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March 29, 2007
Trust but Verify
By Truth in A/QMOs
Most people know that "Trust, but Verify" is a quote most often attributed to Ronald Reagan when he was referring to the Soviet Union. Well I am going to take the liberty of using that quote in relation to someone signing up in Quixtar.
Does it make much sense to sign up for an opportunity that is going to take your money and your time without checking out all the facts? Of course not. But, how much sense does it make to only trust what those in the business are saying?
Now I am not saying you should not trust your potential sponsor or upline, but I am telling you that you should verify what they are saying. One of the major problems with this business is the fact that many people don't verify what they are told by their uplines. This then leads to a bunch of people running around spouting the same nonsense that is not even true. I actually wrote about this in "The IBO Echo Chamber". If you are looking into this business don't become just another member of the IBO Echo Chamber.
You can listen and trust what you are being told by your upline. But, since you are the one who is going to ultimately benefit, or be harmed, by what is being told to you; for your own sake, and in some cases your family's sake, take the time and verify what they are telling you is accurate.
March 26, 2007
Charity and Riches
By Truth in A/QMOs
Charity can be such a funny thing sometimes. Some use charity as a way to get rid of some sort of guilt, some use it as a way to get a tax break, and sadly some even use it as a status symbol of their position in life. Fortunately, there are also those who do it because they have a passion for what their particular charity represents, and some who just want to know that in some way they made a difference while they were here, no matter how big, or how small.
Sadly I noticed a comment from an IBO the other day who stated he was holding back on giving to charity until they "make it big" (whatever that means). I remember when I was in Quixtar and this was a very common thing to hear. Many times I would hear IBOs talk about how much they were going to give, or what kind of charities they were going to start, so on and so forth. Of course all donations were on hold until a certain pin level. All very admirable things to do with their planned riches, but why does one need to wait, and why does giving need to be thousands or millions?
I don't normally like to talk about any of the charity work I do because I don't ever want it to be misunderstood as bragging or boasting. But since leaving Quixtar my wife and I have gotten involved in charity and it has been an experience that has really opened my eyes. One of the most interesting things I have learned is that most charities rely mainly on gov't grants, and steady small donations usually made by middle-class America.
I have learned that an imaginative mind is more valuable to a charity then any million dollar check could ever be. I have seen some of the most amazing people put together drives and fundraisers that not only helped a charity, but inspired others in the community to put their own ideas into action. I have yet to see a large check from a rich person do that. I have also learned that while charities most certainly love to have money donations, in some cases a person's time can be even more valuable.
I don't fault the IBO who made the comment about waiting. Their plans are admirable, and it is good to see that their dreams are not full of just houses, cars, luxury, and more material luxury. But I hope that IBOs realize that you don't need to wait until you have a million dollars before you can make a donation. I hope they realize that the habits they carry as a 100PV IBO will carry over as a Triple-Super-Awesome-Diamond. In the end you are either a giver or you are not a giver. Usually those that are true givers do not determine when to give based upon the size of their bank account, it is determined usually on the size of their heart for others.
March 25, 2007
Tigers Fall
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Tigers lose to Ohio State. It was a great game until the final few minutes when OSU just ran away with it. Next year perhaps.
March 24, 2007
Dexter Yager Can Be Your Friend
By David Robison in A/QMOs
I'm a slobbering, drooling, wide-eyed(only blinks 7 times in one minute) addicted MySpace fool.
The site has me networking with comedians, bands, bookers, and even network marketers.
So, I was surprised when I got a "Friend Request" from a network marketer and on his "Friend's List was a familiar face.
( For the MySpace uninitiated; a "Friend Request" is a message from a fellow MySpacer that wants to be included in your circle of MySpace friends. I compare getting a Friend Request to a first "hit" on a non-tobacco cigarette)
It appears that famous motivational speaker and creator of the first "tool system" in Amway, Dexter Yager, is now steppping up to the technology of MySpace.
Looks like he just logged on to the site and created his page in the last few days. He only had 12 friends as of today.
I sent him a Friend Request, because as a MySpacer friend, you can receive bulletins and messages from friends that you would not receive if you were not a "friend." Plus, I would not want Dexter to be deprived of the thrill of receiving a "Friend Request".
If you are a MySpace addict like me, be nice; and ask Dexter Yager to be your friend.
March 23, 2007
Tigers Advance
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
The University of Memphis Tigers advance to the Elite Eight. Aggies, go F*#@ yourself.
March 20, 2007
Leaving Quixtar
By Truth in Quixtar
Beth Dornan had a very interesting post on her blog today. It was a good story about her St. Patrick's Day nicely transitioned into a topic about Quixtar and what they want to be clear on. Now I encourage you to go over and read the whole article, but in a nutshell Beth says Quixtar wants everyone to know what Quixtar is all about. Here is a quote from her article explaining this position:
"Our business is open to just about anyone but it isn't for everyone. Moving forward, we want IBOs who choose not to continue their businesses to do so because the business wasn't for them....not because it wasn't what they were led to believe it was. We want the sign at the door to be clear about what's inside."
Personally I think this is something that will be difficult for Quixtar to ensure since they basically have to trust that their IBOs are in fact making things clear about what is on the inside. So I would like to hear from those of you who are current IBOs or former IBOs. Were things made clear for you about what was on the inside, or did you find yourself involved in something else once you were in? Give some examples about what you were told, and what, if anything, was different once you were inside.
March 7, 2007
New Facts About Quixtar Site
By Truth in Quixtar
Over at the Real Quixtar Blog, Kia (aka Robin Luymes), has reported that a new factsaboutquixtar.com site has launched. From what I understand this site has the same content that one would get if they were to purchase a Facts About Quixtar DVD. Robin explains the purpose of putting the material on a website with the following statement:
As with all tools we provide to IBOs, we want to provide them for free or cover our costs. We're excited to be able to now provide all of that content for free on the Web.
WOW! What a concept! Provide tools for free, or at cost. Anyways, the site contains eight videos and a PDF file with frequently asked questions. I must say I am disappointed in the content of many of the videos. While Robin says it is to help IBOs respond to "tough" questions about their business, most of the videos strike me as propaganda, and they even included everyone's favorite video of Rob Davidson.
Ironically, I just got done posting an article over at my Quixtar Inside Out blog about why IBOs should give their prospects straight answers. I can't say that I think the answers in those videos are straight, I actually feel many of the videos don't completely address the real issues at all.
I did find it interesting however in some of the videos the average time stated for Platinum was 4 years, and the average time for Diamond was 10 years. More confirmation of why I feel it is misleading to show a 2-5 year plan for Diamond. Anyway, head on over and take a look at the videos for yourself, and let me know what you think.
March 6, 2007
What to do with your friends.
By Truth in Quixtar
I found an interesting article by Matthew Paulson who has decided to lay out how to deal with friends who are involved in Quixtar and other MLM "schemes". He apparently is not a big fan of Quixtar, and feels that IBOs who can't take no for an answer have a character flaw:
In the event that the person won’t take no for an answer, you can tell that they have a very serious character flaw. They are only interested in having you as a friend because you could hypothetically make them more money.
Anyway, take a look at his article for yourself and see what he has to say about dealing with friends in Quixtar.
March 1, 2007
Is Quixtar your passion?
By Truth in Quixtar
I am almost finished reading "Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul". It's a good book full of great stories. In some of the stories at the beginning there is a quote used that relates to the story. Two of the quotes that have caught my eye were by David Frost and Oprah Winfrey. They are as follows:
"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." -David Frost
"If you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come." -Oprah Winfrey
These quotes made me take pause and reflect when it comes to the Quixtar business. I can't say I really had the same passion for Quixtar as I do with my side businesss, and I wonder how many IBOs really have a passion for Quixtar. Do you think one can even be successful in Quixtar if being an IBO is not something they are passionate about?
Now I could be wrong here, but it has been my observation that many IBOs spend so much time focused on the success that they want to have, that success is the only thing they really have a passion for. So if you don't have a passion for building a Quixtar business, yet you want to be successful, wouldn't it make sense to look in the mirror, figure out what you are passionate about and go that direction, instead of wasting your time with something you don't really have a passion for?