Diamond Club and the Pathways
Monday, February 26, 2007  by Jim Payne
Category: , , ,

Sorry I have been absent from these communications the past few weeks --- I have been at Diamond Club in Hawaii and traveling. However, I have been reading the blogs on an almost daily basis. Let me say that the exchange .... whether critical or positive of our business, in my view, is very helpful to us at Quixtar and Alticor in helping us achieve one of our original objectives with the Opportunity Zone, which was to tell our story and hear feedback on how we can improve the overall Quixtar business for the future. In fact, I have asked all Quixtar and Alticor employees (especially in the Sales, Marketing, Communications, R&D depts) to log into the Opportunity Zone and see what is being said about our business to better understand how we can support IBOs. The Opportunity Zone is proving to be an excellent resource to hear the good, the bad and the needs of IBOs and the marketplace. THANK YOU for your ongoing interest in the Opportunity Zone.

 

Let me give you a brief recap of Diamond Club. While we recognized 36 new Diamonds and above, the main focus of Diamond Club was the ongoing transformation of the enterprise into an even better business opportunity that creates clear paths to profitability with IBOs at all levels and ensures those involved with Quixtar are proud of their affiliation.

 

Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink  and Tipping Point, was the featured speaker ---- a few weeks ago he spoke at our Global Management Conference and we thought he would be great for the Diamonds. HE HIT A HOME RUN! His presentation was powerful and informative and helped get us ALL thinking on how we can "frame" our business to meet the needs of the marketplace, improve our human behavior and run our business more effectively. He acknowledged that IBOs in Quixtar can serve as positive "social connectors" who will help improve the marketplace in a positive way. We also had David Blaine, yes, that David Blaine (world famous magician) dazzle the Diamonds with his magic and charm. Listen to this ... he pulled a thread from one of the Diamond's sweaters, swallowed it and than pulled it out of his belly ... WOW!

 

However, the highlight of Diamond Club was the " First Circle Experience." The Experience (Product Expo) was designed completely around the specific product pathways that we believe will help all IBOs create a more profitable, balanced business. By "balanced" we mean a business that involves equitable parts sponsoring others, using products and selling products. The Diamonds could walk around "the experience" and gain a better understanding of our goal for products to be marketplace-driven ...products that IBOs want to sell and the consumer wants to buy. We will be talking more about the pathways in the coming weeks but they basically are:

 

Conversation Starters --- products that create an immediate "wow" factor. They are cost competitive at suggested retail, have attention-grabbing packaging, and are convenient to use. "On the go" type products that are highly consumable.

Trust Builders ---  products/brands that go a long way towards laying the groundwork for a long-term relationship. These products are the foundational Health and Beauty products, have excellent value and high use rates.

Loyalty Creators --- these products offer powerful and positive impact on customers and help solidify their loyalty to IBOs and their customers. They are high quality, have premium brand value, and are personalized and solution based.

 

Overall, Diamond Club was a positive event in a great setting that helped both the company and IBO leaders focus on the future of the business.


Comments

ibofightback said:
February 26, 2007 8:36 PM | #

Thanks for the update Jim and congratulations to all the new qualifiers. It would be interesting to know what products you have in each of those categories?

Allan said:
February 27, 2007 5:15 PM | #

Jim,

First of all, thank you.  I heard about the Opporunity Zone and this is the first time I have visited.  The goals and direction that you intend are obvious and I commend you and everyone involved for this effort.  I wil be very interested in seeing where these pathways go.  While they make sense, the key will be what products are produced for these categories.

I am not only new to this blog but new to blogs in general.  I apologize in advance to anyone reading this, as I am about to do what others have done but don't know enough about blogs as to where I should place these comments.

I was told I would have to wade through peoples own issues to get to the topic of the blog but it is worse then I was told. On your, Beth's and Robin's blogs a few people hijack the topic to change the issue to tools and systems.  You all have given answers that I thought were candid and forthright, admitting that it was an area that still needed improvement.  My question is why do we have to continually wade through their diatribes and continuous rehashing of the same issue when it is not related to the topic presented.  I want to follow these discussions but don't have the time to wade through tangents when those tangents have already been covered or are being covered in another area.

I understand that comments are first reviewed before posting.  Is there some blog rule that says the reviewer must post everything that is sent even if it is off topic or redundant to the nth degree?

I am not saying that you should ignore content when it is controversial.  I am just asking if there is a way to make this more productive and less time consuming for those of us who believe there are multiple topics that are worth discussing in this forum.

Thanks again for this forum.  I believe this is only the beginning of a great venture.

Piet said:
February 28, 2007 1:40 AM | #

Agree with Allan wholeheartedly. Create a thread for tools and systems, and apply the existing rules about off-topic comments.

I have also started to ignore all tools posts, except on the blog about transparency. There I will have a factual discussion.

Larry said:
February 28, 2007 1:36 PM | #

I completely agree as well. I don't even want to come to the site to just read the same thing over and over. I had decided it was not worth it any more, but cam back only to make sure I didn't miss anything that may actually be on topic and usefull.

Tex said:
February 28, 2007 2:36 PM | #

I agree with Piet, create a thread for tool profits.

Chuck said:
February 28, 2007 2:41 PM | #

Piet and Allan,

Please don't tell me you two are so naive as to think that the tool and system issue does not have a great deal to do with transparency.  Spare us the nonsense.  If you believe that tools have nothing to do with transparency there are only two possibilities:  either you haven't been around Q/A very long or you believe that Rich de Vos doesn't have a clue about this issue either.  It was Rich de Vos who first raised this issue in a public forum, his Directly Speaking tape to all Platinum level IBOs in 1983, and he thought it had EVERYTHING to do with transparency, and even more, honesty.  But then, again Rich probably didn't know much about his own business, did he?...........

Perhaps you two would be well served to read a transcript of Rich's talk online and then get back to us with more platitudes about the "hijacked" blogs.  I do not believe the tool issue has to be discussed at every turn on each blog thread, but I also believe that the lack of insight revealed in your perspective on tools and transparency is incredibly hard to fathom.  

Perhaps there should be a separate blog on tools, but to say that the tool issue and transparency are not remotely related is the height of foolishness.  I can assure you that the corporation doesn't believe that is the case or there would have been no need for the BSM agreement signed by new IBOs.  Also, it is clear from the actions of several state's attorneys general and the FTC in the past that they see the issue in a similar way.

Chuck

Jeffrey said:
February 28, 2007 3:16 PM | #

I have a couple quick ideas that might help boost the volume. Now, with the 1st Dibs Preview Pack going away, the products will be featured on the Home Page of Quixtar for a month, then fade into the background. Instead, when a new product launches, give everybody one. Would is be massively expensive? Yes, but major companies send samples in the mail all the time. I'll bet if every single IBO and registered customer would get a sample of the new protein shake, I'll bet it would triple or quadruple the initial sales. There are many people (me included) that will not spend $30 on a case of something to "see if I like it." I also think it would get some of the inactive customers (even IBOs) ordering products again.

Another quick idea: The referral program. When someone calls in looking for an IBO, they get referred to the nearest Platinum. Why not open it up to everybody that signs up for it? They would have to be in good standing and meet the Customer Volume Requirement every month. Maybe some other criteria, too, just to make sure they understand the basics of the business and the compensation plan.

A couple things to think about, anyway.

Piet said:
March 1, 2007 8:08 AM | #

Chuck: Read comments before you reply.

Chuck said:
March 2, 2007 10:59 AM | #

Piet,

I stand corrected.  Please accept my apology.

Chuck

Mike said:
March 3, 2007 12:14 PM | #

I agree with Jeffrey (Feb. 28) - open up the referrals.  This would especially help those of us struggling to get new contacts and building our lists.  The Platinums and above already have growing, established businesses, while those of us whoare attempting to talk to people by making a friend, etc. are hearing "I wouldn't want to do THAT (business) . . . !"  It's a "catch-22" - how can you build your business to Platinum and above if you don't have anyone to build it with?  On the other hand, maybe it's just a perk of being a Platinum . . .  

Allan said:
March 3, 2007 4:57 PM | #

Chuck,

you were quick to apologize and, while that is always appreciated, I probably should be the one to do so.  I did apologize when I frist commented, using inexperience as an excuse, when I could have found another place to comment.

These three categories are fascinating.  They sound like something we could embrace but I am not sure I understand where we are with them today.  Hopefully, someone with more knowledge then me expands this topic.

Tex said:
March 3, 2007 9:05 PM | #

Mike,

I think the intent is to put the prospect with someone who is assumed to be active and has the experience to help the prospect.

I don't know how many prospects see the business via this process, but I think it is quite low.

If you opened it up to other IBO's, the prospect per IBO ratio would probably go so low you would be very disappointed the number of prospects per decade that you would be given.

I suggest you put your emphasis on further developing your own prospecting techniques.

Piet said:
March 5, 2007 12:28 PM | #

Chuck

Apology accepted. See you at the T-word blog!

Piet

Ano said:
March 7, 2007 1:08 PM | #

Q "Connections" is June 9th. I wonder how many systems will support this. More info on Q site

Joecool said:
March 14, 2007 3:40 PM | #

How many diamonds were in attendance at this year's diamond club?

Joecool,

Sorry for the delay in response on this. There were more than 300 Diamonds in attendance at this year's Diamond Club.

Anna Bryce
Managing Editor -- Opportunity Zone

ibofightback said:
March 21, 2007 9:07 PM | #

Anna - was that "people" or "IBOships"?

/i

IBOfightback,

That's approximately 300 IBOs and 160 ships.

Thanks,

Anna Bryce

Joecool said:
March 23, 2007 8:55 PM | #

Anna, thanks for thr information!

Hey insider, 300 diamonds (I'm assuming some of those were diamond "couples")

That's 460 total in attendance.  Isn't that less than the 650 in attendance in 1999?  I would guess most diamonds would not turn down a free trip to Hawaii right?

ibofightback said:
March 24, 2007 10:10 AM | #

thanks Anna - always best to be clear with this kind of information.

Tex said:
March 25, 2007 2:56 PM | #

JC,

I think what Anna said was a total of 300 people, most of them were couples (140 couples, or 280 of the 300 people), plus 20 coming as singles.

Thus, 280+20=300 people, and 140 coupled IBOships plus 20 IBOships equals 160 total IBOships.

Is this right, Anna?

ibofightback said:
March 25, 2007 3:47 PM | #

JC - it's quite obvious Anna meant there were 160 qualified diamonds in attendance. A far cry from the only 55 qualified diamonds myth that you and "lawdawg" claimed and bounced around the internet echo chamber. and funnily enough not far off the "at least 135" that I calculated for 2005/06. Do I get an apology joecool?

Anna Bryce said:
March 27, 2007 11:09 AM | #

160 qualified Diamond businesses -- some of these are owned by couples, hence the 300 number in total attendance.

Joecool18 said:
March 27, 2007 4:44 PM | #

Well, insider in the past spoke about 4000 (or so) diamonds.  Were the other 3840 too busy to attend a free trip to Hawaii?

Tex said:
March 27, 2007 7:10 PM | #

Is this trip open to currently qualified Diamonds, or to anyone who has ever reached the Diamond level in the past?

Editor's Note:
Diamond Club is for currently qualified Diamonds only.

Katie Pearsall
Editor – Opportunity Zone

ibofightback said:
March 27, 2007 7:13 PM | #

I have spoken of over 4000 IBOs who have qualified Diamond at anytime in Amway/Quixtar around the world. There were 160+ qualified Diamonds at North American Diamond Club in Hawaii.

Anna - JoeCool is now claiming saying on other forums that the Diamond Club you are referring to was for both Amway and Quixtar diamonds from around the world.

So apparently we need further clarification please Anna, since the glass half empty brigade think the fridge is also empty, the stores have run out, and their probably not going to make any more anyway. :-)

Editor’s Note:
Quixtar hosts Diamond Club every February for currently qualified Quixtar Diamonds. We have included Diamonds from Latin America in the past, but soon they will be hosting their own Diamond Club. All other markets throughout the world host their own versions of Diamond Club at separate times and in separate places.

Katie Pearsall
Editor – Opportunity Zone

Joecool said:
March 28, 2007 1:40 PM | #

Thanks for the clarification.  I will post the editor's note where I posted.

insider:  I said it was "my understanding" that it was amway and quixtar.  I believe the article in 1999 mentioned that.

insider - 160 is closer to Lawdawg's analysis than yours isn't it?

Joshua Willett--IBO said:
March 29, 2007 11:57 PM | #

I am absolutely glad this site has come up.  It is amazing that when the facts are put out in the open, the critics have zero substance to stand on.  

Thank you Quixtar, and thank you Anna and Katie for the Truth.

Joecool said:
March 30, 2007 1:52 PM | #

Joshua Willett--IBO said:   It is amazing that when the facts are put out in the open, the critics have zero substance to stand on.  

Joe:  Au contraire my friend.  It's quite the opposite.  IBOs have been talking about thousands of diamonds and quixtar producing more millionaires than any other venture.   Yet quixtar diamond club had 160 qualified diamonds in attendence?  Sure some may not have been able to attend, but it is certainly far short of what many IBOs claims, including the ibofightback guy - which is why he hasn't come back here.

ibofightback said:
April 3, 2007 4:52 PM | #

Joecool, my response was rejected by the editors for "civility" reasons, though I'm not quite sure which part of it. You apparently bring out the worst in me. I note however that you and some of your "critic" colleagues are claiming over on QuixtarBlog that I "ran away" from this thread when confronted with the facts. mmmhhhmmm.

So here's a rewritten repost of my answer with some relatively minor additions. That anyone would  claim I "ran away" when confronted with "the facts" is of course patently absurd.

My analysis for Quixtar Diamonds, as linked to above, was that there were at least 135 qualifying Diamonds and above. Lawdawg's claim, which you repeat in numerous places around the 'net, was that there was no more than about 55.

So, I claimed at least 135 qualified diamonds and above.

You and lawdawg claimed 55.

Quixtar confirms 160 qualified IBOships in attendance at diamond club.

That's "the facts" that you claim on the other site "I tucked tail and ran from"

It would appear you are claiming that 55 is closer to 160 than "at least 135" is. Interesting.

The only other claim along these lines I have made, which you are obfuscating this topic with, is that over 4000 IBOs have ever qualified at Diamond around the world in Amway and Quixtar. I stand by that claim 110%. Anna and/or Katie may like to confer with their colleagues at Amway and confirm that I am correct.

The 1999 article you refer to would have included people from North America who qualified in Amway North America as well as Quixtar North America. Both existed for several years.

 Editor's note --

Now that IBOFightback and JoeCool have stated their positions on this sticking point, and Quixtar has confirmed the number of Diamonds in attendance at Diamond Club, it seems like a good time to let this particular back-and-forth lie ...

Thanks,

Anna Bryce
Managing Editor -- Quixtar Opportunity Zone

wulf von der Decken said:
December 23, 2007 3:31 PM | #

how many currently qualified diamonds in the world please? I think this is a fair question and should be answered as I was told anybody can go diamond.

regards, wulf

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