Focus

The focus of my pursuit

One of my early mentors a few years ago would hit me with questions about my business model. It was always with the softening words, "I don't want to discourage you." I would assure him there was not much he could ask which I had not been asked or had not thought about, already. Regardless of the spirit or intent with which friends (and others) ask their questions I always welcome these as the teachable moment.

So, I was neither hurt, offended nor surprised when a friend suggested I might focus on an at-home job, because "that business of yours" is just too diverse. "You're trying to tackle too many things."

I agreed; _ on the part about my business. What's more although I agreed with him I stated the focus of my pursuit has not been in finding a "good job", even if it is at home, but in creating a business model where the individual can utilize his own knowledge, skills and experience to generate his own income.

I do not doubt some of you readers have yet to feel you understand what the IE-Network model is, how it works and how it can earn you money. Some of that may be my inability to communicate my message clearly. Then, of course, this has been a long-running monologue with me don't the "talking." Some of it may be because you, the interested readers, may be focused on the wrong thing. Let me illustrate through the following analogy how we immerse ourselves in environments so diverse it would scare us away were we to focus on the wrong thing.

Diversity of IE-Networks

First, let me reiterate some of what makes up IE-Networks. Independent Enterprise Networks can include members from very diverse backgrounds and interests. An IE-Network member may bring other contractors which may include at-home apparel makers, computer systems builders, roofers, satellite dish installers. What they all share in common is the IE-Network model which enables a business system which generates income for them, _ increasingly. Does the IE-Network member who brings them into his/her network necessarily need to know about all these different fields? NO.

A diverse workplace environment

Now, lets suppose you applied for and accepted the $10/hr position as computer builder at XYZ, Inc., a computer manufacturer. As you enter the XYZ workplace facility you meet some of your new associates. You soon learn are immersed in a very diverse environment with housekeeping personnel, software engineers, mechanical engineers, materials handlers, boxers, shippers, forklift operators. These are just a few individuals you happen to greet, but you realize there are so many more. Are you or XYZ management troubled that you know nothing about software or shipping? NO. You both understand as long as you keep your focus on computer building your contribution to the XYZ operations will be much appreciated and valued.

Who compensates you

Aside of these interpersonal relationships I wonder how many people would know the president of XYZ. How many people can explain, while looking at their check stub, a complete breakdown of their pay; what is FICA, Medicare, etc.? That does not prevent them from receiving their paycheck or spending it. It's not a mystery.

A key difference between XYZ, Inc. and IE-Networks is how the individual is compensated. XYZ management will call you in once a year and you will be informed IF you will be rewarded with a pay raise. IE-Network members determine for themselves where, how fast and how much compensation they want to see their network generate for them. That, too, is a matter of focus you alone must determine and maintain. Like the XYZ employee, you may not know whose network you are a part, or every person who is coming into your network, but that doesn't keep you from receiving your compensation and enjoying it. It's not a mystery.

Stay focused, dear friends.

The Hollywood writers' right

The ongoing Hollywood writers' strike has put the limelight on the ability of unions to negotiate on behalf of their membership. The latest development in the strike involves the writers' union, the Writers Guild of America, proposal to negotiate directly with studios and bypassing the studios' respresentative; the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The union's strategy would have been anathema twenty-five years ago. Perhaps, after too many loses to count, labor unions have become more resourceful when engaged in negotiations with employers. Too many jobs have vanquished because the strike mindset was one of crash and burn rather than reach an agreement. Those union officials remained union officials in the strikes' aftermath. Those employees became unemployed. If the company didn't go under completely it joined the ranks of offshore, outsourced jobs. Individual and corporate profits will not be lost in the strike. You cannot loose what you do not have so while they may not make any money they can and will survive the writers' strike quite well. They can jump ship at any moment, leave and re-emerge with a new company of their own hiring eager, unemployed writers.

The strike, the first in less than twenty years, has also revealed the extent to which writing, a craft associated with free expression and independence, has allowed itself to be bound to unions, contracts, negotiations and strikes so completely. This holds equally true of writers in other, non-entertainment areas including the press; another American freedom imperiled. Writers' purport to look ahead to secure DVD future residual compensation for themselves. They could review a four point comparison between unions and networks, as well. It's the writers' right. . .if the union permits it.

membership fees

Both require membership fees in order to join the organization. It is safe to say network fees are considerably less. Yes, union membership provides benefits, but many of those benefits are available from non-union employers, as well.

members' compensation

Unions negotiate with employers to establish employee compensation. Network members negotiate their own compensation agreements with their service recipients. Network members determine the growth and expansion of their own residual income generating network.

relationships

Unions stand between the restrictive, contractual (job) relationships of employer/employee. Network member relationships (business) are between themselves as independent service providers and their clients; service recipients. Network members are free to conduct business with or without network members.

other interested parties

Unions negotiate to secure member benefits from employers for their employees. Networks are entreprenuerial. Members are in business for themselves, but not by themselves.



Hollywood writers have done no different than countless other workers in America. They have settled for the illusive "security" of the job. However, writers, too, can take their Knowledge, Skills and Experience they have acquired in their field and create their own Independent Enterprise Network. Who might their clients be you ask? The independent film industry for starters. How long would it take before mainstream studios turned to the writing talent of independent films? The Internet, with its various appendages such as YouTube, could accomplish more for the partnership of independent film/writers than any union contract.

Merry Christmas HO! HO! HO! to one and all!