Revenge of the Experts

This article in Newsweek makes some interesting points, in particular that the Internet has become filled with a lot of people who portray themselves as expert sources -- but aren't. 

Comments

[Truth]

"Internet has become filled with a lot of people who portray themselves as expert sources -- but aren't"

You must be talking about the Alticor Blog?

[Justice]

There was another article called "Attack of the blogs" by Daniel Lyons and published over at Forbes.com

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1114/128.html

Touches the issue right on spot. Lots of "experts" breed lots of motives.

[Chuck Lia]

Saying that "the internet has become filled with a lot of people who portray themselves as expert sources -- but aren't", is incredibly self-serving. Most people on the web are just expressing their opinions and personal experiences -- and everybody should know. I host a blog and hardly consider myself an expert on the business in general, but I am an expert on my experiences in the business. The fact that IBO system leaders continue to hide from public and online dialogue and questions from IBOs like me and others is creating its own issues and dynamics. There seems to be a level of arrogance among IBO leaders that says "just because you post and ask questions of us doesn't mean we have to respond or answer your questions -- ever."

In today's internet age that is a fool's mindset. The simple truth is that if IBO leaders began to transparently answer specific questions about tools and other Quixtar related issues the dialogue would eventually, but likely not initially, become less emotional and heated and more rational and reasonable. Perhaps then we could all become "experts" on the issues.

[Moderator: Actually, Chuck, we agree with you that most people on the Web are just expressing their personal opinions and experiences. The trouble is that there are, in fact, a lot of people who quote "facts" that are made up, taken from unverified sources, taken from messages that are planted by those who mean harm, or all of the above. There is this tendency for many (not all) blog readers to assume that something stated as fact IS fact. Just as people who were newspaper readers (back when people read newspapers) assumed that "if it's in print, it must be true." Then, as now, it's important to double-check information. We believe that was the main teaching point of the article we referenced.]

[William]

I'm an IBO, and the comments make sense. However, I'd caution about using such articles to endorse entrenched attitudes in much IBO Leadership that the internet is a "bathroom wall of society". If I'm buying a car, I wont' just read the manufacture specs and reviews. I'll also research and see what people who have used the car thought about it. Now I won't go 100% on that, but it's useful to know the experience others have had. Likewise with our business, we as IBOs don't help ourselves if we brush ALL grievances on the internet as "non-experts" which is not worth browsing.

I encourage IBOs that I sponsor to check out the "negative" boards, and to poke around on the internet anyway. No need to hide from it. However, what I also do is show them opinions from CEOs on thisbiznow. That's a great link, and I mention also, that when they're on anything, to remember the source.

My view is: Don't shut out yourself from information just because it is "negative", it is important to know what causes grievances for some well meaning people. That feedback is an important part of self-improvement. That said, we should all verify anything presented as 'fact' by keeping in mind it's source.

Cheers,

Proud IBO

[Start Up]

My simple, uncomplicated view is that once a new prospect has a sample list of the companies affiliated with Quixtar that he can check with for himself and is shown the standing status of Quixtar with the Better Business Bureau, there should be no reason as to why anyone should consult with the "bathroom wall of society".
Until recently, I used to not consult but debate with the "bathroom wall of society" and every time I did, that has taken time away, time that could have been used to build my business but most of all, it led nowhere, NOWHERE! The critics become more nasty, continue to and even change the reasons, the stories behind their opinions -> facts = "facts".
So, no, don't waste your time. You will only end up in endless, pointless debates and at the end of the day you will wonder why your business doesn't grow. In this very context, it could become very easy to blame your lack of growth on the business itself when the reason is a different one because your mind is falling prey to something from those debates and you lower your guard. You start to doubt yourself, to doubt the business. Just ignore the "bathroom wall of society". Once I did, I felt better about myself and could focus yet again on rebuilding my business.

[IBO Forever]

I agree with William's post and the moderators reply.

Many people are expressing their opinions and that is fine. The tendency of people to believe that they are always right, is where the issues start. If someone doesn't see something like I do, then who is right and who is wrong?

The danger on the web is people set themselves up as self appointed experts and if you don't agree with their point of view then you are obviously wrong. Many websites are glorified shouting matches.

I think the true purpose of a blog is for a civil discussion of ideas, concepts, principles, etc. It's fine if you want to express how you feel. Simply do it and as you do it, don't distort facts or turn it into a shouting match for your point of view.

It doesn't take long to find out whether a blog is done to merely spin a particular point of view or if it is for a legitimate exchange of ideas.

I'm blogging here because I believe it is extremely civil and tries very hard to be fair. I think another one that tries to conduct itself with some moderation is:
http://www.thetruthaboutamway.com. I also enjoy http://www.opportunityzone.com, http://www.adatunes.opportunityzone.com and http://www.realquixtarblog.com. These help me stay current on what is going on in this business.

This blog appears to be moderated fairly and people seem to have kept their emotions in check on this site.

Thanks to the moderator for the civil nature of this blog and for not allowing it to be what so many blogs unfortuantely become.

[Justice]

Self-serving, Mr. Lia? Incredible, Mr. Lia? Let me show you what self-serving means Mr. Lia! The answers become obvious once you seek them out. However, for that to come true, this is your homework, Mr. Lia.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1114/128.html

Mr. Lia?! No one has called me Mr. Lia since I was a high school coach. Goodness, buddy, have a cup of coffee and relax. The tone of my post was nothing like yours. Everyone knows there are attack dogs on the web spewing lies and nonsense. But that doesn't mean that EVERYONE on the web is doing so. The "self-serving" aspect to me is the tendency of Quixtar leadership to lump everyone into the same basket who criticizes the company in some manner, instead of addressing the issues raised directly. I thought the Moderator's response balanced mine out very well. I'll leave it at that.

[Mij in Jax]

My problem with the negative blogs I have encountered is so many of them seem hysterically angry. They blame every ill in someone's life on the fact that they were an IBO in Quixtar/Amway. I think if someone acted like a nut case in the business, he or she would probably have acted like a nutcase in some other aspect of their life and the fact that they were an IBO hasn't caused it.

People are people - people do all sorts of good and bad things, in and out of this or any other business. The blogs seem desperate to portray the business as the origin of all evil rather than as a business opportunity that perhaps they did not do well in.

I also question why they did not do well. I personally have not seen anyone make a good faith effort that did not make money. Maybe they didn't become rich, but extra money is what our opportunity offers and that is what it delivers. I know for my husband and I, when we put forth more effort, we have more success and when we put forth less effort, less success. We accept that it is our responsibility and don't blame anyone else for our lack of success.

[amwaybeliever]

I'd like to take a moment to address Chuck's criticism of the system leaders, specifically the reference to them hiding from the public. In my experience, the leaders I have worked with and learned from have always made themselves available for productive conversation including the answering of difficult questions. I have always understood from those same leaders that money is made from the tools and have always personally looked forward to having achieved enough success in this arena to record my own story and teaching that others would be willing to pay for in hopes of learning how to succeed themselves. As for not getting on blog sites themselves to answer the public's questions about how they make money I can't say I blame them. They are rich and free and if they are talking to anybody it's people like me who want to learn from them not criticize them for being successful. I am sure I will do the same thing when I am in their position.

[j4.1776]

hmph...you know, negative sites are just that...negative.

Misery likes company, and crabs enjoy making crabs. It makes them feel important.

As a founders platinum, i cant tell you even at this level how many wolfs and crabs show up in Ibo clothing! Theyll get in, use your time, have you spend your money helping them with the tools you paid for because they are not responsible, and hen call you a lier, say you never helped them, and quit.

Let them go start a blog. Lol.

Just as stated before, there is no problem with others producing from tools. I do believe there should be some ethic behind it. Make it the same deal for every one provided they are willing to do the same work.

What so many others do not understand is that when you start getting to the point of profit sharing in some of the tools, that your responsibilities also increase. And often this requires more capitol.

After -all, who's getting a sitter, putting fuel into thier vehicle, taking hours of their time to go to those individuals homes or locations to show a business plan?!

And after all that,, remeber, the bigger your business gets, the larger area footprint it covers, the more you need those profit-sharings to help other people.

Its all in perception, and after a bit of experience, quiters quit and want to make their actions feel justified, while those who continue on, build it and are paid.

This is not a free business. It gets you free.

It is not get rich quick. You work it, and when you work it right, the return is greater then any job out there. You own it.

And when you are making money, you use it well, because you really earned it in this business.

I agree, those negative sites always seem so angry. Very pointed and misdirected. Most commentors do not even have experience in the business, and if they have, judging by thier limited information, probably did not even buid a legitimate 1000pv business. And eventually got exactly what they put into it.

Isnt it great to have all the blogs out there for peiople to find!

The internt is great, because you know exactly who/what you are dealing with by what they find. Because the internet doesnt just pop things out...it responds mostly to what you are requesting and search for.