Orrin Woodward LIFE Leadership Team

Winner of the 2011 Independent Association of Business Top Leader Award; Orrin Woodward shares his leadership secrets.

Posts Tagged ‘LIFE TEAM’

Chris and Terri Brady: LIFE Founders – Part II

Posted by Orrin Woodward on February 26, 2012

Finally, with the creation of Team Approach – a systematic way to build organizations, used across numerous companies today – Chris and I exploded our businesses. Team Approach and our focus on leadership communities changed everything. In fact, we went from 200 people to over 1,200 people at events in the next twelve months! We have never looked back. Chris and Terri achieved their dreams and goals, mainly because they refused to quit when the going got tough. They, along with Laurie and I, committed to overcome any obstacles, addressing all issues in order to fix the broken business model to which we were originally introduced.

After fixing the business building portion with Team Approach, Chris and I next addressed the unjust reward system for community training. Some recognized the injustice and wanted to throw out the baby with the bath water. Chris and I, instead, just changed the bathwater. Training is essential for growing large communities; however, the training rewards must be based upon who builds the numbers, not who was there first. In other words, in the Team, it doesn’t matter if you started ten years ago or ten months ago. Rather, what matters is whether you are serving your community with character and what numbers you have across your organizations. People follow leaders, and when a leader builds a following, he should be rewarded based upon numbers, not hierarchy.

Accordingly, the equitable way in which the Team compensates those who carry the heavy training load is one of the Team differences because leaders know that it’s based upon service and meritocracy, not politics or position. The Team teaches people how to build pipelines, rewarding trainers based upon their results in training others. Team, in other words, isn’t a passive income for leaders, but a working income earned through service to other community members. LIFE, in contrast, has an MLM component and therefore rewards people even after they stop actively building. This is similar to someone being paid for the water flowing through a pipeline even after he has stopped working on the pipes. Since Team isn’t an MLM, one must train if he expects a training income; otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair. In a typical training system, the person at the top gives himself and a few cronies a special deal – not so with Team. Because Chris and I dreamed of building millions of people into our communities, we knew the “good old boys” club wasn’t only wrong, but it simply wouldn’t work to that scale. Instead, we used our technical backgrounds to reengineer the entire process, making it an equal playing field for all. Today, the Team is the recognized industry leader for fair and equitable training compensation for leaders who do teaching and training.

When we finally realized, after years of effort, that our former product supplier had no intentions of fixing its business model, we knew we had to leave. Without getting into all the details (that would fill a book), we survived nearly three years of legal haggling before finally settling all disputes. In that period of time, tens of millions of dollars were exhausted in a futile attempt to keep people in a company against their will. Even this seemingly negative endeavor, however, was extremely fruitful. We learned our communities grew the fastest when our only products were leadership materials. Simply by teaching leadership and focusing on community, the Team thrived. This was such a paradigm shift that I don’t think either of us understood all of the ramifications at that time. Instead, only with time and reflection did Chris and I realize that our leadership materials and a compensated community were the organizations core competencies.

During the legal morass, Chris and Terri Brady had one of life’s defining moments. Terri was diagnosed with a fast-growing brain tumor. The doctors were extremely concerned and needed to operate quickly. Can you imagine the additional stress on the already heavy load on the Brady family? Most people would have broken under the strain; however, the Brady’s are not most people. Terri displayed a true faith, living with a peace that could only be divinely inspired. Her spirit regarding the surgery and its potential consequences – death, paralysis through nerve damage, and loss of hearing, to name just a few – was simply amazing. How Terri, just days before her surgery, spoke on stage with such thankfulness and grace is beyond natural comprehension. Meanwhile, Chris’s quiet faith in God’s sovereignty spoke more than hundreds of theological volumes. Buoyed by the example of these two courageous champions, the rest of the community remained strong through their own challenges. By God’s grace, Terri’s surgery and recovery were an answer to thousands of prayers. The outpouring of love displayed by the community was indescribable, with thousands of cards, calls, and prayers. Additionally, a community of ladies volunteered to cook meals and nurse Terri back to health. What powerful testaments to God’s grace and Christian love within a community!

Thanks to the invaluable lessons learned during the struggles, we were led to our next major breakthrough – LIFE. LIFE is a culmination of nearly twenty years of learning, leading, and living. It combines the best attributes of four industries – Home Based Businesses, Leadership, Community Building, and Life Coaching. LIFE is a leadership/personal growth company designed to improve people’s lives. Launched in November, 2011, it already has over 2,000 customers. (This is multiple times better in several months than was previously achieved in over a decade.) People are raving about the LIFE products, which include CDs, books, and meetings. Thankfully for LIFE, Chris Brady is a marketing genius. In fact, I view him as one of the best marketers of this generation. What he has done to the look and feel of the LIFE and Team materials is without a doubt the best in the leadership field. This isn’t just my opinion, as Chris just won several Addy awards for his marketing expertise.

Along the journey, Chris has received numerous leadership awards. From being a NY Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and a top 15 Leadership Guru to having an internationally recognized leadership blog, Chris’s leadership thoughts are some of the best. Despite all of the leadership recognition, one of Chris’s best attributes is his disarming humility. You would never guess how much he has accomplished unless you pried it out of him. Both Chris and Terri, in other words, let their actions and results do their talking. If anything, their recognition understates the caliber of leaders they truly are. How many leadership gurus routinely speak in front of tens of thousands of people in a community built with their own leadership materials? Few, if any, do.

The Bradys have built a huge community, leading groups across the US and Canada. They are currently Quad-PCs and accelerating quickly. They are two of the best speakers on the professional circuit. Their mix of humor, stories, and heart, impacts people’s lives internally and eternally. If you have not heard them speak live, you are missing out on one of the most profound experiences of your life. Laurie and I have enjoyed countless hours of learning as we have watched this couple grow into one of the best of the best communicators.

Beyond business, Chris and Terri have also become some of our best friends. With so many years of experiences together, it’s not unusual for us to get together and laugh for hours at a time as we recall humorous stories from our lives together. This, in my opinion, is the greatest joy of community building – lifelong friendships with people of character, integrity, and wisdom. This next statement may surprise people. In truth, it shocks me. For in nearly twenty years together, Chris and I have never raised our voices against each other in anger. We have addressed issues, sought to understand, and resolved conflict, but we never did so in a disrespectful way. We value each other’s friendship and partnership enough to courageously speak the truth in love.

Congratulations to Chris and Terri Brady – LIFE Founders and friends. Laurie and I cannot imagine building LIFE without you. Thank you, Chris and Terri, for giving your personal best night after night, year after year, and using your gifts to impact others. Your integrity, honor, and courage have been displayed before the watching world. Now it’s time to finish what we started and complete our mission. When LIFE reaches 1 million people, the Bradys will have played a huge part in making it happen. Here is to the future together! Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Faith, Family, Leadership/Personal Development | Tagged: , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Tim & Amy Marks – LIFE Founders

Posted by Orrin Woodward on February 14, 2012

Tim and Amy Marks are one of the Founders of the LIFE Business. This couple exemplifies the results possible for those who are willing to grow and change.

Tim, when he started his community, struggled with reading. In fact, his elementary school teacher had told him that he would never be able to read because of his early struggles with comprehension. Thankfully, Tim’s dream was bigger than his dyslexia and he changed the alleged facts. Tim is now an avid reader and voracious learner.  Moreover, through sharing his story, he has helped thousands of men step up to lead their families.

Amy struggled with low self-worth, leading to severe eating disorder. Indeed, there were days where she didn’t eat at all. However, by God’s grace and a loving community, Amy has overcome her eating disorders, becoming a true servant of others. She has become  one of the most respected and in-demand speakers in North America, connecting with men and women going through their own personal challenges.

Tim and Amy’s courageous leadership catapulted them to TEAM Policy Council in 31 months! This is the record for the fastest growing community building in the TEAM’s history. Although the Marks’ business grew at a torrid pace, it’s their character that is the most impressive. This couple does the right thing because it’s the right thing period. It’s easy to partner with a couple of this caliber, since one will always know where Tim and Amy stand based upon principle.

For example, during the middle of the Team’s freedom battle from our former supplier, the Team community dropped from over 16k people attending events to less than 8k. The drop in numbers put massive financial stress upon the leaders, not to mention the added millions spent on legal bills.  Nonetheless, Tim volunteered 100% of his Team profit sharing for over two years, in order to help fund our legal team. Without this selfless act, there would be no LIFE Business today. Few people would sacrifice personally to this extent. Thankfully, Tim and Amy are part of that few.

In the middle of these stressful times, the PC tapped Tim with a huge additional assignment. Our All Grace Outreach (AGO) CD and book series and the AGO charity were in serious trouble financially. While the TEAM lost half of its numbers, the AGO series lost significantly more. The PC sought a leader who understood the TEAM community’s needs and could help select the speakers and books to provide the spiritual nourishment for the community enduring its desert experience. Tim stepped into the gap and launched an amazing turnaround of the AGO series and charity.

Leaders make decisions based upon data. Tim applied this principle to the AGO series through the saying, “In God we trust, all others must have data.” The data called for change and Tim’s leadership turned around the program. Although the overall TEAM community has grown rapidly, moving past 16k people attending events again, Tim’s leadership of AGO is even more impressive. The AGO series is ten times larger today than it was when Tim assumed the All Grace Outreach helm! Author Jim Collins has a famous saying, “Get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus.” Assigning Tim Marks for leadership of AGO was one of the PC’s best decisions, especially when one considers that 100% of all AGO series corporate profits are given to the AGO non-profit charity. The AGO non-profit ensures crucial operating funds for many worthwhile Christian organizations.

Tim and Amy have grown into one of the top leaders in LIFE and are Quad-PCs in TEAM. They deserve a huge thank you from the LIFE TEAM communities for their sacrificial leadership and commitment to excellence. Moreover, Laurie and I count our friendship with Tim and Amy Marks as one of God’s invaluable gifts to us. Indeed, many times, through the crushing pressure and stress of war, it was Tim and Amy’s encouragement and Christian love that kept Laurie and I moving ahead.

Laurie and I extend a heartfelt congratulations and sincere thank you to Tim and Amy Marks for being people of character, honor, and excellence. The Marks’ family has earned every single financial blessing they have today. They live in a stunning mansion in the Cape Coral, enjoying their financial freedom with family and friends. They are truly a modern day success story and a couple worth modeling.

Tim and Amy give hope to every person in LIFE, that through character, hard work, and perseverance, nearly any dream is achievable. The LIFE community eagerly awaits the release of Tim Marks’ first book, The Voyage of a Viking, in which he shares life lessons learned from his dreams, struggles, and victories.

Laurie and I are honored to have Tim and Amy as LIFE Founders and friends. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Leadership/Personal Development | Tagged: , , , , | 16 Comments »

LIFE’s Meritocracy – How to End the Middle Class Squeeze

Posted by Orrin Woodward on February 7, 2012

“Let us in education dream of an aristocracy of achievement arising out of a democracy of opportunity” – Thomas Jefferson

A simple definition of meritocracy would be the democracy of opportunity, providing everyone with an equal opportunity to advance based upon, paraphrasing Martin Luther King Jr., “the content of one’s character, not the color of one’s skin.”

However, as I noted in the first two articles (Middle Class Squeeze and the Idle Rich & Idle Poor), Jefferson’s dream is certainly not today’s reality. When a person is confronted with this sobering truth, he can respond in one of three ways. His character is revealed by the path chosen.

Three Responses to the Middle Class Squeeze
The first option is to deny the bitter reality. The person continues to keep his head down, refusing to question the increasing financial and opportunity squeeze suffered by the middle class. This choice reminds me of the Matrix movie, where people live in a coma-of-complacency. Sadly, unlike the movie, the brutal reality will eventually jolt people awake, typically through a business failure or job loss.

The second option is when a person recognizes the reality of the middle class squeeze and plays the victim card. These perpetual victims run around crying to anyone who will listen (fewer and fewer do) until they have swallowed enough poison to poison everyone around them. Every person who associates with these embittered victims hears a monotonous refrain about what could have been, or who is to blame, or what a heavy burden they have to carry. What a waste of potential! No matter what has happened, why surrender the future to the past? If a person is still breathing, then he has hope!

The third option is to turn injustice into education. Since bitterness isn’t a viable option for leaders, this, in truth, is the proper response. Every person suffers injustices at some point in life. However, leaders turn injustices into education for growth, while losers turn them into justification for failure. This group perceives the challenges, but instead of whining about them, they begin working on solutions to win. Winners, in other words, choose to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Why the “Idle Rich” Dislike Leaders
The “Idle Rich” fear effective middle class leadership. Why? Because leaders challenge the status quo, generating change that can threaten the “Idle Rich” and their special deals. The wealthy elites train the middle class to be followers, not educated and effective leaders. Indeed, the middle class are like sheared sheep, tirelessly working to support the lifestyles of both idle groups. If the middle class were to get a true education, not just training, they may ask too many questions and catch on to the real game.

In fact, if the “Idle Rich” had to choose, they would rather have a middle class person fall further down the food chain (this is happening more and more), ending up as part of the “Idle Poor,” versus become a leader and get free. Serfs won’t cause trouble for the elites, but leaders can and do. The Founding Fathers were a middle class group of leaders that broke open the special deal mercantilism of the British Empire. If America hadn’t had leaders like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Henry, Hamilton, Madison, etc, there simply wouldn’t have been a revolution.

Where are the Middle Class Leaders Today?
Middle class leaders are Missing In Action (MIA) or more accurately, (MII) Missing in Inaction. The elites have worn down the middle class through excessive taxation and regulations, making the temptation to surrender to handouts look more appealing daily. One of the most shocking facts about the rigged game is the “Idle Rich” want and need the “Idle Poor.” For without them, the “Idle Rich” could not put the squeeze on the working middle class.

Before I go further, let me explain who the “Idle Poor” are and who they are not. They aren’t those without a job, but are still looking. They aren’t people who receive unemployment, while still searching for ways to support themselves. No, the “Idle Poor” are different. They have totally given up on the idea of self-responsibility, expecting others to provide for their lifestyles. Since there are no free lunches, the government must burden the working middle class even further to now support the “Idle Poor.”

If only people understood that this plays right into the hands of the “Idle Rich.” The “Idle Poor,” in other words, are stooges for the “Idle Rich.” Indeed, without the “Idle Poor,” who swallow their pride, decency, and self-respect for endless handouts, the Big Business/Big Government partnership could not maintain the squeeze play on the middle class. Why? Simply because the “Idle Rich” don’t have enough votes by themselves to continue charade parade. They must recruit people into the “Idle Poor” class, building the democratic majorities to maintain the middle class squeeze.

How Can LIFE Help?
The LIFE Community is a group of men and women who have freely chosen the third option. We are a group who of men and women who are sick and tired of being squeezed by Big Banks, Big Business, and Big Government. We refuse to bury our heads in the sand; we refuse to become embittered; and lastly, we refuse to sit back and do nothing! What if we created communities across North America, teaching personal development, leadership, and teamwork, that people refused to join the “Idle Poor?” This fact alone would create a revolution, ending the middle class squeeze!

We must raise up leaders across North America similar to the founding generation. LIFE has formed leadership communities throughout North America to do just that. Our goal is to educate hard working people on the crucial leadership principles necessary to lead their own lives, rather than be led by the “Idle Rich.” A tough assignment? Of course, but leaders don’t ask for easy, they ask for worth it. This is a worthy endeavor, one that brings out the best in leaders.

Because LIFE is a meritocracy, we expect to receive criticism from the victims within middle class society. What else could leaders expect from a group who demands perpetual handouts from others? Even so, we will never surrender the leadership principles involving character, task, and relationship in a meritocratic community. Only leaders and learners, who love a pay for performance community, will be excited about the LIFE opportunity. Therefore, not coincidentally, that’s exactly who we desire to partner with.

Leadership is a luxury in short supply in Western Society. We are not looking nor expecting everyone to be interested in LIFE. A person doesn’t have to be a leader to join the LIFE community; however, he must desire to improve himself through associating with other hungry leaders. I believe its time to Launch a Leadership Revolution. No matter how bleak it looks, there is always hope. Truthfully, there are no hopeless situations, only hopeless people in situations.

We can and do play a part in the future of our country. Remember, America was formed on the efforts of millions of small farmers, farmers who owned their own land and were rewarded based upon their own efforts. Aren’t our families worthy of having a dream for? Aren’t they worthy of going through some struggles for? Finally, aren’t our future generations worthy of persisting onward to victory for freedom’s sake?

I vote yes on all three questions above. The Founders of the LIFE have created a plan to restore Western Culture. Instead of just having a business with a purpose, we went one better. We are building our purpose on business. By combining the foundational principles of leadership, community and meritocracy, we believe we have the right mix to achieve this audacious assignment.

Other companies may play politics, make special deals, and pay based upon seniority, but in LIFE, a person’s pay raise becomes effective only when he does. LIFE doesn’t pay based upon your family name, your past background, or your past results. Instead, LIFE pays monthly based upon one’s monthly performance. Leaders love the LIFE business while posers hate it. Why? Because communities grow only when true leaders are present. In other words, this business exposes the posers.

The game of LIFE has started, are you on the playing field? Or, are you allowing past defeats to prevent your future victories? The choice is yours. All we promise is a level playing field and an aristocracy of leadership based upon achievements as Jefferson envisioned. We have combined all the ingredients necessary for success into the business of LIFE. All, that is, except one – your work ethic. This is what you must add to join the aristocracy of achievement.

Read and watch the LIFE Testimonials for yourself. You will discover that LIFE is a group of average men and women who have chosen to be un-average. LIFE is a community that has chosen to get better, not bitter, when faced with the middle class squeeze. Finally, we have launched the leadership revolution to fulfill our LIFE’s purpose.

What will you do? Remember, destiny favors the bold! Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Freedom/Liberty, Leadership/Personal Development, Orrin Woodward | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

Bill & Jackie Lewis – LIFE Founders

Posted by Orrin Woodward on January 16, 2012

How does an inner-city kid and a single-mom team up and break out of the mold to become a millionaire couple? More impressively, how do they do this while developing into some of the top speakers and leaders in one of the fastest growing leadership companies? The short answer is through reading, listening, and associating with those who had the results they desired.

Bill and Jackie Lewis are two of the Founders of LIFE. Their amazing story is shared on several CDs that are best-sellers in the TEAM system. Indeed, both Bill and Jackie had to change the way they viewed themselves and this only occurs through improved information and association.

Recollecting back to Bill’s first time ever speaking on a TEAM stage, he was so nervous, that he made me dizzy watching him pace back and forth.  Be that as it may, he did it anyway, displaying courage and resolve to electrify the crowd with his speaking. In fact, it’s only through the small repeated victories that people change how they view themselves. Jackie went through a similar journey, going from a tentative speaker on stage to one of the most impactful of lady leaders.

What separates the winners from the rest in life? It’s Adversity Quotient – the ability to endure the pain inherent in the change process. The Lewis’s win because they have a near limitless AQ. By combining AQ and unimpeachable loyalty, this couple bought into the goals and vision of the TEAM, exploding through the Team levels and achieving PC in 2006. Through numerous hardships, the Lewis’s never wavered, maintaining the dream of reaching a million people.

I can remember Bill writing a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to cover legal expenses and keep the TEAM together. Heroes are heroes because they sacrifice for what they believe in. It is modern day heroes like Bill and Jackie that make Laurie and my leadership journey so worthwhile. When so much of the world is giving up on their dreams, there are still a few willing to sacrifice for their dreams. Bill and Jackie are part of that select few.

For example, if you have ever played competitive sports with Bill – the TEAM’s basketball wars are legendary – you quickly discover that Bill hates losing at anything. He will push himself to his limit in order to achieve victory. It’s this characteristic that has led Bill to achieve massive results, despite his humble beginnings. For example, I am not shocked that Bill is a single digit handicap golfer because his quest for excellence accepts nothing less. I love competing against Bill in sports, for I know that whoever wins will have earned it.

Today the Lewis’s live in an impressive Tuscan mansion, raising their four children and enjoying the fruits of their labors. The Lewis’s team is one of the biggest and most dynamic in the LIFE business, providing a dream lifestyle for the young couple. Dreams come true to those who are true to their dreams. Bill and Jackie were true to their dreams, becoming top leaders in the TEAM and Founders of LIFE. Laurie and I congratulate our friends and Co-Founders, Bill and Jackie Lewis, for their impressive leadership accomplishments. We look forward to a blessed future together. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Leadership/Personal Development | Tagged: , , | 21 Comments »

Jonathan Edwards – Resolved to Serve with Humility

Posted by Orrin Woodward on December 4, 2011

Here is the section from my new book on Jonathan Edwards. Here is another great American who utilized the power of resolutions in his life. Have you implemented RESOLVED: 13 Resolutions for LIFE into your life? Let’s start a resolution revolution together. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Jonathan Edwards was a preacher, theologian, a missionary to Native Americans, and shortly before his death, accepted the Presidency of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University).  Edwards “is widely acknowledged to be America’s most important and original philosophical theologian.” Furthermore, Author George Marsden, writes, “Edwards was extraordinary. By many estimates, he was the most acute early American philosopher and the most brilliant of all American theologians. At least three of his many works – Religious Affections, Freedom of the Will, and The Nature of True Virtue – stand as masterpieces in the larger history of Christian literature.”

But Edwards began his ministry with little advanced billing. His first pastoral position in 1722, at 19 years of age, was far away from his Connecticut hometown, in New York City, then a thriving metropolis of 10,000 people.  Dr. Stephen Nichols, author of The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, writes of the young pastor, “Amidst all of this uncertainty and flux, this young man, Jonathan Edwards, needed both a place to stand and a compass for some direction. So he took to writing. He kept a diary and he penned some guidelines, which he came to call his ‘Resolutions.’ These resolutions would supply both that place for him to stand and a compass to guide him as he made his way.”  A.C. McGiffert described Edward’s method of resolutions, “Deliberately he set about to temper his character into steel.”  Tempering is a process to “toughen” the metals, just as written resolutions “toughen” the internal person through study and course corrections.  The tempering process takes time, but the internal fortitude and self-mastery gained living one’s convictions, not one’s preferences, is worth any price.

Jonathan Edwards dutifully wrote out 70 Resolutions (see appendix) between 1722 and 1723. Edwards committed to read the 70 Resolutions once per week for the rest of his life, and fulfilled that commitment, reading the resolutions more than 1,800 times over the next 35 years. Here are two of his resolutions.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this resolution.

Edwards would have many occasions to apply his resolutions. After his pastoral service in New York, on February 15, 1727, Edwards joined his father-in-law, Solomon Stoddard’s congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts.  In 1729, Stoddard died, leaving Edwards the sole minister in charge of one of the largest, wealthiest and proudest congregations in the colony.  Stoddard, in his later years, had introduced several doctrinal changes not founded upon scriptures. Edwards, being new, continued the innovations when he assumed pastoral leadership.  But, in 1749, after years of successful ministry and intensive biblical study, Edward’s conscience balked at the doctrinal errors, precipitating an angry response from church members. The controversy concluded with Edward’s dismissal by the margin of one vote. Many would have railed against the injustice, but Edwards, dignified as always, preached his farewell sermon with the truth, love and grace, exiting Northampton without rancor or bitterness.

Edwards was, as Randall Stewart wrote, “Not only the greatest of all American theologians and philosophers but the greatest of our pre-19th century writers as well,” making his gracious humble spirit even more impressive.  He didn’t fight for his rights; instead he merely accepted the ruling as God’s Will, taking a position as missionary to the frontier Indians. Edwards consistently displayed a grace-filled spirit of forgiveness to his many detractors, some who, years later apologized for their involvement in the misinformation spread. Can one imagine the infamy of being associated with the congregation that dismissed one of the best theologians and philosophers in American history? But Edwards, in his final years, never missed a beat, writing several classics of Christian literature, leaving an enduring testament to the power of character-based resolutions to transform a person from the inside out. Edwards faithfully lived his principles externally because that is who he had become internally. Specifically, he didn’t just give lip service to his resolutions, he truly lived them.

Posted in Faith, Family, Leadership/Personal Development | Tagged: , , , | 7 Comments »

LIFE: Downside Risk & Upside Reward

Posted by Orrin Woodward on November 21, 2011

When I worked at Delphi division of GM, I completed half the classes for a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Although I received good grades and enjoyed the classes, I stopped pursuing my MBA in order to build my own business.

Many thought I was crazy to quit my MBA, but I just had a feeling that it was time for me to build my own business rather than continue to learn about business. In truth, I was ready to implement some of the principles that I had learned along with continuing my education in “the school of hard knocks”. :)

One of the best principles that I learned through my MBA program was to examine any business by asking two crucial questions:

1. What is the downside risk?
2. What is the upside reward?

Simply put, if the downside risk was too great, then don’t do it, because it could capsize the entire ship. However, if the a person could handle the worst case downside risk, and the upside reward was big enough, then perhaps it was a business venture worth committing to.

It was these two questions asked and answered that led me out of school and into my own business venture. What is ironic today, as I look back on Laurie and my business ventures is the level of risk taken in our former business model compared to the risk today for someone joining LIFE. Remember, Laurie and I were dead broke even as an engineer and an accountant. In fact, we were beyond broke, having consumer debt amounting to over $30,000 when we started our networking careers!

With monthly expenditures to buy 100 points of volume in my old networking company requiring Laurie and I to spend $300 dollars or more, we barely endured. This was quite a blow to an already stretched budget. Along with the product purchases, the investment in CDs, books, and seminars (all of which I loved) totaled another $200 plus dollars per month. In other words, on top of a stretched budget, Laurie and I had to budget for another $500 dollars per month minimum! The downside investment nearly killed us for the first several years. Thankfully, Laurie and I are both long-term thinkers and kept the vision in front of us. However, many of the people we started with us did not have the same endurance, dropping out along the journey to success.

What kept Laurie and I focused was the upside reward, we figured we could make an extra $25,000 after expenses in a couple of years. It’s laughable now how much work we did in a model whose highest rewards topped out at 25% volume discount on total group volumes of $20-30k per month. I know, I know, this is sounding like one of those stories: we walked uphill both ways to school through heavy snow. :)   Even so, these are the facts we were dealing with.

I am not knocking networking. In fact, I am thankful that someone had created any opportunity for us to apply our sweat equity towards freedom. We had to make many changes, both personally and professionally to get the business rolling, but eventually, we made it happen. To this day, many people around the world utilize the TEAM system of building, called team approach to grow their businesses. I take this as a compliment for our years of effort in improving the upside reward compared to the downside risk for our entire industry.

Today with the LIFE business, the downside risk versus the upside reward is nothing short of revolutionary. A person can sign up for the LIFE and LLR subscriptions, and generate 100 points for $100.  This, in my opinion, is much better than some networking companies, where you buy commodity products at inflated prices, especially if a person can buy comparable products at Walmart and Target for significantly less. Networking should be world class, unique products, at a super value! Many networks provide this, but many others just markup commoditized products. When products are overpriced, it hurts our whole profession. In LIFE, a person can purchase the lowest cost leadership materials on the market from the only company that has two leaders on the Top 30 Leadership Guru list.

How can we offer our material at the best price and yet have a compensation plan that pays 50% on just the first type of bonus? The simple answer is the founders desire to influence the world is greater than the desire to pad their pocketbooks. Imagine if we took world-class leadership materials and provided it at the lowest prices. Then, imagine taking 70% of all the revenue points generated and flowing it back to the people who helped LIFE launch the leadership revolution. Remember, in LIFE, your pay raise becomes effective as soon as you do. :)

So what is the downside risk in this model? Hmm, let me think. . . The downside risk is that you might not enjoy the leadership training from two best selling leadership authors and business partners. If at any time you do not see the value in the leadership materials, you have a 30 day “no questions asked” return policy. Certainly within 30 days, you could discover whether the leadership materials is helping you or not, right?

The downside risk is negligible. But what about the upside reward? With a compensation plan that pays out 70% revenue points to anyone who achieves a minimum of 150 points of business, the networking game is changed forever. For example, Laurie and I personally started a new leg on November 4th. It has already achieved the 20% bracket and is easily going to hit the 25% bracket later this week. It took me two years to hit the 25% bracket in my first company!

Why the huge difference? Because we have a digital age business, a compensation plan that rewards people at the low end, and founders who desire the wealth to flow to people who build the network, not found the company.  Another factor is the demand for quality leadership materials at an affordable price point. LIFE has already signed up hundreds of customers doing tens of thousands of points, making volume accumulation easier than ever before in my networking experience.

I have taken my share of criticism for not going along with the herd in networking. I have refused repeatedly to sell out my character for conveniences. This has cost me money, time, and relationships over the years, since, in my opinion, some of my former heroes chose to sell out rather than fight for what is right.  Anytime someone desires to change the rules of the future, he will be attacked by the protectors of the past. I have received, and will continue receiving personal attacks for changing the rules. However, although they can attack my reputation, they cannot touch my character. Better they criticize me than I be them. The only people calling LIFE a scam are fearful competitors or woefully ignorant individuals. :) Make no mistake, I will never surrender my principles for peace. I believe that it’s more noble to create the new, rather than criticize the old, so LIFE is our opportunity to do so.

If you have ever tried networking and didn’t make it work, then welcome to the club. Millions of Americans and Canadians have tried networking and failed in their attempt. This doesn’t make you a failure unless you blamed someone else. LIFE has changed the risk versus reward ratio to such an extent that many are achieving success who previously only struggled.

For example, my yacht captain, Bill Howard, is already at the 40% bracket and just a sliver away from the 45% bracket (Update: Captain hit 45% the same day I posted this!). We were quickly calculating his bonus for this month at around $800. Remember, Captain Bill has been in networking since 2005 and has averaged $50 or less per month with his highest one month check around $250!  Like I said, LIFE is a game-changer.

Alright, it’s time for me to get back to work. I have promises to keep. It’s time to reach one million people with leadership truth in the 8F’s of LIFE.  A rising tide lifts all the ships on the water. Don’t you think it’s time to get your ship on the water? Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Leadership/Personal Development | Tagged: , | 21 Comments »

The Baby & the Bath Water

Posted by Orrin Woodward on November 18, 2011

Have you ever heard the quote, “Don’t throw the baby out with the dirty bath water?” I certainly have used this principle repeatedly over the years. Sadly, too many times, people do throw the baby and the bath water out because they do not understand fully the concept described in Chapter 5 of the new RESOLVED book – Plan, Do, Check, and Adjust (PDCA). Remember, anytime you throw out the baby, you also throw out your opportunity. It’s been my experience that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly until you can do it great. The key is to have emotional intelligence to persist while improving.

For example, every leader in any community carries two buckets with him. One filled with gas, the other, filled with water. Wisdom is determining which bucket to toss on the situation. If everyone is excited and things are happening then throw the gas bucket, firing up the situation even more. Conversely, if people are being stretched, don’t throw more gas onto the situation. Instead, throw water, helping the people to see that the dirty water will be flushed, leaving a clean baby with amazing potential.

Have you discerned which bucket to throw at the right time yet? If you haven’t, keep listening to the LIFE Leadership CD’s. Over time, you will develop the wisdom to apply the right principles at the right time and make a difference in your community. So let’s flush the dirty water and help the new LIFE baby grow into the fully grown life-changing business that it promises to be. Let’s build our LIFE Business on foundational principles that will stand the test of time.

When Laurie and I traveled with Chris Brady to Jerusalem, we toured the remains of the Herod’s temple. Their were foundation stones that were huge! Even the Roman’s couldn’t tear them down, so they buried them instead. This is the type of foundation that endures the passage of time.

I am elated with the launch of LIFE, not because everything went perfect, (although I am very happy with the progress) but because everything went. In the process of launching a new company, I fully expected issues that would need improvement and I have a full list of areas to improve. However, the goal was to ensure that none of the issues were game stoppers. Thankfully, none of them are. Volume is being tracked, legs are growing fast, and people’s lives are being changed. Subscriptions are increasing hundreds everyday. FIRED UP!

My commitment, as Co-Founder and Chairman of LIFE, is any area where we can improve will have the PDCA process applied to it. In the first 18 days, we have hundreds of customers, thousands of members, and many more of both on the way! We are going to build a world-class streaming video process that can go anywhere in North America. We will produce world-class content that will change the destiny’s of people, businesses, charities, and churches across the world. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward

Posted in Leadership/Personal Development, Orrin Woodward | Tagged: , | 17 Comments »

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,232 other followers