Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Direct Sales Is Just Like Greekdom!



When people hear of any direct sales company, they often feel they suddenly have a PhD on the industry, company, or representative regardless of their personal education, experience, or a direct relationship to both a direct sales company or someone who is involved within a direct sales business!  

The terms multilevel marketing (MLM), network marketing, or attraction marketing have a varying impact (positive or negative) on each listener but I am using direct sales today to describe any opportunity that ONLY compensates an individual whenever a product is sold and does not pay a person for simply recruiting another person into a business just like most fraternities and sororities do not compensate their members for recruiting someone to join their organization.  I have yet to hear of a fraternity or sorority that is the legitimate exception.

Name or create any fraternity or sorority and you will soon find that its members regardless of their years of membership, financial membership, and local activity, influence, or office will know that there are a small set of known reasons, excuses, and qualification issues that people will become a member (direct sales representative in our case) or not.  

Some people simply do not currently have the money to get started (which simply means they need the opportunity more than ever), others are unable to make the grade (possibly due a past criminal infraction at a younger age or unable to pass a credit check without raising too many red flags), or the widely known excuse for disliking or not having a warm fuzzy relationship with a current member or organization (direct sales representative or direct sales company).  All of these situations may be simply temporary conditions just like the weather, so patience is required by all alike.  Anyone that continues a lifestyle to extend their unqualified status is not a worthy prospect anyway.

Many potential direct sales representatives (recruiting prospects) have a very unique way of comically saying the same things before an interview that undoubtedly signal that they are going to be trouble down the road.  For example, the person who by act, word, or deed that feels they need to know the meaning of every word or sentence found on every page of the pledge process, initiation, or ritual before becoming a company recognized representative is undoubtedly going to be an unproductive representative or ultimately quit for it is simply inevitable.  Either the prospects' mindset must indeed change or time spent training them will be wasted.

The often heard adult lifestyle excuse "I don't have the time" simply means "I am not interested or passionate enough about the opportunity" as the same individuals will soon call you clearly within days or next week to attend a sports event, food or entertainment venue, or other place requiring your time, energy, effort, and money as if the two opportunities never appear on the same timeline of someone's life experience.  

It is surreal to finally realize that most of our friends and family members will always call us to spend money but never really seek to provide productive opportunities for us to save or make money legitimately in a way that can be passed onto our descendants or people we know and trust throughout our circle of influence regardless of where this third person lives (geographically or within our future).

The most shocking excuse that I have ever heard to date is that a person who was initially extremely negative about a direct sales opportunity and later became involved within the same opportunity confessed that their initial negativity was based upon feeling "I didn't want my friend to do better than me".

There are people who will also foolishly listen to the opinions of others who are unqualified or unmotivated themselves.  This is what prevents most people from seeking membership within any Greek letter organization.  Misery indeed loves company and broke people will apply the crab theory in any way possible to clip the wings of anyone who seeks to do better than themselves within any opportunity outside of a W-2 environment.  

Judge organizations by controllable organizational factors and not based upon specific individuals for each one may be an exception to the rule.

Even spouses have been known to spew venom on the dreams and possibilities of their supposedly loved one's hopes and potential because they are simply coasting in life itself or hopefully do not want to outed as skating on their spouse's rib or coattails or finally discovered by their spouse as being always and forever unable to survive on their own.  But if one spouse or partner is selfishly controlling another or manipulating their spouse by commission or omission, the relationship is ultimately not sustainable and always will exist below its potential.

It is often as if the W-2 environment is only acceptable to the resident haters within all of our lives because there are a variety of multivariable calculus factors that they will only justify in their minds that they themselves may not have been able to get through as a W-2 job such as having the right resume that reaches the right HR personnel on the right day at the right time while the right person is in the right mood and they had to have the right interview at the right distance away from the right home in the right neighborhood after graduating from the right schools with the right degrees with the right memberships and right amount of dues paid in full while answering the right questions in the right way and getting in full, righteous sync with the right recruiter to receive the green lights of being hired at the right pay.  But let there exist a process where a simple form has to be completed and reasonable, initial start up fees paid without any of the hiring process shenanigans of corporate America and now the hater must shank a death blow to either the value of the direct sales opportunity itself or the direct sales representative's credibility as if their child or spouse is pending death at the hands of terrorist kidnappers.

The more tragic as well as funny excuse is when a person (that also is the same as found on the undergraduate and graduate levels of membership) is so self-centered that they believe they can achieve a successful lifestyle on their own without the assistance or efforts of anyone else or that they have already made it to the top of their profession while leaving their own children to start from the valley of life's mountain all over again because their personal success is not transferable (in whole or part) to their next generation.  No cubicle or corner office is ever found within a will unless there is ownership!

Is there a solution or workaround? Yes, there is!  

One must simply begin any direct sales opportunity with the same mindset of anyone that seeks membership within any Greek letter organization:  to first of all improve their own personal lives through faith and not fear in ways known and potentially NOT FOUND ON ANY BROCHURE, FLYER, INTEREST MEETING, SMOKER, RUSH PERIOD, STEP SHOW, SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECT, PRESS, PAST PERSONAL INTERACTIONS, or CAMPUS PR, fully complete the pledge process in spite of any potential negativity expressed or seen before, during, or after the initial process is completed (such as those who will leave your life for both justifiable differences and fearful excuses), understand that there will no skating or paper membership gained just because your relative or friend is a member, be genuinely interested within the company's products and services not just because you have the grades or money (or even desperately really needing the money or multiple lifestyle options), or seeking the appearance of visible success while your personal life remains in shambles.  But the best solution of all is found by simply being a professional at all times which includes going on a lifetime quest of self-improvement and leadership development that never ends!

Begin the lifetime quest and the entire Maslow's hierarchy of needs will be obtained (Matthew 6:33).

Every direct sales opportunity and a person's success or failure fully depends upon the amount of consistent effort to increase their achievement or personal success IQ in spite of the presence or absence of financial compensation, accolades, or feedback from friends and family alike.  

A personal transformation must begin and continue within the mind that radiates throughout a person's life or else gravity will eventually return the people back to living the same old 40 year lifestyle that pop culture and formal education indoctrinates youth into accepting.  Our legacies are cemented when we are able to transfer our personal philosophies of success to our children and other adults with ears to hear!

Achieving Greek letter organization membership was always meant to represent only the starting point of brotherhood or sisterhood and not just represent planting a flag at the top of the mountain only to descend and permanently dwell within the pits below the valley below and never return back up the mountain!  We were given membership as a gift and recognition of found worthy to bring others to the top of the mountain as someone once brought us!

Each of us was given a set of measurable leadership skills, an accepted formula of leadership and means of accomplishing a task or goal, and organizational culture!  One single day in a gym does not make one a fitness bodybuilder!  The endeavor must simply become a lifestyle!

Our own personal success and legacies are not fully secured until we have become a part of the tide to lift all boats to ensure that our sons and daughters will have a better world to live in themselves.  Therefore I say that those who at best were or still are GDIs, pull yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps-while-not-founding-any-organization-or-chapter, resume-only enhancing sociopaths willing to steal anything at any point in time from their fraternity brothers or sorority sisters including character, reputation, and/or goodwill, jealous wannabes, or the types that believe and act as if "I'll close the door now that I have gained access" are not the type of people any direct sales company should have as representatives!  

It is up to each direct sales representative to become professional enough to not recruit unqualified or unworthy people out of desperation or financial need as well as refrain from regularly interacting with such people for they are the ones who are your best and productive backstabbers!

Stop creating and maintaining high quality, self-inflicted wounds!

Do we live in perfect world?  No.  But are we able to make it better than the way we found it?  Absolutely yes!

I hope my words and thoughts have made a positive difference within your life today and forever, so be sure to let me know how you feel one way or another!

Be sure to stay tuned for a continuation as well.

Peace!

Roney Smith

p.s.  My words are not an endorsement, critique, or review of any direct sales companies and their respective trademarks or service marks such as Herbalife, MCA, It Works, ACN, Shaklee, Numis, or Amway.

Do your own homework (due diligence) and make up your own mind!

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Enjoy The Centennial Conclave & Take An Undergrad to Breakfast!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Grand Conclave regardless of your own personal attendance!

Please use the hashtag on Twitter #Kappa100 for any posts you make and be sure to join Twitter right away if you have not.  I am on Twitter myself at seedoflife

A mind blowing opportunity came available back in the early spring for our girls to make their first visit to Disney World and immediately I saw a clear fork in the road where both options could not be taken at once.

I was rather ticked at first since the plans did not include any dads considering as many previous conversations in our own household about seeing our kids' faces on their first trip to such a world recognized place had taken place, but the other moms had to slowly pull out one by one.

When I thought about the Centennial Conclave's dates, the question came to me whether my descendants would know, remember, and appreciate my attendance at the Centennial Conclave versus personally going to Disney World with our family and there was no decision to make at that point.

My wife Wyteria and I have not been to Orlando since 1993 and there is a slight possibility of catching a space shuttle launch in Cape Canaveral since it is only 55 miles away if it occurs Sunday or Monday versus Friday or Saturday as planned.  Seeing a launch would be icing on the cake for us all.

I hope to take everyone to Clearwater, FL too so they can experience the Gulf of Mexico as I did back in 2006 which was very cool.

There is plenty of excitement worldwide over our Centennial Conclave anniversary too!

I hope and pray that all Brothers attending remain safe and have a pure blast!!

As much as I could not be there, I believe that all of us should find enthusiastic pleasure and joy to know that an initiate of your home chapters are indeed in the number whether you know them personally or not!

Just to know that Nupes are there soaking up all the Brotherhood imaginable and being an initiate of your home chapter of initiation is the next best thing to being there yourself!!!

I hope that they will share any updates, photos, and videos possible while there and especially upon his return.  Hopefully another initiate is in the crowd and we will discover before he returns home:)

Please consider joining Twitter if you have not already since there are a nonstop flurry of tweets using a special hashtag #Kappa100.

You can check them out here even without a Twitter account:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=kappa100

We shot a video of breaking the news to our girls about Disney World and it could be said that black kids take the news very hard when compared to seeing their grandmas:)  Our oldest was in grief filled shock until she was told over and over again that her grandma would arrive later in the day to go to Florida as well.

It was really a "Wow" moment for us all and not necessarily in the best way but she is still warming up to the idea hour by hour since.




Please consider encouraging Brothers attending the Centennial Conclave to take an undergraduate Brother to breakfast by complete surprise one morning and their lives will be changed for the better beyond anyone's imagination!!

I did it at my last out of town Conclave (easier to do somehow than at home) and had a blast meeting a new Brother in this way.

Have a great, safe summer and please share any photos or videos of how your summer is going!

Yours in the Bond!!!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Leadership Is Simply On Trial Worldwide

This morning and after last night's Bible study, I now realize that it is leadership that is simply on trial worldwide.

All institutions and organizations worldwide have taken leadership for granted to their own detriment and that of their members.

The leadership that the Church is commanded to provide and the world expects, desires, tries to imitate, and desperately needs is on trial simply because regardless of the individual's beliefs, the Church has indeed been given the ultimate keys of leadership and example in Christ Jesus.

This morning I am thanking God for both open and closed doors and as a result, I reviewed my own history within ministry with the accused directly and indirectly and found the smoking gun that I now stand beside in understanding the recent accusations here in metro Atlanta by creating a time line of leadership.

Poor leadership created the opportunity and domino effect that every accusation has at its roots.  It is not religion as most want to believe or see.

All of us have been fully indoctrinated prior to our founding about Proverbs 3:5 where it states:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

The desire and need for "yes men" at all levels of leadership clearly violates Proverbs 3:5 because the presence of "yes men" reinforce the foolish belief that one's opinions are true, accurate, above reproach, and never incorrect.

"Yes men" also lead one to believe in the value of the "one man show".

The biggest lesson I have learned and will never forget as a result of the last 48 hours is to divide and conquer my own leadership and confidence.  If I am the only male figure in the lives of my daughters, I have failed to fully prepare them and miss the opportunity of providing room and examples of leadership from their uncles, my friends, church family, and Fraternity.

The removal and absence of leadership support suddenly multiples the reversal of successful leadership and removes the friction that would have kept bad leadership decisions away.

Bottom line, I am horribly shocked while remaining steadfast to what I have been taught and believe.  Wearing a Laurel Wreath is not a requirement to know, do, and be a better leader as all of us have been clearly taught.

It has to get even uglier before it can get any better!

Yours in the Bond!

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Although Founders' Day Is Tomorrow, It Was A Night Like Tonight That Set It All Off

Brothers All,

It just hit me that our Grand Fraternity was founded on a Sunday night like tonight back in 1911.

Can you imagine getting together shortly after welcoming in a new year on a college campus not very hospitable to not African-American, not Black, but Negro students?

rofl:)  I know you can simply because you have experienced many of the same feelings and sentiments first hand yourself at Francis Marion or any college campus during your own student days.

Nothing but the date on the calendar separates us from what our Founders experienced both as students and male descendants of slaves college graduates in America.  What we owe them as well as each other is the never ending ambition, fortitude, and courage to not give in while we are ascending upwards.

Regardless of what you have accomplished or still wish to see fulfilled, let this Founders' Day be a day where rededicate yourself to achievement in every human endeavor where you find yourself a participant.

The sidelines are for the others while we are to remain in the game and change it for the better within an undeniable fashion.

2009 is going to be a year of historic hope and proportions of what we bring to the table.  Any setbacks or defeats in 2008 or earlier are in the history books and those dues have been paid in full.

As you step to your daily lifestyle tomorrow and for the rest of this year, walk boldly with the confidence that from that Sunday night in 1911 to our current day that God has placed you on this earth for a specific reason and your best days are ahead of you versus in your rear view mirror.

There is no time to see the past for anything less than inspirational simply because we are still here!

Do not rest or allow any detractor or self-defeating thoughts find you in any other position than the driver's seat and the one of victory!

Now make your move and make it count for something positive and eternal.

Yours in the Bond!


Saturday, July 26, 2008

Summertime 2008 Home Run: Grand Polemarch's Listening Tour held...

Unfreakinbelievable, on the level of the astronomical aligning of planets, a solar and lunar eclipse combined, and an earthshaking force beyond the grasp of a Richter scale, and one clearly to go down in the annals of Kappa history as being as pivotal in our history as the very first expulsion of a member.


The event that I am describing is none other than the Grand Polemarch's Listening Tour that I attended earlier today here in Atlanta, GA.


The tour was planned by various members and chapters of the Metro Atlanta Coalition of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chapters located throughout the metro Atlanta area.  Eight alumni chapters were represented and put on a showcase designed to reclaim inactive Brothers back into the Bond.


The attendance was not as high as expected as one Brother stated to me that I had not seen at least a decade since we were both members of the same alumni chapter and the low attendance more than likely should be attributed to the belief that Brothers had heard enough of rhetoric, brow beating, and pointing of fingers to make staying at home and away more desirable than getting as confrontational as one would have done during our undergraduate days.


Brothers Jwyanza Nuriddin and Michael Dubose gave an introduction and purpose for the event respectively and neither one carried any of the bureaucratic posturing and residue often witnessed during the days of CYA, press conferences, and other negative reporting due to lawsuits due to hazing and missteps occurring on any level.  This was very refreshing within itself actually.


Southeastern Province Polemarch Solomon Bradley welcomed brothers to an untraditional event being held with the province of his jurisdiction and everyone still felt welcomed.


The 8 alumni chapters then had their polemarch or representatives introduce themselves and their respective chapters.  We heard an old school-before-the new school Kappa song "Kappa Man", an almost stand up comedic routine, and the anticipated chest-beating arrogance if not confidence expected of such representatives as each chapter's brief history and recent achievements were mentioned.  Each chapter also listed their dues and only one chapter (Atlanta) had included the provincial and national dues within their amount thereby making the oldest chapter in the city the most affordable one while having the largest membership as well.  The represented chapters had displays featured throughout the room at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel across from Cumberland Mall which is extremely close to me.


Executive Director Richard Snow introduced Grand Polemarch Dwayne E. Murray Esquire and either Brothers Snow or Bradley mentioned that the 31st Grand Polemarch Murray is the first Grand Polemarch to be initiated in the 1970s which as a fact was not misunderstood and actually welcomed by myself even though I was initiated in the mid 80s.


Grand Polemarch Murray took the floor and sounded not so much as a politician running for office, but as a Brother (who is an attorney) representing the closest Kappa incarnation of US Senator Barack Obama making the case for change within Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. as one could never imagine.  Brother Murray was not in the role of a salesman, but a reminder of the spirit in which all men have sought Kappa Alpha Psi membership as well as what we experienced and benefited as a result of the undergraduate membership during those days and beyond.


We were reminded of the pride generated through individual and collective achievement and the leadership paradigm that all of us bring to the table when encountering any lifestyle or situation requiring the presence of a leader.


On a national level, I will go on the record to say that today was the proudest Kappa moment of mine outside of attending a Grand Conclave for finally I personally felt that we have a Grand Polemarch not baptized in suffocating corporate America mindset who "gets it" on an entrepreneurial level as well.


Brother Murray essentially confirmed my belief when he mentioned his pricing strategy for his law firm servicing clients who need a bankruptcy attorney.  Never before have I seen a Grand Polemarch not hide behind his employer, home province, or undergraduate chapter while stating a case for not only reclamation but where Kappa is going in our near term future.


The entire room heard that there was room for each inactive Brother while "the Kappa Train was going to get the job done with or without anyone getting back on board".  The statement was made without veiled threats and overt or covert manipulation.  Even his statements that would have made the room uneasy if expressed by past provincial and grand polemarchs did not talk down to anyone or cut off anyone's family jewels as a Chicago civil rights leader recently and frankly stated.


When he concluded his comments, Grand Polemarch Murray received a standing ovation and the floor was opened for a question and answers session.


I was fortunate to ask the lead off question and I asked what did he feel would be his legacy to the Bond through the usage of technology to leave No Nupe Left Behind:)  He responded that it was a good question and answered with an innovation that (I will not elaborate here but it) would make our Founders proud.  I did tip my hat to him for the transparency of his administration and effort that is being made now.


Other questions focused on consolidating chapters into a single city-wide chapter (the answer was no) and what could undergraduate chapters do to help ease the transition into alumni chapters (I don't remember the answer here).  But the Brother who asked the very last question brought out a response and piece of news not widely shared throughout the Bond from our Grand Polemarch.  Grand Polemarch Murray mentioned a reinstatement process (for expelled Brothers) whose official name is not fully remembered at this moment, but this process includes a review board of both independent Brothers recognized for their judgment and integrity and a few Grand Board members.


The process is worthy of further promotion since it does look at how has the expelled member lived their life since the expulsion to include if their name is found on any birth certificates (since many men are not allowing their names to be placed on birth certificates further denying their fatherhood and involvement in their children's lives).  The review process can only receive a big thumbs up from myself since it covers the base of responsibility for both the Bond and individual Brother (although expelled at the moment).


One insightful thought expressed that I imagine will be heard through the Murray administration going forward is "One Kappa".  One Kappa is a concept that produced a highly valued, fundraising campaign for and has received recognition from the St. Jude's Children's Hospital located in Tennessee.  The Grand Board held its meetings upstairs before and after the reclamation event and I was able to be in the right place at the right time to hear the CEO of St. Jude's "lay it on heavy" to express his and the hospital's thanks for our generosity to the hospital.  When I first entered the room, I actually thought that he was making a demonstration to entice the Bond into buying something.  But I quickly understood from his own comments that he was sincerely and deeply thanking Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for its work and the "Sunday of Hope" project held earlier this year.


I anticipate that One Kappa will be expanded to establish and maintain a minimum, high standard of achievement and excellence to accomplish a specific task "from the window to the wall".


After the final benediction was given, it was great to continue meeting new Brothers for the first time and seeing faces unseen since my grad school days and early days of moving to Atlanta.  If the local chapters take Grand Polemarch Murray's words and a potential new financial incentive from the Grand Board, local chapters worldwide should anticipate a strong membership increase within the next few years.  I hope that I'm able to get a copy of the presentation and points mentioned to share on this blog.  The concepts were as progressive and aggressive as never seen before within my 24 years of fraternal membership.  I just hope and believe that everyone should get ready for any bureaucratic counterattack to undermine the effort by those who felt that the previous belief systems were untouchable, sacred cows.


Right now, I am still awestruck at the gentle ferociousness of our Grand Polemarch and his belief that we can get to our next levels individually and collectively with his simple but powerful words "the best thing that we can do for each other is to be brotherly to one another".  This statement alone is one of healing for the Bond since we have experienced more than enough of our share of "friendly fire".


I also finally heard multiple opportunities for fraternity activity beyond the alumni chapter where I was once a member.  After graduate school and within the early days of my ministry, my local participation decreased due to basic lifestyle differences that I now believe were generational gaps of age as well as a "corporate versus entrepreneurial" mindset.  


I was a former vice-polemarch of a chapter that still holds its meeting on the same day of the month as they did when I was younger and active.  But Friday nights are currently not feasible within my household due to the ages of my daughters and being one of the main working nights of my wife.  In the short term, things will not change until the girls are much older.  As a result, I never looked seriously toward joining any of the other chapters due to distance (although gas was cheaper then) and the perception that things were basically the same in the remaining chapters.  Today I did hear otherwise and one immediate benefit of membership within a chapter that meets during a weeknight is that Brothers will not be as available and open to staying up to midnight and hours beyond which is a home run blessing for me:)


Fortunately I have more endeavors to participate within to have an impact worldwide than focusing on becoming a chapter officer which is not a goal of mine (as I would have done in my younger days).  But I am equipped and capable of quickly and easily providing the necessary fraternal and technical assistance being sought for future technological roll outs valued within the Bond worldwide.  Hopefully there will be an opportunity to help both each chapter and Brother within the Bond make a quantum leap to be a bigger blessing to others based upon experiences gained over my lifetime and within the past 5 years especially.  If I am able to do this, then any time, money, and energy spent will be resources not donated in vain.


I hope to share and pass on more of the seeds and fruits produced today and I know that there will others who will hopefully share their thoughts.


As we draw closer to our 100th anniversary in 2011, it is going to become very interesting to see what can be achieved within the next 3 years.  It is going to be a solid ride for sure!


Brother Grand Polemarch Murray, thank you for your respect of all Kappa men and for not wasting our time! 


Yours in the Bond!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Received a glimpse of things to come!

This morning I am reveling in a preview of what is going to take place within our Bond as a result of technology.

At the same time, I am deeply disturbed at revelations that clearly threaten our Bond and the quality built up since 1911.

There is a lot of work that has to be done from Brother to Brother and even though there are more pressing short-term issues that all of us face, the alarm being sounded is indeed a real one that should shock you regardless of when you crossed the Sands.

More is to come and while our futures look so bright, it is indeed time to fight!

Yours in the Bond!

Monday, February 04, 2008

Flickr photos added to the right sidebar

Now you can see the latest Kappa photos that appear on Flickr within the right sidebar.

The photos already appear on the No Nupe Left Behind website and we wanted to continually spread great content versus putting handcuffs on the images as some would prefer.

Here is the widget used:


Yours in the Bond!