I hope you all enjoyed the Super Bowl last night. I was stoked to see Eli Manning light it up during his winning drive in the fourth quarter!
I thought this was a great commercial last night and had to re-post this here for anyone who missed it:
What was your favorite spot?
There is a lot of talk in the air about change and one of the areas that the folks at Quixtar/Alticor/Amway could work on is the current pricing structure that they have established for their products. It seems that IBOs in the field would need to have competitive priced products in order to have a chance at building and expanding their business in today's market.
Russ and Lisa Ence just achieved the PC level on Team. This is another exciting victory on the Team. Be sure to get your ticket to the National Leadership Convention next month in St. Louis to celebrate these leaders who have reached great heights in their lives.
The article that appeared on the Team website is detailed below:
Team is excited to announce that Russ and Lisa Ence have achieved the Policy Council level. This is an exciting day for Russ and Lisa and their Team as they have reached a significant benchmark that will allow them the opportunity to sit on the Policy Council board of Team.
Over the years, Russ and Lisa have mentored directly with John and Barbara Sims, Lisa's brother and sister in-law, and have followed the guidance, wisdom and encouragement that these current Policy Council members had to share. Russ explains that it has been a fun journey pursuing leadership development with friends and family and that he and Lisa have developed close personal relationships along the way.
Continue reading "New PC Members On Team - Congratulations Russ & Lisa Ence!!" »
The article below is currently posted on Team website's home page under the 'News' section. This is exciting times for Team affiliates as Jim and Dolores Martin have reached the Policy Council level on the Team.
This couple worked hard, drove the miles, served thousands of people, have lived the example and have achieved a great victory.
It is exciting to see that Team leaders are currently exploding with growth and moving on faster than ever before despite all the recent law suits that have taken place in recent months.
Be sure to congratulate Jim & Dolores when you see them at a Team event and spread this great news!!
CONGRATULATIONS JIM & DOLORES MARTIN - www.the-team.biz
Team Policy Council Member Tim Marks spoke at Men's Leadership last night and announced to the Team audience that Jim and Dolores Martin had achieved the Policy Council level on the Team.
If anyone would be excited to spread this good news to the Team it would be Tim and Amy Marks as they have personally watched Jim and Dolores strive for this goal over the past few years and they understand how rewarding this accomplishment is for the Martin family.
Jim and Dolores Martin have achieved a significant mile stone in their business by following the guidance and mentorship of their respected leaders Tim and Amy Marks and Chris and Terri Brady among others.
Continue reading "Jim & Dolores Martin Reach Policy Council On Team" »
The Quixtar Lost My Cents blog recently authored an article where they highlight the price differences between products available for purchase from Quixtar and the online mega
shopping mall Amazon.com.
The author's research shows that Quixtar's product prices are much higher than the prices offered to consumers at Amazon.com, which shows that Quixtar could potentially lower their prices to be competitive in today's market or share more profits with the IBOs who are peddling the the merchandise. These two solutions seem like viable options to me, wouldn't you say?
Be sure to check in to Quixtar Lost My Cents daily for further research on many overpriced Quixtar products.
I saw a comment that pointed a link to the blog Lives Turned Upside Down, and the author of this blog has posted an article detailing the Amway name change that is underway over in Ada and they also posted the new logos that the company plans to use. I wonder how most IBOs in the field feel about this name change or this transformation in general? It seems that the executives at Quixtar/Amway/Alticor would want to consult with the IBOs or at least tune into the comments of the IBOAI board members who are elected to represent the IBOs across the globe. This is one of the key issues why over 40% of the IBOAI board resigned back on August 9th, 2007, because they felt that they had been ignored on a number of issues that they addressed.
Is it a good idea for Quixtar to change their name to Amway? Why or why not?
Please share your comments and concerns here on this blog whether you were once part of Quixtar or if you are still an active IBO with Quixtar.
I look forward to reading your responses.
I was reading he latest post on Chuck Goetschel's blog today and he shared some great comments and thoughts going into the New Year. I posted his comments below and these will be great challenges for us all to think and act on over this next year. Be sure to bookmark Chuck's blog and check frequently for other inspiring and informative articles that he author's - http://chuckgoetschel.blogharbor.com/blog.
Happy New Year! - by Chuck Goetschel
Happy New Year!!! There is something about a new year that is so refreshing. Take an inventory of the lessons learned and the victories achieved in 2007. Then, look forward to 2008 with great anticipation! I love the new year because the
world suddenly is full of dreamers. You rarely hear people saying, "I bet this is going to be a real bummer of a year." No, this is the time optimism rules the minds of people. The new year is all about improvement.
Take a moment to see the vision of Dec 31, 2008. What do you see? What improvements have happened? What accomplishment are you most proud of? Truly explore the vision. In order to hit a bulls-eye you must have a target.
Next, make a commitment to two things:
1. Stop doing something that's holding you back. What is it? Make that decision right now.
2. Start doing something that will contribute most to the realization of your vision. Put it into your daily routine.
Remember, if you want a change in your life, you must make a change in your life. I know...that was deep. However, it is very true. Give love away. Smile once a day at a total stranger. For many, it may really confuse them but, for some, it may be the little act of caring they needed. Give money away. There are plenty of people and causes that are in need and no amount is too little. Give God's Grace away. Forgive someone that doesn't "deserve" it. Give these things away in 2008 and see if they don't back to you in abundance!
Happy New Year Everyone!
I was surfing through a few web pages this morning and read some interesting information on the IBO Legal Defense Fund website about Judge Keith Anderson who is speaking out against the Amway/Quixtar corporations. The following information appears in the IBO Legal Defense Fund website about Judge Anderson:
JUDGE KEITH ANDERSON
Just a year out of Law School, Mr. Anderson was court-appointed to represent an accused armed robber. He refused to honor the demand of his client to subpoena police records Mr. Anderson knew would support perjured testimony of his client, even though the evidence would probably have won the case. The Kansas Supreme Court later saluted Mr. Anderson as modeling proper ethical behavior for an attorney. That case is still used in Law School ethics classes today.
During his 24 years as a State District Court Judge, Judge Anderson gained a reputation of fairness, unquestionable character, and high ethical conduct. He was considered one of the best trial judges in the State of Kansas.
Judge Anderson says "In my opinion, the treatment by AMWAY/Quixtar of former and current Quixtar IBOs in terminating IBOs without following its own Rules of Conduct or, even, its historic treatment of IBO behavior it regards as inappropriate; threatening suspension or termination of IBOs; and on-going use of the legal system to intimidate and control IBO activities violates principles of basic fairness and reeks of injustice in its simplest terms."
This quote by Judge Anderson is quite interesting indeed. This has to be alarming a number of the IBOs in the field that are associated with Quixtar/Amway. Why would a Judge make this type of statement if it were not true?
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin
Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther
New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain
The below post was authored by Barrister at Legal Perspective Quixtar Lawsuit. It looks as though things in Ada are not looking up as the company numbers are sliding fast on a steep slope according to Forbes magazine. Could these be a result of the current Executive Management Staff's leadership at Quixtar/Amway/Alticor? Looks like current IBOs need to ask some serious questions for the future of thier business depends on it. Check out the article for more details:
ALTICOR DROPS IN THE FORBES TOP 100 - by Legal Perspective Quixtar Lawsuit Blog
As I was recently reading Forbes Magazine, I was attracted to a section that ranked the top privately held companies in America. I quickly noticed that Aticor was ranked 43rd. In 2006, Alticore was ranked 27th. Out of all the companies in the top 50, Alticor experienced the largest drop. Since litigation ensued in August, this drop can't be related to the melee of lawsuits. I would assume the 2008 results will be substantially worse than the 2007 results. I'm not sure why the company dropped so far during 2006. I cut and pasted a copy of the web page below.
#43 Alticor
11.08.07, 6:00 PM ET
| Alticor ranked #27 in 2006. Industry: Personal Products (Amway personal, household products) | ||
7575 Fulton Street East Ada MI 49355 Phone: Fax: http://www.alticor.com |
CEO: Doug DeVos Steve Van Andel is Chairman and co-CEO, BA Purdue University CFO: Lynn | |
--What does this mean for IBOs trying to build a business?
The author of the blog Dick DeVos - Save Yourself! featured an article titled, "Quixtar Spys on Team in Ladies Room." The title of this post says it all, and if you made me add my two cents on the matter I can only think of two words: "LIKE...WHOOOAAA!!"
Did Quixtar executive management actually send spies to Team's Ladies Leadership event in Lansing this month? This cannot be sending a good message to other IBOs in the field or be helping Quixtar out with the potential future growth of their company as it would be hard for an individual to want to commit and get in business with leadership that resorts to these types of lows, don't you think?
Be sure to check in to Dick DeVos - Save Yourself! to read the article and other information regarding some interesting Quixtar/Amway/Alticor business policies and procedures.
The below post appeared on the QSSR blog and is pretty powerful. I could not contain myself and had to re-post it here on this blog. The author parallels this video to the Team and does an excellent job articulating the passion and cause that inspires each and everyone of us to chase down are dreams by going after our goals despite any obstacles or critics on the sidelines througout our lives. As Will Smith, playing Christopher Gardner, stated in The Pursuit of Happiness, "If you want somethin', go get it! Period."
Inspiration From YouTube - by Quixtar Soviet Socialist Republic
Hey, guess what? I'm skipping the negative today.
This is totally off subject, but as my Christmas gift to you all, I want to share with you one of my favorite YouTube videos. It's a short clip from "Britain's Got Talent", which is the U.K. version of American Idol. Simon is a judge on this show too, and he was a bit out of character at this performance.
I don't want to give it away for you, so please watch the video before you read on. (It's only 4 minutes!)
If you had not had a chance yet, be sure to check out Chuck Goetschel's leadership blog. Not only does Chuck feature a number of great insights and stories discussing leadership principles that will aid you on your journey in life, but Chuck also features a number of articles on the Amway/Quixtar/Alticor business model that seems to have a lot of people confused these days.
According to the article on Chuck's blog Who Damaged whom? , Chuck explains that Alticor has recently launched a new competing MLM that has been in the works over the past two years named Fanista.
Chuck is questioning this new business concept that Alticor has created and is curious to know why it was not launched as part of the Amway/Quixtar business model for current IBOs rather than launched seperately as a competitor. This seems to be a deal breaker in the eyes of the IBOAI board members who resigned back in August 2007.
Check out the rest of this article to see first hand why Chuck considers this to be damaging to IBOs associated with Amway/Quixtar.
In Don’s own words:
After extensive dialog and privately funding external research in regards to product pricing, it has became clear that the Quixtar and Amway business model has become less and less desirable to start. In my opinion the single most difficult objective for myself and others to over come is why the products are over priced. Approximately 13 years ago we were turning out over 60,000 people to monthly seminars. However that has dwindled to under 10,000 over the years. Many very productive leaders within our business have had their business devastated by negativity; many of whom had to go return to the traditional work place in order to financially survive. We have accepted the task of helping people to become successful and feel responsible to do so. This has become increasing difficult because of the pricing gap and unmarketable price points. I have exhausted myself trying to aggressively promote change with Quixtar in order to bring the prices in line with the competitive marketplace. Regardless of their surveys, we in the field are dealing with this issue on a daily basis and have felt for many years the need to make an immediate change. Quixtar’s recent decision to return to the Amway name, contrary to the Board’s recommendation and field’s experience, shows a complete deterioration of the working relationships which has taken place for over 40 years. Without being able to work collaboratively we have no choice but to discover new methods of bringing about change.I can see why Don made the decision that he made. I would have most likely felt the same way if I was challenged with these tough issues that the company seemed to have ignored over the years, wouldn’t you?
Be sure to check in frequently to www.freetheibo.com for further insight and developments regarding the dispute between Quixtar and Team.
In point number nine of Don Wilson’s affidavit he discusses the length at which the IBOAI board had brought many of the issues that they were facing to light by confronting the executive management at Quixtar seeking for a solution that would benefit all IBOs in the field. Don gives a detailed record of the meeting dates that took place where they discussed their concerns. I was stunned reading his opening statement, which simply read
“This issue has been discussed at every board meeting for at least the last four years.”What!?! The IBOAI board consistently voiced their concerns repeatedly four years in a row? Four years is a long time, folks! Maybe the IBOAI board was a little frustrated that they were not getting any results?
Based on his affidavit’s submitted by most of the resigned IBOAI board members, it seems as though the company told them that ‘better things’ were coming. They must have thought they had drunk one too many silly pops. Where are these fantastic changes? Changing the company name from Quixtar to Amway is not one of these great changes that they have been discussing, is it? If so, then it is no wonder that the board members resigned.
Point number 10 in Don’s affidavit sums up the thoughts of the resigned board members pretty clearly:
“Observing the continual widening gap between Quixtar’s pricing and the marketplace’s pricing, it seems to me that Quixtar with its lack of retail customers is potentially in a zone of being considered an illegal pyramid.”
Looks like they dropped the gauntlet!
It is hard to argue with the comments and statistics that Don has laid out in his affidavit. I would assume that a large percentage of the IBOs in the field feel the same way because after-all, these members of the IBOAI board were elected by the IBOs to represent them.
A new blog has surfaced on the web and it looks as though the authors are expressing their reasons on why they are fighting back against Quixtar/Amway/Alticor. In their article Q Ignores Court Order the author explains that Quixtar was ordered by a court in Texas to pay all IBOs any bonuses that they had earned. Interesting. Is Quixtar in violation of this court order? It appears that they are.
Has anyone received their check? I take it from the comments on the last post that the monies have not yet arrived. That seems to be a smart way to win the trust and respect of customers and business owners in the field, right?
Maybe 'IBO Minute Man' is on to something when he made the following comment in his article:
If you are still an IBO with Q you should be very alarmed. The bonuses are paid at Qs discretion i.e. Q12, growth incentive bonuses etc… Those bonuses are being held and are in a "review process" according to quixtar. This "review process is what an insurance company uses when they are stalling with the payment of a claim. The strategy is to stall in review hoping the recipient of payment quietly go's away.
What College did these folks go to?
Quixtar Business 101: If people insist on being payed what they earn in a free enterprise system, change the rules, tell them that they are cattle and we own them and then forget about paying them their year end bonuses that they worked hard for (right before Christmas). - That just seems a little harsh to me, is this accurate or is there something that I am missing?
Q'Reilly featured a letter on his blog that was written by an IBO in good standing with Quixtar seeking to obtain their QBI bonus that they qualified for during the 2006-2007 fiscal year. Two words came to my mind after reviewing the post: "Ohhh, SNAP!!" What can possibly happen next?
It looks as though this couple is getting the run around and Quixtar is playing games with their money. Can Quixtar do this to other IBOs in the field? I sure hope this does not become an epidemic. After all, it would not be ethical for a company to keep money that its business owners rightfully earned would it? I don’t know, maybe there is something I am missing because this does not seem right, maybe my noodle is not working properly today. Here is the link to Q’Reillys’ post regarding the Amway/Quixtar/Alticor business practices. Check this out for yourself and let me know what your thoughts are on the matter.
There is much information circulating about “The Business” and leaders that are navigating their teams. I feel the importance of giving you my understanding and position. I will tell you up front everyone looks at discussion and events through lenses of their own perspective. Therefore I will tell you about my perspective so there is reduced chance for misunderstanding.
What brought me to “The Business” are events and experience I gained from our family farm equipment business, along with our manufacturing companies, and our 24 hour truck stop, and farming operation etc., etc., etc... At least 13 companies Jann and I owned either out right or in partnerships of some sort.
The most compelling event that drove my inquiry of the board was the demise of our farm equipment business. Nov, 1981 Allis Chalmers farm equipment Company convened a regional dealer meeting to lay out its plans to fix the troubled farm equipment business. I was 28 years old and had been managing our equipments business 2 years for my father-in-law. What Allis Chalmers did was change the deal in March of 1982. This materially affected all its dealers. Most of the dealers shut down business. All of the dealers that stayed in business lost a lot of money. Our company over night lost millions in value. Jann and I looked at ways to stay in the game to reduce or overcome the losses. I knew immediately we were in business with a company that I couldn’t trust because they changed the deal. I made the decision to stay in business just long enough to find a way out. My trust that Allis Chalmers would do the right thing for its dealers was gone. Now we operate in a mode of self preservation, and how can I lose less. Jann and I worked tirelessly for 4 years, sacrificing many things to work around the problems that Allis Chalmers unloaded on us. At the closing of our dealership April 1st of 1986 we lost over 3 ½, million dollars, and every asset we had.
Continue reading "Former IBOAI Board Member Bill Newton Speaks" »
