Category Archives: books

Mary Christensen’s 5 Favorite Recruiting Tips

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It’s Spring and that means a growth spurt for your business!  But it’s not enough to want it – you have to work for it!  To help you here are Mary Christensen’s five favorite RECRUITING TIPS taken from Be A Recruiting Superstar“.

Tip #1
Always have your antenna up for potential team members.  Make it a daily habit to think:
“Who will be interested in starting their own business?”
“Why will they be interested?”

If you’re not looking you can be sure someone else will find them.  What can be worse than someone else finding a new team member because you stepped over them with your blinkers on?  From “Be A Recruiting Superstar”

Tip #2 
A sincere compliment is a winning conversation starter and you’ll sponsor more by making it all about your prospects.  Think before you speak: “Why am I approaching this person to join my team?” and let them know it!
To a customer who is always friendly: “Because you’re always so friendly. I feel good when I call you.”  OR “You’re one of my favorite customers and I would love to work with you.”
To a favorite host: “Your party was my best this month and it was definitely because you were a great host.  We would be thrilled to have you on our team.”  OR “I would love my other team members to meet you.  We’re a fun group and you are exactly the kind of person we love joining us.”
To a close friend or sibling: “Because I keep thinking how much fun it would be to work this together and maybe even get to travel together.”

-From “Be A Recruiting Superstar”

Tip #3
Try an attitude adjustment.  It’s a little painful but the cure is permanent.  Change your thinking to: “If I’m not getting lots of no’s I’m clearly not asking enough people.”  We’d all prefer to say no than not be invited.  Instead fretting that they’ll say no, give them a chance to say no.  On the flip side, some will say yes, and some will say maybe.  So, don’t let your emotional issues get in your way.  They’re personal and this is business.  Ask!

Tip #4
Here’s the mind switch that transformed my business.  I stopped hoping to meet my next recruit at parties and told myself: “I know my next Consultant is here today.  My job is to work out who it is.”  With the absolute certainty that she was in the room with me, possibly sitting right in front of me, I focused on identifying her (starting with talking less and interacting more to make it easy for us to connect).

Tip #5
Step into their shoes!  Your enthusiastic, impulsive Peacocks will respond to compliments, and the fun, social aspect of direct selling!  Don’t be too casual with your analytical owls, they will expect you to be ready with the facts and figures!  You’ll be challenged by your competitive eagle so be direct and businesslike; and give your wary Wrens space to make a decision.  When you learn to identify and adapt to your prospect’s personalities you’ll see better results… and I’ve made it even easier to understand your personality – and others.  With my new downloadable App iAMWOT? you will discover your true personality – and get instant advice on how to adapt to others in minutes!

About Mary Christensen
Mary Christensen left teaching to start a direct selling business and soon after founded her own company, sponsoring 1000 people in her first year.  She is a former CEO of two multi-national direct selling corporations and past President of the Direct Selling Association (NZ).

California-based, Mary address conventions around the world, and has appeared on every key industry platform including the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations and DSA events worldwide, including USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Direct Selling Live recognizes her as one of the Ten Most Influential Women In Direct Selling Worldwide and The Multilevel Marketing International Association honored Mary as their Best Of The Best Worldwide award recipient.

Mary Christensen is the world’s #1 direct selling author of:

Be A Direct Selling Superstar
A step-by-step guide for aspiring leaders who want to reach the stars!

Be a Recruiting Superstar
Identify your best prospects, and learn how to approach and recruit them!

Be a Party Plan Superstar
Generate more sales, recruits and bookings from every party!

Be A Network Marketing Superstar
Build from the ground up, or revive your existing business!

iMAWOT? App
What is your personality type? This app will help you discover your inner strengths, weaknesses and social style! You’ll understand who you are and why you react to other people the way you do, and you’ll learn how to relate better with everyone at work, home and in your social life.

 

Sign up for Mary’s free e-news at MaryChristensen.com and be sure to checkout her Facebook Page and become a Fan!

 

Top Ten Small Business Books – Starting a Small Business

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Narrowing this list to only 10 was not an easy task. I made the mistake of originally wanting to make a Top Ten of Small Business books, but soon learned many of the books on my list needed to be categorized. These are excellent reads.  I hope you can find the time to read at least two to three, if not all, of the books from each list. I own (mostly Kindle versions) and have read all of these.

I will start with my favorite recommendations on Starting a Small Business. The other lists I’ve created are Running a Small Business and Small Business Legal & Tax Help.  I will be posting those soon.  I’m also working on Top Ten lists for Internet Business and Social Networking for Your Small Business. There are many other worthy categories, and I could have easily gone on and on, but these are the main focus areas of MoneliCo Business Solutions.

Top Ten Books on Starting a Small Business

1. Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up Book You’ll Ever Need

A VERY comprehensive book on starting a business from the experts at Entrepreneur Magazine. Everything is covered and then offers lots of good resources for acquiring even more help–a plethora of information. It’s geared a little more toward product selling businesses (retail) than service businesses, but as a service business owner I still found it INVALUABLE!

2. Growing A Business by Paul Hawken

Although this book was written over 20 years ago, and therefore lacks current business trends (like this little thing called the Internet), it is still a valuable resource for anyone wanting to start or grow a successful business. Commonly referred to as the “business bible”, this book gives sound advice and should be part of every business owner’s collection.

3. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

This book is a powerful guide to success for small business owners.  The author explains the need for “systems” in order for any business to acheive lasting success.  It focuses on working ON your business, rather than merely working IN it, allowing you to grow your business in a predictable and productive way.

4. Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter

In addition to offering advice on creating and starting a business, this book addresses the mental and emotional obstacles business owners face and methods on how to deal with them.  It’s a great motivational source for anyone thinking about starting a business.

5. Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk

This is an extremely inspiring book. It focuses on the importance of passion for your business and why you are in business.  The book serves as a great guide to the benefits of brand building and networking with social media tools.

6. The Entreprenuer’s Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture by Steven K. Gold

The focus of this book is on getting your new business off the ground.  It’s more about concepts than a technical how-to manual.  Lots of valuable and practical information for both new and experienced entrepreneurs that will aid in smarter decision-making and long-term profitability.

7. The Accidental Entrepreneur: The 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business by Susan Urquhart-Brown

An insightful and comprehensive list of strategies and tools to build your business, like the 8 questions to ask before you start a business, and the 7 common pitfalls to avoid in business.  This book is a must read for anyone thinking about starting a business or wanting to turn their existing business into a more profitable one.

8. The Big Book of Small Business: You Don’t Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants by Tom Gegax

This book is a very thorough, step-by-step guide to growing your business and taking it to the next level.  It includes everything from getting off the ground to planning for growth in the future.  Leadership is one of the key business aspects covered in this book, along with many other helpful success strategies.

9. The Small Business Start-Up Kit: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide by Peri Pakroo

This guide is very user-friendly and loaded with great business tips. It explains how to easily and quickly launch your business with confidence. What I especially like is that it includes all the forms and instructions you will need to do it properly.  The book covers everything from taxes to marketing, while presenting a realistic and practical approach to developing a business. All of the Nolo series books are very good.

10. So, You Want to Start a Business?: 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap by Edward D. Hess & Charles F. Goetz

This is one of the books I was reading when working on my business plan, and I’m so happy I did.  In it you will learn to avoid the operational mistakes that can destroy your business, and adopt the practices that will lead you to success.  I also like that it is organized very well which makes for a very easy read.