Honk If You HATE Halloween

NOTE: This post contains an important network marketing (secret) prospecting tip.

Right on the heels of yesterday's "rant" about critical intelligence, I go South on one of our nation's most beloved annual celebrations. I'm sorry. Please forgive me, but it is "Anything can happen day". (Click to learn more about that.)

There is much to like, learn and love about Halloween and All Hallows Eve AND it is one of THE (here comes the promised "secret") best opportunities of the year for network marketers who have an elementary school teacher in their prospecting process.

Why? Because all the SUGAR the little trick or treaters eat tonight will make Thursday the perfect day after to approach any of those "people who have anything to do with kids" prospects. They will KNOW beyond any ghostly shadow of a doubt that they are  over- worked, no-where-near appreciated enough, not having fun and horrifically underpaid.

This year, November 1st will be Run for the Ritalin Day, as the ADD hyperactive kiddos bouncing off the class room walls will be driving their teachers to wit's end madness. Perfect evening to call the discouraged and disheartened docents and ask if they keep their business options open.

Please, come up with a better line, but you get the idea. "So, Babs, how was your day with those thired graders?" might do it.

Other than that, it's a clever though a emetic pic.

The challenge with critical intelligence...

Lots of teacher/trainer types speak about critical intelligence as a faculty required for achievement, especially in business. The challenge with critical intelligence (for me... for now) is that by definition it's negative, "critical" (Inclined to judge severely and find fault) and judgmental.

Then, there's this turn-of-the-(previous)-century bit:

In order to get a principle to work in the way we require it to, we must observe its action when it is working spontaneously in this particular direction. We must ask why it goes in the right direction as far as it does - and having learnt this we shall then be able to make it go further.

The law of flotation was not discovered by contemplating the sinking of things, but by contemplating the floating of things which floated naturally, and then intelligently asking why they did so.

The knowledge of a principle is to be gained by the study of its affirmative action: when we understand that, we are in a position to correct the negative conditions which tend to prevent that action.
--Thomas Troward

"Judgment" is the province of the intuition. Not rational human intelligence, rather Divine Intelligence. Inspiration. And it's either/or. You've got to choose which one rules at any given moment.

Again, for me... for now. You?

The Dip revisited

Back on May 22, I did a review of Seth Godin's (then) new book The Dip, titled Quitters never win and... (The link goes to that post.) Last week, friend Lasse Rouhiainen (of LasseTips.com) alerted me to the following recording, hence... I'm paying it sideways and alerting you, too, providing a link to same for listen and download.

Dave Lakhani, described by some as a "Marketing Genius","Business Acceleration Strategist" and "Multipreneur" is a speaker, author and trainer. In his "spare time" he interviews smart people with something important to say. One such person is Seth Godin, and ion this interview with "The Man" of all things marketing, Dave plays Larry King with Seth about The Dip. A good to great listen. Click the player to listen, learn and prosper..

Get a FREE $500 Macy's Gift Card!

This, from TheFoggReport's Boli Skhta Department: Scam Division (so named from the language of my Old Norse ancestors— "people from the land of fog"—for... well, your guess will be good.).

I'm not usually my brother's keeper, but this one is putting good people, literally "My Friends" on MySpace, in a bad (compromising... falsely accused) position which they have NOTHING to do with. Exhibit A:

This was posted (not the only one, btw) as a "Comment" on my MySpace page from Daryl Snyder, the Executive VP of Ojeez.com. Thing is, Daryl had NOTHING to do with it... nothing! Somebody stole his identity and is running 'round MySpace (and perhaps elsewhere) pasting this in people's Comments: Daryl's picture and screen name. Their link. I have no idea how they do this.

This is a bad thing. It stinks! And in a business as unusual fashion for me, I'm making noise about it and going out of my way to report it. Problem is... if not done with GREAT CARE, the MySpace machine will shut Daryl down (exorcize him and his account) and NOT hit the real perps.

You do what you are inspired to do... if "do", do so carefully please.

It's interesting that if this was my name and picture... I probably would just hit delete. But when "they" mess with my friends... that's different. That fully engages my "anger" (at worst) and "justice" (at best), motivation, which is one and two of the stronger forces I have access to.

Some Back Story
From Macy's Customer Service page: 1. If you receive communication offering a Macy's gift card in exchange for answering questions, signing up for free offers or anything else, know that it is not endorsed or sponsored by Macy's. Be sure to look at who is sending the offer, and read all conditions carefully before responding.

From the Bad guys site: To receive the incentive gift you must: 1) Register with valid information; 2) Complete the user survey; 3) Complete at least two (2) Silver offers, two (2) Gold offers, and four (4) Platinum offers; and 4) Refer one (1) unique household that also must complete these requirements. Purchase may be required. Please read Terms & Conditions for details. Upon completion of all requirements, we will ship the incentive gift to you with free shipping.

"Would Macy's tell Gimbels?"
When I was a kid growing up on the East Coast of the US, the line "Would Macy's tell Gimbels?" was used by adults to illustrate the point that there are times when you have to keep important things to yourself—Macys and Gimbles were the two big competing New York department stores in the era (think "MIracle on 34th Street") when that, being a big city department store, really meant something.   

Gimbles is no more. Their owners, the American retailing arm of British-American Tobacco, BATUS, unable to find a buyer closed the stores in 1986.

KungFu MLM with Roberto Torres

This week's MasterMind Session may seem self-indulgent—and it is and that's a good thing, 'cause you know I'm in it... up to my neck... for both of us. My guest plays "right into my hands" speaking about the power and importance of relationships and what a difference that approach has made for the success of his business (he didn't always do it that way and didn't always succeed). That, what he spoke about in the Session, was his choice of course and yes, he was singing to the preacher as well as preaching to the choir. Here's the preview.

Session 68
Friday, October 26
KungFu MLM
Roberto Torres

Roberto is one of the "good guys". The former New York police officer was able to retire early from the force (at age 46) and become a full-time, work-at-home network marketer. Today the seven-year veteran of the business is a Four-Star Diamond Distributor living in his "dream home" with a growing international organization in his company VitaMark. And please don't let the "Kung Fu" in the title mislead you (and you will learn the story behind that). There's no punching or kicking in Roberto's business- building philosophy. He learned (not all that) long ago this is a relationship-based business, and once he did, his business changed for the better forever. Now, Roberto sponsors less people, yet each achieves more sales and recruits more partners and more of his distributors stick and stay than ever before. If that sounds like it's worth learning more about how Roberto makes all that "more" happen. It is.
intro | preview         

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Additional support material    

Lifestyles of the (Virtual) Rich and (Not So) Famous
5 page downloadable PDF
Roberto Torres

Please, let me know what you like best about this Session with Roberto and why?

Thanks.
I appreciate you.

—John

_______________________________________________
 
                      TheMasterMindSessions.com
          Listen and learn how to make your mlm network
        marketing business a great success... guaranteed.
_______________________________________________

John Milton Fogg
mailto:jmf@TheMasterMindSessions.com
2370 Saddle Hollow
Crozet, Virginia 22932 USA
+434.823.9303

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Ho, ho, ho... NOT Santa Claus. We're talkin' transformation.

I just completed my first (of many) readings of Joe Vitale's and Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len's book Zero Limits. (The link goes to Amazon.com.) Maran Banta recommended it. Perfect thing at the perfect time for me.

The book, subtitled (no doubt) in Vitale's sales-speak "The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace and More" is a pro (versus con) expose of modern Ho'oponopono, an updated version of ancient teachings and spiritual practices centered on the idea that we are totally (as in completely completely) responsible for our lives and everything in and around it... EVERYTHING!

You mean I'm responsible for the fires in California, George (but I didn't vote for him) Bush, the war, your warts, my strong willed daughter Ele's belligerent behavior, that bastar' who didn't pay me like he promised... all of it? Yup. If it's in "my life" it's my responsibility. Make sense?

Every noun (person, place or thing) or verb (inner or outer action) I experience in any domain or dimension of my existence is my responsibility. And I "created" it by one (and only one) of two methods of mind: Memory of Inspiration. Goes like this...

I am Self Identity. I am composed of four elements: Divine Intelligence, Super Conscious Mind, Conscious Mind and Subconscious Mind. My foundation, Void and Infinite, is an exact replication of Divine Intelligence.

Self Identity operates by Inspiration and memory. Only one of them, either memory or Inspiration, can be in command of the Subconscious Mind at any given moment. The Soul of Self Identity serves only one master at a time, usually memory the thorn, instead of Inspiration the rose.

More...

Memory: I am memory. I am a record in the Subconscious Mind of a past experience. When triggered, I replay past experiences.

Inspiration: I am Inspiration. I am a creation of the Infinite, of Divine Intelligence. I manifest from the Void into the Subconscious Mind.  I am experienced as a brand new occurrence.

Problem: I am problem. I am a memory replaying a past experience again in the Subconscious Mind.

And of course, there is more...

Dr. Hew Len's Ho'oponopono "process" is one of "cleaning" (and clearing away) the memory to make room for Inspiration (bringing Spirit withIn you) and goes as follows by—when confronted with any unwanted anything—saying to yourself and your experience of the moment:

1. I love you.
2. I'm sorry.
3. Forgive me.
4. Thank you.

Joe (also "Dr." Vitale) has said the process can be tedious. True. It's also very freeing, pretty much right away, especially if you already have an appreciation of Law of Attraction (The Secret et al). And of course, even the most rudimentary mastery of the process takes practice, practice, practice.

The purpose of this post is to (hopefully, selfishly) be the beginning of an exploration in conversation of Ho'oponopono with the (hopefully, selfishly) intended purpose of enriching our collective "study and application" of this philosophy and practical application... thus having our Ho'o' journey resemble a pack of Harley riders happily headed to Sturgis for "Bike Week".

Birds of a feather flock together for a reason. They're going in the same direction.

This conversation's home will be in the GUEST Forum at GreatestNetworker.com. And if there's a better place, or one already rockin', please let me know. What I do know is that if it's at TGN I trust the "right" people to show up.

Maran, Mary K and I have signed on. We'd love more. If it's "Game on" for you, too... welcome. I love you!

And as I've said for years, now with renewed meaning:

Thanks.
I appreciate you!

This book WILL make your life BETTER guaranteed!

You've heard (or believed) claims like that before—yes? Well, I'm making that claim for my book, the Platinum Edition of The Greatest Networker in the World (which includes the "even better" sequel Conversations With The Greatest Networker...) and I CAN PROVE IT!

My agenda: Look, I'm sick 'n' tired of all those posturing pretenders out there who slap together a mediocre mishmash (that absolutely misses and truly is a "a soft, pulpy mixture") of second rate scribbling and package it with $1779.95 worth of added free bonuses (you will never ever look at or listen to) and line up their Internet marketing buddies to blast a blitz to their lists with a "Today and Today ONLY!" deal designed to rocket them up the rankings, so they can lay claim to that coveted title "#1 Amazon.com best-seller!" (If only for two hours.)

They didn't earn it. They just learned it: How to manipulate the system. And it ticks me off because, as said, I CAN PROVE my book can change your life. Enough blah, blah... here, I'll show (and tell) you;

Deb Mullen (of Send Out Cards) was thrilled to move into her new apartment. She was excited. She'd earned it. Her network marketing success provided it. And it was all she hoped for, but...

To her horror (or at least dismay) the floor in her new home-office angled downward like a family ski resort's bunny slope. Not good. A problem. Yet the "perfect" solution provided itself almost immediately. Deb simply unpacked two coveted (signed) copies of The Greatest Networker in the World Platinum Edition—349 numbered pages, 7/8 inch thick—and stuck one under each leg on the down-side of her desk. Wha la! Her laptop (pens, papers and beloved greeting cards) no longer slid South. The pictures tell the story.

So, there you have it. What separates me—John Milton Fogg if you haven't been following my 20 year career—is that I PROVE my book is a useful and valuable "practical" contribution to any network marketer with a sincere and serious commitment to building a successful home-based business.

You can purchase your book (rather, bookS, obviously you should get two of them) at a discount here:

The Greatest Networker in the World Platinum Edition

For more information on the real truth about "so-called" best seller lists, go here:

The New York Times Bestseller List

Thanks Deb. I appreciate you!

Get a Jobs

This week's "Anything can happen day" (an explain of what that is and where it comes from can be had by clicking the link) is intended to take you out and away from the box of your mlm network marketing memory to inform, involve and (hopefully... especially) inspire.

(Sing along if you're old enough)
Get a job. Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na,
Sha na na na, sha na na na na,
Sha na na na, sha na na na na,
Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na

The above lyrics—having esentially nothing to do with anything this post is about save the word "job" and that's a stretch—are a 180 degree opposite stage-set for the following, which has everything to do with anything about your life and work (if you let it).

What's here is the 14 and a-half minute (bless the man for his Divine brevity) Commencement address for Stanford University (June 12, 2005) by the CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, Steve Jobs. Three stories. One "theme".

The YouTube video is below. A link to a PDF of the transcript (usually opening another window) is below that.

2005 Stanford University Commencement Address by Steve Jobs.

Sign of the times...

On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, I received Big Al's Recruiting Newsletter in my eMail box. On Monday October 21, 2007, I received The Big Al Report.

The 10.09.07 issue of Big Al's Recruiting Newsletter contained the following: 1. Is this your downline? 2. Only if you are special. 3. Big Al "live" workshop schedule. 4. "Where are we?" 5. Four great headlines and opening sentences. 6. Horrible headlines. And 7. Fat Boy Report.

The 10.21.07 issue of The Big Al Report contained the following: 1. How weird is this? A quick way to get instant prospects. 2. Big Al "live" workshop schedule. 3. Where to find great, captive, motivated prospects. 4. "Where are we?" And 5. Fat Boy Report.

A rose by any other name... of course. And, the "Recruiting Newsletter" is now the "Report". Tom (Big Al) Schreiter is an engineer and an expert marketer who does naught without "testing", so there's a (presumably very good) reason for the change. I wonder what it is. FortuneNow.com is becoming/has become a "membership" website. Perhaps that's it and that's all. If you know, let me and we know.

Btw, the small print at the bottom of the CAUTION sign above reads "Also, the bridge ahead is out". Good to know.

Having prospecting or recruiting problems?

DISCLAIMER: This post is NOT for the Astrlogically-challenged. If you don't enjoy astrology, believe it to be faux-science, or the work of the devil, or the province of aging hippies who fried too many brain cells tuning in, turning on and dropping out in the 60s... skip it. For the rest of you... enjoy (and know there IS an elegant solution presented at the end).

Give or take a few days, the stars started stirring up confusion in the heavens mas o' menos last week (officially on Friday, October 12) and some cosmically sensitive network marketers are finding their prospecting and recruiting efforts increasingly difficult. Why? Because (according to Astrology.com), Mercury is retrograde...   

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

The "solution" to the problem...
which will abate on or before November 17 (yes, THIS year), give or take a few suns and moons—is to bypass your Rational/Analytical mind and embrace your Intuition and Imagination, what some "sages" call the Heart. NOT the same as "emotion", rather it is your "feeling awareness", those hunch, gut, insight, immediate cognition, "Blinks" Malcom Gladwell is so fond of.

So, let your heart be your guide for the next three weeks.

It's a "Let go. Let God" deal. Which for some of us, will be a welcome change and a useful and valuable experiment.

Mea culpa

Or as I'm compelled to say, ('cause I think it's more honest and accurate than the "I'm sorry" of acknowledging a personal error) mea culprit, which means my being the one charged with an offense or crime. After all, I am responsibile for it all.

I've blown it as a network marketing business-builder and team leader. No! I'm not quitting. Just seen the error of (a BIG part of) my approach. Create and adjust. Time for a BIG time adjust.

I began my reincarnation as a network marketer the last week of December. I set a goal of personally sponsoring one new business partner (my company calls them DreamBuilders) every week. As of today, that would be 38 and I'm behind by one. Shame on me, but THAT's not the offense for which I'm duly charged.

Clearly my GET RICH SLOW (you can click for a PDF of same if you like, and know that it's being re-done) "prospecting" approach is working.

(And please, spare me the "Yeah, but... you're John Milton Fogg" bit. You may choose not to approach your warm market, but I DON'T even HAVE ONE. All my friends and associates are network marketers. And not just any network marketers, but monsters, legends. Just try calling Richard Brooke, Margie Aliprandi, Paula Pritchard, Art Jonak, Tom "Big Al" Schreiter, Tim Sales, Kim Klaver, Randy Gage, etceteras with, "Hi, so... do you keep your business options open?")

It's what I do (read haven't done) once people joined that's my crime. I left it up to them. Guess what doesn't work?

Sure there are people on autoship. Some actually out building their business. A few might even become leaders sooner or (much more likely) later (much later). But by in large and as a group, they're not doing much of anything.

My approach was enlightened to be sure (I even had a couple of card-carrying leaders in other companies  tell me it was "right on".). I gave 'em all the resources, knowledge and skills they could eat. (I made the best tools website I've ever seen in this business. That was easy. I've been doing that for a living for 20 years!) I run the company's Saturday Training Calls and do a Monday Night Coaching Call for my people as well. Even gave them all a free subscription to the best professional training I know of, The MasterMind Sessions (a $397 value no less... and worth lots more). Outside of all that and all those I told them all, "If you want me... I'm here. I'll help you do whatever you need and want—three ways, coaching, help you write copy or build your website... I'll match your efforts 110 percent."

Didn't, doesn't work.

I know now that most (99.%) of the people coming into this business need (and want, whether they know it or like it or not) a track to run on: 30 days or six weeks or 90 days of "Getting Started" step-by-step coaching/ training. NOT "do it my way or hit the highway" (and frankly that, as repugnant as it is to me, would have been better than what I didn't do), but a simple customized plan (factoring in their time, talent, budget, skills, goals and dreams...) we co-create where they'll earn while they learn and get going building their business the best way for them and succeeding asap.

So, back to the drawing board. And if you've got an "I told you so" you simply must lay one me... have at it. As said, mea culprit. I may be a bit slow, but I'm not stupid and... I'm learning. 

Servant Leadership w/ Gregory Mascari

This week's MasterMind Session might as well be titled "Old Friends", for that's what my guest and I are. We've reconnected after years and fell right back into the grove of what you'd expect from two guys with 20 years experience who love the business who loves and work to see it done "right". Here's the preview.

Session 67
Friday, October 19
Servant Leadership
Gregory Mascari

Gregory has been there and done a lot of that in his 20 years of network marketing. He's built organizations of 200,000 men and women and earned more than $10 million in his career. Recently, he walked away from a company he help found and had been with for almost 10 years to begin all over again. This time, with two old friends and proven mega-leaders, Paula Pritchard and Kathy Robins. (Click the link to listen to Session 10, Friday, September 8, 2006 with Paula and Kathy.) Gregory is an old and trusted friend and this Session with him is a reunion and a rejuvenation. Trust you, too, will appreciate the "authentic, intelligent, sincere and credible" approach Mr. Mascari and I explore. (Mrs. Robin Blanc Mascari, can be heard here: Session 65, Friday, October 5, 2007. She and Gregory make for quite the dynamic and formidable partners-leaders.)
intro | preview

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Additional support material

10 Characteristics of Servant-Leaders (a self assessment exercise)
This article explores 10 primary characteristics that are important in becoming a Servant-Leader. You'll be able to rate yourself on each one to gain a sense of your own servant-leadership strengths… and areas where you may choose to improve.
Gregory Mascari
3 page downloadable PDF

Please, let me know what you like best about this Session with Gregory and why?

He said, me said. Re: Obit for mlm travel programs?

All the way back on October 13 (last Saturday), I posted Obit for mlm travel programs? In it I reported on recent actions taken by Royal Caribbean International and applauded by The Association of Retail Travel Agents against so-called "MLM/Card Mill businesses". What follows is a reader's (Charlie) comment and my responses.

He said > John, Your comment "Conclusion? Never trust 'em, thanks... not even my own. And... if you're in the mlm travel business, it may be a fine time (I don't believe I'm writing this...) to keep your business options open." Frankly - Stinks!

You have always been one of my heroes! I guess you and Kim [Klaver] both have your opinions, but could you be a little jaded? i just quit her igaggle today - not following you 2 anymore.

Me said > No, Charlie... more than a little (jaded). As stated in the post; given the very tight margins in much to most of the travel business' offerings (and the competition from online discounters, which I didn't get into), I openly question(ed) whether there's a "real" business model there and would be happy to learn where the commissions paid to a multi-level effort could come from, 'cause I sure don't see 'em.

He said > Could your being followed and "listened to" over the years and you and Kim both getting back into the MLM business have anything remotely to do with your comments here.

Me said > Can't speak for Kim (though I'm certain I know her answer). "Not at all" from me.

He said > It was way off par, and like you have always said "Shameful (yet cool) promotion". ( Oh sorry, that was supposed to be Shameless promotion) You would never made the Obit comment when you were just a mentor!

Me said > Your wood Charlie. You accusation is simply wrong.

He said > John, I am hereby throwing the towel in at the JMF fan club also. I guess I will have to go back to Big Al Shrieter and Mark Yarnell, who would fight to the core for any MLM venture and who have had their businesses and ALWAYS kept it clean!

Me said > Again... your wood, as this weblog is mine. One thing Tom and Mark (and Kim) and I have always held uppermost in heart and mind is the well-being of network marketers. If you're accusing me of any other... my words for you will be far more vitriolic than telling you you're "simply wrong."

He said > The Greatest Networker Platinum edition now goes to the bottom shelf in the library!

Me said > Charlie, you're behaving like a fool. I report on an event important to (some) mlmers... express my genuine concerns even doubting my own conclusions... evidently bruise your ego... and you disparage a book you've valued for years. Sure doesn't fit my criteria of "authentic, intelligent, sincere and credible" much less my appeal to "thinking network marketers."

He said > Yes, I am in YTB! and Damned proud of it! i have almost 2000 people in my group who have been told you and Kim were a pillar in the MLM community!

One thing you need to remember, the Fat lady hasn't even inhaled at this point!

Mortified and Saddened by my loss of one of my life's mentors! Gang in there and Best of luck to you and the family!

Me said > Nothing. Best to let Charlie have the last word.

Word-of-mouse

Reading Seth's weblog the other day (in batches as I do) I came across this: Do you think they did it for the PR?

Seth's post linked to another weblog, Writing - Cooking - Life, by (as would be expected) writer, cook, web designer and writing coach, Zaz Lamarr, and her "profound" post: I Heart Zappos.

The whole deal is about one customer's (Zaz's) remarkable and moving experience with online shoe (and sunglasses and backpacks and...) retailer Zappos.com. In my experience "Customer Care" efforts (and departments) are an "always fall short" disappointing dime a dozen. Not this time. This is a million-dollar move and a class act.

And now thousands (maybe, hopefully more) people are "talking" about Zappos corporate kindness through the power of word-of-mouse marketing: authentic, intelligent, sincere and credible = extraordinary.

I've been searching for my annual pair of Reebok "Classics". How many guesses will you need to learn where I got them from—or reasons why I bought two pais instead of one?

Any Zappos-esque things you do to your network marketing business worth being remarkable?

Amazing!

Here's the latest installment of "Anything can happen day" (an explain of what that is and where it comes from can be had by clicking the link) to take you out and away from the box of mlm network marketing to inform, involve and inspire.

Japan has many forms of puppetry. Perhaps the most famous is the Bunraku. This developed out of Shinto temple rites, gradually becoming a highly sophisticated art form. By 1730 it required three puppeteers to operate each puppet in full view of the audience. Originally, the puppeteers dressed all in black would become invisible when standing against a black background, while the torches illuminated only the carved wooden, beautifully painted and costumed puppets.

Fast forward nearly two hundred years, to this...

And from a Japanese game show no less. As said, "Amazing!"

Yeah... well...

Thanks Mary K.

Hre r 2 QL resources 4U

Did you get that? No... Don't speak Txtz0r—text messaging or more colloquially SMSes, texts, or even txts?

The subject line above is text-speak for "Here are two cool resources for you..."

Wikipedia says, "Text messaging, or texting is the common term for the sending of "short" (169 characters or fewer) text messages, using the Short Message Service, from mobile phones. It is available on most digital mobile phones and some personal digital assistants with onboard wireless telecommunications. The individual messages which are sent are called text messages, and more colloquially SMSes, texts, or even txts or txtz0rz (in "text speak").

So what? (WITFM-- What's In This For Me?)

Consider that in June 2001, only about 30,000 text messages were being sent monthly within the United States. In June 2004—nearly 2.8 billion messages were sent during that month, alone. And today? This past June, Verizon US customers sent more than 10 billion text messages. (If a person were to send a single text message every 15 seconds, it would take more than 4,750 years of continuous texting to send 10 billion text messages.)

There are more than 223 million cell phones in the US (we lag way behind Asia and Europe). Mobile Advertising, which is only a $500 million annual business in the US is slated to top $11 billion by 2011.

Like it or no, SMS / text messaging is in all our futures, because we're not always home or at work in front of our computers, but nearly everybody always has their cell phone with them. More and more business... network marketing business... will be done in text speak.

So, don't speak txts? No problem, go here: Lingo2Word.com and the site will translate this:

Diffusion S d proc by wich a nu idea or nu product S akcptD by d mkt. d r8 of diffusion S d speed dat d nu idea spreads frm 1 consumer 2 d nxt. Adoption S alike 2 diffusion Xcpt dat it deals W d psychological processes an unique goes thru, rthR thN an Agreg8 mkt proc. n economics itz mor ofn named " techno change".

Into this:

Diffusion is the process by which a new idea or new product is accepted by the market. The rate of diffusion is the speed that the new idea spreads from one consumer to the next. Adoption is similar to diffusion except that it deals with the psychological processes an individual goes through, rather than an aggregate market process. In economics it is more often named "technological change".

Or vice versa (v v).

And Text Message dictionary is here: Text Message Abbreviations at Webopedia.com

Your next step in mastering Web 2.0

If you are...

• Involved in mlm network marketing.
• Do some or all of your business online.

Then you MUST (I know... I know... but please, this really is a "must") take an intelligent, sincere and serious look at Ojeez.com.

I don't think I've done the best job I can at turning people on to the value and power of what Ojeez has to offer. Most compelling thing I can tell you is that I'm moving my entire GreatestNetworker.com community there (to their platform... to be part of their content and value offering, and give my members so many more advantages than I could ever provide). That's how strongly I believe in what they're doing and how they're doing it.

"If you can't beat 'em... join 'em." It's that simple. Ojeez has technology right now that will help you build your business better, faster, easier. Plus, their business center (which costs just $9.90 a month) will save you hundreds of dollars while providing more and better technology and useful tools than if you bought a calander, contact manager, auto-responder, web-conferencing and web-casting, lead capture pages and on and on separatey (and head to head, Ojeez has more advanced tech). And they're all about an enlightened approach to Web 2.0. And I believe they're going to be a significant force in shaping the future of network marketing.

Here's an interview (click the link) Lasse Rouhiainen (my online business coach) just did with Zach Schenkler, web(2.0)master, co-founder and president of Ojeez. What you'll learn is not a sales pitch (and there is that) it's the future of Network Marketing.

Obit for mlm travel programs?

I've never understood the efficacy/viability of mlm network marketing travel "deals". The lure... sure. Christianet.com sums up the attraction of the "opportunity" delightfully:

Multi level marketing travel agent opportunities are unique and exciting business ventures that can bring additional income into any situation. There has never been a better time to get involved in network sales and build one's own organization. The Internet has changed the face of multi-level business ventures and there are more people now than ever before joining the ranks, making commissions soar and organization grow. There are many different networking career possibilities online, but a career in travel can be the most exciting and adventurous, offering fantastic rewards. Anyone who has every had the travel "bug" will enjoy exploring the possibilities with mlm travel agent opportunities. Discounts on personal trips, bonuses for referring friends and family, and an exciting career are all part of the benefits of working in network marketing and travel.

My problem with d.) all the above, is first, last and always, the profit margin. There isn't one—certainly NOT enough of one for a viable business model. (Just ask the "straight" travel agents who are going out of business faster than Maimi real estate agents and mortgage brokers and have been doing so since online travel was in swaddling clothes.) Like gold coins and groceries, 10 to 15 percent gross profit simply isn't enough to pay for a one-off affiliate program much less a many/multi-level comp plan. And that reality forces most (all?) of these deals to be front-loaded affairs where if the "new blood" recruiting merry-go-round ever stops... so does all the money making up and down the line.

And now the boys and girls in the mlm travel biz face another—equally as fundamental, but more visible and urgent even to the most passionately converted choir—challenge. This one could be terminal as it strikes directly to the heart and wallet of the matter. (I was alerted to this by MLMWatchdog's top dawg Rod Cook, in a bulletin he sent out earlier this week.) From TravelDailyNews.com.

ARTA applauds RCI policy to remove sales relationships from MLMs and Card Mills The Association of Retail Travel Agents.
(ARTA) applauded the announcement by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) that it will terminate relationships with multi-level marketers (MLMs) which provide travel agency credentials and identity cards to consumers for the purpose of becoming would-be "travel agents."

The "travel agent" MLM/Card Mill industry has proliferated exponentially over the years, allowing consumers to pay a small fee to MLMs to procure questionable travel agency credentials and attempt to portray themselves as legitimate travel sellers - even with little or no professional training, knowledge or protection for consumers. The end result is a growing group of individuals who are not travel agents at all, but rather travel consumers seeking to obtain discounts and benefits.

"This announcement by the RCI family of cruise lines is welcome news from a respected supplier to curtail the growth of the MLM/Card Mill business, a scheme which denigrates the stature and role of the legitimate travel retailer. In much the same way as Marriott and other key suppliers have fined-tuned their travel agency recognition programs to filter out consumers posing as travel agents, RCI has taken a major step today to add teeth to its support for the legitimate travel retailer," said Barry Richcreek, ARTA Chairman. More >>

Conclusion? Never trust 'em, thanks... not even my own. And... if you're in the mlm travel business, it may be a fine time (I don't believe I'm writing this...) to keep your business options open. 

MLM Network Marketing: The Absolute Best Way in the World for Women to Make Money

This week's MasterMind Session continues the string of "Meetings With Remarkable Women". And it also continues the theme of the importance of personal growth for success in this business. Check it out. Here's the preview.

Session 66
Friday, October 12
The Absolute Best Way in the World for Women to Make Money
Lorna Rasmussen

The title of this Session may seem quite a claim, but as you learn where Lorna has been, been through and what's she's achieved, it will have the deep and rich ring of truth to it. As her mentor and writing partner, the legendary Paul J. Meyer said, "Lorna understands both the 'why' and the 'how' of network marketing. This rare knowledge comes from years and years of experience, trial and error, and taking action. In short, she's a pro! You are extremely fortunate that you can tap into her knowledge base." Mr. Meyer is speaking about a woman who's succeed in "a man's world" a number of times. She's a strong six-figure income earner who has become one of the top 10 associates in Pre-Paid Legal. Compassionate pragmatism is Lorna's way of building her business—with a full focus on personal and professional growth.
intro | preview    

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Additional support material    

Choosing the Best Way
Excerpted from
The Absolute Best Way in the World for Women to Make Money
23 page downloadable PDF    

What if…
Excerpted from
It's Time… for Network Marketing
6 page downloadable PDF

Both by Lorna Rasmussen

Please, let me know what you like best about this Session with Lorna and why?

From Seth's mouth to your ears...

No, Seth Godin is not God nor a god (well...), but 'round here, we say Seeeth the way they say Jaaack in Hollywood.

"It always comes down to human nature.
We'd rather buy from a friend."

Cool, but... "We expect more substance here Fogg." Fine, eat this/these (two recent InterNetwork Marketing gems from "The Boss")

How to create a good enough website and How to create a great website.

Anything Can Happen Day - Raymond Crowe

Another installment of "Anything Can Happen Day". (If you don't know what that is/means and where the idea comes from, scroll down to the *.) This sent to me by my webmaster (for oh so many sites) Chris Lund (who in another of his many incarnations sells a very good non-network marketing product called NutraOxygen). It's a delightful experience of a master of an art all of us have done at one time or another. Enjoy.

Australia's Raymond Crowe calls himself an "Unusualist", an entertainer who offers "a captivating combination of visual comedy, ventriloquism, shadow puppetry and magic". The video on his (to be expected) "unusual" website is full of demonstrations of those things and more. Take five minutes to indulge your unusual side and enjoy Mr. Crowe. If you've got more time... Google him. Fascinating.

Happy Wednesday.

* If you're old enough to have been a kid in the mid-fifties, and fortunate enough to have lived with olders who had one of the early television sets, you undoubtedly remember the Mickey Mouse Club. Each day's program had a theme and accompanying theme song. Wednesday's was "Anything Can Happen Day". (Clicking the link will take you to a rare video recording from 1955 of same.) The lyrics are below:

Today is the day that is filled with surprises.
Nobody knows what's gonna happen.
Why, you might see a dragon in the bathtub cleaning up,
Or a flying saucer that's out looking for its cup.
Yes, we Mousekateers think you're gonna have some thrills,
And you know it's true that a laugh can cure your ills.
The Mousekateer's Anything Can Happen Day.

All the above is to say that from now on, Wednesdays 'round here will be anything can happen days. All mlm and no play (in other domains of awareness, experience and exposure to cool stuff) makes John (and his readers) a dull boy (and women just hate that... being dull boys, I mean). So,

Friends, Lies and Network Marketing

Turn about is fair (work and) play, so here's some good to great news and "Congrat's... High fives!... You go girls..." and more to Kim Klaver for a landmark (truly) accomplishment: The first ever Change This Manifesto on or about network marketing: Friends, Lies and Network Marketing.

Although the manifesto begins as if it's a recommendation, the real point and substance of the piece is "Twelve tips to make a meaningful career in network marketing—without using or abusing friends, family and neighbors." And they are:

1 > DON’T MISLEAD YOUR FRIENDS BY INTRODUCING YOUR PRODUCT OR BUSINESS AS IF YOU WERE RECOMMENDING A RESTAURANT OR MOVIE.

2 > WARN THEM UP FRONT THAT YOU’RE SELLING WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

3 > DON’T ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO BUY. ASK FOR A REFERRAL INSTEAD.

4 > DON’T ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO SELL. ASK FOR A REFERRAL INSTEAD.

5 > LEAD WITH YOUR OWN HOT BUTTON.

6 > STORY REPLACES PITCH.

7 > NO PROMISES, NO PROBLEMS.

8 > ENTHUSIASM SELLS. HYPE AND HOUNDING DON’T.

9 > RECOMMEND THE SMALLEST PACKAGE, LIKE A PRUDENT ADVISOR WOULD.

10 > SKIP THE THERAPY. THEY DIDN’T ASK FOR IT AND WON’T PAY YOU FOR IT.

11 > USE MULTIPLE VENUES TO TELL YOUR STORY.

12 > WOMEN: STAY IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE. YOUR INSTINCTUAL WAYS ARE WORKING IN TODAY’S SKEPTICAL MARKETPLACE.

Not as much a manifesto for network marketing as for Kim's "New School" of same, this is 18 pages of authentic (The "DON’T ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO BUY. ASK FOR A REFERRAL INSTEAD" bit does stretch that just a tad for me), intelligent, sincere and credible proven principles and "real world" practices from one of the MLM Good Guys. It is a smart, quick read of classic Klaver, and that means most valuable and useful stuff.

Since the Change This folks keep score (and although she seems to shrink from the admission, so does K2), go there and get your own copy AND send your friends (no lies please). Kim is right, it's a vote for network marketing and now that Ms. Klaver's opened the door, there'll be more willingness to have more on network marketing when the CT powers that be see our powerful response.

Click here, Friends, Lies and Network Marketing, to go there.

Responding to Kim Klaver's Comments

about my post in TheFoggReport this Thursday, I just don't have time...

K2 > John - What is a "business-building butterfly"?

Me > A pupa person who has energed from her prospecting chrysalis to become (what my company calls) a DreamBuilder (aka network marketer).

K2 goes for the real point > You propose telling a prospect: "If you knew (without a doubt) that six months from now you'd be earning at least $1000 a month from your network marketing business... would you be able to make the time?"

With all due respect, this sounds like old school manipulation to me...who would say No if success were assured?

Me > My point missed by a nautical mile (though yours is alive and well... it's just NOT what I was speaking about nor about what I was doing with the woman).

A legit form of coaching (with permission, which I made sure I got; the "trick question" which some people seem to fixate on like that's what matters here and it doesn't) is to ask a question which takes the other person to a place where they can have another perspective... where they can see things differently.

For example, I was speaking to a friend (who's also a coach) and I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to continue doing some work I was doing that wasn't profitable at present and he asked, "If you hit MegaMillions on Tuesday... $50 million to you... would you continue (after the bill pays, the round the world vacation, the new house...) to do what you were doing with this project?

Of course he wasn't PROMISING me I'll hit the lottery, nor manipulating me against my will. It was a "test' (what I call a "trick") question designed to remove one part of a problem that was standing in the way of my seeing a bigger picture. My "yes" answer was meaningful and useful for me. Put me back in touch with my passion and pride for the project (work) and shifted my focus from the should I/shouldn't I problem to solutions of increasing profits with increased awareness and positive energy. Not bad for a "trick question".

My question to my prospect HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH assuring her she'd make $1000 a month. It was all about finding out if she knew she would accomplish that... would time still be an issue? She answered that if she would be making that grand, then, no, she'd definitely make the time. Cool. So she DID have time IF...

So now what she and I could focus on was to look at her resources of time, money, energy and effort... and what she would need to do to create and receive $1000 a month with our products and plan (which included selling this much and enrolling this many who sell that much and enroll those many). With that picture CLEAR... she's now able to know what it will take and to honestly and openly decide for herself if she's willing and able to do what needs to be done.

Six months to $1000 is doable... part time... with our business model. Hard and smart work will be needed. She's got the motive and skills and personality AND she's gonna' HAVE TO manage those doubts that get in her way. But she knows and I know, so... off we go.

And by the way, if that's an example of "If I can show you a way..."? That seems a reasonable thing to do to me. "Okay, wanta' make $1000 a month within six months... here's what you'll have to do... And, yes, I'll help you."

If there's something wrong with that, then there's something wrong with network marketing.

Responding to Ty Tribble's Comments...

about my post in TheFoggReport this Thursday, I just don't have time...

Ty wrote > "It's pure cheese."

Me > No it's not, and frankly you're a fool if you think so.

Ty > You don't need a bag of trick questions complete with a fake chuckle to build a Network Marketing business.

Me > Lord bless you do make stuff up. Ty, your response is "the mirror game". As my favorite quote states, "We do not see things as they are... we seen things as we are." (Anais Nin). I have no "bag" of trick questions. I asked this one to "smoke" out the doubt the woman I was speaking with had. Totally legit, light handed, open and honest. For you to see it as otherwise is all about you-- not me or my "process".

Ty > You need to "go deep" with real questions that get to what the real objection is.

Me > That's what I did, as lightly as I know how. That you do not see/sense what I was doing amazes me.

Ty > Lastly, you can eliminate this type of objection altogether if you have done your job in the first place (talking with the right people) and making sure that they understand the value of your offer.

Me > Crap (If I've done my job...). People just are... (and she was the right people). It's not about "eliminating objections". It's about unconcealing what stops people (when that's appropriate and you have permission). This lady was "scared". That's all. She had doubts and she "made up an excuse" ("May I help you? No thanks... I'm just looking.") But like most of us, people are more often than not "blind to what stops them". She was-- or was unwilling/unable at that time to look at it.

So, again, all I did was ask-- in what I thought and felt (and as it turns out she did, too) was a light and open way to approach what could have been a dicey (read painful/stressful) "problem" for her.

Once the "don't have time deal" was removed (with the "trick" and most useful and authentic question), that allowed for exploring what it would take for her to earn what she wanted and my question to her then was was she willing and able to do that?

Btw, she was... and now we're both clear on what we will be doing together to have the result she wants happen when she wants.

If that's all "cheese", I'll happily go back to eating dairy, at least where my business is concerned.

Are ya' bored? Don't care for football? Go here...

... to Kim Klaver's weblog. Subject: Is he baiting her or not. Lovely thread of post, votes and comments taken (waaaaaayyyyy out of context) from a post in TheFoggReport this Thursday, I just don't have time...

I am amazed and (yes, honestly) appalled at the extent to which people DO NOT listen (with their ears or eyes), so locked-in they are on their own agenda they can see neither forest nor trees in their mad mind's rush to share their self-serving salad up to the world—even when the world ain't askin'.

I've got more to say... and will. For now, please read the org post here and the comments, and Ms. Klaver's post and comments. Unless, of course, you are not bored on this lovely Saturday (here in Jefferson's Virginia) or you like football.

Network Marketing is Personal Growth with a Compensation Plan

This week's MasterMind Session started off in one direction (it was all about "Starting Over") then took on a mind and heart of it's own. Very cool stuff. Check it out for yourself. Here's the preview.

Session 65
Friday, October 10
Network Marketing is Personal Growth with a Compensation Plan
Robin Blanc Mascari
As you'll hear in the intro, this Session was originally titled "Starting Over", because that's what Robin had just done: Left a six-figure income as a Diamond Executive with an organization of more than 7,000 people to begin again from scratch with a brand new company. Well... that's not where we went (so, we started over). Where we ended up was a conversation about the vision and values of network marketing... values-based prospecting and team building... building a relationship- based business... duplication and systems (to make it easy and simple for average people)... leadership... "Forward Focused Questions" and more. As Robin is fond of quoting (her husband, Gregory Mascari), "Once you fall in love with network marketing... there is no known cure".

intro | preview

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Additional support material

Empower Your Team with Forward Focused Questions
by Robin Blanc Mascari
9 page downloadable PDF

Please, let me know what you like best about this Session with Robin and why?

I just don't have time...

Me: "Boy (sorry...) girl... do I understand that one. May I ask you a trick question."

She:  "What kind of 'trick' question?"

Me:  "It'll be pretty obvious. I'm not devious enough. So, may I ask?"

She: "Sure."

Me: "If you knew (without a doubt) that six months from now you'd be earning at least $1000 a month from your network marketing business... would you be able to make the time?"

She: [Silence.]

Me: "I told you it was a trick question."

She; [Laughing] "Yes you did. Well... (thanks for asking) yes, of course, I would have the time."

Me: "So... can we speak about your doubt?"

She: "Sure... please."

And another prospect is transformed in to business-building butterfly.

New Wednesday feature...

If you're old enough to have been a kid in the mid-fifties, and fortunate enough to have lived with olders who had one of the early television sets, you undoubtedly remember the Mickey Mouse Club. Each day's program had a theme and accompanying theme song. Wednesday's was "Anything Can Happen Day". (Clicking the link will take you to a rare video recording from 1955 of same.) The lyrics are below:

Today is the day that is filled with surprises.
Nobody knows what's gonna happen.
Why, you might see a dragon in the bathtub cleaning up,
Or a flying saucer that's out looking for its cup.
Yes, we Mousekateers think you're gonna have some thrills,
And you know it's true that a laugh can cure your ills.
If you're pleasure-bent, we are proud to present
The Mousekateer's Anything Can Happen Day.

All the above is to say that from now on, Wednesdays 'round here will be anything can happen days. All mlm and no play (in other domains of awareness, experience and exposure to cool stuff) makes John (and his readers) a dull boy (and women just hate that... being dull boys, I mean). So, to begin, the remarkable "hand art" of Italian artist Guido Daniele. (His name link goes to his website which is a marvel. There's a video there of how he does the hand art, too, here: Intervista a Guido Daniele.) The art speaks for itself, so I will shut up now. Enjoy.

So, please give me some feedback on what you think about the new fun-learning of Wednesdays and of course, any response you have to the work of Signor Daniele. And, if you go and watch the Mickey Mouse Club clip... how was that for you?

Word-Of-Money

In her comment to the recent post Network marketing is... about Dave Balter's (13 page PDF available from the link) Change This Manifesto, The Word on Word of Mouth, which began "Network marketing is word-of-mouth marketing... You've heard that—yes?" K2 (The divine Kim Klaver of The New School of Network Marketing, Banana Marketing and oh so much more...) wrote:

Balter also says that honest and genuine word of mouth has no hidden agenda, so that leaves out network marketing as genuine honest word of mouth - since people are speaking about their products to others in hopes of making a sale.

It's direct sales from one person to another, rather than genuine no-agenda word of mouth between friends. 

What say you, maestro?

First and please, drop the "maestro" bit. Makes me feel responsible for being "a master" (too much pressure for one so frail, but thanks for thinking so well of me).

My network marketing world is NOT either/or... it's AND. Hence the remark, "...that leaves out network marketing as genuine honest word of mouth - since people are speaking about their products to others in hopes of making a sale" is not true for me and mine. I enjoy eating the cakes I bake, so I can easily and authentically combine "genuine honest word of mouth" AND "the hopes of making the sale." It is, I say, one of those cornerstone things that makes network marketing the most remarkable forms of free enterprise ever created.

You, K2, oft' use the dating analogy to explain network marketing's right ways and nots. Though it was long ago... I can remember approaching a woman and making small talk to see if we could connect and if a relationship was worth pursuing (because there were shared interests, values, vibes, we fell in-like... whatever).

Now, from the very beginning I may (and did once my pre-qualification phase was complete) have the desire to become passionately, deliciously, even head-over-heels-in-love sexually involved with this lady. "Hidden agenda"? Okay, it was, and... as you've pointed out, dragging her into the back seat on the first date is somewhere between offensive and repulsive (and as such, a "deal breaker").

I make no apologies for (10 years ago yesterday, by the way) looking across the smokey, dark, packed, cold arrival hall of the Moscow airport, seeing this ravishing red-head with high-cheek bones, cats eyes and (I just new) the body of a Russian tennis player under that long midnight blue coat, standing next to Tom "Big Al" Schreiter... and jabbing our attornet in the ribs, pointing to her and saying aloud, "My lord, I'm in love. If that's what Russian women are like, I'm never going back to America".

Did I have a hidden agenda? Is over the top lust a hidden agenda? I confess, yes. Was I supposed to walk up to her and say, "Wow, you are so utterly stunning looking I want to (very, very) slowly take your clothes off and (even more) slowly explore every part of you and make love to you so masterfully you will not be able to remember your name for hours..."? Perhaps all hidden agendas are not created equal.

Today, Katyusha and I are the very married parents of Eleonora Milena (5.5ish) and Anais Polena (1.5). It was all word-of-mouth ("It's only words... and words are all I have... to steal your heart away") and we BOTH had our "hidden agendas" from the beginning (and hers are far more interesting than mine).

So, I'll throw out the bathwater, and keep my baby if you please. I do know the difference. And just because there's a comp plan, I will still go on (and on and on) about my products and opportunity with authentic, intelligent, sincere and credible word-of-mouth to anyone who: A. qualifies, and B. Gives me permission.