Reaching Momentum with Max

Mike Larkins

Momentum is a common word in our industry, and with good reason. A company “in momentum” enjoys accelerated growth and activity. Such a company would obviously be attractive to people looking for a business opportunity.

In the field of physics, momentum (p) is defined as p=mv—the product of mass and velocity. Something that has “built up” a lot of momentum is, of course, hard to stop. In his book Good to Great (which you should all read), Jim Collins refers to a “huge, heavy flywheel…weighing about 5,000 pounds.” Your task, he says, is to “get the flywheel rotating on [an] axle as fast and long as possible.”

Doing so would require persistent effort, and energy, but you do it. Finally, you’ve pushed it enough to complete a turn. “You keep pushing, and the flywheel begins to move a bit faster…then, at some point—breakthrough! The momentum of the thing kicks in in your favor, hurling the flywheel forward, turn after turn. Each turn builds upon work done earlier.”

We’re now in our fourth year, and we’ve made a few turns on the flywheel. It’s starting to get easier as we continue to push in a consistent direction. The momentum is building and working in our favor.

Our momentum is a product of mass and velocity, but it’s a little different. Mass is simply the number of people actively engaged in our cause. Velocity is the product of leadership and activity—from Associates and corporate. As more and more people help push the flywheel, it turns faster and faster. As we on the corporate side and leaders in the field provide consistent leadership, activity is not wasted pursuing dead ends. People outside of Max can see we are gaining momentum, and join in, making it easier to push the flywheel….the cycle feeds on itself and the momentum continues to build. That’s what it’s all about.

The Las Vegas Showcase was hugely successful because everyone who attended could feel the momentum, and it will only increase in 2010. With new products, an in-depth events strategy, a new recognition program, and numerous tools to help you keep moving, this is the time to be involved with Max.

Finally, from my perspective, momentum is not the same as inertia. The term “inertia” comes from the Latin term “iners,” meaning idle or lazy. If you are coasting in this business, you don’t have momentum. Bodies in motion stay in motion, and bodies at rest stay at rest, until acted upon. Don’t stand idly by as Max takes off.