Greg Billings

I’m a fan of Robert Kiyosaki, if you haven’t figure that out!

He speaks extensively on the issue of Cash Flow.

Cash flow pattern of the poor . . . of the middle class . . . and of the rich.

The one most interesting, and what should be most troubling is the cash flow pattern of the middle class.

Kiyosaki paints the picture seen all too often:

• High paying jobs, with nice homes, cars and credit cards.
• Put money into retirement/401(k).
• Balance goes to purchase toys and liabilities that don’t put money in the pocket.

Over time, he notes, that lifestyle must be sustained. With higher paying jobs or working longer hours.

And then, the catastrophic ramifications of being laid off or fired.

The solution?

While he doesn’t reference it in this article, he has spoken on building a passive income asset.

But, he describes the cash flow pattern of the rich.

Investing in assets that generate income.

Where do you fall? Do you need to change? What steps are you taking?

Click here == >> New Rule of Money #3: Learn How to Control Cash Flow

To be a Master Prospector in network marketing, listening skills are critical.  Making a good impression and establishing rapport are key.

I’m reading the book, “17 Secrets of the Master Prospector”, written by John Kalench.

He says that one quality all Master Prospectors share is an insatiable curiosity about the people they meet.

How do you develop that curiosity if you don’t have it naturally?  It’s a trait you need to develop.

He told the story about a “listening, not talking” study conducted by a psychologist who wanted to prove his “pet theory” on listening.

The psychologist purchased a first class ticket from New York to Los Angeles.

The experiment:  Once on board, he would begin a conversation with the person seated next to him.

The rule for the five hour flight?  He would not say a single thing about himself.  He only would ask questions of his seatmate.

It went like this: the psychologist took his seat, and without introducing himself, he began asking questions.  Question after question, without ever saying anything about himself.

When the plane landed, a team of researchers took the psychologist’s flying companion for an interview.

Two remarkable facts summarized by the researchers?

• The flying companion said the man sitting next to him was absolutely the most interesting person he had ever met in his entire life.
• He didn’t know his name.

Isn’t this a fascinating picture of human nature?  And how people interact with one another?

In network marketing, the list of questions you can ask a potential business partner is endless:

• Where do you live? How long have you lived there? Do you like it? Have you always lived there?
• Where do you work? How long have you been there? Do you like it? What would you do if you weren’t working there?
• Do you have a family? How old are your kids? What do they do? What does your spouse do?
• What do you do for fun? Do you travel? Do you travel enough?

But asking the questions is only part of the process.  Actually listening to the answer is critical.

How would you rank your listening skills?  Does something like this come natural to you?  Or does it make you nervous?

Inc.com passed on some solid advice they received from people who want to become millionaires at a young age. They pulled together 11 tips of advice from people who became millionaires at a young age, as well as people who studied hundreds of self-made millionaires.

They may not have had internet-based businesses in mind, but these tips apply across the board.

I’ve got a ways to go to hit my millionaire status, but a number of these were already on my list.

• Increase your income in increments.   Earning passive income was on the list . . . and is my business model.  How about yours?
• Develop multiple streams of income.  Straight out of Robert Kiyosaki’s book—The Cash Flow Quadrant. “… the more income streams you can create in life, the more secure will your financial house be.”
• “…Every one of them (folks with million dollar fortunes) had the habit of reaching decisions promptly”
• Don’t show off.  Show up.  Save more and spend less.
• Invest in your future.  Every day, I spend time reading and taking in mentor information through videos, books, and blogs.
• Rich people are typically self-employed and determine the size of their own paycheck.  “While the world-class continue starting businesses and building fortunes, average people settle for steady paychecks and miss out on the opportunity to accumulate great wealth.”
• “If you want to make more money, you have to have a clear goal and then a specific plan for how to achieve that goal.”
• Hang out with people you admire. “We become like the people we associate with.”

Whether you are young . . . and have the millionaire goal . . . these are solid habits to follow for success.

Or if you have a few years on you, like me, but you are “still in the game”, this article is an excellent read.

How do you match up with this list? Which habits are you implementing?  Which are you starting?

Click here == >> 11 Habits of Successful Business People Who Became Millionaires by 30

First, a definition of Plan B . . . and then, the “The Fourth Quarter”.

Plan B is the back-up or alternative plan you have in place in case what you’re doing now doesn’t pan out.

You know, the job you hate . . . or the “pink slip” discussion with your boss .  The unexpected medical situation . . . or even planning on your retirement years . . .

Before I left the professional world for my growing internet marketing business, I counseled many college students on their careers.

As the senior manager for two United States Senators and a U.S. Senate Committee, many college interns came through our doors.  They were studying medicine, politics, law.  They dreamed of their professional careers . . .

Maybe in a law office, working in Congress, like me, or working on public policy for their favorite cause.  They all came to ask, “How did you get to where you are?”

I offered them some wisdom of age, in addition to career counseling, . . .  Be thinking of what life will be like in 20 years, as you plan your life today.

Will they like their job? And what if they don’t?  Do they have a Plan B to implement? What is that alternative plan?

I urged them not to let things get in the way . . . thinking they had time to kick their Plan B into place . . . tomorrow . . .

Because, before they know it, things like marriage, kids, a mortgage, car payments.  You know,  the things of life that get in the way.

Fast forward to ME. Last year I turned 60 . . .  As my best friend, a year older, said, “we’re in the fourth quarter, buddy!”

I look back and I see some unfinished business.  You see, I violated my own rule . . .

Kids, marriage, the job got in the way of building out my own Plan B to the level that I would want today.

Well, no more . . . I’m singularly focused on my Plan B.   Which now has become my Plan A!

My wife and I have items on our bucket list that have been undone.   Travel . . . and we mean significant travel . . . not just “up the road” to a Holiday Inn Express . . .

And I’ve long dreamed of a villa in the Caribbean, our favorite vacation spot.  A work spot I can enjoy now (the beauty of an internet business . . . a good internet connection is all you need!) . . .   And an asset that can be part of our family long into the future.

So there you have it. Plan B and the Fourth Quarter.

I don’t know which quarter of the ball game you find yourself in . . .

But, take it from me, it’s never too late for that Plan B.

What to know what I’m doing?   You can reach me here.

Ok, I have to admit.

As a Washington Wizards fan, LeBron James hasn’t ranked very high on my list.

But I admire athletic talent when I see it . . . and particularly an athlete who brings his goals to the game.

This article “5 Lessons From LeBron James About Big Goals and Proving the Doubters Wrong” hit the nail on the head . . .

Not only for how LeBron brought home the NBA Championship . . . but also for how you might approach your goals.

Here are the five items the author attributed to James and his quest for the NBA Championship that you might find helpful to your goals and your life.

1. It’s not over ’til it’s over.

With all the critics and their prognostication, it would have been easy for LaBron to respond negatively. However, “nothing silences critics better than success, and LeBron used what the doubters said to push harder to prove them wrong.”

2. Tap into a personal passion.

LeBron brought attention and pressure on himself and promised Cleveland he’d bring home the trophy. In business, a mission is important to give your work purpose and to remind you “who’s counting on you to deliver.”

3. Recognize when to change your game plan.

“Past performance is no guarantee of future success, as the Warriors found out.”

4. You can’t do it alone.

“No matter how dominant you are, without reliable teammates you will not reach ambitious goals . . . Individual strengths need to add up to more than the sum of their parts.”

5. Have a vision for your legacy.

Each step in your journey should ultimately align with your goal.

Leaders need to know their vision. The road may shift, and there might be some potholes, but without a clear picture and vision, getting to the ultimate destination is questionable. And they don’t blame others or make excuses for their problems.

They step up and get on track? What track are you on?

Click here for “5 Lessons From LeBron James About Big Goals and Proving the Doubters Wrong”

Ever wondered what the wealthy buy on pay day?

Or maybe you already know? 🙂

If you’re in the market for a home business or a new income stream, you might be interested in a video that helped me when I was exploring the home business landscape.

==>CLICK HERE<==

For me, this was the one, in-depth video that saved me from a lot of mistakes – from choosing the wrong business, for instance – and it overcame the misconceptions about the industry.

It’s a NO HYPE look at the business with real-world practical tips and strategies even Fortune 200 executives are eager to learn.

You might recognize the presenter from his Larry King interview, or through some financial print media.

He’s the “real deal”, a home business multi-millionaire who’s done it and teaches others how to do what he did.

It’s definitely worth your time if you’re serious about new revenue streams.

Click over there now and watch it while it’s fresh in your mind.

You might be in the business of . . . looking for a business.

Or you might be in a business . . . and it’s time to re-evaluate.

Either way, there are important questions you need to ask yourself.

With a recent TV mini-series on the air centered on the Bernie Madoff disaster, the phrase “Ponzi Scheme” is tossed around.

Or “pyramid scheme” . . .

Ever wondered the questions you can ask to determine whether the business is legit . . . or a scam?

Networking Times Today identified “8 Differences that Anybody Can Understand” to help you evaluate whether the business opportunity you are considering is legit . . . or a scam

Start with the first: Legitimate companies deliver quality products or services. If the product or service doesn’t pass the smell test, that should be your first clue.

Or the second: Network marketers don’t earn commissions through recruitment. Legitimate companies pay based on product/service sales. Not recruiting.

If you are seriously evaluating a business, you will do well to check out these 8 questions you can filter any business opportunity through.

Click here for the Networking Times Today story: Network Marketing Legit or Scam? 8 Differences Anyone Can Understand

PS  Be sure to check the YouTube cartoon at the beginning!

An article in Fast Company.com on female entrepreneurs hit some very important points and suggestions from woman in business.

For a guy, it’s always good to get the perspective of others, in this case, women entrepreneurs!

Some excellent advice tips:

• “There is no one who owns a company who knows all the answers or has all the skills. The best advice I could ever give anyone is to never be afraid to ask other people for their help or advice.” (Michelle Garcia, Owner of Heirloom Catering; Denver, CO )
• “Forge genuine connections with people inside and outside your industry.” (Amanda Luu, Co-owner of Studio Mondine)
•  “It’s much easier to tackle new tasks once you’ve already got things going.”  (Bridie Picot, CEO of Thing Industries Brooklyn, NY)
• “Define your business and your brand and commit to it—everything you do should be consistent with your business’s identity.” (Carrie Spindler, Owner of Goodiebox Bake Shop; Cliffside Park, NJ)
• Christine Hebbring & Jennifer Murray, co-founders of Painted Fox Treasures Allenton, WI

“Keep a healthy balance. Starting a new business can consume you to a level that’s not healthy—keep a balance so that you’re still in touch with family and friends.” (Christine Hebbring)

“Don’t let what you don’t know scare you. There’s so much that we have taught ourselves. And there’s so much that you can learn if you have the passion to learn it.” (Jennifer Murray)

All of these are good tips . . . but particularly the last.

Don’t fall into “paralysis by analysis”.

With internet marketing/network marketing, just get the system . . . and do it!

Click here for FastCompany.com’s article: 6 Female Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Business Advice

If you have been involved with internet marketing for any amount of time . . . or are new . . . you have heard the advice “Build Your List”.

First, why?

A posting at Blogger Sidekick laid out the stats on email:

Of people that use the internet, 85% of them use email as a medium for communication. In contrast, all of the social media networks combined cover only 62% of internet users. So even if you mastered every single social network you wouldn’t have the market coverage that email gives you, and that audience would be spread across a number of platforms that you don’t own.

Did you get that last comment . . . “platforms that you don’t own.”

That is crucial to understand your business. You Inc.

Building your list, and sharing value to that list, is your asset.  For your business.

Using effective tools, like capture pages and autoresponders, you own that asset.

But how?

The steps are pretty straightforward, as this article points out:

• Setup a site for email capture
• Create an Offer of Value
• Attract People to that Offer

There is a ton of information in this post. If you are beginning, you do not need to worry about all of these “bells and whistles.”

One person commented on this article, saying this is a marketing strategy that often is overlooked as we “obsess about social [media]”.

Couldn’t agree more!

Click here for Blogger Sidekick’s  “List Building—Get More Subscribers Than You Can Handle”.

I welcome your thoughts!

Multiple streams of income in your home-based business?

Or not?

A question that is asked . . . and debated within the home-based business community.

Industry Leader Diane Hochman recently offered her thoughts on multiple streams of income.

She makes an interesting comparison between a home-based business . . . and a brick and mortar like Target, Walmart, etc.

She suggests 1) thinking about your market and 2) thinking about the products for that market.

Click here for Diane’s thoughts on multiple streams of income . . . and what comes after you analyze your target market.