Happy New Year!

I don’t know about any of you, but I am so excited for 2012. I always feel like I get to start over….what happened in 2011 is in the past and now I get to start off with a clean slate. One of my goals was to write one blog post a week. Now,  I’m no established author or popular blogger, but you got to start somewhere, right? I’ve just got finished reading Darren Hardy’s The Compound Effect. I really enjoyed this book and thought I would write about what I got out the book. I can’t really say I paid attention or focused on the concept of the “compound effect.”  When I was younger, I remember practicing dancing for hours because I wanted to be the best…and I was As I got older and joined the U.S. Army, we kept practicing the same drills and training over and over again. Why? To be the best and have the greatest outcome. Somehow, when it came to my business, I lost site of the meaning of the “compound effect.” In the network marketing profession, you constantly hear the phrase “plant seeds.” Of course you won’t see results immediately, but by planting those seeds you will eventually begin to see results. That pretty much sums up the compound effect. It’s wonderful if you can take massive action in your business, life, etc, but it is just as important to be consistent in whatever it is you are trying to accomplish and keep yourself accountable. Personally for myself, I have HUGE business goals for 2012. I know the main thing for me to accomplish my goals is to be consistent. Doing a few key things everyday to move my business is going to help me reach my goal.

So, the main thing I got from the book is be consistent. The chooses you make today is going to affect you in the future. If you make good chooses towards whatever it is you are trying to accomplish, success will come. Until next week…..

Recently I purchased something from www.TheNetworkMarketingMagazine.com. In return, for bonus items I received audio training from three successful women in the field of network marketing -

1.   Jackie Ulmer -  I am actually in her downline and she is awesome
2.   Kathy Robbins
3.   Paula Pritchard

 Now I have listened to tons of training on network marketing, direct sales, leadership, etc and none of them struck a chord in me as this training I just received. I been listening to all three of these women over and over again. They all spoke on different topics that caught my interest and stayed with me. I’m not ashamed to say I might read a book or listen to something and feel motivated or inspired and within a few days that energy kind of burn off. For some reason listening to this training was different. I wanted to keep on listening to these women and afterwards I felt motivated. I still feel motivated. I learned some great things and immediately start applying what I have learned and the results have been awesome. Here is a little info about these great women and what they spoke on.

Jackie Ulmer – Jackie is a 16yr Network Marketing veteran. She had a great career in airline marketing when she began looking at network marketing. I am currently in her downline and she has been nothing but short of amazing when training others how to be successful. She talked about being a responsible sponsor, leadership, how to find leads and how to talk to talk to people. I personally done brought all of Jackie’s training guides and this audio is my favorite. She gave so much valuable information….like she always do. I can’t say enough about her. Any training you can get from Jackie, grab it with both hands!!

Kathy Robbins – this was the first time I heard of Kathy but she is also very successful. She started out as a high school teacher and then left to become a financial planner. Kathy later became a manager for an investment firm. She was introduced to network marketing by Paula Pritchard and within eight months she replaced the six-figure income she was making in the investment business. Kathy spoke on how to “Recruit the Suits.” Being in Corporate America, even though she was financially stable, she didn’t have time freedom. She talked about how to recruit Corporate America. Her training was very good and I got alot of great ideas.

Paula Pritchard – Paula was pursuing her Doctorate degree when she got involved with network marketing. She was the first single woman in North America to reach Diamond status in Amway. Paula talked about how success in business is not by luck, it comes from hard work. She spoke on how you have to be discipline and believe in yourself. You have to responsibility for your life and if you don’t like something, change it.

Kia B

Last month while attending a companyevent in Texas, we had the privilege of having Michael Clouse as our guest speaker. While speaking, he said that, “most people are trying to earn a 2010 income on a 1998 education.”

This one phrase had such an impact on me. People tend to complain that they are not making enough money. Their not satisfied with their current financial situation. I know I have. Ha! The thing is, your paycheck is not going to match where you are personally. And, by personally I mean improving on yourself.

“Pity the man who inherits a million dollars, and isn’t a millionaire. Here’s what would be pitiful, if your income grew and you didn’t.” – Jim Rohn

If you want something to change, you have to change. Complaining that the economy needs to be different, or your job, or the compensation plan of your business is not going to get you anywhere. Why do you think most successful people always say that you need to work on yourself before the business? Because, doing this will open the doors for everything else. 

Before financial success can occur, personal growth must occur. Start with yourself first.

“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going… It’s as simple as that.” – Zig Ziglar

Why is it that people don’t want to set goals? I’m not just talking about in business, but in general. How long do you think it will take you to reach your goals without some type of roadmap to get you there?

Most people figure that they can go about life without any type of planning. They figure they will cross that bridge once they get there. Funny thing is, ten years down the line their wondering how is it that their still in the same situation they was in the past. And still, they will go home every night and do the same things, hoping and dreaming that their life could be different.

Goals give you a sense of direction. Whether you are working towards something in your business, personally or financially, without a goal, whatever you are trying to accomplish is merely a wish.  It is said that most people don’t set goals because of four main reasons -

1. They thinks goals aren’t important
2. They don’t know how
3. They have a fear of failure
4. They have a fear of rejection

 All of these things can stop a person from pursuing what they are trying to accomplish, but if you want something bad enough, nothing will stop you. The first step in achieving what you want, is to know what you want. You would be surprised how many people don’t even know what they want out of life. Once you established what you want, write it down. Look at that goal everyday and do something daily that will get you closer to accomplishing it.

By writing down your goals, it forces you to visualize your goals. It also makes your goals seem more real and there is a since of commitment on your behalf. Writing things down almost always serves a purpose. A goal is no different.

Live Your Life,

Kia

Social networking which is also referred to as Web 2.0, Social Media or Joining the Conversation Online has taken over the way we do business. Many business owners don’t want to accept these facts. The truth is if you don’t embrace the internet, you could be losing out on potential clients, customers and profits. Networking online is really no different that networking offline. Some of the many benefits you have of networking online is

• You are without geographical boundaries and finding new people  to network with only requires a keyword search.
• To market yourself and business online is practically free or cost next to nothing.
• You have the ablility to target hundreds, thousands or even millions of people all at once.

These are just a few of the benefits that social media offers. The traditional methods of trying to gain exposure and customers through radio, television, Yellow Pages, etc just doesn’t work anymore. Well, I won’t say it doesn’t work anymore, but it’s very costly and could be less effective.

Now, I’m not saying to “do away” with the different steps individuals take to market their business, but just embrace how the internet can improve whatever type of business you have. Customers are online now. Major Businesses is online as well. If they can embrace this tool, why can’t you? Think about it.

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What a year 2009 has been. Between the recession, foreclosures, health problems and personal challenges, it’s no wonder many people can’t wait for the new year. With the unemployment rate at an all time high, families now have to struggle just to stay a float  to pay bills. People being laid off of work left and right. But through it all, you are still standing. Right?

I was told once that when you think you got it bad, it’s always someone else in a worse scenario. This statement is so true. While some may complain about having to pinch pennies now, some people don’t even have penny. Last week I was thinking about everything I wanted to change and upgrade to. I want a new car. I want a new living room set. I wanted another flat screen tv! Then it dawned on me that I need to be thankful for everything I have right now. I have a roof over my head. I have food on my table. I have a good car and I am able to be home with my family.

Just last year I was in the desert for the holidays. I can’t tell you how many birthdays, holidays and special moments I have missed while serving my country. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but  I think about how alot of my friends are still over there. What they are going through. Not being able to be home with their families for the holidays, it’s a hard time for them. It’s hard a time for everyone.

I’ve had my share of ups and downs this year, but I am so grateful because I am able to see another year. There are plenty of people that didn’t get that chance.  I know it can get hard sometimes, but take time to count your blessings.

How many times have you heard the saying “if you want to be successful, then you need to surround yourself around successful people?”  This statement is so very true.

One of the easiest ways for you to do this is through repetition. Constantly reading, listening and being around successful people keeps you excited about your own dreams and goals.

Everyday you should listen to thirty minutes of audio and read for thirty minutes of a good book. Turn off that television. Stop listening to the radio. I know it can be hard when you got shows like Sons of Anarchy and Army Wives. Ha! When I first committed to this ritual it took me awhile to grasp this concept, but here’s what I understand now that I didn’t consider back then. No singer, actress or band is going to build me to that success level that I want to achieve.

This one strategy will make a major difference in your life. Sometimes it’s the most simplest  and basic thing that make the greatest impact in your life long term. Will you do what it takes to make you successful?

CREATE Success!

Kia Buford

Building a business online does not have to be difficult. In particular, I am talking about a Network Marketing. Just how you work your business offline, its the same as working it online.

Offline you might  join some type of Networking Group, strike up a conversation  at the gym where you belong or run an newspaper ad. Using the Internet is no different.

Online, you might create you own ezine, write blog posts or join social networking sites. Looks familiar, right?

If you truly want to be successful online, there are three tools I feel you must absolutely have:

1. A personal website. Something that sells YOU. This could be a blog.
2. Autoresponders, so you can follow up with your leads. A way that you could build your list.
3. A constant flow of leads. People that come to you.

These are what is called Marketing Funnels. Its different channels that promote and advertise you and ultimately your business. Some of the different Marketing Funnels include:

• Branding yourself online
• Social Networking Sites – Facebook, You Tube, LinkedIn, Squidoo, etc
• Blogging
• Articles
• E-book
• Search Engines
• And many more….

In the beginning, you will spend a sufficient amount of time getting things set up, but once its done, the efforts you invested will produce amazing results!

The payoff is defintely worth it and you will be glad you took the time to do it the right way.

CREATE Success!

Kia Buford