ramcem

Let me begin the brand new year to focus on a topic which I think is very crucial for anyone who wants to start their own business and achieve something in life.

From the day I decided to embark on learning business skills, I know I had to find someone to coach me. I come from an below average background where my ancestors are either farmers or hawkers. I had no rich dad or uncles to start with.

When I first embarked on MLM in 1997, I began my search for the best mentor I could lay my hands on. I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on seminars and since MLM is about people helping people, your immediate uplines are obliged to help you solve your problems. I saw that the greatest amount of power and money was in the MLM syndicates but being so far down the line, I had no chance to get close to them. These people are earning anything from $10k to $40k a month. Most of them under age 25 headed by some older and experienced MLMers.

By end 1997, I quit the first MLM company as I couldn't make much money though I worked very hard and I felt the group I was involved in couldn't take me far enough.

In the beginning of 1998, one of my friends tricked me to another Malaysian MLM company in the eastern side of Singapore. As I stepped in, I noticed a familiar face. It was one of the famous MLM syndicates head of the previous MLM company I was involved in last year. Upon questioning, I realised that this syndicate had squeezed the previous company's compensation plan dry and they moved on to this brand new Malaysian based MLM company and brought thousands of distributors with them.

I knew the time is right. We were early in the game and I get to receive personal mentorship with one of the syndicate heads. For the next three years, I had no social life so that I could learn as much as possible given my weak business background.

By year 2000, I felt my personal development hindered again. I knew the time has come for me to seek even better mentors. The turning point was I attended a seminar by Robert Kiyosaki in 1999 stating that cashflow is more important than high salary or commission. A concept that was in total conflict which what the MLM syndicates taught me. The syndicates philosophy was when you have earn big commissions, spend it on luxury cars so that you can use it to impress new recruits.

I devour RK's books and game boards like a crazy man to try to understand his thinking. (Those who know me long enough will know I like to read by author, not by content.) After which, I decided to leave the MLM syndicates.

At the same time, I managed to get in touch with a guy called Norman Long who was giving out his free e-book on "Pre-IPO investing" through the old richdad.com. Out of curiosity, I requested for a copy and was thoroughly thrilled by its content. This is something which the MLM syndicates will never be able to teach me. Later on, I realised that Norman is mentor and business partner of Robert Kiyosaki himself.

As Norman resides in Arizona, I began a 6 year correspondance with him where he guided me patiently on the world of business development and capital raising. I've been coached in many concepts where most people don't even have a clue. The subjects range from accountancy, mining, cross-border business culture, semiconductor etc. Norman is indeed a patient mentor, one of the finest you can ever find in the world.

By the third year of training in 2003, I left the military. With the skills he taught me, I defied logic by starting my first property company ZERO down. Today, it is making decent profit and taking new directions for expansion.

Fast forward today, Norman had further introduced me to his closest network of friends and the poorest of them is a multi-millionaire. I have lots to learn from this group of mentors.

During these years, I found that the most successful people in the world had great mentors to guide them. Contrast this with some people whom I met who think they are the centre of the world. They are so arragont that no mentors of acceptable standards are willing to coach them.

For those who aspire great achievements in life, you need to put down your ego and seek proper mentorship.

How does one find a great mentor?

"When the student is READY, the master will APPEAR."

You don't have to really seek them out for great mentors will seek out great students. That's the irony part. Most people think by paying ten grand for a mega seminar, they would get the best mentors to coach them. Unlikely.

The great mentors teachs for FREE. But the price to pay is not always in dollar signs.

Wishing you find some great mentors this year!

~Ramcem

"The reasonable person accepts the world it is. The unreasonable person insists on changing the world to suit his own requirements. This is why all progress depends upon the unreasonable person."

~Anonymous

"To be able to stand in the midst of darkness and live as though all about you is light, is the final test of the human spirit."

"The soul of man is immortal, and its future is the future of a thing whose growth and splendour have no limit."

StMichael

Maybe that's why our paths diverge a bit, Ramcem. Both my major mentors are salaried persons themselves (my officer in the Navy, and my Principal in my first school). My lack of a good mentor also means that my first business (fund management) collapsed, while the second one did not earn me a good cashflow (the company did not lose money...just didn't earn enough to sustain my family!)

It's something I do have to seriously consider. Thanks for jolting me!

Michael Chan
Shanghai, China
Teaching and living in Shanghai:
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ramcem

Dear Michael,

It's not that your mentors are not up to standard. Just that they might not be suitable in your path of growth.

If you are aspiring to be an outstanding officer in the navy or a great educator, I am sure your current mentors will guide you patiently.

However, being in business is a totally different ball game. Get some good business mentors to guide you soon. Network around more!

~Ramcem

"The reasonable person accepts the world it is. The unreasonable person insists on changing the world to suit his own requirements. This is why all progress depends upon the unreasonable person."

~Anonymous

"To be able to stand in the midst of darkness and live as though all about you is light, is the final test of the human spirit."

"The soul of man is immortal, and its future is the future of a thing whose growth and splendour have no limit."

StMichael

Thank you. Yes, I've been networking, but instead of finding mentors, I always end up having people ask me for advice! So silly...but I'd always give a caveat to all advice I give...

Michael Chan
Shanghai, China
Teaching and living in Shanghai:
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