Backbone Project Archive
May 10, 2006
Quixtar Backbone Project - Update
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The Quixtar Backbone Project is the result of an idea I had back in 2004. The main goal of the project is to initiate a dialogue with regular, hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone" (project details). The first person to participate was Sharon Schlesinger. I recently checked in with her to see how she's been doing since being part of the Project. Here's her response:
Dear Fellow Travelers,
Since I participated in the "Backbone Project," I have learned much more about the business of Quixtar, its products and the opportunity it represents. QBlog asked me if I would give an update, and I am pleased to respond to his request.
I have continued to read this blog and many of the forum threads. The cast of characters in the forum has changed somewhat; I think there must be some combat fatigue that sets in causing individuals to disappear after a time in the trenches. Maybe a better metaphor would be that of tag wrestling teams. In any event, I have learned from this site, and I thank all of you who have helped further my education.
I spent 20 years in Wall Street and 20 years owning and operating retail stores so I was not inexperienced in business when I registered as a Quixtar IBO. Even though Quixtar appeared to be a bit of an "odd ball" as a business model, I felt there was an opportunity in there somewhere. The people I recruited early on were friends who were willing to "look for the pony" with me.
A little over a year ago, our team's leaders introduced the Apprentice Leg concept. Simply stated, it advocates building a single deep leg as a team effort while new IBO's are learning the business. Once they have created a PV pathway with a number of members and clients, learned how to present the business opportunity to prospects, registered at least 4 new IBO's in the Apprentice Leg, assisted in getting them started in the business and have experienced all the product education clinics, they are encouraged to start a second leg.
The Apprentice Leg concept has resulted in a more stable, secure base of IBO's. New IBO's can proceed at their own pace. They receive much more training and support from other team members than in our previous organizational structure. Out of this approach has come group PV pathways, with two or more IBO's pursuing the marketing of a product or service together. One PV pathway has seven individual IBO's working together to market an array of products. This last group is looking for specific skill sets to invite into the business they have created.
As for the "system". My team is left pretty much to their own devices, although our Founders Platinum is always willing to give his advise or to provide training sessions of which he is a master.
Of approximately 2 dozen IBO's, I know of only one that is on the standing order system. Once my sponsor bought a carefully selected group of tapes that everyone shared, but as a rule, there is little tape expense. I find the monthly seminars ($18) very useful, because one-half the session is devoted to product education and ideas of how to market an individual product. All of the products are on display at the seminar, with demos going on and experts explaining value. The remainder of the session is given over to guest speakers, some of them are very, very good, and some of them are not.
Our team has a web site that costs $25 to register. No monthly fees thereafter. It has downloads of speeches we may have missed, marketing tools for new products, training tools, all free.
We carpool. We're installing video conferencing. We pinch pennies. Listen to this statement very carefully, my friends: my sponsor is supported by her member/client retail business. I'm not going to prove it to you nor will I ask her to prove it. But I know this to be true, because I have watched her build the business and I am familiar with her situation.
Do I live on my Quixtar income? No, but I don't live on the proceeds of my retail store either. Do they add to my overall income? Yes. Is everyone on my team making a profit? No. Are they spending a lot of money? Absolutely not. More of our team's volume is member/client than personal.
I always looked at this business in terms of what service or product could be marketed. The idea of redirecting your shopping to the internet and teaching others to do the same didn't sound like a business unless one could offer a lower cost alternative. Obviously Quixtar isn't that. However, it does have some very interesting and appealing products.
I know that you build a business one customer and one sale at a time. There really isn't a short cut. I don't sell exclusive products in my retail stores. And, my prices are not even the lowest. So why do people shop in my store? Because I give them service, I'm friendly, I remember their names, their children, I talk and I listen and I've trained my employees to do the same. In my Quixtar business I have some products (not all of them) that I personally like very much and arguably have a valuable difference that makes them very salable. Can I teach others to build a sweet little business that can support them? Darn tootin'.
Sharon Schlesinger
If you're an IBO and would like to participate in the Quixtar Backbone Project send an email to quixtar@webraw.com and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject.
May 8, 2006
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry Five
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular, hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone" (project details). If you'd like to participate send an email to quixtar@webraw.com (and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number Five
Name: Ryan Wineland
Line of Sponsorship: Crowe/Dussault Dream Team
Current qualifying pin level: 600 pin
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: 2 years
Professional or educational background: Attended Duquesne University in 2000/2001 but left without a degree. Professionally I'm in the sales industry, as well as a part-time Martial arts and Qigong instructor.
Additional comments: "I'm not going to sit here and try and convince all of you nay sayers that this is the best business opportunity in the world. If you've already made up your mind that it doesn't work, then you're right, it will never work for YOU." - Kirk Wettschreck
- That needs to be given to the last gentleman who wrote this.... total paraphrase, but he summed it up well.
The Five Questions
- What impact do you believe so-called "Quixtar critic" sites have had on your business?
Negative sites haven't caused me any real personal trouble as I actually understand how to do worthwhile 'net research instead of praying to the "God of Google" if you will. But, like all IBOs I'd imagine, I have to sift through the same negative tabloid-worthy junk as everyone else when it comes to new prospects. - How much money have you made (estimated) selling products to non-IBOs?
I would say $600 to $1,000 by this point. Though, I'm starting to teach a Qigong and Junan Taiso class, which will in turn dramatically increase product sales as we're going to be going over nutrition and supplementation in conjunction with exercise and general health counselling. - What's your favorite Quixtar product, and why?
I can't say that I have a definitive "favorite", but it's a 3 way tie between Rhodiola, XS, and Double X. Why? That's plainly obvious... they're amazing for both mental and physical health. - Speculate on why so many so-called Quixtar critic website authors use their real names while many so-called Quixtar advocate websites are run anonymously.
This is a good question (also a loaded one, but good nonetheless). Many teams are distancing themselves from the Quixtar banner, if you will... and for many of them, it's understandable.
Our CEOs pussyfooted around playing defensive for entirely too long and let all that negative junk permeate entirely too deeply that there's now a stigma attached to the Quixtar name. Now, as for the websites, I really have no idea.
As to why "Quixtar haters" are honest with their names... they have nothing to hide and are simply making their opinions public. While I may not agree with what they say more often than not... it's just an opinion. Proof is one thing, an opinion is another. - Who is the one person you‚d like to see booted out of Quixtar?
I really don't have answer for this...sorry.
April 14, 2006
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry Four
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular,
hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone"
(project details). If you'd like to participate send an email
to quixtar@webraw.com
(and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number Four
Name: Kirk Wettschreck
Line of Sponsorship: Part of the Winters Marketing/LTD system,
formerly part of the Brit World Wide system
Current qualifying pin level: Qualified 1000, Believers pin
last September 2005
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: 13.5
months
Professional or educational background: Graduated 2001 with
a B.S. degree in Computer Science, currently working for a computer network
technology company in customer support and services.
Additional comments: I'm not going to sit here and try and
convince all of you nay sayers that this is the best business opportunity in
the world. If you've already made up your mind that it doesn't work, then you're
right, it will never work for YOU.
But I will say, that in my 31 years here on this 3rd rock from the sun, it's
the best business opportunity (definitely a good chance for advancement or progress),
not a business guarentee, I've seen, and I've seen a few. If you don't like
it, or don't get it or quit for what ever reason, that's your personal choice
which is great, god bless you in what ever you choose to do, as for me I look
forward to some extreme freedom.
You have to remember, this is a short cut (not THE only, but one) to retirement
from corporate America, at least for me. Short cuts aren't supposed to be easy.
If it were easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it'd just be the WAY. In any case,
Quixtar isn't responsible for where I am in my business, I am responsible for
where I am in my business. I'm only 600-1000pv because I have not yet put forth,
what I consider my best effort. In short I haven't FAILED enough yet.
The Five Questions
- If your friend owned a business that showed a net loss for ten straight
years what would you advise him to do?
I wouldn't advise him to do anything unless he first ASKED for my advice. And if he were asking for my advice, I would imagine that there would be some specific questions he'd be asking in relation to his business he wanted my advice on. Based on this question, I can't tell what kind of advice he'd be asking from me. I will say though that if I had a friend who had a business in operation for 10 years, I'd be pretty impressed. If it's still around after 10 years, he obviously has a serious backbone and an idea or product that people want or need. Perhaps like an airline or something.
- What's the first thing you would do if you were Quixtar's new managing
director?
Thank God that I was trusted with helping run such a huge and profitable corporation.
- You're stranded on a deserted island, what's one thing you'd want
to have with you?
My wife. She's as smart, if not smarter then I am, so I figure if we put our heads together, we could find a way to get off the island, otherwise grow old on the island together. Either way we win.
- Who do you most admire?
My lord and savior Jesus Christ.
- At what age do you plan to retire?
From Corporate America? By the time I'm 34.
September 21, 2005
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry Three
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular,
hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone"
(project details). If you'd like to participate send an email
to quixtar@webraw.com
(and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number Three
Name: Peter Salzman
Line of Sponsorship: Team Builders
Current qualifying pin level: <1000
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: Since
May 2005
Professional or educational background: Graduated with Honors
from the Anthropology Department of Wesleyan University. 2 years of Yeshiva/Jewish
Studies in Israel. MA Certified Teacher with 4 years of public school experience.
Taught web design and have 5 five years of professional experience developing
a non-profit knowledge project called Dirtroad
Cooperative.
Additional comments: I have known about this business since
1997 before it was Quixtar and was an inactive IBO from 1999-2003. This time
around with the help of my new mentors I aim to make it work and have become
active, and along with recently becoming an IBO in an Apprentice Leg, I have
launched a website to help market & promote my business at www.planetibo.com.
I have worked on making it dynamic & look professional for countless moments
of my waking life and sleepless nights developing and managing the original
content, collecting available resources including ebooks & websites like
the Napoleon Hill Foundation, Robert Kiyosaki, & yours, and intend it to
be a universal business portal for independent business owners in general, not
only IBOs powered by Quixtar.
The Five Questions
- Have you ever seen a "tool money" contract?
No. I thought they only offer those to IBOs who already had too much money to know what to do with! I have done research on problems around the shadow business of selling “The System” and I have some ideas about possible reform. First, I like the suggested changes you mention elsewhere on your site:
- Publishing the tool plan for everyone to see
- Alternative methods for distributing tools
- Using technology more effectively
- Reducing the number of meetings
- Making meetings more localized
- Redistribute control of the tool business
I also liked what Rich Devos himself said on the recording “Directly Speaking” from January 1983. It was addressed to Amway distributors but it can still apply for Quixtar:
“Some of you have got to ask yourself whether you're really in the Amway [Quixtar] business or whether you're in the tape business. You got to ask yourself whether you're really in the rally business or in the Amway [Quixtar] business. You must ask yourself if everything you're doing is to support your Amway [Quixtar] business or is it really for a secondary motive…”
The closest thing I’ve seen to a “Tool Money” contract is a form they gave me when I registered as an IBO last May 2005. It was for direct bank account withdrawal of $80 per month for the Teambuilders’ “System” of monthly tapes and books. I couldn’t sign it then and haven’t been able to yet as I was and still am living within minimal means after expenses like rent, groceries, gas, and gas!
I have been able to borrow tapes and also read or buy recommended books on my own like Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” and Robert Kiyosaki’s “Business School” but I do have a brainstorm about a change I would like to see that could make things more affordable and allow for more freedom of choice.
I say break “The System” into two professional development programs, one for tapes & one for books with $50 a month for the 8-10 tapes and then instead of sending books as part of the package, allow IBOs to use the other $30 a month to buy titles on their own from a recommended reading list. That way they can receive free shipping from our partner store Barnes & Noble and earn PV at the same time.
More people might be able to participate in one or both programs depending on their learning style, motivation, interest, or financial situation. When my finances permit I will be buying into “The System” because I like the tapes and can share them with prospects to help my business. I’m not sure what books they send now, however, hhere’s my top ten list of alternative titles from the apocrypha that probably haven’t made “The System” cannon yet but could still really help your business grow:
- Cloak & Dollar – Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones
- The Diamond Cutter – Geshe Michael Roach
- Only the Paranoid Survive – Andrew Grove
- Business @ the Speed of Thought – Bill Gates
- High Technology & Low Income Communities – Donald A. Schon, Ed.
- Ethical Dimensions in Marxist Thought – Cornel West
- The Protestant Ethic & The Spirit of Capitalism – Max Weber
- Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism – Chogyam Trungpa
- Manifesto for a New World Order – George Monbiot
- Don’t Worry Make Money – Richard Carlson
- What is the most exciting thing about Quixtar?
Believe it or not my first gestalt response was Absolutely Nothing! But ask any Kabbalist about the Hebrew meaning of “yesh m’ayin” and if they don’t get excited then they’re not the real thing.
When I first became an IBO, it was the week of Quixtar’s launch in September 1999 and they were calling it a “digital destination”. I was registered yet inactive for 3 years and though I did nothing with the business, I did take that idea and ran with it to create my project Dirtroad.org which is still going strong but has never been for profit.
In 2005, as a new IBO working with the Teambuilders Organization, it took some getting used to learning how they refer to Quixtar.com as an Order Consolidation Site (OCS). That’s true and definitely more accurate than digital destination but I also think there’s something more going on than either of these ideas.
In “Only The Paranoid Survive” the author talks about taking advantage of “strategic inflection points” and in “Business @ the Speed of Thought” his friend explores effectively using a “digital nervous system.” I believe Quixtar is both these things and I find Interactive Commerce as an Independent Business Owner powered by Quixtar exciting because it’s not only like having the new engine of a hybrid Ford Escape that helps me drive with Freedom Fuel, it’s also the flux capacitor of the Back to the Future Delorean I believe can help many people fly and transcend space & time.
However, to be honest, I wouldn’t care so much about SUVs or time machines if I couldn’t find someone with whom to share the rest of my life so in the end, besides the fact that Quixtar writes the checks, I guess the most exciting thing would be all the pretty independent women I will meet who will help me Diamond in this business just by beautifying themselves with Artistry body wash, skin care, & cosmetics as potential new clients, members or better yet as future IBOs in one of my 6 Q12 Platinum profit-sharing legs. Very exciting!
- Why is it important for new IBOs to learn about retailing products?
Why is easy but how takes creativity and good marketing strategies. You can make a lot of money as an IBO by marketing our products for retail but how? Here are some ideas and they reflect not just this IBO but the kind of people I’m working with in Teambuilders who are very intelligent and super cool to do business with.
Retail XS Energy Drinks by the can or 4pack to regular energy drink consumers or set up bar and nightclub owners as IBO distributors to mix them with whatever and sell as alternative beverages to things like Red Bull & vodka. You could move 100s or 1000s of cases that way as they come in 7 juicy fizzy flavors, all better than Red Bull, and unlike that stuff, 100% Kosher.
Retail eSpring water purifiers & iCook ware to restaurants & home kitchens for great PV/BV with a significant profit margin between your IBO price and retail that lets you keep the difference in sales. Of course there’s also Health & Beauty with Nutrilite and Artistry, both of the highest quality naturally made free of animal by-products or any kind of inhumane testing. That goes for our entire Kosher-Halal original line of products and it makes me happy doing business one with Halacha.
Retail Freedom Fuel by the bottle or the case to clients, members or anyone you know who is concerned about fuel economy with gas prices well over $3 a gallon. I thought that would be everybody but someone actually told me, “To be honest, these days I don’t really care too much about fuel efficiency or cleaner emissions.” I didn’t know what to say at that point but there is a partner in my foundation leg who wants to set up an account with the local transit line’s whole fleet of public buses. Now that’s thinking big so it gave me some ideas like since Harley Davidson endorses this product, we could sell it to all the Hell’s Angels in North America. Since Ford also stands by it, I’d like to set up accounts for all the Crown Vic yellow taxis in Manhattan and every cruiser for NYPD across the 5 boroughs. How about every limousine company in Los Angels and Los Vegas or all the agency vehicles of the Secret Service, FBI, CIA, NSA, and NRO?
It’s 100% money back satisfaction guaranteed and my partners are even talking to oil heating companies because the product works its magic with furnaces as well and could be added as a treatment when they come to fill homeowner’s tanks. And speaking of tanks, don’t get me started about the military cause when I think about all the cars and trucks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines I don’t know if I want to be in the business of helping our war machine become any more efficient but I think this particular war has gone on long enough and as far as business is concerned it’s been terrible for our economy but never mind the loss of jobs or money, because I can live with being broke but I can’t sleep at night losing count of all the priceless lives that have been lost with casualties so heavy now on both sides and we still don’t know for what or why? Pray tell Mr. Bush!
- How has Quixtar strengthened your faith?
In “Cloak & Dollar," a book I mentioned above about the History of Secret Intelligence in America, the author discusses the importance of a Confidence Man, literally a man with faith, in the business of intelligence. His service is priceless but the book basically says that it is understood that a fair wage for such a man would be a modest $100,000 a year.
I am not making that with Quixtar today as I have not yet made my pretty penny but my business is growing and I am becoming close to people who are steadily approaching that mark or who have successfully surpassed it and they are the mentors in my upline. Those people in Teambuilders, not Quixtar, have strengthened my faith with a strength of character, integrity, and compassion I believe is rare. But when I start seeing those exponentially larger Company checks with my legal name on it then perhaps I can say Quixtar has strengthened my faith and for them I have a simple poem …
I am told Quixtar will write me checks for the rest of my waking life
And if I pass away they’ll write them to my wife
And when we’re both in heaven they’ll send them to our children
And to our children’s children
First a thousand then a million
Then a billion then a trillion
Then a zillion till you lose count
And that’s called a whole fartillion!
You say, “I’ll believe that when I see it & it sounds like for less than 1 in 6 million”
I say, “You’ll see that when you believe it’s meant for all the earth’s 6 billion!” - What is your response to the charges made by ex-pins like Bo Short,
Don J. Lorencz, Jeff Probant, Eric Scheibeler and Bruce Anderson?
Bo Short, the man who made his diamond shine
Seriously, I think he has some good arguments and I like that Passport seminars are free and on the company, not out of the pockets of IBOs. I would eventually like to read his 2 books on success and leadership but as for right now I can’t even earn PV because Barnes & Noble doesn’t carry either one and I have many others on my must-read-again-soon list including “Opposing the System” on the Greening of America and Fritjof Capra’s “Web of Life” on Deep Ecology and the natural elegance of systems theory.
Then just let it expire so they asked him to resign
On his old Quixtar tapes he was all about “The System”
Then he realized he was lying so he turned around and dissed them
I thought he was a hypocrite but I learned he was a jerk
When I heard him say he started Passport because MLM really works
Don J. Lorencz – I read his letter and I still want to do this business. I heard a podcast for your Qblog Radio and you were talking to Law Dawg about Mr. Lorencz. Basically the discussion was about how he saw some problems with Quixtar, tried to fix them from within, realized it was impossible, and left the company. Law Dawg then agreed that the whole enterprise was doomed and that the only way he could see Quixtar succeeding is if they reversed their plans to stay online with the Internet’s click and order and instead build a chain of stores just like Walmart brick and mortar.
Would a real alchemist want to turn his gold back into lead? If I want lead I’ll buy a sinker for my fishing pole or a box of pencils for my sketch pad. I’d be happy never to see another open piece of natural landscape be replaced by strip mall brick and mortars again and I feel good about Quixtar cause the let me play my part to offer an alternative.
I’m still exploring Jeff Probant’s website but I must say neither his nor his host’s site are very professional so it’s hard to take them too seriously. They both should hire me to build them a new one.
You discuss Bruce Anderson in detail on another page of your site and I couldn’t find much else so there’s nothing really to respond to. But the one that disturbed me most was what I downloaded from Merchants of Deception.
I read ex-Amway, anti-Quixtar critic Eric Scheibeler’s free book and it really was a heartbreaking and maddening story but I still want to do this business. I think all IBOs should read it just like I think all Marines should watch Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.”
But “Merchants of Deception” is stuck on the horrible scene where the fat soldier really goes off the deep end and wastes his psycho drill sergeant and then turns his weapon on himself and blows his own brains out.
I’m like Joker a few years after witnessing that tragedy now in Vietnam with “Born to Kill” on my helmet and a peace sign pinned to my jacket. Yes his story tells truth but not the whole truth because I like how that movie ends with all the men walking in the night through a battle zone in flames and they’re all singing “M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!”
Mr. Scheibeler emailed me from his personal Yahoo account thanking me for downloading his book with a subject header that said “YOUR Am-Quix Story is Important!” It was clear by his questions that he was only interested in people’s nightmares but I wrote him mine anyways even though it does not support his thesis. That exchange can be found on my website in a section under “Stories” simply called “Letters & Emails” accessible to member readers only but luckily registration is free and easy. By the way, I just saw Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove and Clockwork Orange for the first time this week. Wow!
Like a good acupuncturist you stuck those ex-pins into my Quixtar Backbone. Your needles are supposed to be sterile and disposable and I think those men have had their 15 minutes of fame that comes when you throw away the keys of life and lock yourself out of your own dream house.
Some men will never taste the sweetness of success because their mouths are too filled with Loshon HaRa [the wicked tongue of bitterness] and none of them have offered any positive alternative that’s compelling enough for me to quit Quixtar and try making it again in the rat race or worse via negativa by joining any of their angry crusades. Besides, I thought these Quixtar Backbone entries were for non-Diamond IBOs to represent themselves in truth to give voice to the diverse masses of intelligent men and women who make up the life-blood of this business. So please allow me one more paragraph to share where I’m coming from and how I plan to do business.
I’m neither Republican nor Democrat as I’m politically independent and eco-friendly Green. Some say I’m left of center but compared to the radical right wing propaganda of Amway’s darker past, I’m confident most people will find my views if not moderate than at least progressive and certainly very positive.
That said, none of the functions or tapes from Teambuilders have pushed any kind of political agenda, though there are both liberals and conservatives in the organization. Also, while everyone I have encountered has been spiritually aware, I have witnessed a universal spirituality that fosters interfaith acceptance including for an atheist, though I know there are plenty of church-going devout Christians in my line of sponsorship as well.
I want to talk with Wise Intelligent and Culture Freedom and all Poor Righteous Teachers of the 5% Nation. I plan to keep this business Kosher like my kitchen with proper weights and measures and I have a vision for equitable prosperity, global justice, enduring freedom, and lasting peace. So far I’ve only Showed the Plan to Rabbis for their blessings to share this business with the rest of the world including but not limited to 4,000 emissaries of Chabad Hasidim with their global network of community centers, leading entrepreneurs, and hopefully with you as well.
So please feel free to visit Planet IBO and contact me if you think you might like working with my team or even if you just want to make a connection. I have made some good new friends inside this business but I would also really appreciate having some good new friends outside this business as well. It's like that U2 song, "I can't live with or without you". Get to know me!"
September 22, 2004
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry Two
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular,
hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone"
(project details). If you'd like to participate send an email
to quixtar@webraw.com
(and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number Two
Name: Evan Yeh
Line of Sponsorship: Chuck and Colleen Goetschel, Team 5K
Current qualifying pin level: 1000
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: 9
months
Professional or educational background: Internet Business Consultant
Additional comments: I am glad that you are getting responses
and once again I appreciate you providing a forum for an underrepresented voice
that I really feel composes a majority of IBOs actively building a business
powered by Quixtar.
You're work publishing your honest opinions through your blog has established
you as significant voice on the web for those looking for information about
the opportunity. Thank you again for using some of your time to bring light
to some of the IBOs that, in your well-chosen words, compose "the backbone"
of a growing community of business owners.
The Five Questions
- What is it that you most enjoy about your Quixtar business?
Personal Development. Constantly engaging in a process that is growing me into the person that I want to be. Actively mentoring others going through the process. - If you could change any one thing about Quixtar, what would it
be?
Improve website providing business owners with more developed tools to deliver a high-touch, profound shopping experience to other team members and retail clients. - Did you watch the Dateline show and if so, what were your thoughts
about it? If not, why not?
I did not watch the Dateline show. I was at a Team 5K function when it was airing. I did not seek out a video of the show because the main sources quoted and the producers of the show do not have a high level of credibility in my eyes. I personally try not to seek out negative information about the business because I have spent enough time actually engaged in the process of building the business to know what it is for me and why I am building it. - What is your primary criticism of the "Internet Critics?"
I find that most of the conversation, be it positive or negative, on the web is not offered with thoughtfulness. What seems to be missing is the intention of actually communicating different perceptions of the business and the opportunity. I personally don't like to offer criticism (even when the opportunity to criticize critcs arises). I only offer my perception - one that has been gained through 9 months of engaging in a process of learning and building a business powered by Quixtar.
I guess my personal pet peeve is those who criticize the personal development and training system (books, tapes, functions) without ever participating in it for any length of time or without participating with an open attitude and a willingness to learn and grow. My personal participation in the Team5K personal development system has produced dramatic improvements in my life both in building a business powered by Quixtar and in all other aspects as well. - What is the single biggest misconception about IBOs that you'd
like to dispel?
I often hear IBOs referred to as brain-washed. I guess I would like to offer the insight that all of us be us IBOs, or non-IBOs, are influenced by the media that we choose to engage in everday. I would like to humbly offer the statement that IBOs who are actively building the business make the choice to expose themselves to information and media geared at creating a success mindset - not just financially but in their faith, family, friendships, and fitness. At least our particular team, Team5K is focused on helping people live better lives with greater choices using a business vehicle powered by Quixtar. We are not perfect but we are building a team of people who are looking to serve others through this business and we are constantly seeking to improve our effectiveness at using this business vehicle to create greater levels of personal freedom for everyone who wants to participate.
September 15, 2004
Quixtar Backbone Project - Entry One
Posted by QBlog
About This Project
The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular,
hardworking IBOs by reaching out to what I refer to as the "Quixtar Backbone"
(project details). If you'd like to participate send an email
to quixtar@webraw.com
(and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject).
Entry Number One
Name: Sharon Schlesinger
Line of Sponsorship: N/A
Current qualifying pin level: 1500 and change. I guess I'm
a founder's 1000.
How long you’ve been in Quixtar/Amway contiguously: Since
February 2003
Professional or educational background: 20 years Sr VP in wall
street; 20 years as a retail business owner in New York & Los Angeles. My
husband has a business background including real estate, is retired and manages
our investments.
Additional comments or introductions you’d like to include about
yourself and your business: My husband and I are always looking for
additional income streams. Quixtar is simply that. It also represents a way
to introduce other people to the idea of business ownership for a very small
price.
The Five Questions
- What is your primary source for news?
L. A. Times, CNN - What business (besides Quixtar) do you most admire?
I admire small business based on creative ideas. - What is your primary criticism of the Quixtar Critics Web sites?
I find many of the critics are uninformed or slightly misinformed, or out of date with their information. Most of us go where others think the same as we do to reinforce our own belief system. So, some of the criticism sounds learned rather than experienced. I know what my agenda is, but I don't know what the agenda of the other bloggers is, or even what your agenda is for that matter. - How has this blog specifically helped your Quixtar business?
I have gotten some ideas for retailing a few of our products. I've picked up some solid answers to criticisms about Quixtar. I have heard about some strange experiences that some of the fellow bloggers report, and I am on the alert for such behaviors in my own organization. Overall, I understand the business in a fuller sense. - Will you encourage your children to work the Quixtar business when
they’re older?
Yes
Why?
I think the people in the business have many good attributes that I would like my children to emulate, specifically the integrity, work ethic and focus I see around me. I think they would learn discipline, organization and responsibility, good people skills, selling skills and public speaking skills. And of course, they would learn how to manage and grow a business. All of this would stand them in good stead in any other endeavors they would take on in life. I went into Quixtar because I feel it has a credible chance to be a player on the internet, it has a good backoffice system and an excellent fulfillment system. There are many exclusive products that have a valuable difference that are quite easy to retail. I believe Quixtar is making many right moves and will overcome much of its negative history.
September 3, 2004
Quixtar Backbone Project
Posted by QBlog
Last month I got an email from someone named "Jeremy" who claims to be a Platinum IBO making "about $4,000 per month" in Quixtar. His email was friendly, courteous and offered a suggestion or two about how to improve my site.
Jeremy's message caused me to stop and reflect on some of the reasons that Quixtar is so appealing to so many people. People like my wife who saw the plan, believed in the opportunity and made a decision to join Quixtar as an Independent Business Owner. The fact is that Quixtar, in spite of its problems and shortcomings, is primarily comprised of a vibrant group of honest, hardworking and respectable people who're constructing a business that they enjoy. That truth is borne out time and time again as I talk to both Quixtar advocates and critics. Both say, "My upline was/is a great guy" or "the couple that sponsored us were/are so wonderful to our family." I believe it's that strength of individual character that has sustained Quixtar throughout the past five years. I call those IBOs the "Quixtar Backbone."
The Quixtar Backbone
What occurred to me next was that the Quixtar Backbone is virtually invisible on the Web. It's easy to find stories and opinions from Diamonds (and the Corporation) and it's easy to find critics of those Diamonds (and the Corporation) but it's rather difficult to find stories and opinions from IBOs like Jeremy. Why is Quixtar's greatest asset, Jeremy and others like him, Missing In Action on the Web? I really can't answer that question but I would like to do something to change that reality.
And that's my inspiration for a new project I'm tentatively dubbing "The Quixtar Backbone Project." The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular IBOs, like Jeremy. Lately a bitter chasm seems to be widening between Quixtar's critics and advocates and my hope is that a project such as this would work to improve relations and perceptions. It may also work to dispel some of the prejudices and misconceptions each has about the other.
How Would It Work?
I spoke with a couple of IBOs and a couple of non-IBO friends about this idea (and they liked the concept) and to be honest, I'm still trying to iron out the details of how this project will function. The basic idea is that IBOs would submit an entry to the project and then I'd follow up with Five Questions. Those Five Questions would be unscripted and the IBO would answer each of the questions. Then those questions and answers would be published in the project with a brief bio (as general or specific as desired) of the IBO.
As I said, I'm still working on the idea and an open to suggestions.
You Naive Fool
I know that both Quixtar advocates and critics will say that my idea is foolish. The critics will complain that it gives IBOs a platform to spread their propaganda. The advocates will balk and say that they could never trust me and question my motives. My only response is that this idea comes from my heart. I know, and have always known, that Quixtar is filled with wonderfully decent people working hard to make a better life for themselves and their families. There are some "rotten apples" (this is a fact, the critics and advocates just disagree on the amount of those "bad apples") but those "rotten apples" shouldn't be allowed to hijack the conversation. My only hope is that some of the IBOs I've met (and others like them), who've demonstrated integrity and honor, will choose to participate in this project and try to change the tone of the current Quixtar conversation. My (possibly naive) idea is to embrace a dialogue between critics and advocates and hope that each side ends up learning something from the other.
I've always been a dreamer and maybe that's why I believe that this project can achieve great things. Maybe you can believe in it too. I sure hope you'll at least try.
IBOs Contact
If you're an IBO and interested in participating in this project or assisting in some fashion please send an email to quixtar@webraw.com (and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject). Some of you IBOs that I have corresponded with in the past may be soon receive an email from me requesting input or participation.
Sincerely,
QBlog
» Entry One - Sharon Schlesinger
» Entry Two - Evan Yeh
» Entry Three - Peter Salzman
» Entry Four - Kirk Wettschreck
» Entry Five - Ryan Wineland