*==============================================* M A S T E R N E T W O R K E R The Art of Building A Business by Professor Lon Lindsey MASTER NETWORKER #33 June 4,1997 *==============================================* INSIDE YOU WILL FIND: "The Art of Building A Business - Building Multiple Businesses . . . Is it for you? The Archive of Master Networker Publications NEW "What's Hot Directory" Our weekly one liner. The humorous side. The Master Networker recommended business web page for the week. ================================================== Hello fellow "Master Networker" subscribers! This is number thirty three in the Master Networker series. If you happened to miss the first thirty two publications, you can retrieve them at: http://masternetworker.com/mailfiles/mailfile.html or you can retrieve them by email from the auto-responder: MasterNetworker-issue-#.txt@masternetworker.com Substitute the desired issue number in place of the "#" Example: mailto:MasterNetworker-Issue26.txt@masternetworker.com *********************************************************************** I've struggled for years with the idea of working multiple network marketing programs . . . especially at the same time. This week's article addresses this issue. ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> This is a reminder that the Master Networker series is purposely set up for the beginning networker or for those considering networking or even for networkers who have yet to be successful in networking. This means that The Master Networker series covers basic networking principles with the purpose of developing a firm foundation for networking. "The Master Networker" will be void of information that will thrust you to a $90,000 income within 90 days or a $15,000 monthly income without doing any work. Why? Because that isn't how networking works. I've been in networking for thirteen years, and I have yet to meet anyone who has obtained networking riches without working for it . . .especially $90,000 in ninety days. This series is about the real world of networking. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> T H E A R T O F B U I L D I N G A B U S I N E S S B U I L D I N G M U L T I P L E B U S I N E S S E S . . . . . . I S I T F O R Y O U ? Have you ever had something ingrained in you as a youngster and when you got older, your actions were based on that indoctrinization from your early years? Even if you went against what you were taught, you may have felt guilty . . . even to the point that you felt so badly about doing it that you really couldn't do it effectively. As a youngster in MLM, I was told FOCUS AND WORK ON ONLY ONE PROGRAM . . . PUT YOUR BLINDERS ON AND FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS! As I look back at the MLM programs available thirteen years ago and the tools we had available at the time, I must admit that advice was sound advice . . . at least at that time. Perhaps it is still sound advice, but let's look at some things. MAJOR FOCUS PROGRAMS VERSUS MINOR FOCUS PROGRAMS I am coining the phrase "major focus programs/companies" and "minor focus programs/companies," not to be used to place a determination of how "good" or "bad" the program/company is or how effective or ineffective a program/company is, but to be used as a way to identify the amount of time needed to get the business up and running into a profitable long term venture. By the nature of the company and/or products represented, it might be necessary to put in alot of time building that business. It really depends on what is involved in recruiting, sponsoring, training and managing your business. It also depends on the business-building tools you have available to build the business. A business that requires much time to recruit, sponsor, to be trained and to train those you sponsor plus time to manage your business is considered a "major focus" business. A "minor focus" business is one which you can set up to automatically build for yourself without a whole lot of time, interaction and management by you. In other words, it is possible for a person to have a "minor focus" business producing a "major" income. Conversely it is possible for a person to have a "major focus" business producing a "minor" income. DETERMINING WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS "MAJOR FOCUS" OR "MINOR FOCUS" I don't want to get into all the parts of building a business here, however I do want you to see the factors to consider when determining whether a business is "major focus" or "minor focus." Other articles discuss effectively building a business through recruiting, sponsoring, training and managing. The real factor here is how much time is it going to take for you to effectively do those things. If it's five or six or more hours a day, you can bet it is a "major focus" business for you. If it's one hour a day, then you can consider that a "minor focus" business. I do have to qualify myself here. It is possible that a person may have only one hour a day to devote to a business yet the business could really be a "major focus" business. The key words here are "time NEEDED" to adequately build your business. IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO YOUR MODE OF OPERATION Determining "major focus" or "minor focus" may very well come down to your mode of operation. In other words how you are building your business and the tools you are using to build your business. If you are having to meet person to person for recruiting and sponsoring and then having to meet with groups for training and management, you can see that would take time to do. On the other hand, if you simply had a person go to a web page on the Internet at which point they could join the business and receive training from web pages or auto-responders and are managed and motivated via online newsletters and training articles; can you see the difference in the amount of daily time required? Those two examples are two extremes that are being done effectively by business builders. There are all kinds of business-building strategies in-between. The best rule of thumb is: THE MORE PERSONAL CONTACT NECESSARY, THE MORE "MAJOR FOCUS" IT IS. This really brings me to a delimma because I personally believe the more personal contact you have, the more long-term and successful your business will be. So based on that, you might determine what your "major focus" program is based on which program you want to provide more personal contact which is time....time well spent, I might add. Now here is the "kicker." A "major focus" business for someone else could very easily be a "minor focus" business for you. In other words, the same company represented by two different people could be a "major focus" company for one and a "minor focus" company for the other. It depends on the numerous factors mentioned above. MULTIPLE PROGRAMS NEEDED? . . . OR JUST WANTED? Some people would argue that you need only one program and you should make that your major focus program. In theory, if a program is strong enough and you are dedicated and focused enough, and it is producing an income for you, one program is all anyone needs. You see, with proper focus and a continued daily operation procedure, you can increase your income over a period of time. In reality, people get sidetracked . . . they see something else that motivates them or intrigues them or they see something that appears better (grass is greener). So very often what takes over could be a sense of adventure or the challenge of building another business. Often times we justify adding another program because we say "it doesn't conflict" with the other program, but in reality any program that requires time creates conflict regardless of the product. Maybe the real question becomes "do I want ONE business producing $5,000 monthly or do I want two businesses that each produce $2,500 monthly? You have to decide! If it's the adventure of something new and you enjoy building multiple businesses and you can do it successfully, then go for it as long as you know what you are doing. Another justification is if one business goes out of business, then I will still have my other income-producing business. That is true, but I hope we get involved in businesses that we truly believe will be around for the long term. I would hate to think I have to build multiple businesses because of a fear that 80% of them will go out of business within two years. I don't know about you, but one of these days I want to sit back and reap the rewards of my hard work and I want to know my chosen company will still be around for my retirement. Therefore, I feel most of us use this excuse just to justify ourselves into going into another business . . . for whatever the real reason might be. Keep in mind the real reason might be to make a quick buck and go on to the next company and do the same, but surely we are trying to build our future as well as our present. MLM JUNKIE OR MLM ENTREPRENEUR A MLM "junkie" is considered to be a person who gets in just about every program that comes along. I saw a sig file (I didn't know one could be that long) that had 26 . . . yes, 26 different programs available for you to look at. Now, is that a MLM "junkie" or an MLM Entrepreneur? One's first thought might be that person is a MLM "junkie," but maybe not. Let me explain. If a person is in multiple programs and is actively working at building each program BY HIMSELF, he might be considered a MLM junkie. If, on the other hand, he has set up a mall of stores (business opportunities) with each store managed by a different person with the result that it was also benefitting him, then maybe he would be considered an MLM Entrepreneur. In other words, he becomes a manager of managers. So, to say make a blanket statement that anyones who is in multiple programs is a "MLM junkie" seems like making a very gross generalization and assumption. Perhaps that person has such management and organizational skills that he can pull something like that off . . .thus a MLM entrepreneur. On the other hand, perhaps he just gets into almost everything that comes along not building any business successfully . . .thus a "MLM junkie." GETTING INTO MLM PROGRAMS JUST TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS There are some people who join MLM programs only to purchase products at wholesale cost. I've met several people who simply want to support the industry by purchasing products and services via MLM. These people are not "junkies" because they did not join with the intention of building a business. These are usually people who want to give something back to the industry that has been so good to them. A PORTFOLIO OF BUSINESSES We've heard of the phrase "stock portfolio" or "financial portfolio." Why not have a MLM portfolio. Well, in fact, there are people who do just that. In fact there are companies that promote building a portfolio of MLM businesses through a special business-building process. I think having a portfolio is wise if you put it in the right perspective. What a portfolio does is organize things for you so knowing what you are involved in and being able to track it makes sense. I do feel you must go back to knowing what is major focus and what is minor focus for you. MY APPROACH TO MULTIPLE BUSINESSES I might share with you my approach to multiple businesses . . . not that it is the right or wrong approach, but just to share a bit of myself with you. First of all, I tend to have a somewhat addictive personality so that, in itself, could be bad news. Just as a person can be addicted to alcohol or drugs or gambling, a person can also be addicted to MLM or money programs. I'm sure I can get the same "rush" by recruiting, sponsoring and building a business that another person would get from another addiction. . . thus it would be easy for me to get involved in many programs because of all the things that would make me feel good in being a part of it and then when you add the lure of the Internet and the speed of the computer, it actually intensifies those "feel good"feelings. The secret is first realizing there is that problem and secondly being able to control it. I jokingly told a friend of mine that I was going to start a support group for people who are addicted to MLM programs. Of course there would be a monthly fee to participate and I would pay commissions based on a good marketing plan. He must have been addicted as he wanted to be the first person in when I started it up! The way I have put my portfolio together is seven years ago I chose a company that I KNEW WOULD NOT GO OUT OF BUSINESS! That was important to me because four or five had previously gone out of business on me and I was tired of that happening. This is my offline FEEL GOOD/MAJOR FOCUS business and my major source of income. It's the company I can put in my back pocket and take anywhere because I feel so good about it and their products and their heritage and their stability. I SIMPLY LOVE THIS COMPANY! So why do I even get involved in other companies. I think that is where the challenge and adventure comes in. Actually I realize I can have my own challenge and adventure in my FEEL GOOD company, but still I do enjoy working what I consider a "minor focus" program here and there. Sorry, my plate is full so don't start sending me "the best opportunites" If I did exactly what I would like to do (not necessarily what might be best to do) I would set up a mall of business opportunities actively supported by The Master Networker" . . . a wide variety of stores with each store managed by different individuals in my organization. I would keep duplication of products to a minimum and offer as many different products and services as possible so people could come in the mall to do their opportunity shopping. Of course the foundation store would be my FEEL GOOD business. IF YOU MUST! If you must work multiple programs, I might suggest you don't try getting them all going at the same time. It is best getting one up and running smoothly before you get another going. In fact, you might use the profits of one to help you start up the next one. Regardless, consider the amount of time needed to effectively build and manage each business. IF I COULD, I WOULD If I could, I would work only one program . . . a program that I know will be around forever, and find my challenges and adventures within that one program and then one day pass that business on to my children. Lon Lindsey Master Networker (and still learning) ************************************************************************ How would you like to be the only representative from your business opportunity to be listed in this "What's Hot" Directory. Explode your opportunity by registering and setting up a web page today. Visit: The American Dream Network, Inc. http://www.munymaker.com **************************************************** This week's one liner ---------------------------------- Making space for someone can make them a part of the group, but taking away their space can make them apart from the group. ========================================================= The Humorous Side - A passerby saw two teams of youngsters playing baseball in a southern town. He asked one of the boys what the score was. "We're behind 28 to 0," was the reply. "Well," said the passerby, "you don't look very discouraged about a score like that." "Discouraged? We ain't discouraged. We ain't come to bat yet." ****************************************************** >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WEB PAGE OF THE WEEK - 8.9 Long Distance Rate? and get a FREE web page like mine. Check this one out! Http://biznessworld.com/lindsey/html >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Any suggestions for Master Networker article ideas? Submit to: professor@multi-level.com Remember, on the internet, it's not only who you know and what you know, but also WHERE YOU GO! See you there! Professor Lindsey If you want to unsubscribe from "The Master Networker" send e-mail to professor@multi-level.com and put unsubscribe in subject area.