Diane Hochman Training
It’s interesting that I’m writing this, because I’ve always written and talked about how it’s unethical, and just plain bad business to steal someone else’s prospect.
It’s interesting, because in this true story, I am the one who did the stealing.
It was eight or nine years ago. My husband and I were just hitting our stride in terms of building an organization. We were in the middle of a heavy duty advertising campaign…mostly offline.
Our efforts involved a lot of local advertising. We concentrated most of our energy close to our home. But I also became well known for my product results…I had gotten some great weight loss and health results from this company’s products.
My husband was never shy about letting his colleagues know I had entered the home business world. One day, one of them called and told him she was contemplating getting involved with the company, but with a sponsor who lived about 100 miles away. She had sent her a sample of the product, as well as an application to join the company.
This lady was not getting the product results she wanted, and told my husband. He invited her to call me and review her use of the products, without any mention of the business.
The call happened a couple of days later. I got her straightened out with her product usage. It turned out she had contacted the woman who had sent her the products. She guided her incorrectly. We spoke about my story and the company itself. At no point did I mention her working with me. The company made it very clear they frowned on that kind of activity, and I try not to do things to people I wouldn’t want done to myself.
After a few days the woman called again and said she was ready to start the business…with me as her sponsor. I discouraged her, and suggested she go back to the person who sent her the original materials. She said she didn’t have confidence in this woman, and wouldn’t enter the business with her, even if I hadn’t shown up.
After thinking about it for a short while, I decided to accept her into my organization. The other woman did not take the news well. From what I understand, she left the company shortly thereafter.
This lady wound up staying with us for more than five years. She maintained great products results, and although she didn’t become a significant earner, she did supplement her income and was introduced to a whole new world of prosperity consciousness.
Is this “stealing?” Or is this positioning oneself in a place of authority and integrity, compared to someone else’s weakness?
Yes, we should always play fair. But when a quality person is asking you work with them after making an informed choice, it’s the right thing for everyone involved to welcome them into your organization.
Play fair. Always.
And become the person others seek out.
AMEN.
HOME RUN.
CHECK MATE.
THANK YOU DIANE.
Peace.
The “F” Bomb: Franco.
P.S. ANYONE that struts around
using one name only… is a cool cat.
Sting
Madonna
Bugs
Tweety
Diddy
Hochman
Dexter
Bond
Franco
Cool cats. :0)
Great story Diane and I can so relate to it.. Had nearly the exact same thing happen to me except the person found me online because thy were actively seeking someone that was successful in my primary. He was actually a customer of someone elses and was having such great results decided he wanted to do the business too. He said the lady he was buying from was not building and was only selling the products. So he sought someone who was online and he came across me.. I do not feel bad about it at all because I have worked hard for my results online and am glad that I have enough content on the internet that people now seek me. I just love what we do and I just subscribed to your list. So I will be looking forward to learning from your posts for sure 🙂
I love it Diane,
I’m all for playing fair but at the same time I think one should have the right to chose their own mentor/coach/upline. It’s called “setting yourself up for success”.
Thanks again,
Helene 😉
Hi Diane,
I have had this happen to me in the past as well. And I always feel uncomfortable when someone thinks that I have done anything to harm their business, or interrupt their prospecting. I also do not think it is fair to someone that gets the business, gets the product and feels ready to join, just not with the person that shared the product with them.
People will do with their new business what they are comfortable with. So if they are not comfortable with their leader, how can they grow a business, since they feel they really do not have someone to learn from.
Thanks for the great post. As ALWAYS your training, wisdom, and insight make it easier to do business. =D
Hi Diane
In my opinion it does not really look like stealing. The prospect was the one who came to you and ask about it.Business is all about trust and quality. Sorry for the first woman who sold her the product that she did not give importance to it. I have a great time reading your story and it really teach me a valuable lesson.
Anne
Hey Diane,
This isn’t stealing at all – this is the result of good business practise and nothing else. If I bought a pair of running shoes that were the wrong type and caused problems when I ran, I’d expect the guy who sold them to me to know that before selling them – if he or she disn’t, I’d seek a new pair of runners and advice from someone who knew the game 😉
It’s clear you know the game!