Network Marketing Trials & Tribulations in the Far East

Another daily Motivation video

2009-12-31T01:30:00.021Z

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18,000 YouTube views and counting! Simply amazing.

A motivational / inspirational music video featuring modern day "nobodies" who became "somebodies" by TAKING ACTION in their lives.

The YouTube Features: Helen Keller, Chuck Yeager, Ray Kroc, John Lennon, Thomas Edison, J.K. Rowling, Neil Armstrong, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, Cesar Chavez, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, John Wooden, Dwight Eisenhower, George Lucas, Debbie Fields, Sam Walton, Danica Patrick, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Mother Teresa.

... are YOU the next role model in line?

Make your mark by building the greatest free enterprise of the 21st Century.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

Ever built a 1 leg downline? Here's your chance!

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Mark Yarnell's article in The Central New York Business Journal

2009-09-20T13:09:00.001Z

Acturial professionals, take note! That means insurance agents, financial planners, wealth managers, ...
Don't be like your compatriot. Be informed & educated about things -- especially good things.

Another MLM Fairy Tale from an Industry Outsider
By: Mark B. Yarnell

18th September 2009

I've had about enough self-righteous opinions from financial-sector capitalists who, perhaps embarrassed about their own performance, insist on criticizing legitimate professions.

One such asset manager, David John Marotta, took a shot at multi-level marketing (MLM) or network marketing recently in this journal (Aug. 28 issue, column entitled, "The False Lure of Multi-Level Marketing"). And his analysis was so flawed, unsubstantiated, and preposterous that I simply couldn't let it slide. Like so many other self-appointed pseudo-experts, Mr. Marotta evidently decided to hold court outside his own domain and, in so doing, embarrassed himself and his profession.

David is probably a wonderful asset manager, but I humbly suggest that he leave multi-level marketing to the experts.

In case you missed his column, here are a few of his bits of wisdom.

"MLM is a non-sustainable business model because it simply provides a product that has been marked up in price."

Sorry David, but last year alone, as a matter of public record, Amway did $8.2 billion in sales and Mary Kay, Herbalife, and Primerica (which operates in financial planning itself!), each generated in excess of $2 billion. Those are just a few examples of companies that have been extremely profitable for dozens of decades. So much for non-sustainability.

Oh, and by the way, on planet earth every product that is for sale has been "marked up in price." You see, David, that's how capitalism works. According to your bio, you do fee-only financial planning. Your fee, David, is a mark-up. Instead of anything tangible, you mark up a service that may help people or wipe them out financially. Either way you make money.

Among other things, David goes on to assert that MLM is "not really a business," "we offend our friends and families," create "no real value," and "endlessly recruit hopefuls who churn at the bottom of a pyramid," while "only those positioned at the top" collect big checks. He closes by calling our profession a "distraction from a genuine vocational calling."

Mr. Marotta offered not one shred of support for his Wikipedia-style distortions. Why? Because his ramblings lack credible research and support.

As a best selling author, I've met thousands of wonderful men and women since 1986 who, like me, joined established MLM companies at the very bottom and became wealthy through hard work and perseverance. We started with no money, special skills, or credentials and delivered superior products and services to people all over the world by word-of-mouth advertising. Many of us have earned millions over the years and given huge amounts to charities and multiple worthy causes.

My international MLM business has taken me to every continent. Unlike financial planners, we don't just sit at home and collect fees by moving money around, we build international distribution organizations that allow common people with very little capital to prosper based on their own hard work and character. Many of our products and services are far superior to the crap from overseas that people purchase from big-box superstores.

David closed with the following delusional comment, "There are hundreds of legitimate business opportunities available for entrepreneurs who want to build companies that provide real value." Sorry David, but you need to read a few books by legitimate writers. There are no options for millions of boomers who have been hammered relentlessly into horrible debt loads by unconscionable casino capitalism just in time for retirement. Others have worked diligently for decades only to have their assets "managed" into oblivion by people in your world.

Many have seen their assets converted from 401(k)s to 201(k)s by people in your profession. The only time I turned over $300,000 to an asset manager it was down the toilet in three years thanks to stupid, high-risk investments. Fortunately, I've managed the bulk of my MLM income over the years and have been comfortably semi-retired since the late 1980s.

There are good people and bad people in every profession. I'm going to assume that David is more like Warren Buffet than Bernie Madoff because ignorance is not always an indication of malice. So, David, why don't you pick up the phone and ask Mr. Buffet why he calls MLM a great field. Better yet, ask him why he owns The Pampered Chef. He might be able to teach you why so many experienced asset managers regard MLM with respect.

I'd like to end by thanking Adam Rombel, editor-in-chief of The Central New York Business Journal for his professional integrity. In an age when many periodicals pander only to special interests, his journal is obviously engaged in presenting both sides of issues. It's refreshing to have access to a legitimate journal with no hidden agenda or stereotypical biases.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark B. Yarnell is author of the Random House bestseller, "Your First Year in Network Marketing," and former contributing editor to Success magazine.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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& Be First!

Urgent News: MLMLeadSystemPRO is misleading your generic leads!!

2009-08-21T11:13:00.009Z

It is official!

The founders of LeadSystemPro have finally come out of the mlm closet.

It was great news to the MLM world when they helped the whole networking community build a training platform via MLSP, and where everyone could attract "generic" prospects on the frontend with the GENERAL benefits of this biz... and then on the backend users could lead into promoting their own primary business to their newly-informed prospects.
All of that capitalising on Internet Marketing.

The founders have been rather successful online with the Lead System Pro thing, and now also openly admit that offline relationships are the foundations to long-term business success.
(Any experienced marketer knows this key requirement!)

Online leads may make an enquiry on your website, but 9 in 10 will never put money where their mouth is, because they are usually afraid of getting into a scam.
Thus making OFFLINE relationship building always necessary.

In light of this, the MLMSP founders have merged their generic online lead generation system, with a specific offline company / product.

i.e. MLMLSP is NO MORE generic.

The original direction in the Mlm Lead System concept would work, IF the founders remain 110% generic and do not actively represent any company or business.

Just as how Randy Gage is now very much less invited "in" to any Company to conduct internal trainings (compared to his prime as a pure industry trainer).
Similarly, it will be a reverse result obtained in YOUR efforts using the mlmleadsystempro system to gather qualified leads.

All your leads need to do, is a simple search (or ask around the industry in real life), and they will learn that "mlm lead system pro" now supports MonaVie.

Norbert Orlewicz, Todd Schlomer, Brian Fanale, Buck Reed, Sherri Sharman are all great marketers. But with one business direction in mind -- build the (pricey) MonaVie juice plan.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find an affordable niche & the market will come to you!

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So sorry MonaVie, eXfuze, XanGo, Vemma... the retailers have taken your consumers. :(

2009-06-03T23:03:00.017Z

Adding on an earlier blog about business fundamentals...
as how a recent advertisement shown very regularly on prime-time TV goes:

"Acai berries... Blueberries... Raspberries... Mulberries... and Cranberries... Five natural antioxidants, one perfect herbal blend. New no sugar added PowerBerries Juice!".
[Background advert text: Power of 5. Combined power of anti-oxidants (vitamin C).]

This is the latest marketing pitch by one of South Asia's largest retail beverage producers.

Not only that, they've also got another Mixed Fruit Mangosteen juice among their extensive range!
Another range called Fruit Tree has "Carrot Mixed Fruit Juice with Wolfberry Juice" & also "Pomegranate Mangosteen & Mixed Fruit Juice".

NOW putting on your business thinking-caps again... industry researchers, mlm folks (including those starting to look at building an income via network marketing or a home-based business):
the big-picture benefits of running a network distribution business on multi-level commissions are truly wholesome & great.

BUT does it make sense for you to compete with a mass-market retailer who has undercut your superfruit / superfood blend's price??

MonaVie, XanGo, Vemma / New Vision, eXfuze, 4Life Riovida, FreeLife Goji / GoChi, Morinda / TNI, ViaViente / Via Viente, Intra, Fruta Vida, etc.
ALL are EXCELLENT juice / herbal supplements.

But it is now a confirmed fact that 99% of your prospective liquid-nutrition customers will argue back at you with double-enthusiasm, when they learn that they can get PeelFresh Power Berries or FruitTree Fresh at a friggin' US$5 or LESS for a whopping 1.89 litres (64 oz)!!

Prospective consumers / members will get utterly confused when pitched $50-80 for each 1 litre (32 oz) bottle of the above direct-sales brands sold via independent distributors.

More likely than not, being humans they will simply opt for the lower-cost alternative.
This time round, Peel Fresh PowerBerries & Fruit Tree Fresh win the price war hands-down. As for the marketing war, well...
don't forget the catchy mass-market advert (see above youtubes!) running non-stop on most mass media avenues.

What catchy TV spots they are!
With such heated retail competition, the only type of direct-selling / direct-marketing companies that can match up for juices... would be TV or Home-shopping, and unfortunately not mlm / network-marketing.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!
Especially if its Equal or LESS than retail brand prices in shops.

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USA Today: Direct sales offer recession-proof jobs

2009-05-15T10:25:00.008Z

USAtoday's 13th May 2009 article reads as follows...

By Charisse Jones, USA TODAY

Not long ago, Craig L. made his living driving a truck that helped carve Southern California's soil into new developments. But then housing sales slumped, and in November 2007 Craig's construction company let him go.

While he searched for another job, Craig began working alongside his wife, Lynne, in a business based in their Temecula home, selling nutritional supplements made by the direct-sales company Isage. Nearly two years later and with no construction job in sight, Craig says a one-time sideline has become the couple's bread and butter.

"It's paying our mortgage, our car payments … putting food on the table," says Craig, 55, who adds that he and his wife are earning a six-figure income. "It was our 'Plan B' that turned into our 'Plan A.' "

Direct-sales businesses that rely on home-based representatives to peddle their wares are seeing their sales forces rapidly expand as the nation's unemployment rate soars to nearly 9% and those who lost jobs and nest eggs look for new ways to make money.

"We're recession-resistant in the sense that more people come to us during economic hard times for supplemental income or replacement of a lost job," says Neil Offen, president of the Direct Selling Association, the trade group that represents the largest U.S. direct sales companies.

While 2008 industry figures aren't yet available, "Anecdotally we're hearing that recruitment is up and … unfortunately as the unemployment rate rises to 10% or higher, we'll be picking up more people who need an income-earning opportunity."

The recession has become a recruiting tool. An Avon (AVP) cosmetics representative declares in TV ads that "I can't get laid off. It's my business." Companies such as Isagenix, a marketer of weight-management and nutritional supplements and snacks, and jewelry maker Silpada Designs are coaching their representatives to spread the word that direct selling can keep you afloat in the faltering economy.

"Right now, our direct-selling opportunity is really the No. 1 product that we have to sell," says Geralyn Breig, president of Avon North America.

With that in mind, Avon this year launched its most ambitious recruitment campaign and saw its U.S. sales force grow to more than 680,000 through March, its largest ever, Breig says.

The same month, cosmetics company Mary Kay began airing its first TV ad for new representatives. In its first three days, visitors seeking information about becoming "beauty consultants" at MaryKay spiked 108%.

Silpada Designs, a Lenexa, KanaA-based company specializing in sterling silver jewelry, says its sales force in the U.S. and Canada was up 11.8% on May 1 from a year earlier. And Chandler, Arizona-based Isage says its sales force was up 30% in March from a year before.

The hope is that larger sales forces will grow revenue, even in an economy that has shrunk sales for many companies.

"Representatives and recruiting are a leading indicator of future sales," says Jerry Kelly, Silpada's CEO, who acknowledges sales for his privately owned company were down roughly 10% in the fourth quarter of last year. "We're optimistic that we're going to fare fairly well this year as a company in a very difficult climate. … We're seeing a more determined and focused representative who might be looking to supplement lost income for their family."

There are roughly 15 million direct sellers in the U.S. — independent contractors who sell goods or services primarily through parties, demonstrations in someone's home and one-on-one interactions. In 2007, the most recent year available, the sales industry generated $30.8 billion in U.S. sales, according to the Direct Selling Association.

Sellers are recruiting

Avon aired its first infomercial last month, and rather than promoting makeup or skin products, it targets new recruits. The company kicked off its TV commercials earlier, with a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl pregame show in February. That ad, a 60-second spot and the infomercial will air all year.

The cosmetics company is also going to job fairs this year, scouting for new salespeople at more than 140 such events, Breig says. It's also beefed up its presence with online job search engines and since February has had a recruiting ad in the front of every one of its brochures.

"We're executing the boldest recruitment campaign … in our history," Breig says. "It's part of our mission to enable women to have a financial solution."

That resonated with Elizabeth L., an assistant office manager for a plumbing company who lives with her family in Munster, Indiana. Liz saw her hours cut last year and needed a way to make up her lost income while maintaining her office job and busy household.

So in April 2008, after watching a TV commercial for Avon, she decided to give it a try. In the year since, she has discovered that she is an entrepreneur.

"I didn't know it, and I'm thrilled that I am," says Liz, 39, who has sold more than $10,000 worth of Avon products and hopes to sell full time. "Even though there's a recession, even though the economy is bad, my business has continued to grow."

Liz's Avon earnings have paid for everything from gas to her 17-year-old son's senior pictures. "I've been working since I was 16 so, you know, I like the fact … it's your own business," Liz says. "I am in control of my future now. Not corporations."

Compensation systems vary, but representatives primarily earn money from commissions on product sales or by purchasing the products wholesale and selling them at retail prices, says the Direct Selling Association. Commissions on sales typically are 25% to 50% of retail.

While representatives may also earn a small commission on the sales from representatives they've recruited, legitimate businesses do not use recruitment alone as a basis for compensation, the association says.

Denise Ruiz-C., 31, of Branchburg, N.J., was nearly five months pregnant in March 2008 when she lost her job as a corporate recruiter. She could not find a new job.

"I exhausted almost every single contact that I had," she says of her search. Though she'd used Avon products, she'd never thought of selling them until this year. She saw one of Avon's recruitment ads, "and I thought to myself, 'Why don't I do that?' "

Knocking on doors is history. Direct sales representatives now find new customers through such methods as referrals, gatherings and parties, spontaneous meetings on the street and the Internet. Denise is one who does it all.

"I've sort of coined the term, 'Welcome to 21st-century Avon,' " says Denise, who has a personalized website maintained by the company. She carries brochures in her purse and her baby's stroller, promotes favorite products on her Facebook page and meets new representatives she's recruited at the local Starbucks.

"I think people in these times, we're hungrier than we used to be," says Denise, who has made as much as $1,000 a month with Avon. "I had jobs lined up in the pipeline that all fell through because of the economy, and I focused all that energy on my business and in three months I've built something that looks to be pretty promising."

Retirees join in the trend

It's not only those who have lost jobs or endured pay cuts who have turned to direct selling.

"We're hearing a lot from women who've recently graduated or are about to graduate and are finding it to be quite a challenge to find a career," says Rhonda Shasteen, Mary Kay's chief marketing officer. Then there "is the other end of the age spectrum: women who are approaching retirement age, and saw a lot of their savings wiped out, and find themselves with a very short time frame and with a need to make up a lot of money."

Lawanna L., 66, and her husband, Rodney, 69, retired in 2000. But in the wake of the stock market fall, Lawanna says they are now worth about half of what they were just 18 months ago.

To make their retirement nest egg last longer, Lawanna's husband returned to work last year, teaching chemistry at a private school in their town of Boerne, Texas. Then Lawanna, who was a stay-at-home mom through most of her marriage, decided she needed something, too. "That's when I signed up with Silpada," she says.

She is rattled that there was a need for her and her husband to return to work at all.

"It doesn't feel good," Lloyd acknowledges. "It makes life very uncertain, and scary. …Who wants to go back to work?"

But she made more than $500 from her first jewelry parties in April, and she enjoyed hosting them.

"I think Silpada does provide the perfect solution for earning some money and being able to set my own schedule," she says. "We had decided that we would do something … to earn income for four or five years and see where we are then. Hopefully by then the market will have recovered and we'll feel like we can retire again."

Kim J., 26, of Stewartsville, N.J., received a master's degree in public health in 2006, but has struggled ever since to find a job in her field. She worked for her sister as a nanny before getting a full-time position as an account manager with a marketing solutions company.

Last June, she decided to start selling Mary Kay cosmetics on the side, partly to earn extra cash for her upcoming wedding. She now intends to forgo a public health career and eventually sell the makeup line full time.

"I've been able to see how being a consultant gives me room to impact the lives of women," says Kim, who added that selling Mary Kay also gives her freedom to spend more time with her husband without crimping their household income.

Direct selling is a fluid industry, with only 10% of representatives working "full time," or at least 30 hours a week. Many work only long enough to meet short-term goals, such as holiday presents.

But some who work in or watch the industry believe the severity of this recession may cause more sellers to stick with it, even when the economy rebounds, at least as a way to supplement their income.

"I truly believe this has readjusted people's thinking," says Kathy Coover, executive vice president and co-founder. "With this economy, people can't take their jobs for granted anymore. They have to have another alternative … so if something does happen, this is their safety valve."

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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Oprah does NOT endorse MonaVie & other Açaí brands

2009-05-03T10:59:00.008Z

Time to wake up web surfers / marketers / consumers...

Oprah Winfrey does not endorse the MonaVie juice or any other acai brand.

Oprah & her guest on the show speaks of the potential of the fruit only very simply like Time Magazine per our earlier post does -- its just a general "review"!!
BUT look at how much unnecessary hype the spindoctors (aka spammers, & unfortunately MonaVie corporate executives who caught the bug) have generated from the short segment. LOL.

This tactic is not new. It follows earlier hypes generated by Freelife Goji / Gochi.

As officially posted on Oprah.com here in January 2009:

The Truth About Oprah and Açaí and MonaVie
Consumers should be aware that Oprah Winfrey is not associated with nor does she endorse any açaí berry product, company or online solicitation of such products, including MonaVie juice products. Attorneys for Harpo are pursuing companies that claim such an affiliation.

ABC News in Boston posted this on 27th April 2009:

Beware Acai Berry Offers
Health Claims Questioned, Consumers Report Troubles

BOSTON -- Some call it a super fruit, claiming that acai berry can make those who eat it healthier and thinner. But the manner in which many acai berry products are marketed is leaving many consumers with a sour taste.

NewsCenter 5's Susan Wornick reported Monday that better business bureaus in Massachusetts and across the country have been flooded with consumer complaints about free trial offers of acai berry products that aren't as they appear.

Watch the news video here.

"These are companies that take advantage of those people that are desperate," said Warren King of the Better Business Bureau.

Acai juice is riding high on claims it fights cholesterol, is an anti-aging elixir and even acts as a natural Viagra.

Viewers who have emailed Team 5 Investigates complain that they ordered a 30-day free trial of acai berry and agreed to pay about $5 shipping, but instead ended up with credit card charges up to $80 or $90.

Another wrote, "What's hidden in the fine print, is that they are going to continually send you bottles of these supplements and charge your credit card $75-$80 a bottle until you call & cancel the subscription."

King said many consumer complain they have a hard time clearing up any misunderstanding with the companies.

"They can't get through, or that their lines or down or that the mailboxes are full or that the e-mails don't work."

After Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz spoke about the health benefits of acai berry, some companies began claiming she had endorsed their products.

Winfrey said otherwise, releasing a statement, "Consumers should be aware that Oprah Winfrey is not associated with nor does she endorse any açaí berry product, company or online solicitation of such products, including MonaVie juice products. Attorneys for Harpo are pursuing companies that claim such an affiliation."

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is investigating claims, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest is also warning consumers to avoid free acai berry trial offers.

Further, dietician Leslie Bonci, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said there is no evidence to back up health claims that some acai berry companies make.

"I don't think we should be excited," she said. "As a matter of fact, I think we should be a little remorseful to pay five bucks for a bottle of something that is not going to make me thinner, or healthier and we can get those antioxidant benefits in other ways."

Finally, The Courier-Journal, a Top Newspaper from the Kentucky & Southern Indiana region published this piece on 2nd May 2009:

Tips from the Better Business Bureau consumer watch

The Better Business Bureau is advising social networkers to read the fine print when responding to advertising on Facebook or other social-networking sites because the large print doesn't always tell the whole story.

Ubiquitous ads for weight-loss products, work-at-home opportunities and offers for "free" computers can cost shoppers more in the long run.

Just because an ad appears on a Web site they trust doesn't mean they can always trust the advertisers. The following is an example of an ad on a social networking site and what the fine print reveals:

The pitch: Lose weight

In January, the BBB issued a warning to consumers about online ads and Web sites that use Oprah Winfrey's name to sell acai berry supplements as weight-loss miracles. These ads link to fake blogs that are designed to look like testimonials of women who lost weight on the acai supplements. Recent research by the Center for Science in the Public Interest identified more than 75 phony blogs that led to Web sites touting acai-berry supplements.

The fine print

The phony blogs link to Web sites that offer a free trial of an acai supplement. While the customers may think they only have to pay shipping, they could get billed as much as $87.13 every month if they don't cancel before the trial period ends. The fine print also explains that the trial period begins from the moment customers order the supplements and not after they receive the shipments.

BBB warns

Not only do health experts question the legitimacy of the weight-loss claims linked to acai berry, the BBB has received thousands of complaints from consumers who were billed despite never receiving their free trial or were billed every month despite numerous attempts to cancel.

Not all ads on social-networking sites are misleading and misleading ads aren't confined to Facebook or MySpace. It's important for people to always read the fine print carefully before giving their credit-card information online.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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& Be First!

The crux of matrix plans & spillovers.

2009-04-22T11:10:00.017Z

Putting on your business caps...
we all know that any traditional revenue-generating business achieves its regular business revenues from only a proportion of its full customer-base.

e.g. not all coca-cola drinkers consume coca-cola regularly.

Of course, generally speaking, there might be X number of loyal customers who might consume "ABC" brand daily but that's an ideal situation and besides the point -- lets talk big picture in reality!

Which leads us to networking... where it is the same as any traditional biz, company "DEF" can claim it has XXX,XXX numbers of distributors / consumers. It is always the case, that only a % of the distributor / consumer base are actively buying &/or promoting product on a regular basis.

In terms of matrix compensation plans, it does not matter how big your upline claims his team / organisation is -- & how it will spillover into your own downline "by default" which will generate "business for you" even if you did not refer anybody to the business / product.
Do you realise it is actually how many direct-linked uplines that are active in the business that will contribute to the actual spillover in your downline organisation.
Not forgetting, if YOU are contemplating registering a membership position and "sitting there" for spillovers without doing any work, imagine how many others are relishing that situation too? LOL.

The main post discussing matrix plans is here.

Take a pen & paper. Draw an imaginary line from you (dot #1), to your sponsor (dot #2), to his/her upline sponsor... all the way to the master distributor who sits at the top of the organisation.
i.e. the first guy in the business who the company put in charge of the entire network.
(You may throw in a couple dots in between each dot you drew earlier, if & only if every dot is a "capable recruiter" who brings consistent business throughout his career with the company. In reality we know most networkers cannot, or will not. Also in matrix compensations there are 3 or more legs in which to spillover additional new members -- which dilutes the situation exponentially.)

In real life, perhaps 30% of an average organisation is actually buying / promoting product. Lets be generous and say 50%!
That means you are left with only half (or less!) of the dots you drew earlier -- who will contribute in "building your downline" for you.

To cut the long story short, no matter how massive a company says its distributor/consumer database is (e.g. 300,000), it could very well be 10 dots or LESS (who contribute to spillover) linking you to the distributor who is above everyone in the organisation tree. This is just how business dynamics is in real life.

In comparison, modified-binary plans can truly let you "stop at 2" personally sponsored downlines, thereafter you benefit from FULL comp plan benefits while the business expands. Keyword being "can", because 90% of binaries / modified-binaries still come with many unseen conditions that require you to keep recruiting beyond 2. (Do your research and you might chance upon such a generous organisation -- hopefully this post can help you in that respect.)

Of course, the most taxing pay plans remain to be unilevel / stair-step, where your business building success almost entirely lie in your own hands. i.e. each & every sponsored downline in your organisation has to start from your effort. Meaning you have to bring a "frontline" of personal downlines, and from there they help you (& themselves) expand the organisation in the same way. No spillovers. In some old-school payplans like these, some uplines resort to "giving" downlines a few leads to personally sponsor (sort of like a spillover but only out of goodwill), BUT note that this opens up a can of worms policy-wise where the distributor is liable to be terminated.
Especially when networking is a human-to-human business, and a very primal human instinct is still involved -- jealousy! Rival teams or unhappy peers / crosslines may report such activities to your company's compliance department.

In conclusion, spillovers are great. But by making that fateful decision to be a part/full-time networker, you must be professional -- be responsible and do your minimum to drive a successful business for yourself.
The minimum? Sponsoring and recruiting, of course!

Once you are expending minimum effort, you will be growing an organisation no matter if its a matrix / modified-binary plan.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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& Be First!

Chicago Sun-Times sister paper: Networking Works!

2009-04-01T10:55:00.002Z

America is proving that Networking works in these gloomy economic times!
========

(Post-Tribune is a sister company of the Chicago Sun-Times.)

Networking works for bright, brave
Published March 22, 2009
Original article is here.
By Carrie Napoleon

Post-Tribune correspondent
When the plumbing company Elizabeth L. works for reduced her hours last year, the Munster homemaker knew she'd need a part-time job to supplement her income.

Finding a job that fit around her regular job and her family obligations, however, was more than a notion.

That's when she found a little inspiration.

"I was sitting on my couch one day watching Lifetime, one of my favorite girly channels, and of course the Avon commercial came on. It really intrigued me," said Elizabeth, a wife and mother of two who helps care for her own mother.

"This sounds like something I can do," Elizabeth said, and "the next day I hopped on the Internet and found where to submit an application."

It's a story that's all-too-familiar to network marketing executives.

As increasing numbers of people lose their jobs or see their incomes reduced, the appeal of network marketing grows, executives say.

While precise numbers are not available, Doris Wood, chairman of the Multi-level Marketing International Association in San Diego, Calif., said her office has fielded an increased number of queries about network marketing since the economy soured.

"Anytime there's a downturn in the economy," she said, "network marketing is there."

The world's 4,000 or so multilevel marketing companies -- 1,000 or so in the United States -- sell everything from cosmetics and cookware to nutritional and financial products, Wood said, ringing up $100 billion a year in sales and providing career and financial opportunities for thousands of independent agents.

Cosmetic giants Avon and Mary Kay have amped up their television recruiting, executives say, hoping to draw from a larger pool of job seekers.

Avon started its recruitment campaign in April 2007, according to Lindsay Blaker, public relations manager for Avon Products Inc. in New York.

"We really wanted to show our earning opportunity. It definitely has been a positive for us," Blaker said of the campaign. The company, founded in 1886, saw a 4 percent increase in representatives in North America by the fourth quarter of 2008, she said.

Blaker said network marketing companies like Avon are attractive to people, especially now, because they offer flexibility and little start-up costs for people looking to find work or supplement their income.

Bruce MacLean, director of the graduate programs in management at Valparaiso University, said network marketing also can be a lucrative enterprise because consumers still like individual service and attention -- something that's tougher to find in the traditional retail market.

"People like personal selling. They like to have someone they can trust to talk to," MacLean said.

That's why it is important, MacLean said, for interested sellers to find a product they believe in and can feel comfortable promoting to other people.

Equally important is thoroughly researching the company to protect yourself against pyramid schemes or other shady enterprises, MacLean said.

And be wary of companies that promise big and immediate returns for a small investment of time and money, he said.

Remember the time-honored adage, experts warn: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Wood agreed, saying it takes time to build a client base and to recruit and train other representatives, which improves earning opportunities.

"Multilevel marketing is a job in the beginning until you have built it up," she said. But once you've laid a strong foundation, she said, "you can turn it into a career. You could make more money than you could at any ordinary job."

That is just what Elizabeth, the Munster homemaker, hopes to do some day. In her eight months with Avon, she already has earned President's Club status, selling more than $10,000 in product in 2008. She plans to grow her business and her network of representatives slowly.

Things have been going so well, Elizabeth said, she's convinced she can make a career of it and leave her job at the plumbing company behind.

"I told my boss, 'You better watch out, in five to 10 years, I'm retiring,'" she said.

While many of the 1,000 or so multilevel marketing companies in the U.S. are legitimate and profitable, experts say some are nothing but pyramid schemes.

- Multi-level Marketing International Association
- About the Sun-Times News Group
Sun-Times News Group (“STNG”) is dedicated to being the premier source of local news and information for the greater Chicago area. Its media properties include the Chicago Sun-Times and suntimes.com as well as newspapers and Web sites serving more than 200 communities across Chicago. STNG’s parent company is Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. (SUTM.PK)

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Donald Trump in MLM again?

2009-03-25T13:14:00.008Z

"The Donald" is "back" in network marketing!

He openly supported this business concept in his bestselling book with Kiyosaki.

It does not matter if he is just a pitch-man in his latest gig. Nor if he is an owner / investor / master distributor / whatever.
Fact is, he endorses the industry and it also proves that The New Professionals are coming of age!

HOWEVER, one should favour a little thought before jumping aboard this bandwagon. Everybody should recall how super-salesperson Zig Ziglar's mlm startup bit the dust prematurely.
Great business minds / executives, do not necessarily know how to build Network Marketing organisations successfully.

If Donald Trump comes out to admit that he personally built a MLM organisation in his early days before he was "The Donald" -- NOW that is something worth considering.

In the end, it really all boils down to timing, focus, ... and a little bit of Luck.

If you are doing ok in your program, build it better.

Mean time on a totally unrelated note, enjoy this "virally" interesting video about "how to sell / market soap" put together by some savvy german marketers...

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NBC NEWS: People turn to “network marketing” in soft economy

2009-02-20T23:27:00.005Z

NBC Video available here.

NBC13 HD’s Chris Pollone’s report from Tuesday’s 10PM News:

" Published: February 17, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala — While her husband was searching for full time work, Jennifer G. of Birmingham decided to make a little money on the side on top of her full-time job.

“I had to find some way to get an extra line of income that worked in the hours I had available to me,” she said.

Since November, Jennifer’s been selling skin care products for Arbonne International.

The company relies on a network of sales consultants who recruit other people to sell the product as well.

The more people a sales consultant recruits, the bigger her potential earnings are.

It might sound like a pyramid scheme to some, but marketing experts say it’s not.

“These are legitimate businesses, though you want to make sure you’re working for a good business, always,” Dr. Betsy Holloway of Samford University’s Brock School of Business said.

It’s called “network marketing” or “multi-level marketing” (MLM) and it’s been around for decades.

Companies like Amway, The Pampered Chef, and Tupperware work under similar arrangements.

Doctor Holloway said direct retail like this has been growing for a decade, and there’s potential for it to get even bigger.

“I think in today’s economy with the layoffs that we have and people desperate to find work, there’s going to be increased demand in these sorts of opportunities.”

Jennifer G. said she had to overcome a preconceived stigma of network marketing and the fear of rejection we all have.

“It’s not easy, but it is simple,” Jennifer said. “You just have to be able to understand it, and be enthusiastic, without being annoying.”

She’s exceeding her expectations just three months after starting.

Experts advise if someone wants you to join a network marketing opportunity, take time to research the company.

They say that can help ensure you’re joining a legitimate business, and not signing up for a risky scheme."

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Who do You listen to while researching?

2009-01-10T21:00:00.004Z

Tim Sales tells it like it is.

How do you conduct your personal research in network marketing / direct selling / mlm, what to & what not to listen to, and... WHO to listen to!

The best advise is on the 8 minute : 28 second mark.
Watch (and listen to) Tim all the way to the end.

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Matrix, Matrix, & more Matrices

2008-12-30T21:52:00.006Z

Following on an earlier post...
Just in case you are caught up in one of the new web hypes by David D’Arcangelo (of PrePaid Legal, GBG, AMS Health Sciences & etc fame / infamy),
here is good info to ponder!

There's something going on VERY recently about a "new" setup promoting that its the "single-most profitable" solution to "internet marketing with network marketing" (<-- LOL, guys, most workable systems have been featuring this combination, duh!!)...
this recent one is called WebProsperity or Web Prosperity.

The "newness" has not failed to capture the attention of key names who are the usual internet marketing-only professionals we know. Have they really done their research before jumping on the marketing bandwagon??

Anyway, success in networking is all about finding a true home that you are comfortable with, & setting your personal objectives of working at it!
Is WebPros it?? If it is, go for it, learn what you can to take it to the next level in/out of the program.

Herewith is an excerpt from a post by a well-known industry consultant...

A MATRIX PAY PLAN STORY HEARD TOO OFTEN

Editor:
Note this report is from a disgusted French subscriber written in first-person format. Profanity has been cut out!

Matrix Pay Plans - guess what? I have been disappointed every time I joined one. Not because I didn't get any spillover, many times I got plenty of spillover, but I didn't make any amount of money. Why? Because there was only so much my upline could do for me, they could only put so many people under me, and they could not qualify me to earn at higher pay levels. In the end, it depended on me to continue the growth. I won't get into the details of how Matrix Pay Plans and spillover works, I will assume you, as an expert, are familiar with the concepts.

Editor's Comments: What people don't understand is that each time a person joins a Matrix pay plan a complete new Matrix opens underneath them. So if we are to look at spillover, by the 5th level there are 24 positions to be filled by YOU. If your upline is going to help you, he has to wade through 86 (4 other distributors) positions before he gets to drop just 1 new distributor on you!

EDITOR'S COMMENTS ON THE MATRIX PAY PLAN

What I want to emphasize here is that no company in its right mind, MLM, Affiliate or home party or even non-MLM, will pay you for doing nothing. All compensation plans are designed to reward those who generate business. Even IBM only affords to pay those individual salespersons who create growth for the company, otherwise, they are out the door!
MLM – Network Marketing companies are much kinder, they just pay you for what you do. So if you join a MLM company with the hopes of making money by getting lucky, You aren't going to earn much. You may receive some small checks (hopefully get your money back), but nothing to write home about!

So when people get suckered into a matrix plan, remember this..... failing to make money in a Matrix Plan by depending on spillover, it is not the Matrix Pay Plan that's failing, it is the individual that's failed because they stood around not doing anything. Most Matrixes show big money at the bottom. Down there where the money is…. only the most dedicated builders ever see a check for the piles of money displayed.

In addition, most of the criminal High Yield Investment Programs (called HYIP) use a Matrix Pay Plan and are basically Ponzi – Pyramid schemes. They lay in wait for people that get suckered into the "spillover" suck of the HYIP's Matrixes (Search HYIP Scams on Google).

I am sure there are people who will argue that there are opportunities out there that have no sponsoring requirements, all you have to do is sign up and make money with them. Well, all I have to say to that is that they won't last. It simply doesn't make business sense. Why would someone want to pay you for doing nothing?
2x2 Matrix Pay Plans make it easy to teach duplication to your downline. But, they are massively eclipsed (blown away) by the Binary Compensation plan because money from 40-50 levels rolls up to your position. How can I say this? There is a 95% failure in new MLM Companies and only 1 out of a 700 Matrix plans will survive (True Statistic).
In the Binary / Modified Binary (like a 2x2 Matrix), just 2 people are allowed on your first level, then you teach everyone in your downline to get their 2 (the rhythm of nature). Then help the people under them to get their 2 and so on. Spillover from all the activity can help speed up the growth and create momentum for the Binary team because if you sign up someone 43 levels below you, the money flows up through your whole team.

THAT is real true spillover!

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
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2008-12-12T02:53:00.003Z

The awesome inspirational video with its original soundtrack.

This was a video in extreme high demand after being seen at the Elite Network Marketing Congress (ENMC) 2008 at the Singapore Expo, with speakers:
Robert Butwin, Doris Wood, Michael Ang, Artemis Limpert, Sammy Tan, Richard Quek, Joel Christopher, Dakota Rea, Jerry Clark, Patrick Liew, James Chia, Joost Goovaerts, Kosta Gara, Mike Ray, Steve Tan.
(2009 conference previews were conducted by Tom "Big Al" Schreiter. Art Jonak, Shah Khan, Francis Taye, Joel Putland, Ana Gabriel Mann, & others may speak.)

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
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Reminder: Freelife GoChi's unnecessary sensationalism

2008-05-20T21:00:00.018Z

As a refresher of an earlier post. Freelife is still at it with their unjustified "Time Magazine" hype... & this time its with their re-branded Himalayan Goji... the GoChi. How "original".

Spread the news folks: there is NO SUCH THING as a Time Magazine "superfruit of the year"!!

Click on the direct Time Magazine weblink below & you will see that the "superfruit" mention was merely 4 lines among a much bigger article which had nothing to do with the famous title "Time Magazine's XXX of the Year".

For a review of the earlier post, here it is.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
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Quick recap of networking fundamentals

2008-04-18T04:16:00.008Z

As a revision of an earlier blog post about the longevity of true "networking marketing" type businesses... here is a generic overview:

Products' benefits that only show after 3 days / weeks / months... are better kept as a Consumer Choice, & not a "business" choice.
(FYI taste is not a true benefit... unless that's the ONLY selling point of your product!)

e.g.
Herbalife products are good. Consume it.
Monavie / GoChi juices taste good. Consume it.
Uri whole / organic foods are good. Consume it.
Usana vitamins are top grade. Consume it.

... very much like... GNC products are also okay! Consume it!!!

Don't do business with it, because you will get disheartened with how much more work is needed to convince your consumer / customer on how good your product is relative to all other mlm / retail brands that exist out there.

Network marketing is a business of converting convinced consumers into business owners / product promoters. When the work of convincing a consumer becomes a burden, something is clearly not right.

Network marketing is an easy business. Don't make it unnecessarily difficult for yourself!

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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Your reputation is your calling card

2008-03-28T01:58:00.011Z

In this day of the 21st century...
as professionals (& not old-school money-gamers), network marketers should always strive to promote a legitimate (money-making) program with legitimate products.

Where the program marketed has the true potential to go the long-haul, aside from normal business cycles/challenges.
i.e. A program that does not contain aspects of biz where governments/authorities are liable to question & put a stop on.

On the corporate end, "normal" business challenges encompass mergers & acquisitions, cashflow mismanagement, internal politics, market fluctuations, etc. Challenges that will occur in any traditional business.

There are always new MLMs on the horizon, and it is better for legitimate network marketers' reputation to stay away from programs that have been proven to fail, while exploring viability of those that are clean-cut.

e.g. Vortexity which is managed by some Americans out of Hong Kong, promoting Travel packages - cum - Music downloads - cum - Social networking ad revenue.
Have you researched the track records of:
multiple Travel-Trade-Associations complaints/lawsuits against Travel-MLMs; Burnlounge music networking FTC closure; Agloco biz model collapse; Yuwie spam; etcetc.
Look them all up online!
These are "membership" plans pretending to be the "product" itself, or generally impractical ideas in the case of Agloco.

These are nothing but obstacles in the marketing pitches to the everyday-people-turned-networkers... a proven track record of failures.

Last we checked, in countries that allow the conduct of direct selling / network marketing, structures that reward marketers from gathering new "memberships" are still deemed illegal.

Yes, you will be able to carry out business while a market is new, & the government(s) have yet to get whiff of what's going on. BUT the law will catch up sooner or later.

Why put one's own reputation at stake; ala recent Asia-wide occurrence of a pseudo-product MLM called Sunshine Empire. It has now evolved to emMax or GE / Grand Elite / Grand Elitia / grandelitia. What's next!
For those who've invested their efforts marketing a program which did not bring returns (except to early entrants), the question to ask oneself -- why bother doing the same (again)??
Perhaps old dogs just can't learn new tricks.
But are we dogs or humans??
hmm...

For those who've made it in a legitimate program, stick with it to build it better... OR if you're looking around, consider something just as (or MORE) viable than your existing opportunity!

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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FirstClassMLM website

2007-12-30T09:47:00.008Z

Get the facts sorted out by a former navy guy.
His name is Tim Sales.

When Researching Network Marketing, Who Should You Take Advice From?
- There are three types of people you can take advice from. Make sure you pick the right one.
Anti-MLM?

What is MLM, anyway?
- In very simple terms - and without hype - you will understand what MLM is and how it works.
How does Multi-Level Marketing work?
- How does the commission structure work? What activities would I be doing?
Is MLM legal? Says who?
- Is MLM even legal? If so, who has the authority to claim it's legal? Is MLM ethical and professional?
What is First Class MLM?
- Multi-Level Marketing can be done professionally and unprofessionally. First Class MLM is very professional.
Why look at MLM?
- Comparing the alternatives to MLM - MLM is looking pretty good!
How do I evaluate an MLM company?
- So you've decided MLM is a good business, now - how to evaluate whether a company is a good one or not.
What is a Trillion?
- Let's really put this into perspective
Is MLM a pyramid or scam?
- What do pyramids and scams have to do with MLM?
Isn't MLM a pyramid because of its shape?
- Multi-level marketing's structure is shaped like a pyramid - does that mean it is?
Are people at the top of an MLM company making all the money?
- Do people who get in first (and at the top) of an MLM company make all (or most of) the money?
Do most people fail in MLM?
- Are the odds good or bad that someone can make it in MLM?
Do all those levels of commission add to the price of the product?
- If you choose to build an MLM business, what are your odds of MLM success? Is MLM hard to do?
Does an MLM business collapse?
- Can an MLM business collapse because there are no more new people to join?
Is MLM a Ponzi Scheme?
- What does a Ponzi Scheme have to do with MLM?
Is MLM a chain letter?
- Does MLM have anything to do with a chain letter?
MLM history
- How did MLM begin? What are its roots?
Pyramid history
- Now that you know how MLM got started, how did pyramids start?
Wholesale Buying Organizations versus Retail Selling Organizations

Surf to:
www.firstclassmlm.com

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Your Daily Visualisation Tool

2007-11-21T10:10:00.008Z

This video -- "The Secret to You" -- is worth playing over & over & over again just for a personal review, of sorts, of your life's goings-on.

Direct weblink click HERE.

Do come back to this website to view it daily... & start your day with ZEST!

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
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Business Longevity -- Practicality!

2007-10-15T00:30:00.007Z

A genuine long term business requires all angles of its operations to break barriers:
- cultural (race, language, religion, etc)
- physical (environment, country borders, etc)
- virtual (mental perceptions, the world wide web (internet), etc)
Businesses which run with the least obstacles & limitations will be more likely to accomplish success.

As we've discussed in earlier posts, a business compensation plan which is beneficial & easily applicable & understood (by all participants) breaks across the above barriers easily.

After a company has its infrastructure (admin, logistics, management, etc) set in place, and the marketing group / team has been selected to provide better than average mentorship, guidance, training & support... the most important factor left to select would be the product / service.

Because of the nature of direct marketing / network distribution, a product / service that can cut out as much Time needed to understand the product / service itself will prove more successful than others.
(e.g. attending seminars / meetings are great, but is an extremely time consuming process.)
Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful, but the circumstances during most brief interpersonal encounters do not allow much time flexibility.

Note:
- a business where trainings / meetings / seminars are emphasised with little reference to products at the presentations / meetings (or treating products as secondary to other aspects of business) would bring about government / authority intervention due to pyramid-like operations;
- likewise, a business where a product / service can be put aside (or even bypassed!) would border on questionable (legal) business practises;
- When the above happens, business longevity & popularity is compromised.
In fact, both the above situations had presented itself very recently (Nov '07) in 2 different developed countries & publicly-received companies.

A) "Education" products

One which requires online/offline reading, watching videos, listening to audios, attending classes, etc.
Think about this:
- is the whole population equally literate, i.e. able to read/watch & fully understand the material presented to maximise its worth?
- the (relatively long) time required to "consume" the product/service?
- the environment & technical equipment required for the activity to be carried out.

B) "Create-a-demand" products

One which the common population have not heard about & requires a product story be told about its origins, traditions, etc.
Think about this:
- is the story easily believable & understood, & then repeated by newcomers?
(a small element of doubt presents itself as an obstacle.)
- (even if multimedia is available) do you / prospective customers need to spend time to learn about the story?
- can the story be told anyplace anytime (in person / video) or must the prospective customer be (mentally) prepared for the situation?

C) "Scientifically heavy" products

One which contains new technology, or more than standard research & development (e.g. "world's first patented xyz element extraction process", "ingredient is found only in xyz region of earth & evaluated by xyz laboratory", etc.)
Think about this:
- are technical equipment required to introduce / evaluate product's effectiveness?
- are special research medical / experts required to substantiate / explain the claims?
- is time needed for any of the above?
- do you need to carry around documents / literature to back up product's claims?

D) "Tablets / capsules" products

No doubt, your brand might be of a higher quality or manufactured with higher standards, but...
Think about this:
- can the ingredients / benefits be found in many other brands?
(2 or 3 competitors are fine, but 10 or more doesn't make business sense in terms of efforts needed to justify how yours is better than theirs.)
- does the product only apply to a niche group of consumers (see below)?
- is it competitively priced?
- can the consumer make a split second decision on selecting your product / brand or second-guess his/her own decision?
(if he hesitates, you might lose the sale.)
- will you be potentially asked "why this brand & not the other one"?
- is time needed for any of the above?
- do you need to carry around documents / literature to back up product's claims?

E) "Widely available" products

Again, no doubt your brand might be of non-toxicity, or a higher quality / standard (e.g. appliances, aromatherapy, toiletries, home consumables, etc.), but...
Think about this:
- is it available in every single convenience / department store?
- is it available in every single distribution channel available (Retail / MLM / Mail Order / TV / etc.)?
- is it competitively priced?
- will you be potentially asked "why this brand & not the other one"?
- is time needed to reason that?

F) "Liquid / Juice" products

The acais, mangosteens, gojis, gaks, nonis, durians, any other herbs, "super" fruits, & all their derivatives.
Think about this:
- do you wanna start comparing ORAC values, placebo tests, & whatnots like what everybody has been doing since the beginning of time?
- will you be potentially asked "why this fruit/herb drink & not the other brand"?
- liquids are dense (heavy); bottles are bulky; for the same weight you may carry many more servings of non-liquid products/services to promote.
- because of the weight, liquids are more expensive to ship (especially international shipments) and the additional cost to the company is transferred down to the end-consumers / distributors.
- liquids are not legal inflight on airplanes; how are you going to conduct a dynamic international business if you're travelling to a meeting in a market which cannot / has not received your product in conventional ways?
- shipping liquids oneself to prospective customers / distributors is simply NOT possible due to postal laws / regulations!
- aside from heavy liquid shipping costs, these products are usually not affordably priced due to the marketed uniqueness -- in this way limiting your potential customer base.
- when you share a portion of the product (usually $20 to $40 per bottle) with a prospective customer, e.g. quarter bottle is $5 or more, that means every 50 unsuccessful sharing sessions equates to $250 or more invested in business expenses without any returns.
What happens when you cannot give away quarter bottles because of professional / hygiene reasons?! The costs!
- aside from good taste (preferably it is good to begin with!), these products usually do not produce immediate impact / gratification / results of its core benefit; it usually takes 3 days / 3 weeks / 3 months!
- what is the overall time to decision?

G) "Niche market" products

The fuel / gas saving devices, travel / holiday packages, spa services, health analysis systems, weight management / health programs, biomagnetic items, bio-inducing items, gold, jewelry, currency, precious collectibles, women-only products, men-only products, etc.
Think about this:
- do you own / operate the device that requires the product?
- did you already plan to travel? are you the decision maker?
- are you already inflicted with the particular condition that the product / service provider treats? (even if the customer isn't inflicted, time is needed to convince him/her if he wants to prevent the condition "in future".)
- did you already want to accessorise your wardrobe & wear bling-blings?
- did you already want to start a new hobby collecting precious metals?
- do you belong to the sex (gender) / age group that the product / service targets?
- if not, do you need to spend time creating a need for any of the above?
- or is time needed to convince yourself / others for any of the above?

A consistent factor in all the above is: do you want to spend the (tremendous amount of) time sifting & sorting person after person to see if he/she qualifies to be a customer (be it cost, practical application to his/her life, etc), as compared to a unique Mass Market product / service easily understood by people from everywhere & all age groups.

Conclusion

Which leads you to a potential solution to select this "perfect product" for a truly successful direct marketing / direct selling business.
It is not hard at all to find it in this modern day with technology, etc. Open your mind & just start looking.
Find one which has the following characteristics & your business will be set for a long time until a copycat comes along and tries hard enough to knock it off:

Portability
(lightweight & easy to carry around world-wide)
Ease of introduction
(preferably little to no time needed by customer to understand the product; no story needed; no demand to be "created", especially if it already exists)
Affordability
(people from all financial backgrounds / status can use the product or business)
Mass Market
(people of all ages & backgrounds can consume it)

It is as simple as that!

See here to select one by potential income.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
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America's ABC News: Direct Sales Can Increase Your At-Home Business Income

2007-09-21T03:21:00.005Z

As shown on ABC's "Good Morning, America" TV show.

TV show: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3628738

Article: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TakeControl/Story?id=3626238&page=1

Make More Money by Working From Home
Direct Sales Can Increase Your At-Home Business Income

Sept. 20, 2007 —

Not long ago we featured a segment on starting a direct-sales business to make money from home. The response on the "Good Morning America" message boards and through e-mail proved that many of you were eager to tap into this opportunity, while others were already doing it and looking for ways to grow their businesses.

According to the Direct Selling Association, last year there were more than 15 million direct-sales representatives in this country, which is an increase of more than a million people over the previous year. Many of those people are content earning the median income of $2,500 a year, while others want to generate that figure per month.

One woman I met, Jeanne Wildman, a Longaberger direct seller, says she went from making about $200 a month to generating 10 times that much: a whopping $2,000 a month. Almost 20 percent of all direct sellers are now making more than $20,000 a year, so we know it is indeed possible to reach any financial goal that you set for yourself assuming you're ready to put in the work.

Do something daily. I received e-mails from more than 100 women who are in the $20,000-a-year bracket and each of them say they've reached that milestone because they contribute to their business daily.

They don't just dream about making money, they take action every single day to make that money. It could be contacting customers about re-orders. It may be networking and socializing outside of their homes where they always talk about their business. For some it's as simple as meeting someone new at the hair salon and passing out their business cards. Just about everyone says they're constantly focused on planning future parties because the primary sales forum is getting friends to host parties, where people are invited to socialize and shop. Bottom line: Work isn't just on their minds, it's also in their actions.

This follows the direction once offered by Mary Kay Ash who would motivate her sales force to maintain written lists of the six most important things to do each day. The focus then was on achieving daily accomplishments, just as it is today.

Form a team. Many women who are making in excess of $2,000 a month have found that they're so passionate about direct sales, they want to form teams of other direct-sales representatives. These women become team leaders and they recruit friends to become independent sales reps who report in under them. This means they've now taken on two roles: They continue to sell, and they also motivate and lead their team. By managing a team, you make commission on the sales of your recruits.

Yet, it's not a walk in the park: As a leader, you're now doing your own sales, worrying about your own customers and you're also motivating your team to achieve their sales goals.

In many ways, this mirrors the traditional work force: Every manager knows that his or her direct reports have different motivators. Some people work hard to get a promotion. Some perform just to keep their jobs. Others work hard to make more money. In direct sales, people get into it for different reasons: to save for the holidays, to earn a vacation, to pay for home repairs or to socialize. A great team leader recognizes that she'll have to know what motivates her team and she has to work to meet their needs. It's not just about signing people up to make more commission.

Bridging the gap. For some people, a desire to work at home may just be a temporary need, especially if they are taking care of children or an older parent, but they plan to return to the office one day.

Direct sales can be an ideal way to bridge the gap in employment. Starting a direct-selling business and forming a team not only means good money, but it builds invaluable leadership skills that many people can leverage into corporate careers. This is a way for anyone who wants to be at home to keep their hand in making money and building professional skills. This can make it easier to re-enter the work force later if desired.

It's all about how you spin it. Building a customer base by selling cosmetics or gourmet food where you consistently raise the bar on your financial goals is something that any employer can relate to. Direct sales is also a smart way to maintain contact with a personal and professional network.

Outgoing personality, drive, motivation. Of course direct sales isn't for everyone. For somebody who is shy and introverted and prefers to work alone as opposed to having to get out there and hustle, direct sales is not the right opportunity. If you're not comfortable getting out there and pushing your business, it's very difficult to be successful. You must really want to have the drive, personality and motivation to make it work.

Select the company that's ideal for you. Consider the type of product sold, compensation model and whether or not you want a long-established name (Longaberger, Tastefully Simple, Avon or Mary Kay, for example) or a new entrant to the market (Luxe Jewels, Private Quarters or Baby Crazy, for example).

- Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on "GMA" and the CEO of Women for Hire.

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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The Fundamentals of Marketing

2007-08-17T09:16:00.005Z

Marketing.

It's all about YOU.
It's all about the Story.

Find Seth Godin's equivalent of a "purple cow" for people to talk about...
and you'll attract people to your product / service like clockwork.

Such a simple formula, & yet so elusive...

Check out this great video.

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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A Tribute to NMTT blog's Readers -- That's You!

2007-04-25T15:40:00.004Z

Hello World,

Do pardon us for the break in updates on NMTT blog.
New articles & online resources are in the midst of being concocted.

Just to let all readers know that though, at times, this blog might seem behind on actual dates of new posts, we are unlike other blogs where the website "dies" as soon as the individual / author of their site loses faith in their respective business(es) or switches companies.
(Notice many "old" blogs & sites plastered all over the internet with their most recent posts / updates dating to 2006, 2005, or even earlier.)

We are a group of individuals who are committed to the positives of this industry.
Even if one of us get caught up with life's goings-on, there will be others among us who will want to carry on with our good work as seen on this website thus far.

Do continue communicating with us via our e-mail, or the e-form (on the left side). One of us will read your mail sooner or later.
Much thanks to all of you who've been keeping in touch. It is definitely a pleasure to hear about your queries, or how you are doing in your business.

Feel free to copy/paste NMTT blog's posts in part / whole, as long as you refer your site / print media back to this web address that you're looking at:
http://networkmarketingtrialsandtribulations.blogspot.com

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all readers & surfers who come from all over the globe, especially the "minority" web citizens from Latin America, Australasia, & Eastern/Northern Europe.

Do continue to spread word on this blog, or linking to us from your own websites / blogs.

Tell your friends from all over the world about our site.
Perhaps, even use this site as a tool to "open their eyes" on what they're missing out by not giving this industry a thought.

To see where all you 950 readers from the past 3 months come from, click on this beautiful picture of mother earth:

In the mean time, for those who haven't done so, sign up for FREE updates using the e-form over on the left side of this Blog.

A BIG "thank you" to all current subscribers.
We'll talk to you soon, & look forward to hearing from you again too.

Since you're here...
Check out the world's most cutting-edge online system.

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World-wide orders are Now Being Taken...

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Robert Kiyosaki's Insights

2007-03-14T01:16:00.006Z

The above is Robert T. Kiyosaki academically explaining everything in laymen's terms.

... the Employee, Self-employed / Small business owner, Business owner, & full-time Investor...

These youtube videos below are only 4 to 7 minutes long each.
So, it doesn't take up much time at all.
Have a look... and, click through to YouTube to watch all of them in 1 sitting.

R.K. recently co-authored the latest book with "The" Donald Trump -- "Why We Want You to be Rich", where they talk about the network marketing industry as a viable business option.

“Network marketing has proven itself to be a viable and rewarding source of income. There have been some remarkable examples of success, and those successes have been earned through diligence, enthusiasm, and the right product combined with timing.”
-- Why We Want You to be Rich, chapter 27, page 311.

In fact, chapter 27 is a whole section with personal views by both Robert & Donald showing very basic reasons why they recommend network marketing.

(btw, even Warren Buffett owns a network marketing company, The Pampered Chef, which follows in the footsteps of a legendary company called Tupperware.)

As with everything that exist out there in our world, there are opinions for & against the book. Essentially, forget the critics, just read the book and take away the points you find worthy & applicable to your life.
:)

As emphasized in the second video in the playlist, network marketing is essentially a part-time business until such a time where it has grown sizeably.
Experienced networkers & finance/insurance industry veterans may, naturally, choose to take the full-time route.

Tip: When you're truly building residual income... you do not take the "get rich quick" route!

As highlighted in this earlier article, and as will be clearly demonstrated in this upcoming movie, (true) network marketing remains to be one of the most realistic small businesses for a beginner to startup with (with a potential to turn really big).

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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Focus on Success

2007-02-12T07:05:00.004Z

Focus on success, not failure

" The other morning I was listening to the radio when I heard a distinguished professor from a distinguished university quoted, saying that 90% of new businesses fail.
Now, when I hear something like that, it's like hearing fingernails scraping on a blackboard; it gives me the creeps. I know those statistics scare people away from starting their own businesses, but I've looked at statistics of business births and deaths closely, and I know of no credible study showing anything close to a 90% failure rate.

So I picked up the phone and called the good professor. He couldn't remember where that number came from, and he quickly backed away from it.

"How do you define failure?" said Professor David Blanchflower, Professor of Economics at Dartmouth University, explaining that failure didn't really mean failure. "Failure usually includes companies that change their name or ownership or a person who is self-employed who moves to employment."

That's the rub...statistics you'll hear about business "failures" are likely to mean business "closures." In some cases, not even closures, just business changes.

For instance, I had my own — successful — consulting practice for many years. Like most sole proprietors, I reported my business income on my personal income tax return, using my own social security number. When I incorporated, the business got its own tax identification number. So my first "business" probably shows up in statistics as a business "death" even though it was actually getting larger.

As Mark Twain said, "News of my death is greatly exaggerated."

Overwhelmingly, businesses don't die or fail; the owners close them for reasons unrelated to whether the business is making money.

Take restaurants, for instance. Restaurants have a notoriously high "failure" rate. You'll often hear that 90% of restaurants fail in the first year; that's what they said on the TV reality show, "The Restaurant." Well, don't believe everything you hear on a reality show.

In a study in Columbus, Ohio, Professor H.G. Parsa of Ohio State University, tracked new restaurants from 1996-1999. In the first year, 26% closed. Another 19% closed the second year, and 14% the third. Collectively, 59% of new restaurants closed those three years. By the way, the "failure" rate wasn't very different between franchised restaurants – 57% — and independent restaurants – 61%.

Now, even though these numbers are much better than the 90% failure rate bandied about on TV, it's not particularly heartening to know that six out of ten restaurants closed in three years.

However, Professor Parsa found that reasons other than economic necessity made the owners decide to close. They cited divorce, poor health, and most importantly, an unwillingness to make the immense time commitment necessary as reasons for shutting their doors.

In other words, they had what David Birch, former head of a research firm specializing in studying small business data, called the "I Had No Idea" syndrome. Would-be entrepreneurs don't realize what's truly involved with running a business.

So what is your chance of success? I think Birch's statistics are probably as accurate as any. His survival rates:

• First year: 85%
• Second: 70%
• Third: 62%
• Fourth: 55%
• Fifth: 50%
• Sixth: 47%
• Seventh: 44%
• Eighth: 41%
• Ninth: 38%
• Tenth: 35%

"Once you've hit five years, your odds of survival go way up," Birch said. "Only two to three percent of businesses older than five shut down each year."

The lesson? To greatly increase your chance of success, find out as much as you can BEFORE you open your doors. Talk to people who run their own businesses, especially businesses similar to yours, and get a realistic understanding of the time, financial, and emotional resources necessary. Keep your eyes open — not to the possibility of failure, but to the very real demands of running your own business.

So … what about that 90% failure rate cited on the radio? I went to the station's Web site and replayed the story. Listening closely, I realized they didn't mention any time period. So, perhaps the professor is right after all. I think it's safe to assume that within some period of time — oh, let's say 50 years — 90% of all businesses will close. I can live with those odds. "

- Rhonda Abrams is author of The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies and president of The Planning Shop, publishers of books and other tools for business plans.
- Original link is here.

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Pay Plan Reference Guide

2007-01-11T11:43:00.020Z

The following is a quick reference guide of major companies and their respective distributor compensation plans.

See here for tips on finding the most suitable network distribution product.

With knowledge of how modern day participants like to get involved in network distribution programs with as little personal recruitment possible & more teamwork / groupwork (see earlier discussion)... we shall only evaluate plans that make feasible for the common person potential high income with the fewest possible "pay legs" & personal introductions.

Note that:
- 1:2 leg ratio growth is a natural progression of an organisation, not an "obstacle" -- i.e. 1:1 growth is abnormal / unnatural;
- a "common man" should focus on building 2 "pay legs" instead of 4, 6, 8, etc legs as it will dissipate business momentum (additional legs play into the picture only for Leader-distributors);
- fast start & retail sales commissions have been left out to look at the potential Big Picture (big income);
- single-level matching bonuses are liable to be bypassed by cunning downlines;
- though companies pitch that bonuses have no maximum figure stipulated (thus claiming "unlimited' income potential) evaluations should be conducted from the perspective of a common man who more likely will not qualify for said bonuses based on 2 referrals.

It is also said that DSA statistics have shown historically that the average MLM participant personally sponsors 2.x downlines, hence business plans based on 2 personal referrals are only natural at this point of the early 21st century.

It is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to add on or correct us by emailing us. Also, please do email if you find any typos / companies out of place.
This list will be updated as & when payplan modifications take place.

Unilevel / Breakaway
(for simplicity, 3 or more frontlines)

Amway (aka Quixtar; distributors try to build "pipelines" i.e. indirect sponsoring by downlines, which are against company policy & liable for termination), Tupperware, Nu Skin Enterprises (aka Pharmanex, Big Planet, etc; features reduced breakaway), Forever Living Products, 4Life Research, Long Far International, Enliven (features binary hybrid), Unicity Networks (aka Rexall Showcase / Sundown), XanGo (distributors try to build like binary while some build traditional unilevel resulting in unstable income), Freelife International, Univera Life Sciences, Lifestyles, Herbalife, Zija, Vitamark.

Forced Matrix

Amigo Health Labs Inc (ceased ops), Fruta Vida, Liberty Health Net (LHN, LHN International), Melaleuca.

Dual-team / Binary / Modified Binary
(1 Business Centre & 2 referrals)

Any unlisted company bonuses means you do NOT qualify for it with 2 personal business referrals.

- Usana Health Sciences
(USD 1k/week max; by "cycles"; 100/200 pts monthly autoship; 1:1 leg ratio; 5k carryover vol; highest achievement based on 2 personal downlines -- Gold Director;
Usana requires multiple re-entry positions / BCs to earn more than 1k),
- MonaVie / Monarch Health Sciences
(USD 1.5k/week; 100/200 pts autoship; 5% L & 5% R (aka 10% weak leg on 1:1 leg ratio); up to 2 generations of matching bonus (rate varies; based on 2 sponsored downlines); do not qualify for Car program; highest achievement -- Silver Executive),
- Isagenix International
(250 cycles/week; @ 900 pts cycles; 100 pts autoship; 1:2 leg ratio with at least 2 active personal referrals; 12k carryover vol; unilevel hybrid up to 4 generations; earn only from local market product volume, until sponsoring 5 active referrals do you earn from international volume; additional bonuses only upon sponsoring 10 active referrals; highest achievement -- 2 Star Golden Circle Executive),
- Agel Enterprises
(USD 6.25k/week; 100/200 pts autoship; 10% weak leg; 250k carryover vol; varying matching bonuses up to 4 levels & from 6% with high vol requirements; max $500 monthly Luxury Car & Travel Expense Bonuses; up to 20 (!!!) high-performing active personal referrals required for other bonuses; highest achievement -- Senior Director),
- CyberWize
(USD 7k/week; by cycles; 75/50/100 pts autoship (100 required for bonus qualifications, e.g. Free Car program); 20% - 33% weak leg; 1:2 leg ratio with at least 2 active personal referrals; up to $1,200 monthly Car Bonus; various single-level matching bonus but 10% if based on 2 sponsored downlines; also has retail "4 customer" rule before releasing commission cheques; highest achievement -- Senior Director),
- Agape Superior Living
(USD 10k/week max, or USD 50k/week (i.e. up to 625 cycles/week) for "gold startup" with only 1 chance at signup; 30/70/140 pts autoship; 2:3 leg ratio; bonus pool & other exec bonuses only if you sponsor 6 or more active referrals; highest achievement -- Sapphire Club),
- Enliven International (ceased ops)
(USD 14k/week; 100 pts autoship; 10% weak leg; single-level matching bonus up to 5k/week on each direct referral; features unilevel hybrid which will require multiple legs & more than 2 referrals),
- Success University (ceased ops)
(USD 20k/week (i.e. up to 250 cycles/week); monthly tuition (autoship); 1:2 leg ratio; at least 2 active referrals; carryover vol; earnings per referred student depends on the numbers each one personally sponsors (5 to 30 students!!); highest achievement -- Student (!?!),
- Synergy Worldwide
(USD 20k/week; 80/100 or 120/150 pts autoship; 10% weak leg; single-level 100% matching bonus limited to 5k if you are not a high-performer),

- bHIP Global

(USD 25k/week; 20 pts autoship; 15% weak leg (recent promo @ 30%); 1:2 leg ratio; 250k carryover vol; Rookie bonus; & depending on # of dual-team autoships: a simple 20-20-10% three-level matching bonus, $1.5 mil one-time cash bonus, & up to $2,000 monthly Car Bonus; highest achievement -- Double Diamond Global Leader).

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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Something Big that's often Misunderstood...(2)

2007-01-10T13:24:00.008Z

To conclude our earlier discussion on the various network marketing compensation plans...

So... yes, some of you have guessed it by now, we'll be discussing the Dual-line Payplan.
(Also known as dual-team, 2-team, dual-leg, 2-leg. And, sometimes mistakenly labelled a "binary" for the wrong reasons.)
Read on and perhaps you'll understand the common misunderstandings a little better.

Some facts of Dual-Line compensations:

Gives a distributor the power to choose to stop at 2 referrals.
(or as few as they want, as long as it is more than 2. See Point 3 for an elaboration.)
No monthly / weekly "minimum" group product volume targets.
(some companies do though.)
Marginal initial organisational growth.
(due to minimalist 2 referrals required. But you will see why it does not matter in the long-term as explained below. See Point 4. IN FACT, due to less numbers required, people might act faster in recruiting in some cases.)
Sometimes paid on qualifying volume "cycles" depending on the growth of the 2 legs.
(some companies' cycle payouts are fair, some may not be. See below for what "fair cycling / balancing" means. See Point 2.)
Due to smaller initial numbers of referrals, short-term revenue is slow... but steady.
And for some, due to "cycling", your first couple cycles may take some time to materialise.
(if you look at it objectively, if a part-timer was involved in the previous 3 comp plans, they'd not be receiving big upfront revenue anyway... perhaps just marginally more.
And, if the part-time downlines were not sponsoring many new distributors of their own anyway, there wouldn't be a large organisation even in a unilevel!
So... let's not sweat the small stuff and look at the long-term residual goal that is truly available in binary plans.)
Allows an "upline" to place a new "downline" below an existing downline, aka "spillover".
(provides motivation, shows organisational growth & encourages teamwork.
Up to half of new downline signups get placed under you, while it is usually much less in matrix plans where 25% or less of new signups gets placed under.
e.g. in 4-by-something or 5-by-something matrix plans)
Due to the smaller numbers involved, companies tend to allow unlimited levels of revenue even for the fresh starter.

Common myths of binary or dual-line plans:

Volumes get "washed away" / flushed
Balancing "problem"
"Not really" just 2 referrals, you need more
You "won't go far" with just 2
The "elephant leg" phenomena
Downlines "sit back & wait" for the revenues,
or, since its 2, you work your butt off to find more to join you
Only fits "big-time" networkers who plug in their existing downline

Myths busted!!
Here's why:

Most companies with binaries allow unlimited (or literally unlimited) product volume accumulation.
(some don't though, so do your research well.)

No doubt, it usually accumulates on one leg but as your other leg grows in consumers, would you rather have a situation where you qualify for revenue % or cycles with volume points already banked on the other leg, or start afresh with 0 points?
Obviously, "something" is better than nothing.

--> Volumes do not get "washed away"!
Some companies require both legs to exactly "balance" or match in volume consumption before releasing a % or "cycle" paycheque.
e.g. Companies that cycle based on an equal 1:1 or "1/2 - 1/2" balance, are unrealistic as not everybody can refer 2 distributors -- 1 in each leg -- at the same time. Organisation growth is naturally not 1:1.

There are some companies that allow a more "natural" organisation growth & payout to take place.
e.g. Let's assume a distributor "X" signs up into a system, and in the worst-case receives no upline assistance in growing a downline.
X then proceeds to spend Time Period 1 promoting the products/co. to 1 new distributor & signs her up in Leg A.
In Time Period 2, both of them promote to 1 new distributor each, and X places her new distributor in Leg B. Ratio of legs A:B is 2:1.
In Time Period 3, X chooses to "stop at 2" while the rest continue in referring 2. What results is a leg ratio A:B of 4:2.
From the above, it is clear that cycles based on a 33%, or 1:2 or "1/3 - 2/3" org expansion is not only fair, but also realistic.
In fact, in Time Period 4 onwards, the org expansion ranges from 34-38%.
Therefore, the fairest binary structure remains to be "1/3 - 2/3" (1:2 leg ratio).

Just look for the Right Company.

Of course, the argument that remains then would be that "not every distributor/consumer consumes the same amount of products monthly".
To which, only a predictable compensation (with actual possible revenue figures) in a "worst-case product-consumption / distributor-recruitment case study" will be able to show that a consumer is actually able to earn -- then that will absolutely illustrate & suppress all debates.

The logic here is: if one can earn in worst-case, what more if product consumption is greater than worst-case!

Ask your current / potential Sponsor to show this to you in his/her comp plan.
If they can't... Contact Us (or leave a private comment)! =)

Finally, some companies incentivise default overriding commissions (i.e. weak leg % or "cycling") by rewarding distributors through "matching bonuses". Only upon sponsoring a heavy-hitting networker would one derive much revenue to "match". Usually, one would "match" individuals who are most likely just average like yourself, SO "matching bonuses" provide some form of marginal incentive. Evaluate for yourself if it blends into your business building strategies.

--> No problems here with "balancing". Binary plans that pay on a 1/3 - 2/3 leg ratio are more than fair!
"Not really just 2" -- yes and no.

Yes: If your company restricts you to a low capped revenue of e.g. 1k/week <-- Usana Health Sciences. In such a case, it isn't really just 2 referrals you need. One would have to build multiple "inside" legs & open multiple "business centres" in one's own downline. That means 2 additional referrals for each RBC opened! That's tough! You're better off joining a unilevel in this case.

A resounding NO: If your company allows you to achieve your desired income target on as little as 1 distributorship / RBC -- truly 2 referrals.
e.g. If you like to refer as little as 2 customers, stop & teach your downlines the same thing, and set a target to earn US$12k per week in 1 or 2 years time, then a company like... umm... Enliven allows you the flexibility.
However, seriously, if you're looking to leverage on the power of just 2 referrals in a US$14k/week company... why "incapacitate" yourself if the sky's the limit?
Therefore, you should naturally take a serious look at Synergy (20k) or why not bHIP Global (25k!!).

--> Find a company with a high cap with proven infrastructure to ride on -- that truly features a compensation based on 2. Yes, they exist!
e.g. If a distributor hypothetically signs up and in the "worst-case" does not receive "upline" assistance in placing new distributors below him/her (like in Point 2 above)...
and the distributor spends his first 2 months referring 2 downline distributors into the business (@ a rate of 1 distributor / month) & the situation repeats itself:
Month 6 --> 20 downline distributors
Month 12 --> 376
Month 18 --> 6,764 !

It is not a joke... go do your grade / primary school arithmetics.

MLM skeptics will like to argue that market "saturation" will be reached sooner or later.

Well, we've got news for you: 1) not everyone will be involved in building a network with a company at any one time; 2) products & systems between companies (e.g. The Body Shop at Home vs. Primerica vs. The Pampered Chef) may not be related at all & those savvy in the industry may be able to juggle 2 or more companies; 3) the human population currently stands at 6.6 billion (or 6,600 million) and is growing 6 figures daily.

With a minimalist network of 2, it is real hard to hit the perceived "saturated" situation... & simply makes more sense to work with as compared to a network which requires more & more people (e.g. unilevel plans) before one gets rewarded for the work done marketing products/systems.

--> You will go far with just 2!
The "elephant" leg:
Usually a result of business building tactics like what some call "streamlining" (a variant of "stacking" in unilevel compensation), which is good for early organisational motivation but results in detrimental network dynamics.

Now, if there exists upline assistance in the contrary from the above [Point 4] "worst case" -- where uplines place new downlines below existing distributors -- naturally one leg will start growing at a greater rate than the other "weak" leg.

Perhaps you'll then need to focus your efforts in developing your downline distributors in your weak leg to speed things up, though you might not "catch up". But... so what?!

--> This is only a natural characteristic that one should feel priviledged if he/she is presented a unique situation like that.
Otherwise, patience is the key & as shown in Point 4, with the natural consumer network growth you will see the numbers and still benefit from your hard work.
There is nothing to be discouraged about.
In no other compensation structure will it allow a distributor to earn handsome rewards based on a simple referral of 2 sub-distributors.
Unilevel & matrix plans can reward on 2 distributor referrals, but will not be able to qualify a member for bonuses & revenue beyond their very restrictive levels of earnings.
This post will explain why one doesn't "work & work" in a simple system of 2.

--> With only 2 referrals required to optimise a simple dual-line system, there is no reason why distributors should "sit back" and not do the minimalist work required.
If this is the case in your consumer network or the network you're joining, then it boils down to inadequate leadership, education & motivation.
Simply find a team with the correct leadership!
--> And, as obvious as it is from the above elaborations, a dual-line compensation plan not only suits a big-time biz builder, but is also perfect for the part-time promoter / distributor / basic consumer who comes in "fresh off the boat"!

All in all, a binary compensation plan usually allows a new distributor to capitalise on "automatic" & selfless biz support from all directly related senior partners -- & all the way to the company's #1 distributor!

Similarly, in the near future, when assistance is requested from junior partners, it'd be totally worth a distributor's effort & time in helping out all juniors as one would be rightfully rewarded when the situation bears fruit.

--> These days many marketing groups within traditional payplan companies make it mandatory to enroll their new distributors in similar ways to promote the ever-present teamwork, however still subjecting themselves to their comp plan's restrictions, breakaway characteristics, etc.

(Leaders will also argue that there are "no losses" when distributors fall outside earning levels because infinity bonuses take care of that. The fact of the matter remains, that (1) ONLY leaders will attain the argued infinity bonuses (& only at later business stages); and (2) during the time period where network product volume falls outside of one's earning levels & until the said distributor qualifies for infinity bonuses, commissions are flushed & lost forever.)

In fact, many people building traditional payplan businesses in this fashion do not realise that they are flouting their own distributor contract policies & are liable to be terminated.

Obviously, many people are not terminated because they are earning minimal to nada in their paycheck, & yet are generating product sales volume for the company.
However, it'd be worthwhile to terminate Leaders as it would save Companies 5 to 6 figures in monthly commission payouts in their P&L figures -- and major companies HAVE been known to terminate such individuals from time to time.
Why build business silly like that & jeapordize one's efforts?
Get yourself involved with a company which will reward you to the full extent of your (& your network's) effort 100% of the time!
=)

So... which compensation makes the most sense to appeal to the widest audience of potential independent distributors -- i.e. the part-timers?

Just find the right company, with consumable products, that fulfils all the above generous characteristics!
or... contact us (or leave a private comment). ;)

** [Please refer back to this post for future updates & graphical illustrations.]

To end off, here is an excerpt of Jason Wells' comment from another site, on his view of compensation plans. (Jason is a leader from a dual-team payplan company.):

" I have read a lot of posts. Bottom line, if you don't sponsor or move product, you will not make money in any of the plans. That is one thing I agree with.

But when you remove the "smoke and mirrors," every plan has its limitation. I favor the binary, because its limitation is up to me. If I can't find two solid people and train them (even if they are sponsored and trained by someone else), I don't make money.

Other plans often require personal sales volume requirements that create a non-residual income situation.

My 4 top people were sponsored by someone else and I reached down and helped them since I am not paid on levels. I can go as deep as I want until I find my leader.

Other plans kill you on this because of levels and the breakaway will kill you if you are not selling a lot. That is where you hear the stories of the "garage full of products."

If you are heavy hitter and unique in your production, you will (do well) in the break away, however, if you are average like me (<-- edit: & 90% of the network marketing population!) binary... should be your choice. "

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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Research & an Open Mind is of Utmost Importance

2007-01-09T12:38:00.006Z

Here are very realistic encounters by Tim M. again.

" The pitfalls of not enough research

I think that research is so important in any business!

One of the issues that I deal with everyday as it relates to MLM is that people don't do their due diligence. Here are a few examples from my experiences.

1. They don't even bother to evaluate.

This is fine.... it's their right... and I respect that. For me, I'm an open minded person and if someone wants to show me something I've never seen before, then I'm willing to look... but some people are just not interested... Works for me... it means that we don't waste each other's time.

2. They ask the wrong people.

These are the people that look at only one side. They surf the internet and bring up every negative article they can find and ignore the positive ones.... Or they go talk to their friends and family who have already tried it and quit... or even worse... that "heard" that it doesn't work.

When you are researching ANY business... you don't focus on what people do to fail! You focus on what you need to do to succeed. Sure you want to be careful of the pitfalls, but just because you know people who are failing, that doesn't mean that you will too. Learn from their mistakes and use that information to succeed.

3. They don't ask any questions and just jump on board.

These people pose arguably the worst problem for this profession. Someone approaches them with a business, and many times because of the small initial investment and huge potential return, they jump on board and don't ask any questions. This means that they are ill-prepared. There's a good chance that this person will quit as soon as they hit their first roadblock. Then they'll become one of the statistics and one of the people that tell everyone it doesn't work.

4. They believe everything their sponsor says and don't check on the facts.

I spoke to a lady not to long ago that was looking for a home business... She said that she tried MLM a couple times before and failed. I asked more questions... she started to tell me about one of the companies... she mentioned that they required a huge $5K investment, and she ended up getting nothing for the money... there was supposed to be a product, but it never showed up. I spoke with her for a while and I assured her that our company was legal and legitimate. I mentioned that we are publicly traded and there's nothing to worry about. She responded by saying that the other company was publicly traded too.... now this got me interested.... I said "great... what's the stock ticker?" She didn't know... I said "well, then what's the name of the company?".. I looked for any information I could find but found nothing... I couldn't even find it in MLM listings.. I asked her when she last saw the stock report... She responded that she never even looked. I was shocked... but unfortunately, not surprised. They told her they were publicly traded, but this woman didn't even bother to check... It's sooooo easy to check a stock ticker...

In marketing, everyone knows that bad news travels much faster than good news.... According to a report I read recently for every good experience a person has they will tell 2 people... for every bad experience a person has they'll tell 10 people. No wonder MLM has such a bad rap. We've been around for over 60 years and it's a purely word-of-mouth business. No wonder people are so negative. "

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Something Big that's often Misunderstood...(1)

2007-01-08T12:34:00.006Z

To follow on with a post from some months back... we'd herewith like to discuss in an academic & logical fashion -- arguably the most misunderstood compensation plan the industry has produced.

Well, there isn't a perfect solution to a compensation plan, really -- it will depend on the way you intend to work, how it suits your habits... & especially how it suits the network dynamics & the majority of people referred into the biz...
simply because if its not something that suits the majority (& because your performance will depend on the majority's performances) why even waste effort on it?
Makes sense?

Before we discuss its details, let's quickly talk about the pros & cons of the industry's sister plans...
--> keeping in mind that 90% of the people getting involved in network marketing are part-timers involved in 9-5 work, with little intention of going full-time into network marketing in the short-term.
--> also, keeping in mind that the point of network marketing is to leverage on the work done by the network as a whole (promoting products), thus resulting in residual income.

The Unilevel

One can sponsor as wide a frontline as they wish (i.e. many personally-sponsored distributors on 1st level).
Many legs. (For practicality here, any plan that requires 3 or more frontlines / legs, will be discussed as a Unilevel.)
Good for building a large organisation in an acceptable time.
Not practical for majority of distributors who realise the great biz opportunity the industry presents, but only have part-time to spare on their biz.
(too much effort required to meet specified large number of personally-sponsored distributors to qualify for "executive/leadership" bonuses.)
Incorporates variations of depth-for-width compensations.
(e.g. you can't earn level 2, unless you personally sponsor 2; you can't earn level 3, unless you personally sponsor 3; etcetc.
OR, you can't earn beyond level 3 if you don't attain "X" pin title; you can't earn beyond level 4 if you don't attain "Y" pin title; etcetc.)
Cuts / breaks off revenue after certain levels.
(e.g. only pays up to level 5, or 6, etc.)
May include a "dynamic compression" characteristic, which essentially does not apply to the small-time distributors who simply do not have downline volume/numbers.
May include a periodical "bonus pool", which again does not apply to small-timers.
May include an "infinity bonus", which does not apply to small-timers.
Very large organisational downline volume (monthly/quarterly/etc) required to qualify for bonuses/commissions.
All product volume gets reset (flushed) at the end of the month.
Revenue-wise, great for upfront paybacks (small sums though), but requires non-stop work to manage one's wide frontline (& each downline's wide frontlines), and to continue sponsoring new distributors to meet commission qualifications & offset for attrition.
"Modern" methods of building Unilevel incorporate various degree of stacking or streamlining. These are basically binary payplan biz building traits which are applied negatively to unilevel biz building. Among other detrimental results, distributors are liable to get terminated! (See next post.)

--> A possible but difficult residual income plan, especially for part-timers.
It is essentially a "working plan".

The Breakaway

aka the "stairstep breakaway" plan.
Almost always a feature of Unilevel plans.
Wide array of incentives / bonuses to encourage a distributor to continue building his/her organisation.
It is literally mandatory to continue building one's organisation, especially when revenue is lost when a downline matches a particular pin title that cuts-off earnings from the relevant sub-organisation.
(one either has to increase consumer productivity from sidelines to stay ahead of that downline's pin title,
OR, to simply make up for lost product volume.)
Very large organisational downline volume required to qualify for bonuses/commissions.
All product volume gets reset (flushed) at the end of the month.
Tendency for inventory loading (or "front loading" or "stacking" of memberships to gain pin titles / ranks.)
Recent modifications to Breakaway plans have reduced a "total" cut-off of revenue.
(some plans now pay back a (smaller) % of the volume that was to be originally cut-off,
OR, rewards the distributor an "extra few levels".
YET, distributors still feel that it is awesome to be receiving a small(er) % of breakaway volume. Question to these happy campers is: Why not receive the same (larger) % as compared to before breakaway, dopehead?!

--> A recent "invention" in compensation plans is the "hybrid plans".
Well, a unilevel is a unilevel. Once you've got to sponsor more than 2 referrals, its not a "binary" any longer. Who are these companies trying to kid?? Obviously the unsuspecting small-time distributors/consumers!
Again, a possible but difficult residual income plan, especially for part-timers.

The Forced Matrix
(not referring to the "matrix schemes" aka "elevator plans" which tend to be illegal in nature)

Mostly requires a fixed number wide frontline (many personally-sponsored distributors), and a fixed number of levels deep .
Keeps one's organisation within a "A x B" configuration. (e.g. 7x5, 8x4, etcetc.)
i.e. no revenue from small-time distributors who fall outside of your "A x B" matrix.
Great for building a seemingly large/successful organisation.
Allows an "upline" to place a new "downline" below an existing downline (aka "spillover").
(provides motivation, shows organisational growth & encourages teamwork.)
Incorporates variations of depth-for-width compensations.
Again, not practical for majority of distributors who only have part-time to spare on their biz.
(too much effort required to meet specified number of personally-sponsored distributors to qualify for levels of compensation and/or "leadership" bonuses.)
Moreover the forced matrix structure gives people the false urge to sit back and have the matrix organisation form on its own.
May include an "infinity bonus", which does not apply to small-timers.
All product volume gets reset (flushed) at the end of the month.
Revenue-wise, moderate for upfront paybacks, but requires non-stop work to manage/manipulate the matrix to qualify for one's desired monthly paycheque.
Basically, the deeper one goes in a matrix, the more people need to be placed sideways (on the same level) before someone gets placed below on the next level. Large MLM earnings surely take a long time to build. Good payplan for generating hundredaires.

--> Yet again, a possible but difficult residual income plan, especially for part-timers.
All in all, if a part-timer can't refer enough new distributors into their business in their part-time efforts... how in the world are they going to build up the mandatory large organisations to bring in their promised "full-time income" as illustrated above?

Also, if you're not confused by now, we are!! There are just too many hocus-pocus "bonuses" being thrown on the table just to lure ignorant bystanders into signing up.

And one major factor of the above plans that prevents a new distributor from obtaining "automatic" & selfless biz support from the seemingly "large population" of senior partners is the simple fact that most of the mid-level "senior partners" (uplines) do not qualify for "infinity" bonuses that rewards them for the selfless effort put in when time is spent helping out a junior distributor who falls outside of his/her earning levels.

<Part 2 coming up... >

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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& Be First!

An Inspirational Testimony

2007-01-07T12:01:00.005Z

The following inspirational testament is made by Tim M. of Canada -- just a regular guy from a regular background everyone can relate to.
Enjoy!

"My story is probably very typical. I have no previous MLM experience, I'm no salesman, this was my first try at my own business. I grew up in a small town in New Brunswick, Canada. My dad was a truck driver who worked plenty of hours, and my mom stayed at home with us. When I got a little older my dad took a pay cut and moved to a sales position so that he could spend more time with us. For us, family was most important. Since my father didn't even have a high school education I thought that to be successful I would need to work hard to get a good education, work hard to get a good job, and work hard to climb that ladder. I did that. I got a Computer Science Degree, and moved to Ottawa, Canada and landed a job with one of the largest companies in the country. Since I've been working with Nortel, I've watched as 100,000 of my friends and collegues lost their jobs and their pensions. I knew this wasn't it. I knew this can't be the answer. There must be something more.

I got involved in Network Marketing because of my best friend. He already owned his own business and he was very successful with it, so when he told me that he wanted to work with me and to teach me what he knew about business I jumped right on. He and I got to work, and his business grew at more than twice the speed of mine. I thought that it was just because of his connections in business and the knowledge that he had. I was able to build a pretty respectable business of my own, but now I realize that it was just because of the "facts". My company is an amazing company with amazing growth and timing, but really, when it comes down to it... those are all just numbers.

I just got back from our global convention in Dallas this weekend. This is my second one. The first one helped me with my belief in the vehicle, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. However, I kept an open mind and I went to learn. I met all the millionaires, and rubbed shoulders with corporate. But I realized something profound. One of these millionaires in particular touched me on a different level. He is a guru in the industry.. He's been in Network Marketing since the age of 16... he's built 6 annual-million dollar downlines and as I'm talking to him, he makes me feel as though I'm the only person in the room. Not only that, but he's the only millionaire that ate all his meals in the restaurant in the lobby.... Still on top of that, but before leaving the room, each and every time, he walked to every single table and acknowledged every single person there. I couldn't believe it. This industry really works.... your success IS directly proportional to how much you care about people.

While I was in Dallas, I also spent a lot of time talking to new distributors, helping them with their questions and confidence. Each and every time I spoke, I had a crowd gather around me. I couldn't understand what was happening... I'm no powerhouse... My sponsor is... why not go talk to him... but every time, they listened intently and when I was finished, they thanked me and thanked me again. Then it dawned on me. I'm a regular guy with a regular story, and I can relate to them on their level. I'm one of them and they can understand what I'm saying because I went through it... I'm speaking from experience. These people who are CEO types can't relate to the average person. Here I was not believing in myself because I was nothing special, when in actuality, the FACT that I'm nothing special is what makes what I have to say SO special. I truly have a gift. I have the gift of personal growth. I can teach people to change their lives by helping them grow as people.

Since the convention, I've now gathered interested people... All of which are average people with average lives who are looking for someone like me to help them learn and grow.

I have truly experienced something amazing and I would give up all the money in the world as long as I can keep the belief that I've just earned in MYSELF. "

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Network Marketing is Still the Greatest Opportunity Available

2007-01-06T05:38:00.005Z

Network marketing is one of the most rewarding home business opportunities today. For a start-up cost that typically ranges from a few dollars to perhaps a few hundred dollars, just about anyone can be in business for themselves.

Spring, TX (PRWEB) August 23, 2006 --
Network marketing is one of the most rewarding home business opportunities today.

For a start-up cost that typically ranges from a few dollars to perhaps a few hundred dollars, just about anyone can be in business for themselves. And the number of options available for what kind of network marketing business to go into continues to increase.

Many network marketing companies offer products and services that the average person uses on a daily and consistent basis. Products such as communication services, internet access, nutritional products, water filtration systems, financial programs, etc... lend themselves naturally to network marketing.

Essentially, consumers simply change the habit of buying certain products or services from traditional retail outlets and begin purchasing these same products or services from a network marketing company or independent representative.

The business model is basically a simple system where the network marketing company relies on independent representatives or affiliates to promote their products and services. When a sale is made, the network marketing company then pays a percentage of those proceeds to the independent representative that made the sale.

With network marketing, the commissions don't stop there. When the representative that made the actual sale is paid, there is typically a commission that goes to the representative that initially referred them.

The details of how much is paid, how commissions are earned, and who is qualified to earn what level of compensation will vary from one network marketing company to the next but the allure of network marketing rests primarily in the opportunity to continue to receive commissions over the lifetime of a customer's account as well as any other customers referred by your organization.

"Imagine telling your friends about the movie you really enjoyed last weekend and having the movie theater send you a check every time your friends bought a movie ticket, popcorn, and candy." says Brian Rooney, founder of MySearchSite. "Imagine getting a check every time a friend of yours went to a restaurant you told them about. That's the power and attraction of network marketing."

While the business concept is simple, the failure rate in network marketing is similar to the failure rate in traditional businesses. Some believe this failure rate stems from over-hyped opportunity meetings where people are lead to believe that if they just sign up and get a few friends involved, they can make millions.

If you are considering a network marketing opportunity, realize that you are starting a business. While your start-up costs are amazingly low (compare an average of $50 to $100 to several million dollars for some franchises), the same principles of hard work and dedication are required to succeed.

"Network marketing is a very simple business" says Brian Rooney. "but if you don't take it seriously, treat it like a business and work hard at it, you will fail.".

Network marketing reps who don’t have the necessary skills to be successful can learn how to become successful at making solid presentations, retail sales, and the other required skills to succeed.

There are many reasons to start working with a network marketing company and most people like to start in their spare time or as a part-time venture.

Those that pick a solid company to work with and commit to building a successful business over the course of a number of years will usually reach a level of success and income beyond their previous job experiences.

It takes commitment and determination in both building and marketing your business.

Key ingredients to network marketing success include:

Selecting a stable company with solid management.
Selecting a company with products that people need and want.
Selecting a company that is designed to stay in business.
Selecting a team or sponsor that is going to work with you.
Realizing that this is a network marketing BUSINESS and being committed to working your business.

About The Author:
Brian Rooney is the founder of TrafficWave

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Latest Documentary Movie

2006-12-24T06:09:00.009Z

>> NEWS FLASH <<

This is one of the latest documentary movies being shown on selected cinema screens.

It gives realistic insight into the LEGIT side of the network marketing / mlm industry...
and does what movies like "Fahrenheit 9/11" [See this link or this link], & "An Inconvenient Truth" has done to tell the Real Stories as they should be told -- FACTUALLY.

You will see that some folks make it, and some don't -- just like in all other affiliations in life, or line of work.

The Director had personally told us:
"As you know, there are a lot of people out there that think MLMs suck.

Our hope is that we have represented that side and the other side as well!
"The Downline" is the first and only true documentary about the MLM or Network Marketing industry."

The movie also illustrates to the general public what to watch out for in illegal multi-level operations -- the "money-games" or affectionately known as "pyramid schemes".
It was filmed without the intention of making it a marketing tool for the industry as it depicts both successes & failures.

Check out "The Downline"...

>> www.thedownlinemovie.com<<

Another movie worth checking out is "The Secret".
This article explains how it is being "interestingly" distributed worldwide -- word-of-mouth simply works!

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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XanGo, MonaVie, FreeLife the "next" breakthroughs?

2006-12-22T02:13:00.006Z

Read on for some interesting insights!

1.
Xango officially opened its doors in Malaysia & Singapore recently. However...

Xango Executive, Joe Morton, was himself quoted in Time Magazine:

9th October 2006

In the case of XanGo, "no published clinical trials show evidence that either the fruit or its juice is an effective treatment for arthritis, cancer or any other disorder in humans," writes Dr. Brent Bauer, the Mayo Clinic's alternative-medicine specialist. Mangosteens contain antioxidants called xanthones that have been shown to stop certain bacteria and fungi in lab tests. Yet independent-distributor sites claim the juice helps everything from Alzheimer's disease to kidney stones. XanGo's Morton concedes that wild claims are being made. "With 600,000 distributors, some stuff gets past our compliance [measures]," he says. "Overpromising and underdelivering is a problem in any company, from painting houses to selling cars."

2.

A Q&A article in Time Magazine with a Doctor talks about Acai, Goji, & Mangosteen.

4th September 2006

Mangosteen:
" The juice that is much hyped as a super health food is pressed from the purple rind, which has a lot of antioxidant pigments. I see no advantage over cheaper, more readily available berries and juices. "

Acai:
" The açai berry from brazil is high in antioxidants, but i'm always wary of "next big things." Familiar berries are just as good — and cheaper. "

Goji:
" Goji berries from the Himalayas are another "next big thing." They are rich in antioxidants but offer no special benefits that more familiar berries do not. "

The superfruits are marketed by: XanGo LLC, & Vemma / New Vision for the Mangosteen; eXfuze, 4Life Research LLC, MonaVie / Monarch Health Sciences, Fruta Vida International, & Amigo Health Labs Inc for the Acai; FreeLife International for the Goji / GoChi.

3.
In summary, the companies marketing the above 3 said supplement beverages employ out-dated compensation plans to reward its workers, aka distributors (perhaps except Vemma & MonaVie).

They also try to attract new independent distributors by employing intricate bonus rewards which 90% of the network marketing distributor population will never qualify for... ever!
These bonuses only serve to reward the high-flyers who work more than full-time on their business.

Their pay plans are only suitable for full-timers who can spend endless hours finding more & more & more consumers / sub-distributors to meet the high product volume requirements before they get rewarded for the work they do promoting the products.

We are not saying that the products don't work... but with the above findings it is not as bright a future for you in these companies as you might be led to think.

Especially since some of these use difficult compensation unsuitable for 90% of the marketing workforce who are essentially part-timers.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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Freelife unnecessarily employing sensationalism

2006-12-01T08:21:00.009Z

It appears that FreeLife, supposedly a reputable network marketing company, is over-hyping its product even at the corporate level -- deliberately toying around with the impression given by Time Magazine's famous phrase "XXXXX of the year", and going to the extent of unnecessarily adding in words like "Number 1".

In Time Magazine's article "A Taste of the Future", July 16th 2006, the goji berry was simply mentioned as a feature of New York City's 52nd Summer Fancy Food Show -- talking about foods that one might see retailing during the year.
As shown below, the Time article merely said "...this year's breakout was..." without any celebratory fanfare as they would state for, e.g., Time Photo of the Year.

It is just normal text in a small box!

" When 2,200 food purveyors gathered at the 52nd Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City last week, the 160,000 food products on offer ranged from the ridiculous... to the sublime... Here's a peek at what could be showing up on your grocery shelves.

SUPERFRUITS
In the produce world, some fruits have better health credentials than others. So-called superfruits flavored everything from pomegranate-blueberry lemonade to açaí energy bars. This year's breakout was the Himalayan goji berry, said to be a source of energy and longevity. The berry made several appearances, most successfully in Himalania's trail mixes and snacks. "

!?!?!
"Time Magazine" ... "Number 1" ... that's some big ego talk! The product is great. Great. So, ride on the good human testimonials, but cut out the unjustified hype!
Freelife is conveniently leaving out the last sentence (shown above) in all their marketing -- which actually talks about a different brand of Goji products. LOL.

FreeLife even took it "one notch up" on their website:
"Last July, the Los Angeles Times wrote a tremendous article on the goji berry. This July, TIME magazine, the world's largest news magazine with over 28 million monthly readers, has just named the Himalayan Goji Berry as the breakout superfruit of the year! Referring to the Himalayan goji berry as a source of energy and longevity, the July 24 article was focused on those superfruits that have better health credentials than others. And the Himalayan goji berry was the Number 1 breakout of the year!

As we have said from day 1, Himalayan Goji Juice will become a billion-dollar brand and the most successful functional beverage of its kind because it has great history, great science, gives more great results, and tastes great. No other product in the marketplace can make that claim and now no other product in the world can state that TIME magazine called their unique ingredient the BREAKOUT SUPERFRUIT OF THE YEAR!"

Being mentioned in Time is great! But why hype it up unless the intention is to...

updated link (January 27th 2007): FreeLife Corporate using the Time article again
" 7. The media attention that FreeLife, Himalayan Goji Juice, and the goji berry have received over the past year has been incredible. This year, TIME magazine called the Himalayan Goji Berry the "Super Fruit of the Year" "

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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& Be First!

This Blog a Case of Journalistic Fraud??

2006-11-12T16:20:00.004Z

Views on MLM from a reader

It looks like an individual who claims to be gainfully employed as a professional journalist isn't really carrying out fair reporting practices in his/her widely read weblog.

We'd dare say it borders on journalistic fraud -- where facts are blatantly omitted for the purposes of sensationalism.

You be the judge!
Here was our second letter to this "journalist"... perhaps missing out on other facts already presented in our first letter:

"hi xlx,

hope you didn't miss out on our earlier comment on this post.

do post it, as well as this one... it is merely for readers to make a proper evaluation of opinions expressed.

readers should really see this webpage, www.networkmarketing.uic.edu , and judge for themselves if there are legit classes out there.
(the course is conducted by Harvard ed Professor King.)

only ruthless MLM leaders sell the "easy money" angle.
these are likely the very same people who fail(ed) in their MLM ventures...
simply because most / all who join them marketing the "easy-ness" instead of marketing the products, do not see beyond their perceived short-term gains, which are virtually unattainable to most ordinary folks.

let's talk about traditional work:
all organisational structures are pyramid-like.
and, all successful sales & related work are paid in commissions to the sales team.
so, are these 2 traditional work processes "illegal"? ... we think not!

at the end of the day, legit Network Marketing is a sound concept of business marketing of proven (& competitively priced) products to consumers and/or business-owners.
one has to do his/her own due diligence to eliminate companies/individuals who are out to deceive.

regards."

It is only because of stubborn old-fashioned mindsets like these individuals' that common folk who don't know better get presented tainted "news" via "creditable" mediums like newspapers.
Sigh!

Beware, people!
Find out your own truths.

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

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Good Read #1

2006-10-03T12:33:00.021Z

Some pretty good paperback literature for self-study into the industry.
[Get the full version at Amazon's extensive online store.]

"The New Professionals"is co-written by:
Professor Charles King of UIC (the University of Illinois at Chicago)
- Link 1; Link 2.
- a HBS (Harvard University Business School) PhD (DBA) holder;
& James Robinson
- a prominent official with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Dr King holds regular seminars about Network Marketing at the University.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

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& Be First!

Looking to get a position in Management at work?

2006-10-01T03:02:00.005Z

All traditional work lead to positions dealing with human relations.

When you are one of the bosses, your role will most likely encompass meeting new clients & firming up new projects / contracts.

Even if your management position doesn't require meeting external parties to sell your company's services, you'd likely be meeting many people internally to sell to your bosses your department's performance.
Otherwise... kiss your fat bonus goodbye. ;)

If you're afraid of dealing with strangers in the first place... it is time to forget your daydreams of being in management!

That said, it is never too late to overcome your fears.
Break out of your comfort zone!

Food for thought:

[nb: we're talking about legitimate marketing & not pyramid schemes.]

Why work as an executive putting in 110% effort 8am-8pm until you are 60 years old, marketing products / services (which you probably don't believe in, but simply are "trained" for) for a MNC / SME / whatever and yet only gain a capped / fixed income...

when you can put in 100% effort and potentially retire in 5 to 10 years... or less... marketing a product / service at your own time; that the more you factually learn about the more you enjoy; and earn a significant proportion of the profits that your efforts bring in, & yet is not capped!

The former puts food on the table, period. While, the latter puts food on the table and so much more.

Which, logically, has a better retirement plan, ehh??

NO MORE juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff"!
There's just one too many!!

请联络我们... 听听华语讲解

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& Be First!

Proof of Legit Organisations

2006-09-30T01:12:00.008Z

Hi all,

Pardon the break in posts.
It has been such exciting times (at least on a personal biz level) since our last post -- we're talking network marketing nonetheless.

No worries... this is an active blog -- not even close to being dormant!

We've taken the liberty here to post an insightful article written by a regional journalist... highlighting the parts which, we feel, show that there is much legitimate income to be made by those who open their minds to satisfying (and legit) work in this industry.

Don't sit there slogging at 9-5 work... while you miss out on your 5-9 income "rocket" waiting to take off.
At the very least, start getting involved in a proven organisation by-the-side, part-time, without the risk of losing your 9-5... you'll never regret it.

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Battling misconceptions
Business still slow for direct selling industry as negative image persists

- Mira Kashinath, Today, 27th September 2006

IT'S been over five years since the law was amended to allow legitimate multi-level-marketing (MLM) firms to operate here came into effect, but the direct selling industry remains dogged by the negative image many associate with pyramid selling.

"In the early tough days, legitimate direct sellers were held back by suspicion. But sadly, this scrutiny of legitimate direct sellers continues till today; it is uphill still for us," said Mr Benjamin Tan, a founding member of the 30-year-old Direct Selling Association of Singapore (DSAS).

To improve its image and win public confidence, the body — which is made up of 22 of Singapore's biggest direct-selling companies — is calling for tougher self-regulation.

It is drafting rules to tighten loopholes in the industry — currently the association doesn't step in if any of its member firms collapse. With the new rules, it will step in to help affected consumers.
Also, it will step up on checks on its members: Those who repeatedly don't abide by its code of ethics and conduct will face expulsion.

"We will look into how we can better protect consumers' interests, whether through further collaboration with the Consumers Association of Singapore, or through local regulatory and industry partners," said Mr Nicholas Chia, chairman of DSAS.

The association is setting up a one-stop information centre for the public next month.

This centre will allow consumers to check — for free — the legitimacy of any direct-selling company, and help organise public education forums to inform the public on the differences between direct selling and pyramid selling (see below).

"However, if the negative mindset about the industry persists, we are under severe threat of losing a large pie of the potential multi-billion revenue that the global industry will generate," said Mr Chia.

While one in every 10 Singaporean buys from direct selling companies now, Singapore is still falling behind the rest of South-east Asia in grabbing a share of the US$101 billion ($160 billion) global direct selling industry, he said.

Last year, Singapore generated US$330 million in direct sales, compared with Malaysia's US$1.4 billion and Taiwan's US$2.1 billion.

Said Mr Chia: "We need a big mindset shift fast or we will be outstripped by other stronger direct selling markets in Asia for a large share of the global industry pie."

Multi-level marketing is legal in S'pore

Multi-level marketing (MLM) and single level marketing (SLM) are the two forms of direct selling practised in Singapore. Consumers still tend to confuse the two forms of direct selling with pyramid selling, which is prohibited in Singapore.

"Direct selling is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location. It is a popular alternative to traditional employment for those seeking to supplement their household income, or whose responsibilities or circumstances do not allow for regular part-time or full-time employment," said Mr Tan.

Pyramid selling on the other hand, requires participants to make a lump sum payment upfront to join the scheme, and the driving force to recoup the initial fee is the recruitment of more members, rather than the sale of goods and services. Many participants lost huge amounts of money under the scheme, and subsequently an Act was passed in 1973, declaring pyramid selling illegal in Singapore.

Source: Today 1 ; Today 2 ; CNA 1

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Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

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& Be First!

A "Working Plan"

2006-08-01T06:46:00.006Z

Okay... before we continue with farther elaboration of positive company characteristics to look out for...

...here's the first rant of this blog as we all proceed with our lives inside & outside network marketing throughout the Far East - Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam (Viet Nam), Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia, etc.

Have you heard the term "working plan" used loosely & frequently (with regards to compensation plans)?

What is the definition of a "working plan"?

Simple really... one that requires one to work till he / she drops.
Essentially, that's what it means... shoot us an email if there's more to it...

Aren't we marketing our products / businesses with the hope of retiring after the fundamentals of a formidable network are built?
It simply defeats the purpose of getting involved in network marketing if one still has to "work till he drops".

Let's do some elementary school math...

Does a 2-person frontline plan make sense effort-wise as compared to a mandatory 3 or 6 or 10-person or any other width-only plan as it goes in unilevel / matrix plans?
Or, is more really the merrier?

Do not forget that in order to meet a company's commission & bonus payment requirements, an intended 6-wide or 10-wide frontline network is required...to be 6-wide or 10-wide and no less.
Otherwise, one will be penalised by the company without fail, and lose out on being fully compensated for product volume their network had generated.

Lets first discuss about each networker's first level...
...and also proceed in this discussion with the above 4 types of networks.

Right away we can see that a 2-person frontline plan comes up champs.
That's only 66% of full effort needed by you as compared to a plan requiring 3.
33% effort of a plan requiring 6.
& only 20% effort of a 10-person unilevel plan.

Let's look at the networker's second level.

Level two consists of 4, 9, 36 & 100 people respectively.
That's 44% effort,
11% effort,
& 4% of effort required by you as compared to a 3, 6 or 10-person plan.

Finally, to not make this too lengthy, lets look at the networker's third level.

Level three will consist of 8, 27, 216 & 1000 people respectively.
That's 30% effort,
4% effort,
& less than 1% effort needed by yourself as compared to a 3, 6 or 10-person unilevel plan.

By "effort", we are referring to the time, resources & energy spent in sponsoring each individual in one's network.
And the additional effort needed in supporting each individual in your downline (be it in business, product, motivation or relationships wise).

Although the numbers of one's network add up quickly in a larger width-wise network, there is no benefit / motivation for individuals in your organisation to assist one another in the larger numbers of sideline individuals' businesses or difficulties.

e.g.
In the case of a 10-person unilevel, each networker (i.e. you) has the responsibility to support each of his 10 sponsored distributors.
Each of these 10 would be primarily concerned in expanding their own network of 10 (& downwards) and have no incentive to support the other 9 sidelines which belong to his Sponsor (you).

The numbers of distributors for you to support simply pile up the deeper you get with no incentive for anybody to help anybody-else from the many sidelines that have formed in such a complex network.

This is where group cohesion comes in, with senior networkers encouraging cross-lines / side-lines to interact & support one another.
But, seriously, what is the point?

Wouldn't one be likely to assist willingly with individuals that directly matter to them??

In a 10-person unilevel, if the 100 people in level 3 need support, it is truly provided by only 11 people. (i.e. their immediate uplines & yourself)

In a simple 2-person network if there are 100 people who need support... support will be willingly (& perhaps automatically) given by 50 people (or more, depending on the network's dynamics) because of the depth of the network.

With greater support readily available for each distributor in a binary in times of need, which compensation plan better fits the seemingly derogatory term "working plan"??
You tell us.

In our opinion, a working plan where you work till you drop with much fewer opportunities to take a break, is one that promotes width.

Note: we've yet to bring in the fact that in the case of most small-width plans, additional sponsored individuals (beyond the minimum required 2 or 3) are placed below other downlines, hence proving to these downlines that their network is indeed growing.
This "spillover" serves as motivation, if nothing else.

Even in traditional companies / marketing teams which payplans do not feature such "default" business dynamics, the leaders have been attempting to "force" spillovers just to "show" business momentum. A lot of the time, this action flouts their (traditional) company's business policies & procedures, and puts their business at risk of being terminated when their commission cheques run big enough.

(This is not possible / encouraged in some plans. Which means downlines are pretty much are on their own in building a network. This leads to situations where if downlines meet obstacles in finding their own many individuals to sponsor...they'll more than likely drop out. It is a sad but true fact.)

Nonetheless spillover aside, for a comp plan to work successfully, do your part to spread the word to the minimalist 2-person (or 10. <-- haha, if you still insist on participating in such a plan.) frontline and watch the network work its dynamics.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

>> Click Here Now <<

& Be First!

an elaboration on the characteristics...(1)

2006-07-26T00:20:00.006Z

Expanding on an earlier post.

The Right company:

corporate management who understand the distribution process & potential difficulties.
- perhaps they were once distributors themselves.
one where there is no doubt to its financial figures; e.g. a public-listed company.
- hopefully not some penny stock on some unknown stock exchange.
- but of course with a public company comes public news good/bad/ugly, so strong corporate management executives will be a factor.
- company news will affect the interest of potential business partners.
- if it is not public then the previous factor is key.
how old is the company & number of markets in operation.
products that the company owns patents & trade-marks to.
- some with household products might demonstrate non-toxicity... but are these truly "unique"?
- some products proclaim amazing algae functions or magical magnetic field benefits... but can these be explained scientifically?
- some products are run-of-the-mill website/email hosting facilities... again, are these truly "unique"?
if necessary: products that have been approved by relevant local product &/or religious authorities.

Note: If there are no products (i.e. money-in gives money-out), it is not legal.
Check with your local law / trade authority if participation in such programs yourself (as an independent) constitute breaking of laws!! Quite likely so.

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

>> Click Here Now <<

& Be First!

The Right Company . . .

2006-07-25T11:18:00.030Z

Network Marketing [aka multi-level marketing, mlm, networking, direct sales, direct selling] is, after all, a viable method of business marketing
Unfortunately also used by swindlers who are out to make a quick buck -- but note that every industry has its bad apples, as well as its Shining Stars!

Spend some time to do your personal research, and you will then know the correct steps to take in the adventure.

Take a little effort to look for:
1) the right company (with unique products),
2) a viable compensation plan,
3) good co-workers,
4) a simple duplicatable system with dependable support & resources

…and it will go a long way in making it easier (& safer) for you & your business partners to build a big network with a legitimate company, based on the correct legal marketing principles.

Once you’re on this right path with the foundation of your residual income firmly built, you’ll never have to look back in life again.

Choose to retire, spend time with the children, or (for those who still love their main line of work) simply continue 9-5 "corporate slavery" without the need to contend with vicious office politics & the endless rat race -- only then can you work in your current job for the pure love of your expertise... and do the world genuine good.

Around the world, network marketing is also known as 網絡營銷 / 网络营销, 網銷 / 网销, 組織行銷 / 组织行销, 傳銷 / 传销, 直銷 / 直销, or 電子商務 / 电子商务; 네트워크 마케팅; bisnis sistem mlm; ネットとネットワークマーケティング, ネットワークのマーケティング, マルチレベルマーケティング, マルチ商法, マルチしょうほう, or 連鎖販売取引; negocios en linea, comercialización de la red, comercialización en red, marketing de redes, mercadeo en red, mercadeo multinivel, marketing directo; vente multiniveau, commercialisation par paliers multiples, vente en réseau par cooptation, marketing de réseau, vente directe, marketing direct; sprzedaż bezpośrednia, marketing wielopoziomowy, marketing sieciowy; vendite dirette, vendita diretta, vendita della rete or vendita multilivello; síťový marketing or přímý prodej; direkt marketing; mrežnom marketingu, mrežnog marketinga; mrežni marketing, mrežnim marketingom; etc...

nb: this blog is meant to be a logical exchange of ideas.
don’t waste your time flaming. :)

Do WITHOUT the juice/vitamin/cosmetic/household "stuff".
Find a niche & the market will come to you!

请联络... 听听华语讲解

>> Click Here Now <<

& Be First!

Networking takes place professionally in most of these markets:
SouthEast Asia - Malaysia Brunei Singapore Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Myanmar Burma; North Asia - Japan South Korea; East Asia - Taiwan HK Hongkong Hong Kong Greater China; South Asia - India; Australasia - Australia New Zealand; Latin America - barbados dominican republic puerto rico virgin islands; North America - Mexico Canada USA United States of America; Western Europe - UK United Kingdom aka Great Britain England Scotland Wales Ireland, Italy Poland Germany Austria Greece Spain Portugal; Eastern Europe - Bosnia Croatia Czech Republic Hungary Slovakia Slovenia