Work At Home Dad - Ty Tribble

The Evolution of Network Marketing

I have sensed a change in Network Marketing over the last 10 months since I started studying it more closely and believe that I can put my finger on two trends that will drive a drastic change in network marketing over the next few years.

The trends are Value and Technology.

1. Value. There are two parts to the Value equation. First, value must be trickled down from the Network Marketing company through the representative to the end user with regards to the product or service the Network Marketing company is selling. For example: Salon quality shampoo for $3.95. Secondly, the Network Marketing company must provide up front and continuing value to the representative. For example: Free Products and Free Websites upon sign-up.

2. Technology. A Network Marketing company must take advantage of today's technology. Conference Calls replace hotel meetings, MP3's replace CD's and Tape's, etc. Perhaps in the future: Web Meetings, Online Classroom Style Training, etc. Spending $200/month on hotel meetings and cassette tapes will become a thing of the past.

Companies and systems within companies that do not adapt will be squashed by companies that understand Value and Technology. I am not talking about one particular company dominating the industry, I am talking about a slough of companies that either adapt to what is happening and/or new companies that see an opportunity to fill this gap in the industry.

The Electronic Schmoozer

I have always been looked upon in my circle of friends as a good schmoozer. If you need a reservation to a restaurant that is booked solid...let me give them a call...hey dinner at 6!

Webster’s defines the word schmooze as: "To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection."

I guess I always looked at it as giving something for the specific purpose of getting something in return. Give the hotel front desk person a compliment and you might get a room upgrade. It's fun really.

This brings me to an article I ran across today titled:
The New Way To Build Your Personal and Professional Network
(Are You Ready for Some Electronic Schmoozing?) located in this months Urbach Letter.

As I read the title of the article it dawned on me, networking is really just another word for schmoozing!

Urbach's article lists some excellent resources to kick off your online schmoozing, including meetup.com which at one point had 182,000 Howard Dean supporters subscribed.

The Work at Home Perception

Kay Stephan, a business etiquette consultant in Canal Fulton, worries about what potential clients might think if they knew she worked from home.

Her business card lists her office address as Suite 203 -- the third bedroom on the second floor of her house.

``I would never tell them that (I work from home),'' Stephan said. ``They would tend to think of my business as rinky-dink. Perception is a lot, unfortunately.''

When I ran across this article my first thought was, "old article", then I read the date, February 6th, 2004. Huh? My guess would have been 1984.

An open letter to Ohio, home of the Beacon Journal:

Dear Ohio,

Welcome to 2004. I would like to introduce myself, my name is Ty Tribble and I am proud to be a work at home dad. If my 3 year old runs into my office and starts rambling about Star Wars on the XBOX while I am on a business call, I say, "excuse me for a moment", let my son know that I am on the phone, he runs off, I continue my call by saying, "that was my 3 year old and he wants me to play XBOX with him, I like to consider it a corporate perk of working from home, sorry for the interuption, where were we?"

Perception will have a lot to do with your reaction. Performance will help with longterm perception as well. So if you run a home based business or work from home, PERFORM. Show people that it can be done, and then enjoy the freedom you have to go on your 6 year old daughter's field trips and play the occasional game of Star Wars on the XBOX with your 3 year old.

Sincerely,

Ty Tribble
Work At Home Dad

Find Alf...Know Alf...Love Alf

I just found ALF. According to his website:

Alf Nucifora writes a syndicated column entitled Shoestring Marketing that appears in the Atlanta Business Chronicle in addition to 60+ similar weekly business journals around the country. It is anticipated that the list will expand during 2003, with a readership exceeding 1 million.

In just a few minutes of browsing, I found articles on, Networking Moves from the Mixer to the Web, All The Best Firms Are Blogging ... Are You?, and Web Conferencing Saves Time, Money.

I plan on spending some serious time with Alf. Check him out at www.nucifora.com.

Solving Problems

I have come to the conclusion that in order to stay in business you must solve problems. Most people assume I am talking about business problems like cash flow, inventory, and customer service issues, and while those things are important to your business, they do not keep you in business. What will sustain your business long term is how well your product, service, or opportunity solves people’s problems.

I know the term is overused, but you must add value to people’s lives. Find a product, service, or opportunity that is reasonably priced and solves a problem for the end user and you will be adding value to the lives of others. Add value to enough lives and you might just build yourself a successful business.