Giving Back... Raising the Bar

My mentors always told me that it was critically important to give back. The ancient script says, "To whom much is given, much shall be expected."

Because I am fortunate to be recognised as a leader and top-performer in our industry, I receive dozens of invitations every week to join discussion groups on social networks, such as FaceBook, BetterNetworker and others. Unless I see that the objective of a particular group is nothing more than an attempt by the group's moderator to to pitch their particular program, downline builder or some other self-serving attempt, I will usually accept the invitation, and on occasion, contribute an article or idea that I think might be helpful.

It disappoints me to see so many marketers, however, joining the groups and misusing them for spam. Attempts to pretend some poorly-written eBook or ineffective downline builder website is of any use to other members of the group, diminish the value and participation in those discussion groups. Similarly, it's astounding how many network marketers spend hours each week, inviting anyone who has "network marketing" or "MLM" in their interests/profile to join their contacts list, then litter their comment areas (such as FaceBook's "Wall") with more spam, stupid eBook offers, and links to every ineffective, hairbrained, "get-rich-quick" scheme under the sun.

I recall flying from Los Angeles to Venezuela with my mentor Jim Rohn, for a month-long Presidents' Team recruiting blitz, back in the days when I was with Herbalife. Sitting across the aisle from me, we were talking about the differences in our approach to building our business from some of the more typical MLM'ers of that time. Mr. Rohn told me that at a young age, his father instilled in him the principle of always doing more than you are paid for, as an investment in your future.

That was why we would spend 20 minutes of every 30 minute opportunity meeting re-igniting people's ability to capture their dreams and ambitions, and it was why we would genuinely focus our presentation on finding ways that would help them achieve those individual goals. And it was the reason our incomes exceeded the high six-figure income level so quickly.

Today, we find ourselves in a different marketplace, thanks to the great equalising effect of the Internet. And it will be those who avoid the annoying, ineffective and typical sales-pitch approach... those who participate in discussion groups with a genuine interest in helping others achieve their goals, and whose commitment to personal development is their own primary objective, instead of "making a buck"... who will become the next generation of millionaires.

"If you make a sale," Mr. Rohn taught, "you make a living." But he went on, more importantly, to teach us, "But if you make an investment of time and good service in a customer, you make a fortune."

It's called "relationship building", and it will, I predict, continue to change the landscape of Internet entrepreneurship, network marketing and wealthbuilding for generations to come.

So the next time someone invites you to participate in a discussion group, consider actually doing so. Leave your "ad" at the door. Place a small, considerate signature file, or maybe a "bio-line" at the end of your entry. But make sure the majority of your post (and that means 98% or better) should be content that has nothing to do with promoting whatever it is that you're doing.

Statistics show that the average network marketer will recruit 3-4 people in their entire career. Statistics also demonstrate that 97% of the so-called "heavy hitters" in any company today are folks who raided the downlines of other companies, and who consistently move their entire group from one company to the next, and then pretend to be "successful networkers". There's no skill in that.

Recently, one struggling network marketing firm, which markets a miniscule array of three products, the flagship of which is a product that failed to sell through traditional marketing channels, approached me with a "secret and special offer". I was doing some consulting for them, trying to help rescue the dying downline of one of their "top producers", when the company's "corporate sponsored" distributor called to tell me that the company would put $100,000 of (fake) volume into my monthly organisation, if I would move people from my previous group to their company, and would continue to add an additional $100,000 of volume each month, if I would sheep-steal from other companies.

Now, I'm not even going to comment on the multiple layers of folly in that company's approach to building a business... because it's "obvious to the max", as one might say. I won't comment on how poorly that company attempted to copy its compensation plan from two of the worst comp plans in the industry. But I will comment on the lack of integrity that continues to hurt this industry, as people's hopes are dashed by being mislead by the so-called "heavy hitters", and the secretive "negotiations" of floundering companies, to make it look like they're growing.

I don't move people I recruit from one company to another. It's bad business, and it's completely unnecessary. If you increase your value in the marketplace, by really caring about others, and helping them to realise their own dreams and goals, you help to better our industry, and that will always mean better results will seek you out. And I promise you it works. In the last month, I personally enrolled ten new associates in a company I am not even promoting yet, which is still in pre-launch... and I didn't approach or ask a single one of those ten new associates to join me! (The fact is, I never ask anyone to join my company... those who are interested always approach me.)

Give it a try in your business, and together, we'll make this industry rise to incredible new heights!

-- Gianmichael

Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C.
Success Development Trainer & Consultant
Prosperity Reinvented
http://prosperityreinvented.com

For more than 27 years, pioneer in the field of entrepreneurism and emerging Internet marketing technologies, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, has focused on the fundamentals of personal and business development, peak performance, and wealthbuilding in the postmodern marketplace. Recognised as an innovator, and called the "new mentor to the millionaires", Gianmichael has worked with such notable mentors as Jim Rohn, Lawrence Thompson, Anthony Robbins, Louise L. Hay, Dr. Kennedy Shultz and Dr. Jose Silva.

A noted Buddhist contemplative and teacher, Dr. Salvato has leveraged his achievements, as consistently earning within the top-five percent of Network Marketing professionals worldwide, using that income to fund programs for the homeless, the hungry, sick and marginalised, as well as providing education and support to underprivileged communities for more than 20 years.

Creator of the breakthrough approach Networking Reinvented® and developer of the Prosperity Reinvented® workshop series, and co-founder of the Networking Reinvented® Success Team, Gianmichael has shared his message with 3,400 audiences and more than a million people. 

In addition to his pioneering work with the emerging personal development giant, iLearningGlobal.tv, Dr. Salvato currently serves as Vice President of Development for Corporate Warriors and as a widely respected authority and consultant in the field of corporate coaching, personal development and internet marketing.

He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

He continues to conduct seminars, dharma workshops and business events throughout North and South America, the European Union and the Pac Rim, and resides with his companion and partner, in a quiet, understated historic home in Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania -- the oldest inland city in the United States.