Why "The System" Is Not Duplicatable
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 08:23AM I have a question for you. If you can answer it correctly you've impressed me. What REALLY creates duplication and success in business?
Is it:
A. a simple system, or
B. your ability to influence people
Think about the most successful people you know.
In your networking company, think about the most successful people 'under' the most successful people. They all have the same system everyone else uses and yet their results are significantly different. Why?
What's the difference? What do they have that others don't?
It's called Influence.
Now think about someone else--you've heard a lot about this ole' chap: Ray Kroc (founder of McDonald's franchise).
It's often said that McDonald's is successful because it has a simple system. Now that makes for a simple sales pitch but it won't help you much. If it were actually true that the McDonald's system is the key to its success, why do they change the menu so often?
And if were true, wouldn't all duplicatable systems be successful? Of course they can't all be.
There are lots of failed franchises. In fact, after the franchise model took off in the 1970s, the FTC almost shut the entire industry down forever because so many of them were purchased with the belief that 'it's a system, its going to make me money,' when in fact they lost their house, car, and shirt.
Influence Makes Your Business Go...
It took Ray more than a system to make McDonald's successful, just as it takes McDonald's corporate leaders more than its system to keep McDonald's on top. Notice how they took the 'Super Size It' option away and added a salad menu. Why would they change the system?!
Because they have to.
Because the answer is not in the system, but in their ability to Influence us to buy.
Having a system in place is a small part of the equation.
It was Ray's influence that allowed him to inspire others to buy his franchises.
It was influence that allowed people to sell unsuccessful franchises (and networking opportunities).
It takes influence to lead people to do anything. Don't be fooled.
"The System Pitch" is Like Fools Gold... Looks Shiny But It's a Waste of Time to Mine.
A system is only a part of a process, and not the most important part. It's like a tool (like having a computer). It's important, but pales in comparison to what you should be focused on and thinking most about.
So What REALLY Counts?
What Should You Be Focused On?
Whether you're in a networking business or a more traditional business (as a coach, service provider or consultant, etc) your "Influence Factor" will determine whether you're scratching and clawing for every dollar and sale, vs. making more than you need, with ease.
Are you on the right track?
Are you paying attention to what REALLY counts--your "Influence Factor?"
I've written a very in-depth article on the topic. What's sad is the people who need it most often resist this message... the message that is most valuable to them. They just want a simple system, when what they need is to be looking at their Influence Factor.
Click to discover your Influence Factor
Partners in successful development,
Mike Klingler
Reader Comments (11)
Great post, Mike,
I knew that the 'business on autopilot' trend these days has its limits, and I wrote a post on my blog about it.
The post came out of my thinking through whether or not I should sign up for an automated MLM prospecting system (in addition to my participation in Renegade Pro). Up till now, I've resisted doing so and couldn't quite put my finger on why.
This post answers that 'why': it's all about Influence. Market share. Mind share. Whatever one wants to call it. Focus on developing that first. Everything else will come out of that.
Thanks for clarifying this for me and everyone else.
Regards,
Ben Mapp
http://www.RoadMappMarketing.com
Well said Ben!
Mike
Great Mike and I agree 100%!
I found this to be true in my RWB coaching class.
No matter how much I stressed it, their were always different ones
who wanted a quick fix and even more who would sell it to them.
But those who understand your message here
will be so much further ahead of those who miss it.
That's for sure,
Bob Andolina
Great comments! I had pushed the 'quick fix' system concept to its limits in 2003--never lasts. Didn't know that at the time though ;-)
mike
Mike,
I completely agree with your points about building your "Influence Factor" vs. following a system. I have been thinking about this topic for some time, and actually started a related discussion at the end of last year, called Attraction Marketing is NOT Duplicatable, and you actually responded with some excellent points of your own. It's worth a read for anyone who hasn't seen it.
There have been times when I find myself wishing it would all happen a little faster for me, but I remind myself that what I am attempting to build is not your average network marketing endeavor. I have a larger vision of what can be accomplished, and I recognize that being involved in a change of this magnitude takes time.
What is a little bit ironic is that I am striving to build a system which can be utilized by individuals in a way that will help them to build their credibility and influence. Yet, the system demands individuality within a community of like-minded people who all have a unique voice and position.
The point I am trying to make is that when you can make something your own, and pour yourself into it passionately, other people will be able to see your vision and share it with you. Your influence factor will rise, and the duplication (as well as the fiscal rewards) will start to flow naturally from that point on.
Lane Romero-Reiss
Mike,
I agree but can I also slightly disagree? ( my newbie thoughts)
If you do not have influence then you are dead in the water in network marketing for sure, agreed. So the system MUST teach LEADERSHIP. BUT it seems to me that a simple system is ALSO needed for duplication. The system must:
1. Teach people how to get their own leads via attraction marketing. This way you will not run out of leads nor your team.
2. Be adaptable for different types of people. Everyone differs slightly so there needs to be choices of methods.
3. Involve self development. Most people self sabotage their business because many do not have a business background.
4. Teach phone skills. Your downline stops when the majority will not pick up the phone.
5. Not intimidate the potential business builder by making them think they need to be the expert. (in the back of their mind they say "I can't be you")
6. System must have some basics that hardly ever change but at the same time be EVER changing or flexible to the NEW technology, opportunities, saturation points etc.
7. Affordable. My short experience shows me that 80% of the people an average network marketer will speak to DO NOT have a budget nor will they get one. (MLM has prided itself on being affordable)
8. Be workable for the guy or girl that has 10-15 hours a week. NOT so scattered that it only allows success for the person that has 30-40 hours per week.
Mike... You are an industry leader and I have thought a lot of this stuff through... what do you think????
Gratefully,
Nick Davis
Absolutely Nick! A system that EFFECTIVELY teaches how to develop influence is ideal.
But there's a critical element to this that people usually don't see clearly until they're at the top--
"It's bogus to think or teach that one system will serve all needs. Therefore, people must learn to create their own system that addresses prospect's or client's needs in their own unique way.
Anyone can create their own system, and that is what we're teaching people how to do.
The learning process can begin by using an existing system and then building out the components of their own as they grow from there--and this is what we encourage and support. It is the model that includes and creates the most successes.
In order to accomplish any of this, they need to develop influence--the fastest way to do that is to focus on learning business and marketing from the perspective of the Ray Kroc or the present McDonald's corporate leader MINDSET--the people who run a system, rather than the mindset of the guy who flips the hamburgers or asks "do you want fries with that?"
Renegade Professional gets people started right away in creating components of their own system while still benefiting from making money and generating leads through a pre-built system we provide. Professional moves people to create their own lead capture pages and if they so choose to create a business and marketing system of their own.
Renegade Breakthrough teaches and reinforces the mindset that opens a person up to new opportunies, creating new ideas, and speaking a different language and carrying themselves with a different posture that attracts higher caliber partners--because they know their stuff not just mechanically, but also emotionally and conceptually.
Mike
I also agree and disagree!! Influence is so important but one attains it by building the business. Renegade Professional has taught me how to make my own system and I am eternally grateful to you Mike for that.
However I also know through working in the field (well on my laptop!) that most of the newbies won't get past the first stages of creating their own system when they first get started. They don't have the confidence, the vision or the influence even though they can get the training.
Therefore providing a simple system for them to plug into, but to personalise, I have found is really key. The masses are completely confused by online marketing and it takes a lot of time to learn it.
If everyone makes their own system.. who will be following it? (LOL) It gets very tricky to have a large group of people building in your organisation.
I think if your MLM is not your main goal then that is super fine as you just want to brand yourself and sell products but let's not forget the point of all of this was to build a residual income with MLM. If a new person comes in thinking they cannot succeed without building a complete system it is tricky to go fast in MLM.
In summary I think we need both influence and a system. Mike you have a tribe because you provided a simple system for them to plug into and you gave them the tools to promote it.
Hey and here we are!!
Thanks
Rachel
Rachel,
True, true ;-)
I just read your whole article and was very moved. I am already in the Renegade Breakthrough Mentoring Program. In all your writing, your honesty and sincerity comes through. Your desire to help others achieve what you have is clear. I really got from reading your article how much you put into your business in terms of time, persistence, money and all not knowing the outcome. And then to think you did all that and turned around and made it so much easier for the rest of us . . . . I am chocked up. I was reading sections of the article to my husband and had to stop over and over because I was too chocked up to go on. I was very "moved" by what you have done. And by your willingness to share with us all. For sure, I am focused on creating my influence. I get the message and couldn't agree more. I am not there yet but I will be and I see that it is the way to exponentially increase my business success. Thank you, Mike!
Wow, thank you Debbie, for taking time to share this with me. Allow your business to become the way you express yourself and the hard work becomes as much of your life as speaking to your friend or husband about a topic you enjoy!
I look forward to seeing you more out here, and maybe at an event somewhere who knows!
Mike