I remember listening to a conference call once and there was a woman on the call who durring the Q & A portion of the call was asking what she could do to help increase the positive surrounding her business. After a little discussion between the main speaker and this woman it came out that someone close to her in her family was dragging her down. They were a negative influence in her life and her business.

I remember thinking “How sad for her” and continued on my way to where I was going VERY glad that I didn’t have that problem.

As much as I hate to admit it now, it IS now a problem in my life. People that I have been looking to for support and encouragment are greeting me with criticism and disbelief. I think back to the poor woman on the phone and can suddenly relate to her and her plea for help.

The answer is beautiful and so simple. Limit your time and exposure to those with the negative energy and surround yourself with those who will support you and encourage you in anything you do. This is TRUE love and TRUE friendship.

So for now that is what I will do.

Now you must ask yourself. Do you uplift and encourage those around you to achieve greatness in all they do or are you one who tramples ideas and dreams?

I choose to be the first.

This is a BIG question that anyone in business needs to ask themselves. You need to decide what group you are targeting for sales and/or recruiting and make sure that you are relating to them and their needs.

For example, older generations are very personal and enjoy one on one contact as well as thoughtful gestures in business relations. Something like a Birthday card would mean a lot to them.
Younger generations are a lot less face to face. They are technology based. Sending virtual flowers on facebook or a shoutout on Twitter is much more thier pace.

If you, in your business are looking to market to a younger generation, but aren’t communicating with them in a way that they relate best to, you will miss the mark.

So…Decide who your target audience is and then do a little research on them. The internet is a great place for all kinds of information. Figure out how to best relate to those you want to service in your business.

Awnya Boam
http://www.Time4Felt.com

I know its been suggested before, but I’m going to say it again.  Find a buddy for your business.  It doesn’t matter if they are in the same company as you or not, but if you connect once a week at a designated time and each set goals for the week, I believe it will help you to accomplish more!

I have recently been doing this with a group of women and have found that simply because I don’t want to go on this conference call and admit failure, I complete the goals that I have set for myself!  When I do, I feel more accomplished and my business is growing and progressing!

It only makes sense.  I don’t mind letting myself down…I can reason that away, but looking bad in front of others is completely a different story!

Have you heard of the Booster yet? If not you seriously need to visit their website! They have tons of things to help you “Boost” your business.

Stickers, cards, buttons, just to name a few things. I have been using the Booster for a few years now and I love how they help me to look more professional while suggesting things like booking, ordering, bringing a friend, joining the business, holiday or birthday shopping, and much more!

Take a minute and pop on over to the Booster and see what great things they have to offer you and your business!

Awnya Boam

http://www.time4felt.com/

The other day on Twitter it was mentioned that many people today (especially in the down economy) are saying that they don’t have the money to invest in starting their own direct selling business.

This is a very valid concern and even though we, as consultants already in the business, want to help them, there is only so much we can do…

SOLUTION: Have a yard sale! My sister in law had on just this last weekend and made over $90! She sold very little, but made a bunch!
So, when you are meeting with potential recruits and they say that they would love to join your company but just can’t come up with the money, suggest a yard sale or even a bake sale! That way you are helping them to help themselves AND you may even get your next recruit out of it!

Awnya Boam
http://www.time4felt.com

I have some exciting news! I am now the newest member of the DSWA Diversity Team! I will be representing the under 30 age group or the NOW generation. I am so excited to be working with a team of such wonderful women who have so much to offer! Other groups represented on the team include Latina women, African American women, and the WOW generation (women over 60).

At the DSWA celebration in Los Angeles the team did a presentation on the different groups that aren’t well represented in Direct Sales and it was amazing. It was neat to get ideas on how to diversify our teams and to reach out to people that aren’t enjoying the benifits of having some amazing women join the profession of Direct Sales.

I am so excited to be able to help out with this great undertaking and can’t wait to see what BIG things we will do!

Visit the Diversity Center to see what we can do to help you and your business!

Awnya Boam

http://www.time4felt.com/

Lately as I have been social networking online a lot as I’m sure you realize by some of my previous posts. It is a little challenging to divide your time between all of the different options to ensure the best return for your time. (When I figure out the best combination on that one, I will let you know!)

One thing that I do want to stress is to LOOK PROFESSIONAL in all that you do online.

Why? Well, You’ve heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, right? Online, that is exactally what happens. If your facebook profile (which you are using for business) has you covered in mud from head to toe, or an embarassing picture of you picking your nose, do you think your clients are going to be impressed? Most likely not. Assumptions will be made and they will most likely not be good ones.

Solution: present yourself in a professional manner online, both on your site, blogs, and social networking sites. Post pictures that are flattering or serve a purpose. Save pictures of your products, pets, or kids for your photo gallery instead of your profile because people want to know who YOU are. Once they are impressed by your picture and you have their attention, they will get to know you even better. And if you are taking a picture with your webcam or home camera…that is just fine…but at least comb your hair, get dressed (no pj’s), and if you are female, try putting on a little makeup. It will make a world of difference!

Awnya Boam

http://www.time4felt.com/

One of the things that I believe has helped my business greatly over the past year or so is to find a way that you want to improve upon yourself daily. In my life, the DSWA (Direct Selling Woman’s Alliance) is the answer. They have wonderful tele-classes both live and recorded and then local and international meetings. I have learned so much from them and continue to count my blessings that I am involved with that wonderful organization.

I am not saying that is the only option. Check out books from your local library, interview someone who is a success and find ways that you can improve. Go to local networking meetings or attend a training meeting that your company is putting on.

By spending a little “you” time every day it will help you stay focused and energized! You may learn new tools and techniques or improve upon the ones you have, but either way it will be a good thing!

Awnya Boam

http://www.time4felt.com/

Well, thanks to some cached versions of my site and the wayback time machine, I was able to recover quite a few of my posts, but sadly, not all of them. ;o( There are a few that I’m very sad to have lost, but the WBTM takes 6 months to post the pages, so maybe in a few months I will be able to recover a few more.

Sorry for the troubles. Lesson learned: BACKUP FILES before messing with anything! Even in nothing has happened in the past…do it just to be safe~!

Now I’m going to bed! ‘night!

Awnya Boam

http://www.time4felt.com/

Well, it finally happened. I updated the software (wordpress.org) that helps me make this blog look so good …well, I didn’t back up as I usually do because I have never needed it. Something has gone wrong with the update, and all pas blog entries have been lost! I don’t understand, but since we have had so many problems in the last 3 days with my blogs anyways, I shouldn’t be surprised ;o)

I guess this just gives me a good chance to start over. Luckily I was able to save the design (thanks to an old backup) and I will try to recover some of the old posts from that, but not sure I can.

Sorry friends! I will try to get things back to normal tonight…
(still smiling though)

http://www.time4felt.com/