Brace yourselves readers. This is a subject not meant for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It’s really sad when these things happen but they are a reality in any business industry. We should all learn these lessons before taking any actions towards another, attempting to dismantle or damage relationships in business.
This past week we encountered a very difficult and burdensome situation. We came out on top because we knew how to avoid conflict and dismantling of our truest friendships. What should not have been an issue in the first place came into being through the underhanded efforts of a few select people that we thought were our friends.
We knew our position, thought twice, discussed it and ended up making the right decision before becoming involved in what would have surely ended up in disaster for ourselves and anyone else involved. The only answer was to remain neutral and to neutralize the situation completely. Giving the situation and the person(s) behind it any credit at all would have put us in the driving seat rather than simply being the injured party.
Sure, it would have been easy enough to engage and attempt to mediate and correct the situation, but what was the point and what would be the end result? We refused to sacrifice our own good reputation, credibility and our business to engage in such immature, inexperienced and “in our face” actions by a few others. To do so would have put us in a position of being the ones that elevated and kept a bad situation going. We simply took the “high road” and did the right thing.
In business and especially online, we all meet and befriend many people. Sometimes we do not know or consider that we may run into a difficult situation or that we as business professionals could be placed in the position of having to resolve any issues involving those we consider to be good friends. It’s very disappointing to all of us when we think we have a good friend and it goes sour due to some bad business habit, unethical tactic or manipulative person doing a bad deed. Being unprofessional does not help anyone win anything more than a bad reputation and loss of credibility in any business.
Most of us realize that even with the best intentions, that some people who are involved in creating difficult situations for others, have a different agenda than being good friends or business associates in the first place and will in fact have no qualms … about manipulating a situation to where they can achieve their goals of dividing and conquering for their own self gain and the possibility of damaging someone elses reputation and credibility.
These types of people are not your friends, they are opportunistic and could care less who they harm in the process. They see only themselves and their gain to be worthwhile and will go to any length in acting like “vultures”. They lurk in chat rooms and social networking sites to find those “unsuspecting” ones they can harvest to their business, then point to those who ARE professional and ethical and pick them apart to serve their own “altruistic” needs.
The question begs is it ever a good thing to meet a difficult situation “head on”?
Sometimes meeting a difficult situation “head on” that involves you and your business and …you are correct in your beliefs and values, CAN be productive if handled properly. Other times it is not a good idea because no matter how properly handled …you have no way to predict how someone else may react to your suggestions or good intentions to resolve a difficult situation involving a lack of ethics, dishonesty or unprofessionalism. Particularly when that person(s) is at the bottom of it and is the one who created the situation in the first place.
When we speak of being honest, ethical and professional, our intentions are always good. In any business there is etiquette, ethics and professional behavior that must be maintained no matter what the issue or problem between other people or even those we work with in our business and industry on a daily basis. Every person in business should be mature enough to be able to agree to disagree and still maintain a civil relationship.
Unfortunately, some are religated to continually and consistently harrassing others and finally in the end causing losses of friendship for themselves and others. One would have to assume in this case that those types of people are not in fact good friends or candidates for good business associates.
Business Ethics 101 requires one to respect and exercise ethics in regards to someone new to a company and business opportunity. It is not ethical to approach them with all sorts of reasoning and untruths about the business they’re in, attack their company, business or their business associates. It is not ethical to approach them and request they come over to your business in the same business competitive industry.
Individuals have the right to choose and make their own decisions as to what business they become involved in. Once they’ve made that decision, steering them in another direction or to another company is considered highly unethical and unprofessional unless that person has taken the appropriate steps to inquire first and then moves forward with their decision to take on another business. When an individual places another individual in the position of having to choose one business or another and uses unfactual tactics to do it …that is considered unethical.
There are people who engage in these types of work habit and activity for their own gain and end up causing others disappointment and broken relationships within their circle of friends and business associates. People learn from those they work with and the bosses they collaborate with. The fact is that all people are not equal in their work ethics and professionality.
What they’ve been taught along the way and what works out for them one time may not be successful everytime. Even if they have a long history of success using certain unethical tactics, eventually they do fail and ruin their own reputation and credibility and usually that of the person(s) they’re involved with.
There are all kinds of situations we all will encounter in business. It may be an issue of discrimination, work ethic, personal relationships, dishonesty or simply acting unprofessionally. Although some people think they should mediate in these types of situations, we find more often than not that attempting to do so only elevates the issue and does not achieve a positive outcome.
Realize business is business. We all create relationships that are both personal and business. When the two meet and are successfully merged that’s a good thing. But when the two meet and are unsuccessful due to professional jealousies, gossip, rumor or unethical practices …everyone involved loses something be it their reputation and credibility or a close friendship.
How we react to a difficult situation and how we treat others is what determines our strengths, our credibility and our reputation. There are the 4″ A’s” of any situation in life or in business. First one is “Action” …what we do when faced with a situation. Then there is ReAction …how we “ReAct” to what’s happening. There’s “InAction” …doing nothing when faced with a situation. Lastly is “ProAction”…having the good sensability to recognize a situation and if necessary be prepared to avoid difficulty and anything that would damage us, another person, a business reputation or decision.
In the end those that create difficult situations always end up losing the battle because no matter what tactics they use or what attempts they make to destroy others …they gain little if nothing. They only end up losing credibility and gaining a bad reputation for causing problems, being dishonest, unethical and unprofessional.
Time is what evaluates and determines wether or not these kinds of people change their ways or wether they go forward self destructing with bad behavior and work habits. Should they continue to engage in making bad decisions and behaving unprofessionally, they’ll only end up unable to rewrite history in terms of their past actions and lose the chance of ever becoming successful or achieving their goals in life or in business. Those people intellegent and informed enough to recognize their behavior and lack of honesty will steer clear of them and anyone who associates with them.
We encourage all of you to be watchful of those you befriend in life and in business. It’s not as simple as meeting someone and giving your trust blindly. As business people we must always remain focused on what we’re doing and our business.
Gossip and rumor are inappropriate. Engaging in such only puts you in the position of losing your reputation and credibility no matter how close the relationship is. Anytime you notice someone engaging in unprofessional behavior, steer clear of the situation as much as possible. Remember your reputation and credibility and …that of those involved is key to your success or failures in life and in buisness!
Make sure you really get to know someone before you engage in any business invitation or associations. Once you do meet someone, really get to know them. Get to know their patterns, work ethic and behaviors …how they engage in business, how they focus and how they treat others whom they work with. Observe how others “ReAct” towards them in any given situation.
Research new people you meet. In this day and age of technology, it’s possible to research online and find out most anything about someone if they’re actively working for any company or have a business. You can find out things like they’re work history, their associations with others and what if any problems they’ve had in business.
In finding out about someone you meet online, you will be doing yourself and your business a great favor. Doing your “Due Diligence” will allow you to know all about someone and determine wether of not they’ll be a good candidate to be friends with, work with or have in your business. You always want to know if a person is ethical, honest and professional and is capable of being a long term relationship and a good business associate BEFORE you get involved with them.
By doing this each and every time you meet someone new, you’ll find out that you’ll establish better long term relationships and business associations! Folks, it only takes a few minutes to find out about someone rather than finding out bad information later. When that happens if a difficult situation arises, you’re left disillusioned, disappointed and perhaps even may risk losing your reputation or credibility due to lack of knowledge or …there is the possibility that you’ll be placed in a position of having to resolve issues that aren’t truly in the best interest of your reputation, your credibility or your business!
When finding out distasteful information about someone, be careful to evaluate what you believe as factual rather than words spoken by other individuals. Gossip and rumor always have a way of determining a persons ability to speak truthfully and wether or not they indeed have truthful information that can be backed up by having gathered factual information first. This may involve questioning an individual personally or by finding out through public records as a matter of fact.
Realize that “Winning” is not always about being first. Sometimes in winning you lose, just as in losing sometimes you end up being the winner. It all depends on what you’re seeking. If its to win by having a good reputation and credibility and you do the right thing …that’s great! If it’s about winning by being dishonest and unethical …you’re really the loser. On the other hand if it’s about losing because you did the right thing …you become the winner. If it’s about losing because you did the wrong thing, you deserve to lose. Be careful what you consider “Winning” and how you achieve that goal.
Remember it’s your reputation and your credibility and that of people you involve in any situation.
Good friends and business relationships are invaluable. They are to be nurtured, treasured and protected. Your MOST important resolve should be to protect your own reputation and credibility in any situation, your business and work ethics. Maintain honesty and professionality at all times and when possible neutralize a bad situation and protect yourself, your friends and your business associates from being pulled into a difficult and bad situation. By doing so, you’ll enjoy a great reputation, respect and credibility and your reward will be that of long term friends and great business associations!
Gary & Viktoria Affron
Florida – USA
Owners, P.I. Marketing Systems / Ad Systems Direct /Business Trainers / Guest Speaking & Hosting / Social Networking Specialist / Product Development / Best Business Research Partners
PH: (386) 438-8056 or EM: pimktgsupport@gmail.com
* Please No Advertisements in eMail …Questions, Comments or REcommendation Inquiries Only!
February 23, 2009
Posted by pimktg |
Our Business Journal | business, difficulty, ethics, honesty, losing, people, professionalism, relationships, situations, winning |
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It would be impossible to tell you how many phone and instant messaging conversations we have with others daily about what it takes to be a good online marketer! As we ask and answer the questions …we can’t help but notice a few belief systems and mindsets that are usually and totally off base!
We talked to people that believed in Software, pricey Training Courses, Traffic Exchanges, FREE opportunities, those systems that do the 97% of the work for you and …you name it, we’ve heard it all!
Okay …do you really believe that a $49 piece of software or a $2,000 dollar or more Training Course that claims to teach you everything or at least enough to earn you riches over-night, in a few weeks, in a few months or even a year is where the money’s at?
How many people do you know that paid for that piece of software and got resell rights and never made a dime selling it? In the first place, how many pieces of software are being sold, by how many people and how outdated are they?
What about Training courses? Spend a few hundred dollars or spend the $1,000’s …doesn’t matter, know why? Not all, but by and large most of those that sell their training are simply training you to do what they do …
So what if you don’t succeed at doing what they’re doing or don’t do as well? You won’t make the kind of money they do. Most trainings focus on either one or two things. They usually involve specific training in mastering particular skills or mastering the learning curve quicker than you could do it yourself but …comes at a price.
What about Traffic Exchanges and Quick Dollar Matrices. You won’t get rich doing Traffic Exchanges or $2 and $3 dollar matrices. They all generate excitement in the beginning and then they ‘Fizzle’ out! They all stop when the very last person comes in and there’s literally no one that doesn’t know about it and hasn’t joined it already!
You’re not going to get rich spending your days surfing a Traffic Exchange so that the company gets their business noticed. Your not going to get rich popping heads into forced matrices in hopes they’ll all upgrade and you’ll get paid $2 to $3 a pop! Even if you put in thousands …it all stops somewhere!
What about a Free memberships? They’re free so how does that get you paid? It NEVER does because when people join free and then don’t upgrade or personally sponsor anyone …there’s no money to pay you or anyone else!
We know people and we know systems. We also know that making money online is like any other traditional J.O.B. …it takes time and never happens overnight. There’s simply not one system that works any better than another! There’s no such thing as a system that does 97% of the work for you! Same with promises from recruiters or companies
that would tell you their business can make you rich quickly!
Promises like these don’t work! How much money will you or have you already wasted when you could’ve been making the same or even more money in a good online business product or services company? The answer is simple …alot more!
How Does One Choose Which Online Company or Business Program to Join?
An income based on the smaller dollar pay outs usually is an income that does’nt last or plays itself out eventually. Most of those business opportunities come and go or restart with a new company name or program.
Most low cost to join programs usually unravel after a period of time. Either their product or service is substandard or overpriced for what they offer or available elsewhere for less money.
Some businesses will cost you more to join than others therefore making them either unreachable for the masses or too difficult to promote.
Determination of which company or business program to join involves researching the ownership and people involved, the compensation plan and the product or services they offer. Look for any obstacles in the compensation plan that would prohibit you from achieving the top levels of earning a great income.
If an online company or business program, it’s owners or people involved have had past legal or ethical issues, it’s a pretty safe bet that you will not want to be involved in that opportunity. Be safe and protect yourself and your money. Always do your “Due Diligence” before joining any online company or business program.
So How Does One Earn a Great Long-Term Residual Income Online?
A “Residual” income is one that keeps paying you over and over again and can be built into a long-term lifelong income so long as the company you’re involved with stays the course like some of the more traditional companies that we all know and/or have heard of.
To earn a long-term “Residual” income, you must find that one thing you really love doing and are passionate about. Okay, so you may not ever own or be the CEO of a company, so what!! You can still be the companies best promoter, business builder and earner creating a long-term “Residual” Income that will in fact last a lifetime.
Remember that nothing happens overnight. There is NO quick way to earn income, wave a magical wand or online business lottery that will pay you the big bucks without your spending time and effort building it first!
How you earn a long-term “Residual” Income happens in a few ways. First you MUST bring other people into your business. Then you must also focus on getting them trained to do the business. You must have a way to replicate what you do and how you do it and be able to train others to do the same.
ALWAYS give the protential new team members a “Reason” why they want to do the business! Product information calls don’t do this. Company calls that focus on the business specific, key in the compensation plan and company progression do well at creating excitement and therefore a reason to do the business!
“Replication” describes what happens when you have “Repeat” anything wether it’s customers or one after the other new team members. The art of “Replication” is your members doing what you do and how you do it. It is the process of “Repeating” things over and over again. It is how you build your reputation and ultimately your business!
* (We no longer use the term “Duplication”. It’s an old industry term and it doesn’t describe what people too often use it for. Instead we use the word “Replication”. Why? Because you don’t have “Duplicate” customers or team members. “Duplicate” means having 2 of the same thing or being the same as another!)
NEVER lead with your opportunity. No one likes to be told that you have the only or the best business going, let alone hear all about your business the very first time they talk with you!
Get to know your customer or potential new member first! Talk with them about what they like, their family, their life and what they’ve done in a business or are currently doing.
You’ll learn a lot about a person by listening to what their opinions or perceptions are and then you’ll have the opportunity to correct those opinions or perceptions and promote your business to them appropriately. Don’t waste it!
Follow up is everything! Once you’ve gotten someone to a call or webinar …DO YOUR FOLLOW UP! Don’t wait until the next day! If you wait until the next day or the next week, you risk losing momentum and your customer or new members interest!
Take the FIRST opportunity to talk with that potential customer or new member about what they’ve heard or experienced. Ask them questions and then …let them do the talking! Find out what it is that gets them excited …what they love doing!
By listening to what they have to say, you’re finding out what you and they have in common. Use that common ground and what gets them excited to bond your interests to theirs and promote your business to them! There’s always something they’ll say or get excited about that has something in common with you and your business!
ALWAYS lead with the benefits …get people to a webinar or conference call FIRST! They can visit your website later. No matter what they say or do before that …they’ll at least have the information they need to make an informed decision and that’s where you come in. They’ll likely have alot of questions and you IF you know your business you will be able to answer them or at least get them on a 3-way call with someone who does!
Getting people to your company calls and training is your “Report Card” for how well you’re doing! The same goes for your members on your team …it is your place to train them on this!
Most importantly …you MUST create a step-by-step plan to accomplish your goals. Remaining consistent, persistent, timely, committed, dedicated and hard working daily until you reach your goals. Getting to be the top promoter and earner in your company is the real key to your success!
Don’t Ever Expect Things to Happen Imediately …Everyone’s Timing is Different!
Why do some people object and reject you and your business offer? They’re busy and focused on something else they’re doing. They may not see the value in what you have to offer. They get stuck in a mindset or belief system about things they’ve been told or they simply have a different way of perceiving things.
Maybe you haven’t explained your business to them efficiently or accurately. Sometimes it’s that you didn’t move fast enough, your timing was bad. Maybe it’s that you don’t have the right answers when they ask particular questions …you may not have studied or know your business as well as you should!
It’s so important to KNOW your business. Things are always changing in a business which is another reason to be on all the company calls and trainings! Get to KNOW your website and back office …it’s an intregal part of your business and how well you will succeed! Bottom Line: Never stop learning!
Not all people have the same learning curve for whatever reason and …most people don’t retain everything to memory like others do! Even if they did …they don’t use what they’ve learned because it doesn’t apply to their situation or business or they think of their business as a ‘Hobby’.
Some people are real “Go Getters” and they’ll perform accurately and quickly. Some are not and won’t work well under pressure. They are focused on other or wrong perceptions or they don’t have as much experience as you do.
Sometimes a person is slow to pick up and learn things about the business. They don’t have enough internet experience and may not even know some of the very basic skills. They don’t know how to write an email or ad, how to use a mailer or auto-responder, how to social network and any number of other internet skills. They need patience, time and consistent training to help them learn how to do things the right way.
Don’t ever think that just because a person comes into your business and they operate a little slower than you …that they won’t succeed! Some do and some don’t no matter how much experience or training they have. Some, no matter how much experience or training simply won’t buckle down and get the job done. You could put someone in your business thinking they won’t last and they …could turn out to be your best producer!
On the other hand, you can put an experienced business builder on your team and they may not meet your expectations. Why? Because they’re not really committed to what they’re doing. It could be they’re at the top of the hill in another business and are focused on that or …they’ve simply run out of people they know to invite into the business. They get objections and rejections the same as you do! If they’re really interested in being involved in your business …give them time, they’ll build at their own pace.
The point here is …DON’T have unrealistic expectations! Do YOUR best at helping the “Little” guy and the “Big” guy! Learn everything you can from everyone big or small in your industry and in your business. You’ll quickly learn how to handle yourself with others and to earmark those things that work and get rid of ideas that don’t! Remember you’re in the people business! You have to sell YOU …the rest takes care of itself!
If you really want to earn a good residual income, you have to first think about how bad do you want it. Then decide what it is that you really love doing. Once you have those two answers …you have what it takes to do a business successfully! Then next steps are up to you! If what you’re doing isn’t working …change it!
Don’t Pretend or Say You’re Something You’re Not …
Once you’ve got all the steps in place …then you will be qualified to teach and train others. Once you have the tools you need to be successful …go out and share it! Don’t go trying to impress people with something you’re not or …something you don’t know! Too many people tell others “I’m a success coach” or “I’m a mentor”.
Oh really? NO …You’re Not! Mentors and Success Coaches are people like Anthony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield and others. If you haven’t walked the walk like they have and have arrived where they are …You are NOT a Mentor or a Success Coach!!
You’ll gain a reputation ..either good or bad based on what others know and/or perceive about you. If you’re a ‘Know-it-All’ …people will run away from you. If you’re a “Slacker” people will know that about you too! If you know how to find answers or who to get them from and your honest about it, people will depend on you! People don’t forget things they hear, read or perceive about you. Your “Reputation” is who you are and …it WILL follow you wherever you go!
Share what you do know. If you don’t have the answers, go find them! Go find someone who does know and learn from them! Then apply what you’ve learned to your business. Tell others about it and begin your great journey to the next step …getting others to join your business, following your example and repeating what you do and how you do it!
If you’re going to be a leader in your industry or business, you must take the steps to become one! There’s NO way to fake being a leader until you become one.
The difference will be obvious to others. Make just one mistake, present something wrong or say something untrue and others will pick up on it and …they will remember it. This will be the legacy you decide for yourself and you’ll have no one to blame when you don’t attract others to your business!
You must do the work involved first and then you can take on that credibility, title or reputation with dignity and assurance that you know what you’re doing and can teach others how to do the same!
Until then …you’re still learning. You’re a “Follower” and not a “Leader”.
If we could give you one piece of good advice about having a business online and being a leader it would be …”Never pretend or say you’re something you’re not, until it actually happens!”
Don’t even attempt to talk the talk until …you’ve walked the walk!
Always be honest and ethical in your dealings. People look to and depend on people they know and trust. Your reputation in any online company or business program is what you make it!
How much income you earn depends on your reputation and willingness to go the distance. What you earn is directly dependent on what you learn, staying focused, working smarter not harder, working consistently and diligently and ultimately on the people you deal with and how you do that on a daily basis! Contact us with any questions or your request for business recommendations, we CAN help!
We Network People to Excellence …Our Business IS Your Success!’
Gary & Viktoria / Sunny Florida – USA
Owners, P.I. Marketing Systems / Ad Systems Direct /Business Trainers / Guest Speaking & Hosting / Social Networking Specialist / Product Development / Best Business Research Partners
PH: (386) 438-8056 or EM: pimktgsupport@gmail.com
* Please No Advertisements to Email …Questions, Comments or Recommendation Inquiries Only!
January 19, 2009
Posted by pimktg |
Your Online Business | business, company, compensation plan, credibility, customers, earning, ethics, income, marketing, members, online, opportunity, people, program, replication, reputation, residual income, success, timing, training |
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