Most every business I know of has a relationship component to it.  Some business owners do a great job of cultivating the relationship, others, not so much.  Two mistakes I see over and over again are that people in general are either:

• Too Eager – Great! You’ve made a new friend, gained a new client, established a new contact.  But hold on a minute-before you completely vomit on them all the great things you want to tell them about you, your company, your product or service, why not take a minute and get to know them first.  By first taking time to learn about them and being genuinely interested in how you might be able to help them, you will cultivate much more quality and long lasting relationships than you will by going full steam ahead and data dumping on them.  Plus, you’ll look like you’re only out for one thing and one thing only – your own self-serving purposes.

• Too Impatient – So you’ve taken my advice above and slowed down, gotten to know the person. But they don’t seem at all interested in what you’re selling.  You’ve asked them several times, or maybe you’ve even shown them what you have to offer.  But they’re not buying. Why not? Well, timing is everything.  No matter how fast you want to move, they have their own schedule, and you cannot hard sell them.  If you try, you will completely damage the relationship.  So just continue to build on what you have developed, check in from time to time, and when they’re ready, they’ll let you know.

And one other thing – some relationships will never culminate in a sale, and that should be an ok thing. Because after all, if all you’re doing is entering every new relationship with dollar signs in your eyes, that would be a sad existence, don’t you think?

For instance, this past weekend I had an opportunity to attend what our company calls a Treat ‘Em Right seminar.  They are held to teach the distributors how to send out appreciation and heartfelt messages using our printable greeting cards online service, as well as to identify their why and utilize positive reinforcements to reach their goals.  The best things about these events, however, is the access you have to the top earners in the company.

Because of the position I hold in the company now, I was also able to attend a leadership training class the night before the seminar.  It was surreal to sit there and listen to the success stories of how these top execs got started in their business, what mistakes they made, what they’ve found works, and what doesn’t!

The one common theme that ran throughout was even if they started their business part-time, they made sure to set actual business hours and then work it – no exceptions. They were consistent!

The way I look at it is if you have a company that holds events once, twice or more every year, you should be moving heaven and earth to get there.  If it gives me access to people who have accomplished what I want to accomplish, then who am I to reinvent the wheel?  I’d rather come learn from them and then apply that knowledge.

Also, these events can be extremely motivating and inspiring, and you can’t put a price tag on that, wouldn’t you agree?

- Promote the product or service

- Promote the business opportunity

Unfortunately, as this vlog discusses, all too often people are afraid to share their great opportunities and so no one knows it exists, the distributor gets frustrated, and eventually gives up!

Learning to lead with your opportunity can be a win-win.  Your business will grow and you will be providing someone with something they may have been looking to find for a long time.  Resist the urge to judge whether you thing multi level marketing is right for someone or not.  Just tell them about your company, and let them decide.

Do you think you can do that?

Now some may find that offensive or take it personally.  Others may fall off their chair laughing, which was my initial reaction.  But the more I thought about the statement, the more I realized that ultimately in life, if you’re not surrounding yourself with people who are positive, motivated, and inspiring, the chances of you moving forward are quite low.

In fact, you could be seriously holding yourself back by not taking an assessment from time to time of who it is you’re associating with.  And if I’m hanging around people who are excited by change and welcome hearing about my challenges and achievements, my chances of success are much higher.  Versus spending time with people who have a negative mind.  Who complain, blame and justify, and have no lofty goals or no ability to dream big!

Does that mean I have to give up all my friends and family who don’t share my desires?  Well, unfortunately, there will be casualties on your quest for finding your Wealth Ship and reaching your goals.  The good news is that you will quickly find out who your true friends are, and even if they don’t share your aspirations, they at least can support you. And that’s really all you can ask for.

So take a look at your life and be honest – are you being lifted up or dragged down by those closest to you?  As you change, so will the people in your life. It’s inevitable.  Have you ever had to give up a relationship because of your growth? Feel free to share….

Your only job in multi level marketing is to open your mouth!  Seriously, if you think about it, that’s it.  Wherever you go, whomever you meet, learn how to open your mouth and tell everyone about your company’s product or service, and the great business opportunity that’s available as well.

By doing this one simple thing, you will be amazed at how quickly you will sign up both customers and business builders, and soon you will have a thriving organization.  Let’s face it, if you don’t, someone else will.  So the next person you meet – I dare you – open your mouth and tell them what you do!  Are you gonna do it?

It’s not surprising really.  Most of us, if we’re lucky, have so many people in our lives that we love, and what better occasion than a day that’s centered all around love to express it.  Who wouldn’t love inspirational cards that tell you how much you’re appreciated – husbands, wives, moms, dads, children, sisters, brothers, boy friends and girl friends.  The list is endless.

I remember giving my first v-day card to my secret crush back in grade school.  And, so that no one would know who your secret crush was, the teacher was smart enough to have the whole class give little tiny valentine’s day cards to everyone.  I must say, I really loved the valentine fun and it brings back fond memories.

But then we grow up and forget how much fun we had doing things like that, and suddenly for some getting a V-Day card becomes a chore.  That’s awful!  So if you love the people in your life and want to tell them, but hate running to the store, paying $3-5 for a card, and then still have to think about a gift to get them, you definitely can have the best of both worlds using my printable greeting cards online service.

No more excuses! Make sure your loved ones know you care by sending a heartfelt message this Valentine’s Day! Who’s the first one on your list?

The goal when you are networking is to make sure people get to know, like and trust you.  The two best ways to do that are:

1.  Tell them your story – where you grew up, your schooling, something about your family life, travels you’ve taken, different jobs or businesses you’ve had, and any life experiences that may help people get to know you better.

2.  Tell them what makes you unique.  Let’s face it, in most professions there are a lot of people out there doing exactly what you do, so what is it that makes you special?   Why should I hire you over him or her?  What do you do that they don’t?  What do you do better than them?

In a world where you can find anything or anyone with just a few mouse clicks, you certainly don’t want people choosing you just based on price.  Most business owners will tell you those are the worst kinds of clients to have.  You want them choosing you because you offer something no one else in your profession does.

So find out what that is and then help educate everyone you come into contact with so the choice to do business with you is a no brainer!  So, what is your USP, have you figured it out yet?

So I decided to video the tips, five in all!  Tip #1 of 5 has to do with being a product of your product.  Don’t you agree people who don’t do this send the wrong message?

Without value, you will be just like everyone else.  You will not stand out.  You will not be special.  You will not be able to really be called a leader at all.  By offering something of  real value, people will want to know you, be around you, learn from you, be taught by you, and most of all, pay for whatever service you offer.

To be clear here, we’re talking about business leaders.  While it’s noble to be a leader that others look up to, like say for instance The Pope, this is a business basics blog.  So it’s safe to assume you’re in business to make money.  And one of the best ways to do that is to know your craft and know it well, package or present it so others want it too, and then have your customers become raving fans so they will refer you to others over and over again.

But without being a person that others will gladly follow, you may find that goal unattainable.  So work on yourself.  Become the person with something so valuable, that no one could imagine going to anyone else to get it.

Leadership starts with the you – knowing that in no uncertain terms you will become a leader!  What’s your definition of an effective leader?