StomperNet's FormulaFIVE - "F5"

Hi All:

It's been a too long since I have posted to my blog. I need to find the ultimate time management course for the entrepreneur who finds themselves slammed 24/7 with work, family...everything. That overwhelming feeling we get when we fell that we are involved in too much is perceived as a curse when it should be embraced and look at as an incredible gift from God. Truly the alternative leaves one feeling lost an empty (usually leading to a massive depression in my observation). Anyway, I have been working with Andy Jenkins and the StomperNet team for almost two years now. We have currently been working on the launch for the new FormulaFIVE or "F5" from StomperNet. This coursework has been designed for the entrepreneur as well as the SMB market in order to INCREASE YOUR REVENUE through ADVANCED INTERNET AND NEW MEDIA MARKETING TECHNIQUES as well as help individuals and companies EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY MARKET AND MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS!

I spoke to Andy and Tom at StomperNet that they've added another great bonus to FormulaFIVE - it's called FormulaFIVE day at StomperNet LIVE 7, or "F5 @ LIVE" - and if you've never been to a StomperNet conference, you're in for a real treat.

Get this - you can go to this live event for nothing. Won't cost you a dime to get in, if you are willing to part with $197 to get in the FormulaFIVE program.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FormulaFIVE

Events with seminars like these, with guys the caliber of Paul Lemberg and the StomperNet Faculty, would normally cost several thousand dollars or more - but StomperNet is throwing it in (how do those guys do it?). It's like the Video Professor's marketing program. Believe me, once you work through some of StomperNet's material, you get it and you understand that this is INVALUABLE INFORMATION and THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS EXPONENTIAL!

I'll be at this event myself (it will be my fourth!). Again, these StomperNet LIVE events are not your usual Internet Marketing type. They are extremely granular with everything from live Website Reviews by their faculty to workshops on everything from understanding Google's algorithms and nuances around how slight changes in your overall SEM can reap exponential results. They always have great speakers, and best of all - the networking aspect of the conference is unsurpassed. Oh, they DO NOT pitch any StomperNet products there as the conference is normally ONLY FOR STOMPERNET MEMBERS.

So, if you've been on the fence about joining FormulaFIVE, now they're throwing a full day with Paul Lemberg at a Live event in, and they're going to unleash FormulaSIX right there - the Product Producer module.

I urge you to check out this program - seems like they add unbelievable bonuses to FormulaFIVE every day!

GO TO FormulaFIVE

All the best,

Tom

Watching The Brain Make Ethical Business Decisions

Moral reasoning

August 18, 2008

F ew would argue that people’s views on morality play a major role in the way they operate in their personal and professional lives. But how does moral reasoning “kick in” when a businessperson is in the midst of a dilemma? Just the mention of the executives involved in the scandals at Enron or WorldCom causes many to wonder what made these people capable of such fraudulent behavior. Were their choices prompted by a knee-jerk intuitive reaction formed from ingrained behavior? Can we attribute their actions to thoughts formed through a rational process, prompted by the risks and rewards of the moment? Or, did they lack the moral compass that allows most people to sense when to avoid an unethical situation? According to Rick Gilkey, an associate professor of organization and management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and an associate professor of psychiatry at Emory University’s School of Medicine, understanding how the brain processes critical thought on moral issues may provide a useful window into ethical lapses in the workplace.

In new cutting-edge research, Gilkey, along with Diana Robertson, a professor of organization and management at Goizueta, and Clinton Kilts, a vice chair for research and a professor of psychiatry at Emory University’s School of Medicine, employed magnetic resonance imaging to isolate the parts of the brain activated when study participants were presented with a series of narratives depicting a variety of business scenarios for a fictional marketing analyst. Some of the scenarios involved normal business interactions of a strategic or tactical nature, and other situations detailed a moral dilemma for the marketing analyst.

For the initial phase of the research, Gilkey, Robertson and Kilts used sixteen right-handed men, aged from 27-42, in their study, and noted the selection of all male study participants “was motivated by a prominent, though controversial, contention that gender-related differences exist in moral orientation.” (The researchers hope to replicate their study with female participants at a later date.) Says Gilkey, “One assumption we had early on was that there was a region of the brain responsible for dealing with moral problems, or that there was some sort of subset localized area. As it turns out, this wasn’t the case. Ideas and thoughts dealing with novelty and ambiguity come largely from the right hemisphere. But it may then become more routine information and then get stored and encoded in the left hemisphere. You might liken the businessperson’s moral reasoning to that of different players in an orchestra, pulling in all the divergent parts to form a whole.”

In a soon-to-be released paper titled "The neural basis of moral sensitivity to issues of justice and care: an fMRI study," the authors describe their efforts, and they conclude that three brain areas are critical to moral sensitivity: the medial prefrontal cortex, the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, and the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS). Based on prior research, Gilkey notes that the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with personality and early memories. Prior research indicates that this area of the brain is also involved in the ability to understand or empathize with someone else’s situation. (Interestingly, the study participants did not receive direct instruction to consider others’ thoughts when presented with the hypothetical business scenarios, and this activation of the section of the brain responsible for empathy may suggest a more intuitive or innate empathetic response on the participants’ part.)

Prior neurological research on moral thought indicates that the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex is associated with “evaluating the appropriateness of solutions to personal moral dilemmas,” as well as emotional memories and first-person perspective taking. However, the posterior STS has been linked to a more integrated brain function, playing a role in combining the various perspectives taken. Gilkey notes that this is when the rationale behind the actions taken might be reached. The findings suggest that moral reasoning is (at least initially) an intuitive response, and somewhat outside of the individual’s immediate awareness. Gilkey adds, “The construction of why it all makes sense, the right or wrong of it, comes after—to justify the intuitive process."

According to Robertson, additional findings illustrated that the brain functions in slightly different ways for matters involving the need for impartiality or equality (justice issues) versus those involving more emotion or compassion (care issues). An example of a justice narrative used in the study involved the fictional marketing executive being pressured by his boss to bend the interpretation of data to confirm the boss’s biases. However, one of the care scenarios described a situation where the marketing executive was conflicted by having to spend large amounts of time in the office on the weekend, when he promised to devote the time to his family.

She notes, “Despite the fact that both are ethical issues, we found distinct differences in the neural activity associated with the processing of justice versus care issues.” Greater activation occurred in the ventral posterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and thalamus for the narratives associated with care issues—all areas of the brain linked to the ability to take another’s perspective and also with emotional memories. However, there was greater activation in the left posterior STS for justice issues—a section of the brain implicitly linked to the “non-emotional” processing of situations and social convention.

Robertson adds, “The results also indicate that social perspective taking (the ability to put yourself in another’s shoes) and autobiographical memory are important components of sensitivity to ethical issues. This corroborates methods used at Goizueta Business School to teach business ethics. Case method teaching requires students to take the perspective of another and to make decisions from that person’s point of view. Discussion-based classes and debates require students to respect and appreciate the perspectives of their classmates. Class exercises and assignments ask that students reflect upon and understand the basis of their own values and ethics, a process that is necessarily autobiographical.”

Gilkey believes that the findings not only corroborate Goizueta’s teaching model, but that they provide a framework for those looking to teach a new generation of ethically aware business students and employees. Says Gilkey, “It’s important to understand how the role of early memory and personal identity affects ethical decision making. The big question will be to find out if we can work to reformulate this identity once it is imprinted. Our findings also have implications for the development of moral sensitivity, suggesting that efforts to sensitize individuals to moral issues [should] focus on methods that tap into introspection based on personal experiences, as well as the use of perspective taking techniques such as role playing.”

While Sigmund Freud might have believed that individual behavior is pretty much set from an early age, Gilkey says that many now believe there may be some truth and some fiction in the notion. He adds, “It’s also possible that we may evolve, or that ethical decision-making skills can be matured or enhanced. As far as the future, we may soon discover that some business people may never be attuned to a more principled leadership model. Our research does indicate that, for the most part, ethical decision-making is an innate capacity that the majority [of people] possess. We’re trying to ensure that the capacity is elicited. The ultimate objective is to determine the most effective management training techniques to develop this capacity.”

Currently, Robertson notes that her research team is seeking funding for future related projects, including an investigation of contextual variables that influence decision-making about ethical issues. “Empirical research in business ethics has explored the impact of variables, such as the potential high risk/high reward for behaving unethically. Such variables appear to have played a prominent role in recent scandals at companies such as Enron and the like. We hope to discover the neural activity associated with these variables and their impact on decision making, [employing] hypothetical business situations presented to research participants as their brains are scanned.

Future research could focus on determining if immoral actions suggest some sort of “dysfunctional concept of self,” a lack of appropriate teaching models from early childhood, the inability to effectively judge a possible outcome of an action, or a combination of these scenarios. Certainly, prior neurological studies do indicate that prefrontal cortex damage has a negative impact on social and moral thought. Following that thought, Kilts adds that there needs to be an understanding of “the access to knowledge of self. It’s critical that as we develop an interpretative awareness of moral consequences, [we determine if] the lack of a concept of an unhealthy self might be indicative of the problems in business today. Could those involved in some of the recent business scandals think they did nothing wrong? Maybe we need to determine who can pick out and be aware of moral conflicts. With that in mind, we need to look to the other part in this—the outer world and not just the inner world (self). A component of this is the ability to evaluate how various outcomes affect others involved. To be interpretatively aware also means to have an awareness of the social ramifications.”

Read more articles like this at Knowledge @ Emory.

Sneak Peek into StomperNet

StomperNet and Andy Jenkins have done it again. At 8 Minutes and 35 seconds into this latest video, you'll see one of the Game Changing Devices that StomperNet members have at their disposal.

The COUNTDOWN TO STOMPERNET'S BRIEF RE-OPEN has begun.

In the last couple of videos, Andy's been asking folks to adopt "The Long View", you know, a reasoned, rational approach to deciding about StomperNet Membership. Hmmm, apparently that didn't work out so well. The comments on their Videos pages are getting a little silly.

Andy just told me that folks are leaving their credit card numbers in the comments.

SCARY STUFF!

As they're getting a little closer Andy thought it would be cool to do a SHORT video:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

And this video is NOT for anyone that doesn't want to see what StomperNet is really like.

This video is called "Sneak Peak", because that's what it is. It's a machine gun-paced look at about of StomperNet's total universe. And YES, they know that "Peak" is spelled a funny way. That spelling means "The most extreme possible amount or value" - And that's what EVERYBODY at StomperNet believes your business will become when it's been Stomper-Fied.

Here's a quick Table of Contents:

1. The "Event Horizon" - our Portal Entry Point.
2. The Featured Resources. Coaches Corner - *** Note, in the video, youre going to find out that they've been giving personal ONE-on-ONE coaching to ALL NEW StomperNet members.
3. Behind the Scenes Members Eye View - Wanna know how we market StomperNet? This is the place.
4. Stomper Guide to SEO - an Online LIVING Guide to the latest SEO Statistics and Rules
5. Scrutinizer - Stompers Custom Eye-Tracking and Foveal Simulator designed to double your site conversion.
6. StomperNet Faculty Office Hours - May's schedule for the Faculty Teleseminars.
7. The StomperDex - It's like a treasure Map, but at the X is REAL POWER, not Johnny Depp. ...you know what? Just watch the video...

WATCH THIS VIDEO!!! - CLICK HERE

Especially the part that starts at 8 minutes and 35 Seconds in. Why? Let me ask you a perfectly obvious question: If you had a personal coach, a STOMPER Trained Business coach to help you grow your business, do you think your business would do better, or worse?

The Stomper Members who have coaches do an average of 68% better. In just 6 weeks, the minimum revenue increase for Coached Members was $495.00 per month. The maximum was $4,900. Do you think those members are gonna stick around StomperNet longer?

So here's the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT I referred to yesterday:

ALL NEW STOMPERNET Members will have access to a StomperCoach...

...at NO extra charge.

Yep, StomperNet tuition is the same as it was when it first opened in 2006 - about $27 a day. Thursday (TODAY!) at 3pm Eastern Time, StomperNet opens the doors.

So go check out the Video!

WATCH VIDEO

Best regards,

Tom

StomperNet Going Natural 3.0

SUBJECT - StomperNet members show us how they "did it"

Here's 3 short videos (combined into one) from the StomperNet gang, and this time, no expert faculty or staff to watch. Click here for Videos

These videos are from real MEMBERS of StomperNet, and they're going to tell you EXACTLY what they accomplished, and HOW they got these results. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this.

Video 1 - Kristie is going to show you how she went from making $1,000 a month to $10,000 a month - in 45 days. She made $75,000 last holiday season, too! She's learned this stuff so well she's now an expert e-Biz consultant in her home town. And, oh yeah, she started this 18 months ago.

Video 2 - Cassia is going to show you how she started with making only $5,000 a month - and she had been struggling at her business for YEARS. She and her husband Steve got the "Home Study Course" videos when they signed up for StomperNet, and the next month, they DOUBLED. 3 Months later, they hit $27,000 a month, and have been holding there - even while Cassia had a baby and they moved to their dream home in Colorado.

Video 3 - Chris is going to show you how he was virtually killing himself - getting up at 4:45am - 7 days a week, to be a personal trainer at a gym. When Chris joined StomperNet Andy Jenkins couldnt figure out whether he was just a guru groupie, or dead on serious.

Turns out, he was NOT JOKING about his business. Today, he's got 8 OTHER TRAINERS working for him, ranks all over the FIRST PAGE of Google for his Money Keywords, and just got back from a 6 WEEK (not day) vacation - and when he came back, his business was BIGGER than when he left. Oh yeah - Chris has been a Stomper just about 1 year now.

These case studies don't pull any punches either.

Listen for each Stomper's FRANK and Candid discussion of the StomperNet monthly tuition. Listen to how they talk about how both members AND Faculty discuss Controversial topics in the Member Forums.

Listen to how they GO OFF about the StomperNet live events. It's freakishly sharp and honest.

It's Tuesday, and StomperNet is opening again TOMORROW. Already the rush has begun for the very LIMITED number of slots they will make available. And once they're full, and I'm dead serious, they're closing. The last time they closed, THEY WERE CLOSED FOR A YEAR.

Watch those case-studies - they're all successful e-Business owners who took a chance, stuck it out, and WON. They have things to show you.

Tomorrow, StomperNet will make a STUNNING announcement. If you've ever wanted some personal attention for your business, you need to look for tomorrow's announcement. I can't tell you EXACTLY what it is, but... it has improved every StomperNet member's business by 68%.

If you have any direct questions on this email me. Email Tom

All the Best,

Tom

StomperNet Set to Re-open Later This Spring!

How to make more money with less traffic...

Watch this video to see the frightening true story.

WATCH VIDEO NOW!

This REALLY Happened. StomperNet co-founder Brad Fallon's Wedding Favors site was DUMPED from Google.That's HALF his traffic, HALF his sales, and HALF his entire business. Gone! Just Gone.

What did he do? Brad went and had the best 6 months EVER - without a home page listing in Google. You can watch how he did it, here: Watch Video...

BTW, this is one of StomperNet's now famous Going Natural Videos, a brand new on, in fact. If you haven't seen these kinds of videos before, you're in for a hard-core learning experience. Dan Thies, StomperNet Faculty and SEO Expert, took a million bucks worth of collected data and developed, implemented and PERFECTED a PPC strategy that SAVED Brad's company. What Dan did is crazy - it's nuts - it goes against EVERYTHING in the PPC book. This is a NEW BOOK, and Dan and StomperNet wrote it. You can't read it - but you can also watch... It's for ALL Experience Levels - Expert and Newbie.But don't just take my word for it - go hear about it from the guys who engineered the strategy - they've got the NUMBERS to back it up. Don't miss this video, or you'll miss the chance to DOUBLE your income from PPC - or if you AREN'T doing PPC now, this is the best way to start RIGHT.

Thanks all,

Tom

P.S. They've got more videos in this series in the works already, so if you want to see more incredible instructional videos like this (that you WON'T see ANYWHERE ELSE) - be sure to opt-in on the video page and confirm your subscription.

Absolutely Perfect

From my beautiful daughter - Catherine

My wife Karen and I were at parent/teacher conferences earlier this week when Mike Verlander, the head of the Theology department at Holy Spirit Prep tapped my on the shoulder and asked if I had seen what my daughter Catherine had written in Religion 200 Class earlier in the year. He then handed me a copy of what she had written which is what follows. I was deeply touched and emotional when I first read this as was my wife, Karen. To me it represents the true significance of God, faith and family. I only wish I had the insight at age 15 that Catherine shows here. I love Catherine and my family so dearly and will always try to find balance for them in a sometimes crazy entrepreneurial world that is the Lennon home.

Why DO I Believe In God?

Catherine Lennon – September 4, 2007

God has done an incredible amount for me in my life. He caught me when I fell, and he held me up when I felt like I couldn't support myself anymore. He kept the walls from crashing in on me and He gave me my talent; and the world that inspires me and that takes my breath away. He loved me when I loved no one. He cared for me when I thought no one was there. He believed in me when no one else did. When I gave up, He took over and helped me through it all. He believed in me, when I barely believed in Him.

I think I believe in God because I spent so much time trying to live without Him. Eventually in my time of extreme need, I began to break, and I felt like I couldn't carry the cross that was set on my shoulders. Finally, I began praying again frantically and constantly. I felt like God was absent to me, like there couldn't possibly be a God if I was going through what I was going through, but I look back and realize that He was right there the entire time. The problem was not that He wasn't there... He was being blocked by the horrible thoughts, the impudence of the Devil, and my own insolence. I didn't even realize what I was doing. I didn't talk to anyone but God. I resorted to music, which helped bring me back to God. I couldn't really explain why or how I believe in God, because it isn't something concrete, and it isn't something tangible. The reason why I believe in God is because He believes in me. My reason is Love...

© Catherine Anne Lennon, 2007