Amway's Don Wilson - Zig Favorites

Zig Ziglar is a name known by most. He is one of the top motivational speakers and many have grown and been inspired by listening to him live and on tape. These are some classic Zig quotes that I wanted to share. I hope you enjoy them...

Don Wilson Amway - Growing from Zig Ziglar

"Success is not a destination, it's a journey."

"The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won't work - if you won't."

"The basic goal-reaching principle is to understand that you go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will be able to see farther."

"You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility."

"If we don't start, it's certain we can't arrive."

© 2007 Don Wilson Quixtar Amway IBO. Reprint permission given to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Web 2.0 Can Mean Streaming Media

This article was first published on http://www.e-quadnews.com/.

Streaming media is the delivery method allowing the recipient to watch or listen to the information as it travels along a communications network. “Streaming,” moving quickly into the mainstream vernacular, means to access audio and video content. “Streaming” is more like the faucet than the water. You may have ‘streamed’ and not even known it. When you visit a news site, click and watch the brief video, you are streaming. Streaming music is a fact of life. After surviving the free versus fee music download issues and the introduction of iPod, music streaming has traveled well along its adoption curve. Video’s journey has just begun.

Women: This media may lack real value to moms. Amid the hype and hullabaloo, businesses with Internet based content and advertising need to keep the interests of busy women in mind. A study by eMarketer says that 97 million women will use the Internet this year, compared to 91 million men. Despite the large number of women online, only 66 percent of them will actually watch online videos, compared to 78 percent of men. A balanced communications approach remains wise. Plus, providing compelling quality video content and incentives to sample more video should be a priority.

Teens: Teens are much more interested in the instant entertainment gratification and have more time than their moms. Ipsos Insight reports that teens and young adults are the most likely to stream video online. Three in four of all U.S. teens age 12-17 and young adults age 18-24 have streamed digital video content online. According to a recent study, the typical video streamer skews younger and is more likely to have a higher income. The financial link is the need for a broadband connection to stream content and broadband comes with an extra monthly fee.

Short Free Content: Shorter video clips with no cost are by far the most preferred type of video file accessed today by Internet users. Three out of four digital video streamers have streamed (watched) short news or sports clips. Two out of three have streamed amateur or homemade video clips. Adults are likely to view (stream) news clips of interest. Popular destinations for streamers include: YouTube, MySpace and Google Video.

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Orrin Woodward - Man of Purpose

I read online where someone thought this quote reminded them of Orrin Woodward...

"Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." - Washington Irving

I can't agree more. Orrin Woodward is a great leader and a great friend. I am constantly amazed at his drive and determination. He knows his purpose and stays focused on it. It is easy to be distracted along the way but Orrin Woodward sets a great example for us by not letting those distractions get in the way of his purpose.

Orrin Woodward does a great job of painting the picture of where you can be. Knowing his real purpose helps him to be a great visionary.

Thank you Orrin for your passion!

Team Legacy Colombo DiSalvatore - Quality Reading

I agree with Colombo DiSalvatore. We often talk about the importance of reading. But WHAT we read is as important as HOW MUCH we read. It is important that we develop the habit of reading quality books that cause us to think like Colombo DiSalvatore says here...

Colombo DiSalvatore, “There is a difference in quality of reading experiences. Popular novels of today would probably often be put in category as junk food for the brain, but literature that causes us to think and change for the better is the experience that Ralph Waldo Emerson describes.”

Colombo DiSalvatore – Wisdom of Reading Favorite

“A man who buys a book is not just buying a few ounces of paper, glue and printer’s ink; he may be buying a whole new life.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Colombo DiSalvatore and Karen DiSalvatore are members of the trade association, IBOAI.

IBOAI, the official trade association, leadership team including Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Don Wilson and Jim Janz serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners, ( QUIXTAR IBO’s ) throughout North America.

Billy Florence leads Team DCI and owns Bill Florence Enterprises and Equad News.
Fred Harteis owns Harties International.

Key words: Bill Florence, Colombo DiSalvatore, Don Wilson, Randy Haugen.

© 2007 DiSalvatore Quixtar Amway IBO. Reprint permission given to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Online Sales Double Digit Growth

This article was first published on http://www.e-quadnews.com/.

Online Shopping To Soar 18 Percent

The pundits forecasting internet sales saturation had it wrong – again. Online sales are expected to soar in ’07 by nearly 18 percent. According to a recent report, total 2007 online sales are expected to rise to $259.1 billion. Online purchases excluding travel will reach $174.5 billion. This strong growth will come off of an impressive performance in 2006. Total 2006 online sales last year rose 25 percent to $219.9 billion. Excluding travel, online retail sales rose 29 percent to $146.5 billion, representing six percent of total retail sales in 2006.*

*How retail is tracked and reported differs by reporting organization. Traditionally, retail sales are defined as excluding travel related purchases. Generally, retail sales statistics do include the following categories: apparel, accessories and footwear; computer hardware and software; autos and auto parts; home furnishings; consumer electronics; music and video; appliances and tools; office supplies; sporting goods and apparel; books; toys and video games; gift cards and gift certificates; event and movie tickets; food, beverage, and grocery; jewelry; flowers and cards; over-the-counter medicines and personal care; computer peripherals; baby products; cosmetics and fragrances; and pet supplies.

Although some continue to forecast stagnating sales numbers, other prestigious firms disagree. Sucharita Mulpuru of Forrester Research states, “Online retail is years away from reaching a point of saturation.” One indicator of a maturing market is its profitability. Expenses and revenue are both facts of online business life. More than eight out of 10 survey participants reported profitability. Three out of four are more profitable than they were in 2005. Retailers who offer quality customers channel choice appear to be in the best position to benefit in 2007.

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Team MMP Jody Victor: Boldness In Habits

Habits determine our future. Success doesn't come over night. When we do the right actions or habits for a long enough time they compound in to great results. Bad habits compound as well over time. So we should pay attention to our habits and work on replacing the bad ones with the good ones like Jody Victor shares here...

Jody Victor: Goethe’s couplet has been paraphrased by many and lived by only a few. W. H. Murray of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition is an example of “the few” and that’s why we selected his words for an example. He powerfully states, “Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.” It can require boldness to change a habit.

Jody Victor & Kathy Victor – Leadership Moment

Exchanging a bad habit with a good one can present enormous and to some impossible challenges. It takes time. Over time we overwrite our brain with the more productive behavior.

Williams James suggested three keys to acquiring new habits and losing old ones: (1) start the desired behavior immediately; (2) consistently repeat the behavior until it seems a natural rather than an acquired trait; and (3) express the new behavior as soon and as often as possible.
Any of us who have started and stayed with a new exercise program, have experiences this success formula for ourselves.

About Jody and Kathy Victor

Jody Victor and Kathy Victor are members of independent business owner (IBO) trade association, IBOAI.

IBOAI, the official trade association, leadership team including Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Joe Markiewicz Don Wilson and Jim Janz serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners, (Quixtar IBO’s ) throughout North America.
Jody and Kathy Victor lead Markerman Productions Team.

© 2007 JODY VICTOR & KATHY VICTOR. Reprint permission provided to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Financial Favorites

Money and finances can certainly be the source for many arguments in most American households. I don't know the exact percentage but I know it is a high percentage of arguments that trace back to money issues in most families.

Being on top of your finances is big relief for families. I don't mean just making more money. Having your finances in order begins with living within your means. Making more money can be very helpful but first and most importantly we must live within our means.

I thought I would share a few great financial common sense quotes...

Billy Florence - Financial Common Sense

"A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life." - Suze Orman

"People first, then money, then things." - Suze Orman

"Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantities to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family." - George S. Clason

"Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invest it under the advice of men wise in its handling." - George S. Clason

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Bill Florence - Search For Internet Answers

This article was first published on http://www.e-quadnews.com/.

People say there are no stupid questions. Well, try this one: Are people willing to pay for something they can get for free? After four years of trying, Google has finally admitted what many of us could have told them in the first place – “Of course not! If we are given the choice.” In December Google Answers, the search engine giant’s contribution to the growing online answers industry, closed its virtual doors for good, surrendering this popular quadrant of cyberspace to chief rival Yahoo and its many wannabe competitors. Why did Google think a pay service would compete with the gratis offerings of Yahoo et al? And why is there an et al at all? What's the deal with online answer services? Read on for the answers to these and other questions about online answers.

Free or Free

Online answer sites divide very naturally into pay services and free services. Leaders in the former category include Kasamba and AnswerBug. Such websites are full-fledged marketing enterprises. They are well-built and carefully maintained, with easily navigable instructions, FAQs, and other cyber-corporate necessities. Questions are asked only to registered experts in the field of focus and fees are negotiated before any responses are delivered.

Yahoo and other free answer sites are more concerned with the social web aspect, providing open forums in which virtually any user can post an answer to any question. While the noise-to-data ratio naturally skyrockets on such sites, the payoff is in the building of cyber-community. To paraphrase Bill Cosby, these sites are fun, and if you’re not careful, you just might learn something before you’re done.

The jury is still out as to exactly why Google Answers failed (the Google blog entry announcing the closure offers nary a clue). It seems the service may have tried to straddle the fence between the two strategies outlined above, attempting to offer a businesslike expert-driven fee service from a platform much better suited for throwing an internet block party. Google clearly did not allocate the capital or the care invested by the others, relying instead on the strength of its name and its broad user base.

Looking For Answers

Where one should go for online answers depends first of all on what kind of answer one is looking for. When seeking advice or opinions of the kind normally expected from a coffee shop discussion group or an impromptu neighborhood conversation, a free service may be all that’s needed. Such sites serve well to expand the breadth of personal experience and evaluative insight to which we have access. On the other hand, if one needs factual information or guidance on an issue of great import, then pay services may be the better road. There experts are available and can be assessed via their personal profiles, accumulated user evaluations, and other tools.

Wade Roush of Technology Review recently perused six popular free answer sites, evaluating them based on their answer archives and on their responses to two posed questions, one factual and one opinion-based. He awarded 0-3 points in each of these three areas and an additional 0-3 points for “the richness and originality” of each site’s features. The following chart summarizes his findings for the three highest scoring sites.

Go e-QuadNews to view the chart: http://www.e-quadnews.com/index.php/m/articles/id/172/t/Search-Research-Internet-Answer-Services

Roush’s summary statement is especially insightful: “It’s important to realize that the social Q&A sites are intended as much for the entertainment and aggrandizement of the answerers as for the education of the questioners. The site that gives answerers the most exposure, therefore, is likely to be the one that thrives the longest.”

Answering Service Trends

Like any internet development, the answer site is a phenomenon in process. Already at least two major evolutionary trends are identifiable. First, there is the specialty site, offering expert answers or advice in one particular field –everything from plumbing to law. These services may be fee-based or free, depending on whether they are intended primarily to provide professional service online or to help build a customer base for more traditional services.

The second major trend is library-based answer services, bringing online research full-circle to that most venerated of all information resources. At the vanguard of this trend is the free service provided by the Library of Congress. While other sites are available free to the general public (such as that provided by the Internet Public Library), many – like university libraries and city or county libraries – restrict their services to their specific clientele. Nonetheless, such answer services are beginning to offer a free alternative for those requiring expert answers.

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Leadership Thought for Today

I read this quote and thought it was a great leadership thought for today. There is a lot of truth in this little statement. We have to trust and believe in those people we lead that they can get the job done. People work best for those who believe in them and don't look over their shoulder all the time...

"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it." - Theodore Roosevelt

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Team Randy Haugen – Traveling Through Pages Of History

Randy Haugen points out the words "fitly chosen." Books can be your best friends and mentors. They can give us wisdom and help us to learn what it took another a lifetime. But the key is in choosing the "right" books...

Randy Haugen, “It is possible to spend the day with some of the greatest people in history; no particular timeline of introduction is required. Your local library is filled with biographies of men like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, and Marie Curie. Be sure and note the words, “fitly chosen” in the Douglas Jerrold statement below.”

Haugen – Quick Quote Favorite About Books

A blessed companion is a book, - a book that, fitly chosen, is a lifelong friend . . . a book that, at a touch, pours its heart into our own. – Douglas Jerrold

ABOUT RANDY HAUGEN: Randy Haugen and Val Haugen are members of independent business owner (IBO) trade association, IBOAI

IBOAI, the official trade association, leadership team including Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Joe Markiewicz Don Wilson and Jim Janz serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners, ( IBO’s ) throughout North America.

Billy Florence leads Team DCI and owns Bill Florence Enterprises and Equad News.
Jody and Kathy Victor lead Markerman Productions. Fred Harteis owns Harties International.

Key words: Bill Florence, Colombo DiSalvatore, Don Wilson, Randy Haugen

© 2007 Randy Haugen. Reprint permission given to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Breaking Through Mental Barriers

I love to hear the stories of people who broke through huge barriers. It continues to happen all the time. There are always the critics and those who say something can't be done. But then there are those men and women who ignore the voices saying something can't be done. They believe they can do it. They work hard and believe in themselves.

My favorite example of this is Roger Bannister. Previous to him setting this record, most people considered it impossible to run a mile in less than four minutes. In fact, I dare to bet that there were people in Bannister's time who were physically capable of running a four minute mile, but were held back by their mental limitation that said it was impossible to do so simply because no one had done it yet. But Once Bannister did it, many people followed. In fact, the record has been broken since by almost 17 seconds!

Billy Florence - Wisdom from Bannister

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

Breaking barriers is not easy. It may be painful as Bannister says. But people continue to push through and do things that people thought impossible. What are your barriers? What are things you want to do but maybe have doubted or others have doubted in the past? Read and study other great mean and women who have pushed through barriers. It can be great inspiration for us in our own lives.

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Vision for the Future

Vision! Great leaders must have it. How can anyone lead a group if he doesn't know where to take them? But vision isn't just important for a few leaders "at the top." Vision is important for everyone. We must have personal vision for our lives. Where do we want to be in the next 5 years? Having a vision and goal for our future helps us focus on what is really important. It can be easy to get distracted so our vision can help us identify those distractions...

Billy Florence - Vision

"There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all." - Peter F. Drucker

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision." - Helen Keller

"Vision is the art of seeing the invisible." - Jonathan Swift

"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision." - Theodore Hesburgh

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Billy Florence - Tips For Buying A Home

Now is a good time to buy a home if you are ready and you don't already own a home that you need to sell. It is certainly a buyers market. There are plenty of homes to choose from and you can find a great deal as there are people out there who need to sell.

There are some good things you need to know if you are house hunting. I read this article from CNNMoney.com. I agree with most all of the points that the article makes. But there is one that I do not agree with. It says "not to worry" if you can't put down the usual 20%. I understand that it is no longer the norm to pay down 20% when buying a home but it is still a good idea for many reasons. You may have excellent credit and be able to qualify for a loan without paying the 20% but it is still a good idea to pay money down. And 20% is still best.

Here are a few points made that can help you as you are looking for a home:

Don't buy if you can't stay put.

If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner.

Start by shoring up your credit.

Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

Aim for a home you can really afford.

The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford.

Do your homework before bidding.

Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. So before making it, consider sales of similar homes in the last three months. If homes have recently sold at 5 percent less than the asking price, you should make a bid that's about eight to 10 percent lower than what the seller is asking.

You can read the complete article at CNNMoney.com:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson8/

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.

Team Billy Florence & Jody Victor - IBOs Helping Neighbors

I'm proud of the way Quixtar, Amway and Independent Business Owners in North America and around the world serve their communities by giving back. It is something that all IBOs should be proud of...

Billy Florence of the IBO Trade Association notes that giving and helping our communities is a way of thinking and living for many of our association member Quixtar IBO’s. “Helping people live better lives is something our members, do year round,” adds Jody Victor

In 2005 Americans contributed more than $260.3 billion to philanthropy, 6.1% more than in the previous year, according to the Giving USA Foundation. “Helping people live better lives is something our members, Quixtar Independent Business Owners (IBOs), do year-round,” says Jody Victor of the Independent Business Owners Association International (IBOAI). “Whether through financial support or volunteering, Quixtar IBOs support hundreds of causes worldwide including the S.O.S Children’s Villages, World Vision, GrowersFirst, Power Soccer U.S.A., Habitat for Humanity, Operations Smile, International Aid and many more.”

“In addition, through the One by One Campaign for Children, Quixtar is a national sponsor of Easter Seals and joins IBOAI as a national sponsor of the U.S. Dream Academy,” says Billy Florence. “Founded by the Reverend Wintley Phipps, the U.S. Dream Academy is a nationally honored, values-centered after school program empowering at-risk kids to achieve their dreams.”

About the IBOAI “The official IBO Trade Association, IBOAI is dedicated to serving and protecting the interests of Quixtar powered Independent Business Owners (Quixtar IBOs) throughout North America.

IBOA leadership team includes Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Don Wilson Fred Harteis and Jim Janz. These Quixtar IBOs serve and protect the business interests of independent business owners, ( Quixtar IBO’s ) throughout North America.

The 2007 IBO Board of Directors Executive Committee Team includes Jim Janz, Chairman, Don Wilson, Vice Chairman, Bob Andrews, Brad Duncan, Kanti Gala, Randy Haugen, Bill Hawkins, and Kathy Victor. Governance and Oversight Committee includes Jody Victor and Billy Florence. Also serving on IBOAI board are Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady, Joe Markiewicz, and John Merris

© 2007 Jody Victor & Billy Florence Amway Quixtar IBOs. All rights reserved. Reprint permission provided to Billy Florence Team Dream Chasers site.