A recent post on the Top Peters Weblog has these notes on talent…
“We hear all the time, ‘talent is important’…We know that talent is the center of organizations. Without talented people, an organization will not be successful, can’t grow, won’t have great ideas, and will not be able to execute its strategy.”
Jason Calacanis, who built the wildly successful Weblogs, which relies on the talents and energies of other writers, says this about talent:
“Worship your talent, give them whatever they want, and never let them walk out the door.”
What do you think?
Given the old school “anyone can do it” mantra, it doesn’t seem like old-schoolers think it takes talent to succeed in NM (unless they believe everyone’s born with talent to do NM).
What say you? Does it take talent or not? And if so, what kind of talent?
Seeing talent as an inborn quality skill of course it takes some. But the same can be acquired with effort or effortlessly with fun.
I’d say the biggest talent in business is Simplification. Like your scripts. Not making a big deal out of things, good and bad and keeping the daily activities simply so one can focus on them and carry them out more repeatedly than someone without those skills.
yves
http://www.NoPainMoGain.com
Well, my belief is that all of us have many talents deep within us. It may take longer for some to draw them out, but they are in there.
And, most talent needs to be developed to reach it’s full potential.
Most of us have heard that Michael Jordan was cut from his early high school basketball team. What if he had quit?
I know I sure didn’t feel very talented when I started making phone calls to prospects 13 years ago. Today, however, that skill set has been developed, and that could be considered the same as developing the TALENT.
Most of us have no problem sharing our favorite restaurant or a great new movie. We’ve done it so often and we do it so naturally that it doesn’t come across “salesy.”
Itt takes PERSISTANCE and a willingness to stick around long enough to develop the TALENT or skill sets needed to be a success!
I was committed to having the lifestyle I wanted through this business. That commitment made it worth it for me to stick around and develop that talent, even when it hurt!!!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Street Smart Wealth Group
As an artist (as well as a network marketer), I have found that talent is over-rated.
There are lots of people with talent who never accomplish anything. I believe that perseverance in the face of adversity is the single most important quality that any successful person has – no matter what the field!
Karen Conduff
Hi Kim.Talent is just a small part
of the equation.It really takes a
belief not only in yourself but
also a strong belief in the service/product and the company you
represent.When you really enjoy
something, you will become a
student of whatever your doing.
Classic example:Just because a
person is great in sales,it
doesn’t mean they will be good
in NWM.
Raven
Determination is way more important than talent.
The reason everyone can’t do this business is because very few people have the determination to do the very simple steps needed to succeed. For them, it’s just too scary, or it cuts into their TV time, etc.
The skill set you need for effective network marketing isn’t particularly unique. And, if you don’t have it, you can learn it.
But how does one teach determination? . . . ???
— Walter Reade (from Wisconsin)
Walter@NMC
http://www.NuOpportunity.com
I have found that my talents, of which I believe are many, are not necessarily appreciated nor accepted with my upline. I don’t think they know what to make of me. Since yanking myself out of the grabs of their “we don’t sell, we share” techniques and so forth, I am not praised at all… even though my downline has tripled within 2 months (as a result of dong things the way I want rather than what they say I should). No one in this leg has even come close to increasing their size in that short a time.
I would say that this might be attributed to them feeling rejected (by me), them feeling insecure about their leadership skills, and maybe even that they don’t have control over someone. Fortunately, I am not the type who needs others phrase and approval to keep me going. Sure it’s nice when it comes but my world does not revolve around it.
Having my own businesses for 32 years, I would say that there are two things that can make any business successful.
They are:
1. Talent
2. Working Smart
I have seen plenty of people make it big simply by applying “smart” know-how. I’ve also seen many a highly talented in the poorhouse because they lack “smart.” I suppose you could say “smart” is also a talent.
I think success requires a balance of both, particularly if it’s an independent venture which NM is in many ways.
Jason Calacanis appears to have applied smart- talent.
My vote is “smart-talent.”
My first comment about what Jason says is that I only WORSHIP God. In general, I dislike Jason’s comment. Maybe I’m missing something there, but it sounds so self-serving and manipulative. I don’t hear anything there of considering your customers needs and individuality.
I agree that talent can certainly be helpful in selling your product or in building your business. However, I find that the talent needs to be not so much in the area of skills as it does in the area of beliefs, attitudes and qualities.
I do believe that the person who understands certain sales principles like using the person’s name sprinkled through the conversation; saying, “What I hear you saying is”…. and repeating what they said; getting them to say yes to simple questions several times before you pop the “big one”; etc. All those can be helpful in directing your customer to making a decision. And some customers need direction.
However, having traits such as honesty, a caring attitude, belief in yourself and your product, goals are far more important to your long-term success and lasting relationships. We get back what we give. Does Jason’s comment sound like something you’d like to receive back?
As for skills talents, a person who has no sales skills or closing skills can get people excited about something just with their belief level and enthusiasm.
JUDY MARSHALL
http://www.judyann.networkmarketingcentral.com
I think it either takes a natural talent or developed talent through training, skill building and experience.
I know many people who will admit network marketing just isn’t for them.
Brenda Bunney
http://MLMSuccessBunney.com
http://BrendaBunneyMLM.com
brendab@brightok.net
I agree with Judy. I, too, will only worship God.
Talent, hmmm?
In one of my first Greece-wide Opportunity Meetings I met a man from Crete who was a very successful NMer. No hidden story. He barely finished his primary education and was sent to work his father’s fields. He was in his 40s when the opportunity was presented to him. He said, ‘if this opportunity can get me out of these fields, then I’m willing to give it a try.’ He did and it did.
What talent did this guy have? A ‘burning desire’ … a ‘why’ and ‘patience and perseverence’.
I’m still of the opinion “anyone CAN do this business” … not to be confused with WILL everyone do this business. We all know the answer to that question is NO.
Venetta
http://www.aloecare4u.blogspot.com
venetta.networkmarketingcentral.com
Where there is a lack of natural talent, then education and learning take over. I am a strong believer in we can do anything we set our minds to. I am with Walter on this one, determination is the key to this business.
Nancy Carlson@NMC
http://www.perfectmombusiness.com
Someone recently said that we are all born equal. The difference which is evident in succussful people is desire. Desire to be good at baseball (Jordan) or whatever. Could it be that our desire to make a change in peoples’ lives (product and opportunity) and in developing the “talent” within our groups that would make us successful too?