Tea in the Saucer

My friend, Klaus, explained to me that there is a very simple way to evaluate a restaurant manager for a job. It was 1979 in the Bulawayo Holiday Inn, Rhodesia. I was the Food and Beverage Manager and Klaus was my head chef. He suggested I place a spoon on the floor and move a few of the utensils on the table so that they were skew. Then, ask the applicant to walk ahead of me through the restaurant. If she straightens the knives and forks and picks up the spoon on the floor on her way, she’s right for the job. If she ignores or, worse still, is unaware of the chaos, she’s a loser. If your account spills tea in your saucer, when serving it and he doesn’t replace the saucer, he’s probably just as lackadaisical when it comes to doing your books.

A large American company used to present the people on their short list for a top job with a trip to Las Vegas, all expenses paid, expense account, three days and only two hours a day of meetings. There was method in their madness; they would very carefully watch the delegates during their stay. The smokers, the drinkers, the gamblers, the promiscuous and the lazy would quickly be removed from the short list. What one does in one’s private life, behind closed doors, is a reflection of who one really is.

If someone’s personal life is chaotic, disorganized and / or badly managed, it will be reflected in his or her business ethics and activities. If they are slovenly, loose, immoral, lazy or undisciplined in their personal lives, you will see a mirror image in their business practices. A meticulous, ordered, and loyal home life will spill over into business. You cannot insulate the two. One will affect the other. If people don’t maintain long-term relationships in the personal lives, don’t expect their loyalty in business. If they cheat of their spouses, expect them to cheat you in business. If they leap from partner to partner, or if they’re gold-diggers or flirts, they are sending you a very clear message. These are not people to joint venture with.

Let me tell you about my best friend, Marnus Roothman. If you have my latest book, you’ll see it’s dedicated to him. I met Marnus thirteen years ago, just before his fiftieth birthday party. He invited me and another 54 people to his party. 52 showed up. He is a highly respected entrepreneur who is absolutely trustworthy. As he is at home, so he is in business. Just like you. Just like me. And just like everyone else. So, if you want to know how someone will behave in business, take a good look at their home life. It’s like a crystal ball, only it works. Business is a reflection of personal. Remember that.

Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com

Clues to Success

You can learn a lot from the questions that people ask and the statements they make. When you’re used to these verbal clues, they are like giant, flashing neon signs that read either, “YES! I’m a winner!” or, “Run like hell from this loser leech!” Here are a few, proven tips that you can take to the bank when it comes to evaluating potential Joint Venture partners. Listen carefully and you’ll be amazed at how transparent people are.

Losers ask, “How much are others making? Are ANY of them making money with this concept? How do I know this isn’t a scam?” (This is called “projection” – losers can’t believe anybody is actually successful at anything because they never experience success themselves.)
Winners ask, “Are there any limitations on the amount I can earn? Can I start right away?”

Losers ask, “How do I know this will work? What’s the catch? It looks too good to be true…”
Winners ask, “How can I capture this market and go really big? What stops me from opening this up in untouched areas?” They follow up and they follow through.

Losers ask, “How do I know I won’t get ripped off? How do I know you will pay me?”
Winners ask, “Can I be the main person in this area? Can I run things? Can I get sole rights? I’m the best around, you know…”

Losers say, “What if everybody does this? There won’t be enough to go around – too much competition…” Scarcity.
Winners say, “Let’s share! There’s more than enough for everybody! Let’s look at the big picture. Together, we’re unlimited.” Abundance.

Losers jump around from scheme to scam like drunken grasshoppers. They quit easily, and work on small projects, in direct proportion to their self-esteem. They let you down, lie, and hide. Usually, their home lives are a clue to their chaotic and desperate business lives. They like to be aninymous so that their progress is not evident.
Winners work on big projects and expect to win. They keep their promises and they take massive, focused action. They’re in it for the long haul, so they end up making the big money.

When you see the red flag, don’t try to dye it white. Cut bait, move on, and find a winner to work with. Seek people with a win/win approach, who think big and stay with you through the storms. Together, you’ll arrive at Treasure Island.

Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com

Joint Venture Opportunities Abound!

Good news! There are multiple income opportunities all around us. Rika and I just returned from a short, six-day trip to northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Apart from hiking, walking and enjoying the incredible nature, we stayed at three different hotels, ate at a number of restaurants, enjoyed a wonderful day of whale watching, and visited a number of businesses and stores. And everywhere, we were surrounded by missed business opportunities. EVERYWHERE. We saw no evidence of Joint Ventures, virtually no Back End income opportunities, no referral systems, no database-building exercises. Nobody even attempted to upsell us, refer us, add value, get our information, or in fact take any interest in us. And this included a visit to a real estate office!

I’m not complaining – we had a happy and memorable holiday - I’m rejoicing in the fact that my business has unlimited growth opportunities. Every business that we were involved with had the opportunity to add unexpected, real value in the form of coupons, samples, and freebies from other businesses, at no cost or risk to them, by using Joint Ventures and being paid for resulting business by the supplier of the additional value. Every business had the opportunity to refer us to other services and products in a helpful and consultative manner, and get paid for resulting sales. They all had the opportunity to get our information, put us onto a paid referral program, turn us into their salespeople, convert us into friends and virtual business partners, and create win/win Joint Ventures with us. Nobody even tried. Even when I discussed their businesses with them.

Don’t get me wrong – we received excellent service from all but one business. It’s just that they left so much money on the table that it’s actually quite sad. They could have turned us into raving fans quite easily. I might have added their names to this article. They could have earned at least 50% more net profit had they implemented the kind of Joint Ventures I’m referring to, all at no cost or risk and 100% profit. No cost of sales, no extra time required. Just simple, logical JV’s. That means that YOU, as a Joint Venture Broker, could be taking a piece of all the action you create in that environment. You could be triangulating JV’s left, right and center. And it’s not only on Vancouver Island that we see this absolute ignorance of the JV opportunity – it’s everywhere. You’re richer than you think. Opportunity abounds. More Information: http://www.dollarmakers.com/

Robin J. Elliott