How to do the business without sounding like "that guy"

Note: a longer version of this was taught as a breakout session at Young Living's 2015 International Grand Convention. As well, this slideshow was made available for the 2015 YL Summit (online event). The slide / webinar style presentation that used to be here has been replaced with the clip above from a live workshop. 

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Jim Collins spent years studying the differences between the most successful companies and the “second best” companies. His findings are remarkable, because most people study the best and the worst- not the best and those who were “good” but not great. He wanted to know what made some companies rise  that last notch above the others.  

In his book Good to Great he compiles a short list of factors, including how the CEO led as well as how the organization dealt with favorable and unfavorable information. One of the most surprising traits of the great companies is what Collins labels “The Hedgehog Concept.”

He writes that hedgehogs are entirely different animals than foxes. Whereas foxes mess around, get into things, and cause general havoc because of their propensity to be busy, hedgehogs have one goal each day: stay alive- particularly by not getting eaten by the fox. To that end, the hedgehog is focused.

He compares the two animals and relays the following about each:

* Foxes are smart, but hedgehogs are simple (though not stupid). They’ve boiled their goal down to one simple task.

* Foxes pursue many things, but hedgehogs pursue one goal each day- don’t get eaten!

* Foxes see things for their complexity, while hedgehogs see things at their essence. (What’s more essential than just staying alive?)

Collins writes, “Hedgehogs… simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything.” Collins says it literally mesmerized his team to see the great companies “succeed abundantly by taking one simple concept and just doing it with excellence and imagination.” 

Is it possible to frame your entire Young Living business around a single unifying thread?

Is it possible… 

To make it all simple?

To pursue one singular task?

To see things at their essence?

In this video, we chat about aligning your passions with your expertise to create an income stream. 

You'll find the sweet spot where you sound natural and are at ease... and where things happen as a simple overflow of who are already are...

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The material comes from the Overflow Business Builder's Workshop- an online video course we've taught live.

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Most people don't want to "do the business" out of fear of being seen as "pushy" or "phony." Face it, we've all seen caricatures of that guy or gal. One of them may have even hassled us to try their product, to come listen to their pitch, or to learn about how we can make tons of money at some point in the past.

When I worked at a church, it seemed like everyone- and their parents- tried to tip us to the latest and greatest every month or so. It's almost like we HAD to listen to their initial pitch because "we worked for the church." We were (almost) a captive audience.

I understand your hesitations. Cristy and I didn't want to do the business either...

However, we've learned that "doing the business" can simply be a natural expression of who you are. In fact, that's when it works best.

In this presentation, we pull together some of the core concepts we discuss in the #Overflow business builders workshop. Specifically, we talk about three steps you can take to move towards doing your business as a natural overflow of who you already are.

Here's my premise: Everything you need to succeed, really, is already inside of you. You simply need to go on a journey of self-discovery. Sure, there's some info you'll need to learn + a few skills you'll want to master, but you already have the core of everything that's going to make you successful... 

Here's what I mean:

1. The first step is to master the Premium Starter Kit(s). As you do this, you learn the products that Young Living sells- and you're able to educate your team about those core products.

2. The second step is to discover a few "next level" products and integrate them into your daily routine. Next level products are really:

• Products that you use every day that didn't make it into the kit (like toothpaste, beauty products, health and fitness supplements, or even other oils), and
• "Replacement products" (things you used to snag from Walmart, Walgreens, or another retailer but now can purchase- a much healthier alternative- from yourself)

You can grow an incredible business simply by following the two steps above. And, you can do so without coaxing people to spend any more money OUT of their budget than they're already spending- especially once you understand how the "replacement products" work.

You know you're succeeded in #1 when you enroll people, when they "sign up and get the kit." You know you're succeeding in #2 when people enroll in Essential Rewards, that amazing program that gives you discounted shipping and lets you to earn free products.

Both of these are important (I shot a short video to describe how each one is like a wing of an airplane- you really need both to get that thing to fly long-term).

3. Third, finally, find an area where you can specialize, an area that is uniquely you. In reality, you probably have an area you already love. You may not have known that you could build your business around it.

There are distributors building entire businesses around the ART beauty product line.

Others push the supplements- or Ningxia Red.

A few emphasize having a "chemical free" home.

Sure, you teach "the kit" and host classes about the kit. But, it's your passion- and sharing with others from the area of you love- that creates momentum and excitement. And, when you're living from your passion, it doesn't seem phony at all. In fact, it's the most normal thing in the world- so much so that it would seem more weird to not live from there.

Alright, that's the Clif Notes version. I hope you enjoy the presentation.  

By the way, here's a graphic we use in the video above, showing how you can find an area where your expertise, your passions, and your financial opportunites all come together...