Hello Partners:
This is in response to my good friend,
Debbi Bressler's message below ("Why People HATE MLM")
Deb, it was EXCELLENT!
-- many thanks for "telling it like it IS" with this [all-too-often] example of - GREED at work.
Unfortunately, that's everywhere these days - surfing the Internet - on the Traffic Exchanges - on Forums - you name it.
And it doesn't seem to matter whether it's - Internet Marketing // Affiliate Marketing // MLM-Network Marketing // Direct Sales - we're seeing the same messages => "get rich overnight" => "best comp plan on the universe" => "we do all the work for you" - on and on.
The same theme is screaming out at us everywhere - every day and night. It's sickening.
Like you say - it's all about the MONEY - MONEY - MONEY -- instead of the "real heros" => the PRODUCTS // SERVICES.
Society today is all about the "quick fix" -- there's very little attention paid any more to the principle of "delayed gratification".
But the tragedy is - too many good people innocently get "swept up" in these Money Games - lay down their credit cards - and then, get hit over the head as the "reality" begins to set in that it was all smoke-and-mirrors!
And guess what => our great MLM-InterNetwork Marketing industry once again, gets another
BLACK EYE.
So yes, it's true - there ARE good / bad / ugly sides our industry [as there is in any industry] -- and it behooves ALL of us to do our own research and careful due-dilligence and reflection well "before" signing any agreements or getting out our wallets!
RISKS - There absolutely are some "risks" inherent this industry - just like with any other industry. And MLM does have its detractors - its critics [early on, I was one of them]!
As a Financial Advisor and Business Consultant - and with a 20+ year background as a professional in this industry, I'd like to share a few thoughts on this.
First - - -
The ECONOMY - Most people are going through a rude awakening in North America right now. Many job losses are happening - many careers / professions and businesses are in jeopardy - because of so many reasons – outsourcing - the soaring gas and oil prices - crushing personal debt loads - government spending out of control [+ an insane 'monetary policy'], etc, etc. The real estate market is in chaos - the auto industry is now struggling - retail sales are sluggish - food prices are going out of sight – you name it.
Recession / The PAIN - Because of the tailspin - people are hurting. They are nervous and worried about the future => it's called
Recession => some are labeling it
inflation and/or
stagflation - whatever. We've been there before, but this time, experts tell us it will be far more lengthy – far more painful.
And as history shows - when the economy "tanks" - and people suffer the fallout - they quickly start "searching" for better alternatives.
Well, guess what?...
One 'BOOMING' Industry - Despite all the 'gloom and doom' out there - there is an industry that is B-O-O-M-I-N-G right now [for some].
Internet Home Business Industry - This industry - and in particular - InterNetwork Marketing // Affiliate Marketing // Direct Sales - is where the rapid growth appears to be.
Here's the new reality - the overwhelming trend right now - especially for Baby Boomers [who see their retirement plans evaporating, but still feel energetic] - is to become a HOME-Business-Entrepreneur - where the cost is minimal - and where 'they' have more control. Add to that, the power of the INTERNET.
C-H-A-N-G-E - And it's is exploding, because people are [slowly] finding ways to adjust and adapt to [and getting the "education" on] => Attraction Marketing => Social Networking => Self-Branding => Funded Proposals => WEB-02 / 03, etc - where momentum and critical mass can occur very quickly, at virtually NO cost.
Ok - back to MLM-InterNetwork Marketing (Online MLM) - where the major action appears to be - - -
MLM - The BAD
This side includes [among others] - a lack of integrity and/or support by companies and/or uplines - bad P&Ps (Policies & Procedures) - poor management decisions - unfair comp plans [imbalanced and/or 'too much' breakage] - little or no emphasis on 'retailing' the products / services - front-end loading - unjust Rep terminations [bad P&Ps] - lack of compliance safeguards, etc, etc.
Our Biz PROTECTION? - A while back, I posted this on another Forum -
http://www.mlmwoman.com:80/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=314 B-U-T => here's where I'd "really" like to bring this -- to put the most emphasis on...
MLM - The G-O-O-D
No - it's not "perfect" - far from it. But show me ANY business // profession that is perfect! :-)
The "perfect" business does not exist - it does not exist - and that's because "humanoids" are behind them.
As indicated above - IF one goes through all the proper steps in EVALUATING a potential MLM opportunity - and is able to "avoid" the risks - and gets the right coaching => the potential for both TIME and ECONOMIC Freedom is second to none.
MLM Defined - Perhaps one of the best way to define Network Marketing is -- a highly efficient Consumer Distribution System [CDS] -- providing for the 'direct' shipping of goods and services to customers. It 'cuts out all of the middle-people profits'. The MLM-InterNetwork Marketing industry has been around for over 50 years. Sales are now considered to be in excess of $50 billion/year. More than 15 million people are now thought to be involved in it. Mega corporations have embraced its concept [GM / MCI / Gillette / Sanyo / Ford / Panasonic / etc].
MLM-InterNetwork Marketing is perhaps the last bastion left in the Free Enterprise System where someone - without education - without a famous bloodline - without a large capital investment - can become financially free.
MLM Advantages - MLM-InterNetwork Marketing has many advantages over 'traditional' businesses. For example, the start-up costs are [usually] low -- the operating costs are reasonable -- there is usually NO stocking or inventory of products -- NO need to get bank financing -- NO need to ship products -- NO accounts receivable -- NO need to pay royalties -- NO need to go to expensive meetings / conventions [although that's a personal choice] -- NO need to distribute audios / videos / brochures / CDs [but again, that's a personal choice] -- NO need to collect taxes -- NO need to hire employees, etc. Most all of the RED TAPE of a 'traditional' business is taken care of by the NWM company.
MLM - The 'B' Quadrant - As Robert Kiyosaki (famous author of 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad') teaches - a business built within the Network Marketing industry can be one of the 'finest' vehicles available anywhere on the planet, to achieve the ultimate in Financial Independence. He explains this clearly in another of his best-sellers - 'The Cash Flow Quadrant' [the 4 different ways we create income] - where he puts forth the concept of people moving from the LEFT side of the Quadrant [Employee + Self-employed status] -- where people are simply "trading time for money" [hours for dollars] -- trapped with a limited income potential ==> over to the RIGHT side of the Quadrant [a Business + Investment Portfolio] -- where the financial potential is completely unlimited -- there's no ceiling.
RK says - "the richest people in the world look for, and build NETWORKS -- everyone else 'looks for WORK'. He goes on -- "if you want long term financial success and complete control over your life, you need to "have a business" - one that runs itself, and makes money even when you're not there". The problem is, most people don't have the education or money to purchase a business. They're trained throughout childhood to 'climb the corporate ladder' -- not to 'own' it".
Greatest 'FINANCIAL STRATEGY' IN North America - This is what Tax//Legal expert Sandy Botkin calls a HOME business - because of the huge savings in TAXES alone.
Ingredients - This well known business model (the Vehicle) - offers a magnificant opportunity for average folks to achieve business, financial and personal success. MLM-InterNetwork Marketing is really about MULTIPLICATION and DUPLICATION. It's all about EXPONENTIAL GROWTH - about having a Home Business with the awesome power of LEVERAGING our time - effort - money. It's about outstanding Products & Services - Business Profits - Residual Income.
MLM-InterNetwork Marketing is about ENTREPRENEURS who recruit other Business Associates - who acquire a Customer base, and serve them both honorably. It's about TEAM Building.
More - Most of the
RED TAPE of a 'traditional' business is all taken care of by the MLM-InterNetwork Marketing company. This one alone, is HUGE - to say nothing of the more important benefits - the many close relationships with your Team partners - the friendships - the opportunity for coaching / recognition / travel / personal growth / leadership.
Support - Other than perhaps a Franchise, very few traditional businesses [or Online businesses] will be able to offer the kind of "support" and encouragement that a [good] MLM-InterNetwork Marketing business can - both from the company and from the upline (( Conference Calls - Trainings - Seminars - Conventions - Webinars - Videos - Audios - CDs - on and on )).
The PEOPLE - MLM-InterNetwork Marketing is about "people" - people everywhere - in large office towers - on farms - in cities, towns and villages and countries, all around the world. It is about offering HOPE, and making a 'difference' in people's lives. It's about building TRUST, and forming close, comfortable RELATIONSHIPS with people - built on a solid foundation of sound principles.
Truth in MLM-InterNetwork Marketing - People will always follow good PEOPLE - not Companies / Products / Pay Plans. If they are cared for - supported - served with integrity, they will prosper and stay. If not - they will fail, and leave.
MLM-InterNetwork Marketing is about 'empowering' people - LEADERSHIP Development - the pursuit of EXCELLENCE. It's about PERSONAL GROWTH and fulfilling worthwhile DREAMS. Yes, these are
some of the 'positive' things about MLM -- but there are many MORE...
MLM-InterNetworkMarketing => an INCOME-PRODUCING-ASSET - People should be given a 'correct picture' of what a really successful MLM-InterNetwork Marketing business is - because once they fully understand it - they will want to embrace it. An MLM-InterNetwork Marketing business is a long-term, revenue producing "asset". Once it's built correctly - with the right business and financial principles - and with the right [healthy] ratio of "customers" to "distributors" - it should keep producing an on-going Passive [or low effort] Income -- just like a good Real Estate Property (home / office bldg) does -- or an Investment Portfolio - or a Pension Plan - an Apartment Building - a best-seller Book / CD / Tape - a successful TV Show.
The Process - We have a clear vision of our GOAL. We create a PLAN (a Blueprint) for the execution of that Plan. We lay the foundation for our enterprize, by implementing good stratregies and gathering loyal Customers. We assemble the TEAM of Biz Partners, to build a BIG network of entrepreneurs, we basically become talent scouts -- searching for the right candidates - through personal observation / referrals / advertising / ATTRACTION MARKETING / etc. We 'connect' with them, to build rapport / trust / RELATIONSHIPS. We interview and consult with them - to explain the realities - to see if there's a 'mutual bond' between our interests / vision / values. If that's positive, we then answer questions and concerns - invite them to partner with us -- IF we mutually feel it's a good 'fit' for us both. We COACH and MENTOR them - we SUPPORT them - we share in their progress and their challenges - and we develop some exceptional LEADERS in the process.
KEY - We recruit (SPONSOR) a 'network' of ENTREPRENEURS of like-minded persuasion (those looking for a Plan B - and for whom this is the right thing for them to be doing - right now) -- to market our products / services -- bringing 'leverage' into play. We MENTOR these partners on "how" to understand PEOPLE -- "how" to effectively COMMUNICATE with people -- "how" to build trust, leading to lasting RELATIONSHIPS with people -- "how" to GROW, personally.
MLM => a PEOPLE Business - This is first and foremost. A little known secret in our industry is this => if we build PEOPLE -- they will build the BUSINESS.
MLM => a PROFESSION - Personally, I consider MLM-InterNetwork Marketing to be a "profession" - yet I know we need to constantly "raise the bar" in terms of our professional standards. We in the DRA are "committed" to that - and for starters, have produced the first ever
Manual =>
"Independent Contractor's GLOBAL STANDARDS & EDUCATION For Companies & Distributors" [it's provided as part of the benefits to all Distributors who join our DRA, at only $50/year].
The NEW PROFESSIONALS - Dr. Charles King wrote a wonderful book, titled =>
"The New Professionals - The Rise Of Network Marketing As The New Profession" - it outlines why so many professionals are seeking the preferred lifestyle that a [good] MLM-InterNetwork Marketing Home Biz can give them...
(
www.amazon.com/New-Professionals-Network-Marketing-Profession/dp/0761519661 )
GIFTS - After so many years involved in this industry, I have grown to admire some of its most important strengths -- the gift of friendships made -- the opportunity for business education and personal growth --the thrill of seeing people achieve their objectives -- the enormous economic potential available [especially now, with the advent of accelerated technology and automation - using the 'high touch humanity' factor] -- the chance to offer consultation to others -- the fun we can have together as a 'Team' -- to touch on only a few.
I am a member of the
Professional Association for Network Marketing [PANM] - and I'm proud to serve as Canada's representative on the DRA
(Distributor Rights Association) -
www.TheDRA.org ) As an MLM-InterNetwork Marketing professional, I personally believe there is currently
no business concept anywhere in the world, that even comes close to that of the MLM-InterNetwork Marketing business model -- none
NOT For 'EVERYONE' - As good as MLM-InterNetwork Marketing may be, it is not for everyone -- any more than being a brain surgeon or a sky-diver is for everybody. Yes, everyone is a potential Customer for the outstanding PRODUCTS // SERVICES that MLM makes available to consumers -- and perhaps most are potential candidates for building a SMALL BIZ in MLM-InterNetwork Marketing [part- time effort]. But not everyone is ideally suited to building a BIG BIZ in this industry. And that's perfectly OK.
Challenges - Yes - the challenges are out there - they always will be - we cannot hide from them. To WIN in MLM-InterNetwork Marketing, in today's competitive climate - we need that very strong WORK ETHIC for starters - with lots of determination and persistence.
But knowlege + human ingenuity will empower us. Resolve + positioning will cause us to win - BIG. The opportunities are there, for those of us who are ready. We are a resourceful industry. Personally, I have a passion for its purpose - but we need to believe in our dreams - act on our vision. We can build great successes in future, together. I truly believe this.
Industry 'MISSION' - WHY do I believe this? Because of what we DO in our MLM-InterNetwork Marketing world -- because of the CAUSE we represent -- because of the HUMANITY we serve. We in this industry -- reach out to more people -- we touch more lives -- we bring more good -- we spread more WELLNESS (personal / financial / business / legal / spiritual / + +) -- than just about any other calling on this earth.
I believe that we should RECOGNIZE this -- that we should be PROUD of this -- and that we should do whatever is absolutely necessary to PRESERVE this heritage, as it is an awesome responsibility we hold in our hands.
Thanks for the privilege of posting here.
Sincerely / Peter A.
www.PeterArnold.biz Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC / Founder
Business Achievers Academy / Canada
