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Last night I surprised my lovely wife when I dramatically changed my strongly held opinion on a certain business opportunity.

We’re all faced with choices, opportunities, and options on a regular basis. We approach it all with a healthy dose of skepticism, as well we should, and we find it important not to rush blindly into new ventures or take up certain options. We’ve been around long enough not to get swept up into every scheme and scam around, and that protects us from the con artists and from losing our proverbial shirts. All good. Except when we throw healthy babies out with the bathwater, miss the train, and overlook the diamonds in the mud, that is.

We’re masters of self-deception, and we diligently seek evidence to support our dominant beliefs and justify our choices - it’s only human. We hate to be proven wrong or admit that we missed a lucrative  opportunity, and we trot out endless streams of “reasons” why we were right. It takes courage and humility to change one’s opinion, even reverse it completely. It’s hard to say, “I was wrong, I missed it, and it cost me money.” You can be “right” or you can be rich. Business is not about feeling important, infallible, and ingenious - it’s about making money. The most successful entrepreneurs I know fail on a regular basis. Babe Ruth struck out more than anyone in baseball history, I’m told.

The scary thing is that we lose a lot of money with wrong decisions, and usually it’s our fear, ego, conditioning, bias, and pig-headedness that makes the decision instead of a calm, objective, rational business brain. That’s why it’s important to put the old ego on hold when evaluating one’s options. Looking back, I have lost a lot of money by missing opportunities. And I know a lot of others who have lost a lot, and even some right now that are going to miss huge opportunities that they are being exposed to through DollarMakers. I could name names, but I won’t - their skepticism is going to rob them blind, and they don’t know it yet.

I attended a meeting this week where I met a character that had been a Member of the DollarMakers Club when it first started, but he lapsed his Membertship and never got really involved. He’s a typical. lazy, west coast specimen who has no idea how much money he could have made through DollarMakers had he stayed with us. I know of at least a dozen specific, lucrative opportunities that would have funnelled thousands into his bank account, had he simply showed up at our events and stayed active. But I guess pot, beer, and ice hockey got in the way. The same applies to people offering website services, computer services, financial services, and real estate who were involved with us, but their desperation for a quick fix and easy money had them scampering off to greener grass, only to find it growing over a cesspit. By the time they limp back to us with their tails between their legs and a big bag of excuses, their spot has been taken by a smarter person; we don’t want them back. (”Where were you when we needed you?”)

Decisions cost money or make money, and because nothing stays the same, we need to have the courage to revisit past decisions, if it’s not too late for tears, which it often is. Better still to make the right decision at the outset by aligning yourself with real entrepreneurs who think rationally, and not relying on advice from your loser relative or an unemployed has-been or jumped-up kid that calls himself a “Business Coach”.

Last night I was more interested in making a lot of honest money than feeling embarrassed by telling Rika, “I was wrong, the situation has changed, and I have changed my mind.” Think of it this way: to go faster in your car, you need to change gears. Change is good, and we should embrace it like a warm puppy.

The DollarMakers Credited Business Mentor Training Program

• Become a Certified Business Mentor (CBM)
• Learn how to Double the Profits in virtually Any Business
• Earn real money getting real results for business owners

As a Protégé of Robin J. Elliott and Patrick Giesbrecht, get five days of personal, hands-on coaching in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia

For 18 years, I consulted with the owners of small and medium sized businesses to dramatically increase their profits. As I got more involved with the DollarMakers Membership and traveled around the world more frequently, I stopped the consulting. My fees ran from $500 per hour to $1200 per hour and my monthly retainers were $5,000 plus profit sharing, but my heart was in the Bootcamps and my Joint Ventures.

I continually get requests from business owners to help them grow their businesses through my business mentoring, and there is nobody I would recommend to do that. After seeing how many “Coaches” and “Consultants” out there cost a small fortune and do more damage than good, I don’t know one person who can do what we do. OK, I know one person who can do it: Patrick Giesbrecht, the fellow who retired within seven months of attending my Bootcamp, but he doesn’t do mentoring either.

And so we came up with a solution: We would offer personal, intense, hands-on training to a few, carefully selected, qualified Protégés so that we can turn them into Business Mentors who are equipped to go into virtually any business and double or quadruple its profits, and get very well paid to do so. We created a five day, focused program, during which Patrick and I will personally coach and train these few, selected people and duplicate our skills in them. They will learn directly from my 21 years of experience and Patrick Giesbrecht’s business genius.

We will accept only a limited amount of Protégé’s per group, and we will include their accommodation, meals, and a professional city tour of our home, Vancouver, the most beautiful city in the world. Spouses and life partners can attend the training as well, at no cost, and their accommodation and tour will also be included (with the exception of their meals).

If you are interested in applying to be a Protégé, you can complete an application form on this site. We reserve the right to accept or reject applicants without an explanation, and since we will only accommodate a few people over five days, there will be very few slots to fill and we are already inundated with applications. If you’re interested in applying to be personally trained to be a Business Mentor, click here.

Read what you get and what investment is required before completing this Application.

“Vertical Thinking” is analytical, focused, left-brain, binary (black or white) and narrow. This is the way most of us in the west have learned to view life and business. Horizontal thinking, on the other hand, is creative, right-brain, lateral, open, inclusive, synergistic, and strategic. Joint Ventures utilize and optimize both these approaches perfectly.

Edward DeBono , author of 62 books on creative thought, said:

“Some people are unhappy about lateral [horizontal] thinking because they feel it threatens the validity of vertical thinking. This is not so at all. The two processes are complementary, not antagonistic. Lateral thinking enhances the effectiveness of vertical thinking by offering it more to select from. Vertical thinking multiplies the effectiveness of lateral thinking by making good use of the ideas generated.”

The Wedding Planner, for example, is good at providing all the services and products related to weddings and the immediate events, even going as far as the honeymoon arrangements, and she gets paid a commission on all referred business within that limited time realm.

A good Joint Venture Broker, on the other hand, will see well beyond that to a strong mailing list that builds an ongoing, long-term relationship and proceeds to mutually benefit both parties over the years; that married couple will breed, buy houses, furniture, cell phones, and holidays, and fifty percent of them will get divorced. All those services can garner serious income for the broker and the service providers, while at the same time providing massive, additional value for the couple. The joint venture broker thinks out of the box.

A Joint Venture Broker is Focused on Back-End Income Sources

The traditional business owner is focused on his own products and services, to the exclusion of multiple additional sales and service opportunities. This myopic approach explains why, in my opinion, the average small and medium-size businesses out there only operate at about 10% of the potential net profit. A lateral thinking, Joint Venture approach can set up numerous back end income sources, all at 100% margin (we like to call them DollarMakers) within hours, days or weeks, thereby turbo-boosting income and differentiating the business from it’s competition, whose blinders keep them working too hard for too little.

Leverage and duplication can be systematically applied to virtually any business when the JV Broker applies this open mindset to the business services, focusing on providing the optimal ease and value for the customer and getting paid on all resulting transactions, much like owning multiple Toll Booths on thousands of bridges across the world.

Best of all, this can be accomplished with no money or risk, and surprisingly little time, since this involves leveraging existing resources. The Joint Venture Broker looks for links and partnership opportunities, and specializes in building a congruent flow of business.

When you think out of the box, you get out of the box, and unlimited opportunities suddenly start appearing all over.

Your time is your most valuable asset, and it is like priceless pearls to you. They are limited, as your days on earth are limited. Your time is that important.

Hilton Johnson has been in direct sales for over 40 years. He has been coaching and training salespeople, managers, professionals and business owners for over 30 years. This man knows what he’s talking about. He says,

“One thing that will burn you right out of this business, folks, is spending your time with the wrong people.”
- Howard Johnson

I cannot stress this strongly enough.

There is an idiomatic Japanese saying, “Gold coins to a cat.” Not only will you waste time that could have been put to better use with good people, but there is a serious danger attached. Read the following:

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
- Christian Bible

Note the scary last part: “And turn and render you” - that means rip you apart! Yes, they will turn on you when they can’t understand your opportunity and message! They will punish you for their own lack of understanding and discipline. By casting your pearls before swine, you bring them into your business, your circle, your family, where they can become dangerous traitors. Now here’s another shocking reality:

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

It’s not just dumb to spend time with the wrong people, it’s dangerous. Make people qualify for your time. Protect it carefully, steadfastly and seriously!

Successful Joint Venture Brokers have the ability to remove their own egos, products and services from the picture when they create Joint Ventures. 99% of people that attend my Bootcamps are there to find a way to increase the sales of their own product or service, using JV’s. That’s fine, and it’s easy to double the profits in your own business using JV’s, but it’s not the JV mindset that makes the big money.

By focusing on connecting others, solving their problems, and helping them reach their goals, you insert yourself effectively into their cash flow. You get invited to participate in their profits. You become important in their lives. They like you and they reciprocate if you have set the JV up correctly.

You should remember that other people don’t care about you, your products or services, or ego; they care about themselves first. Give them what they want and you’ll get what you want. You’ll become an integral key to their future success.

Be a good listener: look for clues and Hot Buttons, values, beliefs, and a track record. Decide whether or not you actually WANT to get involved with the person. Is this someone you feel comfortable promoting and associating with, or not? You’re mentally qualifying people for a JV partnership - you’re not a desperate salesperson. A JV Broker who is good at his or her profession is a very valuable asset to any business partner, and you can pick and choose from millions of businesses to work with.

You’re in the pound seats, and it’s your decision whom you choose.

As a JV Broker, I decide whom I will work with, and my attention is on them, not me, because I have access to all the resources they need or want. I evaluate the person and the potential, and it’s always based on my level of comfort and their level of need. I only work with motivated, sincere, and professional people. I can afford to be very selective, and so I am. But I don’t go about talking about myself, simply because nobody gives a damn. Remember that - focus on others, be a catalyst for cash, and a middleman that multiplies the moola, not a self-employed, desperate, broke salesman, urgently touting something that people can buy on any street corner.

Now go forth, as Patrick Giesbrecht is wont to say, and JV!

So I recently talked with a young man named Blake. Blake told me he was looking for a “wonderful job”. So I asked him to describe this most wonderful job to me.

His description included: autonomy, working on his own program, to his own schedule, lots of money, of course, and travel, the ability to use his creativity, bonuses for innovation, etc. He wanted lots of freedom, but he said he works very hard. He also said he was creative, professional, and dedicated. I asked him what kind of boss he wanted. He replied with:

“Someone who really understands me, allows me to play to my strengths, and encourages me”

I told him, “You know what, Blake? You can have a job exactly like that. I know how you can get it. In fact, you can design your own job description, and you can even decide how much you will earn, including rewards for innovation, creativity, and professionalism. What’s more, I have the perfect boss for you - someone who really knows you, and more than that, CARES about you!” He was bouncing off the walls with excitement, begging to hear more.

I said, “The boss is YOU. Your own business. Total freedom, along with total responsibility, no limitations, and the world at your feet.”

At this point he predictably became angry. He said he wanted the “SECURITY” of a paycheck.

I answered…

“You should trust yourself more than anyone else in the world, Blake. Why would you feel more secure handing your life and income to someone else who doesn’t care about you? Is your self-esteem really so low? Here’s the real question, Blake: You know yourself, your abilities, and your work ethic. Would YOU hire YOU? If you would, here’s your perfect opportunity - start your own business - employ yourself!”

Guess what his next objection was - “It’s so risky to start a business.”

I agree completely. That’s why I teach people to start the best business in the world - no overhead, no risk, unlimited potential, flexibility, creativity, income, and freedom: being a Joint Venture Broker. Say no more!

Success is uncomplicated for people who understand that there are only three steps to reach it, and they are: Action, Traction, and Attraction. In my experience, anyone with an IQ of over 100 and a decent work ethic (those two criteria instantly eliminate a large percentage of the population) can climb these three simple steps to massive success in any business venture.

The first step is ACTION

Taking ACTION - or a four letter word for many, called WORK. Consistent, focused, uncompromising, quality work. Not just a flutter of work and bluster just before you fetch your boss at the airport; he sees through that quickly and your sins will find you out. Not sporadic, half-hearted attempts, or mere gestures.

I’m talking about real work, doing the things that get results. Doing the uncomfortable things at inconvenient times. Being on time, in place, and productive - every day. Working with enthusiasm and passion, without even considering quitting. Putting in the hours, going the extra mile, even when it rains or you feel ill. Consistent work. If you work long enough, you finally smash through the wall to resistance, and you eventually reach the next level, which is…

TRACTION.

This is when you start to see progress, momentum, branding, recognition - a profit. People start responding, your phone starts ringing; you begin to see progress. The wheels are digging in - they’ve stopped spinning on the ice and mud.  How long does it take before your action gets traction? However long it takes.

If you have a good mentor, work hard and smart, use Joint Ventures, and only work with the right people, it eventually happens. And when you start to get traction, it is not a time to sit back and take it easy! This is the signal to double your efforts, sharpen your axe, and work harder than ever. Don’t miss the opportunity to keep the traction going until you reach the desirable level of…

ATTRACTION.

Now your phone rings all day, and like the old song goes, “getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know, and offers coming over the phone…” Again, this is not a time to start resting, but a time to build on the momentum, strike while the iron is hot, and work harder! At a certain point (you will know when), you will be able to loosen up and take it a bit easy. If your systems are in place, you can delegate and allow the systems to do more work, but be vigilant, because the enemy lurks always.

Follow these 3 Steps, and you will reap what you sow.

Have you ever experienced a flat battery in your car? The more you try to start the car, the worse it gets, as the power drains away. The lights dim, the engine battles to turn over. That’s exactly what happens when you procrastinate on taking action. When you’re thrilled about a new project, that’s the time to jump into enthusiastic action: take advantage of the full battery of creativity, energy and insight that you have.

Get Your Butt In Gear By Ignoring Those Around You

By waiting, analyzing, talking to other broke, negative people, and allowing your battery to slowly run down, you ensure your failure and mediocrity. Eventually, you go ahead just because you said you would, but without the fire and power you had when you first saw the opportunity.

The longer it takes to take action, the less your possibility of success. As time passes, you start thinking of all the ways it won’t work. Your faith slowly gives way to fear, and you creep back into your shell of mediocrity.

The Window of Opportunity is Small - Go For It Immediately

When building a team, a downline, or a business, remember this: The window of opportunity is small, and those who make quicker decisions and get on board with excitement and action are the people you want on board. They will attract other winners like a magnet with their positive energy.

The others will suck your energy as they try to regain the optimism and eager expectancy they had when they first heard of the opportunity. “Paralysis of Analysis” is a character trait that spells doom and gloom for the rest of your team, and you don’t need that cancerous contamination.

Reward ‘The Walk’ and not ‘The Talk’

Lead by example, and be an action taker. Expect your people to do the same, and reward the walk, not the talk. If people don’t step up within a reasonable period of time, my suggestion is that you cut them loose as their battery dwindles. Invest your time and energy in strong, fired-up, action-oriented people.