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!