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White Level: Winning the Yellow 

In Sun Tzu's system, white is the color of methods (metal), which requires mastering skills. The goal at this level is to understand the techniques of the speaking business; master the basic principles of strategy; learn our basic presentations; join in teleconferences; start giving short, free presentations at the lowest level of audience; and win your first sales.

To progress to the Yellow Level and qualify for the next level of trainer benefits, these are your responsibilities, with detailed explanations. 

Yellow Level: Winning the Green 

Yellow is the color of the ground, which is the element of form and economics. The goals at this level are to form your position in the ground of your marketplace. This requires that you complete the first levels of testing in Strategy School, get a Science of Strategy Institute-qualified web site in place, make one-hour POSITIONING presentations to an affiliated audience, have an inventory of products on hand, start writing comments on our strategy blogs, ask questions on trainers' teleconferences, and give a good reference to someone considering becoming an Institute trainer. The checklist needed to move to the Green Level is here.

Rewards: Qualification for our Radio Publicity Program

Green Level: Winning the Blue 

Green and blue are the colors of command. The goal at this initial level of leadership is to demonstrate your success and to promote it to others. This requires that you complete the middle levels of Strategy School, start your local publicity program, make a TAILORED presentation to a local business (or similar organization), demonstrate an increasing volume of product sales, start posting articles on Institute strategy blogs, co-host an Institute teleconference or teleseminar, and start promoting the SOSI Trainers' Program to others. The checklist to move to the Blue Level is here.

Rewards:  Free Annual Licensing Renewals

Blue Level: Winning the Red

The blue Level is the final level of command. The goal at this level is to position yourself to start sponsoring new trainers to work with you. To be successful at this level, you need to finish the Strategy School, start giving the PROGRESS presentation and working with local divisions of nationwide organizations, continue to grow your level of sales, start writing your own strategy book, start making joint presentations with other speakers, start advertising strategic training in local business publications, and sponsor a new Institute trainer to work with you. The checklist to move to the Red Level is here.

Red Level: Winning the Black

Red is the color of change (fire). At this level, your business changes to take on the brand identity of the Science of Strategy Institute, as a branch of our organization. You are responsible for offering all Institute-standard courses at standard fees, having an inventory of our key products, and advertising and holding your first training session open to the public. You are expected to work on booking a high-level training event so you can work with Gary, demonstrate good product sales, and train the trainer(s) you have sponsored. At this level, you are demonstrating day-to-day decision-making and management of the Institute in your area of responsibility. The checklist to move to the Black Level is here.

Rewards: Institute Black Council Membership

The Black Level

Black is the color of philosophy (literally, the path, tao), symbolized by water. In the science of strategy, philosophy represents the core mission of the organization. At this level, you contribute the the guiding philosophy of the Science of Strategy organization as a whole, both by your example and by your contributions. You become responsible not only for your own territory, customers, and trainers, but to everyone in the organization. You are expected to help define the goals of the organization, and especially the requirements for other trainers as the organization grows and evolves.

Black is not an end point. It too is a path. In the martial arts, the black belt is just the first level of mastery. Judo, for example, recognizes ten "Dans," or levels of mastery. Similarly, as you become a master, you will discover the new nature of your ascending path.