Entrepreneurs: Myths and Legends|| The BBB is One of Them...

Accolades to my Friend Chris Swope for This original post...

Entrepreneurs here in the US have a very interesting phenomenon called the better business bureau. It is a so-called watchdog group that has attained legendary status in the business community. You're either in, or your out.... and too many entrepreneurs have misguided notions of what it's really all about.

The BBB Is NOT What It Seems

Some people mistakenly look at the BBB as a credible government entity that handles disputes between customers and businesses that is run by tax dollars. First of all, it is not a government agency, it is a private company. The common misconception is that if a business is a member of the BBB and has a good rating, then they must be a good, positive, and credible business. Another problem this brings up is that if a business receives a 'bad' rating, they are not able to dispute/resolve their complaints UNLESS THE BUSINESS PAYS TO BE A MEMBER. Sounds like a conflict of interest to me.

See the BBB takes "subscription" or "membership" donations from businesses. This means that businesses are the BBB's source of income (even though they classify themselves as non-profit). Businesses are their object of complaint. So, if I as a consumer complains to the BBB, they are complaining about one of the BBB's sources of income. Obviously, this is a problem.

Just about the only thing that the BBB does, is give the business that is being reported the opportunity to respond, only after they have paid their membership dues. What a joke.

To give you an example, I checked out my local Wal-Mart: they are a "member" of the BBB. They have had one complaint against them, but it apparently was resolved. So, they have an "AA" rating. I checked out the local Lowe's. They have 14 unresolved complaints against them and have an "F" rating. They are NOT members of the BBB.

What makes this kind of fishy is the number of lodged complaints. These stores are no more than a couple of miles from each other and so have basically the same customer base. I find it impossible to believe that the BBB has only received one complaint against Wal-Mart and 14 against Lowe's. This makes me suspect that a) the BBB is not recording complaints against their members; b) the BBB is not recording responses from non-members; c) the BBB might be "creating" complaints against non-members. Or some combination of these or others.

One final irony: if you have a complaint against the Better Business Bureau, you can't file it with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is not a member of its own organization!

Moral of the story: You can't look at the BBB as a credible source of business information. The facts they publish are skewed by the mere business model that they use - paid memberships.

Thanks again to Chris swope. Check back with the wealth practicum on a regular basis for our updates. Peace and success to you.

Matt Hempel
440.368.3535
http://www.yournewlegacy.com

Entrepreneurs: Clarity and What I've Learned in 3 Years

I've discovered something.... something so liberating, so simplifying.... it's clarity. Clarity is essential for the home based business entrepreneur. I'll share some things today that will make a difference for you..... on CLARITY.

In effect, some real, no BS, Hype-free, unvarnished insight from someone that’s been successful in the industry for over three 3 years now….. pretty valuable stuff I’m thinking…

Clarity?? Yes, I said clarity….. perhaps the most important commodity available for your progress, sanity and success in business.

There’s so damn much noise in the marketplace today…

There are legions of pretenders out there… People who have no business giving advice on everything -- regurgitating stuff in ebooks, articles and emails that they lifted from someone else, all claiming to be the final authority on making money online, or ne.t.work mark.eting, or how to groom your dog or whatever.....

We’re bombarded by information, aggressive advertising, negative news, outrageous claims, people talking a lot of smack…… I mean everyone’s an expert, right? Or at least they claim to be….

In the meantime, so many of us are still looking for “it”, “the answer”, or “how it all fits together”…… well, look no further.

It’s time for some Real, unvarnished, un-hyped CLARITY….

But first, you’re saying “what qualifies you Matt on the topic of success in home business and online marketing”.

We love it when people ask that because we get to talk facts again….

1. 3+ Years successfully generating 100,000+/ year in profit for our family with our business.

2. Successfully transitioning from suit and tie (stressed, overworked, miserable) corporate 6 figure earner to home business entrepreneur/ stay home dad.

3. Successfully implementing the leading methods of marketing on and offline and teaching other team members how to do the same…..

4. Great relationships with some of the best marketing and success minds in the industry today – People who are mentors and leaders that get things done and aren’t afraid to tell the truth.

‘Nuff said….. you get the point.

Now for the meat of it…. [Clarity]… (drum roll Please)... What I’ve distilled after 3+ years in this industry.

Three things I believe that are important when evaluating any opportunity, business situation, or inves.tment on your part.

1. Is there sufficient leverage? Does it provide an opportunity for you to multiply your efforts through use of technology, other people’s time or money, or leadership example so you don’t reinvent the wheel? Can you work once and get paid on that work again and again? If you want to trade straight time for money, stick with a 9-5 job. If you want to create wealth and residual income, you’ve got to have leverage.

2. Is there marketing and marketing training in place? This is absolutely essential. You may represent the next vitamin that will reverse the aging process for the entire planet, but if no one knows, you’re dead….. I’ve seen more good people fail in home business with lack of marketing knowledge than anything else.

3. Is there a duplicatable system in place? If you want to do something creative, go learn how to paint, or write a book or take acting classes. If you want success with the shortest route between here and there, find a system that works.

Now, obviously there are a lot of people out there jumping up and down saying what you have to do to be successful….. some of it’s true, some of it’s BS.

All I’m saying is that for clarity’s sake, without these three elements it’s like buying a lottery ticket….. You may get lucky, but odds are all you did is make a little contribution to the lottery fund.

Finally, let common sense apply….

A business requires work. I don’t know of anything out there that doesn’t require some work. There are too many charlatans out there that give our industry a bad name by promising something for no work.

You must move towards the mindset of an entrepreneur if you want to get big entrepreneur results. Think like an employee to get employee results.

Practice personal development. When I don’t, my results suffer. I don’t know why this is, it just is…. I’ve stopped fighting this universal principle a long time ago.

There’s more to come. Next time, we’ll introduce you to one of the best examples of leverage in the marketplace today.

We’ll also talk further about marketing techniques and mindset – things that make all the difference between you working your job another 5 years, or being financially independent in 5 years…… You get to choose.

Until next time,

To Your Infinite Possibility,
Matt and Aisha Hempel

http://www.yournewlegacy.com

440.368.3535

Entrepreneurs: Thank You Veterans and Freedom Lovers Everywhere

Today is a day that is often overlooked in the rush of everyday life online: Veterans Day. Before I was a successful home business owner marketing online using the internet to generate sales, I was a pilot in the navy. I'm very proud of my service, and I'm very proud of all our servicemen and women, and those worldwide who dedicate their lives to freedom.

We have a open society, freedom of speech, freedom of commerce and international capitalism as a result of the sacrifices of many now and before we got here.

Thanks veterans. We owe you a debt of gratitude and sincere appreciation for all you do. I'm able to work from home as direct sales professional marketer because of your commitment. I encourage everyone to say thanks to a vet today. It will mean the world to them.

Yours in Service,
Matt Hempel
800.813.9591

43 and JOB FREE at 43: How Sweet it Is to Be an EntreprenEUR

Well, here it is November 9 of 2007, and I've been a home based entrepreneur for over three years now with my own direct sales, network marketing business (Liberty League). This posting is a summary review of my experience and lessons learned in the home business industry.

What I've learned.

1. People are People - whether they're employees working for a company or in their own network marketing business.... they're still brilliant, stupid, lazy, resourceful, loving, spiteful, vindictive, lying, giving.... you get the Picture... They're HUMAN for crying out loud, and there's not much we can really do about it.

2. The 80/20 Rule Prevails..... whether you're talking about people, your marketing efforts, technology, what works and what doesn't.... The trick is to constantly focus on finding the "20%" that provides you the most leverage.

3. Leverage is king. This is the official "Hempel Corollary" to the *80/20 Rule and it must be respected. Anger the leverage gods at your own peril.... find out more by going to my article on leverage at http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Create-Wealth---The-Secret-is-Leverage&id=511150
No one to my knowledge, unless they won the lottery or got a fat inheritance became wealthy without leverage.

4. More often than not, when something isn't going quite right, it's me getting in my own way. Mindset is so important and mindset is driven by the conversation we're having with ourselves on a constant basis. Do you build yourself up? or put yourself down? Be mindful of your inner conversation and watch your mindset transform.

5. Everyone is playing a game. What's your game? and how do you win? what are the rules like? Are you playing a big, juicy wide-open game? or are you playing a "late in the 4th quarter, up by 13 points" game of safety, no mistakes.... playing not to lose. All of us are playing a game here while we're on this planet and WE get to choose what the game is and how we'll play it. When I play safety game, i'm Flat, uninspired, ineffective to a large degree and low impact on other people and the world around me. I also don't make as much money.. which is an interesting parallel... isn't it?

Each one of these points is really a topic unto itself. I'll get more out there, but for now, this entrepreneur is playing a big game of life that will yield success, good fortune, huge positive impact on others and a new legacy worth bragging about.

Entrepreneurs: Are Baby Boomers Ready to Retire?

This blog entry is inspired by my friend Debbie Ruston, www.abundant-lifestyle.com . Really fascinating stuff around the baby boomer generation and retirement. Will anyone REALLY Retire? or are most retirees looking for the perfect retirement business? What we've found is that most retirement age people are more entrepreneurial than we previously thought... read on.

I recently read an interesting article on retirement, with some equally interesting statistics from the survey they conducted....Nearly 1/5, or 18% of men aged 45-60 who either retired early to start their own business or plan to do so said they expect to work for themselves "until they die". Among the boomer businesswomen, 12% said they will run their own businesses indefinitely.

The survey also found that this baby boomer group plans to work longer than ever. One in five said they expect to run their business for more than a decade while 38% targeted a working span between 6-10 years.

What the survey found is that many baby boomers are looking at this next stage in life as an opportunity to start new careers and new businesses. When these folks were questioned on why they want to keep working, 46% of men and 34% of women said it was mainly to stay occupied, .....27% of men and 31% of women said it was something they had always dreamed of......and 26% of men and 25% of women said they needed the money.

Don't you just love statistics? It seems like everyone feeds on statistics. I prefer a different message and that is ..everything in life is a CHOICE!! In their innermost hearts, most people want to own a business, they want independence, they want CHOICE in their life.

What brings more options and more choice into our lives? Money, time freedom and the ability to open our perspective to whats really possible. Three things, so simple but so elusive for most people because they don't really think they can do it.... they have no CHOICE.

Most will let fear hold them back from doing what they truly want. Take control of your life! If you have the entrepreneurial spirit, it is critical you honor that spirit and give life to it. Start a business today, even if it's selling lemonade at the roadside. It is truly liberating to have choice in your life..... Choose Choice.

In Service,
Matt Hempel
www.YourNewLegacy.com
440.368.3535

Entrepreneurs: Play the Game on Your Terms

Every once in a while, you develop a truly meaningful personal and business relationship with an extraordinary person. It's like a gem, a secret weapon... a true source of entrepreneurial inspiration and action.

My associate and friend's name is Lawerence West, co-owner of Infinity Technology LLC, a premiere provider of consulting, engineering and contract support services to the federal government.

I've known Lawrence now for over 9 years, and never cease to gain valuable insight and ideas from him from a business and entrepreneurial perspective. He and I worked together at KPMG Consulting, then BearingPoint for several years.

He left a secure position to start his own business and has been successful in several ventures since 2001. We've remained close primarily because of our love of new business ideas, entrepreneurial ventures, being successful, and contributing to others. I'm constantly inspired by a guy who doesn't make excuses.... just thinks big, and gets results.

Find someone that inspires you, keeps you fresh and on purpose. Finding your own Lawrence will make all the difference as you move forward in your business and professional life.

I'll see if I can talk Lawrence into an interview.... and yes, I promise you'll be inspired.... to your entrepreneurial success.....

Matt Hempel
www.yournewlegacy.com
800.813.9591

Entrepreneurs: A Little Media for You: Kate Bernhardt

I Love the creativity Here. Bunch of college kids put this together and it's TIGHT. here you go. my sister in law and she's friggin brilliant. cheers.




In Outstanding Service,
Matt Hempel
www.YourNewLegacy.com