Monday, September 5, 2016

Chapter Three - More Training


The next day was similar to the previous. Eight am to noon at ACE. Then upstairs for a new beginning at New Strategies. Tim Wilson welcomed us all. Talked a bit about what was on schedule. Asked for questions. Gave answers. He then aid to grab a totally new partner for a couple hours, and then we were going to be 'thrown' to the lions (with a great big smile on his face). He really reminded me of The Boomer, The Swami - Chris Berman. He did have the voice for radio and TV.

Two hours later, Ray V came into the conference room and said to take 20 minutes to break, then be back here. We followed orders. Twenty minutes later he came back into the room and summarized what was going down. We were all given headsets and a handful of leads. He said we were going to be taken to our very own desk which was fully equipped with tape recorders and such to make our first sales call. We were told for the 1000th time to follow the script EXACTLY, and to use the many written rebuttals verbatim. We also had a list of words we could NEVER use such as profit, success, investment and more. Later on we would learn these were agreed upon with various Attorney Generals across the country. More on this later.

We were taken into the live call center where there were dozens and dozens of account executives talking loudly, excitedly - selling the products of Don Lapre. Anxiety. Fear. Excitement. Energy. So many adjectives described the vibe. The senior executives looked at us like we were lunch. They doubted many of us would last. And very few would.

Chapter Two - Training


Early January 1998 I went to work at ACE from like 8am to noon. It was actually plenty of time to effectively work my Montgomery Wards Portfolio (those m'er f'ers!). At noon I journeyed upstairs to New Strategies. I signed it, and they led me to a conference room. It was full! About twenty people would be in my class. Tim Wilson got things started by having us go around the room, introducing ourselves and giving a few words. I don't remember what I said, but I am sure I got a laugh. I have always tried harder.

Training was under way next. We spent that morning watching the TV Show Making Money. Watching an overhead presentation. Listening to a couple of speakers and more. Lunch followed. McDonalds was across the street. That worked for me.

After lunch we were all given 3 ring binders with scripts, rebuttals and such to study. We were told to pair up, and then read it to each other. After an hour, a Manager, Ray Valenzuela (Ray V). He talked more about a little bit of everything. He then said he was gonna give us another hour. Switch partners. Read the script. Offer up objections. Provide rebuttals, etc. He said we were going to go live tomorrow. So work hard until 4pm, then head home. Get some rest, and be ready for your debut!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Chapter One - A New Journey


I spoke to my Manager Alan at ACE, and he felt bad for what the big shots did to me (and everyone else) with the bonus. I told him that I wanted to pursue a job with New Strategies upstairs, and that I would like his support. I asked him if I could work my collections portfolio part time in January 1998, and then work for New Strategies also. He said he would do what he could do, and he did.

I took a long break that sunny day in Phoenix in January 1998. I took the elevator upstairs to New Strategies and filled out an application. Two young beautiful girls were at the reception, Tylene and Teisha. They welcomed me with smiles, and gave me a clipboard and pen to fill out. Behind their reception counter were multiple clocks showing the various time clocks of the world. All of this made a good impression upon me.

After a brief wait, Tim Wilson introduced himself to me. He took a Polaroid head shot so that he could remember me. They would often hire 20 plus people at one time, so this helped him keep us all straight. After a very positive short conversation, he handed me a business card with a phone number on it. He said to call it that night after 7pm. He said there would be a recording with all the new hire names. He wished me good luck, and showed me to the lobby.

The rest of the day went by slowly with a lot of anticipation and a bit of anxiety. 7pm rolled around. I called. I won! Yeah baby! I am off to the show I thought. I felt just like I had won the lottery. You see, Steve Graham had told me of the riches to be made at New Strategies. It was hard to comprehend, but something deep inside me told me to just do it! And I did. Boy... did I!!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The beginning...

I did not want to leave Colorado, after all... it IS God's Country - no doubt about it. I just finished my second divorce. My first wife moved back to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to family. I thought it was best for my two daughters to move there. I was wrong. I was driving my new Tropic Emerald Green Metallic Mazda B-Series Truck (Drive by Satellite was on the radio)

It was July of 1997. I decided upon Phoenix as my Mother and Brother lived there. I also had two uncles living in Tucson. My grandmother, RIP, Edna F. Koenig lived in Tucson until her passing in 1991 at the age of 91. She was so special. I wish that I had more time with her. The distance kept us apart. I wrote her so often I can still recite her address 27 years later.

I had scoped it out previously, and had chosen Copper Creek Apartments at Southern and McClintock (now Talavera I think). Not the nicest or newest - but nice. It was amazing to be in the Valley of the Sun. I knew something awesome was on the horizon. I just did not know what.

I had a job all lined up thanks to my good friend Scott Buffum. ACE Collections handled multiple clients. I was assigned to Montgomery Wards. Things went well for several months until Christmas arrived. I was scheduled to receive a $1700 bonus two days before Christmas. When I received it, it had been reduced to $200. Wow. Not a great Christmas for my girls, but it was an Awakening.

I had been car pooling with three other guys. An ACE manager named Alan, and also Steve Graham who worked in the same bank building at 3550 N Central Avenue, also the home of Alexi's Grill. Steve would tell me this hard to believe stories about the company that he worked for called New Strategies. He told me about Don Lapre, and how he was a TV Infomercial Superstar! I had never heard of him, but he was actually quite well known by late night TV viewers. He had the late night TV Show 'Making Money' which was shown on many stations all over cable during the early morning hours.

I had always worked in a somewhat secure work environment - Citibank, Colorado National Bank, MCI,etc. The thought of going to a commission based job scared the crap out of me, but after going through back to back divorces (too young, too soon), I made an executive decision and took a leap of faith. One of the best decisions of my life!