Comments on: A Game of Telephone Gone Wrong

By: Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:23:50 +0000

So, given all this, how do I know this is true, what you say. I’m sorry if you a well known authority, I have never heard of you but again I apologize if this is the case. I mean, I won’t say I’m shocked the data is false, as I was looking to verify this statement and found this, but how does one actually verify something in the electronic world? For instance, can Amy tell us what the numbers actually are? I would think the DSA would want to publish the correct information on their site, or at least post something on their site that this information is wrong. I found nothing in searching the DSa site, so I am still unsure. I would love to know more. Donn
Jim Thompson recently posted..Secrets of the Stars! – Safe- Fast- Lipo Reduction Before The Oscars and Emmys Using Proprietary Body Wrap!

By: Amy Haarbrink

Amy Haarbrink — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:22:35 +0000

Wow! I sure appreciate you being so honest and upfront about the misstatement. I, too, have heard this many times, being involved in two direct sales companies.
Thanks for the clarification and challenge to check sources before restating “facts” we’ve heard from whomever.

By: Tweets that mention A Game of Telephone Gone Wrong | Direct Sales and Social Media -- Topsy.com

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:49:56 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jennifer Fong, Julie Anne Jones, Jennifer Fong, Heritage Makers, Pamela J Fatone and others. Pamela J Fatone said: RT @tweetmeme A Game of Telephone Gone Wrong http://bit.ly/95hvUi A lesson learned, and so should we. [...]

By: Carolyne Taylor

Carolyne Taylor — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:56:01 +0000

Thanks for your honesty Jen – so glad that you brought it up – I love to share information with my friends and followers and this is a great reminder!

By: Cindy Chin

Cindy Chin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:37:19 +0000

Very good idea to verify info because it is way too easy to just pass along. And Julie Anne, I do use Snopes often to check out myths I find in my inbox. I’m wondering who the source is for the ding you got on Snopes — are they credible? Sometimes hard to know these days.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:25:45 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by JenFongSpeaks: This is what I get for not verifying my info before RTing: A Game of Telephone Gone Wrong http://ow.ly/1nN4pu...

By: Lisa Young

Lisa Young — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:06:51 +0000

It’s funny. You mention this in a social media context, but I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count all the upper-level leaders and even corporate trainers that have used some variation on this statistic as well – and honestly, I used it once or twice myself until I couldn’t find the proof anywhere – and no one I knew could validate it either!

But here are figures you can use (courtesty of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):
About 70% of the working women in the US are moms with kids under 18. About 30% of working moms are self-employed with children under the age of 6. This is a huge demographic that speaks more effectively to what direct sellers can offer. Sure, many women are pulling down 6+ figures, but most women that join a direct sales company aren’t looking to make 6 figures – they just want to be able to stay home with their kids, and make a better way for their families.

Let’s step away frm the pie-in-the-sky recruiting tactics and face the reality of the world we live in and how direct sales can meet that need.

Just my two cents – with some data to back it up.
Another great post, Jen.

By: Michelle Sanchez

Michelle Sanchez — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:33:40 +0000

I know the feeling – I think we have all been there at one time and had to send the embarrassing retraction! Most of the pass-along emails I received are NOT true or contain only partial truths! In fact, I have found that many of the emails that say “I verified this on Snopes”, some even going so far as to put a link to the supposed Snopes page, but when you go there, it does not even exist! And like Julie Ann stated, many people believe that Snopes is not the best or final authority either. A quick Google search will give you multiple resources to verify any info and if they all agree, you are probably safe to pass it along. Thanks for sharing your story so everyone can learn from it! As the saying goes “It is good to learn from your mistakes, but it is better to learn from the mistakes of others!” (Verified by Snopes! LOL)
Michelle

By: Nancy Laichas

Nancy Laichas — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:25:58 +0000

Thanks, Jen, for this terrific post. I’ve run into this same kind of situation many times. It always serves to remind me that, as valuable as the Internet is for instant communication and information, reaching out to subject matter experts can often save time and provide the most accurate information. Once again, you’ve demonstrated that social media is a tool to build relationships, not replace them!

By: Barb Orozco

Barb Orozco — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:02:29 +0000

Because of your willingness to be transparent, you have shared a valuable “lesson learned” which I need to remember and implement…. the “checking it out” part, I mean. We all make mistakes. I appreciate your high sense of integrity in authentically sharing it for our benefit. Thank you, Jennifer!
Barb