A/QMOs Archive
October 7, 2009
Why Does It Still Hurt?
Posted by Preston
You'll notice on the front page the postings have slowed down a lot. I find that rather interesting, as the community that has been built upon the discussion of the topic that is Amway/Quixtar online has really flourished from what I can see. I go for months at a time now not thinking about Amway or Quixtar or WWDB, but other times, a fleeting thought pops into my head to pop on the forum to see what is going on or see what Scott Larsen has posted lately.
It wasn't totally surprising to me the information that was revealed given the economy regarding a number of diamonds do other things. It also isn't surprising that given the housing market even the Puryear River house is being listed on the market. When I saw Scott's posting regarding that real estate listing, I popped onto www.wwdb.com and logged in using the prospect login. Still prominently displayed on the site is the River Rendezvous complete with videos and pictures. I flipped through hundreds of photos to see if I recognized any faces but alas, those others who were on the rise when I was in were no where to be seen. Familiar faces were there, including Dean Kosage, Tracey Eaton, and Leslie Wolgamott, sans Brad.
As I began reading and catching up I find myself sitting here with a sort of aching. As I watched the video of the Puryear's inviting people to come to the River, I questioned whether their enthusiasm is a result of being of a different generation, that of being numb after so many years of wealth, or that of the sting of knowing what they are doing is in some respects wrong.
I saw eager young couples talk about what fun they were going to have and the dreambuilding they have done and I longed to tell them the truth. I hurt knowing they may have to find out the hard way what that truth is and that is the numbers do not lie. It is a sales game with the odds stacked tremendously against you. I believe that if you figure it out you'll realize that you are playing a numbers game with a truth so bad it wrenches your stomach that you either quit or say that the money is worth your soul.
Quite frankly, one of the worst parts is that after all these years I'm left feeling sick. I wonder, after all this time, why does it still hurt? I guess that is a testimony to the power of the system to make someone believe.
March 13, 2008
Carnegie on Wealth
Posted by Truth
Do you know who Andrew Carnegie is? As far as Forbes is concerned he is the second richest man in the history of the world second only to John D. Rockefeller. Just to give you an idea of what being that high on that list means Bill Gates ranks 20th on the list and Warren Buffet ranks 41st. That ranking is based on their highest ever net worth. So needless to say Andrew had quite a bit of spare change in his pocket.
His view on wealth though is what I have always admired. Carnegie was known for being a big philanthropist, and it was said that he wouldn't give a begger a dime, but he would build him a library. He felt that his purpose of being rich was to use the money to make society better as a whole. By the time he died he had given away most of his wealth and was worth only $30 million which was quite a bit less then at his peak he was worth $298 billion.
Of all the times I went to a function, rally, meeting, etc. I rarely if ever heard about this kind of thought process when it came to wealth. I can however remember just about every single speaker talking about the home they owned the cars that they bought "just for fun", the shopping spree that was just for passing the time, etc. But yet since they have some folks in their downline making some money, many making money off of tools sales just like them they are lauded as great men and women who are making a better world for others.
No one seems to see the wake of destruction that is left behind also. The divorces over the business, the ruined family relationships, the financial despair, etc, etc, etc. Most of it sadly because the downline listened to some unbelievably stupid upline "advice". My favorite was always "you can't get fire from your fireplace until you put some wood in there" of course that translates as "you can't go Diamond unless you buy some CDs, books, and function tickets".
Sadly to often many people in this business are simply obsessed with the material items that wealth can bring. Don't even try to deny it because it is all over the place in this business. Go to one function and they have multiple films of Diamonds on lavish vacations, shopping for jewelry, driving their fast cars, etc. From stage there are a million stories about their material items. There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but there is something very wrong with making those things the focus of your life.
So since many current IBOs like to come here and tell me that I am not qualified to have an opinion since I did not go Diamond or make as much money as the leaders of the business I will leave with a quote from the second richest man in history, who out earned all IBOs combined many times over:
Man does not live by bread alone. I have known millionaires starving for lack of the nutriment which alone can sustain all that is human in man, and I know workmen, and many so-called poor men, who revel in luxuries beyond the power of those millionaires to reach. It is the mind that makes the body rich. There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else. Money can only be the useful drudge of things immeasurably higher than itself. Exalted beyond this, as it sometimes is, it remains Caliban still and still plays the beast. My aspirations take a higher flight. Mine be it to have contributed to the enlightenment and the joys of the mind, to the things of the spirit, to all that tends to bring into the lives of the toilers of Pittsburgh sweetness and light. I hold this the noblest possible use of wealth. (emphasis mine)
February 28, 2008
Typical Prospecting Story
Posted by Truth
I found an interesting post on a forum where an individual talks about getting prospected at a car show by an IBO. Sadly the way he describes the story happens more often then it should and is the primary reason IBOs have a bad stereotype attached to them.
Recently I was at the Philly Auto Show admiring the new Challenger and a guy started talking to me about how what I do and where i'm from yada yada yada. Anyway he tells me he has a business and he is looking to do business down my way with Circut City and Best Buys and also is promoting a new energy drink. So I left him my number and he gave me a business card and said next time he was in my area we should meet about me helping him with his business in my area. About a week later he gets up with me and wants to meet, he's about 2.5 hours away and I set a meeting up with him and he told me a little bit about his company and how it advertises and markets new products. So when he finally comes down to meet he talking to me about it and then shows me these "motivational" DVD about making 50k in your spare time. Turns out he is an IBO and works for Quixtar. So the information seems all good and nice and he said I can make about 50k by putting in about 8-10 hours a week. So he wants me to meet him 2.5 hours away where he is from for this meeting to learn even more about the business and leaves me with some info and some samples. Well I have never heard of Quixtar and after reading the info he gave me, the fine print, and online research it seems very schemish. Its a borderline pyramid scheme. and its looks like 1 out of every 2,800 people even make 30k with it. The average income for these people are $118 a month. I found some pretty good information on it www.amquix.info and called the guy back and told him I am out of it. Well he gets all offensive and makes it to seem that everyone who says anything bad about Quixtar is bone headed. Well he accused me of being dishonest because I "made" him drive 2.5 hours one way only to not be interested, but I told him that until you actually met me you never said a word about Quixtar and made it seem like it was your business. He didn't have anything to say. Anyway long story short I am glad I got out of this before I put too much money in.
Let's take a look at some of the deception and straight BS in this.
1. Anyway he tells me he has a business and he is looking to do business down my way with Circut City and Best Buys
Flat out lie, the IBO is not looking to do any business with the Circuit City's or Best Buy's. The business has already been done by Quixtar and it is called a Partner Store agreement. Is Best Buy even a Partner Store? Now I know some supporter could come here and spin that statement 9 ways to Sunday, but the bottom line is this IBO was not telling this prospect the way things were.
2. So the information seems all good and nice and he said I can make about 50k by putting in about 8-10 hours a week.
Can anyone show me just one person who makes 50K and all they put in no more then 8-10 hours since they started? If you can show me someone who claims that, I will show you a liar.
3. Well he accused me of being dishonest because I "made" him drive 2.5 hours one way only to not be interested, but I told him that until you actually met me you never said a word about Quixtar and made it seem like it was your business.
Of course in the end the IBO blames the prospect for "making" him drive to see him only to not be interested. I guess it never crosses the IBOs mind that if he had been upfront and honest from the start about this being Quixtar, and the money he was talking about was going to take much more then 8-10 hours he would have saved himself the trouble of trying to sell this opportunity to someone who wouldn't be interested.
Many IBOs make claims that it is because of the "critics" that their business has a bad name. However it is this kind of practice that has indeed been the cause of the bad name. Being deceptive and not being upfront about what is going on only leads to people getting upset. No one likes to feel deceived or lied to. In the end it is not how you feel you can spin what your business is all about, it is how others are going to perceive you. Every other business takes great care in maintaining the best image possible. Perhaps IBOs should learn this aspect of business as well.
February 22, 2008
Fred Harteis Resigns from Quixtar.
Posted by Truth
Over on Fred Harteis's blog Fred has posted his explanation of his resignation from Quixtar. I found this to be the most interesting part of his post:
"As an IBO I have entered into many discussions concerning issues I have had with Quixtar i.e.: product pricing, the IBO compensation plan, negative on the web."
Negative on the web? Now I know Fred didn't specify exactly, but most of the negative on the web is due to abusive practices by motivational organization leaders. I wonder how many other leaders complained about the negative on the web with Quixtar. Were they looking to Quixtar to do something about it? Isn't that kind of like expecting someone to clean up a mess that you made yourself? The way I see it if the IBO leaders showed more concern for their downline making a profit rather then buying tools and getting tickets to the next great conference there would not have been a mess to clean up in the first place. At any rate I wish Fred well in whatever his next venture is going to be.
December 30, 2007
LTD opens for Huckabee in Iowa
Posted by Truth
A crowd of hundreds had to sit through listening to Larry Winters and Joe Markiewicz before getting to hear from the person they came to see, Mike Huckabee. The name Quixtar never came up, but according to the article there were "some in the crowd" to share all "the good news of a company called Quixtar Inc."
Huckabee said it was a great group of folks, but denied any association with the crowd. Mike Waechter (Diamond in Iowa), who organized the event, also said that Quixtar did not sponsor the event, nor did they endorse Huckabee. Apparently the question came up about what people were led to believe about this meeting. Waechter had this to say:
"I don't think people were misled . . . Some people left saying they liked everything about it. They enjoyed it, every part of it."
However I think Bill Evanich, who is a Huckabee fan, and one of the people to attend the meeting might disagree. Here is his comments about what he thought the meeting was:
"We found out later from a friend it was some kind of Internet marketing thing,"..."I thought it was political, and that we'd get to ask questions."
Of course many people know how forthcoming IBOs are when inviting people to the Secret Meeting. So I guess it should come as no surprise that they would be any different with other kinds of meetings. I suppose from their perspective they were saving those people. I am thinking since only about 3.4% of Quixtar sales were from actual customers, the next meeting they might want to consider is how to actually sell the products to someone besides themselves, before preaching financial freedom to others.
December 13, 2007
Is Winters leaving the big Q?
Posted by Truth
Ty Tribble has reported over at his blog that he has noticed some "interesting search engine trends" that may suggest that Larry Winters is ready to bail on Quixtar. It seems Larry is keeping an eye on the TEAM developments to see what happens. The reasoning for leaving seems to be pointed at the change of name back to Amway. Obviously this is only very much a rumor at this point, but I thought it would be worth a post to see what kind of responses we get in the comments.
UPDATE FROM TY TRIBBLE'S SITE:
Ty has posted an update to be more specific on his rumor about Larry Winters and Quixtar.
To be more specific, I have noticed that people are finding my web site by searching "Larry Winters Leaving Quixtar". That doesn't mean that Larry Winters is leaving Quixtar, it just means that people are curious about that subject. In no way, shape or form am I reporting that Larry Winters is leaving Quixtar. For all I know people could have Larry Winters confused with Orrin Woodward.
December 4, 2007
Crosslining is fun!
Posted by Truth
So what's the deal with this no crosslining rule anyway? Seriously? So someone talks to someone in another LOS and gets some advice and they have to check with their upline? Who's business is this anyway? If the advice is good the advice is good and it shouldn't matter where it comes from. Granted there could be some cases where crosslining is not a good idea, but a good business person would know that.
So if you are an IBO have some fun, go talk to your crossline about business and if they bring up the whole "no crosslining" rule tell them to pull the plug out and live a little. It's your business, so shouldn't you be able to decide who you want to talk to about your business?
November 29, 2007
Question your upline
Posted by Truth
Just about everyone I have ever talked to who has been in Quixtar has agreed that one of the standing rules was to never question your upline. I always get a little uneasy when someone tries to put themselves in a position to never be questioned or challenged. It seems as if they have something to hide, that they don't want exposed.
Now I can understand that it can be disruptive for someone to come into a group and start causing issues by questioning every last piece of advice given by an upline, especially if that is being done in the group. But unfortunately it seems all too often that is not the reason for this "rule" if you will. Too often this rule seems like a good way to get downline IBOs to do, act, and dare I say purchase the way the uplines want them to.
But if you are an IBO you should never forget that the "I" stands for Independent. Now I am all for teamwork and I understand teamwork, but if you are an IBO I would think that your first priority would be the profitability of your business. With that in mind if your upline is giving you advice that you are not very sure of I think it would be in your best interests to ask all the questions you can until you are sure you either want to do this or not.
In many cases upline IBOs are no better at business then the IBOs under them. Granted many uplines have had some experiences that one can benefit from, but in no way do I see that as a reason to never question them. Learn from their mistakes, get feedback on ideas you have, even listen to what they say you should be doing with your business. All of those things can serve you well in the long run. But never forget this is your business, not your upline's and they should never be put above being questioned. After all, if their advice was sound they wouldn't care about any questions.
June 2, 2007
Another Nail in the Coffin
Posted by Truth
The first time I heard Insider try to sell the line that Network 21 was different from all the other organizations out there I was indeed skeptical. The problem was that I had no knowledge of Network 21 and never knew any IBOs from there except Insider. Of course I only became more skeptical the more I realized Insider was nothing more then a propaganda artist who had no interest in the actual truth, but instead only wanted to spread his version of things and then attempt to discredit anyone who didn't agree with him with "hit pieces" full of half-truths and deception. But in the end he was, and is, nothing more then another person who liked to talk the talk, but would not, and I suspect could not back it up.
Lately however there have been some very interesting events taking place in the world of Network 21 that have been speaking to the contrary of the BS Insider has been slinging over the years. Of course the biggest news was N21 being included with BWW and Amway in a complaint by the DTI that has listed many of the things that Insider claimed N21 didn't take part in. Of course Insider has already pathetically tried to spin this and has even gone as far as claiming there was a rogue Double Diamond in the UK teaching things that were contrary to N21 practices.
Now I found a blog by a N21 IBO thanks to rara. She posted about this blog over at the Quixtar Blog Forums. There was some wonder as to whether this was a parody blog because this guy just seemed so far over the top. I agree that this guy is quite a bit over the top, but sadly I believe it is because he is sucked into the tools so deep there is little hope for him. But regardless of all that his blog most of all is just another nail in the coffin of proving Insider is full of it when he tried to sell everyone that N21 was different from the other organizations. Let me just post a few gems for you from this guy's blog:
Had an interesting session with a candidate tonight (let's call him EG), and man, what a mistake I made... should NOT have whipped out the Amway product catalogue (as instructed by my N21 coach), but instead, should have concentrated on the Pipeline and the List...
Finally, I forcefully brought it across to my friend that I am NOT there for his Amway registration, NOT there to get him to sign/preach Amway, NOT there to get him to buy Amway products from me etc. but TO GET INVOLVED WITH NETWORK21!!!
I was there to show him how N21 is the vehicle (according to Robert Kiyosaki) to move us from the left to right quadrant. It is all about NETWORK21. It is all about the Books, CDs, Functions etc. It is all about educating and inspiring people to build an asset for themselves. It is all about converting your everyday expenses to everyday income. That he can even join into Network21 WITHOUT getting into Amway.
Say there is an idea, join the motivational organization and buy all the tools, but don't get into Amway and make any money. Those N21 IBOs really know how to sell the plan.
At long last, all the impressions that I am pitching him Amway went away temporarily and he understood that if I was selling anything, I was selling him NETWORK21. And I told him that I was not earning a single cent from his involvement.
Ahhh, but Jimmy Dornan is going to make a nice living off of his involvement.
The good news? He said that he would like to attend the N21 Weekend Leadership Seminar in August, and I regained my sense of joy.
Notice how it takes getting someone to the next seminar to bring joy to this IBO. Funny, I would think making a profit would be what would bring joy to a supposed "business man". My favorite gem from this website however is this one where Awesome IBO, as he calls himself, is listing the reasons he is against Amway/Quixtar taking over the tools.
We would, in all likelihood, be bombarded with product selling techniques
Heaven forbid that ever happening. Imagine the chaos of IBOs actually learning how to sell the products that are a part of their business.
Like I said just another nail in the coffin showing that Insider has indeed been full of it all this time, and in the end it is apparent that N21 teaches the same exact nonsense that many of the other organizations do. I am sure Insider will do his best to come and try and spin this as well, but as in the past he will get put in a corner trying to defend the ridiculous and will just disappear for a while.
May 15, 2007
Quixtar Leaders want your help
Posted by Truth
Our old friend Xanadustc forwarded me an e-mail today which was sent to him by someone named Steve. Steve claims to be part of a Quixtar Leadership Team called QTalk. He says they are looking for information about challenges experienced with Quixtar. Anyway there is a video uploaded to YouTube which is posted below, and they also have a forum that was created to field the information.
Could it be that some leaders are trying to get themselves out of the circle of complaints that Network 21 currently finds themselves in? I suppose time will only tell.
May 6, 2007
You Wanted Changes?
Posted by David Robison
I received a copy of an email from Ben Woodward, manager of Amway United Kingdom to IBO leaders in Great Britain.
The email requires no comment from me, but I acknowledge Rocket for sending it to me.
Letter: from Ben Woodward Branch Manager Amway UK UK/ROI IBO
Communication
May 4, 2007
To: UK/ROI IBO Leader
From: Ben Woodward, Branch Manager, Amway UK
RE: Significant change to Amway's mode of operations in
UK/Republic of Ireland.
This letter is to inform you of significant changes to the way Amway
will conduct its business in the UK and Republic of Ireland. These
changes are effective immediately. While these changes may cause
short-term challenges for some of our IBOs, we strongly believe the
changes will make our long-term business in the UK/RoI stronger.
Effective Immediately: 4 May 07.
Amway will prohibit the production, sale or promotion of BSM that are
not authorized and distributed by Amway; this includes websites.
This includes any BSM (books, tapes, meetings, CD's, websites) that
have been already been approved by Amway UK/RoI. They are now
considered unauthorized for use.
All meetings for which an entry fee is charged are suspended until
Amway has approved, in writing, the meeting and its content;
Amway has imposed a moratorium on sponsoring new IBOs for at least 60
days and until current IBOs are re-trained and re-qualified;
We are evaluating all costs associated with joining Amway;
We are also sanctioning a number of IBOs based on contract violations
that have come to our attention.
Failure to comply with the above mentioned points 1 to 3 will lead to
a suspension and/or termination of the respective IBO contract.
Please also note that Amway is in no way limited to these sanctions,
but can impose further corrective or punitive measures.
In addition, the company is announcing a thorough review of its
business practices globally with the goal of ensuring a consistent,
rigorously enforced set of rules and regulations governs its
relationships with IBOs and consumers.
That global audit has begun, and we expect it to be completed in
June, and will share the results with you later this summer.
These are important steps, but in some ways, they are not surprising
ones. Many of you know that for the past 10 years, Amway has been
moving to exert more control over the way we do business globally.
In newer markets that has meant, for example, outright bans or tight
restrictions on the sale of non-company BSMs and the requirement of a
more consistent, approved messaging and branding by IBOs about the
Amway business opportunity.
While most changes in other markets have been carried out gradually
around the world according to our timetable, we need to move more
quickly here. This is in response to serious concerns raised about
Amway by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) following the
receipt of complaints about BSMs and misrepresentation of the
business to prospective IBOs.
At this time, we can not specify when sponsoring will be allowed to
resume. We will continue to communicate with key international and
local IBO leadership to update them on developments of a new
operational mode in UK and Republic of Ireland.
Enquiries
For example, if any IBO has a planned meeting for which tickets have
been sold (that is required to be cancelled and ticket purchases
refunded), or they have unsold inventory of BSM, or
have unsold Starter kits, or have completed applications not yet
submitted to Amway, they may contact the dedicated enquiry telephone
number â 01908-629400 (press option 4).
In the following weeks, we will seek to meet with you personally to
discuss the implications of this policy change and respond to any
questions you may have. Meanwhile, please feel free to call me at
01908-629404.
Amway has been in the UK/RoI for more than 30 years, and today is a
strong, growing £13 million business with more than 100 staff and
30,000 IBOs. We are entering into a challenging period of time.
But we believe in this business, we believe in our values and we
believe in our IBOs. We are committed to making the changes we need
to make in order to ensure the continued growth and success of Amway
in the UK/RoI.
BEN WOODWARD
Branch Manager UK / RoI
You Got Changes!
April 7, 2007
Real Criticism
Posted by Truth
Whenever we signed up a new Quixtar IBO our upline taught us that we were supposed to do all we could to shield that IBO from criticism about Quixtar. Pretty much an impossible task. I never quite understood the apparent fear my upline and many other IBOs had of the criticism about Quixtar, and I still don't understand it today.
Another thing I still do not understand to this day is the blatant dismissal of anything that is perceived as negative about Quixtar. Anything that is seen as negative is immediately dismissed and is taboo to even speak about. I wondered if they even understood the consequences of closing yourself off in a bubble of your own little Quixtar world essentially detaching from reality.
Criticism exists anywhere about pretty much anything. It comes in all kinds of ways, from all different types of people, for all kinds of different reasons. Sure it's easy just to dismiss all of it as nonsense and move on about your ways paying it no mind; but the flaw in that logic is some criticism can be of great value. It can teach a lesson, give warning to bumps in the road on your journey, or even spawn an idea of new opportunity.
When I started my side business a while back one of the most important things I did was research the criticism of the industry I was about to venture into. I didn't want to be just another business in the game. I wanted to be different in my own way, and in that brand my business as unique. To do that I needed to know what others had done that was being criticized, and what they were not doing that was bringing in equal criticism.
This of course is no easy task because basically you need to sort out the BS in order to find the real criticism. After it was all said and done I realized that sorting out the BS is simply done by asking one very simple and easy question to every piece of criticism....WHY?
Quixtar sucks!....WHY?
Quixtar business will never work!....WHY?
Quixtar is nothing but a scam!....WHY?
I did Quixtar and it never worked....WHY?
Hopefully that illustrates the point. Now you also have to understand that you are not asking this question to start an argument or heated discussion about this business, you are doing it because you really want to hear that answer. The answer to your question will be how you can tell if it is just BS, or if it has any value to you. For example, if the person just looks at you with a blank stare like you just asked them what is the square root of 9,745,245 then you know they are full of BS and you can go about your day.
If they do have an answer however, the value of that answer will be completely subjective. What one person might see as valuable, another might see it as BS, and vice versa. I believe real criticism should always be embraced and not feared. Do not fear a prospect doing a Google search of Quixtar and reading the dreaded "negative" sites. Talk about the criticism during the plan, and by that I mean actually talk about it. Those rah-rah speeches about if you want to be a doctor you only talk to doctors doesn't do anything to help, trust me!
Don't feel like you need to shield anyone from anything. Instead help them understand the value in criticism and how to know if it has actual value, or if it is simply BS. Your prospects and downline are going to eventually research it anyway. If there is some criticism out there that is going to make them say no to this business, better to find out earlier then later.
April 1, 2007
Business vs. Personal Finances
Posted by Truth
When I first joined Quixtar I asked the same question of my sponsor that many prospects ask: "How much do you make?" I of course received a response that is quite similar to the one given to those other prospects: "I don't reveal my personal finances." This of course should have been a red flag for me from the jump, but I guess you live and you learn.
Since leaving Quixtar time and again I have seen Quixtar IBOs give their reasons for why they don't feel it is necessary to tell any prospect how much money they make, and to be completely candid, not one of their reasons has convinced me that they should not do it. In the end it always goes back to "It's personal", and I am not buying it.
Some of you may know that when I left Quixtar my wife and I started other businesses with modest success and as of right now I have a side business that I run. I have never considered my personal household income to be related to my business income. The amount of money that is brought into my household to live off of is certainly a private matter, unless of course I am asking for a loan of some sort. I would also agree my business income is also a private matter except in the following cases:
1. I am asking someone to invest in my business.
2. I am seeking a loan based on my business income.
3. I am claiming I can teach someone to run a successful business.
As you may have guessed already number 3 is the clincher here. According to the Quixtar Rules of Conduct, and how the plan is shown, the sponsor is going to teach his/her new downline how to build a Quixtar business. It would only make sense that if you are telling someone you can teach them to build a business that you would be able to show some measure of success in building a business yourself.
Put yourself in the prospect's shoes for just a moment. You have two IBOs who have both been in for 6 months. Both are dressed sharp, very charismatic and really know quite a bit about this plan they are showing you. So which one would you rather learn from? To hard to tell you say? Well now let's say one of them is making $1000 a month pure profit and the other guy is making $10. Now which one would you rather learn from? Makes the decision a bit easier doesn't it?
Some IBOs have said that you can tell by looking at the "fruit on the tree." Actually I am not quite sure what "fruit on the tree" means exactly since the fruit always seemed to change to fit the situation. But, for this article the fruit is going to mean the car they drive, the house they own, etc, etc. This reasoning of course has it's flaws….actually MAJOR flaws.
The biggest flaw is the only evidence you are being given is the perception that they want you to have. Fruit on the tree isn't based on any hard facts, it is simply a person's life packaged the way they want to present it to you. You have no idea what produced the funds to buy that house, car, watch, suit, dress, etc, etc. Fruit on the tree is all about showbiz, and not real business.
Now if you were to take a look at income statements for their business you would have a clear factual picture of their business, and what kind of business people they are. You would be able to see what kind of income to expense ratio they have, and proper records would also show what kind of net profit they are making each year. Things that can give someone a strong indication as to whether they want to do any business with this person.
In the end many IBOs will always fight against having to show any kind of income statement citing that it is personal information. So it appears there are some IBOs who have yet to figure out there is a difference between personal income and business income, and in business there are perfectly legitimate times that a person will request to look at your records, and my advice to anyone looking into this business is that if someone is not willing to discuss with your their measure of financial success all the while trying to get you to join their "business" team, politely say "No thanks" and go find a serious business person instead.
March 29, 2007
Trust but Verify
Posted by Truth
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
Posted by Truth
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 24, 2007
Dexter Yager Can Be Your Friend
Posted by David Robison
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.
February 19, 2007
Diamond in 2-5 years?
Posted by Truth
The 6-4-2 Quixtar business plan that was shown by my group and many other groups in Quixtar shows the pin level of Diamond as a 2-5 year plan. However with Quixtar starting in 1999 there was only 1 Diamond that I have heard of who actually did it in 2-5 years and that is the Dussaults.
Excuses
Many IBOs defend the 2-5 year plan by saying that the 2-5 year clock doesn’t start until one become serious about their business or, that the 2-5 year plan is simply a way to show the plan and nothing more. Some have even gone so far to imply that the 2-5 year plan is legit since one IBO couple made it.
Prospect’s shoes
So let’s put ourselves in the shoes of a prospect seeing this plan for the first time. You are shown this plan that says in 2-5 years you can attain Diamond level in the business. What are your thoughts? Common sense says the prospect is thinking about being Diamond in 2-5 years. Now what if you were told that in Quixtar’s history only one couple was able to go Diamond in 2-5 years? How do you feel about that 2-5 year plan now?
January 21, 2007
Buy from yourself
Posted by Truth
Every time I showed the Quixtar Plan to a prospect there was always that one page which showed how simple the plan was. We would always tell the prospect that there were two simple parts to this plan and they were:
1. Buy from yourself
2. Teach others to do the same.
Now the legality and the flaws with this concept have been debated over many, many times and I am not going to get into any of that in this article. What I am going to get into however is something I find hypocritical in the "buy from yourself" concept.
Buy from yourself was always promoted by my group and pretty much at every single BWW (Britt World Wide) event that I was at (I was at every single one until I decided to quit). Sheets would get handed out showing us how easy it was to do 300 points just by eating meal replacement bars and drinking XS energy drinks, or simply by buying vitamins and proteins shakes, etc. Time and again it was stressed to never have a product in your house from Wal-Mart when you could buy it from your own business. We would be told to stop making Wal-Mart and Target rich and instead buy from yourself.
Even partner stores were included in this concept. Just because you couldn't find a product on the Quixtar website was no excuse to not buy from yourself because most likely what you were looking for was available from one of Quixtar's partner stores. Basically, anything less then 100% product use from your own store was unacceptable.
Well….almost unacceptable. You see at every function I attended there was this large display that would be right outside the hall the was holding the function. There were suits, nice shirts, polos, ties, pens, etc, etc. The company was Diamond Clothiers and Bill Britt from what I understand had a stake in that little business. At every function there would be several IBOs buying suits, shirts, and everything else that they happened to be selling. The problem is they were buying items that were available through their own businesses and yet somehow this was not only acceptable but encouraged. What happened to 100% product use?
So why is it acceptable to buy clothing and other products from a business that is part-owned by the founder of BWW, but it is unacceptable to buy from anywhere else? Isn't it a bit hypocritical to on one hand to preach 100% product use and then sell clothing and other products to your downline, and on top of that encourage the purchase of those items, even though your downline can purchase those products from their own business?
January 15, 2007
The IBO Echo Chamber
Posted by Truth
Do you know what the Echo Chamber is? Well besides a hollow chamber used to make echoing sounds, which would be literally what an echo chamber is. But, that is not the echo chamber I am referring to. The echo chamber I am referring to is metaphorically speaking where one person either says or writes an idea and that idea gets repeated by like-minded individuals till eventually it is accepted as truth. Many times becoming more exaggerated each time it is told.
One particular anonymous (well at least for now) Quixtar supporter wrote an article on his site detailing this very phenomenon as it pertains to what he considers myths about the Quixtar business being repeated by critics on the Internet. He writes that "in the world of logic it is a logical fallacy", and that "the Internet provides an almost perfect arena for these phenomena to act in concert". I think however I may have come up with "the perfect" arena for these phenomena to act in concert, and that is the "IBO Echo Chamber".
There are many examples of this taking place among IBOs. Several claims all ranging from the undocumented "Quixtar is the second largest producer of millionares" to the outright crazy "Quixtar's website got so much traffic on it's first day, the servers melted." At first glance one might think these claims are just made by some new IBOs who are just so excited about their business they get their facts mixed up. First of all I don't understand who could even begin to believe site traffic would cause servers to actually melt, but in any case the reality is that many times these rumors are echoed by Platinum IBOs and above. Where do you think the new IBOs get this stuff? Let's take a look at a couple more detailed examples:
Microsoft and Quixtar
One myth that has certainly made it's way around the IBO Echo Chamber a few times is the relationship between Quixtar and Microsoft. The truth is that Microsoft provided a technical platform, development tools, consulting, and direct support for the web-based components of Quixtar. The IBO Echo Chamber however ends up telling some very different stories. Some of those stories include saying that Bill Gates went on the David Letterman show and when asked what was new and exciting he said "Quixtar". Not only that but he apparently then went over to Jay Leno and told him that Quixtar was the wave of the future and that they will control the Internet in the future. Of course just Bill Gates endorsement on national television wasn't enough and then the IBO Echo Chamber told us that Microsoft had invested money into Quixtar, some rumors going as high as $250 million.
Ray Kroc and McDonalds
This one is my favorite because I heard it every single week being repeated again and again by IBOs as high as Emerald while showing the plan to "guests" at our weekly open meeting. The story from the IBO Echo Chamber goes as follows. Ray Kroc while selling milkshake machines ran across the McDonald brothers and their new concept of a speedy service restaurant. He right away saw the potential and offered to buy the operation from the McDonald brothers for $10,000. The McDonald brothers agreed and of course Ray Kroc went on to franchise the restaurant and made a ton of money. This version which was repeated time and time again by several hundred if not thousands of IBOs is lacking in one very important thing….FACTS!
The real story is that Ray Kroc was a milkshake machine salesman and did in fact run into the McDonald brothers who had started this new restaurant with what they called the "Speedee Service System". Ray Kroc did see the potential but did not offer to buy the restaurants from them. Instead he became a partner with the McDonald brothers. The McDonald brothers had actually started franchising their restaurant before Kroc came along, but when they decided to put Kroc in charge of franchising, they really began to take off and formed the McDonald's Corporation. Eventually Kroc became frustrated that the brothers were content to only have a handful of stores and did offer to buy the company, but not for $10,000. The deal was for $2.7 million with a royalty of 1% on gross sales.
So as you can see the Echo Chamber exists virtually everywhere, and contrary to what one anonymous IBO would like you to think IBOs are not immune to the echo chamber and in fact are most likely a classic example of an echo chamber out of control. All of this of course is just another reason why I encourage everyone to never believe what you read or hear until you have done enough research and proved it's accuracy to your own satisfaction.
Your favorites
Now I would like you to tell us some of your favorite stories that you have either heard from the IBO Echo Chamber, or maybe even a story that you used to tell yourself when you were an IBO.
November 21, 2006
Being CORE
Posted by Truth
Being involved in a motivational organization of Quixtar the chances are good one will hear about "Being CORE". When I was in BWW this simply meant doing the 9 CORE steps each and every month without fail. Now first of all this actually makes sense (I know bear with me) on some levels. I think in any business there are going to be CORE duties that one will have to do on a regular basis to be successful. The problem I have with the current 9 steps is that I am not sure if they are all about helping someone to have a successful business or if they are a bu$ine$$ in themselves.
For instance 5 of the 9 steps involve the IBO spending money to complete those steps with the money from 4 of those steps going directly into upline's pockets. When one adds up the cost of being core against the average income of an IBO you can see things get expensive pretty quick.
However, I think I have come up with a way to find out what CORE is really all about. Two steps in the CORE plan talk about listening to a tape a day and reading for at least 15 minutes a day. Many IBOs can relate these steps to Standing Order Tape (SOT) or Book Of the Month (BOM). My question however would be do you really need to be on SOT and BOM to be CORE? The steps simply say to listen to a tape a day and read for 15 minutes a day. So what if I am buying my own books from my partner store Barnes & Noble (because one of the CORE steps is all about product loyalty) that I feel will help me and am reading at least 15 minutes a day? Does that still make me a CORE IBO, or do I need to be buying and reading the BOM to be CORE? How about tapes? What if I decide Zig Ziglar, or Tony Robbins is more my style and decide to listen to those tapes everyday instead of the SOT? Am I still a CORE IBO, or do I need to be buying and listening only to the SOT to be CORE?
If you are an Eagle in the business and you decide to drop SOT and BOM and get your tapes and books from another source, you would still be doing the steps, but do you think you will get approved for your reserved seat at the next function? Personally, I wouldn't bet on it. If the true motivation of the 9 CORE steps (by the way recently updated from 8 CORE steps when Communikate came along, yet another tool upline makes money off of somehow became vital to downline business) is to help build a big business then I don't think it should matter where you get your tapes and books from. But I would suppose if the 9 CORE steps is a good way to get downline excited about stuffing money in their upline's pocket.....well then I think the program has achieved great success.
November 4, 2006
MarkerMan Productions Receives Accreditation
Posted by David Robison
The Truth About Quixtar website announced on November 4th; MarkerMan Productions, a Quixtar Professional Development Program, (or Motivational Organization) has received accreditation under the Quixtar Accreditation Program.
MarkerMan Productions is led by Crown Direct Jody Victor.
This marks the third Motivational Organization to receive the distinction of Accreditation.
Efinity and Team 5K were granted the honor earlier this year.
September 19, 2006
Name It Claim It
Posted by Preston
One thing that struck me as interesting when I was involved with WorldWide Dreambuilders was the unique spin on which they took on the scriptures and teachings of the Bible. On numerous occasions I was told to "Speak it into existence" and "Name it and Claim it". I even purchased a book from the book list which was about 100 pages about the very topic of the power of "positive confession" and speaking things into existence (the books name escapes me at this moment).
Sitting in Church this past Sunday, my Pastor began his sermon with a reading from the Gospel as usual, then went on to explain how he had been told about a Time Magazine article on the cover this issue: Does God Want You to Be Rich?. As I listened to his sermon (mp3), I was taken back to some of the "functions" and "night owls" I was at when I was in "The Business". I was delighted to hear yet another perspective on just how false such things are. He gets at something that bothered me heavily when I was in - the fact that the speakers use scriptures and proclaim it as the Word of God that we might be rich to do good things. This is not the case - and Mr. X proved this in his blog as he went through the BWW training system and compared the cult like aspects of them.
I encourage you to listen to the sermon and comment back - in my opinion the religious side of the "business" is one of the most interesting topics to discuss, and it may get more interesting with the accreditation removing the influences of "God" from the "success" of Quixtar.
August 26, 2006
Nonrefundable
Posted by Truth
Would you ever buy a nonrefundable ticket if you were not 100% sure you were going to be able to either use the ticket, or attend the event? I wouldn't, but unfortunately this is the very thing I saw encouraged to downline IBOs by their uplines. Downline IBOs were encouraged to purchase expensive tickets "on faith" to the next Eagle Qualifier.
During my time in Quixtar I was a part of the Merris LOS in BWW. Twice a year John and Cathy Merris would hold a big event for those who qualified Eagle. One event was a cruise, and the other was a weekend at a resort down in Texas. My sponsor told me the ticket prices ranged anywhere from $500-$1000. I still have yet to figure out how exactly it is a reward for you to pay your own way at these events.
My entire time in Quixtar these two events were heavily promoted and the hype would slowly build as the events got closer. Upline IBOs would tell their downlines to just "make the decision" that you were going to be there and purchase your tickets on faith. They would tell their downline that by purchasing the tickets they would have that needed motivation to get Eagle done. Sounded great and all except for one tiny little problem.....the tickets were nonrefundable. If you purchased your tickets and failed to qualify, you might as well just literally flushed the money down the toilet.
I never participated in purchasing tickets before qualifying for such an event and I am forever thankful that I did not. During my time in Quixtar I would always wonder just how many people out there lost their money to this horrible idea that was being promoted. At my last function I would get my answer. John Merris stood on stage wrapping up a night owl and remarked that they were no longer going to be able to have unqualified downline purchase advance tickets to his Eagle qualifiers. The reason was what I suspected all along. Too many people were buying tickets and not qualifying for the events, which of course meant they lost a significant amount of money.
For me it was just another nail in the coffin as far as Quixtar was concerned. Here was these upline IBOs who would tell you not to question them. Who would tell you that they had only your best interests in mind when giving you advice. Yet, these same uplines who were looking after their downline's best interests advised them to spend a large amount of money on a ticket they would never get to use. If that is not sad enough the worst part is some IBOs will turn blame on the downline for not doing what it took to qualify, and absolve the upline, who gave the advice, of any responsibility.
That is just how it goes when you get involved in many of the motivational organizations of Quixtar. You will be praised, built up, made to feel good about making a decision on faith. You will be advised that you are doing what it takes to Go Diamond for making decisions that don't really make good sense. But, when the advice you were given doesn't work out. When you are broke, heavy in debt and there is no more money to take. Your upline and other IBOs will look at you and tell you it's all your fault, and while you will realize that yes you do bear responsibility for making the decisions. You won't be able to help but feel betrayed when your upline, who gave you that advice, walks away without taking any responsibility for the advice they gave you.
August 18, 2006
team5k Member Dicusses Accreditation
Posted by QBlog
You've already heard about Quixtar's Accreditation program but you may not know much about it from an IBO's perspective. Quixtar Backbone Project participant Sharon Schlesinger is a member of the most recently accredited organization and reports on her experience with the process.
The following is an email from Sharon which I edited only slightly for readability:
A Step in the Right Direction
A few weeks ago I e-mailed Eric (at QuixtarBlog) the news that team5K had been accredited by Quixtar. I wanted to present the full story of the accreditation in a way that everyone that visits QuixtarBlog would be sure to see. I asked Eric what would be the best approach: blog or forum. He suggested I be his "reporter" and simply write what I could find out about the process, and he would see that the news was fairly presented and have some visibility.
At the August seminar for team5K, Chuck Goetschel, Founder's Diamond, announced that after a two year effort, the team had been accredited by Quixtar. We had an opportunity to listen to an audio tape of eight different officers of the corporation, including the Chairman of the IBOIA Board and Doug DeVos himself, congratulating the team on this achievement.
The process is arduous, but simple: every word/statement in every presentation/training tool/web site is reviewed by Quixtar to ensure the business opportunity is presented clearly, fairly and honestly.
Tools are also evaluated for content compared to cost. In other words, does each individual tool have enough value to the IBO to justify its purchase price. The strategy underlying the team's training system was also reviewed. The training system must be complete, balanced (product knowledge versus community building) and effective. Quixtar wanted to know how IBOs learn about products: through special product education clinics; breakout sessions at events; product demos/displays, etc. And, is as much time devoted to teaching product knowledge as in teaching recruiting techniques?
Another area of review dealt with the income/expenses of tools/events. A contract must be in place that would determine the income/expenses for tools/events and how profit would be shared. Surveys were taken at random of IBOs on the team, asking them a variety of questions, including whether or not they knew that income was earned by the senior members of the team from the tools they purchased and the events they attended. This survey was completed with the results compiled by an independent organization.
The objective of accreditation is for our business to operate transparently with a balance between recruitment and product sales.
The benefits to the team is in the pride we can take in knowing that the opportunity is being presented in a fair and open manner. There will be other benefits forthcoming such as additional product training by the corporation, some greater visibility for the team due to accreditation, some clients shipping savings, etc. These additional benefits are still being structured by Quixtar.
Someone may raise the question, why did team5k go to the trouble to seek accreditation? Quixtar did not make it easy. It was a rather long and arduous journey. Although Chuck likes to give the whole team credit for the achievement, he was the driving force behind the effort. I've been "lurking" on this forum for nearly the whole time I have been an IBO. I don't have much to say; however I did participate in the Backbone Project. I have learned a great deal from all the posters and from the blog itself. A lot of the complaints voiced by some were not what I experienced; but I hesitated to post anything because every active IBO seemed to feel that "it's not the way our team does it." I can only speak from my own experience. Long before accreditation, I believe that team5K had "accredited" itself in its own way, to the best of the team's ability. There was always a careful, thoughtful approach to everything we were taught. I believe Chuck has a long horizon when it comes to strategizing about this business. It is perhaps why he was invited to sit the IBOIA Board. Because of his care in steering the team, it was a huge shock when the Spanos family filed a suit against him.
I read the suit and it sounded more like what is written on the internet than anything I had experienced in my real life business. The suit was settled, never making it to court. However, it still sits on the internet as if it is yesterday's news. The history of that episode may have played some part in Chuck's decision to become "squeeky clean/accredited". He never wanted anyone to go through what he did in what I believe was an unjust action. I do believe he would have become accredited even without the impetus of the tribulation brought by the suit.
Will there be other accreditations? I hope so. Even though accreditation does give team5K a competitive edge, unprofessional behavior on the part of other teams creates a lot of very vocal, angry people. Frequently the negative voices drown out the positives of this business. I do understand there are other teams striving to be accredited. However, I don't know which ones or what their status is in the process. The minimum time from start to finish in the accreditation process is one year. Was it easier for team5K because it is smaller than some other teams? I don't think so. Larger teams will go through the same steps team5K had to go through. Every IBO who reads this letter should ask their organization if they are attempting to be accredited. Put the pressure on your leadership! If all teams become accredited, then Eric will have to find another cause, because his job here will have been finished.
In closing, I am pleased to pass this good news on to all of you.
Sharon Schlesinger team5K
Sounds like team5k is trying to make some big changes from business as usual around Quixtar. My thanks to Sharon for sharing this and giving some additional insight into the accreditation process.
Now, let the pressure begin. How long until Jody Victor, Orrin Woodward, Billy Florence and others get their organizations accredited?
I Kinda Miss The Tapes
Posted by David Robison
Lord knows, I have voiced my objections to certain practices of Quixtar-related "motivational organizations." And I know that everybody and their brother that usually visits this blog (myself included) can find plenty of reasons not to spend money on motivational tapes, when your business isn't producing enough profit to afford the motivation.
But, I kinda miss the tapes.
Now understand, I haven't bought a Amway/Quixtar tape since before they came out with them 'dere "new-fangled compact disc thingies." In fact, I guess the last Amway Motivational Organization tape I bought was in 1987, so I expect I have missed out on a bunch new stories of inspiration, preaching and politics, but I still kinda miss the tapes.
What do I miss?
The funny thing about these motivational tapes are...they are...well dammit, they're motivational! They make you feel good.
Now, I realize my predecessor Xanadustc, here at QBlog and his own blog, went into great detail analyzing Amway and Quixtar Motivational tapes regarding their religious messages, but I just want to mention some of my favorite stories.
I remember Ron and Toby Hale talking about feeding their children the "good food" and themselves eating only one meal and then cooking popcorn and drinking water before they went to bed to "feel full"; before they joined Amway. (This story, by the way, has a shmaltz factor of 10+)
I remember Rick Setzer talking about driving down the road in their new motor home, while his wife Sue Lynn made him a cup of coffee. For some reason in the '80s; that impressed me.
Or, Rick could describe eating a pineapple fresh from the fields in Hawaii, and have you salivating with every word; knowing in your heart of hearts, that you too, would experience the same thing one day.
I remember Effie Reed talking about wanting to divorce her husband and drinking to the point her children would "put her to bed"; before she joined Amway. (Shmaltz factor of 8, at least)
And I remember the applause. The deafening applause that went with each announcement of a speaker at the beginning of each tape. Applause, I craved. That was probably the most motivating factor of any tape I listened to.
My favorite speaker was Diamond Dewey Tobias. Dewey was from Florida. He was married to Kay. Kay looked like no other "Amway wife." She was young, tan and looked like a smart "Barbie-doll."
Dewey's tape, "An 'Open' in Atlanta," was my favorite tape. I had to order a second copy, because I wore the first one out.
Dewey could talk a coon down out of a tree. Wait, is that too "southern?" Okay you northwesterners, he could talk a salmon into a bear's mouth. Better?
Dewey would talk about going down to Cape Eleuthera in the Bahamas just to spend a few days.
"There aren't any phones there, so they can't call you. You can just lay on the beach and be worthless"
This was before cell phones.
Upon hearing the potential income in an Amway business of his own, Dewey was ready to sign up.
"The way I had it figured, a diamond could make $60,000 extra dollars a year; I'd skin dive for Roto-Rooter for an extra 60 grand a year"
And Dewey had his own phrase about just finding 6 people to build a diamondship. It didn't involve the cliche' about a "blind dog with a bone in his mouth." Dewey would say,
"Hey, even if you lived in a closet all your life, at least 6 people are going to open the door and ask you, 'What are you doing in here?'"
When Dewey Tobias finished a speech, you were motivated to join, or motivated to get others to join, so you could be just like him. But more than that, you just felt better about life, your job, and yourself, in general.
So yeah, we now live in the age of sponsoring people in MLM via websites, blogs, email and instant messaging. We've streamlined training with newsletters, e-zines and internet forums. And we motivate through flash presentations, mp3 s and streaming videos, but occasionally I miss putting a cassette tape in the car player and driving home listening to the stories, the cliche's and that wonderfully motivating applause.
I know that the current IBOs that read this blog already have in mind their favorite motivational tape, but I was wondering if the "MLM critics" still possess that ONE tape they secretly listen to?
If not, do you still remember that one speaker that you still admire? Think of it as a guilty pleasure.
C'mon tell me. It'll just be between you and me (and the 10,000 other Qblog readers)
Admit it, don't you sometimes kinda miss the tapes?
July 26, 2006
Family Reunion 2006
Posted by Preston
One of the most chilling wake up calls when I was getting "out" was Family Reunion. I had purchased a ticket for myself and my (now) wife under pressure from my upline. About seven weeks before the event I decided to cancel, because I could not justify the cost of $440. I did the math, and came up with a disturbing result: A $69/night hotel room, a dinner for two, and a continental breakfast. The rest was the cost of the 'function'. It didn't add up.
Upon sign up I clearly agreed to a nominal cancellation fee - in this case, $20 of the $440 would be used to cover administrative costs (which is fair enough). I received the refund from Brad Duncan's "Duncan Motivation" business and I was done with "the Business". To me, the refund was a commercially reasonable refund. I would later find out that when trying to return CDs, it is up to the individual. For whatever reason, Brad Duncan, Dick Davis, and Brad Wolgamott made a reimbursement happen long after the fact for the other tools I tried to return.
My question to IBO's is this: What did you pay for Family Reunion 2006, and, what services other than the function did you receive (meals, hotel, etc)? Was the function of value to you, or would you like a refund? It is well within your rights to seek a refund for the ticket if you feel you did not get value out of the function - and I strongly suggest you do so if that is how you feel. Inquire with your system as to the specifics if anyone gives you a hard time, it just might be worth your while.
If you are refused by the company headquarters, then there is an issue: The "Systems" no longer have the defense of "Well if only you had contacted us we could have worked this out" - if your legitimate claim to your rights is squashed. Don't give up their, either - make sure you get an official complaint in with Quixtar as well. Don't fade quietly into the night feeling guilty. Stand up - make a blog if you have to - but for goodness sake, get some of your money back, it is your right.
July 21, 2006
Can Money Solve Everything?
Posted by Truth
Recently on the Quixtar Blog Forum a young lady registered and started a thread asking for some help. The situation she needed help with was unfortunately all too common in Quixtar. Her future husband's best-man was not going to attend their wedding because it was on the same weekend as a conference being held in Larry Winter's motivational organization (LTD). Time and time again I get e-mails from readers, and see other posts on the Net, talking about IBOs missing major family events in favor of going to a weekend function.
Fortunately, among all the typical IBO tapespeak that was thrown at her asking, "What would you do if this was your job?" blah, blah, blah, she was able to get some insight and ideas on how to potentially salvage the situation. However one IBO (Brad) posted a comment that gave some insight into the material world that is many Motivational Organizations. Take a look:
"I do disagree with a best man missing a wedding. Actions steps would be: another function. if you REALLY wnated to be at the function: fly out, or drive, after the wedding, etc. In the end, it is that best-mans choice. And he made it. The worst thing he could do now is quit the business after investing money. If he makes it work and is diamond in 5-10 yrs and treats out this couple to a vacation, i'm sure the moods will change."
Now first off kudos to Brad for disagreeing with this decision and for recommending better actions that should have been taken. However, what is the deal with thinking this guy could simply take them on a vacation, IF he gets to Diamond, and smooth things over? Do IBOs hold nothing sacred anymore? To think that you could simply buy back your family and friends after leaving them at the bottom of the priority ladder for several years is ridiculous. What is it about a weekend conference that takes priority over a once in a lifetime event?
Many IBOs like to justify this behavior by pointing to employees who are sent out of town during family events. I guess that whole benefit of owning your own business so you can set your own hours is only used when it is convenient to the IBO. On that note, my wife and I both have several successful business owners in our families and none of them have ever had to miss a family event due to business. Personally, I think the whole employee argument is irrelevant since you are supposed to be your own "Independent Business Owner." Unless of course an IBO wants to go on record saying your upline is your new boss and the system is the new company you work for?
Bottom line is there are certain things that cannot be bought with material items or money. True friendship and family is one of those things. To have an attitude that you can drop your family and friends down in priority a couple of notches and then come back later and make up for it by taking them on vacations and buying them gifts just seems very shallow to me. There are just some moments in life you can't get back, no matter how much money you have.
July 19, 2006
BWW vs. TEAM Part 2
Posted by Xanadustc
I finally had time today to dip back into the box of TEAM tapes. To catch you up, I have a detailed knowledge of the Britt World Wide (BWW) Professional Development Program affiliated with Quixtar. I detail the teachings of BWW on my own blog, Standing Order Tape. A little while back, a site reader sent me a box of tapes from the TEAM Professional Development Program wanting some of my perspectives. I wrote a post a few weeks back where I gave perspectives from listening to only one tape (except the 6 tapes from Pastor Robert L. Dickie).
Today I was able to listen to three more tapes to see how they compared to BWW tapes. I am sorry to say that BWW and TEAM sound exactly the same. I will not even bother to list particular details because that would take hours, but here are some thoughts.
Chris & Terry Brady, “One like You”, TOD184 - I was anxious to listen to a tape by these people because Pastor Dickie kept on edifying them as great people. I recall Chris Smith from the other post doing the same. I found this speaker to be a little over the edge in comparing everyone to sheep just following a foolish way of life. It goes so far that he starts bleating like a sheep after almost every phrase for over five minutes. Is that the character of a great person?
Next, he went through quite an extensive list of all the types of people that you will find when you show the plan. Of course he literally insults every person that does not get in.
Mark Paul, “The Top Ten Reasons Why People Fail”, PPS75 - I will not list all 10 of his reasons, but the bottom line is that you should get into system, and without the system, you will fail. Additionally, you never reinvent the wheel. We hear all the same things: write down everyone you know without prejudging, and never try to do the business without your upline because the system is set and works. You also need to get better people skills, so you need to plug into the system to get the books that it offers. In fact, he says to get the top five books (does not list what they are).
Of course he addresses the “your own business” issue by saying that if it is your own business, you might want to listen to us so we can help you build it.
Orrin & Laurie Woodward, “Our Destiny Said, ‘Go!’”, TOD187 - This is the EDC Rally tape for Orrin & Laurie. The first thing that I noticed is that they were preaching about how God gave them this business, etc. It was certainly far enough to make persons of another religion uncomfortable, and thus may be a violation of Quixtar’s rules regarding religious expression. They are supposed to be learning about how to run their business, but they paid to hear that both live and on the weekly tape that they purchased.
Orrin also repeatedly addresses the critics (like myself) and paints a straw man that they are just broke, miserable, angry people who have no vision. That could not be further for the truth. This whole team of people on this site as well as others are very driven, but we take time out of our day to warn of the real life problems with involvement in these PDPs.
Conclusions - My final thoughts are that the TEAM and BWW system essentially teach the same thing. Yes, I know that is a ‘surprise’ to some people, but my point is two fold:
- That no one group is “best” even though they all claim to have that position.
- That they are both deadly in their own right, they warp reality, use questionable material and methods, rely on emotion over facts, and seek to discredit people like me because they can not stand up to the facts.
July 13, 2006
Are You Owned?
Posted by Xanadustc
Bob Pittman, Founder of MTV says:
The strongest appeal you can make is emotionally. If you can get their emotions going, make then forget their logic, you’ve got ‘em
This is the quote that became the philosophy for MTV and we can now see the effects on our youth. This is true in many other places as well, one notable one is Professional Development Programs associated with Quixtar.
Out of one side of his mouth, your sponsor might tell you to examine the business, but of course, if you go to a site like this, it is usually discredited without reason as simply ‘negative.' But they tell you to get to the next open, rally, or weekend function. What is the purpose? These are highly emotional places where large groups of people are telling you all the types of things that will make you turn your emotions to the business. Before you know it, you're hooked.
The continuation to the above quote is this: “We don’t shoot for the fourteen year olds, we own them.” Are you owned by your PDP? You are if you are avoiding the facts only getting emotionally charged.
July 8, 2006
The Secret Meeting
Posted by Truth
Thinking back on my time in Quixtar I can't help but think about what I call "The Secret Meeting." These were the meetings you had to qualify for in order to attend.
For example, at weekend functions there was always a Night Owl, and then there was the "Eagle Night Owl." When a big pin was coming to town to do an open meeting, there was a training afterward, and then there was "Qualifiers Training." If you didn't qualify for these meetings many times you were made to feel like you were a second class business owner. There were many other examples of different types, but there is one thing all these meetings had in common. They didn't make any sense.
During my time in Quixtar I remember being told that these meetings were where the real secrets of the business were told. These meetings were where the really big bits of information were given out to only those who qualified. This raised questions about why such vital information was kept quiet from certain downline IBOs. After all we were told when we signed up that upline success was dependent upon downline success. If that were true one would think every bit of information would be given to each IBO to ensure maximum success for the upline. Unless of course it is not true.
Well my wife and I did all we could to qualify for such meetings. However, the first time we qualified was when Paul Miller was showing the plan at our open meeting. We needed to show 5 plans the week before, and be CORE, to get into his "special training session." My wife and I showed 10 plans that week to ensure we qualified. I must say I couldn't have been more disapppointed. I learned nothing in that meeting that I didn't already know. The only original thing I heard in that meeting was a few stories from Paul that I would hear later on SOT.
So what is the motivation behind these secret meetings? Is there really vital information given out that can't be gotten anywhere else? Could it be just a ruse to get IBOs to do something for upline financial gain? I remember the Eagle meetings were promoted far more then any other qualifier meeting, and the math on that program looks to favor the upline quite a bit. I can't help but think there are more secrets to "The Secret Meeting."
July 3, 2006
BWW vs. TEAM
Posted by Xanadustc
One of my site readers sent me a box of tapes from Team of Destiny dated around 2003. I wanted to contrast the teachings of these tapes to BWW. As I write this, please keep in mind that the ONLY frame of reference that I have for TEAM is these tapes. I do not have any written literature, nor did I attend an open meeting.
What follows is a comparison to the TEAM list building method according to the tape “The Names List” (PPS82) by Chris Smith compared to the BWW basics Manual and the GS1 “What to do Next” that I analyzed on Quixtar Inside Out Radio.
TEAM method:
“Business will always work if you work it.”
2 processes:
- Better yourself (system participation)
- Action steps: 5 step pattern to build the business. The first is the name list which is the topic of this tape.
The first thing to do is get on the system: tape of the week, book of the month.
To build a list:
- Write it down.
- Always carry the list since you never know when you will want to make calls.
- Do not prejudge anybody; put ALL names down.
- Write down everyone you know, even if you do not know their first name.
- Always talk to more people to add to the list.
- Look at your list daily; put people on the to-do list if you want to call them that day.
The tape used a series of motivators about how much debt people in America have to justify talking to everyone. People are the ‘inventory’ of the business.
There are no “No’s” they are “Laters;" they will be back later.
You don’t prospect, you use the materials from the books and tapes, talk to people, ask questions, etc. (and how is this not prospecting?)
Chris was in college and did not learn anything, it was TEAM that helped him get successful.
TEAM has a brochure that helps with remembering names by a listing of names as well as by occupation.
BWW Method:
You must constantly add new businesses to make more money. Take quality time to develop a list of names.
Charlie Durso
Once again, people are the ‘inventory’ of your business. Durso tells us to put the list on paper. There are three types of people:
A list – Friend and family
B List – Acquaintances
C List – Everyone else
Put these names on a carbon copy paper and give a copy to your upline. Charlie talks about prospecting as a means to add people to the C list. Never prejudge people.
Kumar
Kumar tells us that if you do not add a person to your list, someone else will, so you had better add them now.
The BWW system is key to develop business outside your local area, but in this case, Kumar is talking about the Open Meeting system (where you can send a prospect), and not being involved on the system.
BWW Basics Manual
Share the business at people that are your ambition level and above. The manual includes a list of business clients as well as IBOs.
The manual gives us the F-O-R-M resource as a means to meet new people and talk to them about the business.
Use the brochures to help remember names of people.
Conclusions
Both teams are generally teaching the same things, but with a few differences. BWW is honest that they are prospecting for the business and they also do not include the necessity of being on the Standing Order programs to make a list of names. On this short clip, we do not see anything about making your prospects emotionally stirred about not having enough money; it is simply a filtering question. They also list several other resources. Other than those differences, they teach the same general principles for good or bad. Why do they each claim to be the best?
July 2, 2006
What's the deal with spouses?
Posted by Truth
Quixtar Motivational Organizations make a big deal out of both parties in a relationship getting involved in this business together. An IBO over at my blog commented to Joecool18 about this being a couple's business. As an IBO I was setup by my former upline so that I would build this business with my wife. Here's my question though... I just don't get it, why is this necessary?
My wife ran her own distribution office for Rainbow vacuums after we quit Quixtar. The whole time she had an office I was not needed, nor ever encouraged by the regional distributor, to get involved in her business. My wife now has her own contract based business doing translating, and since I don't speak Spanish very well you can bet I am not involved in that business either. We have never had any problems resulting from the fact that I was not involved.
So what's the deal with Quixtar? Why is it different than other business models? Why do some couples split as a result of this business, and why do uplines put so much emphasis on both parties in a relationship being "plugged in?"
Some have told me in the past that both husband and wife needed to be involved otherwise the other is usually "negative" about the business. Well, don't you think they might be getting a little negative because they never see all this money you supposedly make in Quixtar? I have a hard time believing that a husband or wife would be negative if his or her spouse was bringing in money.
So let's hear it! Why do you think the motivational organizations put such an emphasis on couples in a relationship doing this business together, when it seems every other type of business this issue is not an issue at all?
July 1, 2006
Willing Participant
Posted by Preston
It can't be denied that thought reform is not part of some of the training programs used by different lines of affiliation. I know in WWDB there was something that was repeated many times on CDs and at the "night owls" - to be successful 'you must change the way you think.'
On the surface, it looks like a logical statement. Obviously, if you've got no business experience, one would expect a change to be required. The rub, however, is exactly what that change ends up being. One would expect being encouraged to read (books on how to run a business), attend training (on how to sell products for a product based business), and perhaps consult with others for tips on improving your business.
It is uncanny that these things are taught, but at some point, they get perverted. Reading from the "prescribed book list" seems to lead to books, which, reinforce the idea that learning from training "system" is good. Attending training seminars can end up being rah-rah stories of speakers telling people how they just followed the "system" and kept at it, never quitting. Finally, consulting with others on tips for improving your business may result in bad advice.
Normally, one might recognize bad advice. However, the "system" does a wonderful job at elevating certain upline pins as the "successes" - who, once successful, must know what they are talking about. How do we know this is true? Have you ever heard the line, "Would you learn (subject) from someone who had never done it?"
But in the end, the "System" gets off the hook - because in the beginning, you agreed - and were a willing participant to change the way you think. It wasn't what you expected, but what in life ever is? I personally believe that this is what leads to the feeling of guilt, and victimization. Was anything misrepresented, and does the responsibility lie with the "system" or Quixtar for letting this happen?
June 27, 2006
What Do You Do?
Posted by Truth
Anyone who has spent anytime in a Quixtar Motivational Organization has heard many things said about the nasty J-O-B. Jobs are made to be the enemy of everything that those motivational organizations stand for, and many times is compared to slavery. Very simply in their world having a job is a miserable existence.
While I was in Britt World Wide I went from having a job that I liked to somehow resenting that job and being very unhappy with it day in and day out. Upon leaving BWW I once again enjoyed the career that I had chosen and actually had my salary go up almost $20K in one year after putting my concentration back into my career.
Now I enjoy my job and I do not see it as the paid slavery that BWW tried to make it seem. I do not have a boss that watches my every move. Quite the contrary our management has a very hands-off style since we are viewed as the subject matter experts when we are hired for our positions. Matter of fact I only see my boss once per year at review time. We are given great flexibility with our work schedules and vacation time. For example, this past two week vacation I took only cost me 3.5 days of vacation off the books. In a nutshell my J-O-B is quite the contrary of what the BWW stereotype of a job is.
Now I understand not everyone out there loves or even likes their jobs. I know there are some out there who even downright hate their jobs. But is it as many as BWW and other motivational organizations would have you believe? Well that is why I want you to comment about your job. No doubt everyone has some aspects of their job they do not enjoy but on the whole do you like or dislike your work? Is your job the world of despair that the motivational organizations say it is, or do you enjoy your work?
June 20, 2006
Did You Ever Receive This?
Posted by Truth
Well my vacation was very relaxing and I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Today I was doing a review of the Rules of Conduct for another article I am writing when I came across something very interesting. Section 7.5.1 of the Rules of Conduct state:
...Each IBO who sells BSM under such arrangements shall provide to each purchaser at least twice a year, during the months of September and March, the following or substantially equivalent language conspicuously printed on a postcard:
“We have a continuing interest in you and your business. This special message is to help you evaluate expenses that relate to BSM available to you. Your expenditures on these items should be reasonable compared to your business volume and profits. You should review your business expenses and decide whether you wish to continue purchasing BSM. The use of BSM in connection with your business is voluntary and must always be in compliance with the Rules of Conduct.
If you wish to discontinue receiving future [tape or book, etc.], please return this postcard. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE THIS POSTCARD BY (_______________), YOU WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FUTURE ISSUES OF [tape or book].”
I found this interesting because I don't ever remember recieving such an item in the mail or with my standing order at any time. I asked my wife because she would often go through the standing order before I saw it. She also did not remember ever recieving any such correspondence. So to put it simply I am wondering how many of you out there who were ever on standing order remember recieving this kind of correspondence from your upline twice a year like the rules state?
Is this another one of those rules that is just ignored by the LOSs and is never brought up because many IBO's (including myself) never throughly read the Rules of Conduct? Just another reason I encourage every single new IBO to sit down and take the time to throughly read the Rules of Conduct and call out their upline when they are in contradiction to those rules. Or maybe this is a brand new rule?
June 13, 2006
What are you joining?
Posted by Xanadustc
The other day, I read an interesting book called ‘Stop Dating the Church’ which I reviewed recently. I thought that Chapter 4, titled 'Join the Club,' made some interesting parallels. I write this article as a warning to those professing belief if any religion because I believe that by joining a Professional Development Program affiliated with Quixtar, chances are, you will be joining a new religion.
In the book, the steps to join the church are well laid out. Indeed, joining anything is going to follow these steps to some degree, but my question is: How far? You see, if I join a job, or a new school program, or an even event of some sort, I will be following these steps. But in the Professional Development Programs, it is my experience that (in general) they require all your time, even to the exclusion of church activities! Here are the steps to joining a group:
- You Join – Signing the forms, getting all info together, all that “legal junk” that was so downplayed in my group.
- Make the Group a Priority – This does not necessarily mean top priority, but group activities should precede general entertainment.
- Try to make your leaders job a joy – You know, listen, submit, etc.
- Find ways to serve the group – Help with the behind the scenes items.
- You give to the group – Money, time, skills, etc.
- Connect with the people – Build close relationships in the group.
- Share your passion for the group – Be committed to share about the group to people outside the group.
Now, I adapted these out of the context of the church and into the context of a general group. I just wanted to show how I believe a PDP in Quixtar is similar, except that in many of them, they ask you to abandon all other groups for themselves.
Also, the book I pulled these from gives the example of a person being in a group but he realized that he was not as committed to his church as he was to the external group. He also makes the point that we can only be fully dedicated to one group, there can be others we participate it, but one will tend to dominate. Does your Quixtar business dominate, or does your church dominate?
June 10, 2006
Zeal
Posted by Preston
I've been struggling to with something over the last few months.
Wal-Mart uses some techniques I consider unethical to keep prices low for consumers. I personally do not visit Wal-Mart, but I do not stop my wife from going there when she chooses.
This line of thought came back to me when I was thinking about my recent meeting with Dick Davis and Brad Duncan. WWDB prides themselves on being "different," and Dick Davis said to me that the goal of WWDB is "transparency."
That being said, would your zeal for or against Quixtar and/or the motivational organizations change if you discovered one of the organizations really was different than the others?
It is a question I am struggling with, along with the very nature of Quixtar itself: Should Quixtar be condemned for failing to correct the motivational organizations and letting abuse occur a full 23 years after there was an acknowledged problem?
June 3, 2006
Unprecedented Meeting?
Posted by QBlog
Preston, one of the Quixtar BLOG authors, recently posted about his meeting with WWDB leaders Dick Davis and Brad Duncan. This is quite possibly the first meeting of its kind — where a former IBO who publishes a blog critical of Quixtar's tool businesses has a sit-down meeting with leaders of one of those organizations.
I hope I've made myself clear from the beginning: I want truth. I want to discuss it, and I want things to be clear to folks who may be evaluating their options and looking at Quixtar.
I had the opportunity recently to sit down for two hours with Dick Davis, CEO of WWDB, and Brad Duncan, Founders Triple Diamond. It was quite an informative discussion.
It's not clear exactly what was said at that meeting (groan, more secrets) but we learn that Dick Davis doesn't like the Qrush Blog and that WWDB recognizes current pin levels instead of former accomplishments.
Are we possibly witnessing the dawn of a new era in communication between so-called Quixtar critics and the leaders of the businesses they criticize? What "legal constraints" force those leaders to spill the beans at a Starbucks instead of publicly revealing the "insightful" information?
Which Quixtar leaders would you like to meet with?
May 30, 2006
Did you Fail or Quit?
Posted by Truth
Why does it seem that every time an active "plugged-in" IBO talks about someone leaving the business they're referred to as failures? Think back on your time in Quixtar, when you finally decided you were through. Did you stop Quixtar because you just couldn't do it anymore? Did you stop because your business went under? Or did you stop building the business because of another reason?
Some say to fail and quit are the same thing. I think that is only true in the minds of Quixtar IBOs who are involved in the system. Let's look at the definitions:
Fail
1 a : to lose strength : WEAKEN (her health was failing) b : to fade or die away (until our family line fails) c : to stop functioning (the patient's heart failed)
2 a : to fall short (failed in his duty>) b : to be or become absent or inadequate (the water supply failed) c : to be unsuccessful (as in passing an examination) d : to become bankrupt or insolvent
transitive senses
1 a : to disappoint the expectations or trust of (her friends failed her) b : to miss performing an expected service or function for (his wit failed him)
2 : to be deficient in : LACK (never failed an invincible courage -- Douglas MacArthur)
3 : to leave undone : NEGLECT (fail to lock the door) 4 a : to be unsuccessful in passing (as a test) b : to grade (as a student) as not passing
Quit
1 : to make full payment of : PAY UP (quit a debt)
2 : to set free : RELIEVE, RELEASE (quit oneself of fear)
3 : CONDUCT, ACQUIT (the youths quit themselves like men)
4 a : to depart from or out of b : to leave the company of c : GIVE UP 1, 2 (quit a job - quit smoking)
intransitive senses
For those of you who are former distributors which definition describes you better? For the rest which definition do you think best describes former IBOs who stopped building their business?
May 23, 2006
Jody Victor and Deb
Posted by QBlog
Background
Years ago her grandfather, Walter Bass, worked closely with Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel as they built Ja-Ri Corporation (a precursor to Amway) into a regional success story. Bass then joined men like Joe Victor and Fred Hansen to become one of the original members of the American Way Association.
Her mother, Phyllis Chesebro (daughter of Walter Bass), was the Executive Administrator to the AWA Board of Directors and currently heads the first Quixtar business to span four generations.
She ran one of the largest and most successful tool-free Amway (and later Quixtar) businesses for several years before moving on to embrace other endeavors.
Her name is Deb.
Free Speech
Deb has become quite active at a couple of online discussion groups where her personal experience and historical knowledge of Quixtar (and Amway) operations has proved quite valuable. She, like Rich DeVos in 1983, has been outspoken about some of the problems she's witnessed inside and outside the business.
Apologies and Retractions
Deb recently made a mistake. Scott Larsen, a vocal Quixtar critic, posted some comments about Jody Victor (son of Joe Victor) on the Quixtar BLOG Discussion Forum. It turns out that those comments may have contained factual errors and Deb, participating in the discussion, contributed to the apparent inaccuracies.
When it was clear that Larsen had "retracted" his comments from his AmQuix.info site Deb decided to "simply 'let a dead dog lie'" and did not modify her public comments. That was her mistake.
"Lawsuit-Threatening Letter"
On May 3, 2006, Deb received a "lawsuit-threatening letter" from Jody Victor's lawyer, Mr. Abraham. She didn't receive a phone call, personal note or even an email from the man whose father apparently worked side-by-side with her grandfather. Deb responded to the letter with a public note of her own:
Dear Mr Abraham,
I received your lawsuit-threatening letter today (May 3, 2006); and as you demanded on behalf of Jody and Kathy Victor - I have removed any defamatory statements I may have made regarding Jody Victor's qualification at the Crown pin level. I sincerely apologise to all of you.
You say that Jody acheived qualification as a Crown in August of 1981 by sponsoring 20 Direct Distributor Legs (25% level for at least 3 consecutive months) during Amway's 1980-'81 Fiscal Year. There had been a question regarding this, and you have cleared it up.
I did not respond to Scott Larsen's retraction, assuming that I would simply "let a dead dog lie". I realize now that I should have altered my responses to him at that time, also. So now your letter, and my editing of my comments, will bring the entire subject to the fore. For that I am sorry, but unable to prevent happening.
This has been done well before the deadline of May 10, 2006 - after which the Victors said they would "take any and all legal action available". And I am making this known publicly - since you and your clients "continue to monitor Qblog and other web sites". I only wish to present the facts as you offered them.
Sincerely,
Deb
Question
I'm just wondering why Jody Victor didn't just give Deb a call before getting the lawyers involved? I sent an email to Victor asking this very question but he's not responded.
UPDATE: The copywriter for the IBOAI should be fired! This convoluted, comma-crazed sentence seems to be saying that Phyllis Chesebro was the first AWA Board president:
Phyllis Chesebro, daughter of Walter Bass, the first AWA Board president, now heads the family business, the first to span four generations.
What a mess! And I didn't add any commas. That's four commas in a 22-word sentence. Almost 20 percent of the sentence is commas! Maybe the copywriter was getting paid per comma?
So, I updated my comment about Phyllis Chesebro per Deb's input and I also updated my comments about Walter Bass. These aren't retractions, they're clarifications to the IBOAI site because frankly the person writing the IBOAI copy is overpaid.
I also added a few other clarifications including a link to Scott Larsen's retraction page.
May 18, 2006
I Love "Tapes"
Posted by QBlog
When my wife was an active Quixtar IBO I tried listening to the tapes and CDs she bought but wound up angry instead of motivated. She heard messages of hope and inspiration while my skeptical ears heard a thirty minute infomercial — the boring kind, not the kind with that chic from "Three's Company."
At the time, my inability to embrace the Quixtar tools perplexed me because I'm one of those talk radio kinda guys. I'd rather listen to three hours of news and talk than a Led Zeppelin marathon.
I was raised on talk radio. My dad would tune in to Paul Harvey while he drove my sister and me to school in his old green Chevy. I fell in love with that oddly staccato voice whining through the tinny speakers barking out "Good Day."
So, it seemed to me that moving from talk radio to tapes would be a natural transition. But it wasn't.
But that's not to say I don't regularly hear inspirational and motivational messages.
Epiphany
As I was mowing the lawn this evening I realized that I probably consume just as much inspirational and motivational content as any "plugged-in" IBO. While the mower was growling I had my iPod Shuffle blasting one of my favorite podcasts into my aging ears (kids, don't try that at home or you'll go deaf) and I felt really, really excited.
Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte were talking to Stuart MacDonald about the Mesh Conference and I was overwhelmed with feelings of hope and possibility (is possibility a feeling?). I felt motivated to continue with my passions and inspired to participate in similar conferences in the future.
It was then that I had an epiphany of sorts. I reflected on all the podcasts that I regularly listen to and started adding up the minutes and hours that I spend consuming this conversational content and I realized that I probably listen to more messages than most IBOs.
I regularly listen to or watch the following podcasts:
- Open Source
- TWiT
- Inside The Net
- Buzz Out Loud
- Diggnation
- Daily GizWiz
- Official Lost Podcast
- Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack
- Generally Speaking - Weekly Lost Podcast
- LOSTCasts
- Get Lost with Scott and Steve (aka MYOKOM w/ SAS)
- Infected with Martin Sargent
- Strong Bad Emails
- Ebert & Roeper
- QBlog Radio (need to get back in the studio)
- Quixtar Inside Out
- On The Media
- Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
- Rocketboom
- Security Now
- Slate Explainer Podcasts
- The Onion Radio News
There are others I'm forgetting. My point is... well I have a few points (and an opportunity for another list):
- Consuming lots of content can be fun
- I never paid anything for the podcasts I enjoy
- People find motivation and inspiration in different places
So yeah, I guess I sort of do like "tapes" in the sense that I enjoy regularly listening to lots of content. I just don't like the Quixtar tapes. Nothing wrong with that is there?
May 16, 2006
A Call for Reform
Posted by Xanadustc
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?
May 10, 2006
Ron Puryear's Stupid Test
Posted by Preston
stu·pid (stū'pĭd, styū'-) pronunciation
adj., -er, -est.
- Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.
- Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.
- Marked by a lack of intelligence or care; foolish or careless: a stupid mistake.
- Dazed, stunned, or stupefied.
- Pointless; worthless: a stupid job.
The True North CD "Prosumer to Diamond in Two Years" by Ron Puryear (WWDB156CD) features Ron Puryear, leader of WorldWide Dream Builders, explaining that he has a test (mp3) to judge the intelligence of a person. He calls it the "stupid test."
This "teaching" is "CORE," "True North" - the pinacle of the teaching WWDB offers. Are we really left to believe that WWDB has nothing more exciting to offer in its training system that can potentially cost thousands of dollars a year than simply insulting people who decide Quixtar isn't for them?
May 9, 2006
Client or IBO
Posted by Truth
During my involvement with the Quixtar business the majority of my time was focused on contacting new prospects, showing the plan, and registering new IBOs. On occassion I would see a chance to get a new client or member purchasing product. Of course in the midst of getting a new customer I would always attempt to show them the plan to become an IBO. Looking back I wonder why the registration of clients and members was not stressed as much as the registration of new IBOs.
Each week my upline Ruby would hold an accountability conference call, which I always ensured I "qualified" for. On this call we would get some "teaching" from our upline Ruby, and every IBO would go down their list of accountability for the week.
This list would include how many contacts were made, how many appts were set, how many plans were shown, and of course how many IBOs registered. We never discussed how many new clients or members were signed up. The impression given to me was that client and member registration was plan B if you couldn't get them as an IBO.
In terms of running a business shouldn't clients and members be just as important to a Quixtar business as any new IBO registration? Considering that client purchases give an IBO retail profit plus personal PV. And member purchases add to personal PV so it only makes sense that clients and members are a vital part of a profitable Quixtar business.
So, why then do many motivational organizations not stress member/client registration and sales as much as they do IBO registration? Why do the majority of tapes/CDs I'm familiar with discuss business building from an IBO registration standpoint? Why do the majority of speakers I've heard at functions talk about contacting, showing the plan, and IBO registration as their major topics?
Finally, why are so many IBOs taught to try and convert happy members and clients into registered IBOs? I can't help but think that more IBOs would be reporting profits at the end of the year, instead of losses, if they spent an equal amount of time building their client/member base and their IBO structure.
Ashamed of Quixtar?
Posted by Xanadustc
As I have mentioned on a recent post on the Standing Order Tape blog, Quixtar rules prevent an IBO from using the Quixtar name on a business website or other large-scale media that is open to the public. But I question whether many IBOs are becoming ashamed of the name Quixtar as they did the name Amway. Rich DeVos spoke to this issue on the Directly Speaking tape:
Number Seven: I will not hide behind group names.
We are proud of our group and like our own identity, but we will not use it as a subterfuge to say we are not in Amway. This really is a hot one, folks. People are saying, "Oh, we're in X-Y-Z organization. We're not in Amway." If you are signed on an Amway application form and if you have anyone you sponsor who's linked to you, then you are in Amway. I don't care what other name you want to run under: By implication, you are saying you're not in Amway: If you are asked, then you must say, "I am in Amway." And if you're not willing to say that, then don't send me any letters.
In fact, much of the Britt World Wide (BWW) team calls BWW their main business. Even still, many tapes on contacting still use the curiosity approach despite what Rich had to say about that approach (MP3).
For a modern example of this Quixtar “hide and seek," I found a BWW PDF file with details about how to remove all Quixtar references from the BWW One Domain IBO website.
Are they ashamed to be in Quixtar?
May 8, 2006
All the World a Stage
Posted by Truth
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?
May 7, 2006
Quixtar the Only Option?
Posted by Preston
Many WWDB speakers made the case that Quixtar is the only viable option to success, period. David Shores explained this (mp3) at Free Enterprise Days 2004. It is something I heard over and over again while I was involved with WWDB.
What is the purpose behind doing this? I also heard many times not to be double-minded (that is, do not have investments/projects/plans out side of Quixtar), and to duplicate.
Let me get this straight:
- Quixtar is your only option for success
- Duplicate your results by setting the example
- Do not be double-minded
How about doublespeak?
Because in saying these things, WWDB is certainly setting two thoughts down. They're saying its not okay to have businesses outside of Quixtar. So why do WWDB leaders operate businesses outside of Quixtar?
April 19, 2006
Getting Motivated
Posted by QBlog
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.
March 31, 2006
Pay For Training
Posted by QBlog
I'm trying to understand something and maybe you can help me out. Why do so many Quixtar IBOs seem willing to spend their own money on training? The Quixtar Business Reference Guide (pdf) requires uplines to train their downlines for free.
Yet many IBOs feel excited about shelling out personal funds to attend the latest seminar or buy the next great CD. Is this common in other types of business? Don't most businesses pay for training where the money comes from business funds, not personal checking accounts?
Even if you own your own business, isn't it important to keep your personal spending separate from your business spending? I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier so I'd appreciate any help figuring this out.
Or maybe I should clarify where I'm coming from. Call me old-fashioned but if you recruit me to be an Independent Business Owner and you're convinced that your success is dependent upon my success then you better be paying for my training. That's an investment in ME. But, even if you convince me that as a business owner I should be paying for training, I'm not going to write a check from my personal checking account. Hell no. I'm going to write that check from my business account which has been funded by either an investment of some sort, a loan or revenue from my business.
Am I crazy or does that make a lot of sense? How then does a Quixtar IBO start thinking that it's a good idea to shell out $3-5,000 a year on a training system that has only anecdotally proven its success? What am I missing? And what other businesses out there require participants to pay for their own training?
I just don't get it. I really don't. Lil' help?
January 16, 2006
Contacting Quixtar Leaders
Posted by QBlog
Scott Larsen's recent string of retractions and page modifications includes a brief explanation of why he neglected to contact various Quixtar leaders to get their take on his opinionated analysis:
...However it is extremely difficult for me to establish a dialog with them since their e-mail address, addresses, and telephone numbers are not easily found.
Well, now Larsen can't claim ignorance as a defense. He can contact Jody Victor at jody@markerman.com and Billy Florence at billy@dreamchasers.org. Hope this helps avoid confusion in the future.
October 14, 2005
Examine The Tool Business
Posted by QBlog
Last month I asked the following (somewhat rhetorical) question:
Can you name a successful Quixtar Diamond who achieved his "financial freedom" by using the prescribed motivational tools and training systems but who is not also profiting from the motivational tools and training systems?
Nobody has provided a name to answer my question and I suspect that no one ever will.
Purpose of Tools?
Quixtar IBOs are required to train and motivate their downline (Business Reference Guide). It's not an option, it's a contractual obligation. And that obligation demands that IBOs perform such training without any direct compensation.
However, most IBOs use tools to assist them with their training obligations. According to the BSMAA (pdf) an IBO "should purchase Business Support Materials only if [he] decide[s] they assist [him] in building a more successful and profitable Independent Business."
The "tools" were developed to provide useful training and motivation not offered by Quixtar. A few IBOs (mostly Quixtar Diamonds) independently produce those tools and receive significant revenue from their sales.
The Results
If the Business Support Materials were developed to help IBOs build Quixtar-powered businesses then the value of those tools can be measured by examining the number of IBOs who've accomplished that goal. And indeed, many IBOs have built large and prosperous businesses by utilizing the tools. Yet I must return to my original question, how many of those successful IBOs aren't also profiting from the very tools they credit with assisting them in their success?
The Dilemma
Here's the dilemma as I see it — the tools function primarily to train IBOs to build profitable tools businesses, not Quixtar businesses. Maybe an example will better explain my point?
Example: State University has an engineering program. Students spend thousands of dollars to learn how to become engineers. Most graduates of State University's program immediately land high-paying engineering jobs. However, virtually every graduate also gets a second job selling the $100 books to new engineering students. Oddly, every engineering graduate starts selling books to new students and the school begins growing rapidly as the graduates (motivated by the high-profit margins of the book sales) work tirelessly to get more students into the program.
Interestingly, all the graduates earn almost 80% of their total annual income from selling books to new students.
Now, is State University developing engineers or book salesmen? Or both? Does such a scenario present a dilemma for State University? Can you see the parallels with the Quixtar tools business?
Ask Questions
Personally, I believe that the Quixtar motivational tools are virtually worthless. You're free to disagree. I just hope that you ask lots of questions about the nature of the tool business and make sure that it's providing the results you expect.
Are the tools teaching you to build a Quixtar business or a motivational business? Do the tools have value outside of your Quixtar business? Do the Quixtar products have value outside the Quixtar business? What percentage of a tool-profiting Diamond's income is derived from tool sales and does that present a conflict of interest?
Finally, why aren't there any Diamonds who've used the training system but aren't also profiting from that training system?
October 4, 2005
Extreme Team Linking
Posted by QBlog
Someone recently added a couple of comments to my Extreme
Freedom! post requesting demanding that I remove a link
to the Extreme Freedom Team website.
The person making the request demand uses the names Freedom1
Fighter, John, TJ, and Janet. The most recent comment was made after I pointed
out that my post did not criticize or endorse the Extreme
Freedom Team.
freedom1fighter: Once gain please remove the Extreme Freedom Team link and webpage posting from your site and the public internet. We have not done anything to warrant this traffic and link to your site.
The link is not to be posted on your site and the author has not given you permissions to duplicate this. We would thank you for this. One again we are sorry for your experience with other Teams involved with similar model but not the same as ours.
Please respect this and take your issues and concerns and post them about your personal experience with the team you were involved with. Extreme Freedom Team handles issues and addresses them appropriately while helping to improve anything that needs fixing so we can empower people to succeed in life. Please understand this.
Seal Team 9
What the hell is "Seal Team 9?"
Anyway, obviously someone doesn't understand how the Internet works so I've developed a global strategy that will teach Freedom1 Fighter (and friends) a valuable lesson about hyperlinking. I call that strategy Extreme Team Linking!
What Is Extreme Team Linking?
Well, it's really pretty simple. If you have a website, blog or forum, just
prominently post a link to the Extreme
Freedom Team website. If you aren't sure how to link, just use the html
below.
Or, you can use this stylish linking graphic. Isn't it cute?
If you're not sure how to post the graphic just copy the html below. And I'll even host the image!
The most important part of the Extreme Team Linking campaign is your participation. If you don't participate, nobody learns nothin'. And everyone who participates will have their site listed in the official Extreme Team Linking Wall of Fame!
Extreme Team Linking Wall of Fame
This is the official list of Extreme Team Linking participants. If you want
your website on this list just put a link to the Extreme
Freedom Team prominently on your website and send me an email alert (or
comment) with a link to your site. The link to your site will remain on the Wall
of Fame as long as your site links to Extreme
Freedom Team.
- Quixtar BLOG
- Quixtar Sucks
- AmQuix In and Out
- Standing Order Tape
- Rocket's Rants
- MLM Blog
- LawBlawg
- Instant Franchise
- Quixtar Demons
- Sinking in Quixand
- An Outsider in Saul Alinsky's World
- MODE
- A Day in My Life
September 13, 2005
Brent's Tool Depot
Posted by QBlog
Are you tired of outrageously high prices for the motivational tapes, CDs and books you crave? Would you like to "hand pick" the tools you use instead of being told what to order by your upline?
Well, look no further than Brent's Tool Depot!
I was in Amway years ago and came across several large boxes of tapes in the bottom of my closet. I almost threw them away but decided to try to get something for them on Ebay...
That was in January 2004 and went through the learning curve. Now I am expanding due to the popularity I am experiencing from my rapidly growing customer base.
Check out the current deals like WWDB tapes for $1.50 per tape. Jewel cases for $0.25 each. Or trade your old tapes for new ones! What a bargain!
August 28, 2005
Extreme Freedom!
Posted by QBlog
Extreme Freedom Baby!
July 5, 2005
Tool Wallpaper
Posted by QBlog
» Download Your Tool Wallpaper Today - 1024 x 768
February 15, 2003
Quixtar disappointment
Posted by QBlog
My wife is currently at a Quixtar conference near our home. She was really upset because none of her downlines showed up at the conference. I try to be as positive and supportive as I can be but I know that it just isn't the same coming from someone who is not really all that excited about the business. In part, I guess I feel somewhat guilty for not participating more in the business. I think that maybe she'd feel better if I started getting excited about Quixtar and showing the plan and buying the products (she buys them now) and stuff like that.
But I just can't do that. I can't get excited about Quixtar for some reason. And as a result I my wife feels disappointed and I feel inadequate. And then I just remember that this is just a business. I tell her that as well. This isn't some emotional Rehab, it's just business. It's not a place to make life long friends (though that can happen) but it's a place to make money. Money and emotions just shouldn't ever mix. If I got all offended every time one of my customers wasn't satisfied with something I did or didn't immediately return my phone call then I'd be out of business pretty quick. When they say, "It's just business, nothing personal" then they really mean that.
I hope this conference picks up her spirits some. Business is tough right now.
February 7, 2003
The uplines are coming, the uplines are coming
Posted by QBlog
Ok, my uplines are coming to town tomorrow. Actually they are already here I guess. They are nice enough people but there is just so much "stuff" involved with uplines coming to town. I just went through all this about two weeks ago when they were in town to show the plan and consult with my wife and her downlines. The thing that kills me is that when she got into the business she was told that it won't be a big deal and a big inconvenience to our lives. It will be a job we can do ON THE SIDE. Yeah...who has heard that line before. It's a side job. Something you do in your spare time. What a freaking load.
We spend almost all of our spare time with this business. My wife organizing things, getting things ready for her uplines, downlines and sidelines (joke notice for those humor-impared) and me being the supportive (yes, I can be supportive) and friendly (I do try) husband who at least attends all this stuff to show my support. So basically we have no spare time. Not only do we not have spare time but we don't have time to do other things like do our taxes, get car maintenance, minor home repairs, taking pets to vet, etc. all get pushed aside for "later" because some Quixtar related item needs to be attended to.
I know the arguments and yes, I guess all this is my fault. I really shouldn't complain but I am because we have another weekend filled with plans, something called a beauty party, dinners, greetings, etc. and I'm just about tired of shaking hands and smiling. I'm just not that kind of guy. Ok, I'm that kind of guy when it's a crowd of like-minded souls but very few are much like me...at least it seems that way.
I just want a weekend alone. A weekend without Quixtar. A break from the big Q. I guess I only have myself to blame but it's much easier to blame Quixtar. And I guess I'm lazy. Goodnight.
February 1, 2003
Mortgage
Posted by QBlog
Remember my bit about the trip to Tampa? Well my wife just informed me that we can't pay the mortgage this month. Yup. We can afford trips to Tampa for Quixtar but we can't afford the mortgage. Now that's what I call setting priorities.
January 31, 2003
Tools, tools, tools
Posted by QBlog
I'm becoming more and more convinced that something fishy is going on with the tools part of the business and InterNET Services Corporation in particular. I don't have time to crunch the numbers right now (but I will soon) but let's just say that it seems that the tools have become the sticking point for a lot of people. I'm one of them. There is a lot of money to be made in the tools. Often people say that Tony Robbins makes money selling tools but you know what? He doesn't keep them buying over and over and over again...not on the scale of ISC. They have guaranteed repeat customers shelling out a lot of money each month for something that really only has value to people in the business. And I have no idea what the ISC stance on reselling your tools (don't worry, I'll ask) or making copies of tapes but I doubt it's really encouraged.
Ok, take this as a promise, I will investigate further and get to the bottom of the Tools Mystery.
January 28, 2003
Thank you Tim
Posted by QBlog
Tim has provided me with a link to the very first decent looking Web site related to Quixtar. There are SO many bad, no, make that awful looking Web sites related to Quixtar. Ok, granted the design isn't stunning, it looks like it maybe came from some sort of Template driven software but it is a HUGE improvement over the other crappy designs out there.
The site is IBO Facts and it's got some really good info on Quixtar and IBOs. I've only briefly looked at it but will investigate further as time permits.
Thanks again Tim.
January 25, 2003
Wife out Quixtar tripping
Posted by QBlog
UPDATE: I did take a nap and I'm not so grumpy.
My wife is in Tampa this weekend for a Quixtar conference thing.
Number of business related conferences I've attended in the three plus years I've been doing Web development = Zero. Total cost = Zero. Am I jealous = Yes.
Is this partly why I'm so pissed confused about my wife's involvement in Quixtar? Yes.
Is this really the place to be publishing my feelings on this issue? Probably not.
Do I care? No.
I'm going to take a nap.
January 20, 2003
The weekend is over
Posted by QBlog
Well our uplines have returned home. What an interesting weekend. As you know Quixtar just isn't my cup of tea but every time I see someone show the plan there is one thought that keeps bubbling up to the top of my mind -- I could do this so much better! I've not seen anyone show the plan in a manner that I would be excited about. I've seen the plan shown by 5 different people (including my wife). After I'd been around this a while I keep thinking that these people are awful. Not only are they awful but they are following the "outlined" method as far as I can tell. Nope, there is no "one way" to show the plan but there are some tips and guidelines you are supposed to follow. Anyway, here's my criticisms of the plan but keep in mind I'm no expert and I know that the plan I'm being critical of works, I just can't figure out why or at least I think it could work even better:
1. It's too long. Shorten that plan up. 30 minutes is almost too long but should be the absolute maximum time. Not 1.5 - 2 hours.
2. Be honest and candid. When someone asks a question be ready with an answer that at least seems like you aren't trying to hide anything.
3. Don't ridicule 401ks or the stock market. You'll end up looking like a fool one day. You couldn't be so critical of those things 3 years ago and you won't be able to again one day. Why? Well, it's what everyone is striving for in Quixtar anyway. To be an investor.
4. Quit asking people if they've ever heard of Wal-Mart when you do the Wal-Mart part of the plan. Yes, everyone has heard of Wal-Mart. Everyone shops at Wal-Mart. Why not ask them if they've heard of food or air? Whatever.
5. Don't tell me how much a Diamond or silver or whatever earns if, when I ask you how much you earn, you dodge the question. Be candid. If you're going to volunteer how much others in the business earn then tell everyone how much you earn. Because, ya know, you're standing right there and those diamonds aren't.
That's all I got now. Do this and you'll have a better plan...Or not.