NETWORK MARKETING -VS- CORPORATE
Hello Partners:
As the economy continues its "tailspin" - more and more people are searching for alternatives - and this includes those in the CORPORATE world.
I'd like to share with you what I feel is a good comparison between life in MLM-Network Marketing and life in the Corporate world.
It is my own strong belief that CORPORATE is primarily about - entrenched policies and procedures and red tape and sales and layers of management - whereas more than anything else, NETWORK MARKETING is about - people + personal growth + leadership development (as some great NWM leaders have said -- "if you build the people - they will build the business").
A GOOD LESSON - Before I set up private practice as a Business and Financial Consultant a number of years ago, I was in the 'corporate' environment, latterly serving as the Director of Training in the Head Office (Quebec, Canada) of a major International Insurance / Financial / Estate Planning institution for a few years. It was an experience that taught me a 'lot' about the corporate culture, and one where I was able to observe much of what goes on, how various executive roles differ, the pros and cons, etc.
Today, I would never return to the 'tick-tock' world. I would never trade the wonderful experience of working directly with clients, and with my outstanding business partners in Network Marketing, for any of that previous life. Never.
IN CORPORATE - As a quick overview, I was always facinated with the contrasts between the boldness of leaders and the cautiousness of managers in the corporate world. I learned that leaders and managers serve different, yet equally important functions.
Leaders take bold risks in order to achieve their goals (sound familiar?).
Managers do the opposite - they seek results by acting cautiously.
Leadership can be hard to foster in corporations whose large size and time-worn traditions reward conservative behaviour (I saw this constantly). A leader may be well suited to developing a new product or service, or in turning around a declining sector -- two tasks that may demand personal charisma and bold intuitive insights. But once the new item is on-line or the sector is profitable, they may need the steady hand of a 'manager' who is good at resolving problems and protecting established systems.
OK - how does our MLM culture 'differ' from the corporate world? Here are some thoughts...
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= IN Network Marketing - we are asked to make sacrifices today -- to become strong leaders -- to inspire and develop 'other' leaders -- so that we can secure their (and our own) financial freedoms for the future (3-5 years of 'hard labor' now -- to get back our lives later).
= IN CORPORATE - we have a secure income (hopefully!) every payday -- but we'll have to 'smack an alarm' every day at 6:30AM -- fight road-rage -- take orders from others -- and work for 35+ years to get that 'gold watch' + a pension of 70% of what we 'couldn't' live on prior to that -- and end up as a part-time greeter at Wal-Mart to make up the difference (that's called 'life without parole').
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= IN Network Marketing - we get paid to 'help others' -- we never get ahead by holding others back. In fact, we hope they will become 'more successful' than ourselves. The road to success in Networking is traveled by 'empowering others'. We work to encourage and support the 'whole'. We value and appreciate the entire Team effort. We look for rewarding work effort -- balance in our lives -- and quality time with our loved ones.
= IN CORPORATE - it can be violently 'competitive'. It can become a dog-eat-dog environment very quickly, with high stress, ulcers and heart attacks as a common by-product for the workaholic. Not everybody wins at the corporate battle.
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= IN Network Marketing - we try to keep things basic, simple and 'duplicatable' for others. We don't ask for resumes or a list of degrees. We simply follow a strong and wise Leader - who teaches by example. We don't want everyone having to 'reinvent the wheel' either -- it's a matter of everyone doing a 'little' just once -- so that no one partner has to do it all -- over and over (as is the case with many professional salespeople).
= IN CORPORATE - we are rewarded for uniqueness, and superior intellect, and education, and specialized skills -- until somebody else comes along with greater credentials -- to replace us.
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= IN Network Marketing - we answer only to the' face in the mirror'. We are our own bosses in our own Home Offices -- which can be scary, because we must create our own job description -- and then follow it faithfully -- day after day -- just as with a job. Many are not able to bring the JOB discipline forward for this. But for those who do, the payoff can be enormous. And if we make mistakes along the way, it's no real problem, because NWM is perhaps the most 'forgiving' of all endeavours.
= IN CORPORATE - we have a boss who tells us what to do, and how it should be done. For many, that's the answer. But if we mess up on company procedures or protocol, we could be in trouble -- perhaps even fired by middle manager bosses. It happens all the time.
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= IN Network Marketing - we 'solve problems' rather than complaining about them, and we work with the company // upline to improve the products / services / program. We try to stay positive and focused towards reaching our Team / individual goals. We can 'choose' the people we want to work with and pick our own hours. We keep on going in spite of everything -- because that's often a major difference between an entrepreneur and an employee (who often can hardly wait 'til 5PM' to leave for the day).
= IN CORPORATE - we blame the 'company' for most problems. On the other hand, the company usually ignores our complaints. In NWM, if we're constantly blaming upline, downline, crossline, the company, whatever -- then maybe we should have stayed in (or should join) the ranks of corporate, where we're often forced to work beside or under someone we don't respect / relate to.
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= IN Network Marketing - we 'leverage' our time, energy and income. It's a very powerful concept, based on one of the finest business models in the world. We work to help 'others' become profitable -- and as a result, become profitable ourselves. Because of giving strong leadership and coaching and support, we earn an income from the efforts of 'other partners' in our business -- similar to how corporations earn profits from the efforts of the 'employees' in the corporation. However in NWM, there is NO LIMIT to the passive (recurring) income that we can create. In NWM, we have the flexibility of when we work -- where we work -- and how long we work. In NWM, we enjoy attractive tax writeoffs on otherwise 'personal' expenses, because we own a "home" based business. These are all huge win-win-wins.
= IN CORPORATE - it is THEY who decide how much our time is worth -- and that's it. We trade our hours for their wages (we exchange 'our time' - for 'their money'). They call the shots on our economic value. We usually have to fight or negotiate for raises. They tell us what kind of vacation we can take, and when we can take it. They tell us what kind of home and vehicle we can afford. They tell us when we can retire, and on how much.
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= IN Network Marketing - we as an industry almost always hit a 'growth curve' when times get tough -- because people are forced to consider income alternatives, and are more open to the idea of owning a good Home Business -- either as an income supplement, or replacement.
= IN CORPORATE - when economic turmoil strikes, companies often merge - or get bought out - or go under -- ((look at what's happening right now in our current economy -- with more job losses than gains (usually 'low income' job gains) -- multi-national corporations 'outsourcing' to foreign (low wage)countries -- corporate corruption at the top [the Enrons, etc] )). We are extremely vulnerable if that corporate salary is the ONLY income stream we have. It also means we have NO opportunity to become financially independent, as we are seldom ever able to have any control over our own financial destiny in the corporate culture.
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PLEASE NOTE - Please don't translate the above to conclude that corporate is the "big bad wolf" -- or that a JOB or PROFESSION is not a good thing -- and that Network Marketing is the only solution. This is
not a 'put-down' to jobs or professions. Far from it. And it's never that black and white. For example, most people who decide to set up an MLM Home Business for themselves -- do so wisely, on a part-time basis, at first anyway -- while they're 'already employed' in their jobs, businesses or professions. And there are some wonderfully dedicated employees // professionals who "love " their work, and who make considerable contributions -- and would never trade places. We must respect and appreciate that. And many corporations 'are' good citizens, creating many jobs in prosperous times, generating a large tax base, helping worthy causes, attracting famous leaders, captains of industry, etc.
And many large corporations (GM // Sanyo // MCI // Ford // IBM, etc, etc) have even 'embraced the NWM concept' -- to distribute some of their products and services.
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BOTTOM LINE - This has just been a sharing of thoughts to contrast some differences between Network Marketing and Corporate, as I see it. You can make your own conclusions.
Those who know me, know that personally, after 20+ years in this industry, I am sold on Network Marketing - and especially,
InterNetwork Marketing (Online MLM). I love this industry, and I enjoy learning and sharing where I can. I also believe there is no finer way to make lasting friendships, to grow personally, to build leadership skills, to help others, and thus to carve a successful future, than in this industry.
OPTIONS - Right now, Network Marketing offers a real 'choice' for those who are looking -- and honest hope for those who have been 'hit' by any corporate misfortunes / economic downturns.
MLM - A NEW ERA - Fortunately, Network Marketing has "matured" to where today, it has become a true "profession" -
an Integrated Business Marketing Model that includes -
Affiliate Marketing +
Internet Marketing +
Network Marketing ==>
InterNetwork Marketing. Most of the
OLD style [uncomfortable] building methods are disappearing, thankfully, as more and more Associates are pursuing 21st Centiry Marketing strategies - despite the fact that most companies and uplines continue to ignore this new and better trend.
NOT FOR EVERYONE - But for those looking to 'get rich quick', it is not the best answer. Yes, wealth has followed those who have paid the PRICE to become highly successful -- but it's hard W-O-R-K and effort for 2--5 years, first.
PAYING THE 'PRICE' - Network Marketing (InterNetwork Marketing) in my opinion, has emerged as the last real chance in the Free Enterprise System - for the average person - without large capital - without high education - without a famous bloodline - without a large capital investment - who will make the COMMITMENT - and stay the course - to become financially free.
Thanks for the opportunity to learn and to post on this excellent Board.
Respectfully, Peter A.
www.PeterArnold.biz Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC // Founder
Business Achievers Academy // Canada
