I have a fourth-grader, and I have to admit they're pretty cool.  They're confident and ambitious. They know by now that they can't do everything, but they still like to play and try new things. They aren't afraid to raise their hand and offer an answer or to be embarrassed.  I wish they could stay this way forever.

Part of the reason I'm a Girl Scout leader is that I love seeing kids this age explore different things, learn, grow and gain confidence.  Today I volunteered in my fourth-grader's class for the Halloween Party, and it was a blast.  Nine year olds still like being goofy and aren't afraid to look uncool.  All that changes in a few short years.

Which is why I want to share this photo.  My daughter found it the other day and we all had a good laugh.  This was me in fourth grade.  Note the bad shag haircut and the way-too-wide widewale corduroy vest.  The shirt had bees and hearts on it.  And, oh yes, you can't see it, but there was a matching miniskirt. That I wore with white gogo boots. 

Now this picture didn't see the light of day from about 1973 to 1993.  

Tried to answer you as well, but still can't.

The bars and twist tubes are made to Nutrilite's specifications by other manufacturers.  But the supplements are produced by Nutrilite in Buena Park, California.

Posted a comment in response to Tex's question about whether XS manufactures the new Simply Nutrilite juices but it didn't show up yesterday.  Just posted a response to Rocket's post about Tex's comment and that's a no-show as well.

Tex, to answer your question, XS does not manufacture the Simply juices.  The can is the same size and shape as XS Energy Drinks but they are not manufactured by XS.  Didn't want you to think I'm ignoring you!

Remember the old Schoolhouse Rock songs?  One of my favorites was “Conjunction Junction,” — sing it with me now: “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?  Hookin’ up words and phrases and clauses.”

That song came to mind as I was checking out a new section at Quixtar.com devoted to aspects of Quixtar’s business transformation.  While it’s not really called “Transformation Station,” it might as well be, because it’s one place to stop to see all that’s happening to transform IBO businesses.  You can click through a tile ad on the IBO login page or go directly to www.quixtar.com.

There you’ll see a webcast featuring Doug DeVos, Steve Van Andel, Quixtar’s new Managing Director Steve Lieberman and others talking about how we’re transforming our business through products, training, compensation, reputation, and relationship programs.  You’ll be able to learn all about Simply Nutrilite or download a copy of the Quixtar Business Opportunity Brochure.  Or link through to Quixtar University and take a course and click to see all the details of the huge QBI program.

You’ll want to bookmark the page so you can see in one place everything we’re doing to make your businesses more successful and profitable.

I like makeup, but I always feel like a klutz using it.  I look at what others do and am simply amazed — how they look good without looking "madeup."   I know I've failed when my daughters look at me and say "You're wearing makeup" rather than "You look pretty."  

On the occasions when I've had professional makeup done for the rare video or photo shoot or stage appearance, I'm astonished by how a few simple tools and products make you look like you — only better.

Which is why I'm very excited about the new Artistry essentials line launching next month.  It's a tightly edited collection of skin care and shaded cosmetics products that make beauty simple – especially for busy people who have just minutes to get their game face on before rushing out the door.  And it's the essentials you need — not dozens of products that overwhelm and confuse.

I have to admit I'm sticking with Time Defiance for skin care, but I can't wait to get my hands on the makeup.  First, there's a mineral foundation that's a first for Artistry.  Mineral-based powder foundations not only give you exceptional coverage, they're also good for your skin.  It's hard to believe that makeup can actually be good for your skin, but I can tell you based on personal experience that it's true.  Because I have rosacea and extremely red, sensitive skin, I've been using a mineral product for years and am switching over to the essentials product. 

There are three collections for light, medium, or dark skin tones. The eye colors are simple and beautiful and designed to accentuate, not dominate.  And the blush looks natural — not like something you're kind of scared to put on your face.  And, the best thing is that everything comes in one package — you don't have to try to hunt down which colors go with which or what mascara you might need.  It really is beauty made simple for people who want to be simply beautiful.

Now if only essentials could do something about my closet and make fashion simple, I'd be all set!  

And, to help get essentials off to a good start, there's a brand new Artistry Skin Care Sales Kit that provides everything an IBO needs to sell essentials and other Artistry products. The kit replaces the Time Defiance No-Tox Party Kit ande combines No-Tox, a "Drop and Shop" approach and "Purse to Purse" selling in one kit.  So you don't have to choose to focus on one  category and one approach — you have everything you need to sell Artistry one-on-one or in a party setting.

Thanks to everyone who provided input on what you need in a sales kit — as you've seen with the launch of the Simply Nutrilite kit and now Artistry essentials, we're listening to what you need to successfully sell these products.     

I have to admit to being an unabashed fan of the new Simply Nutrilite Twist Tubes — in particular the Blueberry Antioxidant Twist and the Strawberry Kiwi Immunity Twist.

And part of the reason I'm a fan is for another reason I'm ashamed to admit — I'm not the best at taking my supplements every day.  I try to take them in the morning, but often don't if I don't eat breakfast at home.  My usual regimen is Double X, CoQ10, Cal Mag, Cholesterol Health, Vision Health, Concentrated Fruits and Veggies (the kids version) and Braniums.   But sometimes that has to wait until dinner — the meal I'm most likely to eat at home.  It's really a shame because I literally have the finest vitamin and mineral supplements within my grasp.  Just call me one of the "busy moms" Simply Nutrilite was designed to satisfy.  (And the bars — my kids love them and they're perfect for staving off hunger while we do "one more errand" before heading home each night. But this post is about me.) 

So the tubes are an easy and very portable way for me to fill in the blanks in my nutritional portfolio. 

Are you a "twister"?  What's your reaction to this new and innovative product?

Anyone who follows branding knows there's a lot of different ways to approach it — or rather, what to call it.  Most advertising agencies or brand companies have their own names for essentially the same methodology — defining the brand, articulating the promise, capturing the features and benefits for the target audience, and finally, determining what it looks, feels, and sounds like.  Most have brand promises, brand essences, brand visions, brand fundamentals, brand ideas — but come up with cooler names for them.   

To me it's like how you would describe the sensation of cookies baking in the oven — is it a smell, a fragrance, an essence, an aroma?   Or what those cookies mean to the person who'll be eating them – comfort, home, sustenance, pampering or reward?  Different words or phrases for the same thing — a smell and why you'd eat it.  

So if you think about the business opportunity as a brand, who's the target audience?  People who want to earn extra income? People who want a business of their own?  People who need people (you know, the luckiest people in the world)? And what do they want?  Extra income? Something small they can build to a full-time career?  Independence?  Control?  A supportive community?  

If you were the hotshot agency, how would you write the brand statement?  How would you describe, in a sentence, what this business should do for IBOs?  

A California court has dismissed Woodward et al v. Quixtar.  Read all about it and see the court order at Alticor Media Blog.

Contracts and commitments matter, as do rules. Quixtar’s rules exist to protect all IBO businesses. So when those rules are upheld, it’s a victory for every IBO.

Sometimes we recycle content around here.  We might take something from "What's New" at www.quixtar.com and do a blog post about it.  Or we might take a blog post and redeploy the content in our employee e-newsletter, iQ.

Which is what we did this week with my recent post about Amway's 50th anniversary in 2009, with a call for ideas on how we celebrate the milestone.  We'd asked IBOs what they thought and wanted to get employee input as well.

The note that went out with iQ to direct employees to the latest issue available included the headline, "Beth Dornan on Turning 50."  Now, anyone who clicked through to the link would have seen that I was referring to Amway turning 50, not me being halfway to 100.  But many didn't do that…they started sending birthday greetings by e-mail almost immediately.  Which then put me in the position of having to explain that, no, it's not my birthday, and no, I'm not 50, but I will be in about four years and change (not that I'm counting or anything.)   You can guess how well that went over.

It reminded me of when I turned 39, and my then-boss told everyone I was turning 40.  I spent the better part of the day telling people I was only 39 and that I'd hang on to that "old coot" shot glass for another year.

You have to look beyond the headlines to get the story.  In my case, that the "50" we're going to celebrate won't be mine.  At least not yet!

About 10 years ago I traveled with a Wall Street Journal reporter to Manila for the opening of Amway Philippines.  I wound up spending two weeks there assisting her in reporting what wound up being a front page story on how we went into new markets during an era of heavy international expansion for Amway.

Since I was there so long, there was time for some sight-seeing.  And, since most homes in Manila have broken glass and spikes atop their 10-foot surrounding walls and the entrances to malls are guarded by menacing men bearing machine guns, I didn't strike out on my own.  Instead, I took a guided tour with a bunch of other Americans and Europeans visiting the area.  One stop was the World War II Memorial along xxxxxxxxxxx bay.