If you read the paper and listen to the news it’s pretty easy to get into a mindset that says, “It’s all over why bother.”

Seth Godin nailed this attitude yesterday in his blog.

No point in my repeating what he so eloquently said, click Seth Godin and read this short and to the point blog on today’s financial market and how it affects you.

After you’ve read it, ask yourself, “Am I Chicken Little or am I going to be one of those people who not only survives this turmoil but prospers?  Because ladies and gents that is up to you.

Yesterday I talked about leading with the appropriate piece of your business to fill the needs of the person you’re talking to:  Product or the opportunity.  I get that many of you think it’s “easier” to lead with the product and then later when they love it, move them into the business.  The problem I see with that, it doesn’t work.  Oh it does sometimes.  I know that.  But if it’s so successful why don’t you have a huge money making downline of product users turned business builders?

Here’s something to think about.  Typically product users are buying out of their household budget.  They come with a consumer mindset and a consumer pocketbook.

Instead, look for people who are really looking for a business, any kind of business.  Don’t limit yourself.  Just because they haven’t thought of being able to make money from their home doesn’t mean they won’t be very interested when they see the facts and figures you present.

These people typically work out of a business expense budget.   The funds are earmarked as a business expense.  They are going to compare (with your help) what the business can do for them vs the amount it costs to get started.  You are head and shoulders above a traditional brick and mortar business by keeping start-up costs low with great financial potential.

A consumer has to take the money out of their household budget.  There are a lot of items that household budget needs to purchase; food, clothing, gasoline and utilities.  You get the picture, there’s a lot of competition for those funds.  Who do you want to present to?  Someone making a business decision or someone trying to determine how to spend their discretionary income?  hmmm?

If you’re presenting your business opportunity to people who are really looking for a business they have funds earmarked to start that business.  Your job is to walk them through the growth stages (what they can expect in the first few months, first year, etc) to determine if they see the value of starting their business.

But the big point here: There isn’t competition for those business start up funds.  They are earmarked to start a business. How many times have you been told, “I can’t afford it right now.”  That is a consumer mindset making decisions between food and a business.

Oh you say, “I can’t find people like that,” people who have money set aside for a business.  Really!  Where are you looking?  How are you marketing yourself?  Are you ready to sponsor and train those people?

Or do you doubt yourself?  Self doubt.  It will stop you in your tracks.

What do you need to do to get over yourself?  That’s not a retorical question.  Take a minute with a pen in hand (or at your computer) and write, and then write a bit more and see what you come up with.  Then take the action.

Persistence and action around small changes will ultimately give you big outcomes.

Forgive my not so warm and fuzzy style today folks…but it still amazes me that there is a question about whether we should lead with the business opportunity or with our product.  Think about this for a minute and the answer is obvious —  YES to both.

You lead with the business when someone approaches you about the business.

You lead with the product when someone approaches you about the product.

This is not tough.  But we make it tough because of fear, hesitancy, shame, intimidation and/or business ignorance that is way too prevalent in our industry.  Here is the deal, it doesn’t matter:

• If you started your business because you fell in love with your product and then decided that you could make the business work for you.   OR

• If you started your business because of the income potential.

You present your product or your business depending upon which fills the need of the person you’re talking to.   It’s about them.

If you’re not comfortable presenting the business opportunity, there is a solution.  Get comfortable.  Do what you have to in order to get comfortable.  Spend some time writing out what a good business opening would look like for you (bullets work, keep it short and simple) .  Practice it ten times.  Then go try it with the next person you meet who has an interest in a house based business.

It makes a lot more sense (and dollars) than working on that next flyer, or doing the filing, or entering your orders.

Don’t ya think?

Ahh when we are in the business of helping others to succeed it’s tough to think that the best way for us to be, is selfish. But I think it is. In fact, I think one of the issues many people in network marketing suffer from is not being selfish enough.

I know it sounds strange. Network Marketing is a helping business and we are all so interconnected. But I see the results of not being selfish enough all the time.

Do you recognize any of these?

• Often working outside of your regular hours because someone else couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make one of the times you offered.
• Calling downline multiple times offering (begging?) to be of service.
• Working with someone over and over again who doesn’t follow through.
• Doing more in someone else’s business than they do so that it gets done.

Not enough selfishness here.

Here’s what I think. The more you ‘bend over backwards’ for someone, the less inclined they will be to take control of their business and do what it takes to make it work. Ultimately their business is doomed because they’re not doing it. But here’s the real scary part…so is your business…doomed.

Don’t let the interconnectedness of network marketing stop you from being “selfish” enough to take care of you. What do you think?

Warmly,

Jillian

PS – Please join me and 9 other business experts, coaches and luminaries for a F.R.E.E event exclusively for leaders in the direct selling, network marketing and multi-level marketing professions. You know I don’t promote a lot of events… but I had to tell you about this one because the speakers are so extraordinary. I know I’m there too but really look at this list.

• Margie Aliprandi, President of My Mind Makeover
• Jane Deuber, Leadership Expert and co-founder of the DSWA
• Leesa Barnes, President of Marketing Fit
• Michael Oliver President and Founder of Natural Selling Sales Training
• Sandy Grason, best-selling author of Journalution
• Scott Stratten, President of Un-Marketing
• Jillian Middleton, founder of Savvy Sponsoring Strategies
• Michael Port and Elizabeth Marshall, co-authors of The Contrarian Effect
• Keith Ferrazzi, best-selling author of Never Eat Alone
• Sarah Robinson, Direct Selling Business Strategist and Founder of Profit, Purpose and Beyond

Profit, Purpose and Beyond will take place October 13 through October 24, 2008 (excluding the weekend). One speaker will take center stage each day at 1pm EST.

Go here now to get the details and grab your seat before they are all gone! Remember folks, there is no charge for this event!