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| Passport, LLC Takes A Giant Leap Forward |
| 11.22.05 (1:47 am) |
Distributor Force to Merge Into Oasis LifeSciences
Charlottesville, VA – November 21, 2005 – Passport, LLC, a direct sales company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, has announced it plans to merge its Independent Associates into Oasis LifeSciences. Passport currently serves distributors and customers in all 50 states and U.S. territories with its nutritional, skin care and personal care product lines.
According to Passport’s CEO Bo Short, “Over the past few months Passport’s corporate leadership has been discussing, among others, ways to enhance distributor income and expand internationally. As well, we have been reviewing various cutting-edge nutritional products that could be offered to our associates and their customers. Oasis LifeSciences allows us access to a company with those products, a similar, but much more lucrative compensation plan, international expansion and corporate leadership that have no equal in this industry. Being that our allegiance is to the families associated with Passport, LLC we know that this opportunity represents and enormous leap forward for each one of them and we are proud to make that leap together.”
Oasis LifeSciences is the delivery vehicle for companies owned by Bill Lee. Among his holdings are Aloecorp- the world’s leader in the production of Aloe vera and Unigen Pharmaceuticals.
Oasis LifeSciences Chairman was formerly the CEO and President of Avon. Through his leadership Avon grew from $400 million dollars to become the largest direct sales company in the world. In addition, their CEO was the President/CEO of Nature’s Way as well as the former Sr. V.P. of McKesson Drug Company. The Vice Chairman of their Field Leadership Council is Marshall Douglas. Working with the Passport’s executive team Mr. Douglas will oversee the integration of Passport Independent Associates under the Oasis LifeSciences umbrella.
“Both Passport and Oasis LifeSciences were founded on the premise that people want an honest opportunity on which they can reach their financial goals,” Marshall stated. He added, “I am honored to work alongside people that share our values and look forward to a rewarding future for each of Passport’s Independent Associates as they partner with Oasis LifeSciences.”
For more information go to: www.whatsetsusapart.com
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| Passport Gets a NEW & Improved back office |
| 08.03.05 (8:32 am) |
If you're wondering what's a back office and what does it have to do with Passport, then you've probably never involved yourself with a Network Marketing opportunity.
A back office is a distributors business managment tool. It allows us to order product, veiw our sales volume and our organizational growth. This is the basics of any back office.
Having been in a few programs, Passport has always been in front of the pack when it comes to a verbos back office. Bo short understood what people realy needed to help grow thier business. He put every business building tool at the distributors disposal.
On thing Passport does that few others do is provide every sales aid and tool in a FREE down loadable format. This includes training and sales audios, Brochures, sleek flash business presentaions, and much more.
On a recent conference call, it has been announced that Passport will be revamping and further improving the back office. To be honest, I'm not sure how it can be improved on. I will be VERY interested to see what the managment team will be pulling out of thier hats.
I'll keep you posted.
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| Passport continues to grow in to a world class Network Marketing Business Opportunity!!! |
| 04.06.05 (3:20 am) |
If you missed last nights conference call, Passport has made some announcments you not going to want to miss.
April 7th - Guest Speaker, Todd Falcone, will share his experience about network marketing. Here's some information about Todd Falcone:
Todd brings over a decade of in-the-field Direct Sales and Network Marketing experience to the table and shares his insights, thoughts and strategies for those looking for peak performance in their Network Marketing and Direct Sales careers. He is a million dollar earner and has made his way to the top in four leading Network Marketing companies.
Rather than re-type all of the other Passport News, this email will be filled with a batch of links to all of the great things going on.
1. Passport University - Training Program: http://adifferentkindofbi z.bl...
2. April Conference Call Schedule: http://dkb3.blogspot.com/2005...
3. April - May "Passport To Healthy Skin II" Promotion: See your back office order page to get a free Elan Exfoliating Scrub when you purchase Summit Nutritionals Hair/Skin & Nails and Elan Alpha Hydroxy Skin Refiner (a savings of $9.95).
4. Two New Merchant Partners will be added to http://www.passportmerchants.... this week. Dell needs no introduction and Lingo is an up and coming broadband phone service, offering unlimited local and long distance calling for $19.95 a month: http://passportmap.blogspot.c...
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| Blocking Carbs |
| 04.01.05 (5:53 pm) |
In an article titled: Making sense of Natural Weight Loss Supplements by Elaine Munro, an active businesswoman and training athlete, who conducts seminars on active lifestyle and healing nutrition, and raises consumer awareness about the natural health industry writes:
One of the most interesting new ingredients to be accessible in natural weight loss products is white kidney bean extract. A very simple and accessible raw material, this extract can provide active ingredients with as much as 13,500 to 15,000 units of amylase inhibitor (an enzyme that breaks down consumed starches) per capsule.
What does that mean? When starchy carbs are consumed, there will be fewer enzymes to convert them to blood sugar, which, if unused for energy expenditure, is stored as fatty tissue.
By taking white kidney bean extract prior to or during meals, up to 50 percent of consumed starches are blocked from being absorbed. Banaba leaf (or corosolic acid) is primarily used to stabilize blood sugar levels. In some cases, fluctuating blood sugar levels have been correlated to appetite levels and food cravings.
What makes this article interesting is this is the very nutrient that can be found in one of Passport's products called CARB BLOCK Plus
http://www.askshelly.com/articles/page.php?tp=3&p=1&id=23&s=maki ng_sense_of_natural_weigh t_loss_supplements" title="http://www.askshelly.com/articles/page.php?tp=3&p=1&id=23&s=maki ng_sense_of_natural_weigh t_loss_supplements" target="_blank"http://www.askshelly.com/arti...
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| Epic Network Business Presentation Tonight |
| 03.22.05 (12:06 pm) |
Epic is starting to do something very interesting. Instead of the same person doing a business preview, Len has decided to empower the current Epic Network Leaders with this responsibility.
Last week my team leader Brian Bier gave a presentation that was down to earth, thorough and as expected void of the hype you get anywhere else.
Tonight's call will be conducted by Ruben Santiago and Dan Weinhofer. These are two amazing business builders. I have no doubt that tonight’s call will be a great presentation.
To access the call 702-835-5000 at 9 pm EASTERN STANDARD TIME. When prompted enter access code 4EPIC# (43742#)
Even if you've heard this call before you'll be amazed how much more you will get from the call when you hear it from a different point of view.
I fully expect this call to be jammed packed early. If you want to here these guys just knock it out of the park, then get in early. I will.
Hope to hear you on the call.
Brian J
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| Michael Oliver, Best Selling Author, and #1 Network Marketing Trainer speaks live Thursday Night! |
| 03.06.05 (8:14 am) |
Michael Oliver, Author of 'How To Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends!' will be the guest speaker on Passport's Conference Call.
The call will take place This thursday at 9:00pm EST
Michael Oliver, Best Selling Author, and #1 Network Marketing Trainer will speaks live!
To participate in the
Live Meetings call:
1-641-478-5008
When prompted, dial 491560#.
Please use *6 to mute your line
ADDITIONAL INFO: What Is Natural Selling® and how can it help your MLM Buiness?
Natural Selling® is not about presenting, persuading or pushing your product or service, or 'telling' your prospective customer your story or what he/she needs. It's not about 'closing' and 'objection handling'...All these things create objections and rejection.
Instead it's based on an inner desire to serve and allow others to persuade themselves, if it's appropriate to do so.
It's about learning a precise method of communicating based on simple, easy to ask non-intrusive questions, and listening. This allows your contact, and you, to 'discover' together whether your product or service is right for them! The process allows them to persuade themselves to change their present circumstances and do business with you. It also eliminates objections and rejection and thus eliminates the fear.
What this means to you is, whether you're a professional Salesperson, Distributor, Business Owner, or someone who has never sold before, Natural Selling® enables you to succeed by eliminating your fear and anxiety about meeting people or selling. You will attract more customers, create real relationships, and generate more repeat business and referrals.
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| Bo Short makes exciting changes at Passport |
| 02.08.05 (5:38 pm) |
Bo Short promotes Passport leader, Ty Tribble to President of Passport. Dave Stone is promoted to Passports Vice President. These two people have an awesome vision for the direction of Passport.
What more can I say but Congratulations guys. I wish you all the best success.
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" Be A Responsible Sponsor " |
| 02.04.05 (9:01 am) |
The following article was written by MLM Trainer, Todd Falcone. www.toddfalcone.com
Leadership and effective sponsoring go hand in hand. Without one, you lack the other. Imagine having a hand without an arm. It’s physically impossible. You couldn’t have a floating hand hanging out in space without first having an arm to attach it to. The two must co-exist. Without one, the other is impossible. In order for you to be a sponsor, you must first be a leader.
We need to get answers to the following questions to understand what it takes to be truly effective as a sponsor in your Network Marketing business.
* What is a leader?
* How do you become a leader?
* What is a sponsor?
* How do you become a sponsor?
You can be a leader, but not a sponsor. But, you can’t be a sponsor and not a leader. Why? Obviously all leaders are not in Network Marketing, so, some leaders simply have no roll as a sponsor in whatever business it is that they do. However, all sponsors must first be leaders because being a leader is the primary mechanism that causes us to become a sponsor. So, in order for us to discuss the issue of being a sponsor, we need to begin with what it takes to be in a leadership roll. You’ll probably notice that I’m not discussing being a GOOD leader or a GOOD sponsor. Why? There is only one way to be a leader or sponsor, and that is to LEAD OTHERS IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER.
LEADERSHIP 101
Webster’s Dictionary defines a leader as “person or thing that leads; person followed by others”.
You becoming a leader and assuming a leadership roll in your Network Marketing business is as critically important as it is for you to have food, water and oxygen to survive. Understand this simple principle: Leaders have followers. If you have no followers, you are not a leader. Having followers defines being a leader. Followers look to leaders for guidance and direction. Leaders are “map-keepers”, “key-holders”, and the “machete marchers” of our society. They show the way, open the door, and pave the path for others to walk through safely. Leaders take higher risks and expose themselves to more “hazards” of the business world than followers ever do. Leaders provide safe shelter for their followers to exist in. Being a leader isn’t necessarily a “safe” place, but the leader doesn’t care, because he/she will weather the storm regardless of the risks involved with exposure. No followers equals no Downline. Downline equals followers. In some respects, we are all followers. And, we can all become l eaders as well, with proper training, practice and daily disciplines.
LET'S LOOK AT WHAT LEADERS DO:
Leaders are people who lead by example. They know that in order to create a strong, responsible and personally accountable group of followers, they must demonstrate the work ethic of a leader. They set the pace for everyone else to follow. Leaders know that their followers want to have the successes they have. And, when they see their leader working harder, longer and more diligently than other less successful people, they quickly realize that duplicating what their leader is doing is the way to achieve success. This is where the phrase “Find someone who has what you want and do what they do” comes from.
Leaders are organized planners, effective communicators, and strong on goal setting. Their days are thought out and their mission is clear. They plan on success and prepare for it accordingly. Their planning ensures their success. They never “shoot from the hip”. Their communication with others indicates their clear intent on success. Verbal mishaps and “words of regret” do not happen as easily with leaders. Of course, they aren’t perfect and they realize they only thing not possible is absolute perfection. However, they still strive for it. They communicate to themselves, “Who knows, maybe it is possible. Everything else is…” These are the thoughts of a true leader. They think before they speak, ensuring that the words they communicate have meaning. They write down with clear, measurable dates the objectives they plan on turning into reality. They strive, achieve, celebrate and then re-evaluate with regard to their ambitions and goals. Goal setting is a necessity of leadership. Goal setti ng is one card of many dealt in the “Game of Winning”, and they play it well.
They hold the power of vision. Vision is the broad picture. It helps people see the future more clearly. They can vividly imagine the future and what’s in store for them. Vision provides a ‘magnetic north’, a true direction for people to follow. A true vision unifies and inspires. Vision implies horizons toward which one is striving. Vision is foresight. Leaders clearly communicate the vision of their opportunity to their distributors.
Leaders absorb information and have breadth of knowledge. They assimilate information and use if for future purposes. Knowledge truly is power. Power is a major element of leadership. The power to direct, to change, to motivate, to create, to enhance, to inspire and to provide are just some of the powers a leader emits. They are stimulated by increasing knowledge about their own business, about themselves, about the overall marketplace, and about the competition. True leaders know their competition even better than their competitors know themselves.
They are sincere and caring. They live life with absolute integrity and honesty. Leaders conduct their lives in such a fashion as to create long-term positive results for themselves and those around them. The driving force is not for personal gain, but for the betterment of others. They know clearly that helping people get what they want will pay them back ten-fold in the future. They are long-term thinkers and never look for the short-term fix. They know that doing it right the first time requires less effort in the future. Therefore, they never carry what I term a “business band-aid” to temporarily solve a problem. They are more likely to perform in-depth surgery to fix the problem completely. Leaders are role models. They create an atmosphere of ethical, upstanding behavior for others to follow. There must be congruence between word and deed…what you see is what you get. A simple way of looking at a leader’s integrity is the Golden Rule…”Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.”
Leaders live a life of personal accountability. Their work ethic is wrought with tenacious voracity. The word failure does not exist in their vocabulary. Leaders don’t say “I’ll give it a try” or “I’ll see how it goes”. They stake their very existence on the success of whatever they do. For a leader…it truly is do, or die. They hold themselves completely accountable for both their successes and their failures. They never direct blame on others or circumstances for the things in life that happen to them. In fact, they create the very things that happen to them. For leaders, life doesn’t lead them around, they lead life around. Leaders love to self-evaluate by asking themselves, Am I doing all that I can to bring out the best in others? Am I a developmental leader who is coaching others on an ongoing basis? Is my attitude toward change a healthy one? Would others say that I am living in integrity by walking my talk and modeling the values I espouse? What other leadership dimensions should I be a dding? Am I becoming all that I can become?
Leaders embrace change. In fact, they are “change masters”. The key is not only being open to change, but eager to embrace it. Leaders invite and accept innovation and look for what works in a new idea. Leaders effectively communicate change to their teams. The leader who embraces change prepares their followers for acceptance and high productivity in light of changing events. They minimize politics within their organizations and keep their groups in a productive mode, rather than “water-cooler gossip” mode which always leads to low production. They don’t complain, whine or moan when something doesn’t go their way. They live for change. Change strengthens them.
They create a sense of urgency for those around them to duplicate what is that they are doing and becoming. Leaders never stop sponsoring, training, or inspiring. Leaders are talent scouts, knowing not to prejudge people when it comes to recruiting because they know ordinary people can become extraordinary in a short amount of time with proper training and mentoring. And, they understand that it’s not who they recruit and sponsor, it’s who their people recruit and sponsor that makes the difference.
Leaders know that when they recruit, their work is just beginning. Sponsoring someone is a process, not something that happens when you sign someone up. A leader’s goal is to train, duplicate and create other leaders. Leaders get their people involved and help them to become a product of the product. Leaders know that the better they train and encourage, the more likely they will stay with you. Leaders praise their people by saying things like “I believe in you”, “you can do this”, or “you’ re doing a super job”. Leaders help their people make money because they know any money in their distributors pocket means that it will help motivate their people to make more. Leaders bring out the best in everyone and know that everyone around them can become a leader.
Leaders praise and recognize their people publicly and work with them one on one. They are accessible and don’t hide behind voice mail because their check has put them into a comfort zone. In fact, true leadership provides for having no comfort zone. The sky is the limit. Leaders have balance between their business and their personal lives. Leaders know that they can have everything they want in their own life, if they are simply willing to help enough people get what they want.
Leadership requires responsibility. Responsibility creates the ability for you to sponsor.
SPONSORSHIP 101
Now that you know what it takes to be a leader, how EXACTLY to you become a good sponsor?
The first thing to understand is that sponsoring isn’t an event. It is a process, an evolution. It’s not something that happens. It is something that occurs over time.
When you sponsor someone, it is not the end of the sale, it is the beginning. People often tell me they sponsored someone. In reality, they have not yet sponsored them. True, they may have signed them up, but they haven’t yet sponsored them.
When you sponsor a new recruit, you are beginning a working relationship. Webster’s Dictionary defines a sponsor as “a person who makes him/herself responsible for another”. Being a sponsor carries with it re-spons-ibility. In fact, the root word sponsor is within the actual word responsibility. So, in order to be a good sponsor, we must be responsible for our new recruit to truly be a sponsor. Otherwise, we are simply recruiters.
When you bring on a new recruit, they way you become a good sponsor to them is to do the following:
1. As soon as you sign them up, introduce them to other upline leaders on the team. Make sure your new recruit feels welcome in their new environment. Letting them know that there are others who have an interest in their success goes a long way. It makes them feel part of the team. It also teaches them that they should be doing the same thing with all of their new recruits. This is the first part of the duplication process.
2. Make sure that your new recruit understands the systems that are available to them for bringing their new people on board. Make sure they have all of the conference call numbers, pre-recorded information lines, websites, corporate phone numbers, upline phone numbers, etc. Help them to get familiar with all of this information. Show them the website, take them to the calls, and explain to them how they fit in to building their business. They won’t know unless you TELL THEM.
3. Get them involved in company or team training immediately. Take them to any training calls you have scheduled, or get them whatever training documents that you have available to you. Go through it with them.
4. Get them involved immediately…today, now, this minute. Not tomorrow or next week, but right this second. Start making contact with their warm market with them. If they don’t have a warm market, help them generate leads and begin working those leads immediately.
5. Practice with them any scripts they will be using. Roll play with them. Get them to practice it until it becomes second nature.
6. Let them be on the telephone with you as you are making calls to demonstrate the simplicity of recruiting.
7. Teach them explicitly what needs to be done to effectively build the business. Don’t make them guess. If they haven’t done Network Marketing before, they’ll probably guess wrong.
8. Continue to support them and be available for them. Never disappear and don’t hide behind voice mail. Always promptly return phone calls and be enthusiastic about helping them.
9. As they grow and develop, give them new ideas and expose them to more advanced techniques for recruiting and building the business. Recommend books and tapes for them to listen to and read to help them develop into more effective listeners, communicators and responsible business professionals.
10. Bottom line: Be reSPONSible. Don’t just sign them up and expect them to be successful. You will create failures every time. It will be YOUR responsibility when your new recruit fails, if you fail to be a responsible sponsor. If you take the time to teach them and work with them, you will be paid back far more in the future than you put in today.
Being a good sponsor is really not that difficult if you have the proper leadership traits in place. If you are not a good leader now…it’s o.k., work on it. Take this information to heart and develop yourself into the leader that you are committed to becoming. We all have to start as followers at some point in our lives. Then, at some point in time, we make the conscious decision to become a leader. It’s either lead, follow, or out of the way. It’s your choice…choose wisely!
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| Len Clements Launches EPIC NETWORK INTERNATIONAL Today In Vegas Baby!!! |
| 01.21.05 (6:33 am) |
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As we speak, Epic Network International distributors have arrived in Las Vegas for the officail launch of Len Clements new MLM Epic Network International.
Len Clements has long been respected throughout the Network Marketing Industry as an advocate for higher standards. Len is about changing the perception of this industry from with in.
Len Clements is a noted author of numerous book on Network Marketing. He has been featured in numerous magazines, radio interviews and TV Shows.
Len has also served as an expert witness on the MLM industry in a number of court cases.
Some of Len Clements Awards and credits are:
Awards, Honors and Distinctions:
Mensa Society (155 IQ)
“Visionary Award” – Longevity Network.
“Men of Distinction” – 1998, 99, 2000 International Network Marketing Directory.
“Best MLM Author” – 1997 MLM Insider Magazine.
“Best Compensation Plan Consultant” – 1996 MLM Insider Magazine.
So the question remains...Why did he do it? With MLM start-up being, traditionally such a risky endeavor how can he think he will be successful where others have failed?
Here's why:
The Truth Behind Len Clements's Epic Network's Business Model
So with nearly 2000 distributors enrolled during Epic Network International's pre-launch, Len Clements new venture is of to an exciting start.
For more information, you can read an Interview I conducted with Epic Network International's CEO Len Clements
Len Clements: An interveiw with the CEO of Epic Networks
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| Januray is a great time to offer Passport products to salons. |
| 01.11.05 (7:43 am) |
last month was a tought retailing month for me. All my salons and those who would be new accounts had previously purchased enough products to last through January.
I have at least 6 new accounts with promise to purchse orders. january should be easy picking. Salons have cut prices to clear stock by the end of the year, and it's time to stock up for the new year.
So get your self 20 shampoos and conditioners, just drop them off with area salon owners for the price of thier opinion of the product upon return vist. If you don't cover your cost, I'll buy your stock at the post rebate price. plus shipping
Brian Johnson
http://kayin.biz.mpoinfo.net" title="http://kayin.biz.mpoinfo.net" target="_blank"http://kayin.biz.mpoinfo.net
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| Epic Network Live Team Confrence Call Tonight |
| 01.04.05 (12:42 pm) |
Tonight marks the first confrence call for Brian Bier's team.
This call will be more of a genral conversation about Epic Network insted of a well polished Biz Op presentation.
Date: Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Start Time: 08:00 PM Eastern Std Time
End Time: 08:55 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-805-620-4000 (Ventura, CA)
Access Code: 27835
There are more calls planned for later this week.
Date: Thursday, January 06, 2005
Start Time: 09:00 PM Eastern Std Time
End Time: 09:55 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-805-620-4000 (Ventura, CA)
Access Code: 27835
Date: Saturday, January 08, 2005
Start Time: 01:00 PM Eastern Std Time
End Time: 01:55 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-805-620-4000 (Ventura, CA)
Access Code: 27835
Date: Sunday, January 09, 2005
Start Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Std Time
End Time: 07:55 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-805-620-4000 (Ventura, CA)
Access Code: 27835
There is no set agenda for these calls as of yet. In the future, I imagine they will be broken down into presentation and training calls in addition to the corperate calls.
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| Former Quixtar Diamond Bo Short Live |
| 01.03.05 (3:26 pm) |
Passport CEO and Former Quixtar Diamond, Bo Short will speak live on Tuesday, January 4th at 6PM Pacific/9PM Eastern Time.
To log into the free conference call, dial: 641-478-5008 and enter Code 491560#.
Bo will be talking about what sets Passport apart in the Network Marketing industry, but the call would help anyone in evaluating Network Marketing.
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| Tax Break Info At EpicNetorkBlog.com |
| 01.01.05 (6:35 pm) |
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I have updated epicnetworkblog.com with some amazing Tax Break information.
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| Merry Christmas to all... |
| 12.24.04 (7:13 pm) |
I've just got a few moments. I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday.
Peace
Brian J
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| Len Clements Pre-Launches NEW Network Marketing Company |
| 12.23.04 (7:20 am) |
Len Clements is someone I've long respected in the MLM industry as an advocate for higher standards.
Even though, we haven’t always seen things eye to eye, I have enormous respect for his dedication to dispelling hype and outrageous product claims.
Where Len and I do see eye-to-eye on is basing your decision on pure data verses personal biases. Len has recently changed his hat from successful MLM distributor in Longevity Network to CEO of his own MLM called Epic Network.
When I first heard of Epic Network (because of the way I found out about it) my goal was to poke as many holes in the opportunity as I could. Why? Because, at the time Len and I were at odds over a discussion about my primary program Passport on his MLM Forum Market Wave Inc. To help me document my investigation I started a blog called Epic Network Blog.
After many hours of research and numerous phone conversations with Len Clements I have concluded that Len has created a home business opportunity with too positive attributes to poke holes in.
What I found interesting was, Len Clements and Epic Network share MANY of the same values as Bo Short and Passport. While I do believe Passport has areas that are more beneficial than Epic Network, I also believe there are areas Epic Network is more beneficial than Passport.
One factor that truly sets these two companies apart from the industry is their attitude about the distributors. After having spoken to both Bo Short and Len Clements, I'm convinced these two people have been cut from the same cloth...if you will. They both denounce hype and outrageous product claims, they both believe in products that give customers true value. But the final quality they both share is that they believe we distributors are true business owners. We are free to build our businesses as we see fit...which includes allowing us to support more than one company.
I have decided to join Epic Network for two reasons:
1. The product lines will compliment each other very well. It has allowed my business to expand it's profit potential. (There are a few overlap products, but I will chose to market those products that offer a better value to customers)
There are two products manufactured by Epic Network that I was immediately drawn to as a customer. One is called Epic Attitide. The other is called Epic Slim.
I believe these two products can make major waves in the weight management market place.
2. The Truth Behind Len Clements's Epic Network's Business Model
“The intent of this business model is to please the maximum number of people the greatest possible amount of the time.”
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| Is Two Really Better Than One? |
| 12.21.04 (10:52 am) |
A couple of weeks ago I posted a thread on MLMforums.com that asked "Do you promote more than one MLM right now?"
This question came as a response to another thread posted at quixtarblog.com Someone asked why in the world would someone join an MLM and not work to build it? I argued that I did just that. I joined a DVD rental MLM. Then I didn't build the business. I kept my affiliation but now I was just a customer. The other person responded in a way that led me to believe that I was a unique case.
With out supporting data I couldn’t argue otherwise. So I put up a poll at MLMforums.com.
So far 24 people have responded. 13 people (54.17%) said YES! They were promoting two MLMs. 11 people (45.83%) said NO! They only promoted one MLM.
That’s interesting. To me this shows a paradigm shift in the mentality of distributors AND MLM companies. I remember, not so long ago, most MLM’s wouldn’t allow you to promote another MLM company.
At the time I thought that was a strange position to take. It’s not that I thought you should promote more than one, but to not allow the distributors to promote another company seemed more like an employee relationship.
I know…. Mc. Donald franchisees can’t promote and sell a Whopper so why is this any different. The only viable response would be. Mc. Donald’s corporate is paying for foot traffic to sell Mc’ Donald’s food not Burger King. So since distributors flip that bill, they should be able to run with fewer restrictions.
With that being said…. Are people making more money today by promoting more than one MLM? I guess that would seem to be the litmus test. As of yet, I don’t know that to be true. I just find it interesting.
Best to you this Holiday Season.
Brian J
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| A New Net Scam??? |
| 12.17.04 (3:07 am) |
Qrush,
Interesting post on your blog. So you're not satified with spreading lies on MLM forums...now you want to be paid by people to do it?
A legal fund? Sounds like your running the same scam as those crooks from Africa. "Just give me your pay pal account and we'll all be rich, I promise"
No sir, I think this is one obvious waste of money I or others will be giving you access to.
QRUSH quote:
"And if anyone has the phone number of the ACLU"
C'mon man! You claim to be able to dig up all this dirt on Bo Short and Passport, yet you can't do a simple google search for ACLU attourines? Sounds like your trying to show people you wouldn't take thier money if only you could find that elusive ACLU phone number.
QRUSH quote:
"I won’t go away until my critics start being good MLM citizens."
Oh, so you're the MLM police now? I'm sure people on this board appreciate you taking the role of Big Brother over MLM. Watch out people, you may be next!
Brian J
P.S.
QRUSH quote:
"Don’t forget, Qrush was drawn into the blogging community because of the anti-Quixtar blogging behavior of you guys."
Oh REALLY??? I don't think so. You made the first attack on me. You continue to be the aggressor. It is I, who was dragged into this.
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| Dot Cons |
| 12.15.04 (3:30 am) |
Here's an interesting article I found at ftc.gov
Dot com. Dot gov. Dot net. Dot org. Dot edu. Dot
mil. Dot tv.
The Internet has spawned a whole new lexicon and brought the world to your living room,
24/7/365. And while the opportunities online for consumers are almost endless, there are
some challenges, too. As in dot con.
Dot con? Dot con.
Con artists have gone high-tech, using the Internet to defraud consumers in a variety
of clever ways. Whether they're using the excitement of an Internet auction to entice
consumers into parting with their money, applying new technology to peddle traditional
business opportunity scams, using email to reach vast numbers of people with false
promises about earnings through day trading, or hijacking consumers' modems and cramming
hefty long-distance charges onto their phone bills, scam artists are just a click away.
Fortunately, law enforcement is on the cyber-case. Using complaints to Consumer
Sentinel, a consumer fraud database, as their guide, law enforcement officials have
identified the top 10 dot cons facing consumers who surf the Internet, as well as many of
the fraudsters behind them. In addition to putting many online con artists out of
business, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's chief consumer protection agency,
wants consumers to know how not to get caught in their web.
According to the FTC, here's what online consumers are complaining about most:
Internet Auctions
The Bait: Shop in a "virtual marketplace" that offers a huge
selection of products at great deals.
The Catch: After sending their money, consumers say they've received an
item that is less valuable than promised, or, worse yet, nothing at all.
The Safety Net: When bidding through an Internet auction, particularly
for a valuable item, check out the seller and insist on paying with a credit card or using
an escrow service.
Internet Access Services
The Bait: Free money, simply for cashing a check.
The Catch: Consumers say they've been "trapped" into long-term
contracts for Internet access or another web service, with big penalties for cancellation
or early termination.
The Safety Net: If a check arrives at your home or business, read both
sides carefully and look inside the envelope to find the conditions you're agreeing to if
you cash the check. Read your phone bill carefully for unexpected or unauthorized charges.
Credit Card Fraud
The Bait: Surf the Internet and view adult images online for free, just
for sharing your credit card number to prove you're over 18.
The Catch: Consumers say that fraudulent promoters have used their credit
card numbers to run up charges on their cards.
The Safety Net: Share credit card information only when buying from a
company you trust. Dispute unauthorized charges on your credit card bill by complaining to
the bank that issued the card. Federal law limits your liability to $50 in charges if your
card is misused.
International Modem Dialing
The Bait: Get free access to adult material and pornography by downloading
a "viewer" or "dialer" computer program.
The Catch: Consumers complained about exorbitant long-distance charges on
their phone bill. Through the program, their modem is disconnected, then reconnected to
the Internet through an international long-distance number.
The Safety Net: Don't download any program to access a so-called
"free" service without reading all the disclosures carefully for cost
information. Just as important, read your phone bill carefully and challenge any charges
you didn't authorize or don't understand.
Web Cramming
The Bait: Get a free custom-designed website for a 30-day trial period,
with no obligation to continue.
The Catch: Consumers say they've been charged on their telephone bills or
received a separate invoice, even if they never accepted the offer or agreed to continue
the service after the trial period.
The Safety Net: Review your telephone bills and challenge any charges you
don't recognize.
Multilevel Marketing Plans/ Pyramids
The Bait: Make money through the products and services you sell as well as
those sold by the people you recruit into the program.
The Catch: Consumers say that they've bought into plans and programs, but
their customers are other distributors, not the general public. Some multi-level marketing
programs are actually illegal pyramid schemes. When products or services are sold only to
distributors like yourself, there's no way to make money.
The Safety Net: Avoid plans that require you to recruit distributors, buy
expensive inventory or commit to a minimum sales volume.
Travel and Vacation
The Bait: Get a luxurious trip with lots of "extras" at a
bargain-basement price.
The Catch: Consumers say some companies deliver lower-quality
accommodations and services than they've advertised or no trip at all. Others have been
hit with hidden charges or additional requirements after they've paid.
The Safety Net: Get references on any travel company you're planning to
do business with. Then, get details of the trip in writing, including the cancellation
policy, before signing on.
Business Opportunities
The Bait: Be your own boss and earn big bucks.
The Catch: Taken in by promises about potential earnings, many consumers
have invested in a "biz op" that turned out to be a "biz flop." There
was no evidence to back up the earnings claims.
The Safety Net: Talk to other people who started businesses through the
same company, get all the promises in writing, and study the proposed contract carefully
before signing. Get an attorney or an accountant to take a look at it, too.
Investments
The Bait: Make an initial investment in a day trading system or service
and you'll quickly realize huge returns.
The Catch: Big profits always mean big risk. Consumers have lost money to
programs that claim to be able to predict the market with 100 percent accuracy.
The Safety Net: Check out the promoter with state and federal securities
and commodities regulators, and talk to other people who invested through the program to
find out what level of risk you're assuming.
Health Care Products/Services
The Bait: Items not sold through traditional suppliers are
"proven" to cure serious and even fatal health problems.
The Catch: Claims for "miracle" products and treatments
convince consumers that their health problems can be cured. But people with serious
illnesses who put their hopes in these offers might delay getting the health care they
need.
The Safety Net: Consult a health care professional before buying any
"cure-all" that claims to treat a wide range of ailments or offers quick cures
and easy solutions to serious illnesses.
Can you avoid getting caught by a scam artist working the web? Not always. But prudence
pays. The FTC offers these tips to help you avoid getting caught by an offer that just may
not click:
- Be wary of extravagant claims about performance or earnings potential. Get all promises
in writing and review them carefully before making a payment or signing a contract.
- Read the fine print and all relevant links. Fraudulent promoters sometimes bury the
disclosures they're not anxious to share by putting them in teeny-tiny type or in a place
where you're unlikely see them.
- Look for a privacy policy. If you don't see one - or if you can't understand it -
consider taking your business elsewhere.
- Be skeptical of any company that doesn't clearly state its name, street address and
telephone number. Check it out with the local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection
office or state Attorney General.
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| Jay Van Andel dies at 80 |
| 12.07.04 (4:50 pm) |
http://www.detnews.com/2004/obituaries/0412/ 07/obituaries-26639.htm
GRAND RAPIDS -- Jay Van Andel, the billionaire co-founder of Amway Corp. who championed conservatism and capitalism and was one of Michigan's leading philanthropists, has died, Greg McNeilly, executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said Tuesday.
Van Andel, 80, had Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the central nervous system that involves a degeneration of nerve cells in parts of the brain. The cause of his death was not immediately known.
"We're deeply saddened by the loss of a man of great integrity who has been a strong Republican supporter for a number of years," said McNeilly, speaking on behalf of state GOP Chairwoman Betsy DeVos.
DeVos is married to Dick DeVos, a former Amway official whose father, Richard DeVos, co-founded Amway with Van Andel.
The Van Andel and DeVos families gave a combined $95 million between 1990 and 1998 alone.
Much of Van Andel's giving went toward Christian causes, including a creation research station in rural Arizona that sought to prove the world was made in a week.
Van Andel also reshaped his hometown of Grand Rapids over the years.
In 1978, Amway bought the 65-year-old Pantlind Hotel, restored it, added a 29-story tower and reopened it in 1981 as the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. A downtown arena that opened in 1996 was named for Van Andel after his foundation donated $11.5 million toward its $75 million cost.
The Van Andel Museum Center was added later.
Forbes magazine this year estimated Van Andel's fortune at $2.3 billion, 231st on its list of the nation's wealthiest people.
The multibillion-dollar enterprise called Amway grew out of Van Andel's early knack for salesmanship.
The 15-year-old Van Andel offered classmate DeVos a daily ride to Grand Rapids Christian High School in his Model A Ford in exchange for 25 cents a week in gas money.
Returning to Grand Rapids after World War II, Van Andel and DeVos tried their hands at several businesses.
The first was a flying school that had one airplane, a Piper Cub fitted with pontoons to use the Grand River for takeoffs and landings while the runways at the airfield they were building were under construction. They later opened Grand Rapids' first drive-in restaurant.
Van Andel and DeVos ventured into person-to-person sales in 1949, forming the Ja-Ri Corp. and selling vitamins and food supplements. They founded Amway in 1959, operating out of the basements of their neighboring homes and selling a single product, a biodegradable household cleaner called L.O.C.
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| Quixtar Terminates 6 Diamond Distributorships |
| 12.06.04 (6:47 pm) |
I was recently doing some research on Bo Short. I came across a very interesting article from MLM Survivor. Here it is in it's entierty.
Quixtar Terminates 6 Diamond Distributorships
12 Others Resign in Protest
April 23, 2002 On April 19, 2002, Quixtar terminated the distributorships of six Diamonds. Their crime? Attempting, along with 12 other Diamonds, to throw a few pails of water at the Augean Stables of the Amway/Quixtar motivational "tools" business. "Of the 18 Diamonds in Team In Focus, 6 have been terminated (Andy & Polly Andrews, Gerry & Sharon Betterman, Gayle Collinsworth, Mike & Lynn Jakubik, Ron & Melanie Rummel, John & Pat Terhune) and most of the others, when threatened with termination, have resigned."
For years, the shadow business of the Amway (and now Quixtar) kingpins has been the "system" -- the business of motivation in the form of tapes, books, functions, videos, and CDs. It has been repeatedly shown that the Diamonds make far more -- at least 80% and often up to 95% -- of their income from the "system" than from Amway or Quixtar. The system had become the tail that wagged the dog. As early as 1982, Rich DeVos, Amway co-founder, chastised these kingpins, accusing them of running an illegal pyramid scheme. However, 10 years later, the "system" had become a way for a very few to suck millions -- even billions -- of dollars from their downline. Tool income was secret, the average frontline distributor was told that nobody made any money on tools, and everything was managed by the "wink and handshake" method. There were no contracts, and upline diamonds could change the way tool money was distributed at will. Gradually, information about the "system" and the profit being made from it became public. In 1997, Amway acknowledged this in the BSMAA. However, it was obvious that the Arbitration Agreement was created to try and stop the flood of very public lawsuits over the tool business. Now, in the latest chapter of the history of the Amway/Quixtar tools business, or BSMs (Business Support Materials), the company has preferred to let go of 18 Diamondships rather than attempt to curb the well documented abuses perpetrated by these "system" leaders. MLMSurvivor has received a copy of a fax sent on April 21 to these (former) diamonds' groups, explaining their side of the situation. If their allegations are true, they represent a rather bizarre indication of the lengths that Amway/Quixtar, the IBOA, and kingpin diamonds will go to protect their major income source. The Team In Focus Story "Team In Focus" is a coalition of (former) Quixtar diamonds. It includes: - Andy and Polly Andrews
- Gerry and Sharon Betterman
- Doug and Julie Cassens
- Gayle Collinsworth
- Marshall and Diana Douglas
- John and Susan Haagen
- Marc and Shelli Hellinghausen
- Mike and Lynn Jakubik
- Barry and Luronda Joye
- Adrian and Sue Lewis
- Rick and Eve Maxwell
- Bryan and Roxanne Parks
- Denny and Lori Plauck
- Todd and Brenda Rainsberger
- Ron and Melanie Rummel
- John and Pat Terhune
- Frank and Dawana Zecher
Bo and Sandy Short were part of the original Team In Focus group, but they resigned both TIF and their Quixtar distributorship in October, 2001. According to their statement, Team In Focus wanted to conduct the tool business in a way that was fair to all participants, was transparent, and would allow them to continue to recruit without having to worry about the "sad truths" being told on the internet. "For years, the Diamonds of TIF have tried to create an equitable situation in the tool business. There were no written policies. Consequently, it took years after reaching the Diamond level to even understand the gross inequities of the system. . . For as long as we can remember, the system dictated rewards for a few to the exclusion of many. "TIF came together as a group to change this system and fix these inequities."
The TIF group met several times with representatives of Amway/Quixtar, including Ken McDonald, President of Quixtar North America; Bob Kerkstra, Director of Global Business Conduct and Rules; John Parker, Executive VP of North American Operations; Gary VanderVen, Manager of Global Business Conduct and Rules; and Larry Harper, Director of Business Relations, as well as various attorneys including Sharon Grider and John Pierce from Amway/Quixtar. They expressed support for what TIF was trying to do. ". . . the corporation had been looking for a solution to the BSM challenge for 35 years. . . this was the first time that the corporation has taken an active role in the support of a group seeking to fix the problem."
Doug DeVos, COO of Amway and Quixtar, spoke at a TIF function in Nashville and applauded the efforts of TIF. According to the TIF letter, "Amway/Quixtar corporate representatives actually committed to pay for the development of the website to implement these solutions."
Later, they backed out. "Guys, you never had anything in writing," said McDonald. After that, it was a predictable downhill slide for TIF. Immediately following a written request for conciliation according to Amway/Quixtar's Dispute Resolution Rules, about half the Diamond's distributorships were suspended, and their earnings were frozen. Amway/Quixtar personnel began calling those Diamond's downline Platinums to read them a "warning" letter. "They also made calls to the downline of several Diamonds who had not yet been suspended. They said this was an accident. In some cases, when they couldn't reach the IBO, they actually read the letter to whoever answered the phone, in some cases children, friends or neighbors. They didn't say that this was an accident."
Amway/Quixtar ended the situation suddenly on April 19, 2002, by terminating the distributorships of the three ringleaders. Later that day, all other TIF founders resigned their distributorships as well*. The letter ends on an upbeat note: "Well, so much for where we have been. It's time to talk about where the FORMER Diamonds of Amway/Quixtar and the current FOUNDERS of Team In Focus are heading. We would reiterate to you, our friends, that our philosophy remains intact and our objectives have not changed. This is not an ending, but an opportunity for a new and brighter future -- a future created by a team. . . a TEAM IN FOCUS!
A Lot of Questions, No Answers- Why would Quixtar want to get rid of a group of its top producers, over an issue (the tools system) that they've spent years trying to distance themselves from (or at least, they've given the appearance of distancing themselves)?
- Who owns Quixtar? It was incorporated by "members of the DeVos and Van Andel families," but it's a privately held company and they are not required to disclose information. Do some of the biggest kingpin Diamonds -- the Yagers, Britts, and their ilk -- have an ownership stake in the company?
- If Amway/Quixtar's future is important to Alticor, why isn't Doug DeVos (COO of Amway and Quixtar) on the Board of Directors?
- There was another very unusual incident up in Ada, MI last week: Dick DeVos, President of Alticor, suddenly announced his resignation. Are the two events connected?
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