There is no substitute for ongoing communication with all of your people. It builds unity, and shows interest. Here are some good ways to link those communication chains and keep them strong.
The Telephone
Reach out and touch someone, often. Up-line, your front line affiliates, leaders, and downline troops. Let them know you care and that you are there for them. Be friendly, but maintain your business posture.
Web site / email
Staying in regular contact with the downline leaders you do not see very often is important. There is nothing like an “Atta boy” for a job well done, or a personal goal reached. Your downline leaders love the attention. Since it is in writing, it will allow them the ego-building device of showing it to their friends and family. Effective use of notes can be a very good tool in keeping your downline people in close touch and happy. One last thing: there is an unspoken rule that mandates: problems go up-line, not downline. You control the lines of communication downline, so keep them active, open and ongoing!
Group identity
A strong bond creates unity within the group. It is up to you and your up-line to schedule regular meetings that will accomplish this important goal.
Unity meetings
Ask your sponsor or up-line leader to help you put together your first unity meeting. You should have one of these when your own downline has a strong group of affiliates you want to bring together for motivational purposes. If you cannot get your up-line leader to attend, contact them for advice and guidance.
Who runs the unity meeting?
Ideally, it will be one of your up-line leaders, but if they cannot be there, you do it, with their advice and suggestions.
Why have unity meetings?
There is nothing quite as effective as the efforts of a well-organized team in building organizations. Your team members will see how important this idea is and use it themselves.
Agenda for a successful meeting
1. Purpose of the meeting.
2. Develop teamwork.
· Build unity.
· Why is unity important?
· Builds momentum rapidly.
· Rapid growth with less effort.
· Effective use of time.
· Sets a good example for downline.
· Identification. Some of your prospects may feel more comfortable with another affiliate in the group. The team will make it easier for each of them to sponsor a wider variety of individuals.
3. Describe available up-line support.
· Business center meetings. Where and when.
· Business building tools.
· Training meetings. Where and when.
4. Our common goals spines at financial independence.
5. Commitments
· Regular attendance at all functions.
· Attitude.
· Build group unity.
· Ongoing communications. Up and Downline.
6. Set the date for the next meeting.
7. Summarize meeting. Have a questions and answers session.
How important is teamwork?
Pick a top pro athlete. Any one, any sport. What chance would he have against a team? Dumb Question, Right? Right! A team has strength. A team works as a unit. A well-trained team will beat any group of uncaring individuals.
Training meetings
Help you build teamwork, team spirit. Hold them regularly.
Potluck
This is a great way to build friendship among your group. Everybody pitches in and they all share in each other’s efforts, which is exactly what building a strong organization is all about. Sure, you can talk some business here, but leave lots of time for fun!
Leadership meetings
These are exactly what the term implies. This is an excellent way for up-line leaders to recognize and openly congratulate high achievers. To qualify, specific business levels must be attainable. This is another excellent way to build momentum, unity and team spirit.
Business meetings
These very important meetings are highly deserving of your time and efforts. You should:
· Get the word out through the phone, fax, or email.
· Get your new affiliates to attend often. This helps build unity and increase the level of their commitment.
· Go over the agenda with your top leaders. Get their comments so that they feel part of the team. It improves trust, increases respect and builds unity.
· Use these meetings to recognize outstanding achievement by any member of your downline.
· Be aware that group functions promote friendships among the leaders, which is fundamental to future growth of the entire network.
Understand it is your responsibility to build and develop your downline, and that business meetings are an excellent way to do that. If you need help putting one together, look to your up-line. If you find you have an Affiliate, or even a group of Affiliates in your networks that tend to isolate themselves from the group, find out why. Make them aware of the benefits of teamwork. This type of individual, or group of individuals, can set the wrong tone for everyone else.
If you cannot solve the problem, find another active leader in that leg of your downline and work with them, but do not lose the tie with this leg. Work in depth and include the whole group in all up-line activities.
How to chart your organization
Simple at the beginning; a square with your name in it and lines radiating out to your front line affiliates. Lines from them to their people, and so on. As your organization grows, there will be people coming aboard you do not know about, this is why it is so important that you stay in touch with your up-line managers. They will keep you informed about your network.
Keep an active & current address file
We do not care how you do it, but do it! Use a Rolodex, card file or a computer, whichever works best for you. List each affiliate including sponsor and leg, which will help you to identify each of your affiliate’s exact locations in your organization. This is important because:
· Accurate records mean good communication;
· It will help you follow the growth of your organization and thus see where leadership is developing, thereby guiding your future work efforts
· These charts are good tools for training meetings and strong visual aids for helping increase motivation; and
· They set a good example for your downline.
Important advisory!
All new affiliate applications must be in the mail to the company as soon as possible so that their names are keyed into a computer data base and thus receive all future mailings.
Long distance sponsoring
The most effective way to help a prospect, no matter how far away they might live from you, is in person. You should plan on spending three to five days with them and cover the following:
1. Two presentations in your prospect’s home with at least five of their prospects attending at each session. If two meetings aren’t practical, then one with the 10 prospects present.
2. Make and follow through with appointments made with their prospects.
3. Attend the new affiliate’s personal orientation meeting with their new affiliates.
4. Hold individual training with your new affiliate.
5. Hold a group training meeting with the new affiliates.
Remember to:
1. Bring enough executive sales kits, info packets and products.
2. Keep in close touch through:
- Letters
- Telephone calls;
- Fax and email;
- Personal visits when possible.
3. Have a new affiliate orientation meeting. If that is not practical, then do it over the phone, but make it clear to your new affiliate that they must conduct their front line orientation meetings regularly. No exceptions!
4. Teach them the business plan and make sure they have a copy of the executive sales kit.
5. Get them independent immediately! Encourage them to have their own home meetings, build teamwork and spirit of unity among their downline people; just like you are doing!
6. Your up-line will give you as much help as possible with your out of town affiliates, but it is your responsibility to train them and to keep in touch. Maintain strong communication ties. Keep them informed. Help them in every way possible to develop their downline.
Keeping it together
It is not as difficult as you might be thinking. What it boils down to is:
1. Continue what you have started.
2. Repeat the key steps with new people.
3. Teach them proper work habits.
4. Be consistent with them.
5. Stay in touch.
Your responsibility is to recognize people within your downline who have natural leadership abilities. Remember our motto is... Your success is our success.
Effective teaching techniques
Every leader in your organization must understand the ten steps and be able to teach them effectively to their groups. We cannot emphasize this strongly enough. You have to teach the steps to your leaders, then make sure they are passing this vital information along to their people. Ongoing attendance at their training meetings assures the successful implementation of the business plan. A rock solid organization rests on the firm foundation of consistency. Learn it properly and pass that on to your leaders. They pass it on to theirs and so on. One format, one way of doing things!
How do you learn to teach the 10 steps?
1. By faithful attendance at training meetings;
2. By recording these meetings, or taking notes;
3. By talking as often as you can with your up-line and sponsor on an informal basis, and listening for new information on how to build your business; and
4. By using affiliate business manual! By making it your Bible.
Become an expert in your business
How quickly you succeed, how effectively you grow, how dynamic your downline becomes, all depends on you. Teach the 10 steps effectively, make sure your people do the same, and you have taken a major step in ensuring your success!
