Brand Loyalty

Brand loyalty...

What makes you loyal to the brands you use in your house?  

Is it that it's what your mama and grandma used?  Is it what your hubby has been used to all his life, so you don't want to rock the boat?  Is it just because it's what you're used to buying?

Or do you buy what's on sale or what you have coupons for? 

Does packaging or display have anything to do with it?

Have you ever stopped to really take a look at what you're buying?  Read the labels, do your own research, check out the manufacturers? (I mean really check them out- not just trust what they advertise on TV)

OR you might be scared that if you stop to take a look at these things- you might see something you don't want to see or know!  Sometimes we would rather be ignorant so we don't have to think.

Take a few minutes to really look at your buggy the next time you're out shopping.  Pay attention to what you're exposing yourself and your family to- whether it's food or household products.  Yes- cheaper products help out the pocketbook now- but really how cheap are you getting off?  For example, cheaper body wash means you have to use more lotion, which means you'll run out of both a lot quicker, so you'll be back buying the same product within a couple weeks.  And so many detergents and cleaners are filled with toxic chemicals and water- how clean are countertops really?

You may say "Well I'm not brand loyal- I've become awfully budget-savvy and have learned the ropes on making my own supplies!"  While there are lots of GREAT home recipes and natural products to use, I have a team member who has done extensive research on homemade products such as laundry detergent- check out all she has to say about them:


www.stayhomeforkids.wordpress.com

What about you?  Do you consider yourself brand loyal or would you be willing to even just HEAR about another way to shop?!  It's a lot easier and can be budget friendly as well!  I'm telling ya- anything that keeps me from going to one more store without my 3 kids in tow has got my ear turned!  I can't even fit three kids in the big ole shopping cart, much less what I'm shopping for!  I love having the UPS guy deliver my Melaleuca box each month!

Email me, leave a comment, or visit my team page- that will get you in touch with me, too!!

Whew!!

Hey Folks of the Blogging World!!!

So sorry to have taken such a hiatus!  Unintentional...but so many other things going on right now- it hasn't exactly been on the top of my priority list!

Anyway- one of our team members posted this video to facebook recently- my husband and I have talked about it before, but I had never seen it!






It's amazing what all we can miss when we're so focused on such specifics!  Not that those "specifics" in life aren't important- but what all are you missing out on?!  I know lots of times I'm so focused on mine and my family's needs, that I forget to pay attention to what's going on in my friends' lives and how I can minister to them.

A Great Article...

This is a great article by founder of Internet CEO Moms- Donna Stewart.  Hope you enjoy! 

The Detriment of Front End Loading with a Home Business

Author:

Donna Lessard Stewart
Here are 5 questions to ask to help with understanding the detriment of Front End Loading.

1. Does the company require a large investment of product to start? Large, meaning $500   or more to get started.
2. What kind of commission do you earn when you get someone to start with a large order of product?
3. Are the majority of commissions earned on the initial purchase of a new member?
4. Can you buy your status? Meaning can you purchase a certain amount of product to 'Get to' or 'Maintain' your status with wth business?
5. Are you advised that you can recoup your money from your big product purchase by retail selling?

I know, I know. Some of you reading this may be saying, 'What\'s wrong with any of those statements?'


I say, 'A lot!'


Now, stay with me here for just a moment.


So many companies make most of their revenue on 'Front End Loading'. Sad but true.


What is Front End Loading? Basically it means the majority of product(s) sold are to the 'Distributers', not the end consumer. The company makes the majority of their profits from new distributers buying a lot of product up front or to 'Get To' or 'Maintain' a status.


Even if the new distributer is unable to retail sell the products, the company still makes money because it has already been purchased by the distributer, not an end consumer.


Most companies that front end load their members, will give a nice commission to the distributer that gets someone to buy in with a big order. This creates a major promotion of the 'big buy in' when someone starts.


The distributer is excited about their new venture of starting their own home business, and eventually realizes that they are unable to retail sell the products and they are stuck with it. Unfortunately, this happens all the time.


Sure, most companies have a return policy, however, it is typically a short time frame. By the time the distributer figures out they are unable to retail sell it, the time frame to return the product(s) has lapsed.


When this happens, many distributers try to give the products away as a method to lure potential customers and business partners. They may get a few, and the entire sad cycle begins again.


The company earns their profits while the distributer does not.


Now, lets dive a little deeper.


Let\'s say you have achieved a status of … let\'s call it 'Queen Bee'.


As a 'Queen Bee' you are required to have $1000 dollars worth of product purchased (from you or your customers) in any given month. (This does NOT include your initial buy in.)


So, you\'ve joined and paid $500 to start and have products on hand. You need to go out and produce another $1000 worth of product purchases (sales) in a given month to be a 'Queen Bee'. And you do it!! YEAH!! You\'re a Queen Bee!!!


You earn XYZ amount of commissions, you\'re happy and on your way to achieve the next status of 'Ultimate Queen Bee!!'


To achieve 'Ultimate Queen Bee!!' you need $2000 worth of product purchases (sales) in a given month and one of your customers (business partners) needs to achieve, 'Queen Bee' and have at least $1000 worth of product purchases (sales) in her business for the month.


Now you have your sales in line for the month, however, your business partner is 'short' about $500. Hmmmm…what to do??? How do you get her to work so you can advance to 'Ultimate Queen Bee'?


Well, your business partner could call the company and purchase that $500 worth of product herself to get to status of 'Queen Bee', which means she could advance to 'Queen Bee' and YOU would also advance to 'Ultimate Queen Bee'!


Soooo, you pressure your business partner to either go out and have parties and make the sales or just buy the amount of products needed to reach the status and ‘hopefully\' sell them next month.


Do you know what happens down the road?


You have a lot of people getting to and maintaining 'Queen Bee' by personally buying the amount of products required. (In hopes of retail selling)


You have a lot of people getting their business partner to buy products to maintain their status.


Hardly any, if any product is getting sold to the end consumer.


People get stuck with products they don\'t need or use and are unable to retail sell it. They are unable to get their money back because the return policy time frame has lapsed.


Yet, the company continues to make money while many, dare I say most of it\'s members lose their money.


Be Careful Out There

To Your Success,






Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/the-detriment-of-front-end-loading-with-a-home-business-4135778.html
About the Author
The decision to work from home may be a great choice for some people. With today\'s economy and lack of financial security, starting a home business has proven to be a viable option for many. With over a decade of having a successful home business, not only have I been able to create financial security for my family, but I have helped so many others to do the same. I hope to continue to help others to achieve what ever their goals may be.

Take Good Care of Yourself

Your physical health is the most important thing you possess.

Think about these gifts:

You have a heart that beats over 100,000 times a day without you having to think about it.

You have eyes that instantly make over 10 million different color distinctions.

You have muscles that if they were to work together and pull in one direction, would equal tons of pulling power.

And this entire process is operated by a body that’s made up of about 98% water and a three-pound lump of matter we call our brain.

Ultimately, the factors that influence your health and vitality most are your choices.

Current research shows that many of today’s major health concerns are directly related to lifestyle choices which are preventable or minimized by developing good health habits.

When you consider some of the biggest health concerns we all face today, what are some that come to mind?

Weight Issues, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Stroke, Depression

Asthma, Allergies, Osteoporosis

The statistics on the increasing incidence of these health concerns – and their causes – are troubling.

As you know, there is nothing more powerful than our body’s own inherent ability to heal itself…as long as we provide it with what it needs to maintain optimum health:

Air, Water, Proper Nutrition, Sunshine, Exercise,Love, Laughter

Internet Ceo Moms can show you how to take a more pro-active role in your physical vitality – simple lifestyle choices that don’t interrupt your life, only enhance it. Through scientifically developed, patented products, and education about wellness at the cellular level, you’ll find it easier than ever to be Preventive – vs. Reactive – in the area of health and wellness for you and your family.

Internet Ceo Moms is really about two things - Your Health and Financial Wellness. Which could you live without? Which could you use some help with? What about everyone else out there? The market potential is endless, as EVERYBODY wants Health and Financial Wellness, not to mention the time freedom to enjoy both!

**by Donna Stewart- founder of Internet CEO Moms!  

Helpful Little Tip...

First of all- I posted a delicious potato soup recipe over on my other blog last night- it's SOOO good and SOOO easy! 

Secondly- I am sitting here at my desk at school (where I teach part-time) and my lamp is terribly dusty!  And it reminded me of something my mom figured out just recently...excuse us if we are a little behind...and if you already knew this- excuse our ignorancy...

Dust your lamp shades with a lint roller! 

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DUH!

Doesn't that sound like something you should have already thought of?!  And doesn't it sound like a great product for an infomercial?!  You better count me in on your millions if you steal my idea!!