Years ago, I was a Hotel School trainee hotel manager in a high end resort hotel in South Africa. I was working as a chef in the kitchen when the owners imported a chef from Germany. Klaus became a good friend, and we worked at many hotels together. Later, when I was a Food and Beverage Manager with Holiday Inns, I hired him as an Executive Chef. Klaus immigrated to Australia years ago.

He was all about quality.

One day Klaus found out that I played squash, so he asked me to teach him. We popped down to the local sports store in the town fifteen miles away, and I will always remember the way Klaus purchased his equipment. “What equipment do I need?” he asked the store clerk.

“Give me the best and most expensive of every item, the best shoes, socks, racket, balls… only the best. If you don’t have it order it, Get it. Get is soon.”

I was surprised, and asked him how he justified this large purchase, given that he was a new player and might not even enjoy the game, or be any good at it. I’ll never forget his response.

Words of a Winner

“Robin, I am the best chef, and I will be the best squash player. I use only the best equipment in the kitchen, I use the best ingredients, as you very well know, I produce the finest quality, and I got the best training. I am the best. In everything I do, I go for the gold – the best. Why would I buy anything less than the best? I go all the way. I go big. I don’t compromise. Ich bin nicht ein Affe (I’m not a monkey.) Let’s be the best squash players!” Klaus always went all the way, he never compromised, and he insisted on the best. He reminded me of the hero in The Fountainhead. I learned a lot from Klaus, and I will visit him in Australia. If you’re reading this, Klaus, “Yeah, Mazamba!”

Don’t tentatively test the water with your toe – throw yourself into the deep end. Believe in yourself. Go for the gold. Push the envelope. Be the best. Go big. Set and maintain your own high standards, fly in the face of convention, and you will have little competition.

We all get approached with multiple offers almost every day. It takes time to do adequate due diligence, but a quick way to save a lot of time is by looking carefully at the values and ethics of the messenger.

• Is the messenger honest, and does she keep her word, or radically change her mind within two days?
• Is the message from a liar a lie?

The Messenger’s Integrity Reveals the Truth

The integrity and truth of the message should be measured by observing the messenger. Is a great message sometimes delivered in a damaged and faulty vehicle? Certainly, but it’s uncommon. Generally, I save time and energy by judging the viability of the message by the life of the person delivering that message.

When I get a message composed and delivered by “science fictiontologist Ron L. Koresh”, I don’t rush out to check my Kool-Aid supply. When the messenger arrives in a filthy car with overflowing ashtrays, I don’t spend any time reading his message.

Judge it by its source, and look for congruency: is the messenger living the message? Can obese people tell me how to lose weight, or poor people tell me how to get rich? When a teacher lacks integrity in one area of his life, you know all the other areas have been poisoned. There’s no smoke without fire.

Spotting the Genuine Article

We look for people who practice what they preach, notice how they behave under pressure, and judge them by their consistent choices as well as choices that reveal who they really are. I don’t believe the message when the messenger lacks credibility, even though some messages are wonderful, although they are delivered by losers.

My point is…

If you want your message to be accepted, you had better be “a product of the product”.

Look the part and LIVE the part. Be the message. Be a living message, a real life example, a testimony to the message you deliver.

Sometimes, ego, laziness, and fear will interrupt and skew our reasoning when prioritizing our profits.

The reason we’re in business is to create the maximum amount of after tax profit in the shortest amount of time, with the least cost and risk.

While we all want to do what we enjoy and avoid conflict and work, we can use Joint Ventures, subcontracting, effective delegation, and leverage to create the results we want, if we set things up correctly.

#1 Strategize Objectively

Remaining objective and rational when prioritizing and planning our progress is essential. Clearly defining what will create the greatest return on investment, where the optimal back-end is to be found, and the real marginal net value of a customer or Joint Venture demands careful analysis and communication with your team and mentors. Like a jigsaw puzzle, we want all the pieces to fit seamlessly, so that the flow of business is smooth and natural, not forced and stop-start.

• Diversifying incomes streams and creating additional back ends with long-term potential is the result of Planning, not Panic.
• Compromise and quick fixes will undermine your progress, your reputation, and your balance sheet.
• Remember the 80/20 rules and fearlessly remove the 80% while conscientiously building the 20%. Getting rid of one rat in your organization guarantees that he will takes his rat friends with him.

#2 Reevaluate Regularly

Reevaluate, change your mind, terminate non-productive activities, Joint Ventures, and people, and constantly adjust. You’re in business to make a profit, not to accommodate parasites and create protected employment for losers. Play the “What If?” game, build in Plan B’s, and have contingency plans in place, including Key Man Insurance and alternative suppliers. Things change. See the Big Picture.

#3 Invest in Education

Invest heavily in training and education, but only if you use it.  Look for the return on investment. The greatest ROI I ever get is when I invest in training and education, but then I always apply what I learn.

#4 Optimize Your Time

If you only have 24 hours a day, it’s because you’re not leveraged or you’re not delegating. Paying someone $100 to make $1,000 is good business. Don’t do minimum wage tasks and only deal with winners who have a proven track record.

#5 Take an Honest Look

Finally, stand back and take a good, hard look at your business, your time, your profits, and the future of your business. If this was someone else’s business, what advice would you give them?

In every economy, in every industry, anywhere in the world at any time, there are people going broke and other people, in the same place, enduring the same economy, in the same industry, with the same government, becoming exceedingly rich. The difference is the way in which they perceive their circumstances and options, and the choices they make in response.

Why Change is Your Friend

Most business owners realize that there are dramatic changes taking place all over the world right now, which means huge opportunities for those who know how to use Joint Ventures. “Change is my friend,” says the savvy entrepreneur, and in order to change and take full advantage of the hidden benefits and opportunities surrounding us, it’s smart to use an objective, skilled Business Mentor to open doors that you never knew existed, to reveal riches of which most entrepreneurs are blissfully unaware, and to leverage underutilized and concealed, yet potentially highly lucrative resources and options.

An Alternative to Running with the Herd

Running with the herd into desperation, shortage, recession, and scarcity is not an option for those who insist upon victory.

Shout “YAHOO!” – You Always Have Other Options

– and find a Guide who is capable and willing to lead you along the road less traveled to hidden treasure.  Remember what Jim Stovall said:

“Only take advice from someone who already has what you want.”

…and Jim Addison wisely added that “you should never take advice from someone more screwed up than you are.” Experienced property investors know they should be buying when everyone else is selling – Conrad Hilton bought hotels during the great depression – and street smart entrepreneurs understand that you can get on the fast track by learning from the skills and mistakes of others.

Your Complimentary Consultation

Three highly trained, fully supported, locked and loaded DollarMakers Certified Business Mentors – Eric Li, Shauna L’Hirondelle and Darren and Monica Chambers are ready and willing to consider accepting YOU as their client. To see if you qualify for a complimentary telephone consultation with one of them, e-mail me robin@jvblogger.com. A Mentor is someone whose hindsight can become your foresight. Help is at hand!

Orrin Hudson teaches that chess is a metaphor for life; one’s moves in life determine the consequences. “Chess trains you to do what works – learn from champions,” he says.

“When you make smart moves in life, you get smart results. Success leaves clues.”

Hudson continues, “The chess board is a great neutralizer – everyone has the same opportunities. Make good choices. Play to win. Chess is a level playing field, and we all have all we need to win the game. The only thing that determines your success is your mind, so get your head in the game.” He teaches kids to play chess and uses it to teach them life skills.

If You Want to Learn Chess, ONLY study with a TRUE Master

In chess, we learn that patience, focus, and good decisions have consequences, and the same goes for business. Learn chess from a chess master. And learn business from someone who actually makes money. I was referred to someone recently who has a very impressive website that makes him look like a business guru par excellence. I was very impressed with his resume and the testimonials on his site, however I know from personal experience that this man doesn’t have two cents to rub together. Yet, he is teaching people how to make money in business! The blind leading the blind, very common on the Internet, where losers can pose as experts.

Think Ahead to Maximize Future Results

Every move you make in business has a long term consequence: every relationship, every deal, and every phone call. The right strategy, decisions, choices, and people will determine who wins and who loses. Chess is about the right pieces / players doing the right things / making the right moves in relation to others. Joint Ventures is very much like a chess game, where we all win or lose based on having relationships with people who are making good moves. Think about where you are on the chess board of business and life before making your next move.

We bought a washer/dryer at Sears. The salesman came round to my house in his own time to disconnect the water pipes at no charge, the night before delivery of the new appliances. He had a great, friendly, helpful attitude. He recommended I buy longer pipes and a longer drainage pipe so that it would fit better, which I did. When the machines were installed, the installers forgot to remove the supports, so when we turned the appliances on, they leapt around like kangaroos. The salesman came over, fixed everything, and arranged a $100 discount.

This salesman used his own, private time, got his clothes dirty, never complained, went the extra mile, and made sure we were happy customers. Amazing service. Would I want to help him, send him business, and support him in any way I could? You bet I would. Did he have to sell me anything, pitch anything, or ask for anything? No. My daughter is about to buy a new fridge. I called her and suggested she give this salesman her business.

I have an amazing insurance / financial planning guy who has been a great benefit to me and to strong businesspeople for who I have lots of respect. I refer him to people and he gives them a complimentary consultation. He saves me thousands in tax – why would I not refer him? He didn’t have to ask me to do so, because he went the extra mile. He’s reliable, honest. Astute, professional, always on time, and responds fast. You will probably e-mail me and ask for his telephone number. I’ll be glad to pass it on (if you’re in Canada.)

When you take the time to go into the forest to chop the wood, meticulously prepare the fire, get your hands dirty, and make sure the thing blazes away, you deserve to enjoy the heat, but not before. Entitlement, arrogance, socialism, shoddy service, and impatience robs many people of excellent referrals in business. It’s not about the money, honey. I don’t even know what I paid for the washer/dryer stuff – I just chose the most expensive and bought it. It’s all about the service.

“If you want a friend, BE a friend” – good advice. If you want benefits, you have to contribute. When the contribution stops, losers don’t understand why they’re not still enjoying the benefits. Create massive, unexpected, glittering value, and you can rest assured smart people will reciprocate. We bought expensive hardwood flooring from Home Depot and had it delivered and unpacked. Then we sent it all back again three days later since the floor was too uneven. They collected it and didn’t charge us a blue cent. They even paid the delivery and the installers. They didn’t have to. Now we’re loyal customers, and this article will be read by thousands of people.

Yes, what goes around comes around. Keep your promises, deliver on time, be friendly and helpful, and you will have little competition. Give additional service and go the extra mile, and your success is all but guaranteed if you’re serving good people. If not, you’ll wake up one morning to find you have been replaced by someone who understands this. We help those who help us. The good news is that you can use Joint Ventures to create MASSIVE additional value that your competition can never equal, at no cost to you.

Robin J., Elliott
www.JVWisdom.com

Too many people take advice from people who should not be permitted to give advice. The blind, it seems to me, spend far too much time leading the blind. This is particularly true when it comes to small business. People sign up for government-run “Self Employment Programs”, often conducted by low-paid people who failed in business themselves. How can a business failure who earns $3,000 per month in a government job teach you how to succeed in business? You’ve go to be joking.

Jim Addison said, “never take advice from anyone more who is screwed up than you are”, so entrepreneurs pay “Business Coaches” and “Consultants” a fortune to sink deeper into debt and despondency. The key is to find a coach or consultant who is actually capable of running your business better than you do. Think about it. Jim Stovall said, “Only learn from people who already have what you want.” We asked a very wealthy friend for his advice and it earns us over $10,000 per month in passive income. A bum on a bench will not give you the same advice as a judge on the bench. Your bank manager has no idea how to run a successful business, since she is an employee. What ask for her business advice? After all, she works for you.

Find people who are very successful in the area yin which you wish to prosper, and learn from them. Find richer, smarter, more successful people than you are to learn from. And please do your due diligence and check them out first. Anyone can tell you a wonderful story and exaggerate the facts. Insist on proof. In many cases, it’s “Big hat, no cattle”. Don’t be impressed with their smart, leased car and their home that is mortgaged to the hilt. When someone has to tell you how wealthy they are, they usually have no money. “I live in West Vancouver”. Yes, in a rented room someone else’s house. A shiny business card and expensive brochure doth not make the man. Take your time before seeking advice. The oracle may just turn out to be an ox.

At DollarMakers, we tell it like it is, we keep it real, and we build solid relationships with people before hopping into business bed with them. That’s why we encourage people to attend meetings and participate in the conference calls, Bootcamps, and the Cancun Convention. We’re excited to have some wonderful Members and as we grow you get access to more and more exceptional people.

I was in bad trouble. I was about to lose everything, and those I had expected to help me (family) were not coming to my rescue, in spite of the fact that I had never approached them before (and never will again.) The bank was about to pull all of my credit, and things looked darkish. My panicked decision was to sell my house and rent in order to get out of debt, so I called in on my smart, successful friend and asked for his advice.

When you’re in a deep, dark hole with slimy, steep, slippery sides, and the water is pouring in, you usually only admit that you have a problem when the water touches your nostrils. Until then, you live in denial, hope for the best, write pathetic “business plans”, hide, and make weak excuses that nobody believes.\

Many small business owners flock to “business networking meetings” where they desperately try to sell stuff to other broke people, or dig their hole even deeper with ineffective advertising. Worse still, they hire unemployed business failures who label themselves “Business Consultants” or “Coaches” and charge an arm and a leg to steal the last money you can borrow. (They’re also in a debt hole!)

Some people have lots of money, but they have no time and their debt is time. Either way, when your money, credit, or time is flowing out faster than it is flowing in, the murky, smelly water rises until it’s high enough to get our attention. At that point, we try to make a logical business decision while in a state of panic. That’s when we start to understand the old saying, “desperate people do desperate things”. Situational Ethics kicks in faster than a speeding bullet. And I am now addressing the people who are in this very situation, or who have the courage to see that it is approaching like the proverbial oncoming train.

When you see you’re finally about to drown in the hole you so carefully dug, who do you call? A three-year-old with a pink, plush toy? Do you call over to the “life coach” in the hole next door? Do you invite an advertising salesman over to pour a few extra barrels of water into your hole? Or sign up to sell real estate or life insurance? I know this sounds familiar to some of us, since I have been there myself. How did I very narrowly avoid certain bankruptcy on one scary occasion? Not by doing what I had always done, I assure you. Not by second-guessing people who were capable of saving me, and not by resorting to the arrogance born of fiery fear.

Here’s what I did, and what you might want to consider if a few lungfuls of water is not your cup of tea: Find the most successful, competent, insightful, straight-talking people you can, and give them a vested interest in helping you out of your hole. Follow their instructions to the letter, or they’ll throw you back like the minnow you are, faster than you might imagine.

I Listened To Every Word My Friend Said

Gerald Voutsas took an objective, relaxed look at my ridiculous plan, showed me that it definitely would put me deeper in the hole, and offered an alternative solution as quickly and easily as passing me another ginger biscuit. I did exactly what he told me to do, and he saved my asset. It took a few months, and lots of hard work, but I learned my lesson and I never put myself into that situation again. I avoid those dark holes like the plague, an the way I teach Joint Venture Brokering is based in part on avoiding that kind of deep, dark hole.

OK, I know you’re going to ask me, “But where do I find these experts?” That’s why we created DollarMakers. I wanted a decent financial planner, so I went to a very good friend who is also my Joint Venture Partner, very wealthy, and a successful lawyer, and asked him whom HE uses for his financial planning (insurance). Now we use the same insurance guy. Birds of the feather. Successful people know other successful people. And only someone who is happily not in a hole can help you out of the hole. “The blind leading the blind” is an everyday occurrence in business, masterminding with the mindless…

Elicit, then follow the expert advice of real experts to the letter. And don’t you dare second-guess, question, or slack off. I listened to Gerald, and I didn’t drown.