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Does that line ring a bell? If you grew up in America and had a television, it should.
It’s from the cinema classic, "The Wizard Of Oz". Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are quaking in fear before the smoky, fire-drenched image of Oz.
But then Dorothy’s little dog, Toto, tugs at a side
curtain to reveal the REAL Oz–a stocky little fellow
with a bushy moustache and a bit of a stutter.I caught this scene again recently while my daughters were watching on DVD (Ava loves it, though she’s a little scared of the Wicked Witch). And it got me thinking…
All of the most successful people I know in this business have their own "man behind the curtain".
It’s true. This person takes care of everything behind the scenes, making sure the business is running smoothly on all cylinders and not missing a beat. And they’re VITAL to its success.
I’ve got my own version right here at Strategic Profits. His name is Brian Johnson.
If you’ve ever been to one of my events and seen a pale, dark-headed guy running to and fro with a walkie talkie and a look of complete exhaustion, that would be Brian.
Brian’s involved in every decision we make, and his tireless efforts and pit bull tenacity have played as MAJOR part in the success of Strategic Profits.
While I’m doing my work as the "face" of the company, I trust Brian to take care of everything else. Basically all the stuff involved in the day-to-day operations falls on his plate first.
And I must say, he does a PHENOMENAL job. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without him.
But I’m not alone. Most of my top guru pals have their own Man (or Girl) Friday.
People like Tom Beal (Mike Filsaime), Spike Humer (Jay Abraham), MaryEllen Tribby (Michael Masterson), Jon Walker (Jeff Walker), and many others work tirelessly behind the scenes to help generate multi-millions for their companies.
So what does this mean to you?
That’s easy–you should already be thinking about adding someone like this to your own business.
I know, I know–you’re saying "I’m just a one man show Rich. How can I add somebody to the mix when I’m struggling to make ends meet as it is?"
Well, think back with me for a moment to the All-Star Guru Call I did a couple months ago…
When I asked these internet marketing household names what their biggest constraint had been, the overwhelming majority made this confession:
"I was trying to do it all myself. And burning out quickly."
It wasn’t until they start hiring people–beginning with a "man behind the curtain"–that they experienced the tremendous growth and prosperity that put them over the top.
Now most of them have a full staff to do all the annoying busywork that kept them–and their profits–from overcoming that constraint.
Which means they can concentrate on the most important matter at hand: making more money. And to say it’s worked out very well for them would be an understatement.
But don’t run out and hire the first person you meet to help you. Here’s a few suggestions for finding a winner…
- Make Sure You’re Compatible With Each Other: This is very important. Remember–you’ll be spending an EXTRAORDINARY amount of time together, so you need to be able to communicate without cringing. And even if they come highly recommended with a long list of top level experience, none of that will matter one iota if you can’t stand being in the same room with them.
- Get References–And Lots Of Them: You don’t know this person, but friends and former employers do. So make sure you talk to them before pulling the trigger. Find out about work habits and personal issues. Ask how they resolve conflict and why they let their position. Because believe it or not, people have been known to stretch the truth on a resume. So dig deep–you’ll be surprised what you find.
- Finally, Establish A Trial Period Before Hiring: In the marketing world, what do we do when we have a brand new campaign? We TEST it. Hiring a right-hand person is no different. Make sure they know they’re working on a trial basis (90 days is usually enough time) and at the end of that period, you’ll decide whether to continue the relationship or not. And have everything in writing, so there’s no confusion later.
Follow these guidelines when hiring your #1 person and you’ll be well on your way to seeing your company explode with monumental growth and record-breaking profits.
And in the meantime, if you’d like to hear what these "gurus behind the gurus" have to say about creating a mega information publishing empire, you MUST be on this call.
Brian’s getting some of the top operations people in our business together to compare notes on how they help their companies achieve million dollar profits.
This will be a highly unusual call, because it’s from a totally different perspective–one that’s never really been explored before.
And to be honest, I’m a little nervous about it…
Because all of these behind-the-scenes geniuses have seen us gurus at our best…and our worst. And who knows what they’re going to let slip?
Yikes…this could get ugly. Better tune in to see what happens.
I know I will be. With an Employee Termination form right by my side.
Got that, Brian?
To Higher Profits,
Rich
P.S. Okay, I’m just kidding about the Employee Termination thing. If I can trust Brian with the daily operations of my company, I can trust him on a phone call.
But I was serious when I said I’d be listening. Because this has all the earmarks of being an outstanding event featuring some killer information…
So make sure you’re listening as well by reserving your place now. I can’t guarantee we’ll have enough lines for everyone.
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Hey Rich, Mike and I are a two person show, so, should we still higher someone? or should we devide things up? Anyways, can’t wait for the call!
Until your next post,
Teresa Blaes
Rich, thanks for shout out and for having the vision to bring a guy like Brian on-board–you guys are a great team. The call is going to be incredible! My Best Always, Spike
Rich,
This is why you are not only the “guru’s guru” but the “newbie’s guru” as well. See, most newbies are focused on getting consistent income, using the Manifesto to grow their business, and the Doctrine to stay focused, and the Matrix to find their voice – and now you come up with a teleseminar that helps the ones that are “getting it” to manage their growth, and shows the newbies who are still struggling what’s beyond the light at the end of the tunnel.
Dude, you ARE the man!
Rick
Rich,
This is a great idea. Showing that there is a captain running the operation behind the scenes.
There insight will be very enlightening for many of us.
Also, great job in public recognizing Brian.
Darrell
http://www.transilient.net
I ounce had a thriving business and lost it.
There were a lot of mistakes I made, but not knowing how to hire was one of them. Fortunately, I did have a good right hand man (actually, a women) and that certainly helped. But my good choice in this one instance was not enough to save the company.
Any way, the line “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain” is my favorite line in the whole movie. I think I even used it in an article I wrote once. But more importantly, I use it to remind myself that things are not always as the seem, and to the power of miss-direction.
P.S. I’ve learn a lot from the failure of my first company, and now I’m back, with the confidence that comes from knowing that I can learn from my mistakes.
Lucky you to have Brian! What you wrote makes tremendous sense. I remember the first time that I learned the concept of delegation.. what an enlightenment. Trying to do everything by oneself won’t allow for growth and is quite overwhelming. However, creating ideas and having the help to implement them is the path to success.
I look forward to the call.. always learning!
Hey Rich,
This is an interesting idea for a call, particularly since the “pull back the curtain on my business” trope has been a popular angle for a while now in the IM world. What you’re implying is that there’s another curtain yet to be pulled back. Very cool…
You know, this kind of makes me think of something related… I know a boatload about internet marketing, and marketing in general, having come from a more “traditional” marketing and sales background (working for other people). I’ve had my own consulting business now for a few years and things are going reasonably well.
But I have recently come to the conclusion that I know more or less jack about running a business. In fact, running a business and marketing a business seem to me (the more I do this) to be two totally separate — heck, not even skills; more like WORLDS.
And I think the big reason I haven’t been more successful in my own business is that I’m good at marketing but not good at running a business.
So your post makes me think that maybe it’s time to look at bringing on a partner, someone who has a VERY different background than myself. Someone who can be my Wizard of Oz.
Anyway, looking forward to the call.
Thanks,
David
P.S. I grew up on the Wizard of Oz myself, and my favorite part of the movie is when they’re doing what must be the 4th time around of the “If I only had a…” song, and they’ve all reaffirmed their desire to get to Oz. There’s this moment in the song where they kind of go around each saying what they’ll get from the Wizard, from Dorothy, to the Scarecrow, to the Tin Man, to the Lion: “A home.” “A brain.” “A heart.” “Some nerve.” Except the lion with his New York accent says “Some noyve.” That always cracked me up and still does.
P.P.S. I also must admit to having had a bit of a crush on the Good Witch of the North. Ah, to be young!
But if you are newbie and still didn’t generate $10/mnth,you can’t afford it.Hiring for 90 days concept is good but for those who already generates $1000/mnth.Don’t get me wrong.
Rich,
Don’t know if it’s just me, but the sign-up thank-you page is just blank. No email so far, so don’t know if the system is sending out notices.
You are absolutely right! Without having the help and support you need, in order to take some of the weight off your shoulders you really have no way holding any one else up! You have no free hands. Since we are all in this to help others (because we all know we can’t make money if we can’t give any REAL value to our customers and/or colleagues) then we are absolutely no good with out the use of our hands, time, effort, energy, money, and expertise… the only way you can make a profit… is if you have ALL your tools at your disposal and the disposal of others.
One thing to note is that some of the folks trying to do the internet thing actually may be better suited to being someone else’s “man (or woman) behind the curtain”.
Their skills, experiences, and talents may be utilized better in that role as opposed to trying to be the face man.
Hey Rich,
There’s an old management saying that you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with – which is so true.
Apparently, you may have learned about self promotion, but you haven’t learned anything about management because if I were Brian, hearing you talk about termination papers when I was the behind-the-scenes-go-to-guy who made you talk about me that way, I’d be taking a serious look at perhaps moving on and taking a position where I am appreciated and rewarded for my work, not maligned by my “boss”.
Now that you’ve named him, hey Brian, we’ll be sure and contact you with a great position if you’re interested, just to get you away from the “Delray Beach Know It All.”
Schefren, you’re a complete idiot!
A poor businessman at best thinking that you can threaten your own people and get away with it.
No one in any organization, especially those as valuable as Brian, ever likes to be threatened, even if you’re kidding, which I doubt you are kidding – because you’re so full of yourself, you’re nothing but a rehashed Abraham.
LOL….
ron, if you could read a ps, you’d see how off the mark you are…
brian is certainly appreciated and rewarded… but you don’t have to take my word for it, get on the call to find out.
and as far as the comparison to jay abraham, i’ll take that as a compliment… even though you didn’t mean it that way.
and thanks for reading my blog too!
rich
Hey Ron, please take a stepback for a moment and think! do you honestly believe that Rich is a know it all, well let me be the first to inform you that this couldn’t be further from the truth! The fact is I’m honored to be working with him, and there have been many ocations when he would admit to not having the answer. That my friend is not pride, rather it is humility. Perhaps instead of revealing your own insacurity for all the world to see, you should learn a lesson and take a self examination to see where you stand on the pride o meeter.
in any case, just a bit of food forthought.
until Riches next post, Teresa Blaes
Ron,
You’re obviously jealous of the success that Rich and his team are seeing.
With your comments, now thousands of people will follow the link back to your website and make a mental note to never do business with you.
Your career and your reputation would be better served if you actually took the time to learn from the success that Rich Schefren and Jay Abraham have experienced instead of trying to magnify any negatives you may perceive about them.
Even if someone is an idiot in your eyes, you become the idiot when you drop disrespectful and unprofessional comments.
Don’t let yourself become the village idiot everywhere you go by continuing to make comments like that.
Ron, always take advantage of opportunities to learn how to improve, instead of grasping for opportunities to criticize.
-Bobby Batronic
g,day guy,s interesting how some guru,s have in the past stated that distractions stop you working,then MR MAVEN a,k,a,(RICH)STARTS TALKING ABOUT FAIRY TAIL MOVIES,AS A SOURCE OF INSPERATION,MAN! LOOK,S LIKE MOVIE NIGHTS ON THE PLANS TONIGHT,now where,s that copy of CASABLANCA or BAMBI or even ROCKEY 1,2,3,4,5 OR!!!!!!THANK,S FOR THAT INSPERATIONAL INPUT you guru,s are real peple too,,,,,
I act as Woman Friday~ as well as outsourcing tasks to others. Collaboration and networking is the key. Helping each other out is an energy trade; like using the right toll for the job.
I wrote about not taking a Lone Wolf approach to learning, instructing and implementation of knowledge over at P
PSI Tutor.
Group cohesiveness is important in everyday living and effective processes can guide learning and development as a student and as a citizen.
Rich, I really do like your free stuff. Now, Ron up above comes off as a bit of a jerk – but he’s right. (Don’t you just hate that?) The joke about termination is a bit creepy. It seems like you 95% trust Brian. While it may be a wise thing to always keep that 5% in reserve, it’s never a wise thing to let on that you’re anything less than 100% confident in your staff. You owe Brian an apology – even though he will say he doesn’t need one.
Would your wife be happy with 95% of your love? Your star employee needs the same affection. Well…maybe not exactly the same…. you know what I mean.
Meanwhile, keep it coming. I hope to be able to afford your services in the near future.
Love the yellow brick road! Great point on hiring for a trial period I wish I read this 2 months ago.
Rich
Do you know when you are doing a great job communicating? When people start thinking they know you. For good or bad, the comments here presuming that they know the relationship between you and your man Brian, crack me up. Sounds like projection to me, but it’s just my opinion.
Very good advice by the way on a trial period. I had a process service company that folded because of the outrageous actions of one employee. I thought I knew them, so I left them in charge while I was deployed. HUGE mistake, I will never make again.
I got three girls and two of them LOVE Oz. Freaked out by E.T. but love the flying monkeys.
I am in the process of interviewing for a slot open, and I am nervous about it. This post give me some great ideas though.
Wayne
http://www.givemegreatcredit.com
I wish I had hiring systems back then when I ran an offline business.
First and foremost, my advice is NOT to hire friends and family members. When they can’t perform and you have to lay them off, you go through hell. And I really mean HELL.
Now, running an online business with virtual assistants and outsourcers, life is much better and way less stress. And it’s affordable.
Of course, you don’t have the luxury to look over the shoulders and see what they do, but it boils down to you. How you give instructions, how you compensate and your frequency with your them.
The trial period recommended by Rich is a very good strategy which I’ll implement right away when hiring. (I normally split test same project between 2 or more outsourcers and see which performs the best. It may cost a bit upfront but sure saves you A LOT more at the backend.)
Diana,
I have to add a big “I agree” to your comment about friends and family in the business. Though I have had one exception over ten years, you are so correct…. the business arena is simply not the place to hand out jobs w/o due process.
There is a process to this function like every other business function. I can recall Rich stating at a seminar that a bad hire can cost literally 6 figures… and I went through one of those recently…. AFTER he had made that so clear.
Yep… some us us simply HAVE to learn the hard way… stupid as it is.
Ditto to that. I lost money in the 6 figures and not to mention severed ties with a bro-in-law (and his wife).
Definitely learnt it the hard way. You can’t be too soft/emotional when it comes to business. Yup, people hate you more when you get a bit ‘bossy’ but hey, someone’s gotta take control right?
And being young and female, and having male employees twice your age (and twice the ego), it’s double whammy.
Oh well, I’ll stop the negativity. After all, like what Rich says, if the employee doesn’t perform, it’s always the hirer’s fault.
Systems. Systems. Systems.
Hi Rich, For over nine years, I was the organisational ‘glue’ for a company and probably made things happen too modestly and easily for my own good – not great if you like recognition from time to time :) I think it’s fantastic that you are giving Brian public kudos but I do wish you hadn’t made that crack about the termination form. Sure, you were only kidding around, but I think this one was a bit off. (Maybe you just need a darn good night’s sleep!) As Bill observes, Brian might say no apology is needed (no matter what he feels) – but I believe it is. I know we should do things for the love of them, not for the recognition, but if someone happens to be running on empty (not saying Brian is, but I suspect many invaluable 2Ics are), unreserved recognition can make all the difference between staying and leaving. Thanks for all of your generous wisdom, Rich. I still love ya! Get some sleep!!!
I gave my name and email and then I was taken to a pretty much blank scree at https://schefren.infusionsoft.com/AddForms/processForm.jsp.
I dont know if my reservation went through. can you confirm?
Thanks
Rich I think you got it wrong on this one. While I appreciate the “man behind the curtain” metaphor the “wizard” in the end was merely an illusion on sound and lights. Dorothys man was actually the good witch taking care of things behind the scenes. The wizard was exposed not by the blindly trusting humanoids but by the curiosity of a little dog who was representative of the human imagination.
This blind trust we tend to put into self proclaimed “gurus”, its at the root of billions of losses each year from bad investments, shoddy goods, and “yikes” yes worthless internet marketing products.
So have you gone shopping for your Ruby slippers yet? LOL
Tom Newell a.k.a “The Prosperity Guru”, lol
http://www.newellfinancial.net
tom@newellfinancial.net
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=776300192&ref=name
http://www.twitter/tomforce7.com
Hi Rich,
YOur short assay is excellent, especially that it high-lights two main issues most managers and decision makers disregard:
1. An instrumental key for success (or failure leader ) is the team. One should prefer a less professional team player on an expert standalone.
2. Recommendations and contactss for inquiries are not only for marking a V. I am surprised as to the number of my clirsnt astonsihed by the fact that I truly “dig” into recommendations, usually going at least to “2nd generation” of acquaintances. Not only for “go/no go”, but also for learning the “real” pros and cons.No body is immune, and if you work with someone you’d better prepare in advance to know his strenghts and weaknesses.
“if you don’t think to the long run with your head in advance, be sure to pay the price with your pocket, time and enterprise”
Rich,
I understand very well that hiring someone to work behind the curtain, could be really vital for your success. It’s a pity that some of us are not yet in financial conditions to adopt that way.
I´m too confident that hiring from friends or family have more pros than cons.
In my country (Portugal) is yet usual to hire people during 3 months to see if they are the right person for the slot open.
je cherche ma place au maroc mais,je trouve toujours les domages.
je suis un ésclave des journées,je vois les chouses pas claire dans le sciécle de fond de la mére le plus fort mange le moin fort.je pense comme je ne suis pas un vivre dans un pays dis qu’il ya de liberté,mais cette liberté est privé,je suis comme un inventeur qui n’as pas de chance avec létat marocain…je diclare et je reste déclaré,la protège de mon invention jusqu’à elles sové ou je mort avec mon daiclaration.vraiment j’aime le maroc et je n’ai mare de l’état marocain;..
WANTED: A Man-or-Woman Behind My Curtain
REASON: I’m tired of doing this all by myself…
… now this is going to be VERY INTERESTING (!) … it´s like adding a Turbo on the Turbo! No excuses allowed.
I love the Wizard of Oz, great way to tie that into your post! This is great wisdom as I always try to do everything myself, thank you for your insight!
~Molly
Amen. I keep preaching this same thing.
I am a virtual assistant who also does copywriting. I can be your “Girl Friday” so you don’t have to do everything.
Rich, I am glad that you and others are waking up to this.
I would love to have any of you for clients.
Leisa Good
Rick,
It sounds like you have a great PERSONAL assistant. However, I am a VIRTUAL assistant with other clients as well. I am finding that most of my clients are just as comfortable with a virtual assistant as they are with a personal assistant as long as the compatibility is there.
I have a definition of a virtual assistant on my web site as well as the cost savings of a virtual assistant compared to an employee.
Caleb, you’re on. Check out my web site at http://www.GemstoneBusinessSolution.com.
Hi Rich, great insight that many Solopreneurs can learn from.
I like to think of each project/business as requiring a GURU , A Sales Guy/Girl and the Person in charge of delivery. (Taken from the Big4 Partnership model)..This made a massive positive impact to my business and I´m sure it will to others out there.
Thanks for post.
Paul
p.s It´s a testiment to the working relationship you have with Brian that you are able to joke openly about termination papers …lol
Rich,
Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I am too lazy to look at emails, and other times i just open and not reading it, you still continue showing me there is more than exiting money business which is going on the internet. This is howsome and thnks I have paid attention today, and show the film.
I can’t wait to see my business working.
Joy
Hi Ron and All
I find it interesting that even though you obviously dont like Rich, you still read the blog. Maybe Rich is providing you intellectual entertainment I dont know. Anyway, you took one comment that was meant as a joke and blew it out of proportion. Maybe it was a little tactless.
However I know Rich and his staff have a great relationship because he is always praising them and admitting that he could not do what he does without them.
Its one thing to call out someone on their own blog, it is quite another to insult him and I take offense at that, especially the know it all crack. You are showing your insecurities in a big way.
Michael Blaes
PS As far as Jay Abraham, you might want to get a hold of some of his materials. you might actually learn something. :)
I’m super excited about this call.
I want to give a big shout out to the big guy Rich for bringing the concept of process maps first off. They have been unbelievably helpful in everything I’m doing.
Also, having good people is THE KEY in business.
We either leverage ourselves by being surrounded by superstars or we trade time for a value that runs it’s course at some point.
http://www.mynotetakingnerd.wordpress.com