This is a Personal Development & Business Building session given by a Panel of diamond-level leaders at the 2016 Young Living Convention. It’s our privilege to share this “almost-a-transcript” of the panel discussion with you!
Panel: Danette Goodyear, Heather Portwood, Melissa Koehler
Moderator: Yu
1) Share few successful activities that helped you and your team.
Melissa: Replication is huge, so promote replication through online and personal classes. [She personally does 13 business events/year to empower people to grow through specific tools.]
Heather: Building relationships through social media or through intimate classes. Be available to members/leaders for prayer.
Danette: Bring vastly experienced people to do videos[/talks for you]. Get people to come to events (because coming to Convention is when people decide to pursue the business.)
3) How much time do you spend on your YL business daily and what does your day look like?
Melissa: I started out full time, but it depends on the season. In the beginning I spent many hours because that’s what I chose to do. Typically I now try to stay at 5-9 hour per day. In the fall I spend more time with YL business.
Danette: Had a health business in the past; for the last 13 years, my YL business has been part-time from 7-10 pm and I have had success for 11 years. “Be consistent and it will happen over time.”
Heather: Homeschool mom, so my priorities are with my children. I do about 3-5 hours a day, but there are seasons. I may take a month off if having a baby. What’s my key for balance? Priorities: The Lord, her husband, children, then work. “When I do get off balance, I have to re-focus.”
4) What are your top tips for members to get on Essential Rewards (ER)?
Melissa: “Be intentional to follow up: what do they like best? Never talk about ER unless people love and use their oils. “When I hear their enthusiasm, I say ‘I hear you love the oils; there’s this loyalty program (ER)’ and let them make the decision. I never force them. Those are the people who will stay on it.”
Danette: Since you are a member, buy from your own store. I want to make sure I get the “income insurance”! [You can call it your “100+ PV store”!]
Heather: Be the example: as mother of 5, I want people to understand the importance of being prepared.
5) How do you create and keep energy and momentum in a team?
Melissa: Don’t focus on how much you want it. Connect with people on a personal level. I can’t want this more than someone else does. Why are you doing this business? Connect with the heart, tell stories, and allow people to see how I care for my family. Most of my business is online. One example: We celebrated our 3-year anniversary with a party; we told stories and gave away prizes that meant a lot to me. I write how much I appreciate working with them. I am not motivated sometimes, but I have to pull up my “big boy pants” and just do it. This means that people can see that there’s weight behind what I say.
Heather: I love to make people laugh even at my expense. Keep it light-hearted, and bring up the “why.” I ask “what is your why” because sometimes we can get tired.
Danette: Not every one will connect, so look for the ones that do. Convention grows cross-line relationships.
6) What do you do for personal development? To keep up your motivation and grow yourself?
Melissa: I will read business books and use Audible to listen to business CDs. I try to pick up important statements and share them with leaders. Read Harvard business reviews.
Heather: Make sure you are reading books where people are successful; I feel I can learn from other leaders before me as they are wise. Use the resources you are given.
Danette: “Gary is very much into personal development.” She is big on education, such as from YL mentors like Darren Hardy and John Maxwell. When people are not growing, it’s a personal development issue. Be teachable.
7) How do you get info from other leaders? How do you start the conversation?
Danette: Cross-line relationships are important; go on retreats. Social media helps. (Those who connect with Diamonds become diamonds themselves.)
She asked Gary: “What prevents us from growing?” He said, “First get rid of fear, because fear creates uncertainty which leads to confusion which stops activity.” Jousting example: Focus on the dot through the slit of jousting helmet, otherwise your vision will be distracted.
8) What was your biggest learning moment on your road to Diamond?
Melissa: MLM is predominantly female so things can escape quickly;”I don’t like drama and I want to help people get along. I can’t fix everything and can’t make everyone happy. I used to take it personally, but now I’m over it.” That’s ok, you just have to do what you have to do confidently and consistently.
Heather: I was struggling with insecurity and had a poverty mentality. Mary Young said: “We need more money in the hands of good people” and that was my “Aha! moment.” I no longer felt worthless and a lack of confidence.
(What helped your thinking change? I kept loving people and remembering “You are worth it for working hard to share with people; this is about helping people and touching lives, and finances is just a blessing.”)
Danette: How many feel you are ticked off with the one who shared YL with you? Whatever you do is duplicated and whatever you don’t do is also duplicated!!
Because I had an health education background, people think that teaching is easy for me and because I had a health business… But I go to every class and takes notes and post on my website for my members. I tell others: You can teach it. You must show anyone can do this business.
9) One thing that you can say to help our audience
Melissa: Be yourself, you are running your business, others aren’t.
Heather: Be consistent and you will be somewhere 4 years from now (but where will you be if you stop?)
Danette: Get people to Convention; all roads should lead to your group attending annual YL Convention.
(End Session)
Note: If you are considering applying these principles to a Young Living business, please don’t forget to access the Young Living Income Disclosure here.
