MLM

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

I will be careful not to offend anyone here, while also giving you

the right to get ticked off if you choose to. We all must take

responsibilitiy (at every moment) for how we respond (or react) to

any given situation, person or thing. No one can offend you unless

you allow them to!

 

I was a professional network marketer during most of the 90's. Rose

to the top 20 in my company. Made a lot of money and had a lot of

fun. But, I lost it all and would NOT become involved in business

building for another MLM company again. This doesn't mean I won't use

their products, I just wouldn't sell them again.

 

And, for you MLM'ers, I know all the cliche's that you use to

catagorize people like me, so have at it! I've lost my faith in the

industry (lack of trust -- heard too much BS) and I don't want to

constantly approach others with an agenda.

 

Like most, I can spot an MLM person from a mile away, regardless of

how subtle or helpful they think they are being. And, no matter

how " spiritual " or " in integrity " someone appears, stories that

embellish the truth are all too often used by MLM'ers to manipulate

others -- both product result stories, and financial result stories.

I've heard them all, and know for a fact, that A LOT of what you

hear, which you then pass on to others, is bogus.

 

We all get into MLM for one or two reasons, or both. We got great

results with the products (or services) and/or we believe in the

dream of a lifetime of increasing, residual income. The reality of

both can quickly come crashing down.

 

I personally would love to see people simply post a link to their

websites in their signature line. That way, if we feel drawn to you,

we can visit your site and go from there. What'cha think?

 

Michelle

http://www.holisticmenopause.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks Michelle,

 

I believe your perspective is heartfelt and true, from your perspective. I

also agree with you that too many people AND companies have used the power

of networking for less than respectable intentions, products or services.

And that makes it bad for the 'good folks' like you and I. I also was jaded

by not one but 4 NM companies in a row who did not have profound or

sustainable products or services...or companies for that matter. Needless

to say I was a little gun shy when I found my current home in NM. I can now

look back and see the path that God had for me to follow and why I had to go

on that path and it makes my path to the future that much clearer. NM is

flat tough sometimes because of all the hype that some deliver on a platter.

The antics and approach of the grandfather of true NM companies helped fuel

the " run...run away fast...it's another mlm " because they had to resort to

smoke and mirrors to get people in to listen.

 

My perspective is different since I learned how the business works and to do

it right. First it must be strictly product driven. This does not mean

that a positive financial outcome is not good but it must be the result not

the means. Some very successful NM'ers would disagree with me on that

point. One of the top three in my company of over 1,000,000 who makes

millions himself every year teaches its about the business opportunity

first, even though he is a huge believer and promoter of the product

technology. I also understand clearly that without the millions that he has

made he would not have been able to give the millions that he has given to

share this blessing with thousands of starving and diseased children around

the world.

 

I am far from there yet but I keep doing what I do, even in the face of

naysayers, because I have seen what can be accomplished by those that do. I

have also been a part of helping people realize healthier lives...sometimes

life itself because of what I do. In my Christian faith Jesus and His

followers are testament to what a great networking opportunity can do for

the world. I hope nobody, Christian or otherwise, reads into that what is

not there. I am not saying that ANY company or person compares to what

Jesus did, only that it is NOT about the network aspect rather it IS about

heart of the people, company and their products and the unstoppable power of

sharing it with others can do. A well designed NM pay plan is also the most

fair finacial plan anywhere for the individual because it is directly

proportional to the work, determination and perserverance of the individual

and is NOT dependent on the whims of superiors or subordinates.

 

As for your past defeat and my last FOUR defeats, and for those still to

come, I have a statement posted right above my desk that reads:

 

You're not finished

When you're defeated,

You're only finished

When you quit!

 

We have all heard the cliché's but that one really rings true to me in

everything I do.

 

I will keep doing what I do NOT because of the people I have already helped,

but because of the people I have not yet met that I WILL help! Network

Marketing is the most powerful tool I know to do that. If God chooses to

Bless me more financially along the way that's great because I can use that

to help even more...That's my mission...And I'm stickin' to it!

 

God Bless You In ALL That You DO!

[Guest guest]

, " Michelle " <michelle@h...>

wrote:

>

> > I personally would love to see people simply post a link to their

> websites in their signature line. That way, if we feel drawn to

you,

> we can visit your site and go from there. What'cha think?

>

> Michelle

> http://www.holisticmenopause.com

 

I couldn't agree more! Great suggestion.

 

Brenda

[Guest guest]

Hi Stan,

 

I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective in a

respectful way. You don't know who I am, or what I've done

before or after my MLM experience. And, posts in leave

plenty of room for interpretation. So, please know that I'm not

having a " pity party " here! I trust implicitly that all things happen

for a reason and feel deeply grateful for the 6+ years I spent with

my company. And, for the 6+ years since, that have clearly been

enriched by my time in MLM.

 

Without that experience, I wouldn't be the person I am today nor

would my businesses be as successful as they are. MLM greatly

enhanced skills I already had in nutritional products, promotion,

teaching, training, networking and customer service. I learned to

speak comfortably in front of an audience of several thousand. I

ultimately took the best of MLM, and left the rest behind. I

didn't quit. I moved on. With 28 years as a student, practitioner and

teacher in the holistic and spiritual arts, focusing on one product

line or service is far too limiting to me. And, I personally feel

that it's unfair to my clients and students.

 

I believe strongly in multiple streams of income. Holistic Menopause

is just one of my businesses and I am rewarded well for my work,

financially and on every level. I learned long ago that

are not a place to generate income, but a place to give and receive

information and support. I utilize " edutizing " on and

everywhere – a phrase my husband, a marketing consultant and

author, coined. He's writing a book with Jay Conrad Levinson

(Guerrilla Marketing) called " Guerrilla Marketing For Baby Boomer

Business Owners " in which he discusses this marketing concept. You

might enjoy picking it up when it's published later this year.

 

Sandy Elsberg and Jerry Rubin were my direct upline sponsors in my

company, and very dear friends. We had such a blast! I worked side by

side with Sandy for 6 years. I feel I learned from one of the best in

the industry. To this day I continue to be inspired by her,

especially during my public speaking engagements. Visit Sandy at

http://www.sandyelsberg.com

 

>>> You wrote: A well designed pay plan is the most fair finacial

plan anywhere for the individual because it is directly proportional

to the work, determination and perserverance of the individual and is

NOT dependent on the whims of superiors or subordinates.<<<

 

Stan, our perspectives certainly differ here. Why would I want to

devote ALL of my time and energy to fulfill the dream of someone

else? Why would I feel content to be rewarded with a tiny percentage

rather than 100% for my hard work? Why would I want to abide by the

decisions (whims) of a board of directors that I didn't choose?

Or, a financial plan that can be changed by " superiors " any ol'

time? Please… I am not asking you to answer these questions. I

already have!

 

I didn't quit my company. The owner of my company quit. He

apparently decided that all of us hard working distributors had made

him quite enough money, so he split to Tahiti. He wound up I jail for

fraud, but to this day continues to " lead " others in MLM companies.

Scarey.

 

Going from a solid 6 figure income to zero overnight was life

altering to say the least. Still, I am a stronger and better person

from the experience. As a lifelong entrepreneur, I discovered that

I'm not a follower. Oh, I dabbled in a few other companies after,

but I soon discovered that most of them lack the level of integrity

I'm committed to in my life.

 

I know of one quite famous network marketer who had liposuction and

later stood before huge audiences declaring that the products were

responsible for her weight loss. She is a Christian woman, who also

enjoyed making references to Christ when explaining the concepts of

MLM. It is challenging to feel confident in what you hear and see

when you have been to the top and discover what really goes on.

 

Of course I realize there are good people and good companies and good

opportunities. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the following

are accurate industry wide statistics.

 

MLM industry statistics show that only 10% of distributors get a

commission check each month. Of that 10%, 80% do not make enough to

sustain themselves as a full-time income. Industry-wide company

statistics show that 90% of distributors drop out of each company

within a 1-2 year period. Any way you cut it, MLM statistically does

not work for 90+% of those involved. And those who make the big bucks

are in a more elite group--usually 1/10 of 1% of all distributors.

I didn't quit. I moved on to what I feel allows me to truly be of

service to others while having to keep a check on the integrity level

of no one but myself.

 

Your passion for your products and company and your dedication to

being of service to others is obvious and admirable Stan. I sincerely

wish you all the best!

 

Michelle