Change your words, change your future 2009-11-22

Reviewer: Thomas Corson-Knowles

This book does for network marketing what the Socratic Method did for philosophy - transformed it, empowered it, and made it accessible to every person using everyday language.

Michael Oliver's book How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends! (Selling from the Soul. Ancient Wisdoms. Modern Practice) is revolutionary! Michael Oliver shines the light on a new paradigm of direct sales, network marketing, and just everyday conversations. Our words create our world, and Michael Oliver shows us how to use the right words to discover what people want and then show them how they can get it!

Whether you are in network marketing or not, this is a MUST-READ BOOK! Don't just read it, study it. Re-read it. Devour it. You will find everyday conversations turning into incredible, life-changing dialogues. And if you are in network marketing, you will be empowered with the tools to build a much larger, stronger organization because you will have the ability to help your team members discover what they want, why they want it, what they can do to get it, and why they can't afford not to build their business!

very helpful for all network marketing pros! 2009-08-09

Reviewer: Helena Smith

Loved this book. Whether you are a a beginner, starting up with a new network marketing business, or somebody who has been at it for a while, you will get a lot out of it. Combined with something like Think and Grow Rich, which will take care of any "mindset" issues you may have, this book will give you everything you need to know to start and maintain a successful network marketing business.

I know a lot of people who have gotten involved with network marketing, thinking it was one thing and then finding out it was another. This book shows it is much more than "get rich fast." This has been very helpful to for me, since I am able to give it to the people under me, to get them on the right track.

If you've had a bad experience in multilevel, or are looking for a better experience, this book will help you to make it happen. It will show you this is more than just about building a downline; it's about building a life. It will change the way you approach everything, both within your business and outside of it.

Be fearless!!

Don't Waste Your Time or Money 2009-08-03

Reviewer: Sue Stapanon

This book is terrible, filled with a bunch of "New Age" hype which I found highly distracting. I was so disgusted that I could only get through 2 chapters and called it quits. A much better book for the money is "Your First Year in Network Marketing" by Mark Yarnell. This is an excellent book and very helpful for the newbie to network marketing.

...a MUST HAVE Book! 2008-08-25

Reviewer: Peter Arnold

I love "really good" books. As a Financial Advisor and a Business Consultant, I consume a ton of books and do a lot of research and due dilligence for my clients.

Network Marketing - As a Home Biz Coach and a Network Marketing professional (for over 20-years), I have also studied many books, audios, videos, CDs, DVDs on - and taken many courses about - the Network Marketing industry. Despite its critics (and I used to be one) - it's a business model that I greatly respect - and when 'worked correctly' according to the 'right' financial, business, marketing and ethical principles - it has no real comparison on this planet in my opinion.

Major Problem - But because of far too much hype + the very poor (OLD methodology) sales / marketing training provided within this industry - there is a terrible failure rate (90-95%)! Distributors are (still) being taught old sales strategies and techniques that are outdated, stressful, and unprofessional. As a result, distributors become uncomfortable, get frustrated, and struggle to succeed. They have not learned (are not learning) the right "people / communication skills" or "sales skills" - and this is a tragedy.

There IS a better way.

A Revolutionary Book - The Review I'm giving here is about a very important, MUST HAVE book - not just for Home Business entrepreneurs - but for everyone.

Michael Oliver - Although I have not personally 'met' this gentleman - I have chatted with him on one of our DRA (Distributor Rights Association) calls recently, where he was our guest speaker ((I'm proud to be serving on the DRA Board Of Directors, as Canada's representative. The DRA is a non-profit, global organization that serves to educate, inform, preserve and protect the 'rights' of Network Marketing distributors everywhere)).

Natural Selling - In my opinion, Michael Oliver is perhaps "the" finest teacher / educator / coach within the Network Marketing // Direct Sales industry. His contribution to this industry is huge. In addition to being a brilliant author, he is in constant demand as a speaker / trainer. His 'Natural Selling' approach to business building is radically different from the methods and techniques that many companies, uplines and other trainers teach to their distributors and associates - and thus, it has met with some controversy.

This book is without a doubt, a MUST HAVE resource - for both new as well as experienced Network Marketers (perhaps even more so for veterans). It should be required reading for every Network Marketer in my opinion. In it, Oliver gives us the option of another way to succeed - a more relaxed, fun, professional way.

Personally, I love the blueprint he lays out - as it challenges the very problem areas that most face. For example...

The 80//20 Rule - Early in this great book, he raises a profound question about the 80//20 Rule (20% of the people end up - doing 80% of the work - achieving 80% of the success).

Well, he puts forth the proposition => what if that 20% "makes up" those Rules (which, in many cases, cannot be duplicated by the other 80%)? Hmmm. And what if even 10% of those other 80% "could" succeed - IF those Rules were to be changed somewhat? Hmmm...

Attraction // Relationship Marketing - Michael Oliver describes business building using the approach of a "consultative dialogue" with people - to create long term and mutually profitable relationships. It avoids all the "manipulative techniques and high-pressure sales tactics" so commonly being used in this industry. Natural Selling instead, focuses on creating "trust" through relationship building first - and only introducing the products / services / business opportunity as potential solutions "after" a mutual process of discovery with the prospect (he calls them a 'potential partner') - where there's a good FIT for the other person.

Stress Free Building - This book teaches distributors "how" to both understand rejection and eliminate it - "how" to overcome the fear of objections - "how" to end call reluctance forever - "how" to forget all about any personal agenda, and instead, concentrate totally on the 'potential partners' needs and wishes - "how" to have 'potential partners' being attracted to YOU (-vs- you chasing them).

Communication - When we fail to "communicate" effectively with others, we lose - they lose. Disagreements / arguments / divorces / fights / wars - they can all occur because of a lack of ongoing communication. It's no different in our careers / businesses / professions. It starts with putting the OTHER person's interests first - period. It's about asking good questions - listening sensitively (not only to the 'words' spoken [or not spoken], but to the real 'meaning' behind them) - offering sound solutions to any problems uncovered - but also, being willing to admit it (and actually "walk away" from the situation) should you feel that your solution[s] might NOT be the most appropriate for that person.

It's a mindset thing - it's about changing out thinking. Michael Oliver "challenges" us to do just that in his exceptional book. Thank you, Michael!

I give this 255-page book a "perfect 10" - a full 5-STAR Rating.

Sincerely,

Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC / Founder
Business Achievers Academy / Canada

Fantastic book! 2008-07-08

Reviewer: M. Morris

This is a great book/series for people getting started in the industry. Being an introverted person who had never been self employed before the networking/prospecting process at first was unsettling. This book is the foundation of everything I do now and with this more patient style you can have success using natural selling. If you are naturally introverted with no self employment experience and want to save months of spinning your wheels while building a foundational knowledge towards taking action I would also recommend the following books:

Think Like Your Customer - Bill Stinnett
How To Hire & Develop Your Next Top Performer - Greenberg, Weinstein, Sweeney
Principle Centered Leadership - Stephen Covey
The Greatest Networker In The World - John Milton Fogg
Make Your Contacts Count - Babor, Waymon
How To Have Confidence And Power In Dealing With People - Les Giblin
Why We Do What We Do - Deci
Talk Your Way To The Top - Hogan
The Difference Maker - Maxwell
Take Me To Truth - Sanchez, Vieira
Secrets Of Self Employment - Edwards

I have filtered my way through about 60 books when I entered this industry about 6 months ago and these ones really I think are vital to the average, not so out-going person entering the industry. They also speak to people who are very principle based. I would also try to contact the University Of Illinois's Network Marketing department and try and track down a cheap(er) copy of the textbook Direct Sales by Keith Laggos. You really will save yourself a lot of self-doubt and frustration I promise you.