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In the Land of the Blind,
The One-Eyed Man is King!
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Simple and Duplicable Training Vs. Complicated Leadership
Training...
Which is Best For You?
by David Klaybor
(FreEnterprise)
For three decades, distributors and company administrators have been
confronted with a confusing dilemma. They must teach a simple and duplicable sales
strategy to their distributor force, while cultivating super-human beings.
Top distributors like Larry Thompson, Jim Forbair, Glen Turner, Jeff
Schlegal,Dan Denton, David Sage, Mark Yarnel, Dan McCormick, Dan Stamman, etc,... insist
that all multi-level activities be simple and duplicable. These basic teaching formulas
are taught in phrases like:
"Tell-Show-Try-Do..."
or "Retail-Sponsor-Train" ...
or "You are a Paid Professional Story Teller..."
Sound familiar?
On the other hand, motivational, self improvement speakers like Zig
Zigglar, Tom Hopkins, Tony Robbins, Dennis Waitley, and Brian Tracy insist that we learn
sales phraseology, learn how to ask powerful questions, use time management techniques,
use body language, implement organizational skills, etc.
Who's right?
The simple/duplicable teacher or the technical training advocates?
I first studied and then implemented both concepts while working on my
"Doctorate" Degree in Direct Sales Marketing. My research led me to the
following conclusion:
They are both correct. Let me explain:
First, we begin with Napoleon Hill's thoughtful reflection that knowledge
is not power... Only the organization of knowledge that is put into action can lead us to
achieving our goals, dreams and aspirations (unless you win the lottery).
Top leaders in Multi-Level opportunities are developed from 20% of the
sales force who produce 80% of the sales volume. These entrepreneurs must learn and
practice higher-levels of leadership qualities in order to handle the serious
responsibilities they now carry. Yet these same leaders must show and teach simple,
duplicable formulas to other distributors who do not necessarily want to know all these
complicated details.
Most distributors only wish to purchase the company products at wholesale
and sponsor on a strictly part-time level. Although they don't produce significant
personal sales volumes, they are still a vital part of the company. They help spread the
work or "network" the opportunity to the nation.
They (distributors) are, to a multi-level firm, what image-advertising on
national television is to a Fortune 500 company. The reason Amway is a household name is
because they have millions of individuals substantiating the credibility of the company
and its products by word-of-mouth interactions. These fine entrepreneurs don't need
complicated sales training... they enjoy stimulating, motivational, basic teachings
avoiding complicated closing techniques.
"Okay," you say, "I already knew that." Well, here's
where it gets tougher.
Top leaders desperately need ongoing leadership training. They shouldn't
try to manage the lives, futures, and fortunes of large groups of people without
professional training. Let's be honest. Most parents agree that they thought they knew
what they were doing when they started a family. They quickly discovered that, if they had
received professional parent training, they would have been better prepared for the
challenging role ahead and made fewer mistakes along the way.
As with the truck driver who became a millionaire and the single parent
who built a huge sales group, top distributors MUST learn a mountain of how-to and
what-not-to-do information so they can hold everyone's life together! There are perhaps
millions of people who are depending on these select few. Could this be you?
A distributor does not have time to take a Dale Carnegie 21-day leadership
course in the middle or the "momentum" phase of his/her business. They are
inundated with teaching distributors, giving meetings, conference calling, traveling etc.,
8 days a week! These hopeful individuals tolerate the confusion because they visualize
million dollar assets in their futures. But then, as quickly as some distributors and
companies rise, the momentum plummets! Why? Sometimes this "negative experience"
occurs because the top management of the company is inexperienced. Perhaps they become
greedy and confiscate the funds. Often phenomenal success destroys a company because it
cannot ship product due to low inventories and poor cash flow. Lack of leadership, poor
leadership in the field, flaws within the corporate shell, mixed signals from outside
consultants, or bad press from poorly educated government authorities and new agents have
marred our industry forever.
Every "Why did they fail?" debate ultimately leads back to poor
leadership. The well-intentioned men and women who became "in-charge" of
hundreds of thousands of Multi-level Marketers often are poorly prepared for the specific
role they must play in their marketing business. Some have masters degrees, good speaking
skills, love people, and many have been successful in the past. Multi-level marketing,
like all of humanity, plays by the "80/20" rule. Knowing and doing just a little
bit more than the other guy, is often the difference between designing a future and a
living. You are either:
 | an " 80 percenter"
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| a " 20 percenter"
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| a " 20%" wannabe
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| or an " 80%" going-to-be!
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The reality is, if you plan to be a leader, make every reasonable effort
to learn the teachings of the self-improvement "masters'. Time and organizational
management skills MUST be developed.
Directors must learn how to perform company events and speak
informatively. The mark of a true leader is measured in how he/she imparts knowledge and
information to those who need it. Leaders must learn to harness the 1990's technology:
telecommunications, voice-mail, video and audio tapes, and the newest training methods.
The basics are essential and in fact, they are the foundation of networking, keep teaching
them. Just learn when to make the transition from mastering the basics to mastering the
teachings of the "Masters".
A great leader teaches the "simple" formula to his/her group and
practices the "simple" formula in front of the group so they duplicate his/her
"simple business patterns". But quietly, behind the scenes, he/she is
cultivating other "leaders-to-be" by exposing more advanced training formulas.
These few rising stars have demonstrated this by their performance. They are not only
ready to grow, but must grow, in order to survive!
Advanced training is not duplicable. That's why you don't show it, talk
about it, etc,... but it is vital to any person involved in the leadership and management
of others. Do not initially expose your rookies to computers or professional sales
training, etc. They must first know the basics, inside and out, and demonstrate the
ability to achieve consistent , above average sales volumes. Only then can you depart from
the fundamental success formulas that have driven our industry for over 30 years.
If you are new to the business, or haven't earned a full-time income yet,
stick to the basics, you'll advance over time! If you call yourself a leader, then you
must take up the gauntlet that goes with that honor. Concentrated dedication will ensure
that you don't become one of the thousands who claim tremendous Multi-level experience and
share great stories... only, in reality, or be financially burdened.
Yes, you must always teach the basics, show the basics, and then practice
the basics... but remember that the whole industry also needs professional leaders to
carry network marketing into the 21st century with integrity! Average training equals
average results. Professional leadership equals professional results. Remember, you do not
have to know all of Zig Zigglar's 300 closing lines. Learn to "stumble forward"
throughout the decade in your quest for personal development. You see, the greatest leader
is the one-eyed man in the "land of the blind."
David Klaybor can help you train your distributors by teaching a seminar
in your area. David can provide training materials for your company, distributors,
administrators and/or train your company trainer to get the message across in your
company. Please visit our other links for more information.
Thank you and God bless.
[ Up ] [ Ask Powerful Questions ] [ Knowledge Isn't Power! ] [ The Power of Listening... ] [ Books Don't Work! ] [ Installing Secrets ] [ Simple vs. Complicated ] [ Secrets About Setting Goals ] [ Pt.1 Business is Like a Marriage ] [ Pt.2 Business is Like a Marriage ] [ MLM Professionalism Test ]
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