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Alright, i got kinda hostile on my last post. I just wanted to tag some great things I’ve read over the last coupla weeks. I’m enjoying life right now, oozing enthusiasm. This is the best stuff that I read recently. Google Reader + Google notebook.
I still wish Google Notebook would let you set a ‘drop box,’ for adding ntes, and organize stuff better. Maybe I gotta use Evernote afer all.
Oh, yeah, I’m on Skype now (genuinechris, natch).
Listening to the Hold Steady while I grind out some blogs for Tim. Finn’s voice got better, but he doesn’t sneer enough anymore. Lost some swagger and sneer. He’s “just kinda floating,” nowadays.
Anyway, For the Links:
Problogger on the new Google Affiliate Interface
Change This on Meaningful Design (I love about 30% of change this’s content).
Integrate Gmail more tightly in Windows (this prolly saves a minute a day, 360 minutes/year).
David Allen Has A posse more GTD geek stuff from Lifehacker.
Duct Tape Marketing on Cheap Gas: MUST READ. I absolutely love this post because it is true; we have one more obstical
Stuff on smaller sites:
Easy Uploader for WordPress is HERe
Escape From Cubicle Nation on “How to be creative anyway,”
The X Broker on How the Hell To Enter The World of Real Estate (Must Read!!!!!!)
I’ve always been fascinated by MLMs. I’ve said for a long time that I wanted to be in an MLM. In theory, they are good, and it’s the kind of game I have won all my life. I can’t bring myself to do it because of the sleaze factor, the fact that it would dissipate my personal brand, and because I have a severe distaste for people that ruthlessly monetize their friends and family.
Still, I’ve always wanted to do MLM. It’s on my checklist of ‘novel ways to make a living,’ along with selling cars, be a writer, and being an executive assistant. It’s always fascinated me because I’ve seen the income statements of some true successes, and they’re not the brightest people in the world.
I like the kind of people that MLM attracts, the goal oriented, church-of-success Polyannas, the would be and wannabe contenders. It also attracts the same ‘get rich quick’ jerks that are around in Real Estate, the kind of ruthless lunatics that caused our industry to blow up. I digress.
My past experience has with MLM been this: a highly emotional (they call it ‘holistic’) pitch that as my high school buddy Sam says, "Stresses the upside, but leaves some details in the dark," or even deliberately making them obtuse. When I press for details, the MLMers keep me out, after saying that ‘all my questions,’ would be answered. I want to get first, the financial details; most specifically the velocity: how long will they hold your damn money up before they get it to you.
Anyway. Bumped into a former Otterbein classmate some time ago at church. She’s involved with Usana, and she invited me, passively, to hear more about it. Initially I said not so much, but I’ve heard from tons of people that it’d be a good fit.
I contact her after something makes me a little more interested, I ask very specific questions, phrased clearly. I even called with questions.
I get a, "Hey, are you wanting to meet now."
More curt and brusque than necessary, I say, "before we meet, I have questions," all revolving around velocity of payout and transparency.
I got more closing info for a meeting.
I get links to videos that have nothing resembling the information I was looking for. I was looking for info–one or two words. I sent this:
I intend to know:
1.) Pay structure, mostly how soon after a realized sale do I get my cash. this is significant because I want velocity. I want to ensure my people get the cash on time every time, without fail, and I’d prefer it if they’d have maximum possible cash control.
2.) income: How many levels deep?
3.) participants: I want to know the score, I don’t have a ## in mind.
4.) key personel and past Bankruptcy, indictments, or legal hassles.
5.) efficacy of the product: am I going to be selling my network up the river? no. I must deliver the goods, even if the price is premium.
6.) price point.
7.) chargeback exposure.
I got links to video
Nutritional Info:
[[url]]
Comp. Plan
[[url]] (and the 17 minute video comp plan here was opaque and didn’t answer my questions).
Look, a 17 minute video that trickles content is an insult. Especially when the info can be done in three-four sentences. Who would watch a video? I’m a high-D on my DiSC profile, but seriously, 17 minutes of video without many words is not what we want.
When I said "I don’t do videos" meaning, I wasn’t gonna invest (and why should anyone) my time in a video without info first….I got this in response:
Chris. For what it’s worth Usana pays weekly. I’m not trying to ignore your questions…they are not just a simple answer…a wider explanation is needed.
We are trying to build a team of coachable people and it doesn’t seem you are flexible. We feel Usana is the best, most fair compensation plan with really top notch products. But, I find it extremely frustrating that you won’t take the time to consider the company to the extent that is needed to give you your information
Coachable. That’s code for people that do what we want. I was called uncoachable for asking questions. Remember: She approached me.
All of the questions above are answerable easily…but the fact is they weren’t read. At all. Just send me to a video.
Again–how do you feel unimportant? I get scads of MLM opportunities thrown at me. I have a great contact base that basically trusts me. 719 "A" contacts, 1400 "B" contacts, and 4500 "C" contacts. This was built over a decade of selling real estate, mortgages, and other things. (Aside: I have 45-50 people that dislike me in my database as well.) I was begging for information in the facebook conversation.
Just stiff armed. Given the opportunity. I respected the person that came to me. She didn’t honor my time, or value me, because she could take 4 minutes to evaluate the questions.
I’m not trying to ignore your questions…they are not just a simple answer…a wider explanation is needed.
No, simple questions get simple answers. Actions speak louder than words. She had no interest in connecting, and the attitude of finding talented people. I don’t learn exactly like others, but this is not the way to do things. The videos answered no questions, they were either condescending and controlling variants of the Ben Franklin Close, or emotional pulls with no real info.
In 2008, we have to have companies acknowledge what they do right and what they do wrong. Sending
Three sentences would have given the info video, and I hit Alt-F4 after about 1 minute wasted. I couldn’t see them providing me with anything. The questions remain unanswered. I know that Usana people will find this blog and comment on it, but not answer my questions.
Here’s the deal: Communication is what we’re hearing, not what’s being said. I’m pretty sure that this chick was a communications major, too.
It was obvious that I was interested. I am STILL interested. If I can add true value to my contacts, help people and get paid, I’m 100% in. But, I’m not going to join something But I want transparent answers to important details. Example: How much exposure do I have to chargebacks. If someone calls AMEX and pretends they didn’t order it, what next?
A relationship is built on trust, and if there is trust, a little at a time. If we do what we say, and understand that we’re asking, then trust is built. If we take objections as threats and nuisances, then trust is dissipated. Even an authentic FAQ generated by the user would have done this.
Anyway, this is largely notes for the future. Social Media + MLM is a viciously cool combo, and I want to get in at some point. But it’s gotta be something I’m enthusiastic about, I don’t want my friends thinking–as I did–that I see them in terms of dollar signs. I want people to know that I’m recommending this because it’s in their best interests. I recommend GTD/ZTD because it’s in their best interest.
So I keep on searching. If you’re willing to answer questions, feel free to contact me here or on twitter.
I’ve been struggling with GTD for a while. The premise and the action orientation really has changed my life. But, the wagon is really easy to fall off. Even David Allen admits falling off the wagon. The overhead part of the system is necessary. There are people every day thinking of new ways to distract us.
ZTD is an even simpler version of GTD. Really. It focuses a little more on MITs/ROCs, and a little more on ‘should I be doing this stuff.’ And, it’s got more specific advice: every flat surface to be clear.
Basically, I use 3.5 * 5.5 Moleskine for one list, and for another list, Google Notebook. I try to get everything into google notebook, and then print lists, and carry them in my man purse. I also have a small notebook for stuff to get someday (an increasing “media to get”) file.
Anyway, it has good, quick advice, and habit forming techniques. The book is cheap, it’s done by the author of Zen Habits, and you should buy it today. I don’t get squat for this referral, not that there’s a problem with that.
Buy this book today. Get it here:http://zenhabits.net/2007/11/zen-to-done-the-simple-productivity-e-book/
I’ve been supporting myself now, for a while, of of the income I earn from writing and helping others. It’s been an utter blast. And I’m gonna get better at both. It’s early in the journey. I’d be doing incredible if not for poking a stick in the IRS’s eye in 1998 and again in 2003. Them there payments bite. Those jerks don’t miss a trick.
But, I’ve learned a lot about social media, both good and bad, in my sojourn to a third career. I’m learning about myself, my family, and I’m about 3 heartbeats away from doing something cool. I’m reluctant to talk about it though.
I’ve learned that it’s not hard to win in this game–and that winning is so stupid. There Like anything else, it’s hard to manage yourself, but this game is winnable and beatable, even in a ‘down’ economy. Since you’ve exppanded the market, there are no shortage of people that you can help, and no shortage of ways for them to find you and vice versa. The bar for competence is set so low. There is also naked, moronic greed from people trying to siphon the energy out of Realtors/Brokers and their ilk. Showing up is indeed most of the effort needed to make a huge splash in media 2.0.
I’m learning that you must direct your energies to one of a few mutually exclusive goals: You can be rich, famous, or cool and that’s what most people go after. I’m not after any of that. Not needing the approbation of others is about the most freeing idea you can get. I used to really seek to be ‘cool/famous’ and I guess there’s some part of me that still does.
But really, truly, I wanna be free. I want to be no man’s bitch, to be out from under the thumbscrew of the IRS, and to be able to live cheaply, travel, and have adventure and exhilaration.
I’m 32. That’s young, kids, and I feel young again (in small part thanks to Scott), and I can’t see any reason to enter the corporate world. I want to live free or die. Really–I have to win this war, because I can’t imagine the plan B. I can’t imagine a dull and flavorless life as a kept citizen.
A decade ago a friend’s dad said I was going to go broke and be rich. Right now, I’m centered on freedom–cash minimal living while getting a good return. I’ve been a little rich and a little broke at various times, and it’s time to swing the pendulum back; the reason it’s different is because I have increased my capacity for boredom, and a lot of stuff is boredom.
So it’s time to get free.
I’m not gonna eschew rich, famous or popular, but I’m not seeking it. Free is the what I’m after, and the #1 thing I gotta do is quash my need to be popular. Quash my own need for the approbation of the mediocre. Greg told me privately (well, sorta privately, since he likes to include others in conversations that I start) that I’m simultaneously at war with and in the thrall of ’stylish losers.’
He was about 1/4 right, which isn’t horrible. I care overmuch about getting SOME people to like me more than I should, but I never cared about drawing the ire of idiots. I just shouldn’t care about who approves of me as long as I’m accomplishing my goals. Seek ye first.
More later. Time to battle.
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And incase y’all aren’t looking at what I’m looking at:
Duct Tape Marketing Blog: Cheap Gas Makes You Lazy. Subscribe to that feed!
Men With Pens: Generally good, sometimes great. This is one of the great times that keep ‘em on my reader. This confirms stuff I know, and do, and the ethos that I live.
