Growth will take place in 2014. Where? Who?

I drove approximately 1800 miles the last two and a half days on my way to spend our winter in the Phoenix, AZ area.   When I am in the car by myself (Faye comes today.......she flies) I listen to lots of good music, satellite radio and many talk shows, and of course lots of thinking.  

What kind of captured my thinking was the question to myself...."What was it like when we started and what was it that inspired me in those early years?" I could make a list but what it really came down to was I felt very challenged. I was challenged in school, the USMC in boot camp, college was fun but also very challenging in the classroom. Suffice it to say that I have felt challenges all along the way. 

There where three Master Coordinators in Shaklee at the time we started. I remember thinking that was where I wanted to be because only three had made it to that point. It really wasn't about the money at that time, it was because only three had accomplished it.    I thought that was a good idea. So that became my mission, my passion, and there wasn't a day I didn't think about it.  A number of people qualified for Master in three years. It took us eight years to the month. I had many challenges but to be very honest, this business has never felt like work to me. I've been frustrated, disappointed, upset and lazy at times, But it never felt like work for me.

In 2014 there will be people who will have terrific years. Growth will take place in Shaklee this next year.

I don't know who, or where, or why.  But here is what I do know. Those who grow will feel challenged.

They will face criticism (we all do) and some people will be sponsored and some will quit. They will overcome a number of challenges. If this describes you then I want to be the first to congratulate you on moving forward regardless of what happens along the way. I also know this, you will never, ever regret facing all those challenges. I look forward to hearing your stories on your progress and growth.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Want things to change?

When I was at our club working out this AM I overheard a couple of the guys talk about how the locker room will be getting really crowded in the mornings starting right after January 1st.  Of course this means new members or older members who haven't been there for a while have their New Year Resolution about working out, etc.   Will this year be different?   

We see this every year but it only lasts until the end of January or February at the latest.  After 30 to 60 days the locker room is back to what I would call "normal" with the guys who workout on a regular basis. I think you get my point about most new year resolutions. Not much commitment. The guys want to change and of course that is their goal.  But do they have a process to follow?  A plan? Change isn't easy but the chances go up dramatically for success if they have a process and of course some kind of accountability.

So, here we are facing 2014 and I'm sure many of you want this new year to be better than 2013.  How about turning that idea into some goals along with a process. Very simply put, a process has simple steps that you take to make it happen.....talking to more people, weekly appointments, weekly presentations.....attending and/or doing in-home events. This is a simple business and we work hard to keep it that way.  I try not to resist change but I fight getting people overwhelmed with layers of rules that creates confusion. I learned very early in the game that confused or overwhelmed people don't do much.

Another way to look at changing is this: in order for change to take place most people just have to step back and think about what is it that is taking their time?   Another thing I learned early in the business was what I needed was a new routine in order to grow. That was a key factor for me in staying inspired to keep up the effort even when it didn't look like things were happening. I learned to look at my daily personal routine and make adjustments in that routine...get more business growth focused.  It works.

So, what is your daily routine? What are you not doing that you know you want to do in order to build and make a difference? Think about it. Want change to happen?  Change your daily routine.   Easy?  NO!

But very, very effective.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's about being more productive

I read a daily devotional every morning and the following is an excerpt from today's message.  It really struck me because I have had many days that seemed to turn into weeks with no progress and yet it seemed busy.  I thought I was busy, it felt like I was busy, and I was busy. But as I reflect back I wasn't doing the things that had potential to move our business forward.  I was busy but not productive. See if you can relate to the following statement:

"Do not be weighed down by the clutter in your life:  Lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order.  If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover they are endless.  They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.  Choose the ones that need to be done today and then do the things that can make a difference."

I attended a seminar in October on How To Increase Your Productivity.  It was time and money well spent.

The one major thing I will leave with you today was one of the major principles I learned at this seminar.

You don't have to do more to have more and you don't have to do more to get more.

Many people say they can't add anything to their schedule because they just don't have enough time.

The point of this principle is it's really about doing less and by that it means to look at what is taking your time and energy?  What was taught in this seminar is this, what are the two or three things that has potential to move you forward in your business? Are you doing those two or three things? What is keeping you busy that you can change?   

In order to make progress in your business, it's a matter of knowing and doing the two or three things that has potential to make a difference. It's not about trying to do everything. It's about doing no  more than those three things that can make a difference. It's something to think about if you really want 2014 to be an exceptional year.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A principle for growth

December is usually a very busy month for people - we just had Thanksgiving, lots of family gatherings in December, shopping, parties to attend, and where we are really busy is in our minds thinking and believing December is a slow month.  

At this time of year I usually send this same type of message because we qualified as what we call Director today in December 1970. Our PV was over 5000 for December. My point today is to remind you that December is really a reflection of September, October and November. I worked hard those months and as most of us know and understand, results always follow efforts.  Always.   But the results usually aren't immediate because most of the time there is a 30 to 60 day lag between effort and results.   That's why follow up is so vital as a step in the process for growth.

The fact is that December is a busier month than usual but it's a great month for setting appointments and in-homes for January. So take advantage of the time you do have by setting up January and February to be great months. There is always a future out there in front of us.   We just have to remember to keep ourselves mentally in the game.

Just remember the following principle: results always follow efforts. It has always been that way and it will continue to be that way.  Be consistent with your efforts and your business will grow. So if you want April and May to be great months for you and your business, work like crazy in January, February and March.   Once you buy into this principle and work at the fundamentals you will experience growth.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What does it take?

This is a great time of the year as it's about gifts, cards, seeing lots of people, family gatherings and of course lots of cookies, and for Faye and I we have Rachel and her 20 month old son Griffin coming today and will stay for two weeks. A great season of life is another way to put it.

I was thinking about how our lives have changed over the years because of this business. Faye and I feel so fortunate to be able to live the lifestyle we have.  Everything I was told 44 years ago has come true and way beyond anything we could have ever dreamed about I guess I would call it a dream come true.  Yesterday my thoughts went to the following question to myself. What is it that has the potential to change a person's life?

I just started writing down things I believe that helped change our lives....here goes:

- A can-do attitude

- Encouragement from people 

- A new idea

- Small successes

- Sticking with the fundamentals

- Working hard

- Fighting doubt

- Fighting negativity

- Overcoming fear

- Willingness to learn lessons (daily/weekly failures)

- Being future-driven

- Having mentors

- Being willing to learn how to do things I had never done before

- Strong belief

- Setting goals and always having a process to follow

...and last but certainly not the least, we found the right company, with the right products, and a great compensation plan.

I just read my list and I have experienced everything above at one time or another.   It doesn't matter how long you've been involved in this great business and it doesn't matter where you are right now today.

It's about your future. If you're willing to put in the time and effort it takes to build a future, you also can change your life.   Go for it. You'll never regret working hard and changing your life in so many ways.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Now is always the time

This could be a very powerful message for someone. I've done it at times. I'm sure every person who reads this has done it. I've done it recently and then recovered quickly which means in a couple days.  Here is today's message.

Maybe tomorrow..........I'll do it later......I don't have the time right now....

Procrastination leads to regret

Procrastination leads to feeling bad

Procrastination leads to failure

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

What are the 2 or 3 actions that will move you and your business?

I've read many times about starting something, then re-starting, keeping going, doing the activities, taking action.

Anything is better than nothing. Actions matter even if they are small actions. I think most people don't really believe that taking small steps in the right direction can make a difference. Success isn't an event. 

No one just becomes a Senior Coordinator or a Key Coordinator or whatever title it is you want. You don't just happen to get a monthly bonus check for $1000 or $10,000 a month because our products are absolutely the best. Believe me when I say there are many companies out there with nutritional products that are what I would call "cookie cutter products." Meaning that anyone can start a business by putting their name on a label because there are companies out there that do that. That is their business. They do the best they can. I happen to strongly believe that there is a Shaklee difference.

I'll say it again.....succeeding at something isn't an event. It won't just happen. This is a business that you make it happen and not just hope it happens.  So it's about taking action of some kind on a very consistent basis. Consistency is one of the so-called "secrets" for becoming successful.

Think about this question for a while today.  What are the 2 or 3 activities that can and will move you and your business?  Just the top 2 or 3 actions.   Not a laundry list of 25 things to do and get overwhelmed or confused and wonder where to start. The most important 2 or 3 actions. What are they?  Here are the 3 actions I know has moved our business and without these actions we wouldn't have a business.

1. Prospecting (appointments / follow-up)   2.  Doing opportunity presentations (follow-up)

3.  Meetings...In-home events / gathering people together.

Those are without question the 3 most important actions I've done. Yes, I had some learning to do. Actually a lot of learning but the fact is simple, if you want a fun, thriving, prosperous business those in my mind are the right things to be doing. THINK ABOUT IT!

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's a basic fundamental

The following message is a great example that the fundamentals for success are really the same no matter what the job or profession may be.  I know this because Faye and I are in our 44th year in this business and we're kind of like the energizer bunny who just keeps on keeping on. Why do we continue like we do?  The answer to that is simple: this is what we do and I feel so fortunate to have found this business so many years ago.

Like I say at meetings...."I've been in this for 44 years and have never gone to work because this has never felt like work to me.  I been disappointed and frustrated at times, but it's never felt like work."

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Thanks to  Zal Fink  - 

This is from an interview with Paul Stanley of the rock group, KISS...

Q: What are the fundamentals you've adhered to in order to succeed and have such a long career?

Paul: The basic tenet for longevity is passion. You have to love what you're doing. If you're doing it for any other reason, you'll ultimately fail. You do something not because you want to, you do something because you have to, because there's an obsession within you. If someone comes to me and says, "I'm thinking about staying in music or..." I say, "Stop. Do the other thing." If you have to ask yourself if you should be doing this, the answer is no. You have to find something you totally believe in. That's what will get you through the tough times. Passion will not only help you succeed, it will get you through the failures.

Safe is often dangerous

I found a interesting and fun little book this past week and I will be taking some thoughts from it over the coming weeks and months.  The title is:  How To Be Interesting by Jessica Hagy.

Jessica says the following, "Safe is often dangerous because an easy life is like quicksand. Before you know it, you're trapped and can't move, can't breathe, can't get to where you really wanted to go.  Don't coast unless you're rolling downhill on a bicycle."

I think most of us in this business are living a pretty safe life. We're making it through the weeks and months even though some are more difficult than others. But we're making it. But the question her comments bring up is are we where we really want to be? If we aren't there yet then this is not the time to just continue to live safe and coast downhill.

If you have goals you haven't accomplished yet, this is not the time to give up and coast. It's time to put yourself on a process that you create that has you doing the right steps for growing and getting to that place where you want to be. The tough part for many people is getting started again for the 2nd, 3rd or maybe even the 6th time. Whatever.  Don't live in the past because that won't help you one bit. Live in the present because now is the time to make that important decision. I really believe that if you will put in the work it's going to take,  your business will be ready to explode in the next 12 to 18 months. Really!

The new year is right around the corner so why not take some time to think about what you want 2014 to look like a year from now? You won't regret putting in the work every week.  Most of what we regret is what we didn't do so don't let that happen to you. Get a process and develop the needed skills.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke                                                 

This is not a microwave business

I believe Shaklee is a skill-based business.  I know that most people would disagree with that because most people believe this is a product-based business. Here is my view, we have a great company and Shaklee Corporation is a resource for everyone in the field.  The employees at Shaklee Corporation are there to give us in the field what we need in order to grow.....they are a resource for you and me. 

Those of us who know about the products believe strongly they are without question the very best a person could find. The Shaklee products are a tremendous resource that help us sell and build the business. Your upline should be a resource to teach and train people in their downlines. So we have great resources that are there to help all of us sell, build, and earn whatever we have the desire to work for.

What's my point?  This is not a "microwave business" - simple, easy, little effort with great results. This company doesn't grow because we have great resources. It has potential to grow for anyone and everyone who develops the needed skills.  When I look back at myself when I first got involved, I can assure you I didn't have the necessary skills to do very well.

I had to learn about the products, how to approach people, how to prospect, how to present, how to follow up, how to sponsor, how to do a meetings. The reason we grew at a slow pace was because I just didn't have the necessary skills and I had a lot to learn. The resources were there all the time. As I became more skilled in various areas we grew.

I talk to people and many seem to think everything has to be fast. So many people get discouraged and disappointed because it isn't a microwave business.  Believe me, if you are out trying and learning you will develop your skills. The more skilled you become the easier this business gets.   

I learned early that what you get out of something will always be based on what you put into it.  If you're doing the work, learning and developing the necessary skills, you will grow and it will eventually get easier.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Follow up re: having a process

This is a follow up message on the one I sent yesterday about some thoughts about having a process. The following comments are what I received from Rod Larkin who has been an exceptional leader for many years.  Rod says it well.

Gary Burke

QUESTION-- If you were taking a pop quiz in a business training seminar and you were asked right now to write down your process for building your business and teaching others how to build, what would you write down and turn in for review?

Gary hits the nail on the head in this message. All of the goals a person sets won't amount to a hill of beans in terms of results if a person does not have a written plan to reach the goals and a process that you follow and teach others to follow.

Building a successful and profitable Shaklee business is based on a person's ability to duplicate him/herself. If a person wants to grow in the business but isn't, it simply means duplication is not happening and the main reason why duplication does not take place is that a person does not have a duplicatable process he/she is using and teaching others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, and so on.

When Duplication is taking place, your process is being used and followed so that when you sponsor a 1st level distributor, that 1st level distributor sponsors a new 2nd level distributor. That new 2nd level distributor sponsors a new 3rd level distributor. That new 3rd level distributor sponsors a new 4th level distributor, and on this duplication process goes. Think of it as making photo copies of your self in terms of copies of your business being made.

This is called "multi-level" marketing and multi-level marketing can only happen in your business when you have a duplicatable process you use and that you teach others to use. It's really no mystery as to why people who build large organizations are able to do so---- they have a process they stick to and they DO NOT deviate from no matter what comes down the pike.

Weekly meetings are an essential part of one's process.  I have been giving/hosting/attending weekly meetings of some type (webinar now for example) for 34 years.  Sometimes it's difficult to get people to understand the need and significance of having a weekly meeting to plug themselves into AND to plug their people into.  Again, it's about getting people to duplicate what you do-- and they will, even if you do nothing.  If you do nothing, your people do nothing.  See how it works?  People are going to duplicate what you do.

Rod Larkin

It's about having a process

Over the past two or three months I've talked with many people in our organization and also many people in other organizations. I must say that I've been surprised that so many people really aren't working a process that they have confidence in and will get them to a goal. At the conference in Nashville one of the main speakers said the following: "If you have a goal for a number or a title you probably won't accomplish it, because the secret is having a process."    Very accurate, very true.

In other words when a person says I going to lose 20 lbs, or I'm going to do 2 in-home events a week, or I'm going to be a Key Coordinator, or I'm going to become a Master Coordinator, the goal is a number or a title. Those are verbal goals. What the speaker was saying was that if you don't have a plan, or you don't know what road you're on, if you just doing some things with no focus like jumping around from the idea of the month to the next new thing that comes down the road, that will not lead to success of a goal.

Yes, goals are important, but the key is having a process to follow. Over the years I've heard hundreds of people say they want to be a Master Coordinator but they did not seem to work consistently on a process.

It isn't that most of the people couldn't grow and become a Master Coordinator because they could with hard work following a process.

Fundamentals is another word that can mean the same as a process or having a simple plan to follow could also mean process.  Here is the process we learned when we came in the business: prospect.....talk to people....make appointments.....ask questions.....listen.....give a simple opportunity presentation.......follow up......follow up again.....sponsor....attend meetings.   Those are basically the fundamentals of the business. Those are the things that will eventually drive growth for you and your business. I think the simplicity of this business escapes most people. 

If you will work a process you will develop skills and the harder you work the more skilled you will become. That is another secret to this business or anything for that matter. Set your major goal but then write out your process and then stick with it and develop those important skills.   That is what it takes.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Ask questions...listen & learn...mentors

I want to share some ideas with you for making 2014 a great year for your personal growth as well as growing your business. If you are reading this message I have to assume you want to do better for the coming year.  Here is a question: what do you want your business to look like at the end of December 2014? Do you want to earn more income? How much more a month? Do you want to have more new people coming into your organization? How many a month? How about building a couple 1st level Directors?

Let me tell you what happened to me as I was getting started. I had the opportunity to attend meetings here in the Minneapolis area and listen to and watch three Master Coordinators. I listened to these people almost weekly talk about building this business. I took notes at every meeting. I wanted what they had and basically they became my mentors.

The first two people I met outside of my sponsor were Chuck & Joyce Hoffmann.  Faye and I had the opportunity to get to know Chuck & Joyce as friends and I have to say that they were a huge part of our learning process.  We viewed the Hoffmanns as mentors. 

Mentors can save you time, help you avoid simple pitfalls, point out danger signs, give advice, guide, teach, support and coach. We watched and learned from our mentors. Some mentors were from books I read regarding my personal development and what it takes to be successful. 

Here is a project for you if you want to grow yourself and your business and feel you are out there on your own trying like crazy to figure this business out.  Your project is to find a mentor who has already done what it is you want to do. I feel that is a vital step. I suggest you have a mentor for building high monthly volume. A mentor for personal sponsoring as well as a mentor for building sales leaders. 

Ask questions.  Don't just stumble around for weeks and months at a time being confused and overwhelmed.   Ask for help from your upline or from a friend who you've met in the business who you know can help you. Be willing to learn and be coached. Don't always have complaints about what's not working.   Be willing to take good advice especially if the person you're talking to has already accomplished what it is you want to do.   Be a good student and work hard and you will grow and 2014 can be a great year for you.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Ask questions...listen & learn...mentors

I want to share some ideas with you for making 2014 a great year for your personal growth as well as growing your business. If you are reading this message I have to assume you want to do better for the coming year.  Here is a question: what do you want your business to look like at the end of December 2014? Do you want to earn more income? How much more a month? Do you want to have more new people coming into your organization? How many a month? How about building a couple 1st level Directors?

Let me tell you what happened to me as I was getting started. I had the opportunity to attend meetings here in the Minneapolis area and listen to and watch three Master Coordinators. I listened to these people almost weekly talk about building this business. I took notes at every meeting. I wanted what they had and basically they became my mentors.

The first two people I met outside of my sponsor were Chuck & Joyce Hoffmann.  Faye and I had the opportunity to get to know Chuck & Joyce as friends and I have to say that they were a huge part of our learning process.  We viewed the Hoffmanns as mentors. 

Mentors can save you time, help you avoid simple pitfalls, point out danger signs, give advice, guide, teach, support and coach. We watched and learned from our mentors. Some mentors were from books I read regarding my personal development and what it takes to be successful. 

Here is a project for you if you want to grow yourself and your business and feel you are out there on your own trying like crazy to figure this business out.  Your project is to find a mentor who has already done what it is you want to do. I feel that is a vital step. I suggest you have a mentor for building high monthly volume. A mentor for personal sponsoring as well as a mentor for building sales leaders. 

Ask questions.  Don't just stumble around for weeks and months at a time being confused and overwhelmed.   Ask for help from your upline or from a friend who you've met in the business who you know can help you. Be willing to learn and be coached. Don't always have complaints about what's not working.   Be willing to take good advice especially if the person you're talking to has already accomplished what it is you want to do.   Be a good student and work hard and you will grow and 2014 can be a great year for you.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

It's a simple business

Today is a good day to reflect on how thankful Faye and I are to have shared our journey in Shaklee with so many of you.  What is it that has made Shaklee so important to our lives - and I believe to your lives as well?

What is Shaklee marketing?  It is a great opportunity with a compensation plan where you can:

- create an ongoing stream of income

- get paid in the future for work you have done in the past

- generate unlimited earnings

Why does Shaklee marketing work?  Because:

- Shaklee Products work the way we say they will

- The products are consumable

- People continue to order them month after month, year after year because they - always work - always safe - always green.  The products are "In Harmony With Nature."

Just like you recommend a great restaurant or movie to your friends and acquaintances, you will want to recommend the Shaklee Products and the Shaklee Opportunity and yes it is  just that simple....especially when it's done on a very consistent basis.  Think about it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gary & Faye

The future is now

Thanksgiving is this week which means we're very close to December which in turn means lots of family activity and being busy.  When I think back, we qualified as Shaklee sales leader in the month of December, 1970. 

December's volume is usually because there was good effort in October and November. In other words, December really isn't a "slow month" as many people claim it to be. December volume is a reflection of the previous 2 to 4 months of doing the right things.

Let's think about two things for a few minutes, the future and possibilities.  As you know, the start of a new year is very close and 2014 can be your best year ever. What do you want your business to look like in December 2014? The possibilities are staggering and it all starts with our attitude and vision right now at the end of 2013. Do you plan on doubling your monthly volume? Will you focus on helping others build their business by working with them to get to at least the Coordinator level?  Goals......Vision!   

In the next 12 months you and your business could have massive changes.  It all starts with a new vision with new thinking. What's really possible for you and your future? I believe a lot of what happens comes down to our trust. If you will trust the system and a  process, and think about possibilities and get the mindset that nothing is going to stop you from having an exceptional 2014, you will grow. 

Things can and will change and in this business it's up to the individual to make that decision. You just have to create a simple plan for your process, take your foot off the brake and press forward.  Remember, your January will be a reflection of your November and December efforts.....February will be a reflection of December and January.....that is how it works. I think you get the point.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Do you want a raise in 2014?

We’re getting close to the end of 2013. That means the New Year is right around the corner.  Do you want your business to improve in 2014?  Would $200 or $500 more every month make a difference to you? – to someone you know?

 I remember several years after Gary’s mom retired, after working a lifetime and raising four kids as a single mom in the 40s & 50s, she found out that she was going to receive an unexpected additional $500 a month from Social Security.  Ever after, Rachel and I referred to Grandma Burke as “the rich grandma.” That $500 was enough for her to feel confident she would have enough money for any unexpected emergency and totally freed her mind from any financial worries.  With her first check, she was thrilled to be able to have extra money to purchase tape recording equipment for her church so they could record Sunday sermons.

The reason Rachel and I affectionately referred to her as the rich grandma was because when she would take Rachel to things like Disney on Ice, not only would she buy her the overpriced program, but also the fancy flashlight for the finale! Sometimes, it’s just small amounts of additional income that could make a huge impact on a family’s life.  For you, it might be like Gary’s mom, the ability to treat your grandchildren to extra special events or maybe you want to give the college age kids extra spending money when they visit. Or, it will help with unexpected medical expenses or the insurance deductible you have to pay out of pocket when a storm has swept through your neighborhood.

Most of you getting this e-mail are already at least a Director.  You know what it takes to build a business.  You have already sponsored some folks.  You’ve shown them the value of Shaklee products and some of you have introduced others to the opportunity.  You have the means in Shaklee to raise your income level next year.  Get ready.

If you want a ‘raise’ in Shaklee here’s 2 ideas that will make a difference in your income.

1.       Introduce at least one or two new people to Shaklee every week (you will grow!).

2.       Schedule at least one product event every month in 2014 (you will grow!).

Believe in yourself and have fun!

Faye Burke

The tortoise and the hare

Remember when you were in grade school and you heard about the tortoise and the hare – the hare always got off to a fast start way ahead of the turtle but the turtle just plodded along, one foot (or is it paw) in front of the other.  Most of us cheered for the turtle knowing that he was going to win in the end because he didn’t stop or give up.

Shaklee is a great business for us turtles.   All we have to do is put one foot in front of the other, week after week, month after month, and year after year – if we keep working, we can eventually build the business we want – BRICK BY BRICK.

Unfortunately, that kind of growth doesn’t often get recognized or applauded.  In fact, much of the recognition you will find when you log on to myshaklee.com, dial into conference calls or attend regional meetings today is focused on quick, short-term growth, such as 30-day Directors.  It takes more than one 180 party where 4 Weight Management packages are sold to be a solid Director – that is not going to produce stability in your business.  Also featured are leaders who are “new” to Shaklee but not  “new” to network marketing and earning over $100,000 in their first year in Shaklee – most of us can’t possibly compare our situation to theirs. 

Don’t get me wrong – I understand and value recognition in our business- it can be extremely motivating and is a demonstration to all of us what is possible. BUT! I have learned over our 43 years in Shaklee that just as often, too much recognition of the same people or of just the “hares’ can be a real discouragement to people.    

Gary and I believe that every one of you in our group is a winner.  You saw the possibilities in Shaklee and made a decision to create your own business through your own efforts.  You invested maybe $5 or $50 and have been earning a bonus for perhaps a year or even 40 years.  Just think, you’ve created something where there was nothing. That’s pretty great.  Most of you have had to push yourselves to do things that made you uncomfortable in order to accomplish your goals.  You had to stretch and grow but you did it!  We hope that you’re proud of your accomplishment because we surely are.

Every month I enter data from our Bonus Statement into a database so I can track your growth.  When I see someone who has made a jump of just 300 to 500 PV more than average, I’m excited for you. Or, how about Terri Hofsommer who lives in northern Minnesota at the intersection of 2 county roads where there is a sparse population, who added two downline Directors last year and in October had her all time high OV last month.  And, Gary just got off the phone with a new Director, Barbara Niss, who is excited and having fun.  We feel blessed to have each of you in our downline and we rejoice in your successes, big and small.

So, please, when you see or hear of the great successes of the “hares” remember underneath their growth are a whole bunch of “turtles” who are building and growing to their own successes.   Let me say it again, be proud of your own accomplishments – we are!

Have Fun,

Faye Burke

Over time you can have your dream

I was out of town all of last week. I went for long walks every morning and my thinking was about the kind of life Faye and I have all because of this incredible opportunity. The message we heard when we came into this business was simple but also very exciting. What we heard was if we were willing to build our belief in the products, work hard, be consistent with our effort, help as many people as possible achieve whatever it was they wanted out of this business,  over time we would create a wonderful lifestyle.

The key words in the above paragraph are OVER TIME.   Faye sent out a message last week about building this business brick by brick.  The message is still true today for anyone who is willing to build their belief, work hard and stay the course. We bought into that dream and so can you - it doesn't matter how long you have been in this business, the dream is still available to those who want it. You just have to learn some skills, be willing to invest your time, and understand that nothing great was ever built overnight.

You have to make some choices.  What's your dream? Do whatever it takes to keep that dream alive and don't allow anyone or anything become a permanent barrier to you. As I said above, just be consistent with your belief and efforts and over time you will make it. I'll say it again, it doesn't happen overnight.  Never has and never will. 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Brick by Brick

Gary & I are big University of Minnesota Gopher sports fans.  Believe me, it’s been tough to be positive about the football program for way too many years.  BUT, three years ago after a dismal season in which the head coach was fired in the middle of the season, a new coach was hired.  When he arrived, he said they were going to have to build the program "brick by brick."  The kids were going to have to learn discipline (both in the classroom & in practice) and work hard – really hard – every practice – every game. Coach Kill said he and his staff were going to have to teach the kids what it means to work hard and how to win.

 

This is Coach Kill’s third year and the Gophers just had their first 4 game winning ‘streak’ in conference play since 1973.

 

Here are a couple of things that were written in the paper after this 4^th win:

“Coach Kill looks and talks like an old-school coach….”

 “We’ve still got a lot of room to get better, we’ve got a young team but we’re moving forward.”

“Gophers maintained belief in themselves”

“It’s kind of hard to see on the outside; on the inside, we knew we were getting better”

“I always say it’s a lot better to be positive than negative…the biggest thing is to get our kids to believe they’re good football players and believe in themselves.”

“I always said our biggest goal was to make sure we could get all the people in the state of Minnesota to feel good about the direction we’re going.”

 

When you listen to the interviews of the players after the games – they’re having fun – they believe in their program and their coaches.  When you listen to the interviews of the coaches – they love what they do – they love kids & football – they’re having fun.

 

I couldn’t help but think about our Shaklee business last Sunday when I read the sports page and saw the interviews online.  That’s what Gary and I did to build Shaklee.  We built it brick by brick – brick by brick!

 

We admit it, we’re old-school.  We believe in hard work, discipline and having a simple system. We hunted until we could find someone who would buy into the idea of building a business with Shaklee and then we stuck to them with encouragement and belief as long as they were willing to do the work. 

 

Gary drove easily 20 miles one way to deliver a quart of Basic-H in order to get someone using the products without delay and to have the opportunity to have another face-to-face conversation to keep Matt’s interest in Shaklee going.  And, then we sponsored Neil Froemming and our volume grew to 500 PV a month.  One by one we added people.  And, IT WAS FUN!

 

We didn’t expect overnight success – we knew it would be harder than that.  We believed that we wouldn’t get rich quick in Shaklee, but that we, and the people we brought into Shaklee, could get rich slow!  But the only way it works is BRICK BY BRICK!

 

Have Fun!

 

Faye Burke

Follow-up

 

Okay, yesterday I said the main job in Shaklee is to connect people to Shaklee Products and the Shaklee Opportunity.  I’d like state that in a slightly different way today - we want to keep our current Members and Distributors connected to Shaklee Products and the Shaklee Opportunity year in and year out!

If you want your business to remain stable, or better yet, to grow – follow-up is critical! 

I thought one of the more useful workshops at the Conference in August was the one on follow-up. It was led by a group of young women from Canada who were clearly working hard to build – they weren’t just talking about methods of follow-up they had read about – they were describing methods they had developed the hard way – through experience. Here are a couple that I thought could be valuable for everyone in Shaklee to incorporate into their business – whether a Director or a Master Coordinator – they certainly made an impact on me.

The first:  keep a notebook - nothing high-tech, just a 3-ring binder – with the names of your prospects and active members and distributors. Collect personal information that will help you become more connected with them – then keep track of what their interests are in Shaklee – whether it’s products, the business or both. There isn’t a magic formula for how you would set your notebook up - just make it up -log information that makes sense to you. Perhaps you’d have three sections – Prospects – Members – Distributors.  Then devote one page, or a half page to each person.  We all have different ways of organizing - follow your own style. Whatever you do, DON’T MAKE IT COMPLICATED!  Then devise a plan around how you will contact or keep in touch with these people.

The second was one of the best ‘new’ ideas I’ve heard in a long time.  And this idea would go hand in glove with the notebook. Have goals for the people in your Shaklee group – these goals will differ depending on whether they are members, distributors or downline business leaders. What does that mean?  For example, Members order products – have a plan to promote expanded product usage. If they only use Get Clean, introduce them to Vitalizer, Vivix & Protein.  Conversely, if they are using Shaklee Nutrition, introduce them to the idea of Shakleeizing their house. If Distributors, encourage them to have an in-home Shaklee event in order to enlarge their group and ensure they will qualify for a bonus every month. In other words, have goals for each person in your group based on where they are in Shaklee. Engage with them individually.  But remember, these are your goals  – but they are focused on how you will treat each person that has sponsored into your group to encourage them to get more actively involved with Shaklee, whether to enlarge the number of products they use or earn a larger bonus check.

Here are a few additional ideas that might help you outline a Follow-Up Strategy that will suit you:

·         Thank you cards

·         New Member/Distributor Welcome Letter

·         Follow-up calls – ask for permission for on-going follow-up

·         New Member/Distributor Orientation Meeting to:

    o   Go through Distributor Kit

    o   Make a list of names

    o   Recommend Autoship – highlight discounts

·         Planning Session:

    o   Recap Dream Plan

    o   Talk about their goals

·         One of the easiest ways I have found to both maintain stable PV within our Personal Group is a monthly mailing to every active Member & Distributor in our personal group which always includes a price list, testimonials or product information and a rebate offer.

At the end of the day, follow-up is just paying attention to people – thanking them – encouraging them – keeping them informed – caring about them.

Have fun,

Faye Burke