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. 

Comments

[Faouzi Daghistani]

Hi John,

I just read your 'Mea Culpa' article and to be honest, re-read it another four times. I just couldn't believe that a 'guru' finally has the guts to come out and admit that building the biz is not all chocolates and roses! What you have described is so much what happens to most of us and the way our groups REALLY function. The fact that you are able to openly say "hey, that happens to me too!" is so encouraging. I salute you sir.