Truth in advertising...A St. Patrick's Day tale

Sunday, March 18, 2007

I spent St. Patrick's Day in Downers Grove, Ill., watching the Wolfe Tones -- or rather, a Wolfe Tone.

We were visiting our best friends from college and learned that the Wolfe Tones, an Irish band that's been around forever and we'd seen before, was playing in their town at Ballydoyle.  So we decided it would be a great way to spend St. Patrick's Day.  When we visited Ireland in 1995 the Wolfe Tones song "On the one road" was sort of our theme song as we ambled about the Irish countryside.

We arrived about 8:30 p.m. for the 9 p.m. showtime.  There wasn't much of a line, just about 10 people.  The Web site had said 9, but the sign at the door said the Wolfe Tones didn't actually start playing until 10:30 p.m.  Still, the bar was at capacity and people were being let in only as others were leaving.  

There was a poster of upcoming events outside the building that said "The Wolfe Tones" and below that in mouse type, "Derek Warfield."  Did  "Tones" actually mean that the Wolfe Tones' Derek Warfield was playing? Or that Derek Warfield was the featured member?  The bald man in the kilt at the door was of little help.  When asked, he said "Yes, Derek and the band."  Then, "Derek and some other guys."  After that, "Derek's here but I don't know who else." Finally, to move us along, "All four of you can go in if you go now."   

The music was good, the crowd lively, and the evening fun.  But a lone Wolfe was exactly what we got.

Turns out the real Wolfe Tones are founding members Noel Nagle, Tommy Byrne and Brian Warfield. Apparently Derek, Brian's brother, left the band and now tours with a younger band that promotes themselves as The Wolfe Tones.  So one Wolfe was playing in Downers Grove while the other three were playing outside Boston on St. Patrick's Day.  So says the official Wolfe Tones Web site..."If you don't see Noel, Tommy and Brian, you don't see The Wolfe Tones."    So Derek Warfield is a former Wolfe Tone touring with a new band.  And a former Wolfe Tone -- but not the whole deal.

Again, we had a good time.  But the evening wasn't as we'd been lead to believe.

I've talked here and others over at Ada-Tudes about openness, honesty, and transparency.  About managing the expectations of those entering our business and making sure a new IBO is profitable as quickly as possible. About being clear about what this business is, what it isn't, and what you have to do to earn income. 

Our business is open to just about anyone but it isn't for everyone.  Moving forward, we want IBOs who choose not to continue their businesses to do so because the business wasn't for them....not because it wasn't what they were led to believe it was.  We want the sign at the door to be clear about what's inside.

  


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Comments

rocket said:

Monday, March 19, 2007 | #

Sooo, you know who you have to tell that to, right?

The so called "leaders" of the motivational organizations.

That was a nice little parable, however, I think your posts about this type of thing can be equated to preaching to the choir.

We all know what you are saying, heck, the "leaders" know what you're saying.

Has it been said to them yet?  In an open, honest, and transparent way?

That's who needs to hear it you know, and all IBO's and potential IBO's need to know that its been said to them.

I'm just saying....

Beth Dornan said:

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 | #

Preaching to the choir, perhaps, since most who post here agree with this direction.  I've yet to see anyone comment to the contrary. Stating how we're going to communicate and expect others to do as well, definitely.

And to answer your question, yes, these discussions are happening.

Jeffrey said:

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 | #

You beat me to it, rocket. I wish someone from the corp. would sneak into one of my upline Diamond's open meetings. They would faint. The guy just simply can't (won't) tell the truth. I've tried for years to work with him, but I'm just not going to lie and distort this business. I'd rather be at 1500 PV until I die, than to go Platinum by lying to everybody I show the biz to, because when I lay my head on my pillow every night, I have to be able to be at peace with myself. If I show it and people don't get it, that's their problem. If I lie and they get in, then they find out I lied, it's not only my problem; then it also becomes A/Q's problem. I'm not going to let that happen. I sure wish the Diamonds (many are A-OK, so that's not a blanket statement) would come clean. It sure would make things a lot easier.

Beth Dornan said:

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 | #

Jeffrey, I invite you to contact me or whoever you're comfortable with to discuss specific details of what you describe.  Or, e-mail our Rules area directly at abuse@quixtar.com.  

rocket said:

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 | #
I'm sure a lot of IBO's and critics alike are curious as to what has been told to the "leaders", and what their response was. THAT would be transparent. And likely too much to ask...

rdknyvr said:

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | #
Beth, I'm not sure if this is the best thread on which to make this comment, so my apologies in advance. I was wondering why Q has not been posting streaming video under ‘Business Conferences’ of key speeches by Steve, Doug, Rich, Jim, Dr. Johnson and others from the most recent Achievers and Diamond Club events. (What about the speech at Diamond Club by Malcolm Gladwell?) This was done in the previous two or so years, and I found them to be exceptionally informative, inspiring and motivational. It really made some strong connections for me to hear Steve and Doug talk about new directions, research on market trends, the commitment to things like reputation and First Circle, and above all, it was free and available to the majority of IBOs who are below the Q12 level... the ones who might benefit the most from hearing "directly" from them. I heard from Q12 friends that Rich DeVos gave a fantastic, on-point speech at the Achievers event they attended, and was disappointed that you folks decided to not post the daily updates as in the past. With all the talk about T issues and what the corporation could provide as alternate choices, these talks and speeches could be a brilliant step in that direction, especially for non-affiliated or disconnected IBOs. And if parts of a speech are deemed too sensitive or confidential for that level of public exposure, I'm sure no one would object to minor edits. Is this something that could be considered for the future? I realize that there are perks at these events available only to those who have earned the right to attend, but some of these speeches have a real motivational value which would benefit Q if heard more widely by those who are "on the way," or perhaps even stalled with questions and second thoughts, as some on these blogs seem to be. I would love it if you could still post the streaming video of Rich's last speech... I'm told it was excellent! With appreciation,

Beth Dornan said:

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | #

Rocket:  I'm not in all discussions nor would we recount specific conversations here.  However, keep an eye on what we're doing and you'll see a new approach to disclosures and positioning.

Beth Dornan said:

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | #

Your comment and question are fine here.  We used to do more comprehensive event coverage at Quixtar.com but got little traffic.  In fact, we used to do daily coverage including a sort of diary and video postings, but few people went to the section of the site. We discontinued this coverage last year with Achievers and you're the first person to ever ask where it went!

You might ask one of your Q12 friends if you can borrow their Achievers DVD, which includes Rich DeVos' remarks as well of those of Doug DeVos, Steve Van Andel, and Jim Payne.  

Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point and Blink, did speak at Diamond Club this year but unfortunately his contract prohibited us from taping and including his remarks in the post-event DVD.  His books are available at your local public library or through Quixtar Partner Store bn.com and you can also get "Tipping" on an audio cd.

All of that said, we will certainly reconsider that decision and may include snippets from this June's Connections event for the benefit of those who may not be able to attend.

Tex said:

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | #

Why not make the Achievers DVD available for sale, or post it as a video on the Q site?

rdknyvr said:

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | #

Beth,

Thanks for your feedback, very much appreciated. Thanks for the tip on checking the event DVD with my friends. :) Perhaps if there was more promotion and awareness around the special event video and diary postings more people would "attend" via the postings, and then work to attend in person. I'm guessing that if all the people posting on these blogs knew the kinds of information and motivational value that has been in those postings and speeches in the past -- including some pretty powerful and challenging statements and commitments by Steve and Doug -- they would be encouraging their groups and new IBOs to watch, to motivate and incentivize them. This could be one of the tools you folks use to re-engage and realign the Corp with IBOs as business partners, per your excellent new post this afternoon, and Todd's excellent post.

Thanks for adding this to your reconsideration list... and possibly consider the New Platinum Conferences which are run three or four times a year in Ada.

I understand the Gladwell contract terms... I've got his books and The Tipping Point CD via Amazon… wonderful “tools!”

With appreciation,

Beth Dornan said:

Friday, March 23, 2007 | #

Tex, we'll consider in the future.  

Tex said:

Saturday, March 24, 2007 | #
Thanks!

ibofightback said:

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 | #

Beth said - "In fact, we used to do daily coverage including a sort of diary and video postings, but few people went to the section of the site."

This may actually say more about the accessibility of the info rather than the info itself. I'm finding "gems" on A/Q sites all over the planet that I'm sure most IBOs never new about. IMO all new A/V material should be highlighted in emails to all IBOs.

Beth Dornan said:

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 | #

Point taken.  I find it shocking when people say there's no way to get some of our literature without buying it, when the majority of what we produce is free and accessable at Quixtar.com.  We've done a better job of making this easier to find under the product categories, but there's clearly more we can do to make this information easy to find and use.

SP said:

Thursday, March 29, 2007 | #

Hello Beth,

I am an IBO from the Czech Republic and I agree with rdknyvr. I too would love to see video of Rich DeVos's speech. PLEASE, post it somewhere if you can. I have an access to Quixtar site, so if you put it there, it will be OK. It is our only chance as European IBOs to hear the co-founder of Amway.

Tex said:

Thursday, March 29, 2007 | #

Beth,

You find it shocking, I find it normal, and business as usual.

This goes to the heart of the tool profit issue.

These free sources of information are not emphasized by upline, because that would beg the question of why we don't get much free or low cost information from them.

I think you know my explanation for this, but for the new reader, it is because the upline emphasis is on making tool profits, not helping their IBO's grow their own Q business.

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