So said Donna Johnson, top earner at Arbonne, to 100 networkers on our call tonight…
Donna has 30 years in the business and over one million people in her organization today. We were all glued to the phone as she recalled her first checks of $12, $23 and $25. She told how she did parties 2-3 nights a week while a new single mom with three children under 8 years old.
Then she told us about the ‘trophy generation.’
“The trophy generation wants to earn money, but they don’t want to be inconvenienced,” she said. (!?!) “The trophy generation is young people up through our college age kids – we over did the self-esteem – everyone is a winner, you don’t have to work harder than anyone else. They want to earn big income, but not if it means being inconvenienced in any way.”
Her advice if you know anyone who feels like this – trophy generation member or not – get it out up front so you don’t waste your time:
- If you want to do the business so you can spend more time with your children while they’re growing up, be prepared to spend LESS time with them while you’re building.
- If you are looking for income, be prepared to have LESS income while you’re building the business.
- Are you in this for life? Because quick doesn’t last. So you better LOVE it.
Good questions to discuss before putting lots of time into someone, think?
As a member of the trophy generation, I appreciate this post. I am glad to not have kids yet while I am building, to be in a position where I can start with the less income and work my way up AND be clear that I AM IN THIS FOR LIFE because I love people and I love developing people so they can be awesome networkers, just love it! It makes me so happy thinking about it. I wish everyone who reads this many blessing for their life and business.
-From Noah Gabriel in Cambridge MA
Simple fact is that if you’re honest and up-front at the beginning, you won’t have to apologize or have misunderstandings later.
As for #1, it does depend on a few things. If the person has the luxury of staying at home and building a business without also holding down a J.O.B., then they might NOT be spending less time with their children. If we’re comparing the time that a person building a home-based business spends versus a person that has an 8-5 job that sometimes includes overtime, then the person building from home probably spends MORE time with their children.
I had several years where I held down a day job and spent most of my evenings either on the phone or delivering product. In that case, less time was spent with the child still at home, even though she was a tremendous assistant and we spent time together as I included her and allowed her to help me with lots of things… which she enjoyed.
#2, dealing with having less money while you’re building, will probably always be true because there are always expenses like advertising, suppies, extra long-distance calls, etc.
#3 is definitely true in ALL cases. Even if you’re fortunate to have some quick growth, it can disappear in a heartbeat if you don’t spend adequate time building relationships and supporting and training the team.
I believe it’s always best to get these facts out in the beginning and use them as qualifiers. If they balk when you tell them these things, then this business probably wasn’t for them… and that’s OK because it isn’t for everyone. A very wise mentor once said, “Your mission is to find those for whom this is the right thing to do, and stay away from those for whom it isn’t the right thing (paraphrased). Hmmmm, anyone know who said that in her Truth book?
After presenting #1 … #2 … and #3 … why don’t we:
“Watch What They Do … Rather Than Listen To What They Say”!
Each and everyone of us should take ourseves, for example. When we were introduced to this business, did anyone have to ‘drag us over the finish line’?
When I was introduced to the product … nobody had to call me to see if I was going to place an order … I wanted more!
When I decided to do the business … nobody had to beg me to go to a meeting or to be trained … I drove (and am still driving) my upline crazy with calls and questions!
With all the help from Kim and all the comments posted on NMC … I know better now what to say and how to say it … I present the products and/or business, watch what they do, and then move on to the next new person!
I’m now looking for “MEs” … people who love the product or the business opportunity as much as I do!
Venetta
Stan “wholehealthdoc”
While I appreciate the comments shared about the so called “trophy generation” I also know that there are many folks in this age group who are very hard working, have a strong focus on long term goals and are willing to pay the price—but they want to be part of a team. Some of the most effective associates in our company are from this age group.
I JUST got home from an Arbonne presentation. I had two ladies asking me a lot of questions about the business. One would definately fit into this “trophy generation” category. She wanted to know how many hours a week she would need to work to make a decent paycheque. While I tried to explain that she could set her own hours, be her own boss, and the pace would be up to her, it seemed like she really just wanted to know how hard she would have to work to get the big banana levels. She said she was considering getting a waitressing job to make extra money. I was honest – I said you’ll see more money working for an hourly wage in your first month of waitressing, but you won’t be building anything for yourself. Or you can start your own business, have the patience and stamina to grow a team and build a substantial sideline income. She went home with some info, but who knows what choice she will make. It can be difficult to make people get out of the “pay per hour” mindset and see the bigger picture and think like an entrepreneur and all of the possibilties that lie therein. But we’ve brought up this generation with the expectation to look for the quick fix, the fast reward, the instant gratification. I’m telling the truth about the business, being honest, not desperate – but I wonder how I can find the ones who “get it” without pre-judging and maybe overlooking a good potential business builder, who just needs some guidance and education? Deep thoughts from an enthused by exhausted Arbonne consultant. Nighty night. 🙂
Doesn’t this go directly to a previous post regarding “flake detectors”?
I question singling out the so called “trophy generation”. I agree that our youth today tend to be even more impatient than even, but they face a faster moving lifestyle than ever before.
Many are extremely bright, but have yet to make a decision to commit to a single long term path. They are bombarded daily with the “highlights” of success stories, seeing only the end game. As they lack the life experience to ask “how long, how hard, how many times…” the benchmarks they use to set their initial goals and views on success tend to be a little narrow.
We should try to engage and teach these young people (not coddle them). With turnover in this business being what is, many are already slated to “flake-out” as soon as they step in, but then again one might just become your next star.
Fast Company Magazine did a good cover on this generation a year or so ago. Check it out. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/culture-clash.html
The Trophy generation! I hadn’t heard that before last night. Great call by the way, I don’t market Arbonne but I came away with several great ideas to boost my business. Thanks Donna.
Back to the trophy generation, as a whole I will agreee totally. We raised these kids for instant gratification and they will have to face all that comes with it. I can brag a bit on my son, he is a network marketer at age 20. He’s a full time college student, with four other streams of income. He is a hard worker. So there are exceptions to the rule but for the most part patience needs to be taught and imitated.
Imitating means we have to be patient so they can see what it looks like. We know the hard work to get a business off the ground but we also have to maintain and grow that business, more patience. If it took 30 years for Donna Johnson to earn six figures a month we need to practice, practice, practice what we preach. The rewards will come!
Nancy Carlson
http://www.perfectmombusiness.com
Great post. This is one way to filter out the flakes by just telling it like it is upfront. That way when someone does commit we have a pretty good idea that they are somewhat serious no matter the amount of time they want to give to networking. Of course there are no guarantees but it does help.
Donna: If you want to do the business so you can spend more time with your children while they’re growing up, be prepared to spend LESS time with them while you’re building.
This point is often missed and is true whether it is seeing your children or just having more time to pursue something that is significant to you but doesn’t necessarily pay the bills.
One of the best upline trainers I ever heard said that you are going to have to pay a tremendous price upfront and a for a few years if you really want to make this thing happen for you *long term*. BUT although you may be unbalanced for a few years (in terms of time devoted to work) you can be balanced for the rest of your life if you are willing to put forth the effort now.
Donna: If you are looking for income, be prepared to have LESS income while you’re building the business.
For most of network marketing and marketers that is probably true, but I have always sold services that had large commissions attached to them, so in the original company I was in (and the company I am with now) it was/is possible to build a very good *upfront* income relatively quickly based on your own personal activity. However building a business with the attendant *residual* income takes time. Always has and always will.
Donna: Are you in this for life? Because quick doesn’t last. So you better LOVE it.
Indeed!
Michael
http://www.wlgweb.com
Now I am sorry I missed the call! Parties are not the way to go for me, for various reasons. Even though my company has an excellent
party system. But I love Donna’s advice and comments.
By the way, my favorite MLM models are people like Donna, Neways’ Margie Aliprandi and Discovery Toys’ Jan Ruhe. All single mothers who found a way out. Loud cheers!
I think this is full of great truths regardless of what generation you come from. I have seen people who broke it down and shared with people how much they made per hour while they did their parties. I met a Pampered Chef consultant that did that. She sent out emails and shared with you how her business was growing. I liked it that she did that. I already knew she was well on her way to doing very well with it. She did a great show and I came away learning that the company made quality products and loved the demonstrations. I couldn’t see myself doing it, but enjoyed knowing it worked for her and others she brought into the business. I know I spent a lot more than I probably planned on at the party I went to, but I bought what I wanted and love the products. I am sure I will host some parties too when I find another person in my area, maybe someone from my church. Sorry if I got a bit off topic there, but it just goes to show if someone does a great job, it shows.
I guess more than anything, be honest with people and let them know they have to work and that consistent effort over time pays off big time.
Even in my business, my husband is expecting overnight success, but I am building residual long term income. I don’t want overnight short term success, that doesn’t last. Build it right from the start looking for the right kind of people for your type of business.