Interesting Conversation: Does Sex Still Sell at Midlife?
BabyBoomBev has begun an interesting conversation over on the Startup Nation forums. She writes:
As a television news reporter years ago, I always knew I had to be visually appealing. Although I wasn’t well endowed in one specific area, my body was very well proportioned for my size and I had that youthful, perky, cute look. Unfortunately though, as the years passed and I began to mature, my graceful aging became outdated and I was easily replaced by younger, sexier-looking women who could probably never compete on the show Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader.
Even though many of us gain more confidence in business and relationships at midlife, the media makes us feel less secure about our image. They imply that if we want to maintain our sex appeal we should consider breast implants or cosmetic surgery to tighten up sagging and flabby skin. They point to the likes of Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn or Madonna as role models for us. Now, I’m not knocking any of these fellow baby boomer women but not all of us are alike and we shouldn’t be put into a “woman size fits all” generic category.
So the question here is, do we still need sex appeal in order to be successful in our businesses at midlife?…..
What are your thoughts? Visit this conversation to read more…
Q&A :: Helping others develop their own stimulus plan…
I receive great questions from others interested in developing their own stimulus plan by earning some additional income and building up their own business. The following is one such question I recently received in regard to the company I represent, Procard International. (To see a bit more about them and how I came to represent them, click on My Story here.)
Q: Are there any future fees that I will have to pay [as I develop my business with Procard International]?
A: No, you never have to pay anything to be a representative of Procard International… not now or later. You do not even have to pay for marketing materials (like some companies make you) as the materials and ideas for materials are free to download of the associates site. (Technically I guess you would need to pay for your own ink to print them out on your printer, but you do not need to order your marketing supplies from a specific company and pay for them…. and there is no requirement to even use these marketing materials… I have not printed out any marketing materials yet and do not have any plans to do so as I do all my marketing online.)
That being said, you do need to maintain at least one active account to be paid. That can be yourself, (in my case, I became a customer first as we wanted to take advantage of the dental discounts provided through the Aetna network and that is what Procard uses… great stuff by the way!), or it can be some other customer. See the two official FAQs from my Procard website below for more details on this:
Can I enroll myself to qualify as an active Associate?
Yes, you can enroll yourself to become an active Associate. If you do decide to take advantage of the services for yourself and use that account as your (1) new member enrollment, you can get the discounted Associate rate, which is about 1/3rd off the retail rate. Once you become active, you can than replace your personal account with a new member account, if you choose to do so.Why do I need to maintain (1) new member account to work for PCI?
The initial (1) new member enrollment became a company policy for a simple reason. Historically, PCI used an entire Human Resource Department to screen, interview, and hire Associates. PCI could only hire Associates where it had physical offices, thus, preventing thousands of job applicants from working with PCI. Because the lead cost is $2-$5/ lead, PCI must be certain to hire Associates who are serious about working at home. By requiring an initial enrollment to become an active Associate, PCI can be confident that an applicant is serious about a career without having to complete the interview process. Remember that you may enroll anyone as your initial (1) new member enrollment.
Let’s say you do not plan on using the dental or medical discounts…. you can initially sign yourself up for the monthly discount service so you can get started making money and, as soon as you have another active account, simply discontinue your discount service. Or maybe you know a friend or family member who is about to get some dental work done (or needs medical, Rx or vision discounts)… you can approach them and sign them up so they can save on their dental work. Just a couple of ideas to get you started…
One other thing: my Procard Website has been very helpful for me. I received mine because I signed myself up as my initial active account… the website was free. If you want a website but you do not want the medical or dental discount, you can register and pay a monthly fee for the website and this will count as your one active account. Again, you do not have to do this in order to be Procard International associate but it is yet another option they provide for us. They truly are a great company to work for!
For more details on these options take a moment to log into your Procard International associate center. Click at the top left on >> First Steps << ….and then click on >> How to Become Active << …there you will find all the details. Let me know if you have any additional questions on this…
:: To learn more about the Procard International opportunity click here
That’s What She Said :: W. Clement Stone
“I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren’t enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision.”
W. Clement Stone
So, what do you think? Do you agree? If so, what are you doing to take action today?
Do you agree? 10 Reasons Most Businesses Fail
I came across this insightful piece and wanted to pass it along. It comes from
There are a variety of reasons why most businesses fail. Following are the ten most common reasons:
1. They don’t have a business plan. They build a website without having any sort of business plan. That’s putting the cart before the horse. Develop a business plan first, then build a website.
2. They’re incompetent. You’d be surprised at how many businesses there are out there being run by principals who don’t have a clue about running a business. Don’t embarrass yourself. Educate yourself, before starting a business.
3. They’re undercapitalized. Unless you’re an experienced sales and marketing person with the ability to improvise and create, it’s very difficult to start a business without any money. Granted, with the advent of the Internet you don’t need as much money to get started as you once did. But you still need money.
4. Poor website design. First impressions are everything, and the first impression that is presented by many businesses is a poorly designed website. Internet browsers are an impatient lot. Instead of hanging around trying to figure things out, they simply click-away and move on to the next site.
5. Poor presentation of product or service. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Presentation is everything.” Truer words have never been spoken. How well you present your product or service will ultimately determine its success or failure.
6. They don’t advertise. You can have the greatest product in the world, but if no one knows about it, you won’t make any sales.
7. They don’t ask for the order. As unbelievable as it may sound. I’ve actually read ads where the company presented its case for buying their product, and never once asked for the sale.
8. They’re in it strictly for the money. Businesses that exist to serve their customers approach business entirely different than businesses that exist to serve themselves. Don’t kid yourself. Customers can sense the difference, and if you’re the latter, customers will avoid your business like the plague.
9. They don’t learn from their mistakes. Some businesses continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.”
10. They don’t take advantage of trends. Things change rapidly on the Internet. However, many businesses don’t recognize and take advantage of that change. For example, Twitter is red hot right now, and while I personally choose not to Twitter, I recognize the fact that some of my readers do. Therefore, I give them the ability to receive their updates via Twitter when they subscribe to receive my blog updates. That’s taking advantage of a trend.
So, what do you think? Did David miss anything? Please comment below… Thanks!
That’s What She Said:: Henry Ford
“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.”
Henry Ford
FAQ #1 – My Online Business
Do I have to buy or invest anything to work for Procard International?
- You are never required to buy nor invest anything to work with Procard International.
- We are not a MLM (multi-level marketing organization) nor any similarity!
- We are not considered an “opportunity” employer nor a “recruiting” company.
- There is no minimum requirement to become a registered Associate with our company.
- We allow job candidates to become registered Associates for 7 calendar days so Associates can review our programs and become active, which is accomplished by maintaining (1) active account.
- Once active, Associates can take advantage of our FREE leads and begin earning substantial incomes.
- Active Associate positions are on a first-come, first-serve basis only.
- All Associates are considered independent contractors and have the freedom to work where, when, and how they choose with no quotas.
Learn more about my online business with Procard International by clicking >> here <<
Thanks and have a great day!
Here’s one company that made it through a recession… be inspired!
Yup, one of the big companies of our times weathered the storms of recession…. you can too!
Company: Procter & Gamble
Ticker: PG
Industry: Household products
Founded during: The Panic of 1837
Candle maker William Procter and soap maker James Gamble joined forces to start a small household-goods business in Cincinnati. It was a risky move for the brothers-in-law: The shaky economy had a full six years of financial crisis ahead. Massive migration to the West caused land prices to rise, and inflation soon followed. Under President Martin Van Buren, bank failures and concerns about the paper economy spurred the greatest economic decline since the birth of the country. But P&G survived and went on to score lucrative contracts to supply necessities to the Union Army during the Civil War.
Status today: With $83.5 billion in revenue in 2008, Procter & Gamble has built a portfolio of some of the most recognizable brands in the U.S., including Tide, Pampers, Oral-B, Iams, Pantene, Duracell and Pringles. The company\'s shares took a hit this past year, but it has held steady against smaller competitors such as Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive, and its earnings remain strong: P&G had net earnings last year of $12.1 billion. Because consumers rely on P&G products in good times and bad, it is considered a titan even in a rough economy.
By Emily Maltby, CNNMoney.com staff writer
Making Connections – Entrepreneur.com
I came across this quick, interesting and inspiring story for anyone developing their own business… enjoy.
Making Connections
Love blogging but hate typing? Alan Levy has just the thing for you.
By Kristen Henning | Entrepreneur Magazine – June 2008
What: Interactive online radio show
Who: Alan Levy of BlogTalkRadio
Where: Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
When: Started in 2006
Startup Costs: $3 million
About two years ago, Alan Levy received the devastating news that his father\’s cancer had returned for the third time. As a way to keep his family and friends updated, Levy, 49, decided to start a blog. Levy was blown away by the size of the blogging community, which immediately got him thinking about better ways for users to engage with their audiences. With 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he was ready for his next big venture: hosting radio shows online.
After months of planning, he launched BlogTalkRadio in August 2006. \”By creating a platform, it empowers people to have their voices heard,\” says Levy. With no extra equipment required, any blogger can call in to BlogTalkRadio and become an internet radio host by simply using his or her computer as a dashboard to manage callers. The site now has more than 5,000 active hosts and covers topics from politics and current events to music and movies. Users can create a profile that gives them access to archived shows and podcasts and allows them to promote their own programs.
Since the site went live, more than 70,000 shows have been broadcast on BlogTalkRadio. Even celebrities are tuning in and testing their skills as hosts. Author Arianna Huffington used the radio show for an interview with actor Brad Pitt, and politicians John Kerry and John McCain have called in to talk politics.
Later this year, Levy hopes to grow internationally by making it easier to dial in from outside the U.S. With more than 13 million listeners in 2007, Levy is excited about the future. \”Seeing the level of engagement from an idea that came from my dad\’s illness to this,\” he says, \”is very gratifying.\”
My Personal Stimulus Plan
I need to disclose something to you… I want to be upfront and transparent: I did not join Procard International to launch a business. Honestly, that wasn’t my desire. Let me share with you a bit of my journey to becoming a member of the Procard International family.That is how we began promoting the Procard International opportunity. Take a moment to check it out and feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
One more thing… You are never required to buy nor invest anything to work with Procard International. That’s right. We are not a MLM (multi-level marketing organization) nor anything similar. All Associates are considered independent contractors and have the freedom to work where, when, and how they choose with no quotas. Even marketing materials can be downloaded for free… this is an amazing, legitimate opportunity for you to begin a new career or work part-time for extra income!
Procard International makes working from home really work!
- Procard International is unique in the fact that FREE leads are provided to all Active Associates.
- Procard International is also unique in that you are not required to pay to work from home.
- Procard International helps you to maximize commissions by offering a standard commission on various products as well as residual on-going commissions as long as the accounts remain active!
- Procard International offers great support through email and live chat. Each inquiry is important and worthy of a timely response.
- Procard International promotes products and services that save people time and/or money. In addition, we have green products on the way!
Do you…
…have some extra time where you can contact leads via email at any time of day or night?
…have a drive to earn supplemental income for yourself or your family?
…enjoy being your own boss and can you work efficiently from the comfort of your home?
…take pride in what you do and do you want to make a difference by promoting things you believe in?
If you do then Procard International is just right for you!
Feel free to visit my Procard International site for more details or email me if you have any questions.
My Stimulus Plan 