‘Six Minutes To Success’ by Bob Proctor of ‘The Secret’

Bob Proctor, one of the main teachers from the movie ‘The Secret’ in collaboration with a group of self-made millionaires that he himself coached before they became wealthy, has created a breakthrough system to create big transformations (http://www.BigTransformations.com) and immediate, consistent and lasting results for those who like to think and live big.

Just got an email from the team of Bob Proctor recently, looked at their site, read the entire sales page and I signed up for the program and I have only one way to describe this: WOW! Super Rich Information.

This is what I have observed so far about this new system:

This is a year long system where Bob Proctors speak to you via a video every day for about six minutes.
These are not just random videos, are actually designed specifically to deliver results for you. The main focus of these videos is on getting rich and attracting money in a very systematic way. How to create different sources of income is another one. What I have observed is that almost everyone wants to make more money and create many sources of income, but they just don’t know. Finally this systems truly delivers in this field.

The videos have the typical high energy and super clear thinking and directions that Bob Proctor is known for. I am surprised at the quality and simplicity of the directions of these videos and the whole system in general.

I believe it is super important for someone to become a member of this system because when it comes to making money, you want to learn from someone who has a good track record of aquiring it and coaching others in doing it too.

The crazy part here is that Bob Proctor is giving this whole system out for FREE for a full week (7 days) and then you either have the option to cancel with a click of a button if you don’t like it (I highly doubt you ever will), or you can be mentored by Bob Proctor directly EVERY DAY for a measly $39.95 bucks a month. I know, I couldn’t believe it at first too. Being mentored by a super millionaire and world renowned mentor of a celebrity status for less than the price of a chewing gum per day is unheard of.

Bob wants you to make money right away apparently, because he has made it so that when you refer 4 friends to the program (some people like to go through a program like this with a friend) then you get the whole program for free. That simple.

If you want to learn more about this program you can find out more at http://www.BigTransformations.com.  If you have questions about this and want more of my personal experience with this program, send me an email via this blog and I will get back to you. (write comment)

Cheers,

N.D.

“Best of Craigslist”

I was browsing through Craigslist today and somehow got into the “Best of Craigslist” section. I didn’t even know it existed, but I am glad I came across this.

These posts are Hilarious!!

These are postings on CL that viewers apparently rate, and these have been rated as ‘The Best Of Craigslist”. You will see why. Some of these are really amuzing.
Here are a couple you may enjoy reading.

Comment and let me know what you think.

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EXECUTIVE LIFE FOR SALE OR (REPO)

Date: 2009-01-29, 1:27PM EST

Well here we are another year 2009 ahhhhhhhh

Well what I have for sale is a life of Debt, illusions and bill collectors

I think for 1,000,000 I’ll let it go. The price will include a complete 20,000 equipment only fabrication shop a beautiful house in the country 3,500 sqft 30 x 40 barn 13 acres ahhh the American dream!!!!!! It will also buy you 12 useless employees 4 large break even contracts and a business name that has become completely ruined because CORPORATE AMERICA SUCKS DICK. I have however made it 5 years so I guess I beat the statistic.

If you don’t want to buy the dream that’s fine I’m just going to FUCK everybody Like I got fucked. Bankruptcy FUCKERS

Chrysler financial, you can have my diesel truck back, that’s 20,000 over mileage and smashed because I just hit a deer. I looked cool in it for a while, but I just bought a 95 S-10 cash and I love it. So stop calling me five times a day and come get the piece of shit.

Btw, how do you expect people to pay your late charges if they can’t even make the regular payment? Also if you called me on Tuesday I bet my situation won’t be any different Wednesday. Bastards. Fuck you I’m going to hide it

American express I was a good customer to you. Once I was 10 days late you canceled my card. You will never get your money. Bastards

53rd I would really like to keep my camper but if you insist on coming to get it because I’m 45 days late come and get it. I’ve got a fucking tent. Chryslers going to take my fucking truck and I’m sure my S-10 won’t pull it. Bring a fucking shovel because there’s 8 feet of snow pushed in front of it because all it fucking does is snow around here.

Speaking of snow got some snowmobiles, there going back to! I loved riding them but I financed them to pay the 12 useless employees to work on the 4 large break even contracts I have. Behind on them same story come and get em bastards

The only thing in my life I won’t sell is my 4 year old daughter (she is a keeper). My very sexy supportive wife and the dog. You can have the rest of the illusion.

Material bull shit.
We learned our lesson.

Love to tell you more but I’ve got to search for a job so I can pay taxes to support all the Bailout money we gave the people that are going to repo my shit and put America in this situation. I wonder what I’ll be paid with food.

Don’t think the dollar illusion can go on much longer.

Keep the faith protect your kids. Your family is all that matters

A Broke Michigan resident

Location: MICHIGAN
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

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Carry my casket – m4w

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Date: 2009-01-27, 8:30PM EST

I have come to a realization that I don’t have many friends. That means when I die I won’t have enough people to carry my casket. I believe the minimum number of pallbearers is six. I’ve also got a very small family, so they won’t do. I can’t do any exact math on the numbers of available people because by the time I die I won’t be sure which of those people will still be around or if we all died together in some horrific accident. If I make a rough estimate I’d say roughly there would be 5 reliable people, friends and family included. As you can see I’m short one. So I am here on craigslist in search of a new friend. So why a female friend? I just thought I’d even it out a bit since most of the other pallbearers will be male. In all honestly I don’t want my funeral to be a sausage fest because then some of the other pallbearers might not show. With some female incentive it will ensure that they come through for me.

Now I realize this is going to be very competitive, I mean who wouldn’t want to carry my casket? So below is more details on how to apply.

Now in order to my friend you’ll have to meet the following conditions and requirements:
-Must make an appearance at my funeral to carry my casket
-Must be able to lift 1/6th of the weight of my body inside a casket
-Being my friend is only secondary to your role as my pallbearer, in the case that I start to actually like you as a friend, that role may be switched to a secondary priority.
-This will be STRICTLY friendship. You must not fall in love with me. I don’t need a coffin straddler at my funeral because it will make the casket that much heavier to carry. Besides it’s not proper custom the spouse to be a pallbearer anyway
-In the case that you die before I do I will be your pallbearer
-In the case I changed my mind and decide to be cremated then you are hereby relieved of your duty as pallbearer

The interview process may subject you to tests such as heavy lifting, ability to cry, and proper funeral dress. Training will be provided for all successful applicants in proper lifting technique, crying when you really don’t care, and how to dress for a funeral.

I thank all applicants for applying but only those that I am interested in will be contacted for an interview.

In case you’re wondering, I’m not dieing. Therefore until the day I do maybe we can be friends? So please would somebody commit to this task? I could die any day now…please hurry.

Location: Toronto
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

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Break In…Break Out…

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Date: 2008-12-30, 4:08PM PST

I gotta hand it to you. When it comes to the art of the smash and grab, you’re the best. I was in my apartment, probably awake, with the car parked right under my kitchen window flooded by parking lot lights. Judging by the fact that I found bits of glass from the driver’s side window in every corner of the car, from the dashboard to the back seat, I gotta say, when you break a window, you don’t go for subtle, you go all the way. You sir, work with gusto. Did you get a running start and swing a medieval battle axe at my window? Because that’s what it looks like. I’m still picking glass out of weird nooks and crannies. I bet nobody messes with you when you carry that battle axe.

You managed to get my stereo (which even I had a hard time getting in and out), an amplifier mounted (securely!) to the back of the back seat, and a big, heavy box containing a 1200 watt 12″ subwoofer. The impressive thing was that you did all this without damaging a single part of the inside of the car! I didn’t even know that piece of the dash around my stereo popped out like that. Shit, it would have made it a hell of a lot easier to install the RCA cables when I put the amp in. By the way, though it’s not a super high end amp, I’d recommend getting the 4 gauge power cable anyway as the protection circuit can get a little finicky. I mean, you went to the trouble to take $600 bucks worth of stuff, so it ought to work right.

Big ups for not jacking the post-election Obama print by Shepard Fairey that was in the tube in the back seat. Though really, thinking about it, it would have been kind of awesome if you had gotten home and saw that the poster said “Yes We Did” across the top. You could hang it up and pose for pics in front of it and your new stereo system. “Yes you did” break into my car. “Yes you did” get away with it. “Yes you did” (apparently) ignore the sea of Mercedes, Lexus, Range Rovers, etc that inhabit my parking lot, opting instead to hit up the lowly Grand Am. (It’s the GT model but still.) I have to deduct points for that one.

You rifled through all my compartments looking for what I can only guess was money and firearms but I don’t tend to leave that kind of stuff in the car. Sorry. Just some pennies in the tray. Scattering all that paperwork all over the seat reminded me that I had an awful lot of trash in there! Hope that didn’t hinder your search for my things. I’ve since put all that stuff in my filing cabinet. I’m actually kind of embarrassed that you saw all my clutter. I try to keep the car a bit cleaner than that. Then again, you DID cover the interior with about 3 inches of broken tempered glass so I guess you aren’t exactly a neat freak either. I won’t tell if you won’t.

Next time I’ll try to have a new wireless security cam trained on my parking space from my place so I can witness your skills for myself. I’ll put it up on YouTube so you can check it too. Hey, you can think of it as a training tape. You’ll probably look pretty creepy and bad ass on an infra-red camera too. Those things make your eyes look all glowy and shit, like that annoying chick dripping snot everywhere on The Blair Witch Project. Did you see that movie? Yeah, it kinda sucked.

Anyway, just wanted to write this. As I drive to work in silence, with the brisk winter air whipping in my face, I have plenty of time to reflect, and think of you. Hope you’re thinking of me too.

• Location: Lane County
• it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 974925622
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I want some orange juice

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Date: 2009-01-07, 10:08PM EST

I’ll give you $2 + cost if you’ll deliver me some orange juice with receipt. I’m too lazy to get it myself. I live right by University Drive in Elon. Thank you.

• Location: Elon, NC
• Compensation: $2
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 984476074

==================================================================

 

For a full list of the “Best of Craigslist” go to:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/all/

Tom Peters’ Action Plan for the Recession

Tom Peters has been one of the prominent business management “gurus” in the world over the past twenty years. Besides his incredible business successes, he has been mentioned in many media outlets, and written excellent books such as In Search of Excellence and Thriving on Chaos, which are truly business classics.  Here’s what Tom Peters wrote on his blog recently about how to achieve success in this recession. This “action plan for the recession,” which was posted recently on his blog, beautifully characterizes exactly what we try to teach the young people who look to us for guidance, and which I see in each of you every day.

I’m thankful to all my mentors and the information I have been receiving that has changed my mindset in regards to this recession.

Yes, there’s recession out there, but I ain’t participating… and neither should you.

-

44 “Secrets” and “Clever Strategies” For Dealing with the Recession of 2008-XXXX
Tom Peters 03.26.09

I am constantly asked for “strategies/ ’secrets’ for surviving the recession.” I try to appear wise and informed-and parade original, sophisticated thoughts. But if you want to know what’s really going through my head, see the list that follows.

You come in earlier.

You leave later.

You work harder.

You may well work for less; and, if so, you adapt to the untoward circumstances with a smile-even if it kills you inside.

You volunteer to do more.

You dig deep and always bring a good attitude to work.

You fake it if your good attitude flags.

You literally practice your “game face” in the mirror in the morning, and in the loo
mid-morning.

You give new meaning to the idea and intensive practice of “visible management.”

You take better than usual care of yourself and encourage others to do the same-physical well-being determines mental well-being and response to stress.

You shrug off shit that flows downhill in your direction-buy a shovel or a “pre-worn” raincoat on eBay.

You try to forget about “the good old days”- nostalgia is self-destructive.

You buck yourself up with the thought that “this too shall pass”-but then remind yourself that it might not pass any time soon, and so you re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now.

You work the phones and then work the phones some more-and stay in touch with positively everyone.

You frequently invent breaks from routine, including “weird” ones-”changeups” prevent wallowing and bring a fresh perspective.

You eschew all forms of personal excess.

You simplify.

You sweat the details as never before.

You sweat the details as never before.

You sweat the details as never before.

You raise to the sky and maintain at all costs the Standards of Excellence by which you unfailingly evaluate your own performance.

You are maniacal when it comes to responding to even the slightest screwup.

You find ways to be around young people and to keep young people around-they are less likely to be members of the “sky is falling” school.

You learn new tricks of your trade.

You remind yourself that this is not just something to be “gotten through”-it is the Final Exam of character.

You network like a demon.

You network inside the company-get to know more of the folks who “do the real work.”

You network outside the company-get to know more of the folks who “do the real work” in vendor-customer outfits.

You thank others by the truckload if good things happen-and take the heat yourself if bad things happen.

You behave kindly, but you don’t sugarcoat or hide the truth–humans are startlingly resilient and rumors are the real killers.

You treat small successes as if they were Superbowl victories-and celebrate and commend accordingly.

You shrug off the losses (ignoring what’s going on in your tummy), and get back on the horse and immediately try again.

You avoid negative people to the extent you can-pollution kills.

You eventually read the gloom-sprayers the riot act.

You give new meaning to the word “thoughtful.”

You don’t put limits on the flowers budget- “bright and colorful” works marvels.

You redouble, re-triple your efforts to “walk in your customer’s shoes.” (Especially if the shoes smell.)

You mind your manners-and accept others’ lack of manners in the face of their strains.

You are kind to all mankind.

You keep your shoes shined.

You leave the blame game at the office door.

You call out the congenital politicians in no uncertain terms.

You become a paragon of personal accountability.

And then you pray.

Main Questions To Ask Over The Phone When Buying a Used Car

Let’s talk about questions you can ask a seller when you are buying a used car. This will help you.

Recently I was looking for a car. Wanted to pay all cash for it, therefore I was looking for something reasonably priced.

Searching for about two weeks, I saw everything from honest guys, older folks, high school students trying to sell their ’supped up’ ride, young moms, and a bunch of hypers and liars, and anything else in between.

I went to some dealers as well, but because of the economy the price of the new cars has gone down, which means that the dealerships have mostly high jacked the price of their old cars in order to make up for the lost profits… makes sense. But I just didn’t want to participate in that game. So I focused my energies in finding a car from a private owner.

At first I went with it. I looked a car, asked some questions, and drove to their place. Most of these guys were around 20-30 minutes from my place. Now that is fine with me, and I don’t think it is too far. But when you have to see 4-5 cars a day, that adds up to a few hours a day. Lost time.

And most of the cars I was looking at were junk… it was their fault for lying to me on the phone, saying the car drove great when it leaked oil in ten different spots, but it was also my fault – or naivite – that didn’t do more ‘homework’ in finding out more about the car before going to see it.

So, after a few days of this happening, I turned into the manly “hey, I am a straight shooter, so let’s be honest here” talk… that worked, and most people were honest.

But that wasn’t enough either… why? Because I didn’t ask the right questions, the seller either didn’t want to tell about the flaws until they had me looking at the car, or they simply didn’t think of mentioning them.

So the third stage of my ‘car shopping development’ was to get smart.

I developed these questions that worked like charm. As soon as I asked these questions, I bought the first car I went to see.

Why? Because I had enough information about the car to make an educated decision if I wanted to see the car or not. I didn’t waste time with the ones that didn’t convince me.

So here are my questions that I developed to ask someone who is selling a used car. They work!

Questions to ask a seller when buying a used car (on the phone):

• How long have you had the car for?
• Why are you selling your car?
• Do you have the title handy?
• Are there any oil leaks (transmission, engine or other)?
• Are there any sounds/ rattles?
• How is the paint?
• How are the seats inside? (scratches, cracks, burns)
• How is the roof/top of the car?
• How much life on the breaks?
• How much life on the tires?
• Any wetness under the hood /under the car?
• Are all four wheels the same?
• Are you a smoker or non-smoker?
• What has been the main investment you have done on the car?
• When was the last time you took it to the mechanic?
• Has the timing belt been changed?
• How open are you to negotiate on the price?
• Where would you say the car needs some improvements or servicing?
• If you could keep the car, and had $500/$1000 to invest in it, what would you improve on the car? (this unique and almost “under-the-radar” question will tell you a lot about the car… if you listen carefully)
  
• How many miles?
• Are these actual miles? (Be Careful! digital odometers are a little harder to mess with, but the one in the older analog cars can be easily changed)
• How many owners has the car had?
• Power windows, doors, seats? Do they work?
• How is the AC and hot air?
• Where and when can we meet to take a look at the car?

I’m sure you can come up with other questions to ask a seller over the phone when buying a car as well. Don’t hesitate to ask. It will save you time and money.

Absinthe

Revealed! ‘Smart Marketer Report’ – Free and Ready to Download

Smart Marketer Report - Get Customers

Hi, Nik here.

A couple of months back I wrote a Free report called ‘Smart Marketer Report’ which I gave out only to my list.

Everyone loved it.  It is short and to the point, with not much details, but if you are somewhat familiar with some of the strategies and techniques used, you will grasp this fairly easily.

Just click on the image or this link in order to get your Free copy right now.   No opt-in required.

No worries, it will open in a new window.

http://www.box.net/shared/vk6u6r7t4s

Remember:

The key is to take action.  Period.

If you have questions or need more details on how to use specific techniques, send me a comment with your contact info and I will get back to you shortly.

Go for it,

Nik D’Angelo

P.S. A more detailed version will be coming out in the next few weeks. Most likely will be Free or for a very reasonable price.

A valuable business lesson on the day after Christmas.

Note:  I just read this post today – a day after I wrote it – just to see if my thoughts on this have changed at all. They have’t. If you are a business owner, in sales, or work with clients or customers, this will give you a candid IN-sight into YOUR customer’s psyche. Read this entire article.

OK, do you want to know why businesses fail?
Here’s a story that just happened hmmm… about 35 minutes ago to me…

So today is December 26th, the day after Christmas.

I am just coming back from JC Penny’s… got to do a little bit of that after-holiday shopping you know…

I saw these really nice women’s boots at JC Penny’s today. Don’t do much shopping there, but wanted to see what the buzz of door-busters was all about… almost missed it, but I made it there on time, about 15 minutes before the deals were over… so I bought these nice pair of shoes at a really nice discount price… they are for my girlfriend Kay… yet another gift, LOL… but she had always wanted these and I wanted to get them for her.

I ask the cashier if they do any gift-wrapping, but they don’t. Now, I can understand that. I used to work as a salesperson in a department store when I was studying at Minnesota State University majoring – OK, triple majoring – in Business Administration, Mass Communications and Marketing Communications – and I know what it means working at department stores the day after Christmas when you have hundreds of people waiting right outside for the doors to open. So who would want to have a line of customers doing gift-wrapping. You want these people in and out, just like that. In-Out… As Soon As Humanly Possible. Otherwise you will have people stepping over each other for a freaking 5 dollar discount… pathetic… oh well, whatever.

So as I am driving home I realize I don’t have gift-wrap. Kay wasn’t home. So I decide to swing by home, drop off a couple of things and then walk right down the street to the Borders, the bookstore. It is just two blocks down the street and it would be a really nice walk, I say to myself.

I had gone to Borders just two days ago to buy another gift and they did gift-wrapping there. I had gotten a book gift-wrapped at Borders and had tipped the girls there too. I like book stores and if you know me, you know I spend quite a bit on books.

I enter Borders with this big box in a JCPenny’s plastic bag and the boots in them. I walk right to the gift-wrapping table I had been to two days ago… the only people sitting down are two customers, a father and son I think, who had just found the table empty and were waiting for someone to finish shopping. I asked if they had seen the girls who did the gift-wrapping and they hadn’t.

I go to the information desk to ask someone if they could help me out.

I see a guy that I had seen a couple of days ago. He looked like the manager of the store. In his 40-s, and the way he was talking to others around him, it just seemed that he could have been the manager. Who knows? But it doesn’t matter really. I walked right up toward him, there was no one around.

I politely ask if he could help me with the gift-wrapping or find someone who could.

He looks up to me with a pair of eyes that look as disturbed as they are angry… hmmm. not a very good welcoming right off the bat.

He mumbles something like… “well, go find whoever does that in the corner”… something like that. I explained that there was no one at the table in the gift-wrapping table…

And then he goes, “well, I can find someone for you… is it Border’s stuff or Penny’s stuff?” Looking at my bag.

It is Penny’s stuff.

Ah, sorry, can’t do it.

What? the way he said it was pretty rude and abrupt, but I insisted.

I told him I was going to pay for the wrapping and this was a gift I had to deliver TODAY.

His answer: “No, sorry, can’t help you.”

Now, this fucking pissed me off (excuse my language). I am a pretty calm guy, but this shit just doesn’t make sense.

First of all, this would have been the cleanest, less-effort money he would have made. Nothing to sell here. No books nothing. Just some simple gift-paper around the box. The money that I would have paid for it would have covered for two entire paper rolls that could wrap 20 gifts.

But whatever… he didn’t get it.

So there I am looking at him calmly for just a couple of seconds as he turns his back on me and leaves to go yell at another guy or whatever.

Yes, I am upset at this point. I have this nice gift that I want to give to my girlfriend today and this dude is making it hard for me. And I am Paying for this… doesn’t make sense.
And they actually don’t record the sales that come from the gift-wrapping in the corner. No, they were doing it for a fundraiser and the customer can donate as much as they want… and I tip well.

No, at this point I am not taking anything personally at all. After all this guy is clearly acting like a jerk with pretty much anyone, it isn’t just me. There is no reason why I should take this personally.

Did I say that he had no customers to attend at this moment, but me?

So as I turn around thinking of solutions to wrap my gift (didn’t want to buy a whole roll of gift-wrap just for a quick gift this time. There aren’t any major holidays coming in a while… besides Valentine’s day, but for that I only need a gift or two including my mom. I don’t have too many girlfriends either, just one. And the girl at the store does a much better job at wrapping gifts than I do)

So as I am thinking of solutions, there is also a question popping in my head: WHY? Why did this guy respond in such a way?

Was this against Border’s policy? Is there a policy in their rules-manual that says: “We don’t wrap gifts that are from JC Penny? Or We don’t wrap gifts that are not from Borders?” Possibly, but I really really really doubt it.

Even if it was in the policy, then it would be a messed up policy. And my friend, do you want to know the one reason that most customers hate when it comes to not doing something for them?

“Our policy says so”

Who gives a fuck about what your policy says man(excuse my language). I am a customer and I need solution right now. I am coming to you to help me out and to give me a really good experience. Can you help or not? And if it is in your policy, then that is a pretty fucked up  policy and I want you to change it, or I am going right next door to your competitor. That is what almost every customers is saying to himself as soon as he hears the words: “Our policy says so”

BUT, in this case it is not their policy. I can pretty much guarantee you that.

So if it wasn’t the company’s policy, then it must have been from this guy himself. The guy just made up a rule in his mind and that rule was this: “I will not help you with wrapping up your gift, even though you will clearly pay me for that, just because…. hmmm you didn’t buy it here”

Do you want to know what I call this policy, his policy? I call it CRAP.

And do you know what I think of this dude? I think he is an ass-hole, that’s what.

Hey, he can be a nice guy. But I don’t know that. He can be a good father, or brother, or neighbor (I doubt it), but I don’t care.

Why? Because I am not there to date this dude. I am there to find a solution to my situation. My situation is that I need the gift wrapped.

The solution he gives me is, “Go find your own wrapper. I don’t  care about you”

Then, as I am walking out the door, in a hurry, walking back home to come up with a creative solution to this, I remember.

OH, shit… I remember… I had heard the same guy whine and bitch about how they are shutting this branch down in January, in the last week of January 2009.

I was there looking to buy a book when I had overheard him tell a customer that they are not doing well and they are shutting the store down.

Then it hits me… why is this happening? Is it because the economy is down? Perhaps.

Is it because their location sucks? NO WAY. They have the PRIME location, right downtown Tempe, AZ.

So why? Why are they going out of business???

Here’s a reason. It MAY not be the Only reason, but it surely is an Important reason why they are going out of business.

The service sucks.

Yep, sorry Borders. I have been generally very happy with your service in other places, but this time, when I needed you the most, you failed me.

…and I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who is disappointed

I don’t know what this guy’s problem was, but I don’t really care to be honest with you.

Why? Because that is not a reason. His problem is not that he may have to be looking for another job. A lot of people are.
It is not that he was busy – he wasn’t. It is not that the store is closing – many stores are now.

His problem is HIS ATTITUDE. You would have thought he would have read some good personal development books on  attitude being that he spends so much time in one of the largest book stores in the country… but perhaps not.

Why do I come to this conclusion? Because it was the second time I had seen him there and both times he looks like he is going to rip something apart.

Now, more than ever people go to a store for the EXPERIENCE. They are looking for solutions, and a happy experience.

The store/company/business that delivers this pleasant experience – that makes you/me/the customer happy – that is the store that will succeed. PERIOD. End of story.

This guy perhaps doesn’t know, but he is one click away from going bankrupt, and this branch obviously is.

Not only can I go to Barns and Noble now, instead of going to a place that doesn’t know how to appreciate me and earn my money, But I can actually buy any book I want from my home in my PJ’s with a click of a button. I can even see what other’s are saying or recommending, how others are rating a book, and what other books I should perhaps consider. Amazon can do just that for me.

So why do I sometimes go to Border’s instead of buying something online? just for the experience. The experience of having someone attending to me with a smile, welcoming me to the store, walking me around the shelves and the isles with a big smile and asking me questions. Engaging me in the Experience of what it is to purchase from a real human being.

It is all in the Relationship.

And then even opening up that book after purchasing it and sitting down at the coffee shop and enjoying it with a nice hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

And then waving goodbye to the same person as he or she welcomes me to come back.

That my friend is the experience of purchasing from a live human being.

It is not the selection of the books obviously. I actually wanted to buy a book that they didn’t have, but Amazon has.

IT IS JUST THE EXPERIENCE AND THE RELATIONSHIP. That’s it.

For MOST businesses right now, the ONLY thing that they have to offer is the ability to provide a Pleasant and Engaging EXPERIENCE for and with the Customer.

Hey, why would I want to pay $24.95 for a book at a local bookstore when I can purchase it for $1.74 on Amazon??

Other than the fact that I may be crazy, there is ONLY one reason.

The Experience. The Relationship that I build with the local store clerk. The Experience that I have when I am around people who are all looking for more knowledge by purchasing books on a variety of fields. And seeing other people in motion, coming to you and offering their help and their big smiles.

If a business is not able to offer even that, that business deserves to shut down, and shut down fast. It is inevitable; it has to happen and it will happen. Period.

There is way too much competition out there and it is not just the guy next door.

These businesses are now competing with John from Arizona who is selling the book brand new for $4.12; Sue from Florida selling it almost new for $3.14, and Raj from India who is selling the same book, International Version for only 50 cents, and he is also offering to send a post card of Mumbai with that.

Hmmm… Yes, YOU and I have more options right now.

Corporate America better find a better manager to run this place.

Border’s better get rid of the bitter faces, and other companies with Borders.

I don’t need a dude with a rude behavior, angry face and an obnoxious voice to get even near me, let alone to tell me what to buy.

These were my thoughts as I walk back home, in the windy evening the day after Christmas, holding a large plastic bag with the big letters “JCPenny” across it, and a large box with a pair of women’s boots in the box. Not gift-wrapped… thinking of a way to wrap this surprise gift before Kay gets home.

And all of a sudden I get it. I have a solution. I can use the old wrapping paper from yesterday… and then I smile even more.

This time I smile because I get it… I get it that I am perhaps one of the few business owners that knows about the Secret ingredient of what it takes to build a successful company. And that secret Ingredient is ‘RELATIONSHIP’. Create, build a develop a relationship with the guy or girl who is ready to pay you handsomely for the solutions you provide for them. All they ask is simple. They ask for your courteous service, a big smile and a willingness to serve.

No, the customer is not always right, sometime they are even a pain in the ass.

But all the right customer is looking for is you to recognize and acknowledge him or her. They just want a good experience. They are ready to exchange their time, their money and even most importantly – their trust – for your service and compassion. A compassion to create a positive buying environment so that they feel happy and important when they pull out their hard-earned money from their pockets, and give it to YOU.

I get it.

I hope Borders gets it too, of course, before they have to shut down another branch because their manager didn’t know how to service a good client.

It really does take plenty of time to build credibility and trust.

And yes, it only takes a day, or even just a minute, or even just a second, to ruin it.

I get it.

Do you?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Nik D’Angelo

P.S. I really would like to read your comments and thoughts on this. Do you think I am right? Do you think I am wrong? Anything… your comments, questions, feedback in the box below.

Absinthe

Mitch Fatel – Funny Video by Mitch Fatel

All right, so I was just surfing the net today, like I do sometime when my girlfriend is not around (you’ll get the joke when you watch the vid and I came across this guy and his video.

I had never heard of Mitch Fatel before but I though this was really funny… enjoy!!!

P.S. Love it? Hate It? Comment it!!

Is this the future of the world???

Check this video…

http://current.com/items/89610631/japan_robot_nation.htm

What is an economic recession and how can YOU make money during THIS Recession?

In this informative article we will talk about what is a recession, especially the economic and global recession we are experiencing right now, and how you can recession proof your business and find ways to make money during recession.

First of all: What is Recession?

I don’t want to bother you with the terms here, but if I remember correctly from my business classes, recession in a few words is defined as GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth slowing down. Gross Domestic Product is the total amount of goods being produced in a country within a specific time frame. During recession economy and businesses stop expanding, employment falls, people get laid off, unemployment rises, and housing prices decline.

I don’t think there is a secret that the US, and other countries, are in a recession right now.  My prediction, and don’t shoot the messanger for this, is that the recession will continue for a couple of more years, and it will even deepen, possibly approaching a depression.

Now, on the bright side:

Did you know that during a recession there are more opportunities to make money than ever before?

The media is telling us horror stories about how awful the markets are and how badly the economic crisis is affecting us. The stock market is crashing, foreclosures are up by incredible amounts, and banks have collapsed. On top of all that, major insurance firms are going under.

We hear this every day on the news and in the papers. This constant barrage of bad news leads us to believe that the recession is worse than anyone thought. The media keep telling us all the money is gone. No one has any money to spend and we’re all going broke.  Banks going downhill. WaMu was purchased not long ago, and over 12 other banks went bankrupt. It’s scary.

It’s also not the whole truth.

Let’s look at some common sense about money.

Did you know some people are thrilled to see the recession because this means stock, real estate and hard goods are cheap – the prices are lower than they’ve ever been. Savvy investors are going to swoop in and buy up stocks and real estate at very low prices.

As always happens with all cycles, the economy will recover eventually. It usually happens in 2-5 years. Prices will go up and those people who bought during the downturn while prices were low will sell up and make obscene amounts of profit. In fact this current recession will create more billionaires than ever before in history.

And yet the news is telling us that there’s no money around. No one is spending.

So where did all our money go? Did they hide the money somewhere in a dark, deep tunnel? The money hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s not like this money all of a sudden vanished. Someone took it ran with it and not we are saying, “crap, what about now?” Even if that was the case we could have printed more money.  Instead, the money is just being re-aligned. It’s being transferred from those people who bought silly things when times were good over to smart marketers who know the importance of providing quality and value to customers who are wary about where they spend their money now.

What’s happening right now is a massive transfer of money from the re-active people who didn’t act smart during the good times and are now panicking that things have gone bad over to the smart marketers who are willing to take positive action now that times have changed.

Basically, money is being transferred from people like THEM, to people like US. Who is THEM? They are people who sit around and wait for the government, new president, God, the Universe, their industry, or their boss to give them More Money. They are praying that they don’t get laid off. If something goes wrong they blame it on the economy. They want to start a business, but they want to wait for the economy to Get Better. That is THEM!

Who is US? US/WE – you and I – are the people who MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. We realize that more billionaires will be created during this time than ever before. We see that the world is CHANGING and we want a piece of it. We are not hoping that someone else, a guy, a group of people, give us a handout. How horrible is that!!! Instead we, you and I, focus on value. We see what we want to accomplish, where we can provide value for others, and we focus on ABUNDANCE.

Abundance is everywhere.

THEY follow the news and freak out.

WE follow abundance, we don’t listen to the news.

THEY are sitting around and wait.

WE Start Businesses. It is the BEST time to start a business right now.

Re-active people are people who panicked and didn’t plan for this recession. They reacted poorly when things got tough. They are afraid of the gloom and doom stories on the news and so they hesitate when great opportunities come up. They wait for the market to get better. They watch what everyone else is doing… and they miss the biggest opportunity in their lifetimes by being reactive.

People who benefit during a recession are proactive. Proactive people are different than re-active people in the way they think and act. They take advantage of opportunities, they learn to become smart marketers, and they don’t hesitate to make the most of the opportunities that are available.

Any smart marketer who owns a home business should easily be able to take some proactive steps to earn even more money during a recession. There are several action steps a smart marketer can take in order to promote their internet business more effectively and make more money than ever before.

• Provide value with quality products and make sure you’re marketing your niche in the right way to the right people.
• Think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity – a.k.a. “what can do right now to take advantage of the economy with what I have in my hands or with what I am good at?”
• Be proactive about reaching your niche audience and take advantage of the reduction in online advertising costs.

There’s plenty of money out there so be ready to act when opportunity arises.

Marketing via direct response marketing works when people are looking for opportunity. It’s a proactive move made by smart entrepreneurs who know to take positive action and take advantage of the opportunity of this economic situation by offering value to customers.

Learn to market your products and services correctly and you’ll find so many people who think the same way you do. They know they’re ready to take advantage of these times of opportunity but they’re waiting for the right product that offers them real value for their money.

So what will you be doing in your business to maximize your own sales during this period of opportunity? Will you be the one who sits on their hands and waits for things to get better?

Or will you be proactive about taking positive action to create serious wealth for yourself during this economic downturn?

How to build a successful network marketing business when you are no longer motivated

 

We have all been there. I certainly have. It goes like this: You have been working at it for months… wait, almost a year now yet there seems to be no way to get ahead. You have done the three-foot-rule and talked to everyone who was buying Idaho potatoes at the local grocery store. You called all your family and friends and their in-laws too. Perhaps you have even embraced new ways of marketing online. You have networked with people on social sites. You have also been advertising, and perhaps even spent hundreds of dollars on advertising that produced no results whatsoever. You work hard, yet you never come out ahead. Your business isn’t booming like you thought that it would. You don’t know what you are going to do. You just quit.

Hang on my friend. You are not alone. For the record it took me 5 years to get in the profit zone. It wasn’t anyone’s fault – honest. Certainly not the company’s fault. But finally the efforts paid off. Sometime I can’t believe how far I have come, from losing money every month, to earning multiple five-figures a month. But it has happened to me, and it can certainly happen to you.

A useful approach is to look at the reasons WHY you are not motivated. If you think it is because you are not happy with your team, sponsor, products or company, then you have every right to switch gears and work with the leadership and company that you have the best chemistry and connection with. It is your business after all. It is your right to do whatever you want. Just make sure that that is truly the reason, and you are not blaming it on them.

Now, let’s take a look at ways that you can put life back into that business. Take a deep breath and we will see what we can do to get things back together.

First of all, you are going to want to make sure that you don’t make the same mistakes over again. What mistakes have you done before? How did you network? Make a list of the things you believe you didn’t do well, and keep the list on a visible place on your desk. Look at it, and make sure you NEVER ever make those mistakes again.

In my case, I remember I was notorious for doing research on the internet and justifying it with the reasoning that I was learning. Yes, I was learning. But I was also spending way too much time on stuff I didn’t need to produce income right there and then. I had to make sure I was spending less time on reading, and more time on acting.

Did you spam other profiles, hoping that clients or customers would flock to your wonderful and creative site? If so, forget it, it is not working!! It will never work… you cannot spam a site and expect people to just flock to you. I see network marketers who try to spam, arm-twist, and bamboozle prospects all the time. Drop it.

Remember that this is the Internet. It is chock full of people just like yourself, eager to start their business behind a machine. Yep, that is all you are is a business behind this machine. Remember that when you want to spam the next person behind this machine. If you keep that in mind, you will know that being more personable will take you much further. The reason being is that there are so many scams out there and people are cautious about doing business transactions with others online because of that.

You have to get out there and convince the World Wide Web that YOUR business (or products/ service) is the best around. But spamming and sending unwanted emails just won’t work. It is a good way to be ignored, quick!

Establish what you want to get out of your business. Start by networking on a personal level. Think of it as your business, locally. How would you get local network marketing leads? How would you go about gaining customers locally? Walk around town throwing business cards at people? We didn’t think so! You would shake hands and introduce yourself. Get to know others and become acquaintances even, right?

The same goes for online businesses. We know that you can’t shake hands with them, obviously. However, if you start building relationships online, and get to know your new friends, you will begin to see trust build. When that happens, they will ask you about what your business, and you won’t have to sell anyone.

Bringing your business back to life isn’t hard work. It is simple, but it isn’t easy. There are moments when it feels stupid to continue. Moments when giving up is the only viable solution at the moment. It is not. Remember that the only way of losing in this business is by quitting. I know you have probably heard this before. But it is true. There are things that you can do when you set your mind to it.

Make a list of the things that got you excited about your business in the first place. Was it a new house? A brand new leather interior car? Travel the world? Set yourself free from the cubicle life? Fret not. If others have reached that level, you can too.

Build an inexpensive yet attractive website with what you have to offer. Go around and create some profiles on social networks and get to know others. Social Networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Digg, Stumbleupon, and Twitter are my favorites. The goal should be to create Relationships with others however, and not to spam them with unwelcome offers.

Lastly, your grandma was right: “Patience is a virtue”. So many people fall victim of the Get Rich Quick schemes. It doesn’t work like that. Any business, including a home business takes time and effort to build.

Your friend,
Nik D’Angelo

P.S. Ah. Remember the most important advice.SMILE! Believe it or not, others can “feel” a smile when they talk to you. And everyone is looking to buy hope and happiness after all, not products or businesses.