To the friends and family of Doug Cloward

Saturday, April 26, Doug was admitted to the hospital for a severe case of pneumonia. Later he was diagnosed with mantel cell lymphoma leukemia.

We have been receiving many emails and phone calls expressing love and prayers in behalf of Doug. We have set up this blog for updates on Doug's progress. Thank you all for your overwhelming support and care!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Now is the Time - Your Time - You, yes you, are in my thoughts today

Greetings! Of all the many things that are racing through my mind, life and heart that I could share today, I am moved to write about you. You? Yes, you. You who have had the interest in me and my thoughts to log in, this posting is for you--whether you are a member of my family, my heritage family or someone I have not yet had the great privilege to meet.

If you are reading this blog, this post is because my thoughts were on you. Many of you I know by name and by heart, others by reputation and comment, but all of you I know by your interest, faith and good will to me, my family and our shared vision of creating and supporting heritage makers in the homes throughout the world. You are likely here, reading this posting, because we share a mission of strengthening families and homes through the power of the stories of the events, traditions, values and heroes that make up their heritage.

Knowing this about you gives me the right and perhaps the responsibility to declare that this blog is for you. While I don't know if that is one or one hundred, I hope and pray that these thoughts will strengthen our connection and your resolve to the service and work of heritage making in your own family, team and community.

In these days of growing uncertainty in the world with so many voices and so many unsettling possibilities, there are likely many storms on the horizon. These are the days that challenge and try the hearts of men and women, moms and dads. These are the days we instinctfully search the horizon for safe haven from the storms. There are few constants that we can look to to find anchorage and safe harboring for our families. But there are safe harbors and safe principles and there are communities of refuge and there are paths of safety and there are leaders who know and can guide you on those paths. It is a gentle reminder of what, where and who these constants, harbors, principles, communities, paths and leaders are that I make the subject of my post to YOU today.

First, the constants I know are even firm and true and upon which we can tether our life and confidence in weathering the storms - well and secure. The first constant is that God lives and is a loving and understanding Father who knows you and me, His children and is powerful to save us and guide us when we turn to Him. This I know is true - He is constant and dependable. Next, His son, our Savior, is real. He lives and He knows the end from the beginning and is certain of the times and the challenges of our lives - your life, your family, your trials and your hopes and needs. He is there and He is approachable to all who will, in simple faith, believe that He is. We can speak to and with Him and He will answer in calming assurance and peace and will direct us specifically through His word (the scriptures and the Holy Spirit's promptings). This I know and testify is true - it is true.

Although it seems that the world is on a reckless runaway course with crazy people in powerful positions doing selfish, sinful, unthinkable things, yet HE, the God and Father of us all, is in perfect control knowing the beginning from the end. While He allows all men their agency and power in the day of their glory, yet in and through it all, He works His perfect work of bringing those who will come unto Him to ultimate safety, security, peace and happiness. Be assured by this man's testimony that this is true. He is the anchor you can rest fully assured for safety from the storms that He has warned us must come.

I also know that He is moving, not hiding, not resting, not waiting; He is moving in His preparations for His return to draw men, women, families to Him. Those who are not blinded by the craftiness of men and media and dogma and selfishness can see His hand and His people and His voice through His word and His servants as He keeps His promises to restore all things and complete every jot and tittle His prophets have spoken. This I know with absolute confidence. We are where we are in the history of His great plan of life for His children at a most wonderful, exciting and challenging time. We are so blessed to live in the here and now.

Though we each struggle under the burdens of our own heavy loads and trials, yet the blessing of living here and now with the blessings of knowing He lives and loves and is coming is incredible. Let us never loose sight of that fact, knowledge and comfort. Though we may momentarily take our eyes off of Him and the plan of happiness He has given us, yet we must remember where and how to turn back to Him in a moments notice when we need to set our anchor.

Now, as to safe principles - I have found that there are several critically important principles that will increase our sense of security, support and peace, especially during the trying times ahead. The first principle is that of obedience to eternal law. Eternal laws are the truths upon which the universe operates. They are constants and obedience to them will render absolute predictable results. The harvest of the results can sometimes vary, but the harvest is sure. These laws include the law of the harvest itself. That is, we will reap what we sow. That is, all seed returns to the sower pressed down and running over. Therefore, we should sow only good seed, the seeds that we want to be returned to us. Seeds of faith and trust, seeds of forgiveness and love, seeds of patience and forbearance, seeds of integrity and truth. IT is such a simple principle, but what a difference it makes in life generally and so importantly as we move into times of more uncertainty.

Another principle is the principle of work. The laborer is worthy of his hire when he/she works. This, too, is connected to the principle of the harvest. Eternity keeps a perfect balance and all accounts come due and are paid in full measure to the merit of the labor performed. We have all seen people who think that they are working, but in close review we discover they are more often "talking" about working rather than really working. In terms of payment for talk, well you know the saying "talk is cheap" and so is its reward. Those who will be most secure during the coming challenges are those who know what to do, how to do it and then go to it and WORK. If you are going to talk, make sure you are talking about the joy of the work and its rewards and the security it produces, but don't just talk about it - WORK.

Another vital principle is the principle of self-reliance and frugality. We are living in a time when so many seem to think he or she needs to respond to every marketing ploy to buy and have all the cars, toys, clothes and things that life can offer. So many couples succumb to the enticings of debt-burdened homes, furnishings and trappings, they feel that they "deserve" the good life, even if they can't pay for it yet. They extend themselves far beyond reasonable ability to repay the leverage on their paycheck and credit cards. These chickens are even now coming home to roost and are finding that the roost is ruined and so are the lives of families who have violated the principle or prudent self-reliance. Debt is a merciless taskmaster. He can and will pull you from any safe harbor and from the grasp of all security. Get out and stay out of debt is the message and principle we should speak, live and bake into our heritage.

Another principle upon which we can build our trust is the principle of enduring to the end. We see so many who put their hands to the plow - the plow of commitments, relationships, contracts, marriage and yes, consultantships, only to let go prematurely, before the job is done or the goal achieved or the book published, or the child raised, or the life and love matured and rewarded. Yet we also see the more rare, but inspiring examples of those who know and trust this principle and receive the rewards of success, happiness and power. I would hope and pray that every reader of this posting would evaluate their willingness to make and keep commitments, that they will endure to the end and receive the reward of their hopes and goals. By enduring to the end, you will bring your family with confidence into safe harbor. Chart your course, tell them where you are going and then stay on course, at the helm. Make and keep your commitments -- endure to the end.

The safe communities that you can be a part of during the troubling times are those who share your heritage, your family, church and your Heritage Makers team. Those like-minded and committed people with whom you associate can be communities of refuge and will strengthen your foundations and resolve to not only weather the storm, but to fully ride it out, to harness its furry to your advantage and success. Your association, conversation and shared convictions are what make the walls of the community strong and secure. They are the people and the places where you can rest assured that you are supported and secure. Build and expand the communities of your heritage.

As for the paths that lead to security in troubled times - they do exist. Interestingly, the path of direct selling has long been found to be a path leading to solution to the tight and troubled times of previous economic downturns. Why? Two reasons. First, people stop overbuying the more frivolous big things that create debt because they have less discretionary money to spend, but they are willing to spend it on more meaningful significant investments at lower costs. Heritage Makers products and services are a perfect fit to people looking for simple joy and value in times of tighter wallets.

Second, in tight times more people consider the opportunities for extra income to ease the budget and to restore a little more discretionary spending ability. Tight times also change careers with layoffs, downturns and slowdowns. There are more who are looking for options to the uncertainty of the time clock, the boss, the economy and who are considering a new need to enter the workplace. The realities of the Heritage Makers no previous experience, time flexibility, home-based work place, no inventory to invest in or manage, a simple you-do, you-get reward system that is predictable and virtually unlimited all shine brightly in contrast to the help wanted listings and options. Tough times are the beginning of good times for direct selling companies that offer real solutions and values to end consumers and who are looking for feel good, wise investments in things that matter and opportunities that open doors of possibilities. That is, if they know where these paths are, if there is someone to lead them to the path. This brings us to the issue of leaders.

These are indeed the times that try mens souls and they are the times that make real leaders. These are the times when the wise and prudent men and women see opportunity, not adversity. They see exciting openings in possibilities that can accelerate their success. They truly see that from the tough times come the great times. For those who are watchful, fearless and faithful, apply the principles and the promises that define and make leaders. These are the days that will make YOU, my friend and reader, the leader I know you know you can and should be. These are the days when all eyes are on you to see what trail you will walk through the storm, what principles you will live by, what faith in the reality of the ultimate plan of life you adhere to and testify of in how you live, love and serve in your family, your community and your heritage team.

NOW, not tomorrow, not next week or month or year, NOW they are looking to YOU. What you do today, in August, September and through the Fall will be vital to your success. As the shoes of our time continue to drop and the uncertainty of the world, its politics, its wars, its economy and its selfishness continue to pound the TV, the papers and the communication, people will be looking for answers. Now is when your words, voice, actions and commitment to things that really matter and your message of heritage in the making and Heritage Makers will make the difference for many who are watching you and waiting for you to speak out. Now is the time for you to unveil and unleash your passion, faith and trust in your commitment to being a Heritage Maker in your home and your community. Now is the time to step into real leadership.

These are the thoughts of my heart for YOU who have come to know and read them. I know, more than I may be able to convey, that now is the time, YOUR TIME.

Onward and upward,
Love Doug

Friday, August 8, 2008

The Message creates the Membership, the Membership drives the Movement

Greetings!

On Wednesday we had a small group of leaders gathered at the office to work on the Workshop flow and Que Cards we will be introducing at Reunion. We had a great morning of challenging dialog and wordsmithing the framework for the "official" message of the HM story for new clients. . At noon while the team had lunch in the conference room I slipped into my office to lie down for a bit (I was at the bottom of the chemo cycle and needed a little rest). I laid down on the floor under the air conditioner and got chilled. I then went out to the parking lot to the car to sit and warm back up. Bryndi went out with me.

Something in the combination of the cold and heat and the chem cycle's low blood count triggered a sudden rapid drop in blood pressure and as I was trying to get out of the car I collapsed. Bryndi caught my fall to the pavement and went in for help. I was not out very long but unfortunately it was long enough for the leaders to gather and get a look at a fallen president.

Brytt and Marshyl gave me a priesthood blessing while I was still out and they got me home. They called Judy who drove down from the Lodge. She checked my temperature which was over the limit that signals potential infection in the chemo process. So I made the trek back to the hospital. They found my blood pressure was extremely low and they were concerned about illness and infection, so they put me in ICU. They cut in a central line, IV, and direct artery pressure monitor. They dumped a lot of fluid in me and I was feeling chipper and wanting to get back to work the next day.

But my white count and a couple of heart-stopping and self-restarted flutters kept me in ICU another day and then the low white cell count kept me yet another day. I feel great and motivated to get on with the work and life of heritage making and heritage makers. I fully expect to be released tomorrow. Besides that, I think that the hospital is considering charging me office space because I am always on the computer, cell phone and visiting/working with my HM visitors. There is still so much to do to get the vision, mission and methods planted in the hearts of our people - and yours.

As with the former time out in the hospital, aside from just moving my office here, there have been some pause moments for reflection, prioritizing, a lot of prayer and vision time. I have come to know that vision is the flow of thoughts and insight that is directed and connected by divine influence when one is seeking for and open to it. In other words, ASK ing for it. That is Ask, Seek and Knock ing. When I "ask" for answers, I usually find them in the scriptures. When I "seek" understanding, I find it their (scripture's) principled teachings and when I "knock" for application, I find that it opened, unlocked to my understanding, in His words - spirit. Thus, my vision becomes more clear and more timely to the needs of my life and the business as I make the time to ASK and am willing to accept His gifts and simple directions.

Some may be offended at the suggestion that I firmly believe that He is in the details of my life and our business. Make no mistake, His business is not ours. His is saving souls and bringing to pass their eternal life. Ours is helping mothers, and fathers, who will take the time, to proactively build a heritage of values, traditions, heroes and relationships that will carve their priorities, attitudes and ultimately choices -choices that are in harmony with those wholesome, contributive values and traditions. We help them build heritage fences that can keep their good things in and the bad things out of the lives of their children.

Sometimes in the "mechanism" of the business and the magic of the storybooking process we can put the cart before the horse and the process ahead of the purpose. Even the most Sr. Consultants and staff find themselves in this battle of vision/priority definition and messaging.
It was actually in the energy of this conversation that we were working on for the new workshop flow before I collapsed in the parking lot on Wednesday. It seems impossible that it can happen that we can get the story of Heritage Makers turned around to something that might better be titled "Storymakers."

So once again, I lay the vision before you, with the historical details of the convergence of people and preparation that has combined together both the vision (purpose) and the mission (process), which I sometimes refer to as the the cause and the crusade of the business.

Heritage Makers is a business that seeks to help families build, create, and share their heritage. That is the vision and core of our message and at least 10% of the story (time) and 90% of the impact (buy-in and buying rational). We complete this vision by implementing our mission of storybooking the events, relationships, values and heroes of the family. This makes up 60-70% of the story, our message, explanation and time.

How we achieve the mission is through our independent direct salesforce of consultants who bring mothers, fathers and families the message of heritage making - the why (vision) 10% and the how (Mission) 60%. The message of the business and service opportunity is the remaining 20-30% of the message.

If we get the message sequence or balance wrong, we miss the mark and success eludes us and the movement of heritage and Heritage Makers slows. For the most part we have been putting too much time in the how and what of storybooking (less than effective time) because of the complexity of the process and the tendency to add too many embellishing discussions, we can dilute the message and over extend the celebration time and complexity. We then put far to little time into the business message of opportunity for profit and sevice sponsoring. The result of not having the message right and tight has been slower than desired growth, progress, consultant career advancement progress and profit.

The vision of heritage, our purpose is understood quickly and mostly intuitively with the mention of some simple key concepts and words - heritage, traditions, heroes, family, traditions and values. Woven together the message of heritage, the why of our what we do, is clear. Simply holding a picture and a storybook up before a prospective client/consultant while making this heritage making vision statement is self evident and needs only a few carefully crafted and passionately articulated sentences and personal testimony. This can be guided and prompted with a few bullets on a single Cue Card. The bullets references a script (The Heritage Makers Message). Done effectively, the prospect "GETS IT" - quick. Not done well, the prospect does not get the impact and significance "priority" of why, why it is worth it and why now.

The mission, the how we do it, storybooking can also be simplified into an explanation with key concepts and triggering words. Then followed with an effective video presentation of how Studio works the mision message is exciting and compelling. This is best done with a TV showing the DVD that gives the prospect a quick, but thorough overview of the process. Done right the explanation and video can take as little as 20-30 minutes. This part of the message gives then the "BIG PICTURE" of the process and the understanding that - yes, they can do it and that it is fun and easy.

The sequence of the "How" message is simple pictures, to stories, to storybooks, to studio.

This leads right into the membership discussion and on into product package options (Studio and publishing). The idea of membership is not understood by most of our consultants or clients. Our "members" become such when they determine to become a heritage maker for their family, not when they choose a product or choose Studio basic or premier. In essence, when they hear the clear message of heritage making and buy into the idea of their ability to create and perpetuated their family heritage, story, they are a heritage maker. Yes, even before they become a client, they can be a member of your heritage making group. They should be invited to your monthly personal Digi Crops or your team's weekly Digi Crops, as new members of your heritage makers group.

There is much more to discuss about the Workshop structure and Cue Card and DVD tools that will have to wait until Reunion for the full explanation. This will be a very important simplification of the message process. We owe much to the efforts of Wendy McGee, Mary Hansen, Hallie Redd, Heidi Arave, Lena Fleming and Virginia Dixon in the work of helping to forge the message. Much is still needed to get this "cookie cutter" duplicatable message accepted, learned and implemented as our standard for the story of heritage makers -- the message of our business, the invitation to our membership and the progress of our movement.

This is the formula for our success: The message (words) and workshops drive the membership (mission- clients and sales). The membership (new heritage makers) drive the movement (vision-growth, progress, branding and recognition) success.

Again, the message drives the membership, the membership drives the movement, and the movement is our success.

It all starts with getting the message right, and tight (simple and short) with a "little" personalization and minimal customization. This will be the task and the trial of leaders to do it and teach "the HM way" not "their way," good as their way may be. To unlearn and relearn and implement the simple messaging system of the business is, with the introduction of the template system, the best shot we have for faster growth in membership and the movement - growth and profit.

Remember, the message creates the membership and the membership creates the movement.
Lets start now in getting the message right and tight - clear and simple. You might want to get a message to your members to read this blog post - now. Comments are welcome.

Onward and Upward

Love Doug