The Birds Are Going To Get Some!

Some time ago I saw an article in my local newspaper announcing the formation of a writer’s support group, sponsored by a local bookstore.  I thought it might be fun to get to know some of the local writers and wannabees, so I put on my best Tom Clancy sweater and went to the meeting.  The owner of the bookstore said that he had as many as 21 people call and confirm that they were coming to the meeting.  "They all seemed very excited and full of enthusiasm on the phone," he said, and was expecting a good turn out for the meeting.

On the day of the meeting, as the actual meeting time approached, it became clear that he was not going to get the turnout he had anticipated.  It is important for you to understand that there was no cost, no obligation, no commitment required.  The book store owner had brought in published authors like myself, newspaper reporters and others to offer all the help, advice and encouragement they could to new budding writers.  If you were a writer looking for some help getting published, all you had to do is show up at 7 pm on the appointed day and you would be able to solicit advice from people who are doing exactly what you have been dying to do - get published.

Seven people showed up.  So, what happened to the other 14 highly motivated people who were so excited on the phone and said they were coming?  The birds got them!

Jim Rohn, one of the great mentors in network marketing loves to tell the ‘Story of the Sower,' from the Bible.  In the story, the farmer throws seed in order to reap a harvest.  Some of the seed falls on fertile soil and does well.  But some of the seed does not.  Some of the seed falls on poor soil, and some is eaten by the birds.  The point, of course, is that not everyone is right for every business.  And while that can be frustrating to someone trying to build a business, you can take some solace in the fact that you are not alone.

Last week I was having coffee with a long time friend who is the regional manager of one of the largest insurance companies in the country.  I have always known that finding and keeping good life insurance agents was a challenge, but I had no idea how bad it was.  He told me that this company (he asked me not to mention the name) had an 92% turn over rate.  That’s right! Ninety two percent of the people they recruit don’t make it in the business.  They either quit after their guarantees run out, or are let go for poor performance.  I was a bit shocked at the number, so I decided to find out what some of the other respected professions numbers look like.  I thought you might be interested in what I found.  Here are some different industry numbers on new hire turnovers from some very reliable sources:

Restaurant management - 145% (All numbers are annual)
Advertising sales - 81%
Real Estate sales - 46%
School teachers - 20% in two years 50% in five years
Employment agencies - 61%
Nursing Management 41%
Pharmacists - 17%
Biotech Scientist - 27%
Trucking - 34%
Plumbers - 43%
Stock Brokers - 79%
Banking - 24%
Pharmaceutical Sales - 33%
Accounting - 18%
Retail Store Sales - 39%
Human Resources personnel - 29% (This one really gets me, since they are the folks responsible for hiring and keeping employees.)

I found a lot more, but I think you are getting the idea.  Yours is not the only profession who gets picked at by the birds.  The point here is that, ‘the birds are going to get some.’  And nothing we do will change that.  Consider that most of the other professions above have some of the best trainers and professional motivators, and some of the highest funded training programs in the world and they still lose a preponderance of their new recruits.

The lesson of the ‘Sower’ is this.  You must first and foremost, Keep Sowing!  Don’t stop telling people about your business and the opportunities it offers and how they can better their lives with what you have to offer.  The more you tell, the more who will try it and become successful.  Keep Sowing!

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