Thank you for joining me for day two on our 35 day journey! Before we jump into our topic for today, I want to share a humbling and empowering experience with you. After completing the post from yesterday I followed the same traffic formula I teach my clients and distributed my post through my social network and web platform, when I returned to my computer after dinner I discovered the following Twitter message from Yanik Silver the creator of “Maverick Business Insiders”

“Pretty cool watch @AskJamesHolmes ‘live’ the 34 Maverick rules day-by-day http://budurl.com/vben”

Obviously this message made my night and it was very affirming. I wanted to publicly thank Yanik Silver for taking the time to acknowledge my commitment to teaching the “34 Rules for Maverick Entrepreneurs,” and his simple act demonstrated his authenticity by practicing Maverick Rule #17 – we will get to that rule in a couple of weeks.

Maverick Entrepreneur Rule #2:

“Strive to create 10 times to 100 times in value for any price you charge. Your rewards are always proportionate to the value you provide.”

Today we will explore a rule associated with a natural law in business that when followed can create significant business growth and substantial wealth as it relates directly to your financial results. If you consistently apply the law that states “your compensation is tied directly to the value you provide” you will be greatly rewarded.

Several years ago I was actively building a mortgage banking business and decided I wanted to serve the mid and high end market in Denver, Colorado. I knew that in many ways my clients would be more demanding, however, with their demands came an understanding that they also would recognize value and would be willing to pay a premium to get exactly what they wanted. I knew that if I could provide them with a Ritz Carlton or Nordstrom customer experience; I would be able to earn more on every transaction and make my business “competition proof” from low cost leaders in my market.

Let’s take a closer look at how Ritz Carlton and Nordstrom create value and therefore earn the right to charge a premium to be handsomely rewarded.

Case Study 1: Ritz CarltonTHEIR CREDO

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission.

We pledge to provide the finest personal service and facilities for our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambiance.

The Ritz-Carlton experience enlivens the senses, instills well-being, and fulfills even the unexpressed wishes and needs of our guests.

THEIR MOTTO

At The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.” This motto exemplifies the anticipatory service provided by all staff members.

I have personally experienced the dedication to provide an extraordinary level of service and the multiplied value The Ritz creates by consistently following their credo and motto. I can share with you several personal experiences I have had with the staff at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch Resort in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The moment you walk through the front door you recognize that you are experiencing a transformational experience far beyond what you might be expecting. Notice that the focus is on the customer experience and commitments being made by The Ritz to exceed the expectations of their guest. Although I have never seen their pocket cards first hand, I am told every employee carries a little card in their pocket emblazoned with The Ritz Carlton Credo as a reminder of the value they are to provide to their guest.

Case Study 2: Nordstrom

THEIR MISSION STATEMENT

At Nordstrom, we value the richness that diversity brings to our workforce – it makes our Company better and the communities we serve stronger.

THEIR DIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT

**Here is an example of Nordstrom adding multiplied value to their community

To maintain a workforce that represents many backgrounds, while remaining deeply committed to cultivating an environment where the contributions of every employee, customer and vendor are valued and respected.

I was once on a trip and received an invitation to a formal event and hadn’t packed appropriate clothes for such an event. I immediately looked for a Nordstrom – why? Because I knew that a Nordstrom salesperson would take personal responsibility to help me select a suit, shirt, tie and shoes, then make all of the arrangements to have my new suit tailored and have everything for me to pick up within a few hours. Nordstrom had earned my trust because I knew their desire was to create greater value as part of their culture and they do this consistently.

Action plan for Maverick Entrepreneur Rule #2:

1. If you do not own a copy of Yanik Silver’s “Maverick Business Insider” introduction package click here: Yanik Silver’s Give Away to obtain all of the details and claim your free package including all of the contents pictured in this post: Introduction of The BIG Idea

2. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted so that you can evaluate each product or service that you offer and consider strategies that can be acted upon immediately to leverage your value 10 times to 100 times more than you charge your customers.

3. If you are having difficulty determining how to multiply value in your specific business keep in mind that it isn’t just a money question. Value can be provided in time savings, convenience, emotion, experiential, and by many other methods. Unleash your creativity!

4. Enlist partners to create added value for your clients and other relationships – JV partners, highest quality vendors, added services provided by others bundled with your services, etc.

5. After you have watched the video, listened to the audios,  read the book and other material in your package share this information with others in your circle and network of influence. As stated, you want to surround yourself with like minded people and introduce others to the knowledge you gain on your journey.

As you begin to act on the principles contained in this material you will find that the people, resources and opportunities required to manifest your dreams will begin to attract to you. The relationships, clients and partners needed to live a BIG life will emerge and you will be in a position to establish new and larger goals. The Maverick Business Insider philosophy is for anyone with a desire to make more money, have more fun and give more back.

In my next post: We will explore why you MUST charge a premium price!

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.

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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline techniques to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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Today, I am starting a very special series of post designed to lead you on a journey through the mind of Yanik Silver a Maverick Entrepreneur in the truest sense. Over the past couple of months I have been recommending that my readers accept Yanik’s generous offer and  claim your copy of his amazing free training titled the “Maverick Business Insider” shipped to your door – you only pay $7.95 shipping in the US or $19.95 outside the US. In this post I am going to explain what is in the package and I am including a photograph of the actual package you receive. In addition, we will explore each of the “34 Rules for Maverick Entrepreneurs” as contained in Yanik’s book.

My goal is not to convince you to sign up for this package, although I can’t think of a reason not to do so today.  My objective is to encourage you to adopt a set of principles and mindset that will allow you to create a BIG and fulfilling life for you and your family. I will detail one rule each day over the next 35 days and then provide a few personal observations concerning the application of these principles in your life. The rest will be up to you and those of you who benefit the most will be those who take action and apply what you learn to your life.

My personal mission is to sow increase into the lives of others by co-creating wealth and abundance, which has been my purpose throughout my career. I have found this program to be in perfect alignment with my values, which is why I am so driven to share this with you. Three simple concepts form the foundation for the Maverick Entrprenuer philosophy; make more money, have more fun, give more back. I will explore each of these concepts as we move through the program and site a few real life examples along the way.

Who is Yanik Silver? Yanik is a self made millionaire and leading expert in internet marketing, information product creation, and self proclaimed  techno-dunce. Yanik has turned an $1,800 investment into more than $12,000,000 from online sales with no end in sight. Yanik is much sought after as a consultant and speaker around the world and true to his Maverick mindset spends time in some of the worlds most exotic locations with many of the worlds most powerful entrepreneurs and thought leaders. Yanik has achieved elite status as one of the leading marketers while living the maverick lifestyle.

Maverick Entrepreneur Rule #1:

“It’s got to be a BIG Idea that you, your team and your customers can “get” in seconds.”

Humans process approximately 60,000 thoughts per day and are bombarded by marketing messages with such velocity that it is easy to understand why it is often difficult to create that moment of interruption when we can effectively communicate with our chosen audience. If your idea is too small you will have difficulty inspiring your team to rally around your vision or your prospects to become paying customers. When prospecting for business partners you will not be able to attract the highest quality partners if your ideas are perceived to be small. The powerful truth in this principle is that many BIG ideas are also very simple, think back to the last time you saw a new product or tried a new service and thought to yourself, I wish I would have thought of that!

Action plan for Mavrick Entrepreneur Rule #1:

1. If you do not own a copy of Yanik Silver’s “Maverick Business Insider” introduction package click here: Yanik Silver’s Give Away to obtain all of the details and claim your free package including all of the contents pictured in this post.

2. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted and reconsider your personal and business goals and objectives. Act boldly by challenging any self limiting beliefs that might cause you to play small; if you find yourself playing small make immediate revisions and go BIG!

3. If your ideas are BIG enough your ideas will capture the imagination and inspire your audience to take action in an instant causing people to lock arms and join in your cause. Overcome the fear of stepping into the unknown and recognize that pioneers are often handsomely rewarded.

4. If accept the premise that your results in life are a reflection of the five people you spend the most time with you owe it to yourself to take inventory of the people you surround yourself with and ensure that you are not being held back. People who do not support the development of your energy and focus set to your highest purpose may not need to be completely removed from your life, but they cannot occupy center stage.

5. After you have watched the video, listened to the audios,  read the book and other material in your package share this with others in your circle and network of influence. As stated, you want to surround yourself with like minded people and introduce others to the knowledge you gain on your journey.

As you begin to act on the principles contained in this material you will find that the people, resources and opportunities required to manifest your dreams will begin to attract to you. The relationships, clients and partners needed to live a BIG life will emerge and you will be in a position to establish new and larger goals. The Maverick Business Insider philosophy is for anyone with a desire to make more money, have more fun and give more back.

In my next post: We will explore the value you present to others!

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.

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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline techniques to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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Seth Godin is counted among the leading thought leaders on the topics of branding, marketing and social media. In this extended interview conducted by Andrew Warner of a wide variety of relevant subjects are covered and you are also given deep insight into the mindset of Seth Godin. This is an extended interview covering a wide range of subjects with enlightened insights which will allow you to create the proper mindset to develop a Tribe of your very own.

I am sharing this video with you because if you can implement this knowledge to grow your business by nurturing a thriving Tribe of like minded people. Do yourself a favor by clearing away all distractions and watch this video in one sitting while tacking notes; then create an action plan based on the specific goals you have set for your business. Please be sure to leave a comment for others to read.

Seth Godin with Andrew Warner from Andrew Warner on Vimeo.

Seth Godin:

• writes the most popular marketing blog in the world;
• is the author of the bestselling marketing books of the last decade;
• speaks to large groups on marketing, new media and what’s next;
• and is the founder of Squidoo.com, a fast-growing recommendation website.

Seth is a renowned speaker as well. He was recently chosen as one of 21 Speakers for the Next Century by Successful Meetings and is consistently rated among the very best speakers by the audiences he addresses.

Seth was founder and CEO of Yoyodyne, the industry’s leading interactive direct marketing company, which Yahoo! acquired in late 1998. Godin worked as VP Direct Marketing at Yahoo before leaving to become a full time speaker, writer and blogger.

He holds an MBA from Stanford, and was called “the Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age” by Business Week.

(Source: www.SethGodin.com)

Special thanks to: Chris Spagnuolo at www.EdgeHopper.com; Andrew Warner at www.Mixergy.com, Seth Godin at www.SethGodin.com

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.

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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline techniques to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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Creating success in network marketing often requires one to learn new skills and broaden ones understanding of mindset and human behavior. The rewards are substantial as the industry will pay you more as you develop your skills and help others succeed. One of the many wonderful things about our profession is the fact that everyone starts with a clean slate and equal opportunity to grow their knowledge, create wealth, and time freedom – regardless of past experience, accomplishments, successes and failures.

Possessing an open mind and a willingness to be coached is essential to learning the skills required to build a large organization by creating duplication within your team. As you emerge to a position of leadership within your team you must transfer what you have learned to others and teach them to do the same. Recognizing three core mindsets that exist among most everyone you enroll will help you to determine who is coach able and how to manage those who are not.

Here are three core mindsets:

Get Rich Quick – Approximately 70% of individuals who enter the industry. They are short term thinkers and will not invest the time or energy required to be successful unless they see an immediate return or instant riches. They become MLM gamers jumping from program to program typically expecting something big with very little effort.

Alpha Type – Approximately 3% of individuals who enter the industry. If you can coach them effectively, they can become superstar players on your team because they have amazing posture, strong mindset, commitment to excellence and a burning desire to win. These are mega personalities; however, the downside is that their efforts are not duplicable, they may not follow the system and may attempt to recreate the system.

True Blue – Approximately 27% of individuals who enter the industry. If you build a team of true blue team members they will become the heart and sole of your organization, these are the people you should seek to attract to your team. These individuals are dedicated to the cause, part-time in the business and desire to earn a few thousand dollars a month, they are honest and hard working. This is also where you find loyal customers for your products and services; many in this category may see the business opportunity as secondary in favor of the product or serves, which is essential to creating loyal customers resulting in long term residual income.

As you build a large organization you will encounter all three types of team members, which cannot be avoided and should therefore be embraced. Seek first to be coached and then share your new found knowledge with your team. Recognize that your stars may arise from each mindset group depending upon what they are willing to learn and apply to their business. It is important not to prejudge what a person will achieve in our profession and to recognize that who they become is more important than who they are at the time you enroll them into your team.

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.

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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline techniques to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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There are three simple yet powerful questions that every prospect for your business should answer. By investing the time required to arrive at the answer to these simple questions you will empower your prospecting and recruit the right candidates to your team.

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.
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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline strategies to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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It was a typical Sunday morning, I like to settle in with a hot cup of coffee and the Sunday newspapers and a passive monitoring of Twitter from my hand held device; suddenly everything changed in a moment of opportunity which is great for you and me. Social media guru and owner of The Wine Library Gary Vaynerchuk was stuck in an airport, no lap top with six hours to kill.

Gary sent out this simple tweet; “laptop broke (no audio can’t tape a vid) no flip left it in NJ, so cant tape, so no taping I guess I can do some interviews, any1 want me?”

I saw the power in that moment and sent Gary an immediate reply asking if he would be up for an impromptu interview and Q&A session on my podcast channel. Gary said; “let’s do it!” Thirty minutes later we were on the air with dozens of people tweeting about the call and joining the conversation with great questions for Gary, who provided tremendous value for everyone listening. There is a lesson here for anyone interested in leveraging social media to deliver a message or to reach a large group of people in a short period of time.

As you invest time in social media look for opportunities to engage at a deeper level and take action when an opportunity reveals itself.  Among the many golden nuggets shared on the podcast two come to mind and I want to share these principles with you.

1. Patience is a lost art and needed in social media: Get engaged and be consistent, the result will follow given enough time and activity.

2. Social Media = Business in 2009

Who is GaryVaynerchuck?

Gary Vaynerchuk has captured attention with his pioneering, multi-faceted approach to personal branding and business. After primarily utilizing traditional advertising techniques to build his family’s local wine business into a national industry leader, Gary rapidly leveraged social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook to promote Wine Library TV, his video blog about wine. As his viewership swelled to over 80,000 a day, doors opened to a book deal, several national TV appearances, and a flurry of speaking engagements around the world. Gary’s dual identity as both business guru and wine guy has made him the “Social Media Sommelier.”

Here is a video sampling of Gary Vee

To hear the entire podcast visit: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/AskJamesHolmes

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.
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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline strategies to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

The reality television programs “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” have been achieved phenomenal success for several seasons and I personally enjoy the behind the scenes stories of the candidates witnessing what so many have had to overcome to get their shot at stardom. I have been a person who has never really cared about the odds; whether it’s the probability of achieving a short term goal or a lifelong  dream and these stories reaffirm for me the fact that you should never underestimate the strength of desire in the human heart.

One story that illustrates this so perfectly is that of Paul Potts, a want to be opera singer who did not appear to have the qualities required to make the cut at auditions let alone become a world renowned recording artist. I want to share his story and his performance with you hoping that it will inspire you to adopt my simple philosophy – the odds just don’t matter!

Here is the video: Do Odds Matter to You?

The application of this lesson is simple. Do not let anyone steal your dream, practice your craft and surround yourself with those who believe in you and your dream. Keep your mind open to possiblilties and recognize that you will attract opportunities into your life to advance your dream and when the opportunity presents itself sieze it!

I welcome your comments and hope this inspires you to new hieghts in your business and your life.

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.
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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline strategies to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com

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Note: If you’d like to reprint this article on your blog or in your newsletter you have permission to do so as long as the copyright information and the resource box above remains with the article.

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Art Jonak a fellow industry professional and fellow patriot in the network marketing revolution offered a great idea to our mastermind and I wanted to share the concept with you. Art ask for a list of 3-10 books that impacted our lives in two categories; 1. Changed Out Lives and 2. Helped us build our network marketing businesses. I offered 10 books in each category and when I was finished realized that everyone of these books would make a great edition to a current reading list. So, I wanted to share this with you and ask you in turn to comment with a few recommendations of your own.

It was difficult to narrow the list to ten in the first category and I enjoyed revisiting some of these great books, they are like old friends. I hope that you enjoy reading through my list and if a book or two appeals to you grab it. This is a list that warrants my highest recommendation.

Here are 10 Books that Changed My Life:

1. The Bible: It is my daily guide book and user’s manual
2. Think Like A Genius by Todd Siler: I learned to understand my sense of choice and habit
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: I learned the power of a mastermind
4. The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer: This book help me control my thoughts and control my intentions. (I once gave this book as a gift to a friend that had become homeless and it saved her)
5. The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley: This is the first personal development book I ever read.
6. Dig Your Well Before Your Thirsty by Harvey Mackay: I learned the value of that “Ant and Grasshopper” children’s book
7. Winston Churchill Alone by William Manchester: The lesson from Churchill’s life is that we can succeed and over and over again and as long as we do not lose our faith and fighting spirit, we can remake ourselves.
8. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker: I hadn’t realized that my thermostat had broken, but it had.
9. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy: I have had to change my thinking in minor ways to make big gains in understanding how to relate to my candidates. This book helped me understand how the mind works.
10. Stride to Freedom by Martin Luther King: I learned that a group of people committed to a just cause can change the world.

Here are 10 Books that helped me grow my business:

1. Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore: This is marketing book writing at the dawn of the internet revolution. Perfect how to book.
2. Primal Banding by Patrick Hanlon: This book is a must read for anyone interested in branding. It reinforced many of my beliefs about how to brand.
3. Multiple Streams of Income by Robert Allen: This book opened my mind to network marketing as a income stream.
4. Self Marketing Power by Jeff Beals: This book help me take my personal branding efforts to a much higher level.
5. Your First Year in Network Marketing by Mark Yarnell: This was a great first network marketing book to help me learn what I got myself into.
6. Unstuck by Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro: This little 177 page book is a literal workshop for team building and understanding how to help your team get unstuck and achieve significance.
7. The Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris: The concept of outsources had totally escaped me until I read this transformational book.
8. Moonlighting on the Internet by Yanik Silver: This book helped me understand how to leverage the Internet into a lucrative marketing funnel.
9. The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hanson: I learned so much from this book, if forced to choose one lesson its leverage and how to employ it.
10. Beach Money by Jordan Adler: This is a new book that offers great perspective on how this business works from a top money earner.

If you have read one of these titles or decide to read one, let me know how it impacted your business or your life. If you would like to add a few recommendations simply share them in the comment box below.

You can get these books here: http://astore.amazon.com/yoursuccesslibrary-20

(c) Copyright 2008 James A. Holmes. All Rights Reserved.
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James Holmes, Global Team Builder, Coach and Trainer, combining online and offline strategies to help you grow your business. To request a free 30 minute consultation contact James by phone at 303-523-9503 or email at james@AskJamesHolmes.com