Billy Florence Leadership Insights

Orrin Woodward - Great Quotes on Listening, Reading & Learning

There were three great quotes on one of Orrin Woodward's blog sites.  They were all about the importance of listening to others more than we talk and reading and learning.  Our natural tendency is to talk more than we listen.  It is to watch TV more than we read and learn new things.  Lifetime learning and personal growth is a choice.  Reading and listening to others is a choice that we have to make and work at.  No one is perfect but we should all work every day on these things.  Enjoy these awesome quotes...

Quixtar Orrin Woodward Favorites

“The Future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.”
- John Sculley, Former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Computer

“Value your listening and reading time at roughly ten times your talking time.  This will assure you that you are on a course of continuous learning and self-improvement.”
- Gerald McGinnis, President and CEO of Respironics, Inc.

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
- John Wooden, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Amway's Joe Markiewicz – Learning & Literature

I love this quote that Joe Markiewicz has shared from Mr. Andrew Carnegie.  He had so much wealth and was able to do so many things in his life.  But you can tell from this quote and others that Andrew Carnegie had a real love and passion for the simple act of reading and writing...

Joe Markiewicz, “Industrialist, Andrew Carnegie in this excerpt, expresses the true enjoyment of literature and an atmosphere of learning. His enthusiasm is contagious.”

Joe Markiewicz & Mary Beth Quick Quote Favorite

“Amid books, newspapers, pencils, pens and ink and writing pads, and a clean office, bright windows, and the literary atmosphere, I was the happiest boy alive.” - Andrew Carnegie

Joe & Mary Beth Markiewicz own Markiewicz International and are members of IBOAI.

IBOAI, the official trade association, leadership team includes Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Don Wilson Fred Harteis and Jim Janz. They serve and protect the business interests of independent business owners, (Quixtar IBO’s ) throughout North America.

The 2007 IBO Board of Directors Executive Committee Team includes Jim Janz, Chairman, Don Wilson, Vice Chairman, Bob Andrews, Brad Duncan, Kanti Gala, Randy Haugen, Bill Hawkins, and Kathy Victor. Governance and Oversight Committee includes Jody Victor and Billy Florence. Other serving board members include Joe Markiewicz, Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady.

© 2007 Joe Markiewicz Amway Quixtar IBO. All rights reserved. Reprint permission provided to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Don Wilson & Jim Janz - Customer Satisfaction High

Quixtar Independent Business Owners should be proud of this recent announcement.  Jim Janz and Don Wilson do a great job of updating IBOs on this great accomplishment...

Jim Janz, “IBO Trade Association recently announced that in the second annual customer satisfaction seasonal edition of the Top 40, Quixtar was ranked at number five. Outstanding online experience and quality products have resulted in Quixtar being ranked the leading online health and beauty retailer and 20th overall according to Internet Retailers Top 500 Guide to the Web,” continued Jim Janz.

Don Wilson added, “With more consumers shopping online, good service is crucial. This is great news for our members, Quixtar Independent Business Owners (IBOs), whose businesses drive sales at quixtar.com.”

Background: The Top 40 Online Retail Satisfaction Index reviews categories such as Site Experience, Merchandise, Brand and Price. “With online sales projected to increase 13% – 14% during the next five years, it is important to ensure that our customers have the best possible experience finding information and ordering products,” notes Don Wilson.

“Through quixtar.com, IBOs offer shoppers exclusive brands such as ARTISTRY skincare and cosmetics, NUTRILITE vitamins and supplements, and XS POWER NUTRITION, as well as thousands of products representing brands such as Levi’s, Whirlpool, Reebok, KitchenAid and many more,” explains DON WILSON.

About the IBOAI “The official IBO Trade Association, IBOAI is dedicated to serving and protecting the interests of Quixtar powered Independent Business Owners (Quixtar IBOs) throughout North America.

IBOA leadership team includes Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Don Wilson Fred Harteis and Jim Janz. These IBOs serve and protect the business interests of independent business owners, (Quixtar IBOs) throughout North America.

The 2007 IBO Board of Directors Executive Committee Team includes Jim Janz, Chairman, Don Wilson, Vice Chairman, Bob Andrews, Brad Duncan, Kanti Gala, Randy Haugen, Bill Hawkins, and Kathy Victor. Governance and Oversight Committee includes Jody Victor and Billy Florence. Also serving on IBOAI board are Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady, Joe Markiewicz, and John Merris.

© 2007 Don Wilson & Jim Janz Amway Quixtar IBOs. All rights are reserved. Reprint permission provided to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Orrin Woodward - Don't Be Too Big to Follow

Orrin Woodward has a lot of awesome one-liners.  He can say a lot in a few words.  It is hard to pick a favorite but one of my favorite Orrin Woodwards quotes is this one...

"If you're too big to follow, you're too small to lead." - Orrin Woodward

That is a very powerful statement.  Leadership is about leading others in a positive direction.  So as leaders we will have people who follow us.  However, Orrin's point is that if we are not willing to follow others first then we can not expect others to follow us.  Orrin Woodward sets a great example on this.  He has been willing to follow others and continues to seek advice from mentors in his life. 

As Orrin Woodward says so well.  Don't be too big to follow others.  But of course, choose carefully who you follow.  We can not follow everyone in life.  It is important to follow leaders who we respect and trust.

Thank you Orrin for your example and leadership.

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Team Orrin Woodward - Man of Purpose

I read online where someone thought this quote reminded them of Orrin Woodward...

"Great minds have purposes, others have wishes." - Washington Irving

I can't agree more. Orrin Woodward is a great leader and a great friend. I am constantly amazed at his drive and determination. He knows his purpose and stays focused on it. It is easy to be distracted along the way but Orrin Woodward sets a great example for us by not letting those distractions get in the way of his purpose.

Orrin Woodward does a great job of painting the picture of where you can be. Knowing his real purpose helps him to be a great visionary.

Thank you Orrin for your passion!

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Quixtar Bill & Sandy Hawkins – Friendship Of A Book

Developing the habit to read every day is one of the best things a person can do if he wants to grow and get better.  Books help us to learn lifetimes of information.  Like Bill Hawkins says, they can be some of our best friends...

Bill Hawkins, “A shelf of books that cause us to think and grow is like a row of friends focused on our well being. That’s why the comments of Thomas Carlyle and Ross Macdonald are well worth reading.”

Bill & Sandy Hawkins Reading Favorites

“All that Mankind has done, thought, gained or been, it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of Books. They are the chosen possession of men.” - Thomas Carlyle

“A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend.” - Ross Macdonald

Bill Hawkins and Sandy Hawkins are members of IBOAI

IBOAI, the official trade association, leadership team includes Billy Florence, Jody Victor, Randy Haugen, Don Wilson Fred Harteis and Jim Janz who serves and protects the business interests of independent business owners, ( Quixtar IBO’s ) throughout North America.

The 2007 IBO Board of Directors Executive Committee Team includes Jim Janz, Chairman, Don Wilson, Vice Chairman, Bob Andrews, Brad Duncan, Kanti Gala, Randy Haugen, Bill Hawkins, and Kathy Victor. Governance and Oversight Committee includes Jody Victor and Billy Florence. Other serving board members include Joe Markiewicz, Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady.

Keywords: Bill Hawkins, Amway Quixtar ibo Team

© 2007 Bill Hawkins. All Rights Reserved. Permission provided to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway site.

Chris Brady Team - Public Speaking with Humor

I believe one of the greatest benefits to owning your own Independent Business (IBO) is that you get to learn and get experience in public speaking. This is one of the greatest fears that the average person has. Almost everyone you meet says they will never speak in front of people. But yet almost everyone you meet who does speak in public once felt that way. It does require pushing through some fears but the results are worth it. To conquer one of your greatest fears gives you so much confidence. And it is a skill that you can use in many areas of your life.

The great thing about an IBO business is you get to start off small like 1 person. Then maybe you get to talk to a few at one time. It is just a baby step program. And it is the combination of teaching plus the opportunity for real life application that makes it so effective in helping people learn to speak in front of people.

When I think about a great speaker, Chris Brady comes to mind. I know he has worked on his skills. He does have great gifts but he was worked to develop them. One of his best strengths in speaking is his use of humor. We may not all be as funny as Chris Brady but there is no question that learning to use humor is very important for everyone. For some it requires reading some jokes, for others there are other ways. But no matter how you do it, you must learn to make people laugh at some point if you want to be an effective speaker.

I read this about humor in public speaking...

Why should I bother using humor in my public speaking? Can't I just deliver my information and sit down? You sure can and that's what most people do. The problem is that most people are not effective public speakers. They are nighty nite, snooze inducing, say your prayers, hit the sack, unlicensed hypnotists. They are ZZZZZs presenters. They might be experts in their field and be able to recite hours and hours of information on their topic, but is that effective?

Thank you Chris Brady for your awesome example of speaking with humor!

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.

Orrin Woodward - Courage

I read these great quotes on courage on one of Orrin Woodward's blogs. Orrin Woodward is a great man of courage. He dreams big dreams and has the courage to go after them. It does require courage to take personal responsibility and go after your goals and dreams. Don't put the blame on others. Have the courage to move in the right direction. Thank you Orrin Woodward for your example...

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."- Henry David Thoreau

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort."- Sydney Smith

© 2007 Florence News reprint permission to Billy Florence Quixtar & Amway News site.