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April 30, 2006
Making Sausage
By QBlog in Blog News
"People who enjoy eating sausage and obeying the law should not watch either being made" - Otto von Bismarck
Right now visitors to the Quixtar BLOG are getting to see a bit of Web sausage being made. The site redesign is nearly complete but some issues still remain and rather than roll back to the old template I'm moving forward and fixing things on the live site.
I'm going to be honest, this is very frustrating for me. I absolutely hate that things aren't displaying as I want them to and I'm working with the template coders to get this fixed as quickly as possible (I'll tell you more about them later - I hope). So I'm putting my frustration aside and will get back to the regular posting schedule that many of you have become so familiar with over the past months.
But first, I'll explain what's yet to be completed so you'll know what's been identified as a problem and what will be fixed over the next few days. Much of the changes and tweaks are based on your feedback so I appreciate that input.
The Blog Ad in the right rail will be centered and not break the templateDone!-
A leaderboard sized Google Ad will be placed at the top of the page where you are now seeing a broken page or a blank space, depending on your browserDone! -
The right rail content is currently displaying at the bottom of the page in Internet Explorer (the worst browser in the world) and this will be fixedDone! -
The size of the text will be largerDone! Comments are currently separated by a horizontal rule and some similar separation method will be employedDone!
That's pretty much it. Again, thanks for your patience. When all this is done it will be worth the hassle.
UPDATE: Big Announcement delayed until Tuesday night.
April 25, 2006
Constructive Criticism
By QBlog in Blog News
As you may have noticed, this site has undergone a redesign. It's not 100% complete as I still need to make some tweaks, minor adjustments and retemplating of non-blog powered pages.
So, here's your chance to offer some constructive criticism (aka suggestions) about the redesign. Keep in mind that some things are simply broken and will be fixed when I have time. Your feedback is welcomed.
And lastly, I'll have to delay the "big announcement" for another couple of days while I get everything straightened out.
Thanks for your patience.
UPDATE: Your feedback and patience is appreciated. Everything will be tweaked and ready to go for Monday and then I can give the much teased "Big Announcement."
Again, thanks for your patience.
UPDATE II: More setbacks. Looks like much is out of alignment on the right rail in Windows versions of IE. Also, I'm very aware of the Blog Ad being out of position. Thanks for pointing that out. It's obviously NOT going to stay there and we're trying to find out how to fix it.
April 24, 2006
Remember Dateline?
By QBlog in Dateline NBC
The Dateline NBC Quixtar Expose is available on Vimeo.
April 23, 2006
Changes Coming Soon
By QBlog in Blog News
I promise this isn't a tease, the new site design is just about ready to go live. I've been working on this thing since January and busy schedules, workflow setbacks and other things have held up the implementation. However, it's almost ready to roll.
So, if you notice the site looking different, that's why. Also, some things may not work correctly for a day or two after the redesign so be patient.
And finally, after the redesign I have a big announcement to make so stay tuned for that. Yes, that is a tease.
April 22, 2006
Too Much XS
By QBlog in Quixtar
This crazy video is nearly two minutes long and shows what happens when you drink too much XS Energy drink!
April 21, 2006
Quixtar Chatter - April 21, 2006
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- The Gangster of Love suggests that you be very aggressive with your Quixtar business
- Scam Alert! - "I am writing this because I want the public to know that this scam is out there to make you poor and the leaders of these conferences richer"
- The problem - trading hours for dollars. The solution - Quixtar
- McDonalds' & Quixtar Question - "How much we invest in McDonald's and how much we do in Quixtar?"
- Clever blog title - "DeVos is a dick." Actually, it's not really that clever
- Needed - A "no solicitation" sign to avoid the Quixtar IBOs at the mall
- We got prospected for the Amway business last week. I was so mad.
- T.E.A.M. - "Hey has anyone heard about this thing called T.E.A.M or team of destiny...perhaps quixtar, amway, or alticor..."
- SHOP ONLINE! - Get Theo's IBO number, password and a phone number on MySpace
April 19, 2006
Getting Motivated
By QBlog in A/QMOs
I'll be spending the day at an event called "Get Motivated" which features speakers like Zig Ziglar, Jerry Lewis and Rudy Giulliani. Fun!
And it didn't cost me anything.
UPDATE: I'm home from the Get Motivated seminar and now I can provide more details.
On Monday my boss asked if I'd like to accompany several colleagues to attend a day-long "motivational" seminar at the fabulous FedExForum. The seats were in our company suite which is very, very sweet. Catered food and drinks. Leather seats. Flat screen TV. You get the idea.
The seminar is apparently run by Peter Lowe and his wife Tamara. I'd never heard of either one before today but they have an impressive list of celebrity speakers including Mikhail Gorbachev, George H.W. Bush, George Foreman and Goldie Hawn. Today's lineup included:
- Zig Ziglar
- Phil Town
- Krish Dhanam
- Jerry Lewish
- Jeff Taylor
- Tom Hopkins
- Rudy Giulliani
Assumptions
Before I delve into my notes I want to dispel some possible misconceptions. I do not object to motivational seminars, tapes, books, videos or whatever else is used to pump people up these days. I understand that some people, maybe most people, need some external motivation now and then. Nothing wrong with that.
I equate it to religious worship. I'm generalizing but Pentecostals often prefer boisterous, high energy worship including dancing and clapping while many Catholics prefer quiet, ritualistic worship with an emphasis on sacred traditions. Is one style of worship right and the other wrong? Of course not. Each style meets the needs of its participants. Some people prefer quiet inspiration and others like raucous stimulation.
Same with motivation. Some people respond well to "Get Motivated" type seminars. Others don't. Neither is right or wrong. It is what it is.
What I do object to is the closed system of motivational organizations within Quixtar. Where my employer is able to shop around and find what its leadership believes is the most valuable motivational system, most IBOs do not have that flexibility. They're generally locked into whatever LOA they initially signed up with whether or not its meeting their unique motivational needs.
My Notes
I took some notes during the seminar and here's what I wrote about some of the speakers:
- Zig Ziglar - I respect what the man has accomplished but he lacked any original thoughts. His message was basically a few bumper stickers that he repeated in different ways. "Plan your life." "Diet & Exercise." "Read." "Have a Great Attitude." "Be an Optimist."
- Peter Lowe - Talked a lot about the physiology of motivation. Posture affects attitude. We did an exercise where we planted our feet, pointed forward and then pivoted to point behind us without moving our feet. We then visualized this and tried it a second time. I think some people rotated further the second try, after the visualization. Did we prove that visualization produces results? No. This is the Non Causa Pro Causa logical fallacy. It could be that people rotated further after identifying their abilities on the first try. Or maybe having a goal to beat helped them on the second try? The point is that the exercise proves absolutely nothing.
Lowe also did the tired karate chop a board in half trick. I was not impressed. - Jerry Lewis - Jerry didn't do any motivational stuff. Told jokes, showed some old videos and acted like Jerry Lewis. I think he offended some people with a few Polish jokes, a joke about gays and what we think was a jab at Arabs though it was hard to understand him.
- Jeff Taylor - Had a really big chin. Really, really big. I liked him the least. Too slick for my tastes. And did I mention his chin?
- Tom Hopkins - A real estate salesman who really impressed. The best salesman of the bunch. This guy was a natural. You wanted to shake his hand and ask him home for dinner. Nothing felt slick about him. Seemed genuine and had some really great advice if you're into real estate, which he thinks you should be. My favorite.
- Phil Town - Former armed forces guy who was selling some stock software. Good energy but he seemed to have a product that was "too good to be true." Give him $6,000 and he'll make you a millionaire. Tip for Phil - invest in some graphics software to make those PowerPoint presentations look better.
- Rudolph Giuliani - I love Rudy. He gave a good talk though he's not a natural motivator. If he runs for President I'll seriously consider giving him my vote. I definitely prefer him to McCain on a Republican ticket.
Summary
The thing I took away from the seminar was the importance of leadership. Good leaders have vision and inspire people to follow that vision. Nothing new but it's the message that stuck with me.
April 18, 2006
997 New Quixtar Platinums
By QBlog in Quixtar
In 2004 I posted about the Quixtar Platinum INDEX which gave some insight into the performance of Platinum businesses. Great information.
But do you know how many IBOs became new Platinums that year? A grand total of 997 with nearly one third of them achieving the Platinum pin in August 2004. Congratulations Quixtar Platinums!
I hope to have 2005 numbers soon but unfortunately I hear they're down a bit from 2004. Oh well, Silver's not so bad.
UPDATE: The 2005 numbers are in! 559 new North American Platinums for FY 2005 which may be different than the calendar year which is where the 997 figure for 2004 comes from.
UPDATE II: For FY 2004 there were 1,013 new Platinums. However, there were 997 for the calendar year. The Fiscal Year runs from Sept.-Aug. And while we're at it, the FY 2003 had 661 new Platinums. Here's the breakdown of new Quixtar Platinums:
- FY 2003 - 661
- FY 2004 - 1,013
- FY 2005 - 559 (according to Achieve)
April 17, 2006
Monday Reader Mail: 75
By QBlog in Reader Mail
This Reader Mail tackles questions of privacy, ethics and the law. If true, this looks to be a clear violation of HIPAA though I'm no lawyer so I could be wrong about that.
name: Jade
date: February 27, 2006
message: I have a question about the soliciting of people in this quixtar business. The person whom contacted my now former husband and I got my contact info from my medical file. He is a doctor in our area. Can he really do this??
My ex is now "one of them in a big way" I joined and buy a little here and there. I refuse to buy cd mags and go conferencing. Just a question I would like your opinion on.
Thanks alot and have a great day.
J
So, what's your opinion? What would you tell Jade?
April 15, 2006
Students Allege Scam by Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar
The student-run Boston University newspaper reports that "students allege scam by Quixtar." The article is actually a poorly written account of one student's experience with Quixtar. Yet despite its problems, the article succeeds in describing a student's encounter and subsequent reaction to a couple of Quixtar IBOs.
Here are some examples of how the article succeeds, fails and puzzles.
The Good
Reporter Matt Reville recounts the student's introduction to Quixtar.
Last March, Shamir Parmar, a School of Management freshman, was approached by a young woman at the Cambridgeside Galleria.
"She told me that her brother was starting up his own business and needed a college student's help," Parmar said. "She claimed this would be good work experience and would look good on my resume."
The Bad
Reville makes some allegations (and errors) but fails to back them up with anything.
Staff members of the company Quixtar Inc., a marketing company facing multiple corruption allegations, have been targeting Boston University and Boston-area college students in attempts to recruit new members, according to recent reports...
... Quixtar is a predecessor and now a partner of Amway Corp., which has been charged by the federal government with making false statements to consumers and is surrounded by allegations of engaging in a pyramid money-making scheme...
What multiple corruption allegations? Who's making the allegations? What charges have been made by the "federal government?" Lot's of ambiguous "allegations" but no details.
Also, Quixtar IBOs are not staff members and Quixtar does not hire salespeople. Staff members or sales people often get health insurance, retirement benefits, a set salary or commission structure and vacation days or sick days. IBOs get none of that.
The Confusing
Quixtar Public Relations Specialist Leyla Kayi makes some befuddling comments (Beth, Robin are you guys paying attention?).
Kayi said once members reach a certain level in product sales, they can sponsor other people. Members then earn a commission on the sales their recruits make.
This is the first I've heard of a requirement to reach a certain level in product sales to earn the right to sponsor others. I bet the IBOAI would like to know about this.
Conclusion
Anyway, you should read this article just to get a glimpse of how the "curiosity approach" and the "mysterious meeting" plays on college campuses like Boston University. Conclusion — it doesn't work.
April 14, 2006
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry Four
By QBlog in Backbone Project
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular,
hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone"
(project details). If you'd like to participate send an email
to quixtar@webraw.com
(and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number Four
Name: Kirk Wettschreck
Line of Sponsorship: Part of the Winters Marketing/LTD system,
formerly part of the Brit World Wide system
Current qualifying pin level: Qualified 1000, Believers pin
last September 2005
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: 13.5
months
Professional or educational background: Graduated 2001 with
a B.S. degree in Computer Science, currently working for a computer network
technology company in customer support and services.
Additional comments: I'm not going to sit here and try and
convince all of you nay sayers that this is the best business opportunity in
the world. If you've already made up your mind that it doesn't work, then you're
right, it will never work for YOU.
But I will say, that in my 31 years here on this 3rd rock from the sun, it's
the best business opportunity (definitely a good chance for advancement or progress),
not a business guarentee, I've seen, and I've seen a few. If you don't like
it, or don't get it or quit for what ever reason, that's your personal choice
which is great, god bless you in what ever you choose to do, as for me I look
forward to some extreme freedom.
You have to remember, this is a short cut (not THE only, but one) to retirement
from corporate America, at least for me. Short cuts aren't supposed to be easy.
If it were easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it'd just be the WAY. In any case,
Quixtar isn't responsible for where I am in my business, I am responsible for
where I am in my business. I'm only 600-1000pv because I have not yet put forth,
what I consider my best effort. In short I haven't FAILED enough yet.
The Five Questions
- If your friend owned a business that showed a net loss for ten straight
years what would you advise him to do?
I wouldn't advise him to do anything unless he first ASKED for my advice. And if he were asking for my advice, I would imagine that there would be some specific questions he'd be asking in relation to his business he wanted my advice on. Based on this question, I can't tell what kind of advice he'd be asking from me. I will say though that if I had a friend who had a business in operation for 10 years, I'd be pretty impressed. If it's still around after 10 years, he obviously has a serious backbone and an idea or product that people want or need. Perhaps like an airline or something.
- What's the first thing you would do if you were Quixtar's new managing
director?
Thank God that I was trusted with helping run such a huge and profitable corporation.
- You're stranded on a deserted island, what's one thing you'd want
to have with you?
My wife. She's as smart, if not smarter then I am, so I figure if we put our heads together, we could find a way to get off the island, otherwise grow old on the island together. Either way we win.
- Who do you most admire?
My lord and savior Jesus Christ.
- At what age do you plan to retire?
From Corporate America? By the time I'm 34.
April 13, 2006
Yummy and Yucky
By QBlog in Quixtar
Quixtar's "What's New in Products" page highlights an article from the Washington Post that reports on The Elusive, Edible Nutrition Bar. An article sidebar (pdf) describes the Banana Creme flavor Trim Advantage Protein Bar as "Nougat-like" tasting like candy.
However, the Mixed Berry Smoothie flavor TAPB landed in the "Not Recommended" list and received a "Too sweet" comment.
Personally, I don't care for any of the Trim Advantage bars but I also prefer to get my protein from red, bloody meat instead of a candy bar.
April 12, 2006
Let's Be Friends
By QBlog in Quixtar
I know very little about MySpace. I realize that it's an Internet phenomenon but frankly, I just don't "get it."
Yet it's in my nature to try to learn about the things I don't understand and I believe that the best way to really understand something is to just do it. If I don't understand poetry, I write poems. If I don't understand podcasting, I start a podcast. If I don't understand MySpace, I create a MySpace page.
What I discovered is that MySpace is really just an online popularity contest. People try to impress others with the size of their friends list. During my quest for friends I saw an opportunity to befriend Quixtar Diamond Dean Kosage. And now we're both friends!
I know Dean feels so very special to be my friend.
Isn't it great how the Internets bring people together in friendship and harmony? I love the Internets!
April 11, 2006
Buy Your Quixtar Business
By QBlog in Quixtar
Someone is selling their 4,000 PV Quixtar business on eBay!
I have been in the business for over 18 years. I currently have only one leg and it's at 4000 PV. I have not touched this business in 13 years and it keeps going! I am offering the chance to take over my business. I obviously wont build it any bigger (I havent touched it in so many years!). I don't want it to go to waste, I know there is someone out there that will take this 4000 PV leap and run with it!
So, If you are a current IBO, please do not email me. This leg cannot be added to your current business. This is a chance of a lifetime for a new person to get a great start! The business currently has over 65 ACTIVE IBO's below me! I have one leg at 4000 PV, all you would have to do is to build outside of that leg to start getting the 21% payback on the outside business!
Opening bid is $500. I'm thinking of putting in a bid. I mean, my wife spent much more than $500 in Quixtar and she never broke 1,000 PV. This is a bargain!
UPDATE - April 11, 2006: As of this update there have been six bids. The highest bid is for $820. The reserve is not yet met.
UPDATE - April 15, 2006 Looks like it's up to $1,050 and the reserve has been met (after being lowered). Anyone know how much PV one could expect to earn with $1,050? I'm betting it's nowhere near 4,000 PV. Someone may be getting quite a bargain!
UPDATE - April 16, 2006 It sold for $1,050. That's a 4,000 PV downline of 65 people sold on eBay for barely over $1,000. I have a screenshot if the eBay link quits working.
Amway Or Die
By QBlog in Humor
Does this video remind you of an Amway (or Quixtar) meeting?
Thanks to Scott Larsen for the link.
Moving On
By QBlog in Blog News
Last week I was updating my "Recommended Blogs" links (on the right side of the page) as well as the feeds on the QBlog News page and realized that a lot of the so-called Quixtar critic blogs have ceased publication while several of the "pro-Quixtar" blogs keep plodding along.
Some blogs on hiatus that have been critical of Quixtar in the past:
- LawBlawg
- Quixtar Sucks
- Sinking in Quixand
- Want To Know More
- Quixtar-Amway Infiltrator UPDATE - Blog author promises more posts soons
Of the blogs who have a generally favorable view of Quixtar, On The Road With Dave is probably the oldest and most consistent. Others that have been around and keep on trucking include:
- Quixtar Success
- Business Opportunities World - Formerly Instant-Franchise
- Quixtar IT Blog
- Qrush Quixtar Blog
I suppose I should also include the Google Bombing blogs but they just seem so phony, useless and annoying — like spam.
And there's a new pro-Quixtar blog that's definitely worth mentioning. Unquixotic Enterprises is unlike any "pro-Quixtar" blog I've encountered. The author is prolific, well-spoken and seemingly honest about his (or her) personal achievement in Quixtar. That's not to say other "pro-Quixtar" bloggers aren't prolific, well-spoken and honest but... there's just something different about this blog that I can't quite put my finger on.
Three Blogs To Watch
Last September I highlighted "Five Blogs To Watch" and of those five, only two are consistently posting though one has a post from yesterday. The two remaining are joined by a third not on that original list of five:
- Standing Order Tape
- Quixtar Demons
- New addition Quixtar Inside Out
Moving On?
I guess what I'm noticing is that some people just need to move on while others, like me, just keep plodding along. And some people feel that I should move on. They feel so strongly that they send in emails telling me that they think it's time to kill the blog.
name: Pepe
date: March 22, 2006
message: Dear QBlog,
I am really thankful to you because I discovered you at the right point of time and I successfully freed myself from quixtar. This happened in March 2004. I am following this blog since that point of time. But, as of today, I think it's time to kill this blog and leave it open as an archive.
Thanks Pepe but, while it may be hard for some to understand, I really do enjoy posting on this blog. My plan is to continue blogging as long as it's fun for me and right now, it's still fun so I'll continue. While some of the so-called Quixtar critics seem to be hanging up their spurs and moving on, this blogger (the original Quixtar Blogger I might add) will keep plodding along, hoping that others (pro-Quixtar and Quixtar critics alike) will join me in this little space of the web I call home.
April 11, 2006 - Updated this post just a bit to make it really sappy.
April 7, 2006
Google Analytics
By QBlog in Blog News
I now have Google Analytics and you don't.
And if you do have Google Analytics then join me in saying, "Holy Crap that's awesome!"
UPDATE: Google Analytics is not like Gmail when it first launched. I don't have any invites to dole out. You must go to Google and put your email on their waiting list, just like I did. If I had any, I'd give them to you but I don't. Sorry.
April 3, 2006
Monday Reader Mail: 74
By QBlog in Reader Mail
This, my friends, is why I do this blog. There's something in it for everyone.
name: creylish
date: March 6, 2006
message: I wanted to tell you I appreciate that you have taken your time to maintain and work this site. I was angry at first, I will admit this, because someone I was interviewing for my team verbally attacked me because of the information he gathered from this site.
But, I have recently had a person tell me that BECAUSE of the comments I was ABLE to post got on board.
Freedom of speech is great, and I hope that we can take the information the critics give us and create a better Quixtar business!
My reply to creylish, "Great. Now you understand!" Do you understand?
April 1, 2006
Confession Time
By QBlog in Blog News
APRIL FOOL!
The following post is part of an April Fool's Day prank. None of it is true, which is sort of the point of April Fool's Day... you know... to fool people.
Last year I had the site redirect to Quixtar.com for most of the day. And in 2004 I said the site was shutting down. I didn't have anything for 2003 but I'm planning something truly spectacular for 2007. See you next year.
I've been getting a lot of inquiries regarding the decline in updates to this blog and I feel that it's time I come clean on several important matters. Certain events have transpired that allow me much more latitude with how I handle previously confidential information.
Money From Quixtar
Since April of 2005 I've been receiving funds from Quixtar as part of their online Public Relations strategy. Quixtar representatives approached me a few months prior and revealed that part of their web marketing strategy was to place so-called "critical" websites in search engine results.
Yeah, it sounded crazy to me too but as I kept and open mind, and listened to the strategy, it made a lot more sense. Quixtar uses sites like mine to keep certain "rogue elements" in check. What are those "rogue elements?" I can't say but if you look to the IBOAI, you won't be far off the mark. When a "rogue element" needs a little reprimand, certain information finds its way to my inbox and ends up online.
So, Quixtar compensated my efforts and allowed me to post pretty much anything I wanted so the blog would maintain the appearance of impartial reporting. There were other aspects of the arrangement that I don't feel comfortable going into right now but let's just say it's no accident this blog is so highly ranked in Google and Yahoo.
Qrush Blog
Some of you have correctly guessed that I am the author of the Qrush Blog. I originally created it to create an antagonist for this blog but recently, with some cooperation with Quixtar, it's evolved into something more targeted. I think you can guess its new purpose but suffice it to say, that's me behind the Qrush curtain. I just felt you should know.
My Feelings
I don't feel particularly proud of my work with Quixtar and that's partly why I'm coming clean today. I recently severed all relationships with Quixtar and have decided to move in a new direction. They asked me to start blogging favorably about Dick DeVos and his gubernatorial campaign. I had to draw the line somewhere and so I declined. Then my conscience hit me and I knew that I had to end it all and come clean.
So now you know. I'm able to tell you some of this because I never signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement. However, I can't reveal everything just yet because there are still a few unresolved issues. Once those are resolved, possibly by Sunday, I'll tell you more.
Thanks for understanding and see what others understand.