This appears to be a step in the right direction. I still have to wonder why all WWDB CD’s are not available for free MP3 download. WWDB pays lip service to the free download model by offering 5 minute clips. The only logical explation for the lack of free downloads is the CD and membership profit enjoyed by the leaders of WWDB.
The post below also suggests that CD’s are $2.50 through WWDB. Let us not forget that when you include WWDB membership in the equation, standing order CD’s are more expensive now than before the price reduction.
The Web Tour module, a secure Powerpoint-style presentation used as an introduction to World Wide’s Private Franchise business model, enables IBOs to expose their business to prospects via phone and the web in a brief, professional, standardized manner. Alternately, a printout of the presentation may be used to make it accessable to the no- or low-tech level of either prospects or IBOs.
Either method will allow IBOs to identify potential business partners, regardless of distance, technology levels or scheduling challenges. (Web tour presentation time is 10 minutes or less.)The Web Training module, complimentary to the Web Tour, enables IBOs to train their registered business partner IBOs via web & 1-on-1 or conference call phone sessions regardless of distance or technology levels. The Web Training module includes existing training documents previously available via the WWDB website, all-new training documents relating to the use of the Web Tour and Web Training modules and the outlining of a clarified business game plan to help IBOs take advantage of all the recent business-enhancing developments from World Wide Group. Again, printouts of the documents can be mailed or faxed to be made accessable for no- or low-tech IBOs.
Also included in each section of the Web Training business plan outline are Audio Tips— averaging at about 5 minutes each in length, the MP3-format audio training files are by WWDB leaders are related to each topic section of the outline. WWDB CDs are cross-referenced per topic for more in-depth training. (WWDB CDs are priced at as little as $2.50 each, for Premier Member IBOs.)
"Let us not forget that when you include WWDB membership in the equation, standing order CD's are more expensive now than before the price reduction."
Ty,
Careful with the math there, your Houdini wand is showing… Let us not forget that Premier Membership w/my.biz includes an ecommerce-enabled website, which is a revenue generator (assuming an IBO is actually making business-promoting activities, not just subscribing to a tape service), a web-based ordering & bookkeeping app which is more robust than is offered via Quixtar's site, and more, such as the Web Tour and Web Training modules as mentioned.
In addition, again assuming an IBO is doing business-promoting activities, they need professionally produced promotional materials for prospects and training materials for downline who are not "wired." In that case, where an IBO who is actively building their business and loaning out promotional and training materials to a significant number of people, their savings over the previous tool distribution model actually increases significantly.
Again, how does one hand a prospect or new downline an MP3 file? The technology for digital audio distribution is not yet standardized or ubiquitous enough to be viable as an exclusive distribution method. For one's personal consumption of training, digital distribution just plain makes sense. For promotional and training materials to others, not so much. But I expect that as time passes, it will be more viable and the transition will be made.
However, even under a mostly digital distribution model, there is still an expense for the servers and bandwidth to host the files, and a monthly subscription rate like is paid for Premier Membership would still make sense to offset those costs… or are you maintaining that server farms and internet backbones drop out of heaven for free? 😉
Anyway, a so-called "IBO" who is simply subscribing to a weekly tape/CD and NOT conducting any business-building activities is NOT really a business owner, they are a Prosumer, and should follow the advice of Ron Puryear to re-evaluate their goals and either ramp up their activity level or drop off standing order and functions and simply enjoy the benefits of being a Prosumer.
Anon,
A lot of talk and no numbers.
What are the numbers?
How much does it cost and what do you get, exactly?
I think I made it clear that CD's are not bad and many are beneficial, however, that is some reason why WWDB does not offer them for free MP3's in addition to selling them…
Bandwidth? That's a joke. If the information is vital, have the diamonds pony up $200 a month/ea.
P.S. I know how much it costs to produce a site similar to mybiz, probably $1/month +/-.
I said this may be a step in the right direction.
If WWDB charged $20 a month for web and MP3 standing order, they would still make a profit….it just wouldn't build the River House and that is a problem for Puryear and Co.
"simply enjoy the benefits of being a Prosumer."
What might those be?
Premier Membership w/my.biz is 40.90/month.
It includes:
Access to wwdb.com ($24/yr value)
-Auto login to Quixtar & CommuniKate
-newsletters and e-mails
-Live photos of incentive trips
-Online purchasing (function tickets, Hotel reservations, tax packet, etc)
-Function calenders, maps, locater
-IHSS client incentive calculator (for clients to track their progress toward incentive gifts)
-Ability to earn bonuses on retail purchases of WWDB services
-Access to AutoConnect vehicle purchase/service/financing program
-e|office ordering/bookkeeping web app(formerly e|order, constantly being updated– web programmers are $1/month?)
Discounts on:
Standing order tapes and CDs for $2.50 each; 64% savings
Additional tapes and CDs for $2.50 each; 64% savings
Videos and DVDs at $7.50 each; 58% savings
Profiles of Success for $7.50 each; 58% savings
Books – Average 30% discount off suggested retail
Literature – Average 20% discount off suggested retail
my.biz – Personal website for $2.95/month; 80% savings over retail of 16.95/month
my.biz includes the Web Tour and Web Training, as I said, is integrated with CommuniKate, and is being regularly updated with feature updates, new content and graphics options for individual customization (Web programmers and graphic designers for $1/month?)
All of the above is covered by the same customer/technical support team as CommuniKate and DreamBuilders Internet service, which is available 12 hours Mon-Fri, 8 hrs Saturday & Sunday. (Support for $1/month?)
Compare this to IBOsystems.com, which starts at $16.65/mo and includes an extra domain registration fee (their unified communications system– still in development, apparently– will be extra too) and at time of writing, their Live Help was showing as being offine (in the middle of the day? that's inspiring.)
Under the old tool distribution system, a non-platinum IBO would be paying about $42/mo for Standing Order and $7 per CD extra. If one was buying just 1 extra tape/week on the old system, that's $70/mo.
Under Premiere Membership w/my.biz ($40.90/mo) standing order ($15) plus 1 extra tape/week ($10), it's $65.90. Only $4.10 cheaper, but our IBO is still getting an ecommerce website that he'd be paying another $16.65/mo from ibosystems.com, and still gets all of the above… And still has the option of charging suggested retail for non-premier downline tool purchases.
Our same IBO with the addition of one non-premier downline on Standing Order has the option of making back $27/month in tool sales, cutting his personal tool expenses down to $38.90– less than Standing Order under the old system, and still includes all of the above. (Or simply provide tools at Premier cost, as Michael does.)
Prosumer benefits:
-Wholesale access to Quixtar products
-ability to develop Prosumer & client base
-Performance bonuses on personal and client volume, retail profits
-Network Savings card on services
-able to deduct certain business expenses for tax purposes
Per my Competence & Profitability post (http://unquixotic.blogspot.com/2006/03/competence-and-profitability.html) a 300PV Prosumer who isolates their wholesale/retail margin for personal and client purchases has a $500/year profit advantage over a Costco Executive Business Membership, and that's INCLUDING a $250/mo operating expense for Premiere Membership, CommuniKate, Standing Order and Function attendence.
1. Yes, it costs about $1 a month per replicated website, roughly. 1500 sites = $1500. That includes hosting and updates.
2. IBOsystems is a for profit company that is not in the Quixtar business. Every owner of WWDB has a financial interest in WWDB IBO's, yet the still see the training as a profit center.
3. Standing order in WWDB at $7 a cd was $42. Now it costs $40.90 plus $15.
4. $24 a year for access to WWDB.com is a joke and probably pure profit.
We haven't even begun to address whether or not these tools help IBO's turn a profit.
P.S. Reduce the Opex to an Enhanced Membership ($16.95/mo for my.biz) without functions or tools, and you've got a 300PV Prosumer at a $3761.40/yr profit.
Also, the correct link to my post is http://unquixotic.blogspot.com/2006/03/competence-and-profitability.html
I love the term "isolate savings".
In other words, have a retail price that is 50% higher than similar products on the market, then tell people that they will save 30% on that retail price and give them a trendy name…."prosumer".
I also like how we cruise right by the fact that 300PV equals approx. $825, which is unrealistic for the average consumer.
Ty,
You've claimed (per http://unquixotic.blogspot.com/2006/03/flawed-logic-of-tool-sales-criticism.html ) that you "have never had a problem with people making money on the system…" and yet you here are attempting to make a distinction between ibosystems being a for-profit business and independent training systems such as WWBD– I fail to see a distinction. If an IBO wanted an equivelent service as he can get from my.biz, and his upline didn't offer it, they would have no option but to either use a for-profit service like ibosystems.com or spend otherwise productive time in creating their own website and getting it reviewed.
You consistently ignore the fact that a lowly 100 PV Premiere Member IBO has the same profit margin on tools as a Platinum premier member IBO and is potentially a "profit center" forthemselves… I realize that this is because it doesn't fit within the storyline you've created, so it's more convenient to omit it.
Ty,
After all the harping on your website about the FTC requirements for 10 clients, I find it laughable that you complete ignore client retail profit (Magic Math rule #1!) in the 300PV Prosumer example I gave, which clearly included client volume. $825 is unrealistic for 1 client's monthly purchases, which is why one needs to sell products to clients.
The beauty of Network Marketing is that when I help a person make money, I make money.
This concept is warped by WWDB and other Quixtar systems that say:
"While I make money when you make money, in addition, I am going to charge you money to teach you how to make money."
Anon,
Actually, I rarely charge my downline(if ever) for tapes or CD's. It's a write off for me and is added value to my downline. I don't care how much it costs me. If they learn from it, and use it, it's priceless. If I have a great productive leg, I use the my.biz website as an incentive that I would cover their monthly cost if they are consistant and are growing in volume. It's pretty effective and is another write off for my business.
Ty likes funny math, like the math that shows Amway/Quixtar/WWDB has had zero growth for 20 + years! He hasn't been able to substanciate any of it yet…
Do you know a single "prosumer" that has 10 clients?
I never knew ANYONE, prosumer or not in 10 years of experience with WWDB that had 10 clients.
"Ty likes funny math, like the math that shows Amway/Quixtar/WWDB has had zero growth for 20 + years! He hasn't been able to substanciate any of it yet…"
Count the number of North American Amway Distributors 20 years ago and compare that to the number of Quixtar IBO's today.
Enjoy.
As they say Michael, "the facts don't count".
I clearly said "profit margin on tools" which does not address whether or not a Platinum is making a bonus on Premiere Membership fees– I assumed it was a given that there was a kickback for a leader on the Premier membership fee…
It is not lying or naive to state that a $2.50 CD in the hands of a 100PV IBO is the same price as a $2.50 CD in the hands of a Platinum. (Unless Magic Math is applied.)
Considering that the Quixtar website requires one to account for their compliance to the 10 Client rule (10 clients, 50 PV or $100/mo in client purchases) in order to get paid a bonus check on anything but personal circle volume, and considering that World Wide is encouraging the Direct Pay system via Quixtar, yes… anyone getting paid via Quixtar is adhering to the 10 Client Rule requirements.
My upline mentor/surrogate sponsor has more than 10 clients. With online ordering, Ditto Delivery, etc, it's easy to have consistent client volume if one makes an effort.
Ty, you're looking at the world through 80's Amway goggles again.
P.P.S. Take the issue of a "trendy" name of Prosumer up with the likes of futurist Alvin Toffler, who coined the term… (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosumer )
Ironically, if you were on a book-reading program, you might be familiar with economic concepts like prosumerism, power waves, S curves, etc. 😉
(Sorry, can't resist teasing you sometimes.)
"Ty, you're looking at the world through 80's Amway goggles again."
I was never in Amway in 80's.
But if you mean that I am looking at Amway/Quixtar as a real business, not a cult, you are correct. = )
As for reading, using an economic term to descibe something doesn't always descibe it correctly…see "powerwave".
Oh my, what a powerwave. Outside of Michaels skewed perception of reality, Quixtar went backwards last year.
"Quixtar will be $100 Billion company in 5 years"
– Brad Duncan and Ron Puryear
P.S. Are you saying that you don't have 10 clients? Interesting.
P.P.S.
By the way, I am on a book program. Books that were actually published after 1970.
The 5 most important books for Network Marketers:
http://mlmblog.com/2006/02/the_5_most_impo.html
I would also add a 6th: Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.
Ty,
The main reason I read these blogs is to see if I can maybe learn something. I guess these blogs and negative websites are my "news" for Quixtar. Going on sites like AmQuix will always have the latest news on divorces and court trials. It's like the National Enquirer for Quixtar.
Anyways, I normally never write on blogs (except recently, of course), but I just had to ask you. Please don't take it as an attack, because I really do want to know. How do you have the time to train your team? I mean, I understand that YOU may have the time being a stay-at-home dad, but what about your team? Do they have blogs like these that consistently argue with people in different businesses? Do you really stay at home all day on conference calls training your team members?
You've mentioned some books which is great. Do you encourage your team members for personal growth as well? If you do spend time training them and helping them, then why spend time talking about Quixtar and its systems? It just doesn't make sense to me that you would even give it the time of day while you're focused on building your Oasis business. And I know you might say it doesn't take a lot of your time, but it still does take mental energy. It's taking mental energy and time from me just posting this message.
Wouldn't you might be more effective if you spend your mental energy growing your business? Helping them? Training them? Building relationships with them? I know there's gotta be a few knuckle-head IBOs on here that has said some things to you that shouldn't have been said if they were truly reading and applying the people skills they claim to be learning. So why spend the energy? I just don't understand your intentions. Some negative sites are meant for Quixtar's demise, but from what I understand, that's not what you want. Am I wrong?
Anon,
Either you are naive or lieing…
"You consistently ignore the fact that a lowly 100 PV Premiere Member IBO has the same profit margin on tools as a Platinum premier member IBO and is potentially a "profit center" forthemselves"
A platinum makes $7 per premier member. Do they not?
Christian,
We have in depth training for our team in Oasis.
Honestly, I started my blog as a way to meet people and share my thoughts and perceptions on the industry. Later, I began publishing blogs as a business model.
So my time is spent in two areas. Morning is related to my blogs and afternoon is Oasis.
In addition, I think people need to hear the truth about Quixtar. I was fed information by my upline that was really not true.
People should understand that WWDB has only broken 5-6 new qualified Diamonds in the last 10 years and that all of them have been involved since at least 1995.
Okay, 5-6 new Diamonds. Well, I'm not in the WWDB system, but I am very familiar with them because they are the majority so far here. See, you were in for about 10 yrs and then you left. Most critics claim how happy they were that the brainwashing finally stopped. My question is why do you keep pursuing it? Why does it even matter? Because honestly, it doesn't really matter to me. I have found what works for me and my team even in the system. I see how some Quixtar IBOs come on here and criticize you, pointing out how stupid or an idiot or how bad your math is. I just don't see how that can be productive for anyone. The thing about blogs is that nobody's mind is ever changed on these things. Neutral people normally don't post on blogs. It's usually the ones w/ extreme views and beliefs. I've NEVER seen a message saying: Ty, wow, you are so right, how can I have been so stupid?
As such, it not my goal to CHANGE you. My goal is to understand. If Quixtar IBOs are truly reading and applying the people skills, there should be NO reason for anyone to call anyone names or lose their temper. ESPECIALLY on a medium such as this!
So again, I'm just trying to understand. If you have found what works for you (Oasis), then why spend time w/ us (brainwashed IBOs)? The only conclusion I can come up w/ is that you probably get a considerable amount of downline from disgruntled, unhappy IBOs, who you convince to switch. I do commend you for having something to offer them if they still do want to pursue a Network Marketing company. My goal is not to sponsor everyone on God's green Earth, but to find the few serious ones. Ty, it's been an incredible journey thus far. We do enforce the 10 client rule and we enforce proper training. And you know what, coupled with the system, it does work and people DO make money w/o ever having to spend a dime out of their own pocket to participate in the system.
Ty,
To your quote,
"Outside of Michaels skewed perception of reality, Quixtar went backwards last year."
Please realize you are treading on thin ice throwing out insults like that. Have I ever insulted you? NO!
I have merely pointed out that your facts are skewed- not you personally, but your facts- and you start name calling. Nice professionalism there.
Please note that you are publically stating (without knowing who I am I might add) that just because I am an IBO, I have a skewed perception of reality. Oh, you have also publically called me an idiot too…
Also,
Quixtar may have gone backwards last year, but how bout over the last 6 years TY? How much did we earn this year compared to 1999?
I'd like to see the numbers…Oh wait I have the numbers…
FYI I do have over 10 clients…
TY,
Quick math question for you,
What is 3% of $1 Billion?
Has Oasis even touched that amount yet?
Michael,
I think we have more than covered whether or not volume makes a company ethical or not.
In 1999, Quixtar was still seperate (volume wise) from Amway North America. I don't believe that Quixtar has ever hit (or ever will) the sales numbers that Amway North America did in the 90's.
Did I call you an idiot?
I may have. But what else do you call a person that is involved with WWDB and thought that diamonds that have been at that level for 10 years were new in 2005? A genius?
You continually imply that I don't understand Quixtar and WWDB, yet I continue to show with verifiable facts that I know more than you.
I am simply less subtle in the idiot implication than you are…
Ty,
This business has changed considerably since the last time you were "in". I really don't care if you THINK you know more than me or not, I just want to make sure you aren't intentionally skewing numbers as you have in the past. I have pointed them out on several occaisions. I was still able to point out a couple brand NEW diamonds that you had mentioned that there weren't any in 2005. There is a few more that have qualified, and I might add, have stayed qualified in 2005. We also have a new Founder's Crown Ambassador, Tim Foley(Florida).
There's also 3 new double diamonds, north america-
Seung Ho & Hyunja Kim,(New York)
Shivram & Anajali Kumar,(New Jersy)
Joe and Marybeth Markiewicz(North Carolina)
I've also counted 15 new Diamonds who qualified this year. If you know this business model, you do know that you need to be at the qualification level for 12 months, so, it's obvious that they are still qualified.
With the new products and the new diamond bonus structure, Quixtar is far better than the old Amway model was anyhow. More products and better technology, better profit structure than when you were "in"
Don't tell me this business isn't growing…
This will make a great post on my blog!
Fired UP!
Christian,
I welcome your point of view. I think you would be surprised at the number of silent readers we have on this site.
Many of them are seeking information about Quixtar.
Here is the cool thing. If I say something that you disagree with, MY COMMENTS ARE OPEN. You can post your point of view and we can have a good dialogue about the subject. If I am wrong about something, you will see me say so. So far, I have never had a single thing that I have posted proven to be incorrect. Michael says that I am incorrect a lot, but not once has he provided a verifiable fact to dispute my posts.
This is an open dialogue. If I am wrong about something, the readers will point it out via the comment section. Frankly, this is more open dialogue than you ever get with your Quixtar upline.
Warmest ~
Ty
See, that's the thing. Yes, you are correct in stating your comments are open. But for almost every post I see, on any site, the "BLOG" is the critics' domain. And that for every postitive statement (which I do agree some are w/ no substance), it is critiqued very heavily and often deemed as "tapespeak". Most "facts" are then coupled w/ perception which come out as opinion. I believe you when you say most people don't follow the client rules. I believe many lose money. But it doesn't mean they have to.
I've spent a good amount of time w/ my Diamonds as well as crossline Diamonds. In my perception, they aren't like they are depicted in these blogs. To me, they are people who started out like me, sitting in the same functions, driving the miles, and paying for the same standing orders. I meet many former IBOs and listen to how they speak. There is a seizmic (spelling) difference to how former IBOs speak and how successful IBOs speak. I've found that although many former IBOs listen to the CDs, read the books and go to the functions, MOST of them did not APPLY what they learned. For whatever reason, they could not get past their hold-ups that they had BEFORE the business (low self-image, not listening, condemning, bad financial habits, bad relationships). Those are all things I had to grow from when I got started. And I believe the SYSTEM is what made me who I am. I wasn't an American citizen although I was in the Marines. Honestly, if not for the system, I would've never cared about being one and knowing the responsibility I have for my fellow man. I would've followed the status quo and would've certainly not be debt free today.
I'm not on here to PROVE to you why Quixtar works. I'm not here to point out your faults, because I know I have many. I used to spend my time trying to PROVE how smart I was by being right. But I've found that building relationships is key. Isn't that what Michael Oliver teaches? For IBOs out there that are LOSING MONEY. There are CDs and books available to teach you how to create volume and become profitable. It is up to you though to SEEK the information and your responsibility to APPLY it and make the necessary changes.
"Frankly, this is more open dialogue than you ever get with your Quixtar upline."
Ty, please stick to facts and not speculation. If it was through your experience, then keep it your experience. We have our own leadership team who are very open to questions or concerns and I open myself upline, downline, or crossline to criticism. If I'm doing or saying something someone doesn't agree with, I open myself to them.
You can discuss Quixtar's & the system's faults all you want. What if Quixtar DID do what most critics think they want? Lower prices, lower tool costs, less meetings. Would it truly MAKE people more successful?
Well, Quixtar has introduced 2 new product lines (Zenso teas and Body Blends bath products). The teas are competitive in price and the PV/BV ratio is great. About 20PV/24BV w/ retail cost of $25.00. The Body Blends are comptetitive to Bath & Body Works products. Less than $10.00.
With the advent of Quixtar, direct fullfillment took away "product pickup" (except for WWDB). Product returns are now easy. From my understanding, WWDB does not do Emerald regionals anymore only Diamond and above. Ditto Delivery allows the IBO to focus on creating volume through retail and other IBOs b/c they don't need to spend the month figuring out how to do a 100pv. New products such as XS has given IBOs a great opportunity to increase retail. There's not one person I have met to say anything bad about this product line.
So, with all these changes, why isn't it growing as one might expect? Even if there was no system, is that the answer? In my opinion, no, because it will always boil down to people. With all this technology, more people are relying on devices, message boards, web conferences, and "blogs" to communicate. People aren't going "out there" anymore to BUILD relationships. Because of that, most people don't even know HOW to build relationships. And it's not just in Quixtar, but EVERY business out there. Companies are experiencing more disgruntled workers and less productivity. Diamonds aren't immune to all this. Within the last 2 yrs there's been a lot of things going on. Britt's and Miller's separation & divorce, Dateline, Winters' breakaway, a lot of old Diamonds are now hitting health challenges, etc. But with all of that, there is growth somewhere. Dave & Kristin Dussault are the first 2nd generation Diamonds (John Crowe) and (from my understanding) went Diamond being in Quixtar only. This is definitely a growing time for everyone. As they say, every dog has his day.
Christian,
If you would like to write something from your point of view, once a week for this blog, I would post it.
Warmest ~
Ty
Ty,
It's actually YOU that's living in the fantasy world…
Okay so for a Founder's Diamond..it's 12 months… but that means they are still qualified Diamonds after 6 months. You previously stated there weren't any qualified Diamonds in 2005…Which many times the new diamonds have been pointed out to you. Which you still refuse to acknowledge. Even though they are there.
we have grown this year.
Christian,
I've learnt one thing from dealing with critics, Quixtar isn't really the issue for them, their ego is the issue. They don't care if they skew the numbers or lie to try and make a point.
Ty definetly has something to gain from blogging against Quixtar- he gets paid to blog against them, it's simple fact. Remember Bo Short? That's why he will not EVER admit if we are right about Quixtar or not. He may let you have your point, but he'll NEVER agree to them.
This is what separates Qblog from Ty…
Michael,
I am going to say it once again.
QUIXTAR IS NOT GROWING.
You can live your fantasy all you want, but the company statastics show otherwise.
Also, you still don't even know your own business model. Diamonds in Quixtar only need to qualify 6 months a year. But good luck anyways.
Seems to me like Quixtar IBOs don't have enough people on their list or can't take it that someone is telling the truth. I am thankfull for Ty and Bo for getting the information out. I was in for over 16 years and the information helped me break the ice and get me out of the system. I am thankfull that people can express their opinions and facts they have and know.It looks like people are coming here and to Qblog to study and learn what is going on. You can try to slam Ty or Bo but the facts are out there all over the internet.
The other thing that seperates me from QBlog is my in depth knowledge and experience with MLM, WWDB, Quixtar and Amway.
So Michael,
Please provide me with emperical evidence showing Quixtar growth this year.
Also provide evidence outside of your opinion that I have skewed numbers.
I don't think I ever stated that there weren't any Qualified Diamonds in 2005. Please provide a link to that statement as well.
Please also feel free to run and hide at this point.
uh..yeah. that's why blogging isn't really an effective form of communication. check out ANY blog on ANY subject. Whether it'd be gay rights, religion, Quixtar, or president Bush. I don't believe any real dialogue is ever made on a blog. People in the middle are usually the ones who sit behind the scenes watching the banter while the 2 opposing views have at it. Michael, might I ask what your goal is by being right (or wrong)? From blogs like these, they usually start out as a friendly debate, then ends up being a name-calling back and forth fiasco where there is NO RESOLUTION. Ty probably does benefit financially w/ these blogs, but so do I w/ tools. Big deal. Tool income is NOT A SECRET anymore, but critics are quick to point out that it is. Blogs like these are a great way to find IBOs who aren't happy w/ their situation therefore allowing an opportunity to "show them a better way" and getting them to switch in a moment of weakness. Of course, that's just how I'd see it if it was me.
Like I said, it's not my goal to make Ty or any critic agree to my points. I just want to merely state my experiences, so anyone reading this can make THEIR OWN decisions. Michael, you're obviously not going to agree w/ him, so why would you expect him to agree w/ you?
The numbers that many critics point out are very questionable. Not because they're wrong, but just how the numbers are used. Most will try to calculate how much the average IBO is making by finding the bonuses paid out divided by the number of IBOs. But's that's not a real number b/c most IBOs aren't even "active". I have IBOs who are deployed and CAN'T build their business. Should we count them as an active IBO? There's IBOs who purchase huge amounts of tools but they don't show the plan. That's a practice we DO NOT ALLOW. So what about those numbers? So it's easy to come up w/ a number based on how much an IBO would make per hour and any unsuspecting IBO would see that and make a decision based on the fear instilled in them towards the system. How else can a brand new IBO whose excited and ready to take on the world come back the next day and be like "uh..I don't think we'll do this anymore."? And yet, b/c he's a registered IBO who was even too lazy to get a refund, he is counted in the "numbers".
Then again, it's all my wacky point of view. I'm proud to admit I've been brainwashed. I probably would've got kicked out the Marines for drugs if I hadn't. Sorry Ty again for the lengthy entry. I promise I won't make anymore posts until next week. I apologize on behalf of the system for your awful experiences in WWDB. If that means anything. Many of them are good friends of mine.
How did I "bust your chops"? I just wanted to know if you had any personal development program for your growing downline. Since you've got some guys making $1,000 a month, wouldn't it be a good thing to teach them proper spending values so they don't take their new found wealth and destroy themselves? isn't that what happens to the typical lottery winner? wouldn't a book like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" help ANYONE, in or out of network marketing? There are many books out there w/ no foundation (mainly spiritual) backing them. Ty, I've mentioned in a different blog on here that books like Michael Oliver's "How to Become Successful in Network Marketing…" are good books.
I don't know what you were trying to point out w/ a quote from me. I'm stating that there are many people who think that by using high tech tools such as web conferencing, MP3s, and blogging are great tools, but can never replace person to person interactions. Can you have converstations in a blog? Yes, but are they effective? In my opinion, no. Especially when it comes to building relationships.
Ty, I certainly didn't mean to bust your chops. I do believe you're intelligent and I respect your tenacity in sticking to your beliefs. Might I ask what you mean by getting into the 21st century? Are you saying that I shouldn't be reading the Bible or not recommend it to my downline who seeks fullfillment in their spiritual walk?
Maybe I should refer them to Scientology. Isn't that the new "hip" thing kids are into these days?
oh crap..i broke my promise. okay okay..for real this time. =)
By the way, if you are going to question my motives, what is the first sentence in this post?
Quote from Christian:
"…that's why blogging isn't really an effective form of communication…"
Didn't you just bust my chops for not being on a reading program?
You might want to hop off the upline suggested list long enough to bring yourself into the 21st century. ; )
Christian,
You stated that blogging in not an effective form of communication. I am suggesting that you visit your local Barnes and Noble…being careful not to prospect anyone = )…and look in the business marketing section.
You will find several books about the effeciveness of communicating to customers via blogging.
I have a question for you. Do you think we (you and I) have built a relationship?
TY,
Me? run and hide? From this? Surely you must be joking!
I've read through this entire page. One of my friends upline is making 60k/year from this and trying to get me involved. I understand to the teeth how the business model works, where money is generated from, and how the rich get richer and the stupid get poorer.
My view of world wide & quixtar, if you are dedicated to it, you will make money. If not, the money spent is a learning tool for business in general for someone who has not set foot in that area really.
My view of World Wide and Quixtar is that they are saturated in the U.S. because of past poor behavior.
You can not look at WWDB/Quixtar with an open mind and say "this is the best company in the industry to work with".
Me & my wife were in the Quixtar business, I'm telling you what it didn't take long to find out Adpacks, Tapes of the week, Books of the month, Seminars, Rally's, & ETC. We
were told to follow these simple steps & we would obtain a $3k a month income! Well after a year from buying house supplies from my own business, I spent over $3k & made a big total of $30.00 That's right I just wished I could shove those tapes & books where the sun don't shine. & 5 Years later I now know that my upline are now either Bankrupt, building houses, or fighting fires. This is to those who are thinking of getting into Quixtar/Amway.
Ray,
I am a nerd. I occasionally play Dungeons and Dragons (paper and dice) with friends. In the game, there are six major stats for any character, one of which is charisma… how you look and/or how you deal with people. The average person (outside of the game) would have a charisma of 9 to 11. Someone like Princess Diana, would probably have somewhere around an 18. For anyone to be in this business for over sixteen years and not get anywhere, they would have to rate a charisma of about 2. Either that or be incredibly lazy.
Jason,
If you were trying to make all your PV/BV by spending your own money, youwere going about it the wrong way. The system actually stresses that you only buy the things you would normally buy anyway, so you're not really losing anything, and then find others who will do the same.
Okay, I promise that's my last negative blog comment. Christian has opened my eyes to a very true fact: WorldWide has never taught me to be anything other than positive when I talk to people. The snappy coments are coming from who I was before WWDB and who I am trying to get away from.
Ty,
I apologize for any of the comments I made previously about you.
I was rude and I'm sorry.
I am curious… If this site is meant to be completely open to both sides and only the truth… why was the comment of the day (or whatever it was called) the ONLY comment which was written fairly poorly? I have seen a lot of intelligent blogging from people with opposed opinions to yours, but the only one you posted on the front page for all to see was the one that made your opposition look… less than intelligent. You know as well as the rest of us that most people never actually read the comments. Instead, they just take the top story at face value.
I am about to go to bed now and it's doubtful that I will ever read this blog again… nothing against you Ty, I'm just not sure I'll find it again (kinda stumbled across it).
I just hope you take some of this into consideration and know that WorldWide (and Quixtar) is changing everyday.If you've been out for even a month, your information is grossly outdated.
One new perk to premier membership… we have new personalized product websites. Take a look if you want. Mine is at http://lifeneeds.choices.biz. Feel free to delete that website if it's a conflict of interest or anything. I just want you to have the chance to see it.
Sorry, I meant delete that web address, not website. Oops.
Wow, what a crazy blog. Is anyone aware what picture this paints of the participants? Do you all really think the rest of the world is interested in this battle of egos?
It seems to me that all business is fairly difficult and those who succeed do so because they decide to. Quixtar/Amway has one major advantage in the MLM world that I like a lot… qre huge and are not going out of business.
Do I mind paying a few bucks for training? of course not. if its good, it helps me. if its not, I stop spending money on it. I'm not helpless, I'm not dependent on my upline to nursemaid me through the process (and if I am, I won't make it anyway. And I hope there is some money in it, so when I hit the level I desire, I can get paid for sharing my hard work, insights and experience.
Are there people failing in Quixtar? yes. Are there people succeeding? Yes. Show me a a business where everyone succeeds and I'll sign up today.
Did Quixtar grow? I don't care. They are not going out of business and they provide great infrastructure and tools. That is what I want. I've built these before and one of two things happened… the company changed the comp plan or the company folded.
Let the company be fair and stay in business, provide good product and, ideally, some support. Then get out of the way and let the people who want to and can go build a business. All the rest of it is nonsense.
Wow, I can't believe I just took the time to type this….
Good luck to all… I pray you all find ethical, fulfilling ways to make the life you desire a reality and to help someone else have a better day.
To the negative, dream-stealer people out there:
What have you guys done? Exactly! Quit whining, and put your money where your mouth is!
Wow…pretty funny to see reference to the WWDB Web Tour online after all of these years. I actually created it back in 2005 and just wrote a post about it on my blog. Not to mention the fact that I made it available on a website to everyone for free. Then WWDB took it, gave it a professional makeover, and started charging for it. This was after they promised they would not charge for it. Lesson learned!