DECEMBER 2004 Greetings & Salutations: I gotta question for you ... Are YOU Stupid? Thankfully, almost no one is stupid about everything. Then again, unfortunately, almost everyone is stupid about some things. Do you ASK questions about the things you want to know about? Or, do you just accept whatever answers you can find on your own ... not wanting to appear to be stupid? When you are asked a question, do you respond by quoting, almost word for word, the answer given by some authority figure (or, worse yet, the party-line), without thinking? Do you ever question the answers you already think you know? -- I do, all the time. When faced with two answers to the same question, do you ASK yourself 'why?' there are two answers? Do you ever ASK yourself whether or not the person giving you an answer has an ulterior motive? Fortunately... Stupidity Can Be Cured! All you have to do is ASK! Every condition in your life has it's cause. -- Poor people are poor, because they have never asked themselves, "why am I poor?" -- They just accept the condition and pass it along to their offspring. Unless YOU learn to ASK for what you want from life, you will be stupid. But, you have to keep on asking, and Asking, and ASKING until you get the answers that will, finally and lastingly, lead you to a full understanding of success in business and in life. Rudyard Kipling said it best: I keep six honest serving-men [They taught me all I knew]; Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who If you will notice, there isn't an answer in the bunch. ASK, and you will receive. -- It is better to appear to be stupid in the eyes of really stupid people than to NOT ASK and really be stupid yourself. An Answer To Yet Another Enigma Throughout my life in the business community, I have pondered not only the tried and proven methods of success but also the reasons why people can not, or do not, succeed. One of the enigmas I have long pondered is the fact that almost all of the opportunities that guarantee success (to anyone who participates) have the highest failure rates (i.e., over 99% of the participants in Multi-Level Marketing programs fail). A resolution to that enigma became apparent when I came across this quotation: "There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself." -- Andrew Carnegie The reason most people fail in those "guaranteed success" opportunities is because people are not invited into the opportunity to "help themselves." They are invited into the opportunity with the promise that they will not be required to help themselves. As the wee Scotsman observed, they cannot be pushed up the ladder. Note: It also fully explains why the Government's "War On Poverty" has been, and will remain, a gross failure. -- Which ties in perfectly with our "Thought For The Month!" below.
DECEMBER 2004
Greetings & Salutations:
I gotta question for you ...
Thankfully, almost no one is stupid about everything. Then again, unfortunately, almost everyone is stupid about some things. Do you ASK questions about the things you want to know about? Or, do you just accept whatever answers you can find on your own ... not wanting to appear to be stupid? When you are asked a question, do you respond by quoting, almost word for word, the answer given by some authority figure (or, worse yet, the party-line), without thinking? Do you ever question the answers you already think you know? -- I do, all the time. When faced with two answers to the same question, do you ASK yourself 'why?' there are two answers? Do you ever ASK yourself whether or not the person giving you an answer has an ulterior motive? Fortunately...
All you have to do is ASK! Every condition in your life has it's cause. -- Poor people are poor, because they have never asked themselves, "why am I poor?" -- They just accept the condition and pass it along to their offspring. Unless YOU learn to ASK for what you want from life, you will be stupid. But, you have to keep on asking, and Asking, and ASKING until you get the answers that will, finally and lastingly, lead you to a full understanding of success in business and in life. Rudyard Kipling said it best:
If you will notice, there isn't an answer in the bunch. ASK, and you will receive. -- It is better to appear to be stupid in the eyes of really stupid people than to NOT ASK and really be stupid yourself.
"There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself." -- Andrew Carnegie
The reason most people fail in those "guaranteed success" opportunities is because people are not invited into the opportunity to "help themselves." They are invited into the opportunity with the promise that they will not be required to help themselves. As the wee Scotsman observed, they cannot be pushed up the ladder. Note: It also fully explains why the Government's "War On Poverty" has been, and will remain, a gross failure. -- Which ties in perfectly with our "Thought For The Month!" below.
A Special GIFT for you! "The Most Powerful Wealth Building Secret Ever Told!" It won't cost you anything and I won't even ask for your name or email address to get it. -- Just click on the link above to download your personal copy.
It won't cost you anything and I won't even ask for your name or email address to get it. -- Just click on the link above to download your personal copy.
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Bill Young wanted to know where to look ... "I want to become a finder for business-to-business products or services (in particular, a finder for an established national investment banking operation that specializes in selling mid-size businesses after upgrading them for sale). How do I efficiently locate buyers and sellers no matter what the product or service -- by using some kind of search engine on the web?" Bill: Rather than searching on the Internet, you would be better of "advertising" in the trade publications dedicated to the industry in which you are seeking buyers/sellers.
Now, let's do some ...
Bill Young wanted to know where to look ...
"I want to become a finder for business-to-business products or services (in particular, a finder for an established national investment banking operation that specializes in selling mid-size businesses after upgrading them for sale). How do I efficiently locate buyers and sellers no matter what the product or service -- by using some kind of search engine on the web?"
Bill: Rather than searching on the Internet, you would be better of "advertising" in the trade publications dedicated to the industry in which you are seeking buyers/sellers.
Here's where you can get a FREE Report on ... How You Can Own Your Own Full Service Financial Loan Brokerage Business LoanBroker I've known Martin Eisler for well over 20 years ... his info is top-of-the-mark.
Here's where you can get a FREE Report on ...
I've known Martin Eisler for well over 20 years ... his info is top-of-the-mark.
Jim Porter, Sr. knew who to ask ... "A friend of mind asked me, so I thought I'd go to the man who knows. -- Does anyone make money with 900 numbers? -- He found a program marketing them for $20 on the internet." Jim: The 900 number business has declined over the past few years - but - with a good solid approach and a viable product, it is still a great money maker. -- It's just a matter of having something to offer that the people will pay the phone charges to receive.
Jim Porter, Sr. knew who to ask ...
"A friend of mind asked me, so I thought I'd go to the man who knows. -- Does anyone make money with 900 numbers? -- He found a program marketing them for $20 on the internet."
Jim: The 900 number business has declined over the past few years - but - with a good solid approach and a viable product, it is still a great money maker. -- It's just a matter of having something to offer that the people will pay the phone charges to receive.
Nathan Pennington heard about ... "I don't suppose you were ever involved with the software industry, but you seem to know a lot about business in general, so I have a question for you. -- I have often thought I would like to assemble a team and make computer games. The problem isn't making them, it's getting the distribution to sell them. I couldn't ever see a way around that, so I never went any further with my ideas. However, I just recently notices that a smallish computer game maker, Her Interactive, has formed a partnership with the giant Atari. Her Interactive makes the games, and then Atari handles the distribution. -- How would you go about trying to establish as partnership with larger software company, like Her Interactive did, if you were a small game manufacture?" Nathan: There are countless stories like that in the business community. In order to get into that position, you must FIRST produce the computer games and start distributing them as best you can. IF your games catch on with the public, you can then approach a big name distributor to distribute your game - or - if your game really catches on, one of the big names might even approach you about distributing your games.
Nathan Pennington heard about ...
"I don't suppose you were ever involved with the software industry, but you seem to know a lot about business in general, so I have a question for you. -- I have often thought I would like to assemble a team and make computer games. The problem isn't making them, it's getting the distribution to sell them. I couldn't ever see a way around that, so I never went any further with my ideas. However, I just recently notices that a smallish computer game maker, Her Interactive, has formed a partnership with the giant Atari. Her Interactive makes the games, and then Atari handles the distribution. -- How would you go about trying to establish as partnership with larger software company, like Her Interactive did, if you were a small game manufacture?"
Nathan: There are countless stories like that in the business community. In order to get into that position, you must FIRST produce the computer games and start distributing them as best you can. IF your games catch on with the public, you can then approach a big name distributor to distribute your game - or - if your game really catches on, one of the big names might even approach you about distributing your games.
David Oliver wanted to know ... "I was rereading your mailorder course again for some information. -- How can I get discount advertising in name brand magazines and also how can I get credit with them?" Dave: Frequent advertisers can get "remainder" space in the magazines they regularly advertising in - but - even though some of the gurus tell you it is available for all, most publications limit access to their current advertisers. You may, however, get a 15% discount on most of your space advertising by setting up your own Ad Agency and taking the agency discount. Just set up a letterhead with your ad agency name and request their advertising media kits. Then place the ad; through your agency, for your company and take the 15% agency discount. Getting credit with the publications is the same as getting credit from anyone else ... ASK for it, then provide the necessary credit information.
David Oliver wanted to know ...
"I was rereading your mailorder course again for some information. -- How can I get discount advertising in name brand magazines and also how can I get credit with them?"
Dave: Frequent advertisers can get "remainder" space in the magazines they regularly advertising in - but - even though some of the gurus tell you it is available for all, most publications limit access to their current advertisers. You may, however, get a 15% discount on most of your space advertising by setting up your own Ad Agency and taking the agency discount. Just set up a letterhead with your ad agency name and request their advertising media kits. Then place the ad; through your agency, for your company and take the 15% agency discount. Getting credit with the publications is the same as getting credit from anyone else ... ASK for it, then provide the necessary credit information.
Tim Hamm was looking for the best source ... " I am looking for a targeted mailing list of people who are health conscious and MLM opportunity seekers. -- Do you know where I might find this type of list? " Tim: Although there are a ho'bunch of mailing lists available through the various (and many) list brokers ... Over the years, I have got the best lists by contacting those companies that offer similar products (health; MLM, in your case) and talking with them about renting their list. Suggest you contact the various companies offering health products in the various MLM magazines & newsletters.
Tim Hamm was looking for the best source ...
" I am looking for a targeted mailing list of people who are health conscious and MLM opportunity seekers. -- Do you know where I might find this type of list? "
Tim: Although there are a ho'bunch of mailing lists available through the various (and many) list brokers ... Over the years, I have got the best lists by contacting those companies that offer similar products (health; MLM, in your case) and talking with them about renting their list. Suggest you contact the various companies offering health products in the various MLM magazines & newsletters.
Raul Velez had a ho'bunch of stuff to sell ... "I was wondering if you might be able to steer me in the right direction. I've just returned from speaking with a good friend of mine and met at his public storage lockers he has and turns out he has in hand thousands of miscellaneous items and large numbers of almost everything he has in inventory (i.e., stuffed animals, silk flowers, Star Wars watches, etc. etc.). Without opening a storefront location to try to sell these items, where are there resources I can tap into for him that might want to buy some or maybe all that he has for resale purposes. We both live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks for any help you can provide on this one. Keep up the good work!!" Raul: Do you have a complete list of everything he has to offer? -- If you don't, you should make one. That way, you will know what you have to sell. While you are making up your list, get a subscription to "Closeout News." It is the bible of the industry. http://www.thecloseoutnews.com When you get your first copy of "Closeout News" check through the ads to find companies who are "selling" the items you have. If they are selling, they must be buying from somewhere. Contact them and tell them what you have to offer ... by reading their ads, you will know how much they are charging, so you can determine how much they might pay. Since the items didn't cost your friend anything, you have a lot of room to negotiate.
Raul Velez had a ho'bunch of stuff to sell ...
"I was wondering if you might be able to steer me in the right direction. I've just returned from speaking with a good friend of mine and met at his public storage lockers he has and turns out he has in hand thousands of miscellaneous items and large numbers of almost everything he has in inventory (i.e., stuffed animals, silk flowers, Star Wars watches, etc. etc.). Without opening a storefront location to try to sell these items, where are there resources I can tap into for him that might want to buy some or maybe all that he has for resale purposes. We both live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks for any help you can provide on this one. Keep up the good work!!"
Raul: Do you have a complete list of everything he has to offer? -- If you don't, you should make one. That way, you will know what you have to sell. While you are making up your list, get a subscription to "Closeout News." It is the bible of the industry.
When you get your first copy of "Closeout News" check through the ads to find companies who are "selling" the items you have. If they are selling, they must be buying from somewhere. Contact them and tell them what you have to offer ... by reading their ads, you will know how much they are charging, so you can determine how much they might pay. Since the items didn't cost your friend anything, you have a lot of room to negotiate.
Justin Rouzzo wants to be another Orville Redenbacher ... "I want to ask your opinion about something. I've recently bought a bag of kettle corn popcorn that was made by a company about an hour from here. I liked it so much I've contacted the company about becoming a distributor for their product. -- My question is what is the best way to go about contacting local businesses about potentially carrying the product? -- You should definitely be more well known than you are! You're GREAT!" Justin: Before you start looking for a method of distribution, go back to where you bought the popcorn. ASK them from whom they bought it. You might find out that the popcorn is being distributed by major food wholesalers. If it is, you might be batting your head against a brick wall. If the popcorn is not being distributed by the food wholesalers, all you need to do is contact the local grocers in your area - but - the "chain" supermarkets might want you to contact their home office for a vendor authorization ... do it. Once you are recognized as a vendor by a "chain" you can sell the product into all of their stores. P.S. If you want me to be better known, tell your business associates about me. - Thank You!
Justin Rouzzo wants to be another Orville Redenbacher ...
"I want to ask your opinion about something. I've recently bought a bag of kettle corn popcorn that was made by a company about an hour from here. I liked it so much I've contacted the company about becoming a distributor for their product. -- My question is what is the best way to go about contacting local businesses about potentially carrying the product? -- You should definitely be more well known than you are! You're GREAT!"
Justin: Before you start looking for a method of distribution, go back to where you bought the popcorn. ASK them from whom they bought it. You might find out that the popcorn is being distributed by major food wholesalers. If it is, you might be batting your head against a brick wall. If the popcorn is not being distributed by the food wholesalers, all you need to do is contact the local grocers in your area - but - the "chain" supermarkets might want you to contact their home office for a vendor authorization ... do it. Once you are recognized as a vendor by a "chain" you can sell the product into all of their stores. P.S. If you want me to be better known, tell your business associates about me. - Thank You!
Tracey Whited needed to find some sources ... "I came across a website some time ago that had unique gags/gifts that someone could order at a wholesale cost. Things like a melted ice-cream bar. I would like to find some things like that to include with my marketing products. I know you can have things created from scratch but some of the already created items work just as good. -- Any ideas on a company's) that might offer these types of products. " Tracey: To find the companies that offer those products, do a Google search for "novelty products" ... I just did and found a ho'bunch of them. Beyond that, if you see a novelty item that you might want to sell, buy one. On the box it comes in you will usually find the name and address of the manufacturer or wholesale distributor.
Tracey Whited needed to find some sources ...
"I came across a website some time ago that had unique gags/gifts that someone could order at a wholesale cost. Things like a melted ice-cream bar. I would like to find some things like that to include with my marketing products. I know you can have things created from scratch but some of the already created items work just as good. -- Any ideas on a company's) that might offer these types of products. "
Tracey: To find the companies that offer those products, do a Google search for "novelty products" ... I just did and found a ho'bunch of them. Beyond that, if you see a novelty item that you might want to sell, buy one. On the box it comes in you will usually find the name and address of the manufacturer or wholesale distributor.
Gabriel Freeman needed some advice ... "I have purchased your book on being a finder. So I decided I wanted to find businesses that want to sell and match them up with buyers. I figured since businesses can run from $100,000 and way up. -- Come to find out most businesses I contacted online were posted by brokers and they want to send you this non disclosure contract thing. From reading your book and you mentioning about the whole daisy chain thing, I am asking you is this an exception. Is there another way I should go about doing this, or am I going into a dead end trying to match up buyers and sellers online (not making the deals online of course because I do remember get it in writing through the mail) like you mentioned about selling the exotics when you don't have any knowledge of these type of products." Gabriel: Yes ... Mergers & Acquisitions are a little different than other Finder's Fee opportunities. If you really need all the information about the company being offered for sale, you may sign the non-disclosures - but - if the initial listing you have found includes enough information to interest a potential buyer, you won't need all the information. If the initial listing has enough detail for you to interest a potential buyer, just use it to do your search. Once you have a potential buyer, who has expressed an interest in buying the business ... in writing ... contact the broker advising that you may have found a buyer; use a blanked-out copy of the potential buyer's letter (as I explained in my course). Then, follow up with the broker only after they have agreed to pay you a fee if a sale is made (use the format in my course). Remember, as a Finder you DO NOT need all the info ... just enough to find an interested buyer. Then, once the broker has agreed to pay your fee, all you do is "introduce" the potential buyer to the broker. -- DO NOT get involved in the transaction.
Gabriel Freeman needed some advice ...
"I have purchased your book on being a finder. So I decided I wanted to find businesses that want to sell and match them up with buyers. I figured since businesses can run from $100,000 and way up. -- Come to find out most businesses I contacted online were posted by brokers and they want to send you this non disclosure contract thing. From reading your book and you mentioning about the whole daisy chain thing, I am asking you is this an exception. Is there another way I should go about doing this, or am I going into a dead end trying to match up buyers and sellers online (not making the deals online of course because I do remember get it in writing through the mail) like you mentioned about selling the exotics when you don't have any knowledge of these type of products."
Gabriel: Yes ... Mergers & Acquisitions are a little different than other Finder's Fee opportunities. If you really need all the information about the company being offered for sale, you may sign the non-disclosures - but - if the initial listing you have found includes enough information to interest a potential buyer, you won't need all the information. If the initial listing has enough detail for you to interest a potential buyer, just use it to do your search. Once you have a potential buyer, who has expressed an interest in buying the business ... in writing ... contact the broker advising that you may have found a buyer; use a blanked-out copy of the potential buyer's letter (as I explained in my course). Then, follow up with the broker only after they have agreed to pay you a fee if a sale is made (use the format in my course). Remember, as a Finder you DO NOT need all the info ... just enough to find an interested buyer. Then, once the broker has agreed to pay your fee, all you do is "introduce" the potential buyer to the broker. -- DO NOT get involved in the transaction.
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members. Believe it or don't ... I ain't a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need. This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator. Until next month, keep well ... J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members.
Believe it or don't ... I ain't a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need.
This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator.
Until next month, keep well ...
J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
Thought For The Month! In 1948, in his book, "The Magic of Believing," Claude M. Bristol said: "I am cognizant of the fact that there are powerful forces at work in this country that would dominate us, substituting a kind of regimentation for the competitive system which has made America great among nations. They would attempt to destroy individual thinking and initiative, cherished ever since our Pilgrim Fathers established this country in defiance of the Old World tyranny. I believe that we must continue to retain the wealth of spirit of our forefathers, for if we don't we shall find ourselves dominated in everything we do by a mighty few and shall become serfs in fact if not in name." That observation was made nearly 60 years ago. -- Today, it is a fact.
In 1948, in his book, "The Magic of Believing," Claude M. Bristol said: "I am cognizant of the fact that there are powerful forces at work in this country that would dominate us, substituting a kind of regimentation for the competitive system which has made America great among nations. They would attempt to destroy individual thinking and initiative, cherished ever since our Pilgrim Fathers established this country in defiance of the Old World tyranny. I believe that we must continue to retain the wealth of spirit of our forefathers, for if we don't we shall find ourselves dominated in everything we do by a mighty few and shall become serfs in fact if not in name." That observation was made nearly 60 years ago. -- Today, it is a fact.
In 1948, in his book, "The Magic of Believing," Claude M. Bristol said:
"I am cognizant of the fact that there are powerful forces at work in this country that would dominate us, substituting a kind of regimentation for the competitive system which has made America great among nations. They would attempt to destroy individual thinking and initiative, cherished ever since our Pilgrim Fathers established this country in defiance of the Old World tyranny. I believe that we must continue to retain the wealth of spirit of our forefathers, for if we don't we shall find ourselves dominated in everything we do by a mighty few and shall become serfs in fact if not in name." That observation was made nearly 60 years ago. -- Today, it is a fact.
"I am cognizant of the fact that there are powerful forces at work in this country that would dominate us, substituting a kind of regimentation for the competitive system which has made America great among nations. They would attempt to destroy individual thinking and initiative, cherished ever since our Pilgrim Fathers established this country in defiance of the Old World tyranny. I believe that we must continue to retain the wealth of spirit of our forefathers, for if we don't we shall find ourselves dominated in everything we do by a mighty few and shall become serfs in fact if not in name."
That observation was made nearly 60 years ago. -- Today, it is a fact.
Can you stump the old master? -- Betcha can't! Over the past 40 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ... No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ... Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me. Send your Questions, Comments or 2 Cents Worth to ... with "Question" - "Comment" - or, "2 Cents Worth" in the SUBJECT. If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you. Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
Over the past 40 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ...
No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ...
Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me.
If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you.
Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
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