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                         M A S T E R   N E T W O R K E R
                          The Art of Building A business
                                by Lon Lindsey
                 MASTER NETWORKER Number 106    April 9, 2003

            THE EFFECT OF CURRENT CONDITIONS AND ISSUES ON A BUSINESS
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Due to the current conditions and issues going on in the world, I felt 
it would be appropriate to address such in my series of MasterNetworker 
articles.

What happens with businesses in times of uncertainty?  That seems to be 
the question on many people's minds . . .especially business owners;  
however distributors of network marketing companies are owners also.  They 
are owners of their own business so the same concerns are with them . . . 
just on a smaller scale.

Time of uncertainty?  Are we really in a time of uncertainty?  I think not.  
Let me explain.  Let's look at the two main issue affecting us now.  

(1) The U.S. economy.  We were spoiled the past several years with "good times" 
and nice increases in our economic indexes, even to the point that we may have 
forgotten there are natural ups and downs to any economy.  Uncertainty?  Not 
really?  We know things will turn around for the better, we just don't know when.

(2)  The War in Iraq.  Uncertainty?  Not really!  We know we are going to win and in fact 
previous wars have generated conditions that actually have fueled the economy.

I bring these two issues up because businesses ARE affected by current conditions and 
issues, but what affects us the most is in the attitude people have regarding such and that 
usually spills over into the business world as well.  

In business AND in network marketing, what tends to happen is smaller checks are generated
via commissions and people find it more difficult to bring new people into their business.  It's a 
natural cause and effect of what goes on in the world.

Some would say that slow economic times which includes job loss and cut backs is an excellent
time to get people involved in the home business arena.  That is true in some situations, but right
now we have people who are uncertain about things and they are reluctant to turn loose of
what I call "risk" money.  Their attitude is more on keeping what they have rather than looking 
at "big money" picture, and even though a home business can be their source to keep what they
have, the attitude generally is one of "I'm not willing to take a risk right now."  Add to that an
attitude of just not wanting to do much . . . .almost a depressed type attitude and you have many
people basically just sitting around not looking at much of anything right now.

I remember going through this during 911 (we are still trying to recover from that) and during the
Gulf War . . and even remember a slow down when President Regan was shot.  This is
something to be expected and home business people need to be alerted that times like this to
take place.

The worst thing current networkers should consider is giving up on their business.  Making a 
total "quit" decision now is not making the best decision.  In fact, what should be done during this 
time is continuing to do what needs to be done all along (sponsor people) but put some big 
emphasis on making new contacts, building rapport with these people, and making them part of 
your warm market for when the time comes in which their decision to join will become easier.

So, consider any business has an up and down period.  A strong business is one you can build 
over a period of time.  It's like the stock market . . . up and down . . but over a period of time on a
long-term basis . . .there is growth.

Having a home business continue to be a positive alternative even in times of "uncertainty".  I 
think of it as my reward for my hard and diligent work during the good times being several 
residual checks during the slow times.  Perhaps a little less than before, but still money coming
in . . .and with the knowledge that it will again pick up reaching a new plateau during the
next "good times" cycle.

Some people even take on the challenge of the slow times by kicking in another gear.  Someone
once said "Some people don't put their best foot forward until they get the other foot in hot 
water."  Remember, the stepping stones to success may bruise your feet.

--
EXCLUSIVE LEADS for your business for YOU AND ONLY YOU!
http://www.trafficoasis.com/index.php?11601
--

Lon Lindsey
Publisher