Eating habits during festivities; Blog musings

You know, ShapeWorks actually work when you take them. So on Christmas Day I had my shake and Herbal Concentrate tea for my breakfast meal and then a sensible small lunch of eggs, stir fry vegetables and multi-grain crackers. So my stomach didn't cry out to me when the special family dinner that evening was served later than expected. However, yesterday (which is celebrated as "Boxing Day" here in Jamaica), my eating was haphazard so I felt as if I was "starving" when I on the road late late last night when my car wouldn't go anymore. Of course, I had a shake when I got home to nip my strong hunger pangs, and no surprise there, it worked! Here's the take away: have at least one shake a day!

I missed more than a week without a contribution to my blog a la Herbalife. I actually haven't had writer's block; truthfully, I have been thinking of my Herbalife blog from a distance. Everyday, I read my Herbalife Google alerts. Best of all, yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time reading an article about using YouTube video for marketing and then wrote email notes on my brainstorming session. I'll be "coming out" on YouTube, which caught my attention first because it was awarded Time Magazine "Man" of the year for 2006. So after I year of occasionally viewing YouTube on and off, it's time to take the plunge. Translation: I am planning my first online video production to be embedded in my blog. I am quite excited just thinking about it. I plan to get it off the ground in early January 2008.

Jamaica beneficiary of 30th Casa Herbalife nutrition grant

The grand opening of the 30th Casa Herbalife program took place on Saturday December 15, 2007, in my island home, Jamaica. The Herbalife Family Foundation has promised to help with the nutritional needs for a children's home known as the Walker's Place of Safety - in perpepuity. Many Jamaican Herbalife distributors brought individual gifts for the children. Last month, at the Herbalife Success Training seminar, a collection was taken for a clothes dryer that was delivered to the place of safety on the weekend. We also toured the facility, watched a karate demonstration and particpated in an official ceremony.

Here is the official summary by Herbalife International. Pictures in my digital camera to follow soon in the near future....

--------------
HERBALIFE LTD has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.
Title: Jamaica Shelter Receives Grant for Healthier Nutrition
Date: 12/18/2007

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2007--Walker's Place of
Safety in Kingston, Jamaica received a grant from the Herbalife Family
Foundation to help it provide more nutritious meals to the children in
its care.

Founded in 1978, Walker's Place of Safety cares for abused and
neglected children, providing good nutrition, safe shelter,
educational services and quality health care. The center serves as
transitional housing for hundreds of children every year who have been
abandoned or removed from their homes because of unstable conditions.
The Casa Herbalife program was launched in 2005 to help provide
healthy and nutritious meals by partnering with existing charities
serving children. This is the 30th Casa Herbalife program established
worldwide.

HFF is a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation dedicated to improving
children's lives by helping organizations provide healthy nutrition to
children at risk. Additionally, HFF often supports relief efforts in
response to natural disasters.

About Herbalife Ltd.
Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) is a global network marketing company that
sells weight-management, nutritional supplements and personal care
products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products
are sold in 65 countries through a network of 1.7 million independent
distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and
its Casa Herbalife program to bring good nutrition to children. Please
visit Investor Relations for additional financial information.

CONTACT: Herbalife Family Foundation
George Fischer, 310-410-9600 x32649
georgef@herbalife.com

SOURCE: Herbalife Family Foundation

Jim Rohn visits Jamaica

Have you heard about the life-changing event on Sunday December 16? At the monthly Success Training Seminar at the Hilton Kingston, Jim Rohn will be our guest speaker.

Over the past 37 years, he has addressed over 5,000 audiences and 3 million people worldwide. He is the recipient of the 1985 National Speakers Association CPAE Award and is the author of 17 different books, audio and video programs. Referred to by many as the greatest motivational speaker of all time, Jim Rohn always approaches the subjects of personal and business success by asking four questions: Why? Why not? Why not you? and Why not now? He then goes on to answer those and related questions, revealing practical, perceptive secrets of success http://www.mindperk.com/RohnBio.htm

“Jim Rohn simply cannot be described nor defined. Instead, he must be experienced. The remarkable combination of his personal style and his message does something to people that cannot be captured in a text description. The power that is behind his extraordinary effect on people is not found just in what he enables them to learn, but in what he makes them feel.” Rest the rest of this brief biography of the motivational speaker at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/jim_rohn.htm and/or read the Wikipaedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rohn. Of course, this renown business philosopher has his own web site: http://www.jimrohn.com/

Jim Rohn couldn’t be visiting Jamaica at a better time. Jamaica is ripe for the type of change that he advocates: personal development. Let me quote the man himself: "Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth." Jim Rohn

Jamaica needs enterprising entrepreneurs who exemplify innovation:
“An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.” Jim Rohn

And to top if off, examine two rave reviews:

Les Brown - "I've been a student of Jim Rohn since 1972. He was then and still is one of the most profound thinkers and mind-expanding individuals I've ever had a chance to listen to."

Mark Victor Hansen - "Jim Rohn is the master motivator - he has style, substance, charisma, relevance, charm, and what he says makes a difference and it sticks. I consider Jim the 'Chairman of Speakers.' The world would be a better place if everyone heard my friend, Jim Rohn."

This sounds - as if - he is too good to be true. Why not hear him for yourself? The introductory session at the Hilton Kingston is free: 10 - 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the remainder of the Success Training Seminar cost US$30. This is a bargain when compared to similar events to Jamaica and the USA with motivational speakers.

Don’t miss it!

Power of Direct Sales, HLF rated "Buy"; Herbalife CFO to Participate in California Dreaming Conference Dec 11, 2007

Review an online article produced by the Associated Press about the direct sales industry as well as a news release from Herbalife Ltd.; the company will participate in Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference (see details below).

Dec. 7, 2007, 11:08AM
Sector Snap: Direct-Selling Companies
© 2007 The Associated Press
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5360412.html

NEW YORK — A Jefferies & Co. analyst said Friday companies that use a direct selling business model may become better investments next year since they can infiltrate new markets full of shoppers with disposable incomes.

Analyst Douglas M. Lane said in a note to investors that growth at the companies "should pick up given the attractiveness of the model in penetrating newer markets that are underdeveloped but have sharply rising disposable incomes."

In these companies' selling models, individuals distribute products by demonstrating them in prospective buyers' homes or by holding product "parties" - a method popularized by Tupperware Brands Corp.

Some also pay employees through a multi-level marketing plan in which employees' pay is based on their own sales plus the sales of employees they recruited to join the company.

Lane said since direct selling companies don't require as much infrastructure to enter a new market, they should be able to grow rapidly in under-developed emerging markets like China, Russia, Eastern Europe, India and Indonesia.

China, in particular, he said, represents an opportunity for such companies to grow, despite regulations against multi-level marketing. Some companies, including personal care product maker Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. and vitamin company Herbalife Ltd. have been granted licenses to do business there.

"We have heard estimates that direct selling companies doing business in China would make it an approximately $5 billion market, which would make China the sixth-largest direct selling market in the world," he said.

Lane initiated coverage on both of the companies Friday. He gave Nu Skin stock a "Neutral" rating.... Lane rated shares of Herbalife a "Buy" and said the company is "poised for continued strong revenue growth."

----
HERBALIFE LTD has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.

Title: Herbalife Ltd. to Participate in Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference
Date: 12/7/2007 12:00:00 PM

For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here


LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2007--Herbalife Ltd.
(NYSE:HLF) Chief Financial Officer Rich Goudis will participate in the
8th Annual Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference December
11-12, 2007 at The Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.
Goudis will present on Tuesday, December 11, at 8:45 a.m. PST. The
presentation will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of
Herbalife's Web site at www.Herbalife.com.

About Herbalife
Herbalife is a global network marketing company that sells
weight-management, nutritional supplements and personal care products
intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold
in 65 countries through a network of 1.7 million independent
distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and
its Casa Herbalife program to bring good nutrition to children. Please
visit Herbalife Investor Relations for additional information.

CONTACT: Herbalife Ltd.
Media:
George Fischer
Sr. Director, Worldwide Corp. Comm.
310-410-9600 ext. 32649
or
Investors:
Erin Gehan
Sr. Director Investor Relations
310-410-9600 ext. 32862

SOURCE: Herbalife Ltd.

Weigh in with Lower Fat

Despite any predisposition to being overweight due to nature or nurture, ultimately your actual lifestyle choices can make a difference in your shape and size. Read the thoughts of Himanshu Joshi in a recent article in the American Chronicle:

Herbalife Weight Loss Product: How to Weigh in With Lower Fat

"Genetics does play a role in obesity, of course, but not as big a role as you do. Most health experts say that the concept of genes compelling you to be heavy is a myth.

For the vast majority of us, genes may set the lower limits of our weight, but we set the upper limits by our food choices.

Nonetheless, we all know that most of us tend to put on weight as we age. In addition, if there is one thing we cannot prevent, it is the aging process. But we can prevent eating more and exercising less as we get older. And first of all, you have to have surgeries for food control in your life, strategies that work."

Read the rest of this article at http://www.americanchronicle.com

He briefly discusses some options and then recommends Herbalife products. As I've said before, I lost twenty-five pounds (25lbs) using ShapeWorks products from Herbalife. To maintain this weight loss, requires discipline to continue to eat small balanced healthy meals often, consume healthy nutritional shakes daily, and exercise regularly. I actually eat four to five meals per day, depending on my workout intensity and hunger pangs. Some persons may classify two of those meals as snacks. As the young people say, "Whatever." I just ingest excellent nutrition often.

The key is to eat nutritionally-dense low-caloric meals, whenever your body needs it. Taking supplements to augment your solid food consumption help. Starvation is never the answer. That's great, because I only want to fast during special prayer. I know that I can maintain my size 4 for life - using the convenient effective products offered by Herbalife.

Herbalife Investor & 3rd quarter conference calls

I carefully listened to the last Investor Conference Call by Herbalife Ltd; I was not disappointed. Currently, Herbalife is growing at 16%. And it is fair to say more success is expected. The Vision of Herbalife is to be the premiere nutrition company in the world. The products are distributed using network marketing, which is viewed negatively by many persons. However, Michael O. Johnson demonstated that direct selling is a good business; graphs were displayed with other mega-competitors in the industry. Moreover, he noted that across the world obesity rates (BMI > 30) are expected to double in thirty years and that the global population is aging. As such, the business model of a nutrition company in the direct sales industry is sustainable for the future.

The award-winning CEO spoke about how the company had lost confidence in 2003 - because of the death of the founder in 2000 and a rapid changeover of top leadership. On a company-wide level, he introduced strategic planning for retailing, retention and recruiting to replace the ninety (90) day plans that were used in the past. In recent times, Herbalife has improved its management team, expanded its geographic reach as well as sharing best practices among distributors in training. This has resulted in distributor momentum and top line revenue. According to the Chairman, his job is as follows: to promote confidence in the products, the business opportunity, the brand and the image of Herbalife.

He noted the improvement in Herbalife performance over the years:
16 years - 1 billion retail sales
8 years - 2 billion retail sales
2 years - 3 billion retail sales

Michael O. explained the compensation structure of the marketing plan, which allocates 73% of profits to distributors. There is 50% retail discount (100% markup on cost, excluding shipping and taxes), 15% royalty override, 7% production bonus, and 1% annual bonus. The compensation for supervisors in 2006 was displayed on the screen. [See Herbalife.com or the sheet enclosed in the International Business Pack kit.] I transcribed the actual numbers at each level of the Marketing plan; there are 418,735 supervisors, 66,675 World Team, 12,403 Global Expansion Team, 2,899 Millionaire Team, 1066 President Team, and 31 Chairman Club members. [This includes 1 President Team member, Dr. Vendryes, and at least two Millionaire team distributorships resident in my island home, Jamaica.]

He remarked that Herbalife was first with a Nitric Oxide product; as a result, the company was an object of ridicule, but then they were copied by others. He also noted that David Beckham has been a big hit. (David Beckman is a soccer star that recently moved to LA Galaxy, sponsored by Herbalife. Their playing jerseys displays a Herbalife logo on its front.)

He spoke about integrity at length; there is an investment in staff to strengthen internal controls, policies and procedures. There is a distributor whistle blower hot line and internal audits. The rules for supervisors include 10 customers/70% rule; each supervisor is required to submit proof of ten customers and that seventy percent of their products are sold to customers.

Actually, I had only intended to listen to a part of the call; yet, I was so intrigued by the presentation that I continued to attend the audio stream for all four presentations: 1) Michael O. Johnson, Chairman and CEO; 2) Scientific overview by four physicians, 3) Greg Probert, President and COO; 4) CFO. The podcast ended with a Question and Answer session.

You can read verbatim information from a previous conference call to discuss the 3rd quarter information:

Herbalife Limited (HLF)
Q3 2007 Earnings Call
November 7, 2007, 11:00 AM ET
http://seekingalpha.com/article/53338-herbalife-limited-q3-2007-earnings-call-transcript

Michael O. Johnson - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Thanks Brett. Good morning everybody. I am fired up on Liftoff this morning and I have got to lot to say. So buckle your -- fasten your seat belts as they say. It's a great morning; it's great morning to be part of Herbalife. Welcome to our third quarter earnings call.

Before we update you on the third quarter, let me comment on the events that adversely affected our stock in the last few days. On Monday, an individual who claims to be a fraud investigator issued report that put in question our integrity, our marketing plan and our ethical fiber as such. This rattled your confidence; it rattled the investor confidence in our business model, our management team and our company. I am here to fix that right now. When concerning how we best respond to this report, we debated getting into the sand box and trading tit for tat or taking the high road, I have every intention of taking the high road.

Herbalife is a great company, a company of which I am personally very proud. When I left Disney four and a half years ago to join Herbalife I found the company that needed improvement and it lost its founder in 2000 and had several CEOs and senior management changes in three years. The company had new owners; who were looking for new leadership. It was a company, which was very tactical which lacks strategic direction. We had a senior management team that was not united in purpose and our distributor employee confidence in the long-term future of the company was frankly in doubt.

I have often told investors when I joined Herbalife I've viewed this company as a company of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Only one can change history, my focus was firmly on the future of our company. I immediately set out to build a strong leadership team, develop the growth strategy. We established distributor confidence and add to the integrity of our products, our business opportunity, our brand and our company image.

Let me take a moment to summarize what we collectively with our distributors, employees, our nutrition advisory board and our Board of Directors have accomplished in the past four and a half years. We've restored growth at Herbalife, double-digit top line growth in the past 36 months. Through specific strategic initiatives leading this year's growth was the U.S. so how old this market? Its 27 years old. It grew 20% in the last quarter.

Let me share with you some global comparisons to 2003. Today we have current... we currently have 1.7 million distributors, that's an increase of 58%. We have more distributors moving up the marketing plan than ever before. This is one of the many ways we define success. Our supervisor growth is up 52%, our GET team growth up 51%, our MILL team growth it's up 51% also. Our PRES team growth is up 40%, we have added eight new Chairman's Club, an increase of 33% and we now have two members of our founder circle. We developed strategies to strengthen retailing, retention and recruiting which you have heard us call the 3Rs. We modified the marketing plan to improve, supervise and retention. And the result has been an improvement in the retention from 28% in 2003 to 42.5% in 2007.

We initiated a sharing of best distributor practices worldwide. The company invested in those practices which we call DMOs [Daily Methods of Operations] to focus on retailing and retention. Most popular of these DMOs are Nutrition Clubs, which many investors on this call have visited over the past several months or even years. We are more balanced today among the 3Rs than at anytime in the company's history. And that is thanks to our leadership of our distributors who have globalized the successful DMOs.
And for distributors who decide to leave our company we have an industry leading policy to accept product returns for up to one year. Our buyback rates are approximately 1% of net sales. We have invested in staff to strengthen our internal controls policies and procedures. In today's world operating with integrity is not nice to have, but it's required.

We have been SOX compliant each year that we have been public. We have a distributor whistle blower hotline which handles complaints, I and against our distributors. We have minimal activity on this line, but each complaint is investigated and we review the results quarterly with our audit committee. We have a worldwide ethical business practice group that monitors distributor activity and proactively responds to questionable business practices. We have a worldwide internal audit staff that reports directly to the audit committee of the Board.

We have improved enough grade of the science behind our products along with its standard product training and coaching with the assistance of highly regarded professionals. Our Nutrition Advisory Board, we have built a global network of scientists and doctors, one of them who is a Nobel Laureate with impeccable credentials that assist our R&D team in reviewing and developing new products along with teaching our distributors about the science behind our products. At UCLA, we have a strong affiliation where we have established the Mark Hughes Cellular and Molecular Nutrition Laboratory at the Center for Human Nutrition.

At the University of Mississippi, we have a partnership, who will assist us in the development of future botanical and herbal products. And we currently have six clinical trials underway at various universities throughout the world. We have introduced new products with great science. They compete well in the marketplace. Let me name a few. Niteworks, it's a core heart health and a core heart helpline developed by a Nobel Laureate. Liftoff, an excellent energy drink that's been consumed this moment by people around this table and around this world and it competes head-to-head at retail with many of the best energy products, best effects which helps boost immunity. H3O, a fabulous hydration product, a new kid's line for kid's nutrition; skin activator and a complete new NouriFusion line, that's a line of personal care products fortified with vitamins.

We have built a tremendously talented management team which I am very proud of. It's comprised of Executives from some of the largest paying companies in the world. This is a team of high moral fiber, strong business ethics. And lastly, we created a company vision, mission and value statement that provides all of our employees and distributors with a fixed moral compass.

Now let me address some of the more specific points in this report. The report specifically states that our company is operating improperly in the Peoples Republic of China. And that our global marketing plan and distributive practice are designed for failure. Let me reiterate the facts as we've previously disclosed. We have strong confidence in our direct selling business model on a global basis. We operate in compliance with all applicable laws in 65 markets throughout the world and our business model has stood the test of time for 27 years....

For more of transcript from the call, click http://seekingalpha.com/article/53338-herbalife-limited-q3-2007-earnings-call-transcript

Herbalife featured Woman's Day magazine

Every day more people are realizing the many benefits that the Herbalife business opportunity has to offer! Now Herbalife is featured in the article “Make Money at Home” in Woman’s Day online magazine (http://www.womansday.com) as an excellent opportunity to work from home while being profitable and successful! Catch a glimpse of a successful business that Herbalife can offer! Read the highlights below:

HERBALIFE
"It's good if… you're a health and fitness buff who likes knowing about the science behind products.

Herbalife reps sell a wide range of vitamins, protein shakes, energy supplements and skincare products. The company has even come out with a kids' line of nutrition products. A starter kit will cost you $79 and Herbalife holds meetings almost every weekend across the country where you can go to learn more about them and their products."

For further information, see herbalife.com