Razflections – Page 11 – Reflections on Business, Life, and Pursuing your Purpose

February 26, 2009March 20, 2009

Dying Wishes

There are some things in life that just don’t seem fair. This story I stumbled upon gives reflection to a new definition.

Perhaps it’s especially difficult as a dad of two little girls, who talk and think of nothing more than getting married when they grow up. One day I found her sitting with a look on despair on face while sitting on the coach, and when I asked her “What’s wrong my little Roycie?” and she exclaimed, “It’s just so hard dad…It’s just so hard to know who God wants you to marry when you grow up.” She was five.

So this story really hit me emotionally and I couldn’t watch this simple video without tearing up; so I’ve limited myself to three views. I’ve included the video as well as an accompanying article (from a different news source).

What I thought mattered to me one minute before seeing this video was differently than what I thought mattered to me in the one minute following this video.

Dying Wishes: Weddings to Helping Homeless

The bride was dressed in ruffled white and wore a tiara. The groom pledged to be her best friend forever. They exchanged rings, and the lucky North Texas couple swooned as they danced to their favorite song — “Love Bug” by the Jonas Brothers.

They may be a tender age — Jayla Cooper is 9 and the groom, Jose Griggs, is 7 — but their parents were behind them all the way.

For Jayla, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and who, according to her doctors, may only have weeks to live, the “wedding” was less a dream come true than a last wish.

Click here to read the entire story.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all time. What is the most significant data you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 24, 2009March 26, 2009

Regrets

Today at the gym I was on the elliptical machine and there was an older woman in front of me who had really short hair. I wouldn’t have noticed, apart from the large tattoo on her neck of a pink “Care Bears” fully exposed given the short hair.

If she doesn’t already, my guess is she will someday regret getting that tattoo.

So at that moment I started thinking about regrets.

I’ve got some and so do you.

For some that say “I have no regrets”, I know it sounds fashionably independent and confident–almost brash and brave. But it also says that they probably aren’t thinking hard enough about their past or their memories are too short.

When it comes down to it, I think we all have regrets. Often, decisions are based on whether we think we’ll have a regret or not as a consequence.

Years ago I was working at the corporate offices of Eli Lilly in Indianapolis in a Marketing role. Many of my peers had MBA’s from the top tier schools, and I remember working with some exceptionally talented people. Say what you what about Pharma/Biotech (and I do think, generally, the health care model is broken with many of these companies), but they generally have

exceptionally talented people that work in the corporate offices.

There were a few corporate guys like me who had risen up to a corporate role from the field sales position, but we were always a little bit different than the “MBA employees.” At least that’s how I felt at times–but it didn’t hold me back and it really didn’t bother me, I always acknowledged the value of higher education. Except for one time I remember getting pretty rankled, as I heard with great clarity and ringing words in my ears as one Duke MBA brat told me “nobody without an MBA has the ability to work in Business Development” (which, ironically, I later did, though with a different company).

This statement alone made me want to NOT get my MBA and prove him wrong. But that response only lasted a few minutes, and truth be told I had been wrestling with the idea of

whether to pursue an MBA.

In fact, I had a three pronged decision: 1) Bypass the MBA and just continue getting some incredible work experiences and climbing the ladder; 2) Continue w/ the great work experiences but give up a lot of my personal life for a few

years and go to a part time MBA program; 3) Go to a stellar full time MBA program, giving up my full time job, so I could focus all my energies on education.

One of the great things about a large Company like Eli Lilly is the wealth of knowledge and intellectual horsepower that exists and is freely available. I worked really hard to perform while there, but I also worked equally hard to learn. And during that time I had outstanding mentors. So I used the vast network of people during the course of four months and I set up about a dozen different meetings with various colleagues to pick their brain about MBA programs and get different perspectives so I could make my own decision and take a best course of action. It was a big decision for me.

Invariably, almost without exception, I learned three things when trying to assess a no-go, PT, or FT MBA program decision.

1. Those who didn’t go to get their MBA generally didn’t think it that useful or “needed” in order to succeed. So they didn’t really recommend it.

2. Those that went part time were convinced that getting a part time MBA was the best approach, that getting an MBA was vitally important but not enough so that you should leave the workforce and miss out on those workplace experiences.

3. Those that went full time were equally convinced that getting an MBA was not only vital, but that you really “must” go through a full time program at a top tier school.

This proves a bit of the problem with selection bias. I learned a lot from these informational meetings, but ultimately the advice-giver couldn’t generally divorce themselves from personal bias–and people usually want to validate their own personal decisions.

My final information-gathering meeting was with a mentor of mine named Joe. We talked for about an hour, he had an easy and casually conversant style–peppered with lots of questions about my goals and aspirations, but he also did a great job of sharing with me various experiences and some of the pros and cons of my decisions as he saw it.

In fact, he was so objective that I can’t even recall if he had an MBA or not. He was one of the few that didn’t have such a strong personal bias. And as much as I liked the advice and his mentorship, what we discussed during the 59 minutes didn’t really help me as much as what he said in the final one minute.

As we were closing the dialgue, he made a statement so simple but provided such exceptional clarity that I remember this being the tipping point of my decision to go and pursue and MBA. Joe said the following simple statement in both a confident and reassuring way:

“Raz, I have no question that if you go back and get your MBA that you’ll never regret it. Never.”

And oddly enough, that’s all I needed to hear.

Hours and hours of deliberation and dialogue suddenly flew out the window, and I knew EXACTLY what I was supposed to do. So quickly thereafter I enrolled in a fantastic part-time MBA program while also continuing with the great experiences at Lilly (which also led to another more diverse set of experiences in Manhattan at a start-up and other adventures, for another blog entry).

What crystallized the decision for me was the simple acknowledgment and affirmation from a trusted mentor that I would never regret the decision to go back to school to get my MBA. That’s it. Clearly, a large part of my decision was driven by ambition and a thirst for learning and personal/professional development; but another part of it was driven by a very simple motive: not wanting to have any regrets.

And that’s the simple message of today that, while seeing a pink bear tattoo while working out on the elliptical machine, initiated all these thoughts that tie back to where we are today. I think the question goes through everybody’s mind at some time: “Do I really want to work in Relationship Marketing? And, if so, do I want to do it with Univera?”

Today, when it comes to this industry and our Company, I think the best advice I can give comes directly from a mentor of mine years ago.

If you join us on this journey, it’s a decision that I’m confident that you’ll never regret.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all when. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good heartiness, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 22, 2009March 26, 2009

An Entry Without a Subject (yet!)

It’s rare that I start blogging without a specific purpose or subject, but today’s entry is starting

just with that. As my fingers pound the keyboard (quite loudly; I’m among the loudest typists in the world–if “Surf Lifesaving” made it as an Olympic event one year during the last hundred years, why not “loud typing”? ) I am subjectless and purposeless with this particular blog entry.

But I have two things going for me tonight.

1. I’ve got the headphones on and am listening to Pandora (www.pandora.com). If you

haven’t used it before, you’ve gotta try it. Their stated mission is to “only play the music you love.”

It’s customized Web-based radio that’s free based on the genres, songs, or artists that you love. I’ve mentioned it before but it’s simply

amazing. I’ve found that music helps me focus and remove distractions. I need white or background noise at times to keep my mind from jumping to “the next thing”. My various music selections on Pandora are a haven where I can escape life for a few moments and immerse myself into writing. There’s also a free iPhone app for Pandora which is fantastic. No, I’m not trying to sell iPhones. But the app features are amazing.

2. I feel like writing. At times writing can feel a tad of a burden, at others it’s an incredible form of stress relief or simple enjoyment. It’s probably a bit like working out or any other project, where a lot of the times the toughest part is simply starting. But once you get going something transforms. I think it’s why the TV can be such an evil force against greatness. During that moment of “should I go workout, file, read, write…whatever” the TV is such a quick and seemingly gratifying temptation that can suck the time out of you. Like those chocolate chip cookies looking at me from our kitchen counter. I will resist both the TV and the cookies at this very moment, but it’s a bit easier because I desire to resist them.

As I write, two stories come to mind–probably related to some thoughts I’ve had throughout the day.

Victor Frankl’s book, “Mans Search for Meaning” tells the story of having lived through the Nazi concentration camps. I haven’t read the book for over a decade, but I remember a fascinating story about the importance of meaning of even remedial work–moving rocks. And how the meaning impacted the work and the simple sanity, ultimately the purpose and the

health, of their everyday lives. It’s a great book with the underlying premise that meaning is tied to motivation.

Related to motivation yet on a totally different basis I recently read a fascinating article in a magazine called “The Week” (www.theweek.com). Which is a fantastic news resoures that hails itself as “All you need to know about everything that matters.” A bit of a stretch, but it’s an incredible magazine. I can’t recommend it enough, in an hours worth of reading you can be fairly well versed on a lot of current events with a variety of opinions and perspectives on a multitude of matters.

So last week there was an interesting story in “The Week” about people who survive calamities. Airplane crashes. Boating disasters. Fires in buildings. In short, there are a few categories of people and how the behave. The point of the story is that the ones who often survive are the ones who don’t quit. It’s the ones that simply refuse to resign themselves to fate. Fodder for another blog entry, I can attest to seeing the amazing differences of human behavior fairly closely on 9/11 when we lived downtown during the days events.

The leadership lesson is a simple one that works in any difficult situation, including economic.

Find something to do that you find meaningful.

And then don’t quit.

I think this one is really simple. Do what you’re supposed to be doing. And then keep doing it.

Great leaders are tenacious and dig in when things get tough.

Some will always be on the lookout for excuses or justification to simply “give up” and accept their fate in a situation of disaster. But not great leaders, and not people who want to win. Or, in the case of this article, simply live.

The people (leaders) who keep looking for ways to figure it out are the ones with the greatest success–in situations of crisis or otherwise. And if you can tie that to having a purpose or meaning in life, all the more powerful. Though the reality is, that with some things in our life it simply requires a grind–there’s probably nothing noble or even mission-worthy about it. The very basic premise at times can be survival, which is why both stories–Frankl’s and the recent article in “The Week” came to mind today.

By the way, on a very unrelated matter to leadership…This weekend Univera launched it’s second amazing Immune stimulating product of the year (yes, two products already in ’09!) called Solanyx. It’s a seven day course of botanical immune-boosting greatness that’s in a handy system comprised of morning and evening doses. Check it out on www.univera.com.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all season. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good soundness, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 19, 2009March 26, 2009

100k for a desk and a rug, any takers?

This is a posting I started weeks back when this was hot in the news; yet, the Thain story continues with his lavish personal indulgences disclosed amidst the categorically related uproar over grossly lavish Executive pay–and more than this, INTENTIONALLY irresponsible financial decision making while stakeholders sweat the consequences. There’s a big difference between intentional and accidental. Today I’m focusing on the intentional.

While we’re on the subject of the responsibility of leadership and Executive pay, let me share a few stats. One of the contrasts that can be seen with wildly excessive Executive pay is the growth of the average CEO’s salary versus that of the average paid worker in his/her organization.

In 1980 the multiple was at a very low (historically) 42. This means that the CEO received 42 times the average salary of his/her employees. So let’s say the average worker made $40,000, using that multiple of 42 it would equate to that particular CEO’s pay of nearly $1.7 million dollars a year.

Over the past few decades, this has crept upward.

To a 100 multiple.

Then 150x.

Later 250x.

Even 350x.

And then some.

This ratio peaked as high as 525x during the dot-com bubble, but has hovered in the 300-400x range even in the last few years. In 2005 the multiple was 411x. Yes, the average CEO pay was a multiple of 411 TIMES HIGHER than that of the average employee.

So let’s take our same hypothetical example. Let’s say the average worker salary in those companies was $40,000, at a multiple of 411 that would equate to: over 16 million dollars.

(As an aside, as a Company Univera doesn’t disclose revenues and salaries/etc., however, I am certain that our ratio is currently just a fraction of what the ratio was EVEN BACK during the historic lows in 1980.)

There’s something wrong with this picture; it’s not that performers and the best of the best shouldn’t be paid competitively and extremely well for their efforts, but at the same time–when is enough enough? And at what cost to the shareholders, the employees, and some semblance of sanity and inherent fairness?

Back to the subject. Every great Exec does and will make accidental decisions that have adverse consequences. It’s the ones that do it intentionally and dramatically, with hubris and greed, that reign a far different judgment than those who simply made a mistake.

I generally try to focus on the happy-feel-good stories in my blog, but the lessons learned don’t always come from just these. Sometimes it’s learning and observing through the mistakes of others.

The aburdity of Thain’s hubris is summed up by one of his more recent quotes (not highlighted in the story below) to explain away his lavish office purchases which exceeded 100k worth of a piece of wood furniture and a rug, by saying these were purchased over a year ago “in a different economic environment.”

Given that over half the world lives on less than $3 per day, the only thing that competes with the audacity of his lavish six figure purchase is the audacity of his justification.

I don’t know Thain from Adam, other than what I’ve read. So I don’t offer this as a vilification of the man or person, though I am giving him a little bit of heck for these particular decisions and justifications. To judge him as a person isn’t my place or desire. And he might be a really decent guy who just made some some stupid decisions (incidentally, the lavish furniture was just a small glimpse into some poor decision-making, which included doling out a reported 4 billion in bonuses to his management team during a year where the firm LOST 27 billion dollars.) There’s more to this story, but moving on.

So, anyways, as I was saying…Some really really stupid decisions. But that’s part of the problem when greed grabs hold. It turns good people into lasers for the WIFM question–What’s In it For Me? It’s a normal question to ask, but once this question blatantly CONSUMES the questioner, it can be a dangerous path. Because justification will follow everywhere else. There will ALWAYS be a way to justify a decision once greed grabs hold. In fact, that’s what makes it so dangerous–because the greed will absolutely blind the inflicted with a rationalization of right and wrong, even when it flies in the face of logic.

Reflecting on Thain’s Reversal of Fortune

His Wall Street pedigree seems impeccable. A top job at Goldman Sachs. The chief of the New York Stock Exchange. Finally, the reins of the stock market’s “thundering herd,” Merrill Lynch.

But in less than 15 minutes on Thursday, the charmed career of John A. Thain was derailed, The New York Times’s Julie Creswell and Louise Story write.

Three weeks after his foundering brokerage firm was sold to Bank of America for $50 billion in stock, Mr. Thain was pushed out by the bank’s chief executive, Kenneth D. Lewis, who is struggling to contain the damage from his bank’s daring gamble on Merrill Lynch.

Click here to read the entire story.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all season. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good soundness, it�s doubtless significant for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 17, 2009March 26, 2009

Lose It!

There are all sorts of gizmos, gadgets, and fads as it relates to weight loss. We all know that and each of us probably has a story or two of some purchase we either regret, or are embarrassed to admit, because it was one of those too-good-to-be-true panaceas.

So often we enjoy a bit of comedy about those of us who try different things and approaches, especially Americans who are among the most overweight of world citizens yet spend millions and millions upon exercise equipment that often gets used more by the owners closets than the actual owners themselves. But I’m never one to criticize to trial.

Here’s why.

Different things work for different people. And, sometimes, it just takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what is going to work for you.

I don’t particularly like fad diets or fad equipment with unmanageable claims and unrealistic testimonials, however much we want to believe the “I can get rich and gorgeous overnight” shticks. I think we can all agree that the simple and effective premise is burn more calories than you consume and over time you’ll lose weight, feel better, gain greater levels of energy, and just feel better.

Certainly, much has been learned over the past few years about nutrition and this has a bearing on success. My personal belief and what I TRY (try!) to adhere to is a whole foods diet, comprised as much as possible of locally grown produce (organic whenever possible) with lean meats while focusing on foods that also carry a low glycemic index (though I’m sure someone will catch me from time to time sneaking a Top Pot donut). I just know this approach works for me, and it’s nutritionally sound (BTW, let me recommend a great book: Michael Pollan “In Defense of Food”).

The eating plan I’ve used with the greatest amount of success is the South Beach Diet–despite

the name, I don’t think it’s fad-ish at all, in fact it’s a really simple concept and its biggest downsides are probably time and expense (it takes time in preparation and it does costs considerably more than a $1 box of Mac and Cheese to eat fresh whole foods, though it’s also not cost prohibitive).

So I’m a big fan of finding the tool that works for you–I don’t think people can be pushed into a specific corner and must rigidly adhere to this exact style of meal plan, and endure this specific a workout. Part of this is about finding out what works for you. Then, of course, the other part, is simply doing it.

Which is exactly what I’m trying to do personally. My physical goal for the year is to have 15% bodyfat by the end of June of this year. I started out QUITE a ways away from this, far enough away that I’m embarrassed to share the number, and while I’m much closer today I still have a good ways to go. So I’m trying to kick it into higher gear so I make my target with some time to spare and so it doesn’t require a binge of sorts (which isn’t good either).

One of the tools that I’ve found and used over the past month is an Apple iPhone application called “Lose It”, which also happens to be a FREE download.

And I “Love It.”

The reason is simple. It gives me daily accountability on my caloric intake, since I add all of my meals and snacks into the daily planner. It keeps tabs on me day to day, and week to week, against my targeted progress of weight loss. Beyond this, though, it also lets me log my exercise. And it offsets the calories I burned due to exercise against my daily allowance. So if I want to go for that glass of red wine, it’s an easy reminder that I’ve got to offset this somehow–either via reduction in other areas, or working out. And if I blow it one day, like I did yesterday (we went skiing and the matter exceeded my mind–before I knew it I was eating half a cheeseburger and some chili with cheese–which led me, along with a few other indulgences, to be OVER my daily allowance by 700+ calories–even after accounting for the calories I burned while skiing!!!) I can still see my progress for the week and work to offset the damage I did yesterday by eating well today and working out.

So today I “undid”, to a degree, the damage I did yesterday by being 700+ calories under my daily limit. It’s not a good practice to do this habitually for a lot of reasons, but if you have an off day like I did it really helped me figure out what I needed to do to get myself back on track again. And it’s a good reminder for me next time the consequence I have to pay by indulging at that moment of weakness.

Throughout my daily logs for the past month here’s what I’ve learned about myself personally as it relates to my wellness:

I can’t do it without exercise. It’s impossible.

At least for me it is.

EVEN IF I’m eating really well, without the exercise I’m still right around my daily allocation of calories (~2,200). But what happens is I’m usually still hungry at the end of the day and I’ll be frustrated with my progress because the results are not tangible enough–forget the fancy graphs, I can feel the lack of progress in my clothes, see it on my face, and feel it in my energy levels (despite consuming huge quantities of Xtra, it’s still not exercise in a bottle).

So I have succumbed to the very realization, which most of us already know but still sometimes need to prove to ourselves, that in order for me to achieve the level of wellness I want I simply have to work out.

Lose It is also a great reminder for me, that for some people this little tool can really help. Yet for others, this is just another worthless gadget that will go in the metaphorical closet and collect dust. But you don’t know unless you try, and then most importantly stick with it.

There’s a great exercise/fitness writer named Clarence Bass (www.cbass.com), he’s really quite talented. And I remember him stating in one of his exercise books the simple idea that if you can just get one or two ideas out of someone’s written work than that’s a victory, take what you think makes sense and leave the rest. That concept has really changed the way that I’ve read and studied, or listened to speeches or lectures, etc.

In the worst of moments, 95% of it might, indeed, be worthless and mind numbing. But amidst that time there might be 10% of something really noteworthy and a learning moment. Then, as my dad would say, “Grok the fullness”, and you’re all the better for it.

So today I’m laying claim to “Love It” for the program “Lose It”, which not only has helped get me back on track but has also given me a new appreciation for the ways that tools can help assist on the way to managing ourselves to a better, and healthier life.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all day. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless great for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 14, 2009March 26, 2009

Happy Valentine’s Day

Given the nature of the day, I thought I’d write a quick diddy about love.

Now, generally speaking, worldly love is pretty conditional. This is especially true with business love. In fact, it’s usually business lust (love). Business lust is the kind best expressed by the expression we all know:

“What have you done for me lately?”

There’s a good part of this sentence which is simply true and appropriate–it’s a “today” world. But beyond there needing to be performance today, there’s also another component we can exhibit.

This “business lust” is what, in our industry, I call “BV Love.”

BV, for those who don’t know, stands for Business Volume. It’s your points that you produce in direct selling. So the more points, the more you’re loved in this industry. That’s a commonality in most businesses, and it’s understandable. Even expected. To a degree.

Let me be clear, it’s absolutely VITAL that PERFORMANCE is both expected AND rewarded in any organization. In fact, one of the problems that most businesses have is there’s a socialistic tendency towards treating everyone the same in terms of reward or even employment, regardless of output (though that’s not driven by love, either; instead it’s usually complacency, that such mediocrity has risen to the middle or top ranks that nobody is accountable or interested in that difficult process).

As leaders, there’s an accountability we all share in performance. Beyond this, the only way we can accomplish the dreams and desires each of us have, as well as that of our teams, is to commit and excel. Commit and excel. Commit and excel. (no, I’m not stuttering).

Leaders need to deliver. And they must be recognized for this, significantly recognized. We need to demonstrate “here’s what good looks like”, so this is one of the things I try to intentionally do for those who perform. And then there’s a different application and approach for those who don’t perform. Love isn’t the absence of accountability–or just letting people do whatever they well please.

But today’s Valentine’s Day. And I’m talking about love, here, like the real stuff. And a big part of love is commitment. It’s so easy to love when the going is great. Or to love the big hitters, the high producers. But there’s a greater opportunity that we have to show love to those in our community.

What if, in the quest of trying to do something different in this industry, something that’s never been done before, it was a different type of love? What if there were love and admiration regardless of who you are…or WERE? We talk about it all the time, but the beauty of this is that we’re an industry of second, third, and tenth chances.

For those who are part of this community and culture, as I grow in this it (“it” being the cultural component) becomes more and more important. I’m not talking about us running around holding hands and singing campfire songs like “Kumbaya”.

But I am talking about creating a community of respect, compassion, and understanding regardless of who decides to join.

This is one of the things I really loved about playing Division III football, there was some EXCEPTIONAL talent among the Starters, some of them were phenomenal.

But anyone who wanted to play could, yet they also had to have a commitment to the team. We didn’t pursue people to play, though there were many that did. In fact, a lot tried, but it wasn’t for everybody. A good number quit along the way.

Which was fine. Because there was a special camaraderie shared among the team that was “all in”, REGARDLESS of whether they were a star or no, regardless of circumstances. In fact, one of the coolest parts of this is that I saw guys who had no business playing college football raise up to a level of performance that they could never have achieved without the rest of the team pushing and pulling them along.

Part of this became their own self-commitment that pushed them as well, in that they were commonly bonded and united to the team and felt an obligation to perform in whatever way they could. For most of these guys, it wasn’t on game day–but it was all the behind the scenes stuff, the practicing, the hustling, the cheering, that made the performance of the top performers all the better. THAT was the magic. And part of that was the love.

And that’s a key component of what I love here in the community we have, which is that it’s a team that’s comprised of performance, purpose, and commitment. As part of this team, we have some new additions to the organization–not just new people who have enrolled, but also an incredible group of people from a Company we just acquired–Matol. These are some wonderful people who are so excited to be welcomed into the team.

So, for all of you out there part of this Community, I want to give a simple Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you.

I’m committed to the performance of this organization, but I’m also equally committed to the people at all levels and ranks who share in this purpose and dream. Thanks for all that you do.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doc. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all when. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good heartiness, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 11, 2009March 26, 2009

What’s the definition of a “Depression”?

This graph hits hard visually. Very hard. It’s a sobering reminder of the mess we’re in, and what won’t leave us soon. It’s not hopeless, at all, but it’s a reality of the challenges we’re facing in the United States, in Canada, and ultimately the effect being felt around the world. And next door.

Today I was speaking with a good friend. A really successful and exceptionally intelligent person, who is sideways financially. Very sideways, in a scary way. It was a painful story to hear; and it’s not that we don’t hear about these every day or read about them on the front page of every paper or website. It’s just that, well, when it touches someone you care about…it’s just a different level of emotion.

Perhaps President Truman said it best: “It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job. And it’s a depression when you lose yours.”

I could feel the pain in the voice and experience of my friend, yet it’s not without great hope that I have for people just like him as a result of this industry.

My blog is a muse of leadership, culture, and business. A large part of my business writings, though not all, are about Relationship Marketing and specifically Univera. I can’t help it–I love this industry, it’s a powerhouse of opportunity.

Which is why the recession data isn’t all bad news.

There is, within this calamity, an opportunity.

Amidst the turmoil, some people–perhaps you–will become millionaires. Others will simply find a way to keep the mortgage paid off, or pay for college, or put food on the table. Some will find freedom. Others will regain the passion they have for life. And others still will reunite themselves with a purpose within business they didn’t know existed.

The reasons I love Relationship Marketing are simple: you can take control, rather than having control taken of you.

Look at the hundreds of thousands of people laid off every month, few of these people had control. In fact, ironically, 95% of the layoffs happen to the people that have the least control over their own destiny within their companies.

So, ultimately, part of this is about freedom. And I want you to have it too.

The reasons I love Univera as a business are simple as well.

1. Patented products that work. Over 150 patents are put to work over a multitude of products that change the way people live, look, and feel. We’ve got the best of a “single product lead” with Xtra, yet with a multitude of breakthrough products that are simply untouchable that add diversity and strength. Nobody in the industry matches these resources.

2. Resources. It’s easy to talk about joint ventures, co-licensing arrangements, partnerships, and collaborative or exclusive resources. But it’s totally different to talk about an integrated set of businesses; at Univera we often forget the power of the “Farm to Family” concept (for our core ingredients). A Company that has resources across all of the world touching a multitude of Continents–particularly great resources right here in North America in Lacey headquarters, which also houses some of the most talented and passionate people in Corporate America, that are working for you. And with you.

3. Compensation. There simply is not a better plan in this industry, that’s more balanced or more aggressive at all the key touchpoints in an Associates business. Our 2009 Plan, available at www.univera.com, highlights the major components that we’ve ADDED to the compensation plan to make it among the most competitive plans on the front and back end. Which means, ultimately, if you work you’ll get success early on. But, equally importantly, you’ll develop a powerful back end residual that builds for you the freedom you desire.

4. Culture, Heart, and Purpose. To a degree, the words could be synonyms. But we each have a definition of what that means.

Here, Culture is about integrity, respect, and listening. It’s about acts of service, it’s about teamwork and collaboration, and it’s about developing a set of relationships and an environment that’s unlike anything else. And it’s about changing the health and wellness of the World, or as we say “Bringing the Best of Nature to Humankind.”

If you’re all about money, you’ll not likely be a perfect fit here. You can do amazing things with the money from Univera for your family and humankind. But let’s all acknowledge that our life, including the time we spend during the day, can be so much more meaningful if done in conjunction with purpose and people with whom we care about–and care about us.

I see the decline in the graph, and on one hand it’s just another number and statistic. It could be sterilized and desensitized to be meaningless as we get calloused to the bad news. But, we can’t let it. It’s our society, it’s our friends, family, and neighbors that this all affects. It’s causing a transformational change that could lead to the biggest transformational change in our industry, and for our Company.

Margaret Meade said it best: “Never doubt that a small and committed group of people can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

I’m ready to change the world.

And that starts by simply taking the step to help change the life of those we come across every day.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all date. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless significant for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

February 2, 2009March 26, 2009

Hey, Big Spender!

So there’s a lot less buying going around these day, we all know that.

But did you know what people are still buying?

Their health and appearance. Among a few other things.

At least, those are a few things I read out of this recent article from Forbes–that lists the ten things we’re still buying. People still want to look and feel good, so categorically there are some overlaps between the things Univera offers and “gym memberships”, as there’s a health and wellness component that’s interlinked. Same with personal care purchases–people still want to look great (and, we do have an amazing skin care solution coming out later this year) and be at their best–which also ties to our products.

Are the vast majority of consumers eagerly seeking ways to add $100 to their monthly expenses? No, unless there’s a fantastic benefit (by the way–even with this economy, well over half of the people that enroll in Univera enroll as retail or preferred customers). So products that change peoples lives will always have a market. Always.

And for those who are concerned about or need money, it’s an even better story and opportunity to get people engaged as a wholesale buying Associate so they can share the gift with others and get the products for free–or even make money in the process. There will always be people who need to make money. Especially over the next 24-months.

Ten Things We’re Still Buying

Hey, Big Spender, are you out there? You must be, since December 2008 sales amounted to $343.2 billion. What did you buy?

Nothing impulsive or lavish, it would seem. Consumer confidence is at its lowest point in history and, according to a Jan. 14 report released by the Commerce Department, retail sales were down 2.7% in December 2008 from November 2008 and 9.8% from December 2007.

From Wal-Mart to Saks Fifth Avenue, retailers are so desperate to rid themselves of inventory that they’re marking down some merchandise by 90%.

Click here to read the entire Forbes.com piece.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all season. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless great for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 23, 2009March 26, 2009

Why You’ll Work Through Retirement

For some, this is a pretty somber reality they are now facing. And the fact is that that more and more people working through retirements will trickle down to the generations below. In the traditional sector, it means fewer jobs, less opportunity for advancement, and it will clearly affect other industries such as travel, hospitality, and particularly “retirement” states.

Yet, it’s not all bad news.

It depends on what you decide to do to work through retirement. In every challenge exists opportunity. Most people I know who are already retired are aghast at the idea of going back — and many who are looking forward are spooked at the idea of having to slug away for many more years.

But what if you could intersect a way to make money — significant money — and feel better, and do good for humankind?

There’s a rapidly growing interest in this opportunity for people at the early and middle stages of life — and there are many reasons why (probably fodder for another posting). While I expect to see great growth in this younger demographic, I’m not sure that it will outpace growth for the “retirement class.”

All across North America, I see and hear sad stories of a dwindled 401k, or a completely erased pension, or dramatically fallen equity in their home. Yet, I also get to experience some amazing stories of success in Univera. Some of these people would NEVER have been prompted to find a secondary or primary income if it weren’t for a challenge brought forth to their lives. It’s often these challenges that bring people to Univera. So, it’s not all bad.

In fact, it can be very, very good. So if you have to work through retirement, why not find something you love?

Why You’ll Work Through Your Retirement

There is a major social and cultural message in the current economic collapse for the future retirees of America: Forget retirement.

That’s right. The recession is making clear what we’ve suspected for a long time. The concept of not working and embracing leisure for the last third of one’s life isn’t practical for most people.

Put it this way: Survey after survey has shown that a majority of aging baby boomers plan on working in retirement. Well, that plan is coming true.

Click here to read the entire BusinessWeek story.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all time. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 22, 2009March 26, 2009

Lost in Lost

I don’t watch that much TV.

And, the TV that I do watch is usually TIVO’d. Usually, we catch up during a break on weekends — sometimes it’s weeks after a show has aired that we finally have time to watch. Interesting how a product that wasn’t even in existence ten years ago has now become a verb. Like Google. Maybe someday, the same will happen with Univera.

In fact, our TIVO purchase was the genius of my wife — I resisted for quite a while, but it’s been one of the best purchases we’ve made since it enables us to watch a few great shows on our time schedule — so it’s truly been a time management tool.

(Such a “red” personality comment to have to position TIVO as a productivity tool for it to be justifiable).

A few of my favorite TIVO shows generally are:

Bobby Flay. It’s a once weekly thirty-minute cooking show that I will periodically watch with Zoe curled up on my lap. She loves to cook about as much as I do, so we get immersed together, figure out good recipe ideas, and then will sometimes try our hand to replicate the experience on weekends. (www.bobbyflay.com)

Meet the Press. It’s not the same without Tim Russert, who was an absolute champion of a human being. I wish I could have met him. Regardless, it’s still THE show to watch to stay abreast of current political events. This series I watch alone — I can’t even get our dog to join me on this one. I also usually try to catch ten minutes of highlights of the nightly news, though it’s simply faster to read the news on CNN or ABCNews, so I often get impatient with televised news. (Meet The Press)

The Office. Simply hysterical. It’s rather stupid humor, and I think you can only really appreciate it fully if you work in an office setting. This is really just mindless entertainment. Erica, at moments, will enjoy this one with me. (www.nbc.com/the_office)

And, finally, our favorite: LOST.

Some shows and movies I enjoy because they’re educational, others comical, and some inspirational. But there are a few dramas that are vastly deep and insightful. That’s LOST. If you watch just one episode you won’t understand my sentiments, but if you can follow the series you’ll understand the depth of the character development that some brilliant writing brings to life.

As some of you know, the LOST season premiere (in its final season) took place this week; before the feature presentation, the two co-producers did a one-hour special where they narrated the “behind the scenes” thinking on character development. This was exceptionally interesting, because it helped bring to light what I think it is that I love so much about the show.

It’s not just the depth and diversity of the characters, or the mystery of the storyline, or the fairly robust cinematography (for a TV show, at least).

What I love, I think, is that it’s a story of redemption and of remaking a new life, while being drawn to one’s destiny.

It’s a set of woven stories that includes both doubt and hope. Despair and dreams. Conflict and harmony. Prison and freedom. See, the show doesn’t just take place in the present tense — there are constant flashbacks for each character in his or her past. So while you start to understand who the characters are today, you really learn a lot about who they were in the past — as well as who they want to become. There are glimpses of both heroism as well as heresy — even in the same individuals, and often that is the case with each of us as well.

There’s a part of it that’s the same draw that, I think, compels so many people to Relationship Marketing — and Univera. It’s this idea that who we are isn’t necessarily who we want to become. Or, at least, who we were in the past isn’t the same person we are today and tomorrow. It’s this innate desire to “remake” oneself, to try to right wrongs from the past, or to seek a greater purpose of better contributions to humankind, or simply to a family or oneself. It could be that I’m so passionate about Univera that I simply find common threads in what it is that we do with everyday life, or even everyday TV shows.

Yet, there really is a parallel. There are only a handful of industries and companies where the opportunity exists for most people to begin again. And maybe not just a second time, but a fourth or even tenth.

To (re)build a secondary or primary income, regardless of background, experience, or financial resources. To work and contribute in meaningful ways in building up a team of people, in establishing a culture, and participating in something life changing for oneself and millions of others. To restore and renew one’s physical health, perhaps even after years of deterioration and neglect.

It’s the LOST storyline: an opportunity for redemption, or, as we say it, an opportunity for Renewal.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all day. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless significant for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 14, 2009March 26, 2009

So Goes Leaders, So Goes the Team…

One of the things that I love about spending time in the Field is hearing the excitement and enthusiasm of Associates, particularly the newer ones; and business testimonials are a great way for these to manifest.

One of the most memorable messages came back in early November at the Portland Super Regional. The Friday night leadership session was fantastic, and one of the best stories of heart and team came forth that night by new Diamond Harry Mathers, whose Upteam Diamond is Angelyn Toth (who also is part of the Canadian Leadership Council and received the esteemed 2008 Associate of the Year award).

In any field organization, direct selling or otherwise, there are some real highs and lows. Already this is a truism in life, but particularly in a role where you are dealing with so many people and emotions. One of the things I have learned and try to balance is not to get too high (leads to arrogance!) and not to get low (leads to depression!).

Personal stories, however, have the ability to drive back into the real meaning of what we do, why we do it, and how it can so profoundly change people’s lives. This is exactly what Harry’s story did for so many others on that Friday night. So when you’re on a high, it’s probably easier to encourage others and raise them up. Conversely, when in a valley, it’s helpful to be carried a bit, though I think it’s really magical when you’re in a low and you can still carry people with you. That’s rare, but it’s magic.

In fact, recently Erica and I met a woman named “R” who epitomized this magic, but that’s a story for another day.

Another great story I received just recently was from our great Diamond leaders Dave and Becky Ylinen who live in Illinois (Yes, Dave and Becky, I still have my pretzel pin!). During the Road Tour, we went to a lot of great cities, and among out top three favorites on both Road Tours was our stop in Chicago where the event was hosted by Dave and Becky.

Why? Energy. Excitement. Enthusiasm. Positivity. Progress.

It didn’t mean everything was perfect at the event or in their lives, and that’s part of the point. As goes the leadership, so does the team. And Dave and Becky are another example of leadership of heart, enthusiasm, encouragement, and appreciation.

So it came as only a little surprise to read the e-mail below from Dave and Becky about Captain Ron, who in December just achieved his first month of Gold. This, in itself, is a tremendous accomplishment considering he started just in October. Yet, to really understand the magnitude of this, you’ll have to read more to hear where he lives and how he built his business.

Thanks to the leaders of heart and spirit, like Angelyn, Harry, Dave, Becky, and Captain Ron—the letter I received is as follows.

Hi Rich,

One of our new business partners (Ron Gravdahl), usually referred as Capt. Ron from his earlier interests in yacht racing, has achieved his second month of Silver. Starting his Univera venture in early October, Capt. Ron invested quality time in reviewing his Getting Started Kit and other available training resources to fully understand our business and marketing model. Since then he has been a classic example of following the proven Gift Team Enroll (GTE) model and getting it done! Capt. Ron’s comment to his developing team, “the accomplishment is because of the TEAM. Not me. All I did was invite people with gifts. Everything else is G-T-E. The Product is the best in the world backed by a company that is the best in the world. Those that use the product can’t help but tell others about the benefits of the product.”

What is especially different about Capt. Ron is that he is doing this all from the other side of the world. He left for his home in Thailand within a week after joining Univera. But beforehand, he enrolled his friend Guenter Wortmann as an Executive, now also a Silver. Between the two of them they put together a plan where Guenter ships gifts to Capt. Ron’s contacts around the country. Their gift packs include a notice not to open until he is on a gifting call with them with a follow-up a few days later. The Captain very effectively uses Skype (Internet telephone connection) to place calls to his prospects using us on conference connections as necessary.

We are all looking forward to Univera’s expansion into off shore markets beginning in ’09. In some ways Capt. Ron is a forerunner to how we can introduce others to Univera, our incredible products and business opportunity effectively using the Team and available cost effective technologies.

Best regards,

Dave & Becky Ylinen

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all period. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless significant for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 12, 2009March 26, 2009

Under the sea…

I love animals, I really do.

And I am all for animal rights advocacy.

And I don’t want to criticize any person or group that pursues such noble efforts–including this particular organization which does some very wonderful things.

But when I see stories like this, and I think about the time, money, and energy that was spent towards trying to save a single lobster–when we have humans that are suffering all over the planet, including in our native Country–that it leads me to really contemplate whether we have lost some of our priorities about the significance and importance of humankind and the things that matter most.

Big old lobster avoids date with NYC dinner plate

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine – A huge lobster that was destined to adorn a dinner plate is back in the ocean after a New York City restaurant granted him a reprieve.

The 20-pound crustacean, named George, was returned to the wild Saturday in a rocky cove in Kennebunkport, less than a mile from the summer home of former President George H.W. Bush.

George was transported to Maine by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which had beseeched City Crab and Seafood to allow the lobster to go free.

Click here to read the entire story.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all day. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless great for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 5, 2009March 20, 2009

WSJ Article

A few weeks ago I was reading the following article, and I thought it was so great I’m linking it on my blog. You gotta love the attitude of the wounded Navy Seal in rehab, and the appropriate sign he posts, leaving simply zero doubt about his success and the perspective, and no tolerance for others who doubt around him. The perspective about his injuries, as well as his soon-to-be victorious healing, is beyond noble–if we could all represent just a fraction of his brave then our lives, and this world, would be significantly different.

Let’s Be Worthy of Their Sacrifice

This holiday season, home in Texas and surrounded by close friends and family, I often found myself thinking about virtual strangers.

I met them this fall when I spoke at the Naval Special Warfare Foundation (NSWF) dinner. The NSWF supports naval commandoes with scholarships and assistance for families of Navy Seals killed or wounded in combat or training.

During my White House years, I came to know of the heroic actions of the Seals and other special operators in the global war on terror. These men willingly follow evil into dark and perilous places. They volunteered to be on the front edge of the conflict whose outcome will shape this century.

Click here to read the entire Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all time. What is the most significant data you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good soundness, it�s doubtless significant for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

January 1, 2009March 26, 2009

PLAYING TO WIN IN 2009

As many of you saw and heard today, we launched a very aggressive plan for this year via a video on our corporate site (us.univera.com), followed by a live call which is available for playback (check your back office for numbers).

It’s a plan to go on offense.

It’s a plan to win.

It’s a plan for your success.

If you have any interest in achieving economic, physical, and personal renewal in 2009 take 28 minutes to watch this video. The decision that you make to get engaged, or more engaged, in Univera can change your life.

BUT, any plan–however good–is only as strong as the execution of that plan.

So today’s entry, albeit a little on the long side (I’m excited!), is about getting it done. Making it happen. Crossing the goal line.

It’s about heart, effort, discipline, and your ultimate success this year. And you can’t wait until June to start to plan for your success if you’re already engaged, you’ve got to start now.

Everybody in this industry talks about goals and dreams (the terms, to a degree, are somewhat interchangeable–though I think goals are more finite and short-term oriented, and dreams often convey a “bigger than life” scenario that are longer-term but oftentimes too esoteric and intangible).

Yet, often with all this great discussion there’s a vitally important missing step.

Action.

There’s a big difference between an accomplishment-oriented dreamer and a daydreamer.

An accomplishment-oriented dreamer sets tangible dreams. A daydreamer doesn’t.

An accomplishment-oriented dreamer tracks and assesses her progress. A daydreamer doesn’t.

An accomplishment-oriented dreamer knows precisely the next action steps needed to move the few steps closer to accomplishment. A daydreamer doesn’t.

The biggest difference is in the action of it.

For example, I hear people tell me all the time they want to “Go Diamond”, and while I think they think they mean it what they often don’t realize is there’s a giant chasm between their desires and accomplishment of their dream. And often it’s the “Next Action Steps.”

Sometimes people don’t realize what it takes to achieve success, but others people know it will require hard work but they just haven’t specified how to begin.

There’s a really good book on organization skills called “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. Pages 75-77 explain a simple concept that’s critical for the success of project management, but dream/goal management isn’t really that much different. It’s just a really really big project. And a really really important one.

The magic on those pages is the simple concept of a “Next Action” for each of the projects. Specifically, every project needs to have a “Next Action” that is required in order to keep it moving. And it’s not what you need to do next year, next quarter, or next month. It’s what you need to do today, tomorrow, or this week.

At Convention I challenged everybody with the “Dream Cubes”, and to try to set an achievable dream/goal in each quadrant of your life: business, cultural, physical, personal.

Then, perhaps equally importantly, on the flip side of the cube there’s a square that lists out the “Next Actions” in order for you to accomplish these dreams. It’s the very things you need to do this week, however small, to move you closer to your dreams.

I’ve been following this process as well, with both some success and failure. Right after Convention I completed my Dream Cube, and I’m including a picture of the front and back below.

The front, of course, are my dreams. These are simply stated, and each of them has a timeline for completion–all of them are to be done by the end of 2009. Yours might be radically different, the dreams might be for three or six months from now, or maybe not for another 12-years. Whatever works for you. But once I’m done with one quadrant I’m going to re-up for something that’s bigger or different in each part of my life.

As you look to goal setting for 2009 I would really encourage that you think about the balance in your life and the various areas where you want to make an impact–the business is vitally important, but so are the other areas as well.

For example, for me there are a few important areas outside of business that I’m focused on. One of my culturally dreams is on my mind right now; when we talk about the importance of Servant Leadership in our Company, I think it’s not just about what we do and how we act at the Company but how we serve outside of it. If I’m ONLY trying to serve associates, well, this is good–but there’s a part of my life that is unbalanced, whether that be serving my family, community, etc. So a part of my cultural dream for the next year is to spend some time at an important place to me for a few weeks volunteering, while also participating in some consistent volunteer organizations in my local community.

Naturally, I’m pretty aggressive with my business dreams–being aggressive and focused on the business dreams has never been a problem, though this year I’m writing some very specific “Next Action” steps for each of the areas important to me including the business dreams.

It’s important that each of us realize that if we had a mediocre plan for 2009, we could still achieve great success through phenomenal execution.

But here we are today, with a PHENOMENAL plan. It is unequivocally the best in the industry, created by countless hours of benchmarking, incorporating field feedback, and retrospective analysis of the things that have generated our greatest growth.

We’re here with…

A completely committed team.
The best leadership in this industry, both inside and outside the Company.
The number one compensation plan in Direct Selling.
The most superior science of any nutritional products company.
An incredible owner filled with passion and commitment, coupled with resources.

And it’s all tied together with a purpose to be the best in the world, and the best for the world.

Which, in part, means binding together the culture that’s so important to each of us. My encouragement to you today is to take and understand our “Playing to Win 2009” plan for your success, and to sit down and ensure you’re working towards targeted goals/dreams in each quadrant of your life, with the appropriate and visible Next Action step required in order for you to move forward today towards your success.

Best of success, health, prosperity, and relationships to each of you and your families in 2009.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your physician. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all time. What is the most significant data you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good soundness, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

December 20, 2008March 26, 2009

Minors Buying Booze: A Lesson in Serving Others

Most of you are familiar with my two kids, Royce and Zoe (ages 6 and 5). I realize I’m biased, but they really are adorable and what I love so much about them is their hearts are–usually–so passionate and giving. They are really sweet kids and we’ve been blessed by them in so many ways.

In our house we talk about how we can be better servants to each other and the world. There are plenty of examples where Erica and I fail at this as a couple and also as individuals, but yet we also hope that it’s never by intention and that there are good things that we contribute to our community and family. The words we use, instead of “Servant Leadership”, are “thinking of others.”

So we’ve challenged the kids (and this is Royce’s particular focus this week as it relates to her sister) to consider ways we can “think of others” and act accordingly. Zoe has now developed a bit of a passion for helping the homeless people. Erica and the girls are working at a soup kitchen periodically, and Zoe always wants to give money about to those in need.

The other day Erica and the girls were driving around and Zoe saw a guy who needed money on

the street corner–and she all but insisted we give him an Essentials as well as some money. Erica tried to dismiss it, but Zoe was adamant so she obliged.

After passing the money and Essentials over the guy said a casual “thanks” for the money and then exclaimed “AWESOME–PEACE GUYS!!!” when she gave him the Essentials.

Indeed, it was pretty peaceful until that evening.

When Erica and I were returning from a dinner with the other Board members for the Olympia Hands On Childrens Museum we thought we’d stop by a favorite restaurant of ours for a glass of fermented grape juice. For whatever reason, I didn’t park in my regular section. In fact, I pulled onto a sidestreet in Oly that I’ve never been on before, and parked right in front of this little dive bar. As I’m finishing the final turn of the wheel while backing in, Erica’s having a bit of a conniption.

I’m trying to figure out why, amidst her saying “THATS THE GUY, THATS THE GUY!” (Erica never forgets a face, so I’ve stopped second guessing her on these matters, if she says “That’s the guy” then clearly “THAT really IS the guy”).

Well, “that guy” was wearing a really nice cardigan sweater, a comfortable looking pair of jeans, along with some cozy looking boots. He was going into the bar for a drink. Weeknight, a normal looking guy, nicely dressed and looking toasty warm having just pulled up in his pretty modern car.

No big deal, right?

UNLESS, of course, this was the very same “homeless guy” who was panhandling out on the streets six hours earlier taking money AND an Essentials from a 5-year old kid who didn’t know any better.

So while Erica was debating a confrontation with “the guy”, I reasoned the better of it with her–though not before going inside to try to snap a picture with my iPhone so I could blog about this story later. A terrible but true picture is to the right that I snapped of him sitting at the end of the bar enjoying a tall cold one.

At first it really bothered Erica, and I can see why. You can also see her expression outside the bar below, she’s peeved though also posing for my picture. It’s not just the principle of it, but I think it was that the very innocence and purity of a little girl who simply wanted to help and serve had been manipulated and used.

Yet, this stuff happens all the time when we’re trying to serve others.

As I thought about this story for a day I tried to think about the lesson in it all; it just couldn’t have been coincidence to run into this guy a few hours later.

The lesson for me was a simple one, which is that we’ll forever be disappointed if we try to serve others with an expected result. And, in fact, if the result is conditional upon our service, then it really isn’t an act of unconditional service.

Is it annoying that a guy was faking life as a homeless man and using the money for beer?

Yep. Especially when it was our kids money (Zoe’s not even six and she’s already bought a drink!). Actually, as I think about it, this was our money, cycled through the hands of our kid, then onto fake-homeless-man.

But I don’t get stuck any deeper emotionally there, and I can’t.

The purpose of being a servant or simply “thinking of others” is to try to serve and be helpful. It’s not to get a favorable response. Or a thank you. Or some sense of satisfaction. Those are bonuses, but not the reason to initiate or take action and give.

There are so many more parallels that are of bigger impact than this particular story; in this case, we invested a tiny bit of money, an Essentials, and a giving spirit into the deal. It really isn’t a downer, in fact it’s quirky enough to use it as an example to illustrate a bigger point.

There are so many other times where I have seen others, or experienced myself, a genuine and sincere outreach or expression of compassion, gratitude, and desire to help others. Only to never see the result (which to me is easy to handle), or worse, get a response that’s unfavorable or even unappreciative.

Have you ever seen someone respond to an outreach of compassion with either unappreciative behavior, or worse? Of course. That’s life.

But, then, after seeing that type of behavior, do you ever think to yourself, “Well, if I had known he was going to respond that way then I would never have XYZ (pick your act of service)…”

This is the danger for all of us as it relates to building a community or family of culture and service.

A genuine act of service is one in which there should be no expected return on investment, otherwise it makes the service conditional. Conditional upon someone doing something good with it, or appreciating it, or thanking you, or being nice to you, or whatever.

So at first while I think Erica regretted Zoe’s gift giving of the fake-homeless-guy, and she resented him for it, after a bit of dialogue the perspective changed.

It was in Zoe’s heart to give the gift, and it was done unconditionally, which is the way it should be done without an expectation for any result.

And, like in all scenarios, even though the outcome visible to us might not always be the outcome we expected or desired in our hearts–there’s always more to the story, and often the more-to-the-story is what you never see.

Maybe a 5-year old giving a gift to this guy pinged his heart in some way at some point, or maybe it will cause him to do something different the next day. Maybe he will compelled to take another course of action for his own future. Or maybe he’ll just keep vamboozling little kids and will buy more and more beer.

And same goes for the person that you recently served with whom you didn’t get the response you expected. What matters most is in the givers heart, and the work that we have to do is not worry about how recipients respond but how the giver gives. That’s all we can control.

And in the case of Fake-Olympia-Homelessman-Who-Swindles-Kids-and-Buys-Beer, I’m taking a cue from Zoe who after gifting the guy simply said “I feel good, that was a nice thing to do.”

That’s really all that matters.

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December 15, 2008March 20, 2009

A great story about winning

This article was recently passed onto me by my best friend (my dad) and I thought it was simply terrific…A story of both challenge and victory; some of the most important characteristics of leadership–in my opinion–include passion (which includes strongly an element of a positive outlook) and perseverance. This story speaks beautifully to both.

Clemson coach Swinney’s life has been full of turnaround stories, success

CLEMSON — To understand how Dabo Swinney was able to turn the fortunes of the Clemson football program around after it appeared everything was spiraling out of control in mid-October, you first have to understand who Dabo Swinney really is and where he comes from.

“When he was about four years old, I saw that there was something different and real special about him,” Swinney’s mother Carol McIntosh said.

Though she did not know it at the time, it was Swinney’s upbeat and positive outlook on life that helped her and her family through some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Click here to read the full article.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doc. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all date. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless great for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

December 13, 2008March 20, 2009

A pretty big day

Yesterday was a big day. Really big. Not JUST for Univera and its associates, but for people across North America who need some form of physical, financial, or cultural renewal.

If you missed it, listen to the replay: 512-703-6112 option 7

January 1st will be an even bigger day when we announce our “Playing to Win” plan for 2009.

At a time when many companies are “hunkering down” and “playing defense” and forging forward with “layoffs”, “commission reductions” and “product de-hancements”, we’re instead taking the alternative approach.

We’re going on offense.

We’re getting more aggressive.

And we’re playing to win.

January 1st at 9am PST will unveil the “Playing to Win” plan via a video launched on www.univera.com, followed by a live field call (for anybody and everybody) to kick off the new year at 10am PST. Yesterday’s announcements were just a few examples of how we’re taking the current market scenario and moving aggressively to provide solutions and opportunities to those who need it the most.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all period. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

December 10, 2008March 26, 2009

Reflections from Hilltop Gardens

I’ve been on the road a lot the past two months. Singapore for the WFDSA, Australia for preliminary assessment, Road Tour, Super Regionals, among other activities and events. One that many of you might not be aware of is a recent trip to Lyford, Texas, where all the ECONET management participated in a three-year planning workshop at the Historical Home of Aloe.

On the way home I wrote an e-mail to a select group of leadership within the Company, and I felt compelled now to share these thoughts with the larger community of those embedded in our mission, purpose, and business together.

It was a brief three-day weekend but consisted of some serious business planning in addition to some great team-building and team-engaging activities.

Bill’s home on the property is gorgeous; it’s very comfortable, and while it’s not lavish, it’s exceptionally well-designed and decorated. The architectural dimensions are stunning; it’s a Spanish-style home and we enjoyed an impressive tour. From the entrance to Hilltop Gardens, to Bill’s home and all the gardens around it, the venue has a great energy and feeling to it. I’m really not sure how to describe it beyond simply feeling good. It’s like when you walk into someone’s home and you just feel comfortable, relaxed yet energized. It was that feeling for me, and I know many others.

Aloecorp CEO KS Yoon and COO Joseph Kim were fantastic hosts for the whole event, while Aloecorp CSO gave a willing supply of endless tours of the labs and countless stories of the amazing benefits of Aloe. Beyond learning more about Aloecorp and experiencing that part of the business firsthand — which makes this so much different than any other company or product provided to the marketplace, we also generated some great progress for our three-year plan.

More on the plan later, another day. For now, I’ll conclude by sharing my thoughts captured in an e-mail on the flight home from Hilltop Gardens. As I mentioned earlier, while the original audience was to the Blue Diamond and FLC leaders, it is also something that I feel can be shared with each of you as leaders as well; regardless of your rank it is through each of you and your impact that we will make a difference in each others lives, and the world.

Dear Blue Diamond and FLC Leaders, I write this email to each of you on my flight home from Lyford, Texas, where we conducted an ECONET-wide leadership retreat over the past three days at Hilltop Gardens, the Historical Farm of Aloe. It really is an email that could also be addressed to each of our Diamond leaders as well. Yet, in my heart right now, and for whatever reason, I am writing this to specifically to each of you Blue Diamonds and FLC leaders.

This past weekend all the key ECONET leaders, including Univera management, participated in a retreat where we worked to forge our 2009-2011 plans, and to solidify our success for the future as a Team. Beyond being highly productive for strategic planning purposes, it also served as a worthy reminder of the value of resources, heritage, commitment, and Teamwork.

My desire to write to you drew from reflections over this weekend—some about our past, but mostly about our future. Together. As a Team.

Click here to read the full e-mail.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doc. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all day. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

December 5, 2008March 26, 2009

533,000

I doubt anybody missed this announcement, but I’ll include a link below to the front page story of the Wall Street Journal–also easiliy found on the website or cover of any other paper or news site today. The month of November represented the shedding of over 533,000 jobs–the highest monthly total we’ve seen in the past 34 years. And I think we all know the reality is that it’s not going to turn around anytime soon. And while people are clearly concerned about unnecessary expenses, one of the things that I think people will need to think more about is their health. If you’re worried about providing for yourself and your family, you also have to be thinking about the physical health you’re in. And I’m not trying to suggest that it’s just about taking AgelessXtra, or Aloe Gold, and RegeniCARE that will lead to better health. Clearly, there are all sorts of things we can do such as exercising, eating well, and eating less that will give us an edge. But I’m also certain that our products contribute towards the achievement of peak potential, and as a result should stay on the family budget way longer than some other perceived “must have” expenses. But beyond this, North Americans are going to have to get aggressive about seeking employment AND mitigating risk. There is little time to think about what to do, to wallow in frustration or disillusionment, or stay in a state of paralysis.

Which is where our Univera business opportunity will be a focal point for so many now and in the future–for some it’ll be enough income that they can easily pay for the product, for others it’ll be a a car payment and health insurance or possibly a mortgage, for some it’ll serve to fund vacations/trips/lifestyle that they thought would forever be out of reach, and yet for others still it’ll simply put food on the table for them and their families.

By finding a job this will mean exploring avenues or pursuits they haven’t considered before (including Relationship Marketing) as well as finding secondary or supplemental sources of income. Which is where our business opportunity comes into play–in stronger force and opportunity over the next year than what we’ve seen over the past three years combined.

U.S. Sheds Over Half Million Jobs
WASHINGTON — The U.S. recession deepened last month as U.S. companies shed jobs at the fastest rate since the early 1970s, pushing the unemployment rate to its highest level in 15 years.

The figures suggest the year-old recession will approach or even exceed the 1981-1982 downturn in severity and support expectations that Federal Reserve officials will soon lower interest rates to levels not seen in a half century.

Nonfarm payrolls, which are calculated by a survey of establishments, plunged a larger-than-expected 533,000 in November, the U.S. Labor Department said Friday, the 11th-straight decline and largest since December 1974.

Click here to read the full article.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all time. What is the most significant info you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good soundness, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.

December 4, 2008March 26, 2009

Depressed? Take a walk.

There’s some great information in the current news about health and exercise. But you have to look carefully, it’s buried deep beneath all the financial news that’s on the forefront.

From talk about Barack Obama’s disciplined and consistent six-day-a-week workouts (similar to George W. Bush as well) to some recent information about mental health–specifically depression–and exercise.

I used to discount the importance of emotional health in life, but I suppose after personal experiences and some years of learning and wisdom I have learned how important this is for physical success but also in other areas of our lives.

Like most people, I would like to feel and look great. Or, at least better. And, like many people, I can find a bunch of reasons why not to exercise consistently–especially when I’m traveling and going through a busy season.

But these reasons are just excuses, and none of them are good. And the rational reasons to exercise continue to mound, the most recent one comes from columnist and nutritional expert Tara Parker-Pope.

Lack of Exercise Explains Depression-Heart Link
For years cardiologists and mental health experts have known that depression raises risk for heart attack by 50 percent or more.

But what hasn’t been clear is why depressed people have more heart problems. Does depression cause some biological change that increases risk? Does the inflammatory process that leads to heart disease also trigger depression?

The answer may be far simpler. A new study suggests that people who are depressed are simply less likely to exercise, a finding that explains their dramatically higher risk for heart problems.

Click here to read the full article.

No doubts, take Lasix only as prescribed by your doc. Levitra is one of the best-known medications of all period. What is the most significant information you must study about levitra vs cialis? Most doctors say the effectiveness of Levitra is well documented. Absolutely, a sexual problem refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual life. Whilst sex is not vital for good health, it�s doubtless important for anyone. Why it happen? What kinds of professionals treat sexual diseases in men? A common class of antidepressants, which include Zoloft � can kill the mood in bedroom.