Michael Clouse’s Seven Strategies To Success

(Notes from doTerra Leadership Training on March 17th, 2011)

Michael Clouse has been in this industry for more than 20 years—he is highly successful and has helped thousands on their path to success. The strategies which he shares are unique to our profession, and we need to follow them precisely like a recipe. A recipe has ingredients, a process, concept of time, and the potential for flaws. He gave the example of an egg in a recipe—most people would crack the egg before putting in a recipe, and what would happen if you threw it in shell and all. That is obvious to most of us--the challenge is that the things which are obvious to us may not be to others. He told a story of Terry and Beth who were sisters, had the same business opportunity, but a completely different outcome because they understood the “recipe” differently. There may be times when we ask ourselves, what did I do wrong? Sometimes there’s not a lot we can do given certain situations. However, there is a pattern we can follow to go from having a challenging business to growing a prosperous one. Following these strategies will take time--there is potential for over a seven figure income after 6-9 years, and obtaining the freedom and lifestyle you desire. If done properly, as the income grows, so does the time. Remember, that there is also a big discrepancy in what individual IPC’s are willing to invest in both time and money. New IPC’s can either be a great prospect or a project.

  1. Become a product of the product. Be a member of the Loyalty Rewards Program which establishes a pattern and a habit. Our products are so different and extraordinary! A phrase that pays is that people will buy “music” more than just the products. “Music” is our passion and excitement! This has to become the fabric of who you are. Go back through the people on your team and find out what gets them excited!
  2. Realize how people move forward—setting goals. What works and what we teach people is rarely the same. What works is duplication, and this needs to be basic and simple so that everyone can immediately duplicate. Many studies have been done and there is evidence to support how human nature works, in that we can get people to look at or set goals about 90 days out. It is a pattern. Too much is too long. Duplication is what I can get you to do. Usually takes repeating the 90 days, three different times. Consider April thru June, where do you want to be? On July 1st, how much money do you want to be earning? What title or level do you need to be at to achieve this? Have a specific plan that is looking forward. At the end of 90 days, you will need to review, adjust, and repeat. Michael uses this for all areas in his life. This pattern will give your people traction. Track the progress!
  3. Teach the basics of business. As mentioned before, make it duplicable. Do things that work. Be able to immediately teach the next person you meet. “If a dud can do this with a stud, it will probably work.”
  1. How to prospect. Two new contacts, four days per week—this adds up to 384 new contacts per year. Think what happens to a little team of 10 people in a year! Problem is that most of us do nothing. Will often make a list of people to approach about the business, and then don’t really know how to contact. When we procrastinate the challenge of talking to strangers, it’s a huge signal that we are not prepared and there is a disconnect somewhere. Prospecting is the fuel for this business. How we can overcome fear of prospecting. Need to really understand that most people we talk to have same beliefs as us. Growing up, we all have been taught not to talk to strangers. So, the number one rule in prospecting is that we must approach them first and talk to them first. Also, we need to recognize where and when it is safe to talk to people. They cannot see you as a stranger--there is a way to get people to know you, and like you, and trust you by approaching them like a friend instead of a stranger. Think about what you would say to a friend, and make sure your body language is consistent with your words. Have fun with this!
  2. How to present. Presentation is the art of telling a story. Need to help them feel comfortable and compelled. Also, have third party validation, which is anything that isn’t yours, such as a webinar, flip-chart of a presentation, another event… He also said, that if your mouth is moving, your finger better be moving too. In other words, when we are presenting, “point and read” which shows them that it’s not hard to do and that anybody can do these presentations. Keep the main thing, the main thing. Simplicity!
  3. Understand what duplication really means. Repeat this basic cycle. Phrase that pays is “people who successfully duplicate are people who master the mundane”. Give up the fancy stuff. Find what’s successful, not necessarily fun.
  1. Attend all the events!! This includes webinars and other educational opportunities.
  2. Find and embrace the concept of a business working partner or accountability partner. Find someone who will help drive, compel, and encourage you to do your best. Important to remember that these are relationships, and it may not work out perfectly with the first business working partner. This can be anyone in your up-line or anyone you can work well with.
  3. Personal development. If you are perfectly happy with where you are in life, you may not need this. However, most of us have a disconnect between what we have and what we desire. Too often we jump from one program or book to another, without really masteringthe material. We need to spend more time on less material. He gave an example of three excellent books that would benefit us including: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill; “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie; and “The Richest Man in Babylon”. Each of these have specific strategies, and although many of us in the room had read these books, we couldn’t name the specific strategies from any of them. These principles and strategies need to become the fabric of who we really are.
  4. Read 30 minutes per day. Pick a book by title that suggests it will help. Example—“Seven Prospecting Secrets” by Clouse. Read and reread these best books.
  5. Listen to recorded material for at least 30 minutes per day. He called this “Environmental Immersion”.
  6. Take four classes every year—one each quarter. Look for people who can help grow your business, and choose two from outside of doTerra.
  7. Need to commit to the process. Commit to still be actively involved one year from now. Repetition! Has to be so deeply rooted that when asked questions or giving a presentation, it becomes a stimulus response.

Conclusion—Michael promised that as we diligently follow these 7 strategies, we will have great success. Get family and friends on board! Bring the people you care about along on this journey. Remember where you are and what you can offer. You have the ability to change and touch many, many lives!!

If you are interested in any of his books or audio materials go to: