November 02, 2018

After many requests, I´ve decided to publish a video I recently did for my company´s Annual Event talking about what I believe it takes to create a Breakthrough, using my own story.

As you set out to achieve a Big Dream, you must also be willing to go through some discomfort to achieve it. In this video, I touch on what it takes to go from an imagination to the actual birth of Your Dream.

Because the video was recorded for internal use at a Direct Selling Event, I ask you to excuse the mentioning of our company name. I trust however that the message will help you on your path to fulfill your desired goals and dreams.

PS: Our daughter Sarah Elouise was born October 11th:) Proud mama! 😉

May 26, 2018

It’s late in the evening far up in the mountains and rain is pouring down. I’m ten years old and my hand is holding on to my dad’s big, strong hand. Together with my sister we are mountain hiking in Holmedal, Norway, where my grandparents have their summerhouse. It is not the first time we are hiking in bad weather, we are famous for it. I am tired and hungry and my boots are filled with water, yet I feel safe and have a good attitude. I want to sit down and rest, and I’m thinking of being home safe, in my mother’s lap. But to give up is not an option.

I learned from my dad that giving up is not a solution.

The mountain hikes he took me on had great rewards: I felt proud and fulfilled to complete them; I felt safe, because dad always looked after me; when we finally made it home, food tasted like never before.

But the most exciting reward I would be thinking about was my dad’s proud eyes, the warm hugs from my mom, and all the praise I would receive for completing these challenging ventures. I longed for this form of reward so I could feel like a young man instead of a child.

My dad made me feel like a leader. The most important part of leading leaders is to make them feel like leaders. We all strive for the reward of recognition and a job well done. Actors are looking for an Oscar. CEOs are looking for peer reviews of their financials. Politicians are looking for recognition in the polls.

In order to build leaders, create an environment where people can develop, feel safe and be rewarded. This brings out the best in all of us. Here are three keys for leading leaders:

1. Develop a personal growth plan. Build your leaders’ mindset so they can stay on top and get back up when the beating comes. When you see your leaders fail, step in and help them back up like my father’s big hand helped me. And guess what: He never took the credit; he only promoted my achievement.

2. Develop a friendship. When things get tough, friendship will carry you through. Spend time with your leaders and it will be easier for them to duplicate you. Not all things learned can be taught; some have to be shown. Watching you—in business as in personal life—counts for more than hundreds of hours of training. Truly living what you teach at all times creates belief and trust.

3. Bring leaders to your level. Expect from them what you expect from yourself, and help them achieve it. Provide what they need so they can bloom. The trademark of a true master is that he makes his student better than himself.

A good father helps, guides and recognizes his son (even if the son only did parts and the father did most of the work). Do the same and you will create great and growing leadership around you.

May 26, 2018

What questions do you ask yourself when “the going gets tough”?

Last June I was on a mountain hike together with my husband and son. It was beautiful. Bright colors, warming sun and the birds cheering. We all enjoyed the wonderful “time-out” as a family breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Then, – suddenly, out of nowhere, dark clouds appeared, and rain started pouring down! After a while, getting soaking wet and worried about how our son was doing and if we had chosen the right track, I got stressed, unfocused and “naggy”;) The trip ended up in the hospital after I tripped on a slippery root and fractured my wrist…

Looking back at this experience, it sometimes reminds me about the journey we go through when building a business.

When you are just getting started, everything is fun and exiting. You are establishing valuable relations for your trade. Your friends and family is supportive. You are enthusiastically following your idols or mentors. You love the opportunities that emerge through your efforts.

But THEN, as time goes by, maybe your business don´t grow as fast as you want.  And you start to question yourself and the path you are on. Are you on the right track? Suddenly – this wobbling enthusiasm may cause doubt, both in you and the opportunity presented through your business venture.

In these moments, be aware of the questions you ask yourself.

Because ask you ask – you will receive.

So instead of asking:

• Why don´t I have success?
• Why is my business not growing faster?
• Is there something wrong with me?

Turn around the questions and ask:

• How can I progress faster?
• How can I improve?
• What do I need to learn?
• I have what it takes! With more time I will succeed!

The first questions are causing a “negative” focus where you might end up with all the reasons you won´t succeed. The last questions give you the opportunity to search for solutions you can implement to achieve your goals. Suddenly by asking the right questions you might have the answers you need that will propel you forward.

So, next time when you are out walking – in life or business – remember to ask yourself the right questions. They will for sure help you reach your target a lot faster – without a fractured wrist;)

May 24, 2018

Are you too busy to produce and follow up in your business? “If I were only someone else”, you say. In this video Hilde tells you how to shift your focus, take control, and break the zero!

December 09, 2015

How do you get to the pinnacle of your dreams? What does it take to lead your team?
And how do you develop the stamina to finish the race? In this talk Ørjan goes through what it really takes to go beyond the first levels of your compensation plan ranks. Enjoy!

May 12, 2015

What is network marketing?
I recruit you, you buy products, I make commissions. You recruit three people, they buy products, and we both make commissions. Is this network marketing? You might answer yes—until you read the next paragraph. Then you might stand up in rage and disagree with me, even though you now understand that what you thought was network marketing is actually an illegal pyramid scheme, at least in Europe and definitely in Norway.

The European Commission (EU) directive of 2005 defines an illegal pyramid scheme as “establishing, operating, or promoting a pyramid promotional scheme where a consumer gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from the introduction of other consumers into the scheme rather than from the sale or consumption of products.” In the regulations of the Norwegian Lottery Act, the EU directive is to be understood as follows: “The EU directive sets as condition for a ban that the income is primarily a result of recruitment. […] The Ministry understands the directive thus, that if more than 50 percent of the income is derived from recruitment, it may be illegal.” In other words, the directive states that a minimum of 50 percent of the turnover leading to commission payment must come from sales of goods to customers who do not participate in the income opportunity.

If you are like me when I first read this, you may be tempted to believe the Ministry must have misunderstood the European directive. Nevertheless, this is the law not only in Norway but also in Belgian courts, which interpret the directive the same way as the Norwegians do—and the Belgian capital, Brussels, is the host city of the EU parliament. We can argue or we can get real. Think of speed limits: no one likes them, but they are good for us; that’s why we have them. This European law is good for people. In truth, the law is good for business. I recruit you, you buy products, and I make commissions. You get five customers and we both make commissions (plus, in many programs, you get your own products for free and I only make a commission off your customers, not off you—taking away one of the major irritations of our critics). Next you recruit three people and they buy products; we both make commissions. Then they get five customers, and we both make five times the commission. That is good for you, me, our upline, our downline, the team, and the company. This is network marketing.

My point is that the European standard is not only legal, it is better. So don’t fight the law; make a leadership shift and promote it. And when you see your people speeding, please notify the authorities.

October 27, 2014

September 04, 2014

We are in love! We can’t describe the feelings that arises when we look our newborn son Gabriel in the eyes. We’re so incredibly happy – and our life are at its peak! There might not be a direct comparison between love for your kids and love for your business, but we’ll give it a try.

You might remember the movie: “Notting Hill” released 1999 – where the super star, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) ends up dating the local boy William “Will” Thacker (Hugh Grant) in the suburbs of London, Notting Hill. After all the drama love wins in the end and our hearts melt.
The question is how does the film director get our emotions involved and what can we take home to our business from this romantic comedy? We believe the answer is “BR”.

In your Direct Sales business the “BR” is the Business Review where you go over what worked and what didn’t work. That you do a PDCA, (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust), of your business and help your team do the same.

In the movie the “BR” are all the reflections after the sequences of drama. It is when the horde of reporters gathers outside of Wills house to get a photo of the lovers and have something to write about. It is when the super star Anna is crying behind her sunglasses and Will is hiding in his room. It is when the super star says the famous sentence “I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her”.

Something happens, then we reflect: “BR”. Something else happens, then we reflect again: “BR”. Each event leads up to the grand finale when all the friends of Will becomes involved in racing through the streets of London to help Will find Anna. And of course – love conquers all:)

So lets look at how we can use “BR” as a tool in our business.

Set aside a time on a regular basis with your business partners and go through the good, the bad and the ugly. The good we praise, the bad we adjust and the ugly – well, we change what we can change – the rest we pray for:) And then we look at:
-What is the big dream, what skills do we need to develop, what tactics can we implement, how do we adjust our goals and what is the specific action plan for the next month?

The lack of “BR” in life kills everything. The lack o  “BR” in your business stops you from living your ultimate dreams.

Even though we are wildly in love with Gabriel – that doesn´t mean he is always happy with us. Sometimes he cries and we have no idea why!! This parent-thing is brand new to us. On his 33^rd day of life – (yes, we admit we are probably a bit slow) – we just learned this funny detail that his diapers has a mark that turns from yellow to blue when they need to be changed…

These days we are going through an ongoing “BR”-session. “Why is he crying – is it the diapers or might it be a burp, is he hungry or do we need to Google it yet another time: Could it be something else?!!”

Life with Gabriel is “BR” on steroids! I don´t think there has been a single day in his life where we haven´t done a PDCA. And hopefully these business reviews keeps Gabriel happy and makes us a little bit better – step-by-step.

Inspiration appears when there is the tiniest bit of hope that you can make your dream happen. And when you implement the PDCA in the “BR” on a continuous basis you create the perfect set up for a happy ending.

We are so happy for our big blessing in Gabriel. After weeks of stressful evenings where we constantly have reviewed – “What can we do differently?” – THIS is our first night of success where he is sleeping so well that we are actually waiting for him to wake up:))

Fundamentally Business Review equals CHANGE.
And when you fall in love with change – it becomes the tool that will help you win!

August 27, 2014

In this speech, “Number 14”, Hilde will teach you her personal journey of Dream – Struggle – Victory. If you are “pregnant” with a big dream you might need to deal with obstacles on your journey to success. In this talk she gives you a heartfelt personal story on perseverance towards achieving one of her dreams. You will learn some of the strategies and techniques that Hilde uses in her business to achieve tremendous results:

1. How to create good habits
2. How to keep your long term vision
3. How to avoid deception

Success is not about where you start – it is all about implementing the right strategies to achieve your dreams.
Watch, learn and enjoy!

July 08, 2013

Have you done the most important thing today?

This daily focus defines the difference between rich and poor. Many people go through life thinking about all the important tasks they should have done. But because of lack of understanding most people end up doing what is urgent or what they feel like in the moment. When you´ve done what is urgent you might feel happy and think what you´ve been doing have been important. In many cases this is a lie. Why?

Because urgent and important is not the same.

Last Wednesday the 3rd of July Ørjan and I enjoyed a whole grilled Jon Dory fish at a beautiful Italian restaurant in Berlin together with our friend and mentor Orrin Woodward. The food tasted delicious and as always we had a thriving conversation. Then Mr. Woodward asked. What about Sturgeon´s Law? 90% of everything is simply crud (low of value).

So Orrin explained: Understanding Sturgeon´s Law helps you study the leadership teams honestly and not be fooled by the endless talk with no results. When all is said and done, much more is said than ever done. The 10 percent walk while the 90 percent talk. So Hilde and Ørjan, are you spending your time with the 10 percent?

It is always good to get a reminder. And this was again a big reminder for both of us. Are we spending our time with our leaders or are we using more time on responding to the urgent calls from the team?

What about you? How do you know who and what is important?

Similar to how you can follow the results on the scoreboard during a sports match, we also have a scoreboard in our business. What does your result show? Are you learning? Are you improving? How many leaders have you developed lately? How many leaders have your leaders developed?

Urgent and important is not the same. It is crucial to understand the difference to reach your goals. How do you spend your time? Are you a talker or a walker? Do you actually walk your talk, or do you just talk it?

So let me ask you again: Have you done the most important thing today?