NOVEMBER 2009 Greetings & Salutations: It seems all of you ... well, a ho'bunch of you anyway ... liked the Q&A format from last month. -- So, I'll do some more this month. Q: What are the biggest mistakes you've made in your career? A: Mistakes? Who, me? Never! But, there was this one time ... All kidding aside, there are really no mistakes that I've made that stick-out as being "the biggest" or even the most important. Babe Ruth was known as the "Home Run King" - but - he had more strike-outs than he did home runs. I can count my successes on my fingers - but - when it comes to mistakes, I couldn't count them on all my fingers, toes and hairs on my chest. The secret to real success is to make mistakes. -- You don't learn anything from your success but mistakes teach you valuable lessons ... IF you don't make the same mistakes over & over again. It's like the one-time wonders who hit one big success, then never do it again. They couldn't learn anything from their success, so they are locked-in to telling the story of their one big success over & over & over; ad naseum. Q: What would you say are the best offline opportunities? A: Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?? -- Depends upon who's looking, doesn't it. Look around you. There are millionaires in every field of business endeavor. There are millionaire garbage collectors ... millionaire bankers ... millionaire shop keepers ... millionaire day-care operators ... millionaire internet marketers ... etc., etc., etc. As Albert Einstein said, "Anyone can be a genius, if they pick just one specific subject and study it diligently just 15 minutes each day." The same holds true in business. -- Just pick one specific business. Do it every day until you do it successfully. Most people don't fail, they just fail to stick with any ONE thing until they have mastered it. Q: What do you see as the best opportunities online at present, and in the next 2 years? A: Again, it's all in the eye of the beholder. There are very, very few opportunities that couldn't be the "best" for someone. It is all a matter of persistence. As Benjamin Disraeli said, "The secret to success is the constancy of purpose." What would be "best" for me ... since I have a very high risk threshold ... wouldn't be the "best" for anyone seeking any kind of security; or privacy. To succeed in business, you must leave your comfort zone and tread into untried waters ... willing to take the risks. Q: Do you treat your online business as you would a brick and mortar business? A: Yes. -- As Benjamin Franklin said, "Keep your business and your business will keep you." Unfortunately, all too many online business people treat their business on a catch-as-catch-can basis. They don't establish office hours or keep with any established schedule ... worst of all are the ezine publishers who set a circulation date for their publication then allow almost anything to keep them from meeting their own deadlines. -- Even while I was in the hospital; after my heart surgery, my publications went out on schedule. If you are going to have a business; any kind of business, you MUST establish all the "rules" you will follow ... then, follow them. Q: In the respect of customers there is a kind of unwritten rule that says the customer is always right. Does this apply in the online world as well? A: The customer may not "always" be right - but - a customer is always a customer. Too many wannabees want to "make sales." -- Those of us who succeed "make customers" ... then, we do everthing in our power to keep those customers. Our customers are our only real asset -- BUT ... Unfortunately, there are some customers who become a liability; rather than an asset. When a customer costs more than that customer is worth to keep, it is best to drop that customer from your roles. Q: How important is a business plan if you don't need to raise funding to start your business? A: A business that doesn't plan, plans to fail. Even when financing is not required, a wise business person writes a plan ... even if it is just a list of gonna do's ... to keep track of what they are doing; what they are going to do - and - what results they anticipate. -- Of course, the plan is subject to change at any time.
NOVEMBER 2009
Greetings & Salutations: It seems all of you ... well, a ho'bunch of you anyway ... liked the Q&A format from last month. -- So, I'll do some more this month. Q: What are the biggest mistakes you've made in your career?
A: Mistakes? Who, me? Never! But, there was this one time ... All kidding aside, there are really no mistakes that I've made that stick-out as being "the biggest" or even the most important. Babe Ruth was known as the "Home Run King" - but - he had more strike-outs than he did home runs. I can count my successes on my fingers - but - when it comes to mistakes, I couldn't count them on all my fingers, toes and hairs on my chest. The secret to real success is to make mistakes. -- You don't learn anything from your success but mistakes teach you valuable lessons ... IF you don't make the same mistakes over & over again. It's like the one-time wonders who hit one big success, then never do it again. They couldn't learn anything from their success, so they are locked-in to telling the story of their one big success over & over & over; ad naseum.
Q: What would you say are the best offline opportunities?
A: Who is the most beautiful woman in the world?? -- Depends upon who's looking, doesn't it. Look around you. There are millionaires in every field of business endeavor. There are millionaire garbage collectors ... millionaire bankers ... millionaire shop keepers ... millionaire day-care operators ... millionaire internet marketers ... etc., etc., etc. As Albert Einstein said, "Anyone can be a genius, if they pick just one specific subject and study it diligently just 15 minutes each day." The same holds true in business. -- Just pick one specific business. Do it every day until you do it successfully. Most people don't fail, they just fail to stick with any ONE thing until they have mastered it.
Q: What do you see as the best opportunities online at present, and in the next 2 years?
A: Again, it's all in the eye of the beholder. There are very, very few opportunities that couldn't be the "best" for someone. It is all a matter of persistence. As Benjamin Disraeli said, "The secret to success is the constancy of purpose." What would be "best" for me ... since I have a very high risk threshold ... wouldn't be the "best" for anyone seeking any kind of security; or privacy. To succeed in business, you must leave your comfort zone and tread into untried waters ... willing to take the risks.
Q: Do you treat your online business as you would a brick and mortar business?
A: Yes. -- As Benjamin Franklin said, "Keep your business and your business will keep you." Unfortunately, all too many online business people treat their business on a catch-as-catch-can basis. They don't establish office hours or keep with any established schedule ... worst of all are the ezine publishers who set a circulation date for their publication then allow almost anything to keep them from meeting their own deadlines. -- Even while I was in the hospital; after my heart surgery, my publications went out on schedule. If you are going to have a business; any kind of business, you MUST establish all the "rules" you will follow ... then, follow them.
Q: In the respect of customers there is a kind of unwritten rule that says the customer is always right. Does this apply in the online world as well?
A: The customer may not "always" be right - but - a customer is always a customer. Too many wannabees want to "make sales." -- Those of us who succeed "make customers" ... then, we do everthing in our power to keep those customers. Our customers are our only real asset -- BUT ... Unfortunately, there are some customers who become a liability; rather than an asset. When a customer costs more than that customer is worth to keep, it is best to drop that customer from your roles.
Q: How important is a business plan if you don't need to raise funding to start your business?
A: A business that doesn't plan, plans to fail. Even when financing is not required, a wise business person writes a plan ... even if it is just a list of gonna do's ... to keep track of what they are doing; what they are going to do - and - what results they anticipate. -- Of course, the plan is subject to change at any time.
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Darryl Dean wanted me to tell you ... "The FREE Short Sale Negotiation Service for Realtors" is available to all real estate agents in all 50 states. NO cost ever to the realtor. Realtors will never have to deal with a bank again to process any Short Sale! Plus, the realtor will earn a DOUBLE-commission on every Short Sale. Readers should email me if they have questions."
Now, let's do some ...
Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! Darryl Dean wanted me to tell you ...
"The FREE Short Sale Negotiation Service for Realtors" is available to all real estate agents in all 50 states. NO cost ever to the realtor. Realtors will never have to deal with a bank again to process any Short Sale! Plus, the realtor will earn a DOUBLE-commission on every Short Sale. Readers should email me if they have questions."
Antony Cecil-Wright says ... "Clueless, Frustrated And Ready To Quit Internet Novice Discovers The Secrets To Making His First $1K In 30 Days Online - Now You Can Too 100% FREE!" Go check it out at: Clueless
Antony Cecil-Wright says ...
"Clueless, Frustrated And Ready To Quit Internet Novice Discovers The Secrets To Making His First $1K In 30 Days Online - Now You Can Too 100% FREE!"
Go check it out at: Clueless
Nathanael Edelen needed some guidance ... "I am writing to get a little bit of direction. I read "How to Strike It Rich" about finding and knowing your buyers first but I am having a hard time applying that to my export business. I know you said anything can be a product but is there anyway to find a buyer's wants first before I market that product(s) to them? -- Also from reading your "Snooping Around" course can I take the items I find in any building and export them? Any guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated." Nathan ... Every "seller" is also a "buyer." If an overseas companies advertises products that they sell, they also are a buyer of those products. Yes ... you can sell "used" goods by export.
Nathanael Edelen needed some guidance ...
"I am writing to get a little bit of direction. I read "How to Strike It Rich" about finding and knowing your buyers first but I am having a hard time applying that to my export business. I know you said anything can be a product but is there anyway to find a buyer's wants first before I market that product(s) to them? -- Also from reading your "Snooping Around" course can I take the items I find in any building and export them? Any guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated."
Nathan ... Every "seller" is also a "buyer." If an overseas companies advertises products that they sell, they also are a buyer of those products. Yes ... you can sell "used" goods by export.
Paul Casamassina was wondering ... "When reading your Bio here and there. I keep seeing that you were in the service contracting business. For the life in me I cannot figure what kind of business that is. What kind of business is that, it's got me curious." Paul ... Service Contracting is when you contract workers or companies to perform services for someone. Example: A company is planning a seminar and employs your services. You find all of the necessary providers for the seminar. You are contracting the work to be done.
Paul Casamassina was wondering ...
"When reading your Bio here and there. I keep seeing that you were in the service contracting business. For the life in me I cannot figure what kind of business that is. What kind of business is that, it's got me curious."
Paul ... Service Contracting is when you contract workers or companies to perform services for someone. Example: A company is planning a seminar and employs your services. You find all of the necessary providers for the seminar. You are contracting the work to be done.
Anthony Mann said ... "Test Drive This Simple Yet Powerful Method For 90 Days And if, Within That Time, You Are Not Making At Least $5000 Per Month In Additional Income, You Pay Nothing!" I read it. Looks to me like a super winner. Check it out your own self at: TryIt
Anthony Mann said ...
"Test Drive This Simple Yet Powerful Method For 90 Days And if, Within That Time, You Are Not Making At Least $5000 Per Month In Additional Income, You Pay Nothing!"
I read it. Looks to me like a super winner. Check it out your own self at: TryIt
Did I really say that? October 22 - 25, in Atlanta, I was a guest at Mark Hendricks' "Internet Success System Master Mind Conference." On Saturday; October 24, Michael Penland and I teamed up for a Q&A Panel Discussion about Marketing. -- Mark recorded it. I just listened to it ... Michael and I spilled our guts about what we do and how we do it. Hope you learn something from it.
Did I really say that?
October 22 - 25, in Atlanta, I was a guest at Mark Hendricks' "Internet Success System Master Mind Conference." On Saturday; October 24, Michael Penland and I teamed up for a Q&A Panel Discussion about Marketing. -- Mark recorded it. I just listened to it ... Michael and I spilled our guts about what we do and how we do it. Hope you learn something from it.
Deborah McGeorge has a Finder's Fee deal for you ... "We would like to offer any enterprising readers of the Business Lyceum e-Letter three Finder's Fee opportunities for brand new merchandise ... cold-cast bronze sculptures of John F. Kennedy and sea captain Hugh Mitchell and also a wholesale lot of men's and women's motorcycle jackets. We are willing to pay a Finder's Fee to anyone who can match us with buyers. The motorcycle jackets are a one-time opportunity and the sculptures are a short-term ongoing opportunity until the remaining stock is depleted. Here are the web pages for each item which contain product descriptions and photos: http://www.insidersecrets.info/jfkbust.htm ($95 Finder's Fee per sculpture) -- http://www.insidersecrets.info/captainbust.htm ($110 Finder's Fee per sculpture) -- http://www.insidersecrets.info/motorcycle-jackets-lot.htm ($160 Finder's Fee for the ENTIRE lot of 12 jackets)" If'n you're interested, contact Deborah.
Deborah McGeorge has a Finder's Fee deal for you ...
"We would like to offer any enterprising readers of the Business Lyceum e-Letter three Finder's Fee opportunities for brand new merchandise ... cold-cast bronze sculptures of John F. Kennedy and sea captain Hugh Mitchell and also a wholesale lot of men's and women's motorcycle jackets. We are willing to pay a Finder's Fee to anyone who can match us with buyers. The motorcycle jackets are a one-time opportunity and the sculptures are a short-term ongoing opportunity until the remaining stock is depleted. Here are the web pages for each item which contain product descriptions and photos: http://www.insidersecrets.info/jfkbust.htm ($95 Finder's Fee per sculpture) -- http://www.insidersecrets.info/captainbust.htm ($110 Finder's Fee per sculpture) -- http://www.insidersecrets.info/motorcycle-jackets-lot.htm ($160 Finder's Fee for the ENTIRE lot of 12 jackets)"
If'n you're interested, contact Deborah.
Fongyen Lin says ... "I'm helping top executive leading international expansion of ACN (currently billion dollar company in 22 countries) identify entrepreneurs, business owners and Jim Straw fans who understand the power of knowing people to help take ACN multibillion and into another 60! I'm working with Larry Raskin who trained most of the top money-earners and is a legend in the network marketing industry!" Youll find a Video summary at: http://connectionz.acnrep.com (click on "The Opportunity" on top and then on the right hand side click on "ACN Opportunity" and "ACN Business Opportunity" presentation for an amazing 15 minute summary! The Trump endorsement is at: http://www.acninc.com/acn/us/trump.html
Fongyen Lin says ...
"I'm helping top executive leading international expansion of ACN (currently billion dollar company in 22 countries) identify entrepreneurs, business owners and Jim Straw fans who understand the power of knowing people to help take ACN multibillion and into another 60! I'm working with Larry Raskin who trained most of the top money-earners and is a legend in the network marketing industry!"
Youll find a Video summary at: http://connectionz.acnrep.com (click on "The Opportunity" on top and then on the right hand side click on "ACN Opportunity" and "ACN Business Opportunity" presentation for an amazing 15 minute summary! The Trump endorsement is at: http://www.acninc.com/acn/us/trump.html
Dean F.V. DuVall tells me ... "Guess what? I just made a brief appearance on You Tube and they captured two separate segments from my DVD 'Were You Born So?' -- This is the first time where you can catch some of my stage act OnLine ... for FREE! -- Hope you enjoy it - and tell others." Go see it at: http://www.YouTube.com/theelderlydax
Dean F.V. DuVall tells me ...
"Guess what? I just made a brief appearance on You Tube and they captured two separate segments from my DVD 'Were You Born So?' -- This is the first time where you can catch some of my stage act OnLine ... for FREE! -- Hope you enjoy it - and tell others."
Go see it at: http://www.YouTube.com/theelderlydax
Mike Briggs asks ... "Who else wants to learn some simple 'Aladdin's Lamp' techniques that automatically bring you all the money you want - Guaranteed - regardless of the doom and gloom on the news?" Go take a look at: AladdinsLamp
Mike Briggs asks ...
"Who else wants to learn some simple 'Aladdin's Lamp' techniques that automatically bring you all the money you want - Guaranteed - regardless of the doom and gloom on the news?"
Go take a look at: AladdinsLamp
Here's a FREEBIE for you ... "Discover The 7 Recession Proof Strategies That Can Grow Your Business In Any Economy" Go get your free copy at: RecessionProofStrategies
Here's a FREEBIE for you ...
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! "I sit here all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have sense enough to do without my persuading them." -- Harry Truman (me, too)
"I sit here all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have sense enough to do without my persuading them." -- Harry Truman (me, too)
Can you stump the old master? -- Betcha can't! Over the past 50 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 50 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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