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If You Can’t Measure It, You Can’t Manage It
I am a big numbers gal. I like data. I like to see facts and figures. I like to operate off actual numbers and not perceptions, assumptions or opinions. I had a brilliant manager tell me years ago, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Meaning how can you tell if you’re successful or if you have opportunities for improvement if you’re not measuring the progress?
It’s a common practice in business to send out survey’s to poll your peers employees and supervisors how they perceive your performance. It’s also a wise business practice to do it in direct sales. Survey your downline to see how they perceive their upline’s performance.
This is certainly not a practice that anyone should fear or loathe. Typically, those who are not fans of having their downline (or employees) polled are afraid the survey is being sent so they can be criticized. That paranoia is only in the minds of those who are being evaluated. The purpose of requesting feedback is for continuous improvement. None of us are above improvements in how we manage our business. Continue reading
Bella Says: No Means No For Now
I was watching my tenacious basset hound, Bella, today. She doesn’t take no for an answer. Then I started thinking about how many direct sales consultants could learn a lesson or two from Long Dog.
For example, take the word No. Not too many of us like to be told no when there is something we want. This afternoon Bella wanted to get up on my favorite mid-century Danish Modern chair. I told her No. Then in a more “This time I mean it” voice, I told her no again.
She thought better of the idea and walked away looking somewhat defeated. A short while later I returned to the living room to see Bella Bella Short and Swella sitting in The Chair. “Get Down, NOW!” I tried to utter in a low but commanding voice. She slowly lifted her droopy eyes, looked at me and eventually got down.
So is this dog stupid? On the contrary. She knows what she wants and she’s not going to let a little No get in her way. Now it’s a battle of wills. I don’t want her up on the furniture and she wants to be up there. Of course I wear the pants in this house and she will have to listen to me, but that is not to say she won’t keep trying. Continue reading
Consistent Dedication
con·sistent·ly adv. (kn-sstnt le) in a systematic manner; reliable; steady
Think about any achievements that are worthwhile – losing weight, playing an instrument, earning a black belt, getting a college degree, becoming BCS champions, writing a book or learning any new skill. What do they all have in common? It takes consistent dedication to reach the goal.
Consistent dedication.
Now look at any successful direct sales business. Consider the consultants who have reached top ranks and who have financial freedom. What do they all have in common? It took consistent dedication to reach that goal.
Yet look at most failed direct sales businesses. Consider the consultants who quit or complained “it didn’t work” or that they were spending more money than they were making. What do they all have in common? Likely they either gave up too soon or they can’t honestly say they were consistently dedicated to working their business.
What are some activities you can do consistently to help you reach your goal of managing a successful direct selling business? Consistently – meaning daily or at least multiple times per week: Continue reading
Does Your Business Have a Personality?
As business owners, we can all take a lesson from this company. If their philosophy and personality are shining through on a website – so much so that it makes customers want to throw money at them, then refer others, plus create quite a viral buzz, they must be doing something right.
I recently stumbled upon a company that is oozing with personality. I chose to do business with them because they had the item I was looking for at a reasonable price; but more so because of their fun personality. They made me want to give them my hard earned dollars. The fact that they are a fellow Michigan business was just an unexpected bonus.
For starters, I checked their return policy because I was purchasing a gift. Theirs is one of the best return policies I’ve ever seen:
OUR GUARANTEE
If you aren’t thrilled with your purchase, return it AT ANY TIME as long as IT’S IN SELLABLE CONDITION and as long as you aren’t dead. If you are dead, your heirs can still return the goods but they should probably keep them in your honor. We are fully available to answer all your questions and advise you. We were voted “Best Virtual Boot, Clothing, Gear fitters” by made up customer #323. Load bearing climbing equipment like a harness or carabiner, and all Gift Cards, are final sale and cannot be returned. So, if you don’t like your climbing stuff just hang it on your wall to impress your friends and if you don’t want your Gift Card, use it as a ruler.
Oh yeah, proof of purchase required for all returns. IF YOU RETURN THE PRODUCT(S) IN UNSELLABLE CONDITION we will ship the product back to you and will NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH A REFUND. Sorry for being so mean about it.
After I placed the order, I received this ditty:
Your Order Has Been Placed
Way to go. You’ve won the best email receipt we’ve sent out all day. We recommend either printing this receipt and framing it in your foyer or using it as a screensaver. It would probably also be nice for you to forward it around to a couple friends and maybe even an enemy or two.
If you’re bored, check us out on Facebook or Twitter. Our CFO said he doesn’t understand why anyone would use Twitter. He also thinks that a narwhal is a made-up animal. Please don’t tell anyone about it. Continue reading
Can Anyone Successfully Work From Home?
I recently saw an article titled, “Anyone Can Be a Direct Seller”. I emphatically disagree. Anyone cannot be a direct seller. If anyone could, there would be many, many more that do.
Lest you think I am anti-direct sales; on the contrary, I have had a home based business since 1988 and currently lead a large successful organization. I love being in this industry, else I would not have stuck around for the past 23 years. I simply do not agree with the statement that anyone can be a direct seller.
According to the Direct Selling Association (DSA) the average direct seller in the United States earns $2,400 per year. Clearly with any statistics or averages, those numbers tell us what we want them to tell us. And an average means there are plenty who earn far less, as well as plenty who earn far more. Also, less than 9% of all direct sellers work their business thirty hours or more each week. Continue reading
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