Limos and Buses
June 19th, 2008 by Ann Vertel
There is a woman sitting at a bus stop. It’s a hot day and there is very little shade. She sits facing the oncoming traffic and is very, very busy….waiting. You pull up to the bus stop in a long, white stretch limousine. Your limo stops and you open the door.
You call out to her, “I’m going your way, would you like to ride in the limo?”
“No thanks,” she answers, “I’m waiting for the bus.”
“Yes, but the bus might not come, and even if it does, it’s an awfully long, uncomfortable ride to your destination. Come join me in the limo, it’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“No thanks,” she says again, “I’m waiting for the bus.”
You are now absolutely baffled. It seems almost ridiculous that she wouldn’t take the limo ride. Can’t she see what a wonderful opportunity it is for her? Can’t she see that she will get to her dream destination so much faster and better? What’s wrong with her?
Nothing. She’s just not ready to change.
So you get out of the limo, sit with her awhile, explain all the features of the limo and all the benefits of the ride. You tell her how much better her life will be in the limo. You pour out your heart and soul and tell her all about the day you were sitting at a bus stop and your limo pulled up. You point out other women in other limos who are laughing and enjoying life and heading to their dream destination. And she still says, “no.”
In the meantime, another limo passes by the two of you and pulls up to the next bus stop down the road. The woman at that bus stop is ready for a limo…and she gets in.
You see, you can not actually motivate another person. You can only create an opportunity for her to motivate herself.
You can not make her want something. She has to want it all on her own.
When you offer the Mary Kay® opportunity to another woman, you are giving her an incredible gift. A chance to change her life. It is insulting to your business to beg someone to be a part of it. You don’t have to convince anyone of the amazing opportunity you have to share with them, you just have to share it.
Those women who choose to get in the limo will flourish. The others are waiting for a bus. If you spend time convincing them to get in the limo you will miss out on meeting the women who will. Close the door, let them go, and move on down the road.
Now go have a POWERFUL day!
- Ann Vertel, UnitCoach
You Might Also Like...
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 5:57 pm and is filed under Recruiting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
WOW! Although you pretty much know where this is going when it starts…..it is still very powerful!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi Ann,
I’m in the midst of setting up my own blog…I recently learned that someone who just visits a blog posting without leaving a comment is called a “lurker” in blog-eze. I don’t think I like being called a lurker, so I’m stopping by to tell you that I am enjoying your blogsite. I bumped into it a few weeks ago and signed up for your newsletter.
Thanks for your Limo/Bus posting. I especially noted your comment about it being an insult to your business to have to beg someone to be a part of it…it fits with your last sentence…while you’re trying to convince someone to get on board with you, you’ll miss meeting the person who’d love to drive with you.
It’s about focusing on ripe fruit not little green apples.
Thanks again!
Brenda L. (from Canada)
August 20th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Ann, I must tell you, I’ve been reading the recruiting today and I absolutely love it. We’re reaching the end of the first quarter and I shared the empty store with my team. I hope they can see what I see. I also love the limo/bus story. I needed this today as I was beginning to have a little pity party. I just need to ask more people to get in my limo.
Thanks again for the newsletter and I look forward to reading more.
Have a blessed and productive day!
LaClaudia
September 1st, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Wow! I needed to hear this! Thanks!
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Wow!! So true !!We need to just ask more and step out of our comfort zones. I want to build so bad. I just need to get out of my own way. I love people , but that is not enough. I need to speak out more about my business. Like offer the limo ride. For my 13 years in Marykay Wow how great it is. Sharing is caring I need to build to 100 and need help from more sharpe people.Call me 24/7 voice mail 828-981-9016 Thank you again. gs