North of the 49th | Amway

Who are we? What defines us?

As much as we strive to define ourselves as individuals, we appreciate the comfort that comes from being a part of a greater whole. But how we define ourselves is a challenging question – one to which there is no right answer. (more…)

Today marks the start of the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. There are a number of reasons to tune in: it’s the last chance for Canada’s national women’s team to qualify for the 2012 London Games; Canada’s women are amongst the world’s elite in the sport; the Amway brand will be all over the tournament; and when you have some of the world’s finest competing on your doorstep, it’s always a great idea to tune in.

The best reason, though? Because women’s sports are often better than their male counterparts.

I’ve been in corporate communications for the better part of 15 years now, but prior to that (and, to be fair, concurrent to that), I’ve done a lot of sports reporting and media work. And some of the best events that I’ve ever covered have involved women’s sports.

No, it’s not for the reason some would think…

I’ve had the pleasure of watching and covering basketball, soccer, tennis, and hockey for both sexes. And while men’s sports have their advantages (more raw power, greater athleticism, better development programs – all of these, of course, are in general terms), for the true sports fans, women’s athletics is the place to be.

When I say true, I’m referring to fans who enjoy sport at its purest level; those fans who appreciate fundamentals, team play, and attention to detail. Often in men’s sports, competitions tend to devolve into individualized expressions as opposed to a commitment to team play. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I would argue men’s and women’s sports are different, but equal.

Sadly, some women’s sports are falling into the trap of their male counterparts. Women’s tennis can be amazing: long rallies, a variety of shots, and a balance between baseline and net play. In the men’s game, it’s often little more than serve-ace; serve-return into the net; or serve, return, winner. Those engaging rallies (although I remember a match between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilifried Tsonga that proved the exception) that make tennis special are almost extinct. Unfortunately, as the women’s game develops, we’re starting to see a shift to that power game. Hopefully it will retain its balance.

It’s often hard for a man to admit liking women’s sports, not because of preference, but because of stigma. You’re automatically assumed to be more interested in the tennis skirts than the drop shots. Part of that is because women’s sports’ leagues often shoot themselves in the foot by focusing on athletes’ pulchritude instead of athletic prowess. And when you market your game as based on something as superficial as appearance, it becomes hard for people to take the foundation seriously. Some leagues choose to promote their athletes as life-sized Barbies – but let’s not forget that most people stop taking Barbie seriously in their youth.

That’s a shame, because the game is the thing – and you’ll see that first-hand if you tune into Rogers Sportsnet starting today for the women’s Olympic qualifier. Skill? Check. Excitement? Check. Toughness? Anyone who saw Canada’s Christine Sinclair score a key free kick following having her nose broken by an errant elbow during a game in June can’t doubt the internal strength that these women have.

Of course, we’d also love you to watch because Amway Canada’s all over this tournament! We’re running TV ads, we’ve got in-venue advertisements and presentations; we’ve even got this great Amway Sign Factory venture in place where fans can cheer on the squad using Amway-logoed paper.

If you’re a fan of sport in general and you’ve shied away from the women’s game, this tournament will be an ideal introduction. If you’re a fan of soccer, you won’t want miss this one – there are a lot of marbles on the table here! Make sure to join the conversation on the Amway Canada Facebook page.

And, of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts on women’s sports in general and the Amway sponsorship of soccer. Comments, as always, are open.

All the best!

Jay

Over the past few years, employment trends have moved drastically towards shorter tenures and more frequent job changes. The idea of spending 40-plus years with one company seems quaint to many and that one-job-for-life ideal may be an endangered concept.

However, Amway Canada’s customer service manager Betty Sherman, who retires today from Amway Canada after 43 years of service, represents a welcome reminder of the value of long-term dedication — even though she started her career at Amway with a thoroughly modern idea about her future tenure.

“I have to admit, when I came here to work I thought it might be a three-to-five-year job —  no different than they way the Gen Ys think now,” Betty explained.

So for someone who only expected to stay at the company for a couple of years, what changed her mind?

“I’ve often asked myself that too,” she replied, laughing. “I guess I have to think that the company does think about its employees – they are very important to this company. It’s also the fundamental values that this company has, wanting to make things better for everyone – IBOs and employees alike.

“I just couldn’t see working anywhere else and being treated as well as I have been here.”

Working for Amway Canada has always been a family affair. “I started January 6, 1969. My mom had started here in 1967 and worked in the literature and returns department,” Betty said. “She was working here, it was kind of a brand-new company, and it was close to home.

“I had been working at the bank and I had seen [Amway employees] bringing in their deposits and they didn’t look too bad, so I thought, ‘Alright, maybe this isn’t such a bad company to go work for!’”

And while some people may not want to work with their mothers, Betty said she had absolutely no problems with that. In fact, she ended up with a fairly significant perk!

“Actually my mother worked for a foreman by the name of Bert Sherman,” she added. “Anyway, he seemed to be a pretty nice guy.  I started dating him and then we ended up getting married in 1974. Way to marry your mother’s boss, right?”

Betty started as a clerk/typist in distributor records. In 1971 she transferred to order processing, and was made a supervisor of the department in 1978. In 1992, Betty became the supervisor of clerical services and in 2000 she was appointed manager of customer service.

And over those 40-plus years, she’s been exposed to a world of changes — all in the name of improving each and every day. “We’ve gone through many different programs over the years in order to increase our efficiencies in customer service; trying to be the best in class; trying to strive to be well-known amongst our IBOs and everybody else in the world,” she added. “That’s what our global initiative is now, too – to be best in class.

“As far as I’m concerned Amway customer service is the best there is. Hand’s down.”

Betty held up her team and its continued growth and development as a legacy for which she’s confident in leaving behind.

“We’ve gone from being very siloed to being cross-trained. Everybody on the team can handle essentially any call,” she said. “We’ve expanded our knowledge base. To me, we’re just increasing our skills and becoming much better at our jobs.

“I can walk away with a feeling of confidence that this department’s just going to keep getting better and better.”

What comes next? Betty and her husband Bert plan to hit the road. Literally, as Bert’s not a fan of flying and seemingly had his fill of boats in the navy.

“Bert and I want to do some travelling.” she said. “We’d like to head down east again, out west again… take a road trip to Las Vegas, over to California. Those are the kind of things that we’d like to do.

“I’m not a cross-the-ocean type of person. I’d like to convince [Bert] to go on a cruise – he’s not all that keen on it. He was in the navy, so he’ll say, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve been there.’ Yeah, well I haven’t!”

And she also expects to put in some time at her kids’ printing business. “I’m not a ‘sitter’; I’m not the type of person that’s going to be able to sit around and do nothing,” Betty added. “I’ve already made a promise that I wouldn’t go in there and try to change everything.”

With over 40 years of experience, that may be a promise that’s hard to keep. “I don’t bite my tongue,” she added, laughing. “Sometimes I’ll walk in and start barking orders and they’re like, ‘OK, who invited you?’”

So after 43 years, what’s the one overriding message, theme, or lesson that needs to be shared?

“It doesn’t really matter what your job pays. You really need to love what you do and be good at what you do,” Betty concluded. “If you don’t like your job, life’s too short to spend that many years unhappy.”

We often hear talk about how it’s a changing world – and no more so than when looking at modern work expectations. However, sometimes, just sometimes, you find people and things that represent the best of the past, but bring those qualities into the present.

And, if we’re lucky, we’ll take those lessons and inspirations and move them towards the future.

It’s a week of mixed emotions here at Amway Canada. First off, today marks the official kick off of our 50^th anniversary celebrations. Canuck Central was the first international affiliate upon opening its doors in 1962 (our Commonwealth buddies in Australia like to say they were the first country outside of North America to offer the Amway opportunity, but we’ve got them beat!)

Here we are 50 years later. Plenty of things have changed; many people have come and gone – both IBOs and employees.

Well, not everything has changed. For the past 43 years, there has been one constant at Amway Canada. And this week marks the end of an era of sorts as our Customer Service manager Betty Sherman is officially retiring tomorrow. Hence the aforementioned mixed emotions.

Think about that: 43 years. The focus on Generation Y and X (the latter, of which I find myself a part) has long been about their transient nature: in and out of jobs, switching careers multiple times, no attention span.

So will 43 years ever happen again?

It’s hard to imagine, but those years do sneak up on you. I remember when I was being interviewed for my job here. Walking around, I saw the anniversary notices on the wall – they were riddled with 15, 20, and 25-year celebrations. I thought, “Well, if people are willing to stick around for that long, there must be something to this company.”

Personally, I had moved through a couple of jobs back then: two years apiece. Would this one be any different? Well, I started on June 3, 2002. You can do the math.

But 43 years? Is that a milestone that’s only attainable in a different era? My father, who recently turned 65, spent almost 40 years at 3M (and has since returned as a retired consultant over the past few years). There was the assumption then that you’d stick with a company and the company would stick with you.

Sadly, I find that attitude seems to be changing. Yes, it’s good to challenge ourselves, learn, and grow. But I believe in being loyal to the company I work for; and I hope that sense of responsibility is two-way. Maybe I’m outdated in my thinking, but I’d like to think there are people and companies who don’t treat each other as easily replaceable.

I had the pleasure of sitting with Betty last month to discuss her career, her plans for the future, and the lessons she’s learned from 40-plus years of customer service. I’m looking into how I can best share those memories with you.

And speaking of memories, I have a favour to ask of you. As I mentioned, we’re kicking off Amway Canada’s 50^th celebration – and part of that will be building a memory wall on our Amway Canada Facebook page. So if you feel like sharing your memories, photos, and experiences, please send me an e-mail at northofthe49th@opportunityzone.com and we could share your memories with the world!

What are your thoughts? Do you see staying anywhere – even your home – for the next 40 years? Why has this mentality changed? And is it for better or for worse?

Comments are open! All the best,

Jay

I’ve been a bad blogger.

Followers of this blog know that I’ve been prolific in filling it in the past. But, as of late, the blog has not been a priority – through no fault of its own. Instead, my other responsibilities have taken up the majority of my social media attention.

And, honestly, that’s reflective of the way we’re learning to communicate as a whole.

At Amway Canada, I manager three Facebook accounts, a Twitter feed, and a YouTube page, in addition to this blog. And if you’ve followed any of the others (shameless plug coming!) you’ll know that those social media networks are absolutely cyber-hoppin’!

We tweet like the wind; we Facebook like fools – and we’ve got a burgeoning community going of people who are interacting, in real-time, with us in both a corporate and personal level.

Adding to this, Facebook and Twitter are both more accessible for regular business/personal interaction. They’re fast, immediately interactive, and perfectly sized to fit into our busy lives.

(Shameless plug update: Make sure to follow/like us on all of our social media networks:

• Amway Canada Facebook
• Artistry Canada Facebook
• Nutrilite Canada Facebook
• Amway Canada Twitter
• Amway Canada YouTube)

This blog is intended to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Amway Canada and I hope I do provide that. In fact, I invite you to review the past work on this blog and see what you think. But honestly, much of the day-to-day stuff is just part of life – funny asides, interesting comments, and news that aren’t necessarily worth a large blog post.

For IBOs, I also don’t want to be redundant. I could write blog posts about new products or business updates – but you already get those with What’s News and our newsletters (which I’m also a part of writing).

So, as of late, the blog has fallen by the wayside.

It’s part of the natural cycle of blogging, though. I started this blog in Oct. 2008. Three years later, we hit a lull. I did the same with my own, personal blog. I started that in 2005 and hit a lull around the same time I started writing the corporate blog. But in the past two years, I’ve been blogging at a fairly substantial rate, along with updating a Twitter feed and Facebook page.

I expect the same to happen with this blog. The lull’s likely over; now comes the refreshed part of writing it.

As always, I want to hear from you. What do you want to see out of the Amway Canada North of the 49^th blog? Looking back over the past three years, what have been your favourite posts or topics? How can we keep it fresh and interesting so that it’s something that you want to read on a regular basis, without it overlapping the information that’s readily available from other sources?

Comments are open!

We’re in the midst of the Ontario provincial election campaign and, as a full-fledged political junkie who enjoys the political theatre (I won’t say game of politics – it’s too serious to be treated as a game), social media has been a give that keeps on giving for me and my fellow political fans.

However, I’ve been shocked that some people who would most benefit from social media are letting a great tool slip right through their fingers. After all, for people who get their start going door to door, you’d think they’d be familiar with the sound of opportunity knocking.

The big guys get most of the play in Canada. The Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP (and to a lesser extent the Greens) get all the attention from the media. So those affiliated with other parties (like the Libertarians, Communists, Reformers…) or no party at all (independents) have to be extremely creative in how they get their message out.

Social networks can offer the most bang for the buck; and Twitter itself may be the great equalizer.

With hashtags like #onpoli or city-related tags (London’s being #ldnont), you have instant access to a wide demographic. You can be relative certain that your message will get to the people who are interested in the term. And as it’s direct to the voter, you don’t have to worry about having it filtered through the media.

Not only can you get your message out, but you can also interact with voters. These open Twitter discussions are a great way to engage people with your platform. You can debate the merits of your own work and answer questions from voters in real time. And it only costs your time.

Yet in my riding, none of the three “fringe” candidates have a Twitter presence. And only one has a limited Facebook page. It’s a huge opportunity lost – and a lesson that can be learned for the savvy business owner.

Social networking allows you to humanize your business (hey, if it can humanize politicians it’s got to be powerful!). And if you treat it more than just an advertising bombardment (buy me! buy me! buy me! never really works), you can develop solid, trust-based relationships with your readers.

Of course, you should only do this if you’re willing to do it right. Don’t fake caring; don’t fake interest in people’s lives and activities. Be willing to answer questions honestly, give advice without making every comment a sales pitch, and get involved in conversations that make sense. Eventually, your reputation and your status as a trusted voice in the social world will grow, and – as a business owner – you’ll be more attractive to potential customers.

Small businesses don’t have the resources that some of the big box or multi-national chains have, just as fringe candidates don’t have the big Party backing to support them. Social networking – and Twitter in particular – puts everyone’s message at the same level. It’s The Great Equalizer, if you would. And the savvy small business owner will use it to their benefit.

Opportunity can look all it wants for a place to knock, but like those aforementioned politicians, no social networking profile means no door – and opportunity will just move on down the road to someone else.

It’s been a while since I’ve written in this corner of Cyberspace, and for that I want to apologize.

The summer’s always a dicey time for the blog for a number of reasons: vacation time is one; workload is another. Simply put, there are a lot of catalogues and other materials coming out in September and those things don’t get signed off and translations proofed on their own!

But things are regaining their normalcy (I don’t want to say slowing down – that’s yet to happen), so expect more activity on this blog.

So what’s been going on this summer? Well, for one we received two amazing awards from the Direct Sellers Association of Canada: the Making a Difference Award, for our efforts with the Easter Seals Drop Zone, and our communications manager Angela Abdallah was awarded the Ivan P. Phelan Award – the organization’s top individual recognition – for her contribution to the industry in Canada.

We’ve also been heavily involved in Canadian soccer, from a phenomenal fourth edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, to Active Start festivals, to the Nutrilite All-Stars tournaments. And, of course, we’re about to announce the winner of the Nutrilite VIP Soccer Sweepstakes – which kicks off an autumn filled with World Cup qualification events for the national men’s team.

And, of course, the first couple of Easter Seals Drop Zone events have taken place, with more on the horizon. In fact, we’ll be front and centre at London, ON’s first event! There’s still time for you to support this amazing cause. Visit the Amway Canada Facebook page and click on the Drop Zone tab for more details!

Now we’re gearing up for the start of the new business year! We’re looking forward to what the future has in store and, as always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the summer that was – and the year that’s ahead!

Comments are open. All the best,

Jay

It’s italics time! Long-term readers of North of the 49th know that means it’s guest post day! I’m thrilled to turn the blog over to Amway Canada’s Communications and Government Affairs manager Angela Abdallah who is supporting a very worthy cause.

As you know, Amway Canada has been a long-term supporter of the Easter Seals Drop Zone event in Canada. This year, for the first time, there will be an event in Amway Canada’s home town of London, Ontario. We encourage you to visit the Amway Canada Facebook page for more details about this incredible venture and we hope you join the Amway team in going over the edge in support of the children and families with disabilities who are supported by Easter Seals.

Without further ado, here’s Angela!

“A number of my friends think I’m nuts! So do some members of my family and many of my colleagues. Despite that, I have to say that I’m very excited about taking that first step off the roof of One London Place on Sept. 29th for the Easter Seals Drop Zone.

You see, it’s not everyday that I get to be a superhero. And it’s not every day that I get to represent this great company of ours right here in our hometown while raising money for a cause that’s very near and dear to my heart.

For those of you who don’t know, Easter Seals Canada is the charity of choice for Amway Canada’s One by One Campaign for Children. That, combined with the fact that Easter Seals has played a significant role in the life of my nephew, Steven, makes my personal support of the Drop Zone a win/win/win for Amway, my family, and Easter Seals.

The great thing about Amway Canada’s support of the Drop Zone is that we have teams right across the country…teams of Independent Business Owners who are also willing to support this great cause. As a matter of fact, the efforts of our IBOs and employees were recently recognized by the Direct Sellers Association who awarded Amway Canada with the 2011 Making a Difference Award at the DSA’s annual conference in Banff this past June.

Is it safe, you ask? Of course! Easter Seals wouldn’t put on an event like this if it weren’t perfectly safe. And I know from personal experience. The first time I rappelled in a Drop Zone event was back in 2005 in Toronto. It was a 16-story building on the corner of Church and Bloor and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I was completely terrified. So terrified, in fact, that I had to go back and do it again the next year to ‘enjoy’ it. And I did!

Even though you may not want to take that step off the top of a tall building to support Easter Seals, you can still be part of this exciting event. Show your support by pledging someone who is willing to take that leap of faith. And if you live in one of the 13 cities across Canada hosting a Drop Zone event, take some time to check it out in person. We think you’ll be impressed.

Either way, the good work of Easter Seals in Canada will continue and kids like my nephew, Steven will continue to enjoy summer camping experiences, new wheelchairs, ramps, or other services that help to make their lives better.

Let’s all work together to make a difference – one by one.”

There you have it. With events across Canada, there’s sure to be a Drop Zone event in your neck of the woods. And, as Angela said, even if you don’t want to rappel, you can pledge your support to someone who is.

Have you gone over the edge for Easter Seals? Are you planning to this year? We’d love for you to share your experiences, questions, and thoughts on this incredible fund-raising event. Comments, as always, are open!

All the best,

Jay

I’ve added a new word to my personal lexicon – it’s one that I feel perfectly describes what we’re trying to do here at Amway on a global level with our social media efforts.

That word? Glocalisation. (Some of you may spell it with a z… but you’re likely the ones who would pronounce that letter zee and not zed. So, in Canada, it’s glocalisation!)

It’s not a new word. It’s not even specific to social media or Internet technology. Apparently, it developed from the Japanese farming industry, where global techniques were applied to local conditions. And, in many ways, that’s what we’re trying to do with our various social networking properties.

Yesterday, Ragan.com posted an article highlighting the launch of Amway Thailand’s Facebook page, which represents our 25^th culture-specific Facebook page.

The Amway business opportunity spans the globe and it is, for the most part, the same wherever you go. Sure, some countries have different requirements and product availability may vary from place to place, but the fundamentals of the business are global in nature. As affiliates, we work to target our opportunity to the local needs.

Whether it’s on our three Canadian Facebook pages (Amway, Artistry, and Nutrilite), our Twitter feed, our YouTube channel, or even this blog, we try to provide you with the essentials of the business from a Canadian perspective (and that’s certainly much more than throwing in an extra ‘u’ or replacing a ‘z’ with an ‘s’). Yes, we are part of Amway North America, but Canadians and Americans aren’t the same, so we try to bring Canadians the information and interaction they need as Canadians.

The challenge then becomes: what is a Canadian?

I remember back in an old Canadian Literature course, we were asked to define Canadian identity. Traditionally, our society has identified itself by what we’re not (not American, not British), as opposed to what we are. And the challenge is that there is no one brush stroke that allows us to be painted in the same manner.

It starts with the Canadian cultural mosaic. We don’t have a melting pot mentality; we encourage people to retain their cultural history as part of their Canadian-ness. Personally, I like that about us, but it does make it a challenge to describe what a Canadian is.

Combine that with the fact that simple geography makes it hard to put a Canadian stamp on any particular culture or trait. From the ocean-focused literature and poetry of Newfoundland, to the more insular, introspective work of prairie authors; from the Inuit to the urban; from the Calvinist influence of Ontarian work to the Roman-Catholic influence of Quebecois art, it’s impossible to define one true Canadian voice (well, other than Anne Murray. We can all agree about Anne Murray).

So if there’s no one voice, how can we even consider speaking to all Canadians in the same way? It’s a challenge we face every day and it’s one I try to resolve by just speaking openly and honestly. Truth tends to transcend regional differences, dialects, and language barriers.

We hope our social networks speak to Canadians from coast to coast. We hope you find value in what we’re trying to do. And we are always open to your thoughts as to how we can improved. As a Canadian IBO, customer, or visitor to the site, what would you like to see from us? Are there any uniquely Canadian things you’d like to read, see, or experience?

And I encourage you to follow some of those 25 Facebook pages, read some of the blogs from around the world, and explore the global Amway family. While we all have our differences, we are united in our shared commitment to helping people live better lives – and that’s a community which we can be proud of being a part, regardless of where our passports are from!

Comments are open! All the best,

Jay

What is national pride? Can you pinpoint it? Is there a standardised definition to which we all adhere?

I don’t know if I can define it; but I know it when I feel it.

It’s that moment… that lump in the bottom of your throat; a stray tear falling from the corner of your eye; that feeling of your heart swelling in your chest. Usually those moments come in a group – someone starts singing O Canada in the back of the crowd and slowly the entire throng joins in; it’s those moments of shared joy (I hate to be stereotypical, but let’s use Olympic hockey as an example); or political relief (I’ve lived through my share of Quebec referenda – there’s nothing like that mixture of pride and relief you get when you’re in the middle of it all.)

But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be that moment when you’re standing by the banks of a river, admiring the beauty of the Canadian landscape; it can be the simple joy of hearing your favourite song by your favourite Canadian band (Sloan, look ‘em up!); or it can be the smile that seeing the world’s coolest flag flapping gracefully in the wind.

Canada Day is upon us and the maple leaf will be out in full force. While July 1 is the one time when we allow ourselves to be unabashed in our celebration of being Canadian, that doesn’t mean our pride doesn’t run deep.

I used to look on with envy at our friends south of the border. I loved driving through small-town USA and seeing the Stars and Stripes hanging from every porch and wondered why we Canadians didn’t do the same. It was a wonderment that bordered on lament.

But since then, I’ve discovered that our Canadian pride is uniquely Canadian. Polite, reserved, but no less fierce. We may not be ostentatious about our displays of national affection, but those feelings run deep.

And why not? There’s so much of which to be proud. Our cultural mosaic mentality allows people from all races, religions, and creeds to hold fast to their history whilst becoming an integral part of our future. In general, we’re a tolerant lot and we believe in supporting each other (hello universal health care and social programs!). Sure, we have our nutbars on both sides of the spectrum, but for the most part we ascribe to a rhetoric over violence approach to bridging our differences.

This, in part, is why the Amway business opportunity works in Canada. Regardless of where you’re from, who you are, or what you believe, there’s an opportunity for you. Effort, talent, and dedication are found within all people, so there’s an equal opportunity for success.

As mentioned, we’re a supportive group, which also lends itself well to the community nature of the business. Success through helping others succeed – it may not be uniquely Canadian, but it certainly meshes well with our national identity.

Now I open it to you. What does being Canadian mean to you? When do you feel national pride and how do you display it? And, if you’re affiliated with Amway Canada, do you agree that the business opportunity has a certain flair of Canadiana?

Happy Canada Day everyone. I’m going to take the liberty of speaking for everyone here at Amway Canada in wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe long weekend! And to our neighbours to the south, I wish you the same for your Independence Day.

All the best,

Jay