WHY TRY?

WHY TRY?

The people we meet can often define our future. I have met truly amazing people in my life. Not everyone has had a huge title, or some incredible story of success but each person has unique gifts that they give.

MR. O'MALLEY

I want to share with you a story of someone who clearly impacted my life and why. In Grade 5, I had a new teacher in the school and his name was, Mr. O’Malley. Now for whatever reason, they really loaded up this new teacher with every student that was probably not the easiest to handle. Yet Mr. O’Malley was different, and I learned this the first week of school.

Mr. O (as we called him) sat me down across from his desk, and he asked me what would probably appear to be a very simple question. He asked, “Beverly, I am somewhat confused?” I replied, “Why?” He went on to explain that he had gone over all of my report cards from Grades 1 to 4, and that he had also gone over all the achievement tests that the school conducted annually. He continued to explain and ask, “Bev, when I look at your report cards, I see a student who has consistently received satisfactory grades (actually we called them S’s), but when I see the marks on your achievement scores, I see something else.” So he asked me WHY? Why did you get satisfactory grades when it would appear that you are capable of MORE?

I replied, “I don’t know?”

Mr. O smiled at me and he said, “OK”. He asked me, “Bev, if I promise to challenge you this year and give you clear goals, will you show me what you are made of?”

I agreed.

Now what this amazing man proceeded to do was take a VERY shy girl and first put her as the lead in the school play. No one thought I could do it, but he did. He continued to come up with amazing ways for this “misfit class to succeed”. And we did!

What Mr. O’Malley taught me was how to succeed, how to be my best, and how to believe in myself. I did not let him down and I will tell you, that every day after that my goal was to get straight A’s (I was very close).

SO WHY TRY?

Up until Grade 5, I had been able to stay “under the radar” and just desperately try to “fit in”. I believed that if I just did the minimal amount then I would not standout. This was true and it worked just fine until, one person “called my bluff”.

I am no longer afraid of standing out, I am much more concerned about not trying. I have absolutely no fear of failure but more worry that I would not learn something new.

I have seen these traits in so many and I wish I had millions of Mr. O’Malley’s to share with the world.

We are in a time that we all need to be TRYING. It can be scary to do new things, and it can be difficult to deal with change. Lord only knows there is adversity always in our lives but when we put our collective hearts to the task, we find amazing answers.

SO WHY TRY?

I try, to learn, to excel, and to succeed. This is truly where we find the brilliance of passion and heart. This is a place that I am able to say, “Ah ha!”

God Bless, b.

PLEASE DON'T STAND ON THE ESCALATOR!

This video just had me cracking up laughing. I am definitely a grown adult that still asks "WHY?". Solutions and opportunities are all around us. Hope you love this video!!

FRIENDFEED - Am I a widget(aholic)?

FRIENDFEED – Am I a widgetaholic?

OK, first I have to tell you that as the co-founder of The Perfect Storm Team, I have my strengths and Stan Smith has his. So, Stan Smith decided to take a vacation this week with his 2nd oldest daughter.

We have been really busy working on a few projects and to be honest, Stan really did deserve a vacation.

So what does any of this have to do with Friendfeed? Well, normally this would be a zone that Stan looked after. BUT, I am no ninny, and to be honest Friendfeed is not really a difficult thing to sign-up for.

Here take a look for yourself: http://www.friendfeed.com

Where things started to get interesting though is up in the top right-hand corner of Friendfeed, is “Tools”. I love tools, this is like a catalogue of ideas and I just know that there are going to be “widgets”.

Over the past week, I have been downloading all of these cool widgets to my poor blog. What I realized in my excitement to ‘ADD MORE WIDGETS” is that the widgets started to take over my blog. To be honest, I think my blog was lost in all of these add-on boxes.

But…I could not resist checking out tools and seeing what new “widget” would exist to add to my blog. POOF! Here it was, add Friendfeed “Bookmarklet”. I simply could not resist. Of course, I needed a bookmarklet on my blog [doesn’t everyone?].

To make matters worse, I briefly chatted with one of my all time favorite networkers, Ed Dale and he said, “Friendfeed rules - we just did a big update on that in Thirtyday Challenge Plus”.

How could I not recommend Friendfeed to all my friends too? One of the problems I recognized was that if my friends went to my blog, they might say, “Bev, you are a very nice person but your blog is just a bunch of windows and stuff. Did you forget to write something?” Or worse, “Bev, you have seriously got to get help with this widget obsession!”

So, to be honest, I think Stan Smith is going to be very proud of me. I have downloaded my Facebook friends, Twitter friends, Digg, Delicious, Stumbleupon, and my blogs too.

So I ask you, “Could Stan have done it better?” Maybe, but he would definitely not have had as much fun with the tools, widgets, and bookmarklet as me. What more could a girl ask for?

So, now you know what really gets me excited.

Always, with a smile on my face.

b.

RECESSION 101: What is working in networking and what is being annihilated

One of my primary goals over the past six months has been to talk with as many networkers as I can. I have been asking a simple question, “What is working in your business, and what is NOT? These conversations first have been VERY much appreciated, and it was by speaking with many leaders that we are starting to see some very interesting statistics, trends, and ideas emerge.

What really has shocked most of the networkers out there is just how devastating the loss of customers has been. What I am hearing over and over again is that there are no customers. The loss of teams is being lead by the mass exodus of customers.

What typically has driven networking over the last number of decades, is customers. In fact, the percentage of most business teams is 80% are users only. So, you take the 80% users off the table and you are left with: networkers all by themselves.

So if your team has dropped by 80%, let me tell you that the remaining 20% are in serious peril too. So leaders are starting to ask, “How do I recover from this and rebuild my team?” They are also asking, “What can I do to re-energize a team of networkers who have basically lost all the hard work they have done over the last number of years?”

HOW DO I RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF BUSINESS AND REBUILD MY TEAM?

This is a very interesting question and I can tell you that there are a few camps in this arena. What we are seeing is:

1. Leaders are emerging and re-emerging: Even individuals who have been able to back away from their networking business are now back in business. Leaders are having to set-up meetings with all their networkers, have more business meetings and really come out to “re-start”.
2. Programs that service networkers in distress are HOT: These programs include everything from “soup to nuts”. If you are in a program that shows networkers how to advertise, how to recruit, how to build a list or lead program, etc. you are probably seeing growth.
3. Mentoring is also very popular. There are a group of mentors out there who are really doing a great job in showing networkers how to change and find success. It is requiring a great deal of un-training.
4. New business models are emerging that are very exciting and extremely profitable. There is a next generation of networking companies who are doing one of two things: i) they are coming out with a compensation plan that requires 10% of the amount of people in a team to create same wealth numbers from previous networking opportunities; 2) they are introducing a product or service at an extremely low cost point that has massive demand.
   

HOW DO I RE-ENERGIZE MY NETWORKERS WHEN THEY HAVE LOST MOST OF THEIR TEAM?

Good question!!!! Let me tell you, networking is truly a relationship business and if you have not built a relationship with your team, this is really going to hurt you now.

Re-energizing a networker who has lost most if not all their faith in a business that just evaporated, is close to impossible if you are looking at “business as usual”.

The only way to save what business is left is to realize:

1. 1. You need to build a business based on “there is no discretionary spend left in households”.
2. If you have a product based model, it better be cheap and in high demand.
3. You are looking at opportunities to monetize your networkers until this recession is complete.
4. You are working hard to build and sustain your relationships with people in your team.
5. You are getting back to some simple basics like goal setting, business planning, and kitchen table meetings.
6. You are keeping a very open mind to new ideas and opportunities.
7. You are encouraging and leading with strategy sessions to have your team “think outside the box”. What is working? What may work? Etc.
8. You are creating business opportunities that show people how to build teams outside of an opportunity.
   

WHAT IS DEFINITELY NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW?

1. Customers will not sustain a business model unless it is a cheap product or service (i.e., under $50 dollars a model but if under $10 even better).
2. Old models of networking. You cannot grow a networking business as it was done in the past few decades.
3. Strong-arm tactics. There are some who are going into “Whipping mentality”. This is DEFINITELY not how to motivate or encourage anyone to success.
4. Ignoring the current recession and hoping it will go away soon.
   

We are in extraordinary times; I am very excited about the new emerging business ideas and opportunities. I am definitely telling people to look at opportunities, research them and clearly understand a business before entering them.

Is it all doom and gloom? No way! We are seeing some excellent examples of opportunities that are exploding. We are seeing new emerging leaders too.

I am extremely positive about networking and welcome the changes to our industry. We will not only weather this storm we have in our economy but we will definitely prosper too.

I always love everyone’s questions, and input. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if I can be of any help.

Blessings and to everyone’s success. Beverly

CHAT TO TEXT

GREAT NEWS!! - CHAT TO TEXT IS COMING BACK BIGGER AND BETTER

Many of you know that on January 27, 2009, a new application in Facebook was created named Chat to Text. This application allowed:

• Chatting between Facebook and Cell Phone Users via Text messaging

It was set-up as a multi-level marketing opportunity that people who referred their friends to Chat to Text were paid $2 for people they personally enrolled and .25 cents for each person down an additional 8 levels.

This application TOOK OFF. The viral build is the largest build we have seen in years. Facebook on Monday night shut down this application but we just received news that not only is it coming back, but it is also going to be available for many other social networking sites.

The cost of Chat to Text is $5.99 per month. In two days, I built a team of over 90 people. I know that I'm going to be working very hard over the next few days to have this ready to roll.

This is a HUGE OPPORTUNITY to have a home based business with the low cost of $5.99 per month.

If anyone wants any information on how to build, please don't hesitate to contact me. Blessings all, 2009 is starting to look really fun!!

TO WATCH THE 4 MINUTE VIDEO CLICK HERE

MESSAGE FROM CHAT TO TEXT OWNERS SENT FEBRUARY 5, 2009

Great News! We should be back in a few days.

We are in the process of tying up any loose ends. I'll e-mail everyone
with the details as soon as they are known.

And don't worry, we used the down time to all our advantages. Chat to
Text is expanding to other social networks besides facebook. Users will be
able to utilize the application from other social networks as well and for
the same low monthly fee. And perhaps most importantly, now no one social
network will be able to stop the growth of Chat To Text.

Look for my e-mail in the next few days with all the exciting news!

To Your Success,

Scott Messina

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE 4 MINUTE VIDEO

CAN YOU REALLY MAKE MONEY IN NETWORKING? If so, how do you choose a company?

Great questions! Extremely important questions too!

First, can you make money in network marketing? Yes, but first let me warn you. You only make money in network marketing if:

• You have a compensation plan that you clearly understand. You cannot make money in a home-based business unless you know HOW to make money.
• You have a business plan. This is extremely important. What I often see is that someone joins a networking opportunity because they like the product. They have no idea of how to network, or what works and what does not.
• You have leadership in your opportunity who will help you implement your business plan and are committed to your success.
• You have focused goals for your home based business as well as your own goals. This is extremely important. Individuals who are successful in networking are incredibly focused people. They know what they want and WHY.
• You have the type of personality that is “My cup runs over”. Negative thinking and thinkers do not do well in networking.

How do you choose a networking opportunity? Even better question, and it definitely requires some work on your part.

NOTE: At this stage of the game, please LOCK YOUR CREDIT CARD IN A VAULT.

1. BE OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES: Look at all opportunities. Research different networking companies and speak to as many people about these opportunities.
2. COMPENSATION PLANS MUST BE UNDERSTOOD: If you cannot understand clearly a compensation plan, ensure that you speak to a leader in this opportunity and have them clearly explain the compensation plan. If you still do not understand the compensation plan after you have spoke to a leader, take this opportunity 100% off the table (run, don’t walk). There are many compensation plans out there that have been designed to entice you but they are impossible to understand. Again, if you cannot understand your compensation plan and be able to explain it to others, you will probably fail in this opportunity. You cannot make money when you do not understand how to do it.
3. BUSINESS PLAN: Any opportunity that is worth its weight, must come with a clear business plan on “HOW” to make money. If I have an opportunity that the compensation plan has huge punch, I have a business plan that is doable and people are excited about, I am 50% of the way to success (by the way the other 50% of success is your work ethic and how much you do).
4. LITMUS TEST: If you have reviewed an opportunity, and you understand the compensation plan and the business plan, now is the time to test if you and this idea resonate. Sit down with 1-3 people that you know and explain the opportunity to them. Ask for their feedback, listen to their concerns, and if possible, put a leader from the opportunity on a conference/speaker phone to help you answer your questions.

You see, so far you have NOT TAKEN YOUR CREDIT CARD OUT OF THE VAULT. You are not going broke, but you have learned what it takes to be successful in networking, you have tested the waters with your upline, and you have a pretty decent understanding of “Your ability to find success”.

WHEN DO I RECOMMEND PEOPLE TAKE THEIR CREDIT CARDS OUT OF THE VAULT?

ONLY, and I repeat ONLY, when you enter an opportunity where you are already making money.

People do NOT join my team until we have built them a team to the point where they are making money.

Any leader out there who will not help you build a team “off-line” only wants your money.

Ask, and I think you will start to find leaders who truly want to show you how to succeed. I have met some amazing networkers out there and many truly are helping lead the way in the “Next Generation of Networking Opportunities”. They are doing this by NOT being salesmen/women but showing people “how to”.

Blessings, and may 2009 bring you great success. Please don’t hesitate to call me or any of the Perfect Storm team to ask us questions about an opportunity you are looking at.

Beverly
403.695.6678

ARE YOU UN-TRAINABLE?

So often in networking you will hear “Are you trainable?” The fact of the matter is I’m much more concerned if you are un-trainable.

WHY?

The current economic picture is creating huge upheaval in the networking worlds. I have personally seen and have spoken to many of my networking friends about the flat out attrition of their teams. In the past week I have spoke to a number of people who have quoted 50-75% loss of their business. In two instances, people quoted 90% of their business is gone.

The problem is that we have just entered a new era where discretionary spend for most people in North America, let alone the world is quickly disappearing. People are loosing their homes, cars, marriages and getting pink slips for their jobs. Can these people afford to purchase anything? NO!

Most networking businesses have been built on the following philosophy:

• 80% will be customers (i.e., individuals who consume product for their own personal use and have no intention of using the opportunity to build a home based business)
• 20% of individuals would like to have a home-based business and will invite 1-5 people to their opportunity.
• 1% of the 20% will really take off and build large organizations.

So lets look at these numbers. 80% of people who were buying a product will no longer buy (really). 20% of people who want a home-based business will see that they can not afford to be in business, and if anything they have gone into further debt.

The 1% are changing their plan. WHY? Because they don’t have any customers or people who have the discretional spend capability to build as in previous models.

So, I can hear it now, “Bev, I do too have customers!” Of course you do but truly unless you are recruiting God, you are bringing them in the front door and they are flying out the back door just as quickly.

IS IT TIME TO GET A TOURNEQUE OR ARE YOU REALLY READY TO BE UNTRAINED?

I have been speaking to people about how to train people outside of an opportunity and only focus on business building. The problem I am seeing is that many people in the networking industry are trying to fix their problems “the old way”. Trust me, there are some really unbelievable new way opportunities that will not only build your business but it will be stronger than ever before.

HOW?

Are you ready to be un-trained? First, you need to start looking at what other opportunities are out there. Either you do this or you are going to be sitting on the fence while your team leaves for a “Next Generation Opportunity”. Who knows maybe they will recruit you to their new team?

OK, I’m laughing and I hope you too understand, it is not my intent to piss you off but hopefully save your business.

Those people who tell you that you are unfocused when you look at other opportunities. They have been in 5-20 opportunities themselves and who are they to even suggest that you should not look at ALL opportunities.

Don’t sell the next greatest “WIDGET”. I have completely succeeded this fight. I will 100% admit that every networking opportunity has a GREAT lead product (at a minimum). But really, WHO CARES.

So what do I care about, I care first about people, and helping them to save their homes, cars, marriages and really start to create home-based businesses that are ONLY profitable and ONLY profitable before you enter them.

How? I know I am repeating myself but you have to work with teams outside of an opportunity and show them how to build their teams before they enter them. People who are making money will be much less inclined to stop the business. People who are going further in debt are going to be running away from you (smile).

I have many opportunities sent to me every day. What is the criteria that I look at? This is really simple and I have applied the answers to the opportunity I am working with to give you my benchmark numbers.

• How many people do you need in your organization to make $2,000 per month?
o MY BENCHMARK: I need 30 people in my opportunity to make $1,900 USF per month (by the way, in my full 4x4 I can not make more than $2.3 million per year)
• How much money do you need to spend each month to make the $2,000 per month?
o MY BENCHMARK: My monthly overhead (including membership, shipping, tax, and free website) is: $200 per month
• Do you need to rank advance people in your organization?
o MY BENCHMARK: NO, and thank goodness. For those of you who understand rank advancement you will realize just how difficult this is.
• What percent are you paid in your business and on how many levels?
o MY BENCHMARK: In my opportunity we are paid 72% (on $200) for the first 4 levels and an additional 5% on the 7th. Level: TOTAL: 77%
• What percent are you paid to enroll people into your team?
o MY BENCHMARK: We are paid 50% or $100 for every person we enroll

When we take our business down to a simple analysis, it is much easier to see where to make money. As I previously mentioned, if you cannot answer these questions about your opportunity, please ask for assistance from your upline so that you clearly understand how to make money.

We are in really wonderful times with networking. We are changing EVERYTHING and success is being attained by a whole new wave of networkers. Don’t let your business fail because you are un-trainable.

Always, if I can help, please don’t hesitate to ask. Blessings and I know that 2009 is just going to be wonderful, prosperous and exciting.

PS: Change is good. Keep all your options open.