Comments on: Can Killer Systems Make Up For Lack of Passion Or Vision? http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/ Entrepreneurship, marketing, personal devlelopment Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:07:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alan Bonjour http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5371 Alan Bonjour Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:19:24 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5371 As a business owner that has "lived on coast" for many years (20?) will attest, if you don't keep your nose stuck in the door, the biz will decline as competition approaches like hungry wolves nearer and nearer your door. You can count on if there is a buck out there to be had, others will see it and go for it also. BTW, I really like your style. keep it up, and thanks for bringing some real great stuff on my platter. As a business owner that has “lived on coast” for many years (20?) will attest, if you don’t keep your nose stuck in the door, the biz will decline as competition approaches like hungry wolves nearer and nearer your door.

You can count on if there is a buck out there to be had, others will see it and go for it also.

BTW, I really like your style. keep it up, and thanks for bringing some real great stuff on my platter.

]]> By: Pete http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5354 Pete Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:10:29 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5354 Why do you never give credit for the photos on your blog? You're using the pictures for free. The least you could do is have a small link or even just a name at the bottom of the post. Why do you never give credit for the photos on your blog? You’re using the pictures for free. The least you could do is have a small link or even just a name at the bottom of the post.

]]> By: Ed http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5338 Ed Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:32:37 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5338 To the extent that there is such a thing as passive income, it can be grown by a huge factor if it is actively managed (intelligently). This applies as much to portfolio management, as much as internet sales & any business investment that will ever exist. So that treating something passively, means throwing away a large amount of money in lost opportunities. And anyone arguing that 'this other guy is apparently doing it' is missing the point entirely I think. On the other hand, your own personal stories of success (that don't involved the income eventually drying up) are more than welcome. Personally, I'm re-taking control of my business that was being run by staff for a period of unprecedented decline. To the extent that there is such a thing as passive income, it can be grown by a huge factor if it is actively managed (intelligently). This applies as much to portfolio management, as much as internet sales & any business investment that will ever exist.
So that treating something passively, means throwing away a large amount of money in lost opportunities.

And anyone arguing that ‘this other guy is apparently doing it’ is missing the point entirely I think. On the other hand, your own personal stories of success (that don’t involved the income eventually drying up) are more than welcome.

Personally, I’m re-taking control of my business that was being run by staff for a period of unprecedented decline.

]]> By: Fred, Green Experience http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5337 Fred, Green Experience Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:25:12 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5337 I agree. I think it's rare to find a truly autopilot business, although don't get me wrong, they do exist. But to be truly successful, passion needs to play a part somewhere in the equation. I agree. I think it’s rare to find a truly autopilot business, although don’t get me wrong, they do exist. But to be truly successful, passion needs to play a part somewhere in the equation.

]]> By: Links for Super-Charged Living - September 20, 2008 | My Super-Charged Life http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5313 Links for Super-Charged Living - September 20, 2008 | My Super-Charged Life Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:01:53 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5313 [...] Entrepreneurial Spirit          Self-Employment- One Selfish Way to Financial Independence Can Killer Systems Make Up For Lack of Passion Or Vision? [...] [...] Entrepreneurial Spirit          Self-Employment- One Selfish Way to Financial Independence Can Killer Systems Make Up For Lack of Passion Or Vision? [...]

]]> By: Chris Guillebeau http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5309 Chris Guillebeau Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:45:52 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5309 Looks like I'll be late to the comments party. I have a good excuse, though - I downloaded this to Google Reader in the Qatar airport, and am typing up this note on the way to Colombo, Sri Lanka. :) This is a great post/essay. I'm actually writing something fairly similar for an upcoming ebook. Here's my take: 1) In general, I agree -- passive income is certainly not what it is often presented to be. Several times I've sat in seminar rooms listening to speakers preach the virtues of passivity while working pretty damn hard from the stage. Ironic. 2) However, there are certain exceptions to this rule that are hard to ignore. Here's one personal example, and one from a well-known marketer. PERSONAL - Back in 2001 I created a lead-generation site that I never ended up doing much with. However, I set up a Postmaster Direct (they're called something else now) form to acquire email addresses from interested prospects. In return, PD sent them approved commercial messages and split the revenue for this with me 50/50. I ended up getting about $300-500 a month on average, which is obviously not a full-time income, but it's great when you do nothing for it. I went to Africa in 2002, and for the next couple of years, those $300+ checks came in almost every month. Eventually, they died out for the same reasons explained in the post -- no maintenance or growth from the guy who started the business. BUT, while they were coming in for years, I was pretty thrilled about it, and since I did absolutely nothing for the project except pay $10 to renew the domain every year, I consider that passive income. BIGGER LEVEL - To take it up a level, I look at someone like Yanik Silver, who often gives the example of his site InstantSalesLetters.com. Yanik set up that site years ago, and claims that he still earns "six figures a year" from it with virtually little maintenance. Since I know how Yanik does his other stuff, I tend to believe him. That's passive income, right? Or at least as close as you can get. I'd be curious how anyone could say that it is not an awesome success or something worth shooting for. So in summary - *Passive income is tough. It's oversold and under-realized. Don't believe the hype. *But it's still a goal worth setting, because as Michael said in the first comment, residuals do accumulate. And you never know - maybe you'll end up with a site that earns $300 a month for years without any work, or even a larger success like Yanik has made. That's my $0.02; others will have their own perspective, of course. OK, I have to end this - I'm in Row 35 of this Qatar Airways flight, and it's a bit cramped. Jonathan, thank you for the thoughtful writing. Looks like I’ll be late to the comments party. I have a good excuse, though – I downloaded this to Google Reader in the Qatar airport, and am typing up this note on the way to Colombo, Sri Lanka. :)

This is a great post/essay. I’m actually writing something fairly similar for an upcoming ebook.
Here’s my take:

1) In general, I agree — passive income is certainly not what it is often presented to be. Several times I’ve sat in seminar rooms listening to speakers preach the virtues of passivity while working pretty damn hard from the stage. Ironic.

2) However, there are certain exceptions to this rule that are hard to ignore. Here’s one personal example, and one from a well-known marketer.

PERSONAL –

Back in 2001 I created a lead-generation site that I never ended up doing much with. However, I set up a Postmaster Direct (they’re called something else now) form to acquire email addresses from interested prospects. In return, PD sent them approved commercial messages and split the revenue for this with me 50/50. I ended up getting about $300-500 a month on average, which is obviously not a full-time income, but it’s great when you do nothing for it.

I went to Africa in 2002, and for the next couple of years, those $300+ checks came in almost every month. Eventually, they died out for the same reasons explained in the post — no maintenance or growth from the guy who started the business. BUT, while they were coming in for years, I was pretty thrilled about it, and since I did absolutely nothing for the project except pay $10 to renew the domain every year, I consider that passive income.

BIGGER LEVEL –

To take it up a level, I look at someone like Yanik Silver, who often gives the example of his site InstantSalesLetters.com. Yanik set up that site years ago, and claims that he still earns “six figures a year” from it with virtually little maintenance. Since I know how Yanik does his other stuff, I tend to believe him.

That’s passive income, right? Or at least as close as you can get. I’d be curious how anyone could say that it is not an awesome success or something worth shooting for.

So in summary -

*Passive income is tough. It’s oversold and under-realized. Don’t believe the hype.

*But it’s still a goal worth setting, because as Michael said in the first comment, residuals do accumulate. And you never know – maybe you’ll end up with a site that earns $300 a month for years without any work, or even a larger success like Yanik has made.

That’s my $0.02; others will have their own perspective, of course.

OK, I have to end this – I’m in Row 35 of this Qatar Airways flight, and it’s a bit cramped. Jonathan, thank you for the thoughtful writing.

]]> By: carolsaha http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5303 carolsaha Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:41:18 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5303 Network marketing. The model works. Most people that join don't work it at all, out of the ones who do work it most quit before it becomes self-sustaining. However, there are a few persistent ones who have retired and live off the residual income. Network marketing. The model works. Most people that join don’t work it at all, out of the ones who do work it most quit before it becomes self-sustaining. However, there are a few persistent ones who have retired and live off the residual income.

]]> By: David Bullock http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5300 David Bullock Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:34:19 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5300 Even the set it and forget it system needs a human who cares to make sure that everything is working as planned and expected. Any system can be improved. But, the only one who can improve it is the human who is trying to remove himself from process. Only the human, with passion and insight will care enough, see enough and know enough to create the next level of innovation. Even the set it and forget it system needs a human who cares to make sure that everything is working as planned and expected.

Any system can be improved. But, the only one who can improve it is the human who is trying to remove himself from process. Only the human, with passion and insight will care enough, see enough and know enough to create the next level of innovation.

]]> By: Martin http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5294 Martin Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:09:25 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5294 If there was such a thing as a "set and forget" business model I would image the market in that area would become flooded very quickly become unprofitable. This is just an opinion, don't have any evidence to back it up. Plus I imagine someone setting up a business that they don't want to have anything to do with, must be a very boring business. Hard to imagine how a boring business can be successful. On the other hand how many hours are required to maintain a business? Or Is "set and forget" just a low maintenance business that requires minimal input? If there was such a thing as a “set and forget” business model I would image the market in that area would become flooded very quickly become unprofitable.
This is just an opinion, don’t have any evidence to back it up.
Plus I imagine someone setting up a business that they don’t want to have anything to do with, must be a very boring business. Hard to imagine how a boring business can be successful.
On the other hand how many hours are required to maintain a business?
Or
Is “set and forget” just a low maintenance business that requires minimal input?

]]> By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/can-killer-systems-make-up-for-lack-of-passion-or-vision/#comment-5293 Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:04:36 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=347#comment-5293 Passion is so powerful that it permeates everything. When a business, any business, is the manifestation of someone’s passion it shows. As customers we get caught up in that passion, even if we don’t know who’s behind it. It’s like a giant magnet attracting us. As business owners, passion makes work exciting. It makes us want to share instead of sell. Passion makes us care deeply about our customers because they share our passion. It’s a reason to focus on people instead of money. Sure, we can exist in a world of business drones. But as humans we will always be drawn to that wonderful living energy that is passion. How can you automate that ? Passion is so powerful that it permeates everything. When a business, any business, is the manifestation of someone’s passion it shows. As customers we get caught up in that passion, even if we don’t know who’s behind it. It’s like a giant magnet attracting us.

As business owners, passion makes work exciting. It makes us want to share instead of sell. Passion makes us care deeply about our customers because they share our passion. It’s a reason to focus on people instead of money.

Sure, we can exist in a world of business drones. But as humans we will always be drawn to that wonderful living energy that is passion. How can you automate that ?

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