Dear Uncle Russ, What do you do when someone in your family is wary or skeptical about your product or products?  Tara R.  - Henderson, NV

Dear Tara,

When we have a positive experience with a product, generally the FIRST people we wish to share it with are our friends and family. Why? Because we love them, that's why. Our motives are purely altruistic! When we own a business or distribute for a company that sells that product...? Different story!! It changes our relationship to the product and its benefit, to them AND us.

My Mother (God, be good to her) would buy anything I asked her to, NOT for its benefit...because I was selling it. My brother, Bill, on the other hand, may feign interest, at first, but then renege, because if the product worked or was good, I would be right...and we can't have that. Most families, in my opinion, make both poor customers and even worse distributors. Our intentions may be pure, and theirs may be noble, but it's not worth the risk of a negative possible outcome. Are there exceptions? Of course. However, my advice is to let them come to you and have it be their idea.

Dear Uncle Russ, What do you do when it seems like everyone you talk to either doesn't have the time or doesn't have the money. HELP!!  Ricky S. - Perth, Australia

Dear Ricky,

Listen carefully to what they are NOT saying. Think about it. "I don't have the money....""I don't have the time..." Are these true? Of course, they are not!! What "sticks" us is we either listen to them like they are true, or we struggle with what to say and not make them a liar.

So ADD some words to their statement (in your head, of course) so you can generate an appropriate empathetic response.  They say: "I don't have the money..... (They don't add:) to spend...to lose... or for that!"

Your responses: "What is, or do you have, a concern?" "Please say more about that!"

They say: "I don't have the time.... (They don't add:) to waste....to invest....extra time?"

Your responses: "What are you doing about that?" Would you like more time to do things that are important to you? How much time do you think you need, or that it will take? The bottom line is most of the time these concerns are stated reflexively. If you can hear them, appreciate them, listen to what they really mean instead of being shut down by them, quite often they will disappear.

Dear Uncle Russ, How do you know this Company or opportunity will work or last? John H. - Waterford, Ireland

Dear John,

The truth is, you don't know. You cannot control the management or the future of a supplier you don't own or manage. Every true or worthwhile opportunity contains an element of risk. That risk can be mitigated by having and forming criteria and considerations that a company must meet before you choose to take their or opportunity products to your consumer relationships.

What research, testimonies or data do they have to support the efficacy of their product line? Have or would you use the products personally? What is the market for their product line? Is it consumable? Who is running the company? Do they have a track record? People don't join suppliers, in my opinion, they join individuals...such as you. What is your plan or strategy for success, in utilizing this company? How will you assist others to have a productive, successful experience and reach their goals? You can only speculate what something you do not control will do. What you can be sure of, and stand behind is what you are creating, how another person or people fit in, and what you are willing to be responsible for.

Love, Uncle Russ