Taking People and Things for Granted

A dear friend lost his father last week.  I did not know his father, but I know my friend, and I am sad knowing how much he must be hurting.  He never imagined a few months ago that his father would be gone so soon.

It is so easy to take people and things for granted.  I am very spoiled.  I know it.  I have a husband who I adore and who treats me like a queen.  I have two healthy children and four beautiful grandchildren.  I have a beautiful home, and although I’m not wealthy, I’m not struggling to pay my bills.

I have a wonderful brother and a sister.  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 didn’t take her for granted.  We spoke every day, at least once, until the day she died.

I do take some things for granted though.  I know I will always have food to eat and a roof over my head.  I have never had to truly struggle to survive, and I seldom think about it. 

Most people don’t give much thought to what’s happening around the world, and Americans may be the worst.  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.

Sure, I give my time and money, but not enough of either.  When I take the time to really think about everything I 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.

So, today, I’m taking some time to be truly grateful for all the things I normally don’t give a moments 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.

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.    

Praise, the Great Motivator

Giving praise to others is a great motivator.  When we perform a job well, we all appreciate being recognized for our efforts.  One of the top reasons employees leave jobs is lack of recognition.

Whether we’re praising our children, a team member or an employee, there is a right and wrong way to praise someone.

It is important to be specific.  “The XYZ project you completed was great.  You finished it on time, and it included everything I asked for.” Or  “I see that you grew your team by 10 this month!  That was an amazing accomplishment.  You recruited some quality team members, and more than anyone else in the company.”

Don’t save praise for the weekly staff meeting.  Deliver the praise immediately when you observe positive behavior.  Certainly you can repeat the praise during the staff meeting, which may indeed encourage others to strive for recognition as well.

Praise is powerful when it is used properly, but certainly not when it is not genuine or truly earned.  Instead of criticizing those who perform poorly, in many situations, encouragement may raise them up to work harder.  Look for small things they are doing right, and let them know you noticed it, no matter how small, and tell them how much you appreciate it. 

When someone is doing their job properly, even if it isn’t exceptional, acknowledging their performance and letting them know how glad you are to have them working with you can spur them on to put in even more effort.

Leaders should always be developing new leaders.  Don’t wait for something great to happen, look for positive behaviors throughout the day.  Don’t take work performed well for granted.  Seek out those who are stepping beyond their job description or those who are helping others without being asked to do so.  It can also help to praise people in the presence of others.  It can help the recipient of that praise to feel as though they truly matter, and it can encourage others to want to earn that praise as well.

If you use praise often and properly, it can help to grow your child into a responsible adult, help you build a strong, quality team or improve employee retention and performance at your company.

Are You Leadership Material?

When growing a team of powerful leaders, it helps to know what you believe qualifies someone to be a leader.  The following is what I look for in a leader.

·         The main characteristic of a leader – and of a good team member – is that they are coachable.  If you ask 10 people if they’re coachable, they will all answer yes.  In reality, many are not.  Those who are coachable are open to new ideas, to what works for others.  They are willing and able to step out of their comfort zone to grow their business.

·         My team members who have imagination, creativity, self-determination and self-motivation are making sales and growing their business.

·         I don’t believe we can motivate someone to work who is not self-motivated.  We can, however, inspire our team members by doing what we have taught them to do.

·         We can lead by example, so our team members can see that what we teach them to do actually works.  The top team members don’t need someone to hold their hand every step of the way.  They watch, listen and learn from the leaders, and then they get to work!

·         We all run across prospective team members who tell us how great they are.  That doesn’t work for me.  As the old adage says, ‘action speaks much louder than words.”  Show me!  We need team members we can count on to do their part, without having to remind them or urge them on.

·         Leaders are responsible for coaching, teaching, serving people, setting a good example and being available to those they lead.

·         By setting a good example for our team members, we encourage them to grow.

·         A good leader won’t pretend they’re experts in every aspect of their business, nor will they ignore the suggestions and ideas of their team members.  Good leaders encourage their team members to make suggestions and to ask for assistance and problem solving help.

·         Team members are always a priority to a good leader.  If you work your business part time, be sure your team members know your work schedule.  And, be sure they have contact information for who else they can call for help if you are unavailable.

I believe nearly everyone can – if they wish – become a good leader.  However, they must listen to those who have been successful with the company.  Creating your own unique path may seem like a good idea, but in reality, its best not to reinvent the wheel.

http://julie.xpressabo.com/xhc1?=blogger

Advantages of Xpress Healthcare for Those on Medicare

I recently researched how my company, Xpress Healthcare, can help Senior Citizens in the USA who are on Medicare.  For those who don’t know what Medicare is, it is a hospital and healthcare benefit plan offered to those 65 years and better.  Throughout our lives, we pay into the Medicare fund, so when we reach 65, we will qualify for the benefits.

Medicare is a very good plan, however, it does not cover all aspects of healthcare all the time.  During my research, I found that Medicare recipients have no dental, vision or hearing coverage.  They have to pay out of pocket for these expenses, which do tend to increase as we grow older.

Medicare also does not pay for prescriptions needed by those on Medicare.  Anyone who is on any type of maintenance medication for hypertension, high cholesterol or any other drugs knows how expensive they can be.  There are many people who simply do without their medications, because they cannot afford them, thus jeopardizing their health.

There are Medicare Supplement plans available for seniors, which vary in price depending on the coverage they provide.  Even with the supplements, if someone’s prescriptions exceed a certain dollar amount, there is a break in their prescription coverage.  That break ends either at the beginning of the following year or when the member’s prescriptions reach a much higher out-of-pocket amount.  We are talking about several thousand dollars here.  Sadly, many seniors require several medications and do, therefore, reach that gap in coverage, often referred to as “the donut hole.”

Coming back to how my company’s discount benefit plans can help those on Medicare.  We actually have two excellent plans that can save them a great deal of money.

Our Premium Plan offers discounts on dental, vision, hearing, medical supplies (like wheel chairs, oxygen), prescriptions and vitamins.  The plan is only $19.95 per month for our member and their immediate family.  So, if both a husband and wife, for instance, are on Medicare, it will only cost them a total of $19.95 per month for this plan.

Our second plan that can offer savings for seniors is our Lifestyle Select Plan.  This plan offers some amazing savings on Life Lock® Identity Theft Protection, Pet Care, Roadside Assistance, Legal Access and a Cash Back Rewards Mall.  This plan too is only $19.95 per month per family.

Seniors have often built more wealth and have higher credit limits than many younger people, but they’re less likely to guard their identity. So they are frequently targets of identity thieves.  Unfortunately Seniors are also less likely to report a case of identity theft than their younger counterparts for fear that their families or caregivers may deem them incapable of handling their own affairs and try to take control. Identity thieves are well aware of this, so they take advantage of it as much as possible.  With Life Lock® Identity Theft Protection, they are far more secure and less likely to become victimized.

Many seniors, of course, have pets, like the general population.  Many are living on limited budgets, and Pet Assure, part of our Lifestyle Select plan can save them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Roadside Assistance is also a part of our Lifestyle Select, and since some seniors would be unable to change a flat tire, or taking trips to see their grandchildren, they may need help along the road, this too is a great feature for them.

Our legal assistance program can be invaluable to seniors who may be revising or writing new wills, selling their homes to move into a smaller one or a senior facility.  Our Legal discounts offer nine free services for some of the most commonly used legal services.  There are pre-negotiated discounts on other services.

Everyone can benefit from the Cash Back Rewards program.  Since many seniors have health issues preventing them from shopping, this could be beneficial to them.  In addition, everyone today is trying to save money, and the Cash Back Rewards Mall offer savings at hundreds of online stores.

I am so glad that Xpress Healthcare offers these two programs.  Of course, they can help anyone at any age, but for Senior citizens on Medicare, they can be of ever greater benefit.

http://julie.xpressabo.com/go2?=blogger

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http://JulieKleinsXpressline.com

Networking in Less Traditional Ways

Most small business owners and those in network marketing know the conventional ways to network and make new business contacts.  Joining your local Chamber of Commerce, for instance, or joining any other group of  small business owners. 

Those entrepreneurs who achieve the most success use less common methods, find unique networking resources and often connect in very different ways.  It is a lifestyle change for the really great networkers, something they do every day, and always thinking of more creative ways to connect with people about their business. 

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If you’re open to trying some new ways to connect with people, there several easy ones. 

·        Local groups not involved in the “business world.”  Attend and participate in various community/civic board  and neighborhood meetings.   Get active in meetings and activities at your children’s school.  Becoming involved in this type of meeting can offer many opportunities to network with your neighbors and those who live and work in your area.

·        Wasting Time – We all know that no matter how well we plan our schedules, there will always be times when you have nothing to do but wait.  Instead of being bored and getting frustrated while waiting in a long line and your motor vehicles office, take advantage of this opportunity to chat with someone else in line.  It’s possible that the conversation can lead to an opportunity to mention your business.  If that happens, you just may find a customer or someone who would like to refer someone to you.

·        Don’t be Shy:  If you are normally not a very outgoing person, it is in your best interest to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and boldly start a conversation with people wherever you go.  When you’re in an airplane or on a bus, for instance, even standing in line at the grocery store are all great times to push yourself and talk to people around you.  It could well lead creating a new network. Connection. 

·        Talk to the Top:  Many small business owners limit their networking to others who own small business owners, or individuals they know.  That is, people in a similar level to themselves in the business world.  Have you ever considered approaching people with more “clout” in your industry?  If you find an opportunity to place your product or service to someone high up in a company who may benefit by it, do not waste the opportunity.  Once you’ve gotten your business’ message to one powerful person, it may just open doors for you with others.  This could lead to growth of your business more quickly.    

·        Media Marketing Outside the Norm:   We all realize the importance of social media marketing, but top networkers don’t limit themselves to Facebook fan pages or Twitter feeds.   Instead, they spend time regularly, often daily, participating in social communities relating to their fields and other networks directed more toward business than “friendships.”  Getting your name and that of your business out there, in as many places as possible, can be a very powerful way to create new contacts.

How to Handle Objections in Network Marketing

As network marketers, we will have questions, objections and concerns from prospects.  It comes with the industry.  So, rather than trying to avoid them, it is important to learn how to address them. 

In my experience these are the questions/objections we hear most often and how I suggest you respond to them.

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·        I can’t afford the (start-up, monthly) fee.

Different network marketers have their own way of dealing with this objection.  Some say, anyone can afford it if they really want it.  If that is your perspective, you would approach the prospect with “How do you plan to change your life so you will be able to afford it?” or “If you can’t afford to get started with us now, you need this more than anyone!” or “By taking advantage of the opportunity I’m offering you, I can help you change your financial situation and ease the burden.”

Others, if they really believe the person is "broke," they also believe they’ll never succeed with the business and quit due to the inability to pay the required fees. 

I have actually had prospects who said they could not afford to join my team, but they loved the business and wanted to join anyway.  Of those, some have been successful; others quit as soon as their first payment came due. 

I’ve had a few who said they didn’t have the money, and I could tell, this would be someone who would waste my time and quit within weeks.  With those, I simply accepted that they truly could not afford it, and I wished them luck.

None of us can always make the right judgment call.  We’ll make mistakes occasionally.  But in general, the longer you’re in the business, the fewer times you’ll read people wrong.

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·        I’m not a sales person. 

In some network marketing companies, they tell prospects, “no selling is required.”  I personally disagree.  If you are with a reputable network marketing company, you have a product or service you must sell, and sales experience can be beneficial.  In addition, we all must sell OURSELVES to sell our product or recruit new team members.  If the prospect doesn’t like you, you’ve lost the sale. 

However, there is selling, and there is SELLING!  If you have to convince the prospect that your product is good, you are selling too hard.  More than likely, you will not sign that prospect.  Instead, I believe in presenting my product, answering the prospects’ questions, and then allowing them to decide what is best for them.  When it comes to recruiting, in particular, I do not want to work with anyone who does not want to work with me.  So, why try to convince them otherwise?  

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·        I don’t know very many people – OR, I don’t like to ask my family and friends to buy my product or join my company.

Neither do I!  Most companies recommend that you talk to your “warm market” first.  Nearly my entire business is done on the internet.  However, although I have never asked my family or friends to purchase my product or tried to recruit them, they are aware of what I do.  Whatever “job” we have had, our families usually know what we do for a living.  It simply comes up in conversation.  By making people you know aware of what you do, they may well send referrals your way, or they may say, “Really?  I can use that!” or “What’s involved in working your business at home?” 

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·        I need to discuss this first with my spouse.

I never discourage anyone from talking to their spouse about the product or opportunity.  I do the same.  However, I always ask if we can schedule an appointment when I can speak to the prospect along with their spouse so that I can explain my service or the opportunity.  There are two reasons for this.  

1)  There are “dream stealers,” those people who automatically look at network marketing as illegal or a “scam,” and I’d like the chance to explain what my company is before they discourage their spouse; and

2)  The prospect doesn’t really know my product or company.  If the prospect tells their spouse about it, important details may be left out, or they simply may not present it well.  If I speak to the spouse, I will be sure they get all the information, and that they will get it correctly.

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Of course, there will be other objections, but I have found these to be the most common.  Once you are comfortable with responding to your prospects’ objections, you’ll begin growing your business more quickly.