julie - SE Members Blog post - syndication express2024-03-28T12:51:47Zhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/julieIt is Just a Pyramid Scheme!https://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/it-is-just-a-pyramid-scheme2014-09-27T18:49:04.000Z2014-09-27T18:49:04.000ZJulie Kleinhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/members/JulieKlein<div><p><b style="color:#000080;">Although network marketing and MLM’s have been around a very long time, those of us in the industry still find we have to defend it at times. If you are already in the field, how do you respond to those who believe that all MLM’s are all scams? I’d like to share a few basic responses to all the misconceptions.</b></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Some people insist that we have to join the company early – on “the ground floor.” This simply is not true. So many new companies fail in their first two years (or sooner), I would never consider one. I believe it is safer to join an established company with a good reputation.</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Have you heard this one? “My best friend’s brother tried that once and failed miserably.” Or, “I tried it 10 years ago, and I never earned a dime.” Of course I don’t know their best friend and certainly not his brother, but it is very likely he never worked his business or put any effort into it, but he expected to be paid anyway. Or, they didn’t research the company prior to joining, they sold lousy products or had poor management. </b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>We have all heard this one more times than we count. “It’s a pyramid scheme.” Virtually every corporation IS a pyramid. The CEO is at the top; next is the executive team; then there is a management group; and finally, the bottom of the pyramid is created the majority of its employees. Those on the bottom work to make money for those at the top. On the other hand, an MLM is <u>not</u> a pyramid. Every representative has the same opportunity as anyone else in his/her company. How much they earn is up to each individual. </b></span></p><p align="right"><span style="color:#000080;"><a href="http://www.getfit-getpaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Pyramid-Scheme1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color:#000080;"><img src="http://www.getfit-getpaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Pyramid-Scheme1.jpg" class="align-full" alt="Pyramid-Scheme1.jpg" /></span></a></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Some companies sell over-priced products, or they are not what was advertised. Unfortunately, this is true with some companies, but certainly not all. Many store-front businesses do the same. There are companies out there with great products whose benefits outweigh the high price. However, not everyone will agree. </b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>To be prepared, it is up to each individual to research a product and price and the company prior to joining. Research is also required to be sure the company sells a <i><u>real</u></i> product. If a company stresses recruiting before their product, they may actually be scams. </b> <b><br /> <br /> Many companies train new recruits to approach their “warm market” first. I have never done this. Just like I know what my siblings do for a living, they know what I do. If they want information, they’ll ask for it. They have referred prospects to me, but I never “bugged” them to do it.</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>I have also heard, “I can’t sell anything.” Neither can I! If you have a quality product with a good company, you will not have to “sell” anyone! My websites provide the information that most prospects need. I certainly answer their questions, but I simply provide information. I refer people to a website and respond to their questions. That is all it takes. </b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>More really good network marketing companies are available to those seeking a business opportunity than in the past. The industry’s reputation is improving. Sure, we still hear the “silly” arguments, but they have become easier to explain in recent years.</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>If anyone reading this post has other misconceptions they hear repeatedly, please leave your comment below. Or, if you have a better response than mine, I would love to hear it!</b></span></p></div>The Magic Bankhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-magic-bank2014-08-12T15:10:35.000Z2014-08-12T15:10:35.000ZJulie Kleinhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/members/JulieKlein<div><p><b style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I received this via email from a friend. <i>The author is not known. It was found in the billfold of coach Paul Bear Bryant of Alabama after he died in 1982.</i></b></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Imagine that you had won the following “PRIZE” in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules:</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The set of rules:</b></span></p><ol><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. </b> <b>Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. </b> <b>You may not simply transfer money into some other account.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. </b> <b>You may only spend it.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. </b> <b>Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. </b> <b>The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “Game Over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.</b></span></li></ol><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What would you personally do?</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Actually, this game is real…</i></b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shocked ? YES!</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Each of us is already a winner of this “PRIZE.” We just can't seem to see it.</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The prize is “TIME.”</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://img1.wfrcdn.com/lf/49/hash/256/1679854/1/Office%2BMate%2BWall%2BClock.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img1.wfrcdn.com/lf/49/hash/256/1679854/1/Office%2BMate%2BWall%2BClock.jpg" class="align-full" alt="Office%2BMate%2BWall%2BClock.jpg" /></a></b></span></p><ol><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. </b> <b>Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. </b> <b>And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. </b> <b>What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. </b> <b>Yesterday is forever gone.</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. </b> <b>Each morning the account is refilled, but the “bank” can dissolve your account at any time without warning.</b></span></li></ol><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it, and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.</b></span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life!</b></span></p></div>Dream, dream, dream…https://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/dream-dream-dream2014-04-21T21:00:00.000Z2014-04-21T21:00:00.000ZJulie Kleinhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/members/JulieKlein<div><p><strong style="color:#000080;"><span class="font-size-2">I woke up this morning feeling very happy, because I had just taken a trip to Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately, it was a dream, but I felt good having dreamt about it.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">My family went to Yosemite at least once a year throughout my childhood, and even after we all grew up, my parents and their children and grandchildren visited Yosemite. We all called Yosemite our home away from home. It wasn’t just a place we went. Yosemite is engrained into us and (silly as it may sound) became part of each of us. My husband and I moved away from California 18 years ago, so I haven’t been to Yosemite since. I miss it.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">So, you can understand why the dream made me happy. Throughout my life, I have not remembered too many of my dreams, but once in a while truly meaningful dreams have stuck with me and became memories, almost as though they were real.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">I adored my grandmother. She died in the 1980’s, and I miss her still. For the first few years following her death, she would come and visit me in my dreams two or three times a year. They were such real dreams. We had a very large family (my mother was one of nine kids) and held many family gatherings. In my dreams, my grandmother would join us at one of these events. Strangely enough, in the dream, we all knew that she was dead and would not be able to stay. However, we also knew she would return again. So I always woke up from these dreams feeling as though I had a wonderful visit with my “Booba” (Yiddish for grandmother).</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">After a few years, she came to “visit” less and less often, and now she no longer comes to me in my dreams. Since that time, I have lost several other very close relatives – my two favorite aunts with whom I was very close; my father; my mother; and the most difficult loss, my sister who was my best friend.</span></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align:right;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3818726228,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3818726228,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="377" alt="3818726228?profile=original" /></a></span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">In the paragraph above, the people I named died in the order I mentioned them. So the most recent was my sister who died in 2007, and I feel like it was yesterday.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Of all these relatives who I loved so much, only once have I dreamed about any of them. In one dream last year, I was at a big family dinner. My father was in attendance, but in the dream, I just saw him. He didn’t speak to me, and I don’t remember him speaking at all during the brief dream.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">I am not a religious person. I am Jewish and proud to be, but I don’t really practice it. I know that many people who write here are devout Christians, so you likely will see my dreams differently than I. To me, my memories and dreams are not faith based.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">I have, on numerous occasions, right before bed “spoken” to my sister, asking her to come visit me in my dreams. I have done so with my parents as well. As I said, my father “appeared” in one dream, but otherwise, none of my loved ones have come to visit me. I believe that if they did, it would bring me peace and happiness. I am not unhappy now, but their visits would make me temporarily joyful.</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">I would love to hear about some of your dreams. Have any of you had dreams like I have where a lost loved one has come to visit you?</span></strong></span></p> <p><b>========================</b></p> <h2><span class="font-size-2"><em>For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit</em> <a href="http://joinxpresshealthcare.com/">http://joinxpresshealthcare.com</a><em>. </em></span></h2> <h2><span class="font-size-2"><em>For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit:</em> <a href="http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings">http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings</a> <em>(NOT insurance).</em> </span></h2> <h2><span class="font-size-2">I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at <a href="http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook">http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook</a><em> </em></span></h2></div>How Well Do You Know Your Business?https://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/how-well-do-you-know-your-business2014-02-12T17:57:04.000Z2014-02-12T17:57:04.000ZJulie Kleinhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/members/JulieKlein<div><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">For my team call this week, I prepared a series of 30+ questions. The questions asked about our products, prices, and commission we were paid. I also asked several questions about network marketing in general. Some of these would apply to other companies besides my own Xpress Healthcare business.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;"><i>First, I must say that we had a very small group on the call. Due to the horrible weather in places, power outages in a variety of places and the Olympics being televised, there were very few team members in attendance.</i></span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I asked a few questions that had no right or wrong answers.</span></strong><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;"> </span></strong></p><ul><li><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I asked team members to share something they did during this past week for which they were proud of themselves. <i>No one had an accomplishment to report.</i></span></strong></li><li><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I asked when they forced themselves to step out of their comfort zone to perform a task, how did they congratulate themselves for their success? <i>One team member shared a good story.</i></span></strong></li><li><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I asked if anyone had accomplished a goal they had set for themselves during the past month, and if so, what was it. <i>No responses.</i></span></strong></li></ul><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;"> </span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">We market discount plans, and each plan contains several benefits. Some of the questions were about which benefits were included in a particular plan. <i>The responses were mixed. The team members knew some, but no one knew them all.</i></span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">My questions included how much we are paid in residual commission on specific plans. <i>Again mixed answers. No one person knew them all.</i></span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">When I asked about limitations to particular plans, they knew the answers to two of the five questions.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">Here’s a question for all of you reading this… What is the average amount of time it takes a rep to learn everything there is to know about your company’s products, business opportunity and the business itself? If you answered with any number, you are wrong! <i>It is impossible for anyone to learn everything there is to know about their business.</i> The most important thing is if you cannot answer a prospect’s question, do you know exactly where to find the correct answer?</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">For this reason, I recommend to my team members that they review their own marketing websites to see what their prospects see, and research their “back office” to learn how to navigate it and where they will find information they need when they need it.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I was surprised to learn that no one on the call knew where our company operates. We are a US-only company, but we do not promote our products in five states due to laws in those states. I believe this is a very important fact to know, and I suggested that those on the call learn them – memorize them!</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I also asked for the advantages of network marketing over a traditional business. <i>They came up with several good answers.</i></span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I sent out the list of questions to team members. I plan to repeat this call in the future to see whether team members studied and learned the information about which they were not knowledgeable. </span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">So, how about you and your team members? Do they know all the basics? Do you? Do you and they know where to go for answers besides their sponsor?</span></strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:#000080;">I learned a lot from the call last night, and it told me the areas in which I must do more training. So while it was a little disappointing, it was a great lesson for me to have learned.</span></strong></p></div>Someone is Praying for the Blessings You Take for Grantedhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/profiles/blogs/someone-is-praying-for-the-blessings-you-take-for-granted2013-08-06T00:12:29.000Z2013-08-06T00:12:29.000ZJulie Kleinhttps://syndicationexpress.ning.com/members/JulieKlein<div><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>It is so easy to take people and things for granted. I am spoiled, and I know it. Although I’m not wealthy, we get our bills paid every month. I have a wonderful husband, two healthy sons and three beautiful grandchildren. </b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>I also have a brother and a sister, both of whom I love dearly. I used to have two sisters. My “big” sister died a few years ago way too young, and I miss her every day. I am so glad that while she was with us, I did not take her for granted. We spoke every day, at least once, until the day she died. Thank Heavens, the last words we spoke on the phone the night she died were, “I love you.”</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>I do take some things for granted though. I seldom think about that fact that I know I will always have food to eat and a roof over my head. I have never had to truly struggle to survive. </b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Most people, Americans in particularly, don’t give much thought to what’s happening around the world. I am saying this as an American myself. I KNOW there are people starving, who are in pain, who are suffering and living in unimaginable conditions. But most of the time, I just go on living my life, taking it for granted.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Sure, I give my time and money, but not enough of either. When I take the time to really think about all have, I am very grateful for where I was born, for the family that raised me, and for the good health that enabled me to work hard to be able to afford what I have today.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Today I am taking some time to be truly grateful for all the things I normally don’t give a moment’s thought. I have to clean my house, but I have a house to clean! I have to put expensive gas into my car, but I have a car and the money to fuel it. I have to prepare dinner and clean the kitchen afterward, but I have the food to cook and a place to prepare it.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>I have a business that I love working, and I earn a living with it. Many of my co-workers have become friends about whom I care very much. I work with a company with very high integrity and excellent products. Although I am not brilliant with an amazing IQ, I am smart enough to operate my business and write this blog.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>There are many people – friends and family – that love me, and I love them in return. In so many ways, I am blessed, and I am very thankful for everyone in my life and for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000080;"><b>Perhaps you too would like to take just a little time today to be grateful for those people and things you normally take for granted.</b></span></p><p> ************************</p><p>Please take a couple minutes to visit and comment on my Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcarTheWinnersCircle.%0D">http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcarTheWinnersCircle.</a> </p></div>