...
Enjoyed your entry and your realistic view of the business sidedness of Quixtar.
I did read in your bio that you and your husband are always looking for new revenue streams. I'd like to speak with you about ours to get your opinion and see if it would be valuable to you.
You may email me at pjleverson@iglide.net.
I'll await your response!
Again, I appreciate your entry.
Humbly,
Levi
"I am really pleased to hear that you are building a successful business under the Goetschels. They spoke frequently at our meetings and I found Chuck especially to be an inspiring speaker. I truly hope that he is the man of intergrity that he appeared to be."
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So that's why he had a girlfriend and he and Colleen are divorced now?
Sharon,
Thanks for participating in this blog. Would you be willing to share which Diamond you are under? (Or if that is too personal, which "major diamond" you are under? I would like to know of the various groups in which tools are treated like tools, not profit centers. Is your group encouraged to attend many functions per year?
Best of luck in the future,
Jim70
Posted by: jim70 | May 10, 2006 2:34 PM