My life for my planet! Doing what I can to make sure our future generations can enjoy the same beautiful Nature that helps make my life complete.

I wanted to post some bits from the Forums that I think are helpful this first one was pretty good considering Jason and I only had a couple hours to throw some bullet points together for the call. This is a transcript from the call on 5-30-2007 which is also posted in the back office:

Special thanks to Frank Knight and Jason Rodriguez for their contributions!

Wed night call

As an Ecopreneur, you have two personal websites. One is jointhesolution.com/then your user name

The other is Powur.com/forward slash your user name.

You can choose whatever extension you want to be your username. Short is better than long—and try to make it easy to remember. My suggestion is not to use your personal name. If you are talking with one of your friends and say, go to jointhesolution.com/JohnSmith…you will often see the prospect pause and ask, “Oh, are you making money off me?”

If you use jointhesolution,com/sunfun or solar800 or greenteam or something like that, then that question comes up less often.

When you sign up online through your sponsor’s powur.com site, you will receive an email from Powur of Citizenre that gives you a temporary password so you can login.

If you are listening to this call, you have probably already done this, so we want to walk you through how to help the first people in your Team join the solution:

1. First, answer any questions
2. Walk them through "signing up" on your "powur" website. Make sure they put your extension on the end. If they just go to jointhesolution.com with no extension—the will be given out as a lead and you may lose that prospect.

Inform them that whenever filling in required fields, that they should always scroll over the "?" to the right of the field, to be sure that they are filling the field in accordingly.
3. After they sign up, show them how to retrieve their email with their username and password, have them copy their password, guide them back to the powur site, have them go to "ecopreneur login" on the top right hand side of the screen, have them paste their password in the approriate field and type in their user-name, and log-in
4. Once they've successfully logged in, have them change their password by clicking on "change password" on the bottom left toolbar, have them paste their old password in (should still be copied from before) and type in their new password twice.
5. Show them how to change their account details under "account details"
6. Briefly show them around the back office.(By this time you've probably already spent 30-45 minutes on the telephone with them, and it's now time for a hurdle before you spend any more of your most precious resource...time)
7. Show them the training modules and tests. Tell them that it should take several hours to thoroughly review the training modules, and then they'll need to pass a test. Making sure that customers receive the correct information from the sales force is incredibly important to Citizenre's success as a company, so you will not be allowed to sign up any customers, nor will your website be activated until you pass the test. The test consists of 50 questions, you'll have 30 minutes to take it, and you must pass with an 80% or higher, though we recommend taking it until you score 100%. Your success greatly depends on your ability to confidently deliver this information to your customers, so you should know it inside and out. You can take the test as many times as you'd like, you'll just need to wait 2 hours in between each time.
8. Request that they study the training modules and take the test ASAP so they will be able to start working. Let them know that you are available if they need help or have questions about the training modules, and to call you as soon as they pass the test so that you can walk them through the next step. Do not spend time with Ecopreneurs if they are not willing to make the time to study and take the test.
9. After they have taken the test and are fully knowledable on our company and offer, it's now time to figure out ways to find people to speak with...potential customers. Our business comes down to 2 things, thoroughly knowing and understanding our offer, and educating others about it so they can sign up and become customers and/or Ecopreneurs.

How do you find people to speak with about our opportunity and offer? Here are some examples...

A. Booths at homeshows, expos, ecofairs, earthdays, holiday celebrations, etc...This is our favorite!
B. Bump into's...Going places specifically to find people to speak with about our offer. Farmers Markets, Festivals, Parking lots of home improvement stores(be sure you're not violating their rules regarding soliciting), the beach, the park, anywhere that you can meet new people. Just have fun.
C. Flyers...Have people come to you by putting flyers on their car windshields, doors of their houses, on bulletin boards, leave stacks in strategic places and always keep them full. Leave flyers anywhere and everywhere you legally can. You'll usually receive a 1-3% return on this method. This is great if you pass out a few hundred flyers. The key to this method is volume—but make sure that your flyers do not become litter. That would not be congruent with our mission.
D. Warm Market...Who do you already know that would be interested in our offer? (Friends, Family, neighbors, Family doctor, pet store owner, anyone you know) You're simply offering them the opportunity to save money, lock in their rates for the next 10 years, and help with the planet. Your warm market could be upset with you if you don't tell them about this!
E. Newspaper and Magazine Ads...make sure they are corporate approved
F. Direct Mailers
G. Internet Marketing
The list goes on and on, but these are some of the favorites—there are a lot more in your training.

Now, what do you say when you talk to customers?

Keep it short and sweet or you'll lose their attention.

Every person’s sales pitch should be a little bit different, because we are all a little bit different. But the key is, It must be Authentic and full of integrity.

Here is one example:

We've got a brand new Solar Power Program(I always say "new" in the first sentence, because it helps to break down barriers and preconceptions of high prices and long term paybacks, which is the reason Solar Power hasn't grown as fast as it should have up until this point). We are the only Solar Power company offering this program.

The problem with solar in the past is that it costs 10s of thousands of dollars and you had to deal with all of the hassles.

We install your personal solar electric system on your home with no upfront costs. We handle all of the maintenance and the permits and we even monitor the system at no cost to you.

The only cost to get the system intially is simply the first and last months rent!

 Once the system is installed you'll simply pay us the monthly rental, but you pay us at 2005's utility rates--and we'll lock that rate in so it will never go up for the length of the contract. So every year when your electric company raises their rates, like they often have, your rate with us will stay the same—plus you will use clean, renewable energy, help our planet and support our national security from dependence on foreign oil. Does that sound like something you'd be interested in?”

Then stay quite and wait for them to answer. Most sales people talk too much.

One great method is to get the FRA signed in Person...It is imperative to the rapid growth of your business, that you learn how to do this. This 1 lesson will greatly increase your sign-up ration by dramatically shortening the sales pipeline.

1. Go to the back office under "Resources" and print out the FRA reference copy and a copy of the General Terms and Conditions.
2. After a customer is interested in renting a Renu system, fill in all of the fields on the FRA reference copy and make sure they sign it. Be sure to show them the terms and conditions and give them a chance to read over them. You can let the potential customer know that there will be NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION until he/she approves of the system design and pays the first and last months rent. If they cancel for no reason, Citizenre may put them on a “do not serve list” because it takes a lot of company resources to get to point of the site visit…but the customer can cancel with no financial obligation.
3. Make a photo copy of the signed FRA reference copy.
4. Go into your back-office, and click on "New Customer". Fill in all of the fields from the filled out reference copy, and print out a computer generated FRAA.
5. Staple the original signed FRA reference copy to the computer generated "corporate" copy and mail it in to contract admisistrations.
6. Staple the photocopied signed FRA reference copy to the computer generated "associate" copy, and file it for your records.

That's it! Simple. But it's worth a lot not having to wait weeks and make many follow up phone calls to receive every FRA back in the mail.

There is a whole section in your training called “completing the sale” that walks you through how to do the online sign-up for people who are not local, but the challenge is that now it is in their hands to mail back the FRA. People are busy. Sometimes they forget. If you can get the FRA signed in person that is always better.

Here a few bullet points to give you some perspective.

*Many people have helped develop this program over the last few months and with over 2000 Ecopreneurs the variety of situations have helped to build what is now available. Experience has been a great teacher and we will constantly learn, evolve, and grow.

*Many of the Ecopreneurs have made recommendations through the back office that have been implemented.

*We are a Grass Roots Movement to help make our planet a greener place by bringing Renewable energy to home-owners with it costing about the same as they are currently paying for their electricity each month and in some cases less and guaranteeing no rate increases for up to 25-years.

DEALING WITH CUSTOMERS AND ASSOCIATES

*no hype is needed with what is being represented. when the right people hear about our offer they are naturally excited!

*pride, integrity, honesty, and knowledge in representing our solution are all the basics that are needed.

*most customers are really into our environment and believe things like Global Warming, Peak Oil, and Energy Security etc... are a problem and see solar as a good way to help. Some customers how-ever do not believe or care about these issues and it is important not to force issues or try and change their minds.

*You will find many customers will ask you about representing or "doing what you are doing" and are quite excited. Please feel free to guide and train them but do not always count on them following through... not everyone has the time or continued desire to succeed at this.

*Its very important not to try to get customers to be associates unless they ask. It is confusing to them if you are talking about a solar system and at the same time trying to convince them of becoming an Ecopreneur on your team. Sales and team building are separate and should stay that way. It is confusing to customers to combine the two. That is why we have two separate websites—to keep them separate.

*Make sure you are comfortable and positive about our mission... if you have any doubts or negativity please do not try to represent our solution until you feel comfortable. Negativity can be like a cancer Thoughts become things…choose the good ones.

*Anyone can sign up to be an Ecopreneur, including people that see us as competition and also some severe skeptics. Do not let them influence your desire to succeed. You can spot their posts in our forums and they pop-up every once in awhile still. Adversity only makes us stronger.

*Do not dwell on non-responsive customers and associates. You can only do so much to try and get them to become active or return their FRA's. There are plenty of new and interested people to deal with.

*Everyone basically likes to help someone when they hear about bad experiences or wrong-doings and like to help folks and make them comfortable. Do not however make pre-judgements before hearing both sides of every situation—the truth usually waits somewhere in the middle. You will find many times that the "victim" has not been "victimized at all”... they are just looking for attention or trying to be manipulative. Some folks get their kicks out of creating drama. They are like energy vampires and they can suck you dry.

*If you represent another product or business do not use the customers or associates in Citizenre to try and promote or buy your products. This is against the policies. Cross-promoting or cross-recruiting are totally unacceptable and can lead to termination as an Ecopreneur.

*Never promote our solution as "free solar panels". Our systems are not FREE. We charge a monthly rent that is based on the amount of power the panels should produce. Citizenre does not charge customers for installation, maintenance, or completing the inter-connection with their utility and providing their own clean energy.

*Be sure to ask customers how/where they heard about us so you know what is working the best for you as far as "spreading the word"

*tell your customers about the referral program. they will get 5% of what the referred person pays for power. they will need to go to their customer site and click the link to refer customers, they will then be bought to a page to simply put the referred person's email. An email will be sent to them by Citizenre with a link. The system will track them and your customer will receive credit and you will have a new customer.

*An FRA begins the process for customers to get set-up with solar. This is a binding agreement with the customer to pay if they are indeed set-up with a system. They can cancel the agreement any time up until when the customer signs off on the design with the solar engineer and the deposit is collected.

*Our systems can be installed on roofs, on fixed mounts in yards, or on dual-tracking units up to 300' from the service box. Further distances will have a ditching and cabling per foot optional charge.

*Our panels will be approximatly 40"x60" and produce 265watts each at peak power.

*we cannot provide service to people if their rates are below $.07 per Kwh

* our systems are 2Kw minimum and 10Kw maximum in size for residential applications.

*do not promise anything you can not deliver.

*do not act like you are in a special position to grant favors to anyone. We are all treated equally and there is nothing programmed into the systems for "favoritism"

*Customers must provide insurance for the systems. Some Insurance companies charge extra and some don't. Please have your customer check with their insurance agent. Citizenre does accept liability for any damage caused by the system itself. But if "little Johnny" hucks a rock and breaks the glass on your system that will be the homeowners responsibility.

*New leads that show up must be clicked on within 24-hours to become yours. You do not need to contact them within 24 hours... just click their name and the system ties them to you. If you do not login at least once a day to check for customer leads they will only be on your site for 24-hours. They will be passed on until someone responds to the customer. This is to assure leads are taken care of in a timely fashion.

From our awesome President of Powur Mr. Rob Styler:

The reason the training is so important is that people will have questions, the better you become at being “bullet proof” and handling the tough questions, the more success you will have. We all come into Citizenre with different skills and talents. We each need to raise the bar if we are going to be leaders in bringing renewable energy to the masses.

Your job is not to convince people. Your job is to find the people who get excited about our solution and take action.

The key word here is action. Some people go up like a rocket and come down just as fast. They will TELL you all sorts of great things they are going to do. Watch what they do, not what they say. In my years in this industry, I have literally had hundreds of people, usually men, who come up, shake my hand and say, “Remember my face. I am going to break every record in this company and be the top producer in two weeks.” They usually quit within that time.

Treat your team building like a game of tennis. You hit them the ball, give them an action item, then you wait for them to complete the action. Wait for them to hit the ball back—put the ball in their court. Don’t keep hitting them balls if they don’t hit them back.

If you tell someone to study their training and pass the test, and then they call you up and say, “What about this and this?” Politely ask if they have finished their training and passed their test. They might say, “Well, I am not willing to spend my time until you answer my questions.” You don’t want to get into a battle of wits or who is right scenario, but be cautious about investing your precious time. Make it clear that if they want to be an Ecopreneur they have to pass the test. You could say something like, “Of course I could answer that question for you, but I might take away your joy of discovery. It will be much more fun for you to learn this yourself through our training.”

Network Marketing is an opportunity for the avg person to change your stars. The problem is that most companies are focused on the money, and not the mission.

I have been in network marketing for 17 years. I have worked with some great companies and some…not so great. Over the years, I have consulted with many companies and I have developed this vision of what the perfect company would look like, but I could never find a company owner who shared that vision. They were more interested in creating multiple streams of income from their distributor base than offering a world-class opportunity that removed all of the barriers to entry and could inspire a global movement that would make a positive impact on our world.

With Citizenre, you don’t have to invest money in buying product, store inventory and then hope to sell it.
With Citizenre, you don’t have sign up fees or monthly fees or buying requirements to participate
With Citizenre, you don’t have to convince people to buy something they have never bought before.

Our offer is simple. Sign up for free. Pass a test to show us that you know how to represent our offer with professionalism and then we will pay you for helping people upgrade their home to solar.

If you want to build a large, loyal and successful team, then paint a brighter future for them and wake up their imagination. That does not mean hype or false promises—in fact it is just the opposite. What it means is that you take the time to listen to what they want, and do everything you can to help them get it.

For some people, it might just be an extra $300 a month, for other’s it might be the feeling of doing something positive, others might want to lead a worldwide movement and bring our solution to other countries.

Our society seems to have an attitude of, “Give me some fruit and then I will water and fertilize you.” That is not the way nature works. You have to sow the seeds and tend the soil and after years of work, your orchard can produce fruit for the rest of your life.

Right now we are just a seed that has not even broken soil yet. But some people want to kick the dirt and complain that there is nothing there.

I live in the Cleveland National forest, totally off the grid, my home is all powered by solar, and I am surrounded by oak trees. They all started as a small acorn. It is amazing to see their resiliency. Some of them grow sideways, parallel to the ground, for 20 feet as they search for an opening of light in the forest canopy.

Nature is resilient and patient. Some of these oaks are hundreds of years old. Their leaves are like thousands of solar panels providing life and oxygen.

Right now Citizenre is an acorn. We plan to take this first seed and build solar plants around the world. Some people see this vision. Others see only dirt. Both are right from their perspective.

Most people are cold and shivering through life, stomping their feet upset and demanding, “Well, if this stove would give me some heat, then I would put some wood in it.” When you realize that just the action of chopping the wood will warm your body, life will become a lot easier—and just the action of sharing our solution…it will warm your soul—ask some of the people who are working with us.

If you are looking for quick money, this is definitely not the company for you. We have a huge mission and we need people with a long-term vision.

Understand that you cannot possibly motivate everyone—and you don’t want everyone in your team. You only want the right people…the people you will connect with and have fun with. Simply create your vision and then support and enjoy the people who see what you see. Don’t try to convince people. It is just not worth it and it takes too much energy.

So often we look at life as pass/fail, rather than feedback.

If a plant is not getting the nutrients it needs, its leaves will get brown around the edges. If your life is not going in a direction that nurtures your soul and fires up your imagination, you will get feedback. Often it starts as a gentle whisper, then a soft nudge, then a hard push, then a 2 X 4 upside your head.
I have been hit by a few 2 X 4s…not fun.

Trust your intuition and then move forward with confidence.

If you can enjoy the journey of our start-up phase, it will be so much more fun. We are not perfect. We will make mistakes. But if we all hold the vision of our mission, we will change the way people produce their electricity in their home. We will create hope where the news media spreads fear. We will give people a tangible action they can do right now to be part of the solution.

Always ask yourself, “Am I learning? Am I growing? Am I a better leader today than I was the day before? How can I better serve my Team and my customers? What skills do I need to develop? Who has those skills and what can I offer them? How can I contribute to our mission of bringing renewable energy to the masses?”

We never said this mission would be easy, but it will be worth it.

Thank you for your leadership.

You make a difference.