From time to time, Warren Buffet auctions off a luncheon meeting for a cool quarter of a million. There is always a scramble from people willing to pay to have that lunch with Warren and it’s not about the food.
Would you do it ... I mean, if you had the dough?
I can’t say for sure if I would do that, even though it would be a tax write off ... but I will guarantee you one thing: I would show up with a recorder, a pen and paper and a list of questions as long as your arm.
That's why I'm always shocked at how many new people (and those who have been around for a while) don’t get the top leaders, and those who are growing, on the phone or in a corner and pepper them with questions.
One thing I learned a long time ago is that we should take every opportunity we get to ask smart people, great questions.
Let me tell you a true story ...
When I started my Shaklee business, I lived in Detroit. My sponsor was a great lady but not a Shaklee superstar. My business wasn't working. I wanted the best info I could get my hands on and I wanted it right now!
I was listening to a tape one night by Bob Bergeth, Master Coordinator. The way he laid out the business ... I knew I wanted to talk to him. So ... I called him on the phone and asked if I could have a few minutes of his time. He said there would be a big meeting that weekend in Minneapolis and that if I was there ... he’d spend a few minutes with me.
You know what I did? I got off the phone, made a plane reservation, and flew into Minneapolis ... not really knowing how much info I could get from Bob. He agreed to pick me up at the airport.
You know what else I did ... now picture this ... I walked out of the airport ... found him in his car waiting for me at the curb (pre-911), got in, sat down, shook his hand, and before he could take off ... I asked if he would mind if I clipped a wireless microphone to his tie!
We both had an good laugh. I said, “Bob, I hope you don’t think I’m nuts but I spent a lot of money to come here. I need some answers and If you don’t mind, I’d like to get started now.”
Another big laugh ... he agreed and off we went, question after question, until we pulled up to the convention center where I attended my first big-time Shaklee meeting. I was in Shaklee heaven.
As a result of spending the weekend with Bob Bergeth (we became fast friends), I came home, put his advice into action and in less than six months, we went from zero on the recap to Key Coordinator. It pays to ask questions.
I’ve done similar things many times. When he was 15 years old, I took my son Michael to see sports psychology guru Bob Rotella. We spent three days at Bob’s house and ... you guessed it ... I had my trusty micro-cassette recorder in his face all weekend long. Michael was embarrassed and Doc told me I was the first person ever to bring a recorder. I was astounded. ... $3,000 for a weekend with the best sports psych guy on the planet and no recorder?
Maybe they never heard the phrase ... “a short pencil is better than a long memory.”
We treasure those tapes even today.
On another occasion, I took Michael to a weekend golf camp with the famous David Leadbetter. There were six people there and they paid $4,500 a piece for the two days. Michael didn’t have to pay because David was his teacher.
A part of the deal for these guys was dinner with David. Five guys sat around making small talk for about 15 minutes. Then, I jumped in and started asking questions. I dominated the conversation ... not because I was being obnoxious ... these guys just didn’t have any questions for the worlds #1 teacher. In fact, they seemed to really love the fact that I was asking questions they wanted the answer too.
Here’s the point ... I am convinced there are two major reasons why people fail to move ahead: One, they don't go and get, find, beg, or buy the information they need, and two, they don't take action on the good ideas they do get.
I’ve noticed those who win, relentlessly seek out smart people and ask good questions.
Kids ask a gazillion questions ... but as we get older, our egos, or laziness, keep us from asking questions. Too bad!
So start asking. Beg if you have too! If you don't have anything specific ... here are a few general questions you might ask some successful Key and Master Coordinators:
How do you keep yourself motivated in the down times?
If you were starting today, what would you differently?
What's the most important idea you've discovered in the past year?
If you were me, what would you do to get my business into high gear?
What are the three best ways you’ve found to approach new people?
How do you handle the concerns some people have about the business?
Do you lead with the product or the business opportunity?
How did you handle the business with your friends and family?
What are some of your favorite books?
What mistakes do you see people in Shaklee making?
>> Now let me ask you a question ... are you willing to check your ego at the door and keep asking questions until you get all the answers you need?
dh
This is such a great article. I truly believe that if you want to succeed you need to find others that have already achieved the result you are looking for and ask them how they accomplished it. Most people do not understand this. My biggest concern has always been, how can we rewire the way people think. From birth we are taught to go to school and one day get a job with good benefits. We are not taught that we can become financially independent and change our lives and those around us in a big way. I will admit that I am where I am today by accident. I picked up a motivational book, read some simple concepts, and over time changed the person I used to be to who I am today. I am a very confident and happy person and I strive each day to learn something new. I hope one day more and more people will be able to see the light and see the glass as half full instead of half empty.
Posted by: David Mock | 21 May 2006 at 08:16 AM