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Utah Business Magazine, in conjunction with the National Association of Corporate Directors, Utah Chapter has named Ron Poelman, a member of the USANA Board of Directors as a 2008 Outstanding Director.

Poelman has served on the USANA Board of Directors for over ten years, coming on board in 1995. During his reign on the board, Poelman has watched the company grow to become the 8th largest public company in Utah. There have been many ups and downs during the past decade and Poelman has helped the company avoid many of the pitfalls that are common with the rapid growth of a company. Poelman also assisted Usana in its transition from a small family owned business to a public company. He was one of five directors from various Utah companies honored at a recent awards ceremony sponsored by Utah Business Magazine.

The annual Outstanding Director Award is presented to directors who have shown the leadership and business skills that it takes to grow and build a business and achieve success. Utah Business said that the Outstanding Director Award honors those directors who have demonstrated the exceptional business and leadership skills that have helped their respective companies achieve great success.

“Ron has played a vital role in USANA’s success over the past 13 years,” said USANA CEO Dave Wentz. “His knowledge and experience have been a true asset to our board, and the entire USANA family applauds him on this well-deserved recognition.”

In Poelman’s other life, when not serving on Usana’s board, he is a partner in the Salt Lake City law firm of Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough, where he is head of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group. Poelman is a founding officer of the Utah Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors, and frequently lectures regarding corporate governance and related topics.

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Avon held their eighth annual Avon Foundation Award Celebration: The Hope Honors, this week in New York City. The awards recognized the Avon Foundation and the notable figures who are leading the cause to help fight against breast cancer and domestic violence.

On hand for the event were Avon spokespeople and national celebrities including Patrick Dempsey and his wife Jillian Dempsey who serves as Avon Global Creative Color Director, Lauren Conrad, Jordin Sparks, Suze Orman, Cynthia Rowley, and world renowned cancer surgeon and best selling author, Dr. Susan Love.

Avon CEO and Chairman Andrea Jung also attended the star studded event along with Avon Foundation Director Carol Kurzig.

Over 700 guests packed Cipriani 42nd Street to recognize those who have helped the Avon Foundation raise over $15 million dollars for breast cancer and domestic violence in the last 8 years. Since its inception over 60 years ago, the Avon Foundation has raised over $660 million dollars in over 50 countries to help woman around the world improve their lives.

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Getting free network marketing leads is a desire you and everyone else involved in network marketing has. Nowadays, most people are aware that web 2.0 (aka social network sites) such as O Jeez, Facebook, MySpace, Direct Matches, etc. are great place to network as well as build your business.
The problem that occurs is that most people fail to use social networking sites to their advantage. As Mike Lewis in his article entitled, ‘Social Networking. . . . . . and The Law of Rejection’ says:
“Surely there can’t be anyone who is involved in any social network who has yet to discover the law of attraction?

Then why is it that so many social networkers are so hung up on becoming experts at the Law of Rejection?

The Law of Attraction is all about creating an environment that position you as a very attractive person, it’s about becoming a very attractive person. It’s about showing up in a way that draws people toward you because of WHO your are, NOT what you do.”

Now, for some, those words were very painful to hear. The good news is that you can learn to use the Law of Attraction. If you learn how to do this right, you will not have any problems generating free networking marketing leads for your MLM.

Let me give you a few tips on how to use your membership in social networking sites as a way to attract others to you.

*Do NOT pitch. As a member of any social networking site, I am sure you have noticed things in people’s profiles such as how their biz is the greatest on the planet, how you will make thousands of dollars quickly, etc. When you create your profile, do not pitch like you see other people doing. All you need to do is share your story, give a few personal notes about yourself, and then offer networking and friendship to others. That’s it. Make sure you include your picture as most people want to see the person they are connecting with. You can put an eye catching signature file in your profile as a way to share in a non-sales way, what your biz is. People will respond to this approach much, much better and will desire to connect with you.

*Offer something of value. Give away your free report, a free ebook, a free something that can benefit people in their business. This can be a tool that introduces people to what you do in a non-threatening way; they won’t think you are trying to get them in on your deal.

*Ask questions as you invite people to connect with you. You can build up a friendship list pretty quickly in sites such as Adland Pro, Direct Matches, Myspace, Facebook, etc. . It is best to contact the people who have joined in the last 24 hours since they will be sure to get your message. For the people who have had memberships longer and use free accounts, many will not see your email since they are only allotted a few free messages when they first join.

After you ask the person to connect with you, also send them a brief email. In this email, tell a little about yourself, comment on their profile, welcome them, and then ask what are their two biggest challenges as they build a biz. You will find that people will respond to you. This is a great way to begin to network and develop friendships.

Using social networking sites are a great way to not only meet new people, but also find free networking marketing leads for your MLM home based business. The people who do ask questions will be the ones who are serious and trust you because you have a solid relationship with them.
What a great way to build a biz in a relaxed, fun, and stress free way!

About the Author

Monique Hawkins is a professional network marketer. She finally found the answers she was looking for in chapter 10 of a free ebook and now is on the road to success. To grab your free copy, go to How to Build MLM: Find Success in 10 Steps If you are looking for free MLM tips and free MLM resources to build your work at home business, visit http://www.squidoo.com/tipstoexplodeyourhome-basedbusiness

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Stephen Ellison

It’s hard to go wrong in a business where some of your best customers are also your best salespeople.

Just ask Usana Health Sciences Inc. (NasdaqGS:USNA), a nutritional products maker based in Salt Lake City. Usana has built a global following through its direct-selling model, which contracts thousands of independent sales associates, most of whom began as Usana customers.

For those commissioned associates, direct selling is a thriving industry totaling $30.8 billion in the United States and about $112 billion worldwide last year, according to the Direct Selling Association. But the numbers don’t necessarily translate well for all consumer product companies, and those designated as direct sellers tend to come and go, the DSA says.

Usana arrived in 1992 and hasn’t gone anywhere but up. Annual revenue has more than doubled in the past five years, eclipsing $420 million in 2007. Usana credits a trusted product line and a proven marketing strategy for its continued success.

The company made three significant announcements at its annual convention on Aug. 28: a new energy drink product called Rev3; expansion into the Philippines; and new compensation incentives for associates.

Spurred by a challenge from CEO David Wentz, Usana scientists came up with an alternative to the sugary, “crash-and-burn” energy drinks common in today’s market. The resulting Rev3 is a green-tea based drink that contains an advanced formula of antioxidants as well as Usana’s patented olive-fruit extract, Olivol.

“This is a product that will appeal to a wide audience,” Wentz said in a statement.

During the company’s earnings conference call on Oct. 15, Usana chief operating officer Fred Cooper said a growing number of gen-X and gen-Y associates trying to build their businesses have been clamoring for an energy drink to sell.

“Rev3 is a fun product to talk about,” he said. “It’s a way to open doors to people, an ice-breaker. We see this as an opportunity with this (younger) demographic to gain a significant market share.”

The Philippines represents Usana’s 14th global market, and Cooper said the country’s $500 million direct-selling industry makes it “very promising for us.”

The two incentive programs are designed not only to increase sales volume but also to boost enrollment of new associates. One program is geared toward spiking competition among Usana’s top-selling associates. The other is a matching bonus where existing associates who enroll new business builders, referred to as “platinum pacesetters,” can earn up to 100% matching commissions produced by their recruits.

Usana is coming off a disappointing third quarter in which net income dropped 28.6 % year over year to $8.14 million, or $0.50 a share, and revenue increased less than 1% to $107.2 million. Analysts had expected earnings of $0.60 a share on revenue of $112 million. The company said decreased sales in North America, higher base commission payouts and expenses related to litigation contributed to the dip in net income.

Usana shares jumped nearly 10% to $44.22 a day after the earnings report, perhaps on the company’s fourth-quarter guidance. The company expects record sales of $114 million to $120 million and EPS of $0.64 and $0.70 for the period, above analysts’ average earnings forecast of $0.64 a share.

With that optimism, a new product to pitch and incentives for its salespeople to order more and spread the word, Usana can’t go wrong.

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