What's your business worth?

Thursday, January 17, 2008  by Susan Julien-Willson
Category: sales, selling, business

When I ask this question, I am not necessarily thinking in terms of dollar value. I am thinking in terms of value in people's lives ... and in your life. Is your vision about making the world a better place through your business or is it about making money ... or is it about both? I'm not necessarily asking you to choose one or saying you have to have a cause, I am just pondering the thought of what makes some entrepeneurs so successful and others not. Conviction? Perseverance? Work ethic? Ambition? Leadership skills?

These thoughts started with me by when I read this quote from Steve Job, the CEO of Apple:

"I was worth about a million dollars when I was 23; over ten million dollars when I was 24; over a hundred million dollars when I was 25, and it wasn't that important because I never did it for the money."

So, I wondered what he did it for if it wasn't for the money.  A passionate cause? Maybe. It makes me want to know more about Steve Jobs. What motivates him? What is he like as a person? a CEO? a friend? I'd like to know his story. (I'm a writer - I like to know everyone's story or write one for them!)

Then I thought about the amazing founders of Amway and how their compelling reason for building this business was about people and values and making life better for others and themselves -- more than it was about making money. Or, at least that's my take on why they were so hugely successful. They made Amway an opportunity for others to make their lives better and the lives of others better. Wow.

Now I am thinking about you and me. What's your reason for building your business through selling and sponsoring? Are you driven by passion? How do you feel you help make this world a better place through your business?

 The founder of Mary Kay, Mary Ash, said this:

"Give of yourself. Be of service to others. Only what you give can be multiplied back into your own life."

I know Mary Kay is a competitor, but we can learn from competitors, and well, this Quixtar/Amway business is the very definition of giving to others and getting back when you do ... making someone's life better through offering the opportunity or selling them products ... by making your life better by connecting. This is a people business, no matter how much we use websites, email, cell phones, text messaging ... it all comes down to people.

People like you and me.

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Comments

# Josh said on January 17, 2008 1:43 PM:

Hi Susan,

Long time no post(for me).  How is the business building going for you?

Great topic and tough to answer.  For me it is both, however the priority of purpose I think changes with people who do build it big.

Priority of Purpose (me when I got started):

1) You can make a lot of money along the way, and oh you can also help people.

That was before, it has since changed to this:

2) You can help a lot of people (in more ways that just financial) and, oh by the way, you can earn a lot of money.

Before this business I was honestly looking for other ways to develop income on the side of my career.  I looked into franchises traditional business and even a few "shady" operations.  I was so glad when my best friend called me and offered this to me.  It was a way to enter the business arena without a huge upfront investment.  It has paid dividends since, in more ways that just the money.  It has applied to other businesses I run and has helped me become somewhat successful with them.

The education and experience are huge assets, but it really comes down to having an honest and sincere desire to help others.

So good to hear from you, Josh. Okay, I need to 'fess up. I am selling products but not exactly sponsoring with speed and ease. BUT ... I am focusing on developing lots of new materials that are coming out in March, April, and May--and that's where my energy is going this month. The new Home & More Catalog, the new Health & Beauty Choices, and the 2008 Ribbon Program. Can't wait until you guys get your hands on these pieces! They're incredible.  (Why be modest, right?)  Thanks for your comments. sjw

# sivaram said on January 17, 2008 2:21 PM:

Susan,

One of my favorite IBO Mentor says "A true measure of success in Life is How many people are better off because you lived ".  That resonates with Rich & Jay's Vision and Dream thru the Amway business opportunity and the current company theme named as "Transformation". Thanks to ALL Amway employees, Partners, IBOs, customers who make this theme a reality for ALL those who are willing to work for it. With all the headlines on the Credit Crunch, US economy and Corporate reputation issues, what a great feeling to know we are in good hands. I am proud of my association with Amway and the IBOs. Thank You !

Thank you so much! sjw

# Tina B. said on January 17, 2008 10:40 PM:

Hi all!

My passion about this business opportunity is many-fold.  To me, it represents:

* Getting kids out of daycare (at least, full-time daycare!)

* Helping strengthen marriages by having husbands & wives learning to work together and having common visions, dreams & goals

* Offering the best nutritional products available - with our country's health crisis and obesity, this is key!

* No cap!  In other words, no one can "fire" me, per say.  Nor can they "cap" my compensation.  How much I make really can be up to me!  

* I love what Quixtar (Amway) and WWDB stand for:  God, family, country.  In that order.  Yee-hah!  

* I spent over 20 years in corporate America (the first 3-4 years of it was high school & college!) and I have never had such inspiring, positive & motivating association

I'm sure I could think of many more reasons but these are just a few to start.

Have an awesome day & keep up the great work!

Tina

Thank you so much, Tina! sjw

# Josh said on January 18, 2008 2:39 PM:

Susan,

I can completely relate to the sponsoring side of things.  Customers are a great start and may turn into prospects.

That is the beauty of this business.  You do what you can when you can.  As Tina points out, you can't be fired.

Looking forward to your work on all the new literature.  Hopefully the Ribbon program will not change so drastically as it has in the past.  One question on that.  Do you have rough numbers on how successful the Ribbon program was versus the previous years?

I would very interested to know.  We moved so many more this past year than the previous two combined.

Ribbon will not change drastically this coming year ... our enhancements are based completely on IBO and customer feedback over the last 6 months via this blog, events, Ribbon Retailer inbox, etc. So, the look and feel of the brand stays the same ... new collection coming for kids per specific requests. An inclusion of How it Works in simple Who? What? Where? When? outline. And well, there's more but I have to keep some things a surprise. The full scoop on what's new for 2008 will appear in the March Achieve.

As far as Ribbon and its success since the new program ... yes, we are definitely seeing success on many levels. IBOs are selling it and letting us know about it. The fact that it is selling and the fact that we are engaged with IBOs in person, by phone, by blogs, and by email regarding what's working and what's not is hugely exciting for the Ribbon Brand Managers and the Ribbon Comm and Web teams. We've never had so much interaction with IBOs on the program so it makes me think we are giving you what you need to sell ... and continually improving on what we offer based on your needs. However, time and budget are constraints in some cases, but it seems IBOs understand that we can't do everything, but we do what we can! So ... yes, if you ask me, Ribbon is a success, thanks to our IBOs. The Sales Kit sold well over our forecast for the year and the last quarter of the year showed especially strong sales of Gift Collections. BRAVO to all our Ribbon Retailers!

Tell us more about your experiences selling Ribbon!  Thanks, sjw

# Billy Bob said on January 24, 2008 11:15 AM:

I find the Ribbon Gift program hard to get started. There is'nt any thing in the kit showing the outline of what to use, as per say, pictures in the catalog of who makes the products , or adescription of the product . Some people do'nt have a computer to see the pictures with descriptions. In the past the catalogs could be carried along with you for a presentation and it could also be presented to a company showing the mfg. and a good description of the product itself. It would be good to have a video or a dvd showing the presentation form start to finish of a sale for both business and a frien or neighbor.i would be glad to purchase these items if they could  help with the sales. Would anyone in this blog be able to present how they are doing the program ? It could help a lot of IB'S i'm sure. Just a thought.Keep up the good work Susan i enjoy reading the Blog.

  Thank You

So glad you brought Ribbon up and the need for simplification of how the program works. GUESS WHAT? The 2008-09  Program will have a Ribbon CD with a video of how the program works for consumers, and another on how it works for businesses ... from selecting the Gift Collections to giving a Gift Card/Album to how to redeem online, etc. These video clips are like commercials ... and the first time I watched them, I got tears in my eyes. Honest. They're very touching. The CD will also give an overview of the program in text ... and present a showcase of the Gift Collections. One CD will come in the AD-1600. Five-packs will be for sale, too. Perfect to show to commerical customers and friends and family.

Guess what I just wrote based on what Ribbon Brand Managers and IBOs kept saying we needed ?  A simple, bulleted explanation of how Ribbon works. Who, What, When, and Why. One page. Quick read. It will help you sell the Ribbon Gift Collections ... easily and quickly.  We'll make it a PDF you can download when the new program launches.

Stay tuned for more tidbits of what's coming ... and thank you for acknowledging our efforts. It's energizing! sjw

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