Rambling Rose

Are We Being Set Up For The Big One?

Marc Gilenson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:57:53 GMT

So, I travel around South Florida and the talk is all about the "Wall Street Bail Out." That's right, our government is going to buy the toxic waste products that the banks, hedge funds and private (yes, even foreign) investors have made lots of money buying and selling. Don't forget, when we say the government, we mean you and me... the taxpayers!

Let's play conspiracy theory; just suppose the following is potentially true:

Corporations want investors to keep their money in the market even though all the signs point to a collapse of the stock market. Do you hear about any companies making major share buy-backs at this time? Of course not, they are holding on to their cash.
Corporations need investors to lose their wealth (Remember, investors are average people with 401K's and houses that have appreciated). If we keep our money invested, and the market crashes and continually goes down, then even when gas is cheap and house prices come down we won't have any money to go back to being the super consumers we have been for 40+ years. If we can't buy new houses, furniture, cars, vacations, toys, technology, etc., then the cost of commodities will not increase to unreasonable levels. How else will corporations be able to expand their markets in Asia and India without cheap resources.
What we don't lose, hyper-inflation will take care of. The consumer, national government, local government and small business has so much debt, that it is only a matter of time until inflation goes through the roof. We are printing money and our dollar will fall. We will then have to raise interest rates to raise our dollar so we can afford to buy bread! This will ensure that even investors that hold on to some cash will not be able to go back to consuming like we used to!
Corporations have used up the American consumer and now they are leaving us behind and befriending their new super consumer. Don't feel bad, corporations have done this many times over the past few hundred years. Just look at Europe and you will see what we have in store for our future.

I have been asking successful entrepreneurs, "what should an entrepreneur do?" After a stiff drink, you should put plans in place to cut your personal expenses and get accustomed to living a more simple life. Then you need to look for ways to make your business strong. This is not a time to worry about expansion before you fortify your existing market and revenue stream. Find a way to reduce your costs and increase your sales efforts. Look for advertising and marketing that deliver qualified leads. Find out which advertising is not working and get rid of it.

Let me know your thoughts by responding to this blog.

Ramblin Rose

Spend Time On Your Business...Not That MLM You Think Will Make You Rich

Marc Gilenson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:56:18 GMT

There is no get rich quick system out there!

Over the past month, I have been amazed about how many people are signing up for these Multiple Level Marketing (MLM) programs. Sure there are lots of these programs that have good products and it's cheaper to join than to just buy the product, however, that is not what I am seeing and hearing across South Florida.

I have always heard housewives/househusbands, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals that were not happy with their chosen professions try to coerce those with less money into joining their downline with the promise of reaching the same financial status that the professional was in. Oh yeah... the professional would always hint that the reason they are successful is because of the MLM (what bull).

It is the promise of making lots of money without having to do anything, that is the lure of these programs. I can hear the critics yelling at me now... there are thousands of people in these programs and many are making lots of money. They will point to their houses they live in and the cars they drive as their proof that it works. In most, not all cases, you will find that they have made their money some other way and they are trying to convince you that the money is made with the current MLM they are working.

Beating up on MLM's is not the purpose of this column, it is the fact that now entrepreneurs are looking for the MLM as a way to replace their business ventures that are struggling. This is what is upsetting, the thought that entrepreneurs have given up on their core business. The thought that when the going gets tough, many entrepreneurs are looking for the easy way out, instead of looking for ways to change and grow their business.

The real issue is that too many entrepreneurs are spending so much time looking to build their downline, that they are forgetting about building their real business. Lets take this time and not look to build the downline, but to analyze what went well and what went wrong this year. Let take this time to plan for what we will do next year to make our business grow. Lets take this time to understand what we can cut out from our personal and business expenses in order to put more money into our business.

Lets take this time to tap into the Entrepreneurial Spirit that we had when we first went into our business and make our companies grow. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be pretty, however, it is what made us entrepreneurs in the first place.

I'm sure the MLM people will want to comment on this blog and that is fine, however, please think about the people you are trying to influence and the potential repercussions of painting a picture that is not obtainable by the masses!

Stick Your Head In The Sand

Marc Gilenson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:24:39 GMT

And expose your BUTT to what's coming!

I can't believe what business people are saying over and over again. They must be taking the little blue pill and plugging into the matrix of corporate propaganda.

What I am talking about is the feeling that the economy is bad now and may get a little worse, however, it will turn around in the next 6-12 months.

Actually, it's not hard to understand:

most business people get their news in between sporting events, concerts and vacations. I don't think anyone listens to the many financial outlets that cover the rest of the world. Oh yeah... the financial shows I am speaking of are on during the evening sitcoms and we Americans love our sitcoms!
we believe that we are the chosen people and we are entitiled to the success we have achieved. The French felt the same way until the people decided they had enough. Just ask Marie about eating cake!
we believe that we have created an empire like no other. I believe every empire in history felt the same way.

We have developed an egocentric view of the world that is keeping our heads in the sand. If we picked our heads up we would see that what is coming (already here) is that we are no longer the most powerful financial entity in the world. We are one of the powers, however, we are not "The" power.

The smart entrepreneurs I encounter in my travels are taking this time to develop their companies, marketing, products, etc. They have their eyes wide open and see what's coming. They don't fear the tough financial outlook for South Florida, they are making plans to survive and grow during this period!

It is easy to stick you head in the sand, however, if you don't want to get it up your butt, you should pick up your head, brush the sand out of your hair and open your eyes wide and prepare for what you see coming.

As always, let me know if what you see by responding to this blog.

Issues Facing Entrepreneurs... The Real Scoop!

Marc Gilenson — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:03:46 GMT

Now that the elections are coming closer, the editors at Mybizuniverse.com have decided to dedicate the "things you should know" blog to discussing how politics effects local entrepreneurs. This bolg will present both the Republican point of view and the Democratic point of view.

Don't get me wrong, I welcome the additional opinion and editorial, it is just that most people involved in politics are full of hot air and treat the reader like they are idiots! They all quote facts and surveys that are done by their parties or companies that are tied into the party they slant the results to. In addition, most of these surveys are made of such small numbers that they get a big YAWN from real people.

That being said, let me tell you about what I am hearing by rambling around Broward and speaking with real Entrepreneurs. The beauty of my informal findings is that you and the other entrepreneurs don't even know you are participating in a survey, all you know is that someone you just met or have known for a long time is asking you what you think and how your feel.

Here is what I am finding out there:

biggest issue facing the local entrepreneur - the downturn in the housing market and how it is effecting their business. Just a few months ago it was health care and now it is the economy. Most of you don't see the lower dollar as helping your business and most of the businesses off of the strip are not seeing lots of value from tourism (no matter what our politicians tell us).
the stimulus program -we are all looking forward to the money, however they don't see it helping their business for more than a few months. Everyone is commenting that it is funny how the money will arrive around the election time!!! Most of you feel the benefit, if any will be short term and it is a sign of how bad it really is.
the candidates - most people are going with the party they are registered with. Most Republicans feel that the Democrats will destroy the world and the Democrats feel that the Republicans have already ruined the world.
the housing market - it is amazing that almost everyone I speak to feels that the housing market is in the dumps, except for their house! There are a few realists, however most believe that the housing market will turn around within the next 6-12 months. It is something that most entrepreneurs feel that the housing market will go back to double digit growth within 12 months. Of course the hordes of real estate agents are still telling the unsuspecting that the commercial real estate is o.k. and rentals are strong...what hog wash!
Inflation - every entrepreneur is seeing a large increase in their costs and the costs of running their business. Everything from plastic bags to cars and of course gas have gone up dramatically. They have not been able to pass along the increased costs to their customers since their appears to be an increase in competition. This will change in the near future (3-6 months) with entrepreneurs raising their prices and hoping their customers understand.
awareness of the financial markets - this one was the most surprising. less than 10% of the entrepreneurs I met with are aware of how interest rates are effected by the bond auctions or the Libor. Their was little knowledge of how financial devices like SIV's, CDO's, short selling effected their businesses. There is also a move amongst entrepreneurs that investing in gold is the way to survive the downturn, forgetting that when there is a frenzy it may be at the top (ie the real estate market).

It is amazing that entrepreneurs still want to have life the way it has been, lots of vacations, time at home and time to workout and play golf. This downturn will be long and hard and it is time to make changes now.

Let me know what you and your friends are experiencing by responding to this blog.

Ramblin Rose

THE ELECTIONS ARE APPROACHING

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:55:41 GMT

Do you think that Presidential election has any effect on business in South Florida?

Sure you may feel that the Democrats will raise taxes and allow illegal aliens to take over the county, or you may feel that the Republicans will lower the taxes for the rich and hurt the middle class. You may feel the main effect of the Presidential election is the placement of Supreme Court Justices. Either way, it won't matter much to South Florida.

The following are some issues that won't be addressed by the Presidential election:

Our schools are over crowed and the lottery money is disappearing into the university system instead of the K-12 environment.
Broward County schools continue to pay some administrators over $100K while saying they don't have money for teachers.
Our roads are over crowed with all solutions 5-10 years off. Of course I'm sure that the toll lane on 95 will move quickly so that the DOT can generate more contracts for political cronies, not to mention that the toll express lane will allow the wealthy to move quicker while causing the poor and the middle class to move nice slowly.
Our housing costs are higher than cities like Atlanta while salaries are 20-30% less than in Atlanta. Our housing has to come down another 50% from todays rates if salaries don't go up dramatically.
Taxes cuts will cause cities to raise their tax rates to keep police and fire service running. Once again, wealthy cities will have more services while poor areas will see a reduction in critical services.
The drought is getting worse. It's a good thing that our economy is not based heavily on agriculture, however the nursery's, landscaping companies, car washes and other water dependent businesses will feel the pain if we don't get lots of rain. What will happen to our tax rates if we have to build de-salination plants in Florida to have enough water for us to survive.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for voting in the Presidential election. I just want to remind everyone that we have lots of local issues that need to be addressed quickly.

There's Opportunity In South Florida

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:01:54 GMT

During tough times the strong will survive and grow!

As I ramblin around South Florida I find industries like the Marine industry for boats over 85 feet, the networking market is booming, cost effective think tanks are doing great, anyone selling overseas is flush with cash, direct marketers that reach people with money are selling product. One common denominator is that these businesses either sell to people with real money or they sell to people in other countries.

If you don't fit into any of these catagories, then you must put together a plan to target these types of businesses.

People that have equity left in their houses and are taking the money out...or a line of credit are doing well. It is amazing that when people don't has the stress of paying bills or surviving day to day, customers and prospects migrate to these people.

If you don't have the money to have peace of mind... fake it!

Companies that have venture capitol, especially from hedge funds or overseas investors still have lots of cash available. The merger and aquisition market may be slow, however many hedge funds are private investors that have tons of cash available.

Many of the companies that are growing in the healthcare or technology markets have this type of funding. Many of the companies are between 5-20 million dollars in revenue.

As you ramble around South Florida, let me know what you are finding!

HAVE WE LOST OUR MINDS

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:02:21 GMT

It is not interest rates...it is Chinese that controls our financial future

Awhile ago we discussed the fact that inflation was being kept in check by the Chinese buying our bonds and keeping our interest rates artificially low. They did this so they could get our consumers (you and me) to buy more and more things that the Chinese manufactured. They kept their currency artificially low and no one cared about the massive trade deficit. No one cared that the Federal Reserve was raising interest rates and the mortgage rates were falling because the Chinese were buying our paper. We did not care because we wanted more and more things at lower and lower prices.

No one cared back then that the Federal Reserve was irrelevant! Now, however, that the Fed may cut rates and the only effect it will have on our economy is a temporary up tick in the stock market. Just long enough for the institutional investor to take profits and leave the poor individual holding the bag...once again! Don't feel sorry for the individual investor, if it was not for their greed they would have taken their profits as well. If the Fed cuts rates and it does not solve the problem, then get ready for a rapid decline in home and stock prices.

While everyone was watching the Chinese have conquered their opponent without firing a shot. This is an ancient strategy that worked as well today as it did 4,000 years ago. They achieved this by utilizing their more powerful opponents greed against them. I am not saying the Chinese are bad or wrong in doing what they are doing, read the Entrepreneurial Way by author and consultant Marc Gilenson and you will see the strategy and tactic is one used by many entrepreneurs.

Now our government is trying to get the Chinese to increase the value of their currency in order to decrease the trade deficit and increasing the costs of many of the goods we buy...Inflation! The Chinese government has realized that they can't control the growth of a free market economy through government mandate, they must slow demand for their products. They can do this buy slowing our growth, by selling off some of their 900 BILLION dollars of American bonds, or not buying more bonds...Increased interest rates (no matter what the Fed does)!

Don't worry say the pundits... we are not heading towards the abyss called recession. No they say our economy is fundamentally strong! They are correct, corporate America has successfully transitioned to a global organization that is no longer dependent on the American consumer.

It's not too late, we can still take back control of our economy. It will take Entrepreneurs that are willing to create products, pay their people well, take less for themselves and live within our means. It will take real Entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs with less than two million in sales and under 10 employees to put that American spirit to work again. It may even take some "John Wayne" Entrepreneurs!

Let me know how you or someone you know is helping us take control of our economic destiny!

REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:02:47 GMT

What a dumb idea

All I hear about recently are taxes…taxes…taxes. Everyone is crying that their tax bill is way out of control and we need to do something about it. The something is to reduce taxes so that everyone can continue to eat out 5 nights a week and lease their new luxury cars, and of course, continue to see double digit price increases so that they can refinance their houses every year to continue spending on more things.

There are some totally insane politicians and business people that say eliminate property taxes altogether…DON’T STOP READING JUST YET, YOU MAY LEARN SOMETHING! These egotistical, selfish morons want to increase the sales tax to pay for the loss of property tax revenue. What a great idea, this will mean that Florida will have no affordable housing, make it even harder for a person to live that is making under 50K.

Has anyone looked at our roads lately? They are overcrowded and in need of expansion. Has anyone looked at our schools lately? They are overcrowded and in need of repair and expansion. Has anyone looked at our crime rates lately? They are going up and we need more money for life changing programs. Has anyone asked why our economic development people are not able to lure corporations to South Florida? Our cost of living is higher than most cities and our pay scale is stuck in the 80’s. Has anyone asked why we have a terrible nursing shortage? Our hospitals are trying to keep costs down and they can’t pay enough to lure nurses to South Florida. Has it sunk in yet…WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR TAXES NOT REDUCE THEM!

Another group of neurotic baboons are that moved to South Florida in the last 2-4 years. They sold their houses and made a killing in profit. They moved to South Florida and bought a house or condo and were well aware of the tax rate. One problem, they found out that the person that moved here 10 years earlier is paying less tax and they are crying foul. The only thing foul is there arrogance. They made their money and they knew what they were getting into and they were happy about it. Once they find out that someone else is getting a better deal they want to change everything. Great, reduce their taxes and make them give the people that have lived here a share of the profit they made on their house.

Since I’m on a roll, let me not forget the people who complain that they can’t afford to downsize because of the increased amount of taxes they would have to pay. Let me understand, if someone purchased their house more than 7 years ago for $130K and now it is worth $325K, they want to downsize to a townhouse selling for $270K the issues is that they have to pay approximately $5,400/year in taxes instead of $2,600/year in taxes. How about using a small portion of the $195K they made in profit to pay the additional taxes? They could put $76K in the bank to cover the additional taxes for THIRTY (30) YEARS!!! What is the problem? Oh, I forgot… no one wants to give up any of their well earned, well deserved profits made on their house!

Taxes are going down and no one is going to like it. Here’s why, housing prices are going to fall about 50% from where they are now (we can argue this later). Therefore property taxes will be lower. Our roads will not get fixed, our schools will continue to be over crowed, and the primary reason that people moved to South Florida will be gone…great weather…low cost of living! Don’t fear, they will still be available in Florida; however it will be in other parts of Florida.

This is not a doomsday scenario because once housing in South Florida reaches bottom and the cost of living is right with the world, and businesses pay a livable wage, we will become a thriving metropolitan area with great weather.

I’m don’t want to upset anyone, however the longer it takes for South Floridians perceived reality to become level set with actual reality, the deeper our housing prices will fall and the longer our tough times will last.

The Entrepreneurial Way...A Timeless Philosohpy

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:03:15 GMT

A Counter Cultural Philosophy

by Mike Elwood

I remember growing up in the late sixties and experiencing the great rebellion against greed and monetary gain. It was the Age of Aquarius, long hair, flower power and a quest for the meaning of life.

Somewhere over the past 30 years or so, these same people who used to burn their bra's and draft cards became more conservative and more possessed with financial gain than any of the parents they rebelled against.

These same people that have not raised the minimum wage so the poor can earn a livable wage. These are the same people that base a persons well being on their financial success. These are the same people that are now signing their kids up for organized sports at the age of 4 years old. These are the same people that drive their kids crazy planning every second of their day as well as their lives 20 years int he future.

We rebelled against the government trying to control our minds, yet these are the people that are drugging free spirit out of our kids with drugs that make them comfort to the over crowed schools.

I was asked to preview a section of a new book on Entrepreneurship. The section I was to review was on Entrepreneurial Philosophy. I thought great another book telling me that all I had to do was to think positive and I would succeed!

The Entrepreneurial Way is a book that reminds us to look beyond monetary gain and to look for the evasive road to inner peace. The author makes us think about why we became an Entrepreneur in the first place.

Entrepreneurial Intuition, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and The Entrepreneurial Way are discussed in a format that is designed to make you think, make you speak to other and make you realize why you are doing what you are doing.

Don't get me wrong nowhere does the author say making money is evil however he does cause the reader to think about the importance of monetary gain. The discussions about the journey being the purpose and the fact that an Entrepreneur is successful just for taking the action will reinforce the decision many Entrepreneurs question everyday...did I do the right thing?

The Circle of Entrepreneurship is an amazingly accurate way Entrepreneurs experience business. After reading the book you realize that it is not starting a business or selling the business (the financial payoff), it is the journey itself that Entrepreneurs crave.

After reading the chapter on Entrepreneurial Philosophy I sat in my chair and thought about all the Entrepreneurs I have come in contact with over the past 20 years and I realized that they all had Entrepreneurial Intuition, Entrepreneurial Spirit and understood the Entrepreneurial way...they just never spoke about it!

As I read this book I began to underline paragraphs and dog ear pays that I want to address later. After a couple of days, I had a strong desire to read it again. It came to me during my second reading that the concepts seemed to take on a whole new meaning.

What I thought was going to be a boring regurgitation of what is on the business book shelves turned out to be an unbelievable read that seems to unlock new treasures every time I re-read the book, I am up to my fourth time in less than three months.

SERVICE…QUALITY…PRICING

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:24:00 GMT

So how do you really stand out in a crowd???

I am so sick and tired of hearing Entrepreneurs tell me that they have better service, quality, and pricing. If these small minded business people (I use the term loosely) wake up and look around they will see that it is usually just the opposite.

Why can’t small business people tell me specifically why they are better, why I should use them and how they will make my life easier? That’s what I want to know, exactly what’s in it for me. Sound selfish, well it is! It’s my hard earned money that I am spending and as the economy gets tougher I will get even more selfish.

The web is a great way for corporate America to create a world that questions the Entrepreneur and believes corporate America. The web gives access to a wide variety of information, pricing and buying alternatives. The integration of the web with brick and mortar retailers is what has caused the end to many Entrepreneurs. We know that corporate America operates on a quarter by quarter basis due to stock market demands, but this does not mean that the small business person should be consumed by profit as well.

We can’t blame corporate America for the past woes and the potential future demise of the small business person. It is the greed of small business people that has brought their woes upon them and has the potential to destroy a way of life that made America great. It is greed that stops the small business person from giving their customers a better value because it will hurt profits. It is greed that stops the small business person from paying their employees more so they can pay their bills. It is greed that stops the small business person from supporting local charities, schools and religious organizations. It is greed and the desire to have more things that will be the end of the small business person.

There seems to be hope. True Entrepreneurs are beginning to realize that the pursuit of making more profit is not the path to happiness. I have seen more and more Entrepreneurs entering markets that understand that the only way to stand out is to put the customer first. Entrepreneurs that are not only worried about making money. Entrepreneurs that know what makes them different and they let us know it.

Not just because I write this column, but because I have seen how the staff at Mybizuniverse.com operate that I can say that this organization is truly concerned about it readers…local South Florida Entrepreneurs! Sure they want to make money, however they don’t want to do it at the expense of its readerships ability to have access to practical, affordable, effective solutions.

This column is a blog, so enter your comments and lets discuss what our readers are finding out there.

Use Gift Cards To Kick Start 2007

Marc Gilenson — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:05:00 GMT

A Not So Secret...Secret

If you read the business section of any newspaper or watch any business show, you will see how retailers did last year. Turns out they did well, not great. That may be true, but if are you an Entrepreneur that owns a retail store, food store or card and gift store, the beginning of 2007 could be tough for you. I’m not saying to close up shop and go home, I’m just saying be ready.

All those gift cards that have been sold last year are not recorded as revenue until they are redeemed. Gift cards are rapidly becoming the number one gift for the holidays. All this adds up to more revenue for corporations that offer gift cards (they all do) and the few Entrepreneurs that take advantage of the gift card bonanza.

All the consumers I interviewed in the local malls, shopping centers and restaurants had received gift cards and plan on using them within the next couple of months. Another question I asked was, did you receive a gift card from any of your local businesses? Amazingly, the only gift cards a few of them received were from their local dry cleaner, auto mechanic, and carpet cleaning company. The gift cards were all for Starbucks, not their own company. Don’t get me wrong, it is alright to give a gift card from a popular and quality company like Starbucks, however, where are the gift cards from the local vendors?

It’s what the customer wants! Most of the people I spoke to love the gift card, both giving them and receiving them. It gives the recipient the ability to buy what they want, and it saves them time when searching for that grab bag gift or the gift for their employee or boss. A few very honest people said it is quick, easy and rarely “re-gifted.”

Industry research shows that the majority of gift cards are used to buy items that are more expensive than the value on the card; this means it is a way for the person redeeming the card receive a discount that someone else paid for… the person that purchased the card!

Gift card redeemers will often use their card to buy higher margin goods that are not on sale or being discounted through coupons. This allows for higher margin even if total revenue is the same of down.

Most Entrepreneurs are only offering coupons and discounts to attract customers in the first quarter, corporate America is offering coupons and discounts; however they are incorporating gift cards into the mix as well. So while Entrepreneurs pride themselves on understanding the customer and being able to act quickly to meet their customers’ needs, they are behind the eight ball on this one!

In a recent article on Mybizuniverse.com, we discussed how Entrepreneurs can get involved with gift cards. Why aren’t small Entrepreneurs offering gift cards and using it to kick start their 2007? I can tell you this, at the publishers meeting for this months release of Mybizuniverse.com, we all agreed that we need to investigate gift cards for us to offer by the middle of 2007… we want to do what others in the advertising, publication and seminar business don’t do (see Advice from Entrepreneurs - how to stand out in a crowded market)!

Let us know if you are seeing your January and February unit sales higher or lower than the last 1-3 years(the time gift cards have boomed). Let us know if you are thinking about implementing gift cards. Let us know if you think I’m totally off my rocker!

Are there any real politicians any more

Marc Gilenson — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:40:31 GMT

The politicians are exposing how corrupt they really are

This is a quick piece with long lasting repercussions. Unless you have been living in a cave, you will have seen the myriad of political ads saying just how bad our politicians are. They don’t show up for work, they meet with terrorists, they sexually harass and abuse our youth, they take drugs…they are the puppets of large corporations and special interest groups. As if that’s not enough, they’re trying to force religion on a country that is supposed to be based on freedom.

Our current President had fewer votes from the general population, yet won the Electoral College, an institution that was designed to compensate for an illiterate population. So why is it still in effect today?

Are any politicians any better than another? I don’t think that we are there yet, however, I believe that the recent strategy of exposing their competitors illicit behavior will lead to more and more exposure, until finally there will be people that have an honest concern for the people that they represent.

I believe that politicians are a manifestation of our society. This means that until we (Entrepreneurs) act in a more honest and caring way to our employees, customers, vendors and the world around us, our politicians will continue to be people we can’t trust and respect. Until Entrepreneurs stop measuring success by how many material things one can accumulate, our politicians will continue to be greedy, self-centered, egotistical and inefficient puppets that continue to rip off the average American.

So, my question to you is…”where are all the politicians that are truly out to serve their constituents?”

ARE WE TOO CONSISTENT, TOO UNIFORM, TOO USED TO FAMILIARITY

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 21:22:00 GMT

The Revolution Is Coming...Entrepreneurs Will Lead It

Schools are drugging our children into submission…parents want perfection…regional malls have sprouted cookie cutter strip centers…the McDonalds Generation will soon be running our country!

We strive for consistency

We strive for uniformity

We strive to know what we are getting

Now we have the Starbucks Experience! Consistent...Uniform…Familiar with one changing need – Face Time. Every generation from Boomers to Xer’s are looking for a place with human interaction, a place for people watching, a place for interacting with real people, a place to strut your stuff, a place to do business, a place to be human!

Does anyone else find it just a little bit disturbing that the place we go to be human looks the same in every one of their thousands of locations? Does anyone else find all this consistency, uniformity and familiarity without the potential for variation, change, experiencing the unknown and debate?

We are becoming a society of drones; it is happening slowing and is unnoticeable to most. Just look at how conservatism is spreading throughout our country.
Conservative religion, politics and beliefs resent free thinking and questioning the status quo. We see the next level “fanaticism” is all around us on a global basis. Corporate America is using technology to have their employees plug into the Matrix.

What we need is to have more places to meet, debate, experience imperfection, experience diversity. What we need is people that love change, diversity and the unknown to start a revolution. No, not a violent uprising, just a slow, gentle revolution that must begin with Entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs must be the leaders of this revolution against the status quo, the conformity, the uniformity that is destroying our creativity and ability to stop into a local coffee shop for lunch instead of McDonalds.

WOW, sounds like the sixties again? I don’t think so, I believe that it is different, even though it will be lead by Boomers and X’ers. These groups will face the most difficult financial times they have ever faced. They will have to come to grips with not having the financial success they feel they deserve or should we say entitled to!

Once they come to grips with this change, they will dig deep and it will bring up memories of college days and feelings that money is not everything and that being happy is more important than having material things…This will be the beginning of the revolution.

This revolution is happening now, it is happening slowly, it is will take between 12-24 months. So for now and the immediate future, keep selling consistency, uniformity, and familiarity to your customers, however begin preparing for the change. If you are aware enough, you will be able to see the signs and make the right moves and maybe even lead the revolution.

ENTREPRENEURS & SALESPEOPLE...IS IT AN IMPOSSIBLE UNION!

Marc Gilenson — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:43:18 GMT

Who Is Right...Who is Wrong...Does It Matter?

By Ramblin Rose

Editor About Town

Why do you think Entrepreneurs have such a hard time hiring and keeping sales people?

All I ever hear my friends that own their own business tell me is how they think there are no good sales people out there. They feel they’re lazy, don’t want to prospect and don’t have the skills to close business.

I almost forgot… my entrepreneurial friends also fall into the trap of hiring ex-corporate sales people that have contacts or have sold millions of dollars in their past history. My friends believe the hype they are pitched by these corporate heroes, that they can make their little business into a big business overnight. The lure of selling for millions causes my normally cheap friends to take a chance (easy way out is more like it) and pay big dollars for perceived talent.

When they don’t bring in the money quick enough or when the sales studs realize that they may have been successful because of the support they got from their former companies, they make excuses and blame the Entrepreneur for their lack of success. Now they don’t have the marketing materials, the processes they are used to are not there, the structure they used to hate… they now realize how necessary it is. What happens next is played over and over in thousands of small businesses everyday.

The star salesperson tries to be the VP of Marketing, VP of Sales, VP of Customer Service and Consultant to your business. The one thing they forget to do is sell. The Entrepreneur begins to get upset paying for consulting and being told they are doing everything wrong, by someone that has never put their money up to start a business. They forget the reason they were hired was to sell!

Once the ex-corporate stud doesn’t work, the entrepreneur will try to hire entry level people that can generate leads for the owner to close. The amount of time it takes to manage these lead generators frustrates the Entrepreneur, and then they swear off salespeople forever. That is… until they smoke the “referral weed.” This drug makes the Entrepreneur believe that all sales are based on referrals.

Now they have the answer!!! They will hire people with contacts. This will generate some quick revenue, however, the Entrepreneur does not realize that the new business does not belong to them, they are not their contacts. Once the new sales person goes through their contacts, the Entrepreneur gets tired of paying commission on these now existing deals and wants the sales people to get out and get new business. This obviously does not work and now the Entrepreneur and the sales person part on bad terms. You can guess what happens to all the business they brought in… it goes to the next place that the sales person is working.

The answer is simple but not easy. Make sure you have the processes and structure in place for a sales person before you hire them. If you can’t develop what is needed, seek out the help you need.

DO ME AND ALL YOUR FRIENDS A FAVOR… STOP CRYING ABOUT THE LACK OF GOOD SALES PEOPLE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LACK OF STRUCTURE AND PROCESS.

Oh Yeah! All you corporate sales studs, grow up and realize that Entrepreneurs don’t need your inexperience with Marketing, Customer Service, Operations and Entrepreneurship in general…THEY JUST NEED YOU TO SHUT UP AND SELL!

Let me know what you think. I especially want to here your sales horror stories and your success stories. Share...Learn...Collaborate...Succeed!