Happy New Year. It's 2011

In reality New Years is just another day on the calendar. I don't understand why it's celebrated so much. Really, why do folks need a reason to party. If you want to stay up til mid-night, get drunk, kiss another drunk person why not just do it? Why wait until that one day of the year when you take down an old calendar and put a new one up? Oy Vey! Ahh too much pondering this early.

For me, the new year is not a time to celebrate, but more a time for peaceful reflection, as well as enthusiastic anticipation looking towards a new goal, a new year and bigger and better things. Those New Years resolutions are not something I normally follow. I do look back on what worked last year to decide if I want to keep doing what I'm doing or make changes. This year will bring about a few changes, mostly in they way I'm doing things.

For one, I'm glad to have started this blog. The good news is that I will keep doing this for the foreseeable future. People need to know what Michael Sparks is up to. People also need inspiration, knowledge and helping reaching their own personal goal. The future for most people is a scary thing. We are still reading of layoffs, downsizing, and jobs moving overseas. I just can't help but think what it will take to survive in the next 5, 10, 20, 50 years. As they say Times are Changing, and if you are not ready or willing to change with the times you will become obsolete.

I'm starting to change the focus of this blog form one of business building to one of Economic Survival. That's your economic survival. Not only building business but ideas that will help you get through what lies ahead. I don't claim to know all the answers. What I do know is that I have a genuine interest in helping others, and want to help make this world a better place. Lets start off 2011 right by joining together and helping each other.

Top things to do in 2011 to help with your own personal economic situation.

1. Pay off your bills. Dave Ramsey in The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness says start with smallest to largest, no matter what the interest rate is. This is more feeling that it is numbers. As you pay off those bills you will gain momentum.
2. Work on your own personal residence. How can you make it more efficient?
3. Drive Less
4. Learn to do more things yourself. Do you pay others to do things like mow the yard, or fix things. Learn to do it yourself.
5. Get rid of your TV. Or at least get rid of the Cable/Dish. Even if you still want something to watch, check out Netflix. For $10 per month you can watch all kinds of movies, TV series and more.
6. Get out and walk or exercise. This will help you in the long run reduce your health care expenditures.
7. Work part time or start your own business. Think of something you enjoy doing and try to earn money with this.
8. Take a backyard vacation. Instead of going somewhere why not spruce your own place up, and take a vacation at home? Saves money and increases the value of your home.

These are just a few money saving ideas that I have done that has saved me money.

On starting and building a business, which is my forte consider a home based business. This will allow you to take deduction on your taxes. Also consider a business that has consumable products that need to be bought and used on a regular basis. It just seems smart to get paid over and over again for one initial effort.
On the DVD Brilliant Compensation DVD, Tim Sales explains how network marketing / MLM works and how it really is the fairest business model out there. I am very passionate about this type of business model and believe it really is the future of business in the 21st century. Even if all you do is get the DVD and watch it, I promise it will open your eyes on this industry. Go ahead and just Do It!

Another thing to think about is your relationships. How have you worked towards increasing your relationships? Helping others, being kind, caring and interacting is what will help us all get through these troubled times. Work hard in this new year to cement your relationships with others. Several ideas to consider: Connect with others on Social Media sites like facebook. Send cards letting others know you are thinking of them. Invite others to join you in activities. This could be as simple as a backyard BBQ or may a day out to the park. Find common interests. Volunteer your time.

Zig Ziglar says, "You Can Only Get What You Want, If You Help Enough Other People Get What They Want". And this is true. Make this your motto for the coming year and your economic survival will be a piece of cake. See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition

Michael Sparks--Entrepreneur.

Pay Freeze for US Federal Employees

Latest Headlines from the President of the United States, Barack Obama is that there will be a pay freeze for a Federal Workers. "Getting this national deficit under control is going to require some broad sacrifices and that sacrifice must be shared by the employees of the federal government," Obama said in a speech Monday afternoon explaining the decision.

"The U.S. Federal Deficit is when government spending is greater than revenue received for that year. In Fiscal Year 2011, the budget deficit will be $1.267 trillion. The FY 2010 deficit was $1.57 trillion."


What does this mean? What happens if you are a federal worker? What should you do now?

The reason workers get a pay increase normally is to keep up with inflation. Prices go up, in order for workers to be able to maintain the same standard of living they get a raise. For the next 2 years prices will go up, but these workers will not be able to maintain their standard of living. In essence they will be poorer. While some may argue in that federal government employees are paid more than the private sector when you factor in benefits, retirement and other compensation this doesn't help that individual that has created their standard of living based on those earnings.

As one always looking on the bright side at least Obama didn't announce a 10% pay decrease or something like that. But still in the next 2 years living will get harder for millions of Americans. If you are a federal worker you will see over time your dollar get smaller and smaller as the prices go up. Food, clothing, fuel, health care, education are just a few things you will begin to notice.

Our deficit does need to come down substantially there is no doubt about it. What I would recommend for you if you are a federal employee, or any employee that would like to see their income increase in the next 3-5 years would be to look at starting a Part-Time Home Based Business.

Now is the time to act, don't wait until your standard of living goes down and you don't have to money to pay those bills. Look toward the future for yourself and your family by taking steps now to secure a secondary form of income. Start now doing your research and help jump start your future.

There are some serious advantages to starting a home based business. These are the reasons I saw when I started my business over 10 years ago.

• Residual Income
• Tax advantages
• Work from home (or anywhere for that matter)
• No territories
• Can move with you easily (I was a military spouse and we moved often)
• Build relationships for the long term (many new friends and business parterners over the years)
• Have an asset that you can leave to your family, this business will continue to pay you even after you die. 
• Increase your standard of living even in a down economy

You see when I started my business in 2000 I saw the writing on the wall. My situation was that of what many Americans face today. Unemployment, lack of focused career, no retirement and an unsure future. Once I found a home based business I was able to change all that more than I could ever have imaged.

If you are reading this, maybe it's time you start to take action. Start doing your research to find what kind of business might be best suited for you. Maybe you would like to even work with me, Michael Sparks, Entrepreneur and business owner. I recommend doing some preplanned research before just jumping into any one business. I've seen many home business owners go from company to company seeking that "perfect opportunity".

I recommend purchasing some books like The New Professionals by Charles King and James Robinson. This book breaks down what MLM, and Network Market are and how it has gone from a often negative connotation to something that people see  see as a legitimate opportunity to work from home.  It's a must read for anyone who is on the fence considering a career in network marketing. The writing on the wall is clear; our profession has enabled masses of people to gain time freedom, financial freedom and a perfect meld of home, business and personal values.

I have read this book several times and each time it cements in my mind that our industy (direct sales) is a great way for someone to reach higher goals with little downside risk. In an economy like the one we are living in, now is not the time to take drastic measures, but to look at opportunities that over time will improve yourself and your future earnings potential. With a good home based business you could for less than $500 invested start earning a commission that will continue to increase month after month.

The business of the 21st Century by Robert Kiyosaki is another excellent book highlighting the benefits of starting a home based business. I like the fact that both Robert Kiyosaki as well as Charles King were negative about MLM or home based business when they first saw it, but after taking a serious look at what MLM is really all about and how it offers someone the ability to start small and finish big if they so choose.

Once you decide to get started, be prepared to commit to working your business at least 3-5 years if your desire is to gain real traction and income. It is possible to earn several hundred dollars per month in a short amount of time, but for real long term income it will take some effort and time on your part. It is also a good idea to find a mentor (or sponsor) that will help guide you through the process to help you avoid the pitfalls that are sure to crop up. I know people that have lost thousands of dollars either doing the wrong program or trying things that do not work. Myself, I have always earned a positive cash flow starting in the very first year. My commissions have paid for my business over and over again. Now after 10 years we are full time and growing year after year. This is a true testament to how our business can provide you and your family a positive and rewarding secondary income.


With the tough choices our country will have to make in the coming years. Starting a home based business is just a part of a safety net that you and your family could employ to help weather the coming storm.

Feel free to contact me, Michael Sparks for comment, advice or information on starting your own home business. Don't wait until it's too late.


To Your Success,


Michael Sparks--Entrepreneur
www.michaelsparks.us

You've made the decision, now where to start?

You've made the decision to start your Home-Based business but are not sure where to begin. I would like to offer some advice as a seasoned entrepreneur.

• Get setup ASAP. Business cards, clothing, catalogs, signs for your vehicle are important to advertise to others that you are a Distributor of said company.
• Use the products your self. . Become a product of the product, a walking testimonial. Using your products with success will inspire confidence when you speak to others. 
• Make a list, or make several lists. One of everyone you know personally, another of at least 100 businesses in your immediate area. Keep it within 50 miles radius
• Become Genuine. Genuine about yourself, your product and your customers. I call this keeping it "Real"
• Let your friends, family, and acquaintances know what you are doing. This should be done as announcement, not a sales pitch.
• Be prepared to give yourself time to get your business established. This will be at least 24-48 months. That's right 2-4 years. If you cannot make that commitment then don't even get started. This is a business not a get rich quick scheme.

 After you have decided to get started, find yourself a few mentors. The reason is that no one works their business the same. This means you will want to follow advice on several different people until you can add your own ideas, flair and personality. Don't start off reinventing the wheel, do what has worked for others until you have the resources to give your own ideas a try. If you start off doing it "your way" you will fail and you will lose money. Don't ask me how I know this.

If your company has awards and recognition use that as a goal sheet. Ask yourself, what do I have to do to get the first award from the company. Start right away working towards that goal. You will also want to use those recognition levels as your goal sheet. Set a time line that you can accomplish. Put a date beside each goal, you might want to work with your mentor on this as they will have more experience on how hard or how long it takes to reach each level.

One company that I have worked with has a Rolodex Award. This is a special award the mentor gives out when they have talked with and followed up 100 people. This sounds like a great way to build up your contact list. Get to work on something like this as well. Talk to 100 people about your business, show them what it is you do, then follow up. Once you do the show, and follow up then check them off your list. When you get to 100, give yourself an award.

One of my favorite mentors is the late Jim Rohn. He has been called America's Foremost Business Philosopher. I recommend listening to his material as well as reading his books. The things that he talks about will change your life as well as your thinking. I can't talk enough about reading the books and listening to the tapes.

On average I recommend reading at least 1-2 person development books per month. The more you read and absorb, the more you will have the confidence, the knowledge and the desire to succeed in your business.

I can tell you, it won't be easy at first. There will be days you feel like giving up, that no one is interested in your product or service. Read the books and it will help you get through those times.


There are many great books that I have read and continue to read. Please take a look at my Recommended Reading List I have personally read every one of these books and they have all been a positive influence on my life.

Few last things you need to get started on right away in your new business is finances. You might not be in a position to have extra money right now but if start out right, it will be much easier once your business is rolling full swing.

When I started my mentors never mention much about taxes, business expenses, accounting / bookkeeping etc. I had to go out and find all this out on my own. After that I share with all my new distributors the programs that I have found useful.

One program that I have been using for years is a simple and effective bookkeeping software called Home Business Tax Helper. www.homebusinesstaxhelper.com It's inexpensive and has a lot ideas already in the program for the business expenses you should be taking.

Next you will want to set up a separate checking account. Use this for all business expenses, even if you have to add money to it from your personal account. This will help you keep track and prove that you are serious about your business.

Lastly, you will want some sort of filing system. At first one of those file boxes will work. As your business grows you will want a cabinet of some sort. Keep your business receipts separate from your personal ones. Come tax time you will save yourself a lot of time and frustration if you get your financial house in order.

Starting out your business is an exciting time. Get started right and you will see success in no time.

Happy Prospecting.

Michael Sparks--Entrepreneur

Is News and Politics Bringing your Business Down?

Today is election day in america. Imagine that, millions and millions of people going out to "pull the lever" on the favorite candidate (or least unfavorable candidate) in hopes that some things will change, and hopes that some things will stay the same. The question you must ask yourself is, How much will all this change my own personal situation? Jim Rohn says "Not Much."

It's your own personal philosophy that determines your future. You can start at any moment you choose to take responsibility for the changes necessary to create a better future for yourself and your family. Humans are the only life form that can make changes like this. Develop the ability to redesign your future, tear up the script from the last 5 years, 10 years etc.....

Maybe you have pennies in your pocket, maybe you don't have the relationship you want, maybe you're overworked, out of shape, over weight and you are blaming everything but the real reasons for the mess you are in.

Reading the books, listening to the tapes, working with positive, successful and outgoing people are what changed my life. The Democrats and Republicans had nothing to do with it. The negative news on TV every night had nothing to do with it. I'm telling you turn all that negativity into something useful that you can take hold of and use to your advantage.

Jim Rohn was a speaker and business philosopher that has helped me tremendously. I started listening to Jim in the very beginning of my business venture and his words rang so deep with me that to this day I am a different man for listening.
With many quotes, ideas and sayings, you cannot go away without using some of his stuff. The Challenge to Succeed is a must for any listening library. This 6 CD set covers every idea you need to make yourself a better life. Some ideas that really seem appropriate for days like today.

Jim Rohn says:
"How come you find yourself in an unfortunate position, age 25. I had more of a tendency to blame the Government. It's those Democrats. I used to blame interest rates, or I used to blame taxes. Taxes are too high. Guess what the top tax rate was when I started paying taxes? Ninety-One percent, top federal tax rate. Now the top federal tax rate is about thirty-three percent. But people are still saying taxes are too high. See that old dog won't hunt as we say in Mississippi"


You see your personal philosophy is what matters."If you just depend on the wind that blows to determine your future you will be blown into the rocks. You can't depend just on the wind. The same wind blows on us all. It's the set of the sail that determines where each of us is heading."

Regardless of the wind that blows it takes you to where you want to go, as long as you have the right tools. You can do anything you wish to if you put your mind to it. Start today with the right tools, using your own mind, your own ability to learn something new and find new ideas that can really effect change.

As I sit here listening to the local news I'm wondering who is going to win in this election today across the country? I know for certain after pulling that lever who the real winner is:

I am a winner with my personal philosophy!



So as you leave your polling place today, think for a second. What real change Am I going to make in my life?


Michael Sparks--Entrepreneur

Nov 2, 2010 is dedicated to the late Jim Rohn (September 17, 1930 - December 5, 2009)

Sell for Today, Sponsor for Tomorrow

So you are working at your home based business and the check don't seem all that big. Maybe the checks are not even coming at all, or you are paying out money instead of having it come in. This is known as negative cash flow. They say in traditional business you will lose money for the first 3-5 years. Capitol (cash) is what is needed for any new start-up. 

Well I'm here to show you how to do it without any money. No huge investment or loan is needed to get started with a home based business. Matter of Fact I have home-made brochure that explains how I got started with a $35 investment. I can show you how to hit the ground running, and start off with a bang that will get your cash flow up immediately. You might not be able to live off the income in the first 3-5 years but you will be positive cash flow, or "In the Black" the very first year. 

As the title of the article says: Sell for Today, Sponsor for Tomorrow. The meaning of this in a home-based or Network Marketing business is that you have to have a product that people want and need. Your first priority is to get that product out in the hands of many people. Your product should be consumable so you can get repeat business time and time again. The idea is to sell your product to someone once then resell over and over again. Take Care of the customer and they will take care of you. You should have a product that can be sold retail. If you cannot compete in a retail market the only customers you will have are those you sign up as distributors, this could take a very long time to get your residual commissions coming in. Likewise with the company that I started with; I chose to get out in the retail marketplace. Five, Ten, Fifty or a Hundred stores carrying your product is like having hundreds of sales people out there. Many of the stores that I worked with years ago still carry our products. This is because customers are still coming in to buy. A store is open 60-80 hours per week, could you work that many hours in that many locations?

Secondly, retail brings you a higher commission. Most home-based companies pay commissions based on volume of products going through that business. If you are working with only distributors, some of those commissions must be paid on your sponsored distributor before you can get paid. A company only pays once on any product sold. If you are buying products, selling retail you get 100% of the commission due to you. Stated again Sell for Today, Sponsor for Tomorrow. 

Selling retail actually takes a little more work than just registering dealers and letting them build their business. A new distributor will naturally want to get started earning a commission, but in truth it takes a long time for most to understand and learn about building a business, sales, recruiting, training, etc. The commissions you gain from sponsoring will bear fruit in the years to come. But you didn't start your home business to wait years for a good sized commission. You want commissions now, maybe an extra $500 per month is really all you need right now. This accomplishment can be done is a short amount of time if you work your business correctly. 

My positive cash flow started in the first couple months of my business and has continued every year. As more money comes in I was able to add more to the business, get new "toys", have a better cell phone, do more things etc. Going after retail first then distributors second especially in the first year or 2 will make a huge difference in your ability to earn at least a check every single money in your business. 

Just like there are 2 sides to every coin, I look at a home business as having 2 sides. There is the retail side explained above to get that immediate cash flow, then there is the sponsorship side where you learn how to train and build a sales team. Sell for Today, Sponsor for Tomorrow means starting right away helping others achieve their goals and dreams by building their own home based business. Matter of fact my sponsor died several years ago and his spouse still gets a check every single month from those initial efforts of sponsoring me into the business. This is one of the best reasons to have a home based business. Your work continues to pay you time and time again even if you can't work. Sponsoring adds depth and breadth to your business, it allows the peaks and valleys to even out in your sales efforts. There might be a time when your retail sales efforts slow down for a short bit, this could be due to your lack of time to devote that part of the business, or maybe a bump in the economy where people are just not buying much. Either way sponsoring a team of distributors will help even out those months. Sponsoring is the key to higher levels of recognition as well as higher incomes in a home based business.

So you want to sponsor but you don't know who or how to get them started. The first thing you should be doing is prospecting. Let everyone know what you are doing and  have a mission statement that you can tell others. Mine goes like this. 

Mission Statement:

1. I help customers save money, get the best products with the highest performance per cost in (insert your product here) our industry. 
2. Provide a vehicle for financial independence to anyone who wants it.

You see this two fold mission lets everyone know what I'm doing and that they too can become a distributor without actually pitching it to them.

Get your mission statement together now, this will help solidify your goal of building a profitable business. Maybe you are currently involved in a company and are not seeing the results you like, maybe you don't feel you have a product that will sell at the retail level. If you are in a company with the only way to earn money is to sponsor you might want to reevaluate if this company will allow you to meet your goals. The number one way to determine if your home business will work in the manner I have described above is to ask yourself. Does my company push the product or the opportunity? A product oriented company will continue to grow, it will be stable and always try to provide a product in the marketplace that customers want and need. 

When you evaluate a company use these 10 statements to see if your company stands up:

• Quality products that meet a need. 
• A well-established, reputable company backing its products AND distributors.
• Excellent support without all the hype.
• Multiple avenues for business growth, which allow YOU to decide how to build YOUR business. 
• Potential for financial independence within 5 years or less with limitless potential for financial growth.

The perfect home business SHOULD NOT require or entail any of the following:

• Large initial investment to become involved. 
• Keeping an inventory of products.
• Minimum quotas for purchasing or selling products.
• Lots of paperwork and record keeping. 
• Large commissions for simply signing up new distributors.  

Prospecting, then sponsoring is what you need to do in order to build a large business. How to you spot a good prospect? These are some characteristics that will provide a good indication of future performance. 

• People who value your products
• People who desire to start their own business
• Hard-working, self-starting, stable people
• People with good experience
• People looking for retirement income
• People who are driven
• Successful people
• Busy people
• Personable people
• Husband & wife teams

These types of people are all around us, you run into potential distributors every single day. The key is to be ready. Have the tools necessary to prospect any where you go. 

• Have all necessary materials on hand
• Wear proper attire, if you company has logos or clothing wear it
• Have a positive mental attitude-smile
• Know your prospect
• Believe in your products, Live your products
• Do the paperwork
• Follow up

Get your business off to a great start! Sell for Today, Sponsor for Tomorrow. 

Michael Sparks-- Entrepreneur

 

Flying to build your business

I just love to fly. The question is why? Here are some ideas that will allow you to expand your mind and think about "the bigger picture"

For me flying isn't something I necessarily enjoy because of the security, the hassle, and the all the germs being spread around. So you must realize my love of flying has more to do with a business aspect that I will now explain. Flying allows me to realize, visually how big our state, our country and the world is. As we leave the ground I can see cars whizzing down the road, rows and rows of houses, large office buildings, malls, and businesses as well as hundreds of thousands of acres of farm land. I realize the untapped business potential is essentially endless (in personal terms) meaning I know that I will never be able to work with every single person out there, though I do have the potential to work with many more customers than I currently do.

My other love as I look down is the fact that we are traveling at 300 or more miles per hour. The efficiency of doing business in distant places allows anyone to jump on a plane and in a short time be in another state, or country. Matter of fact as I write this I'm sitting on a plane headed to Florida for a business meeting. It wasn't that long ago really when flying was prohibitively expensive. Today my ticket will cost less than it would cost me to drive from Tennessee to Orlando and back, let alone the extra time it would take to drive.

In my businesses, where just about everyone is a potential customer, it makes sense to have connections, customers, and business partners anywhere I go. Flying to Florida we are turning a business event into an opportunity to connect with friends, as well as meet new folks.

I guess its not so much the act of going through the hassles of getting on the plane, but more the perspective it gives me that there is a whole world full of people out there that I haven't met yet.

Happy Networking,

Michael Sparks - Entrepreneur

Answer to the Secret

Maybe you know maybe you don't know, but The Secret is a book that was written around the premise of the power of your own mind to attract the things in life that you want. This "Law of Attraction" is what has made many in history successful or smart, or famous. After all you are what you think about.

To Create that life of abundance or that life of happiness you must first have the thought in your mind, then act upon those thoughts. We call these I am statement. After all when the mind can conceive the body can achieve. Likewise, you can not conceive of it, then there is no way to act upon nothing, therefore you will achieve nothing.

We recently took a trip to UTAH to attend a conference for a company that specializes in helping others act on their promptings. You see a prompting is little more than a thought to do something. It's a feeling that you have that makes you want to do kind things for or to others. A prompting could be the thought that you express your appreciation to someone by saying thank you, or maybe call up someone on the phone that just popped into you head. The company we visited uses real greeting cards to allow someone to go on the internet, and in a few seconds create a card, click send and the card will be mailed out to that person.

Creating a life of abundance must first begin with giving unto others, then allowing that giving to be received back. You see it's difficult to say thank you without the other person saying "you're welcome" This prompting is noted in the other mind, with the acceptance of the "thank you" which then in turn that person wants to return this thank you by acknowledgment of the "you're welcome". If you keep giving out, eventually you will begin to receive. This subconscious process works in ways like the advertising market works. Plant that seed in your mind over and over--this is why we are bombarded with ads over and over. You plant seeds in others mind and you will then be at the forefront of what they think about. You send someone a card, the act of opening it, reading it, feeling it and touching the card will put that thought directly in the front of their mind. You will be what they think about at that very second.

What I want to talk about is using subconscious processes to allow you to attract abundance in your life by getting on the forefront of thousands of persons minds. This can be possible by using tools and techniques. Staying in contact is a great way, using Social Networking, sending cards, calling and meeting in person are some ways to get started. Also note that if you are trying to sell someone, or trying to influence them, this will not work. You must sincerely want to connect with others on a personal level. This is easier said than done, but when you are able to connect personally the connection between you and that other person will be long lasting and hard to break.

From the Secret, we got the Answer. The Answer is a book written by John Assaraf and Murray Smith that delves deeper into how the subconscious mind works. I've read the book several years ago, but have recently picked it up again after listing to some of the speakers at the Convention.

The Answer Offers a step by step process for anyone who desires more success and abundance in their life. Using cutting-edge research into brain science and quantum physics, they show how readers can actually rewire their brains for success and create the kind of extraordinary lives they want. By teaching readers how to attract and use newly discovered "uncommon" senses to achieve business success, the authors demonstrate the beliefs, habits, thoughts, and actions that they have used to build eighteen multimillion-dollar companies.

The Power locked inside our own minds can be used to create any life you desire, use the techniques like the law of attraction, the law of gestation and the law of action. After a renewed sense of wanting to take my business to the next level. A reread of The Answer just might be "My Answer".


Michael Sparks--Entrepreneur