Community Business
Community-type Businesses - Up close and personal
Donald Trump and Robert T. Kiyosaki - A rich picture
What to expect from a GREAT Network Marketing Company
What can our Business Opportunity offer you?
Community-type Businesses - Up close and personal
Please read the following words:
----- N-E-T-W-O-R-K M-A-R-K-E-T-I-N-G -----
How do you feel right now?
Maybe you feel a few cold shivers running down your spine. Otherwise, you will feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Either way, Network Marketing, Multi-level Marketing, Interactive Distribution - or as I refer to it, Community-type Businesses - will only create two polarities of emotion - positive or negative. You either love it or you avoid it like the plague! There is no neutrality.
One can speculate about the reasons for these two polarities, but I have found that the common denominator on both sides of the fence is 'personal experience', either from having been involved with Network Marketing for some time or having had family or friends being involved. It is this personal experience that largely impacts the thoughts, beliefs and attitudes we hold about this industry.
Fortunately, my wife and I have been exposed to both sides of Network Marketing and can share a large pool of experience about the good, the bad and the ugly of the industry. Despite some of the negative aspects of Network Marketing, we have been able to perservere and grow into individuals capable of building a successful Network in two of the three companies we have partnered with. The first was a total disaster, the second much better and the third is spreading like a wild-fire! Leaders are popping up everywhere! The point is that success in Network Marketing is independent of personal or collective belief.
Nevertheless, my intent with this article is to give you some perspective on the Network Marketing industry without any hype or over-the-counter-sales-jargon. My guess is that if you have read this far, you are seriously considering this business industry as a means of adding some (or more) extra income to your current financial plan for the future. Hopefully, you may find the information that follows useful enough to help you make a solid decision. Should you still require more information, please feel free to contact us!
Let's first start off by reviewing some of the myths about Network Marketing:
- 1. It is a get rich quick opportunity - this is simply not true. If you really want to create a substantial passive income from this industry, it will require some serious, hard work. The Law of Effort and Reward comes into play: What you sow, you shall reap! As simple as that.
- 2. The people I sponsor will build my business for me - sorry, HUGE mistake! Success in this industry depends on you leading from the front. Napoleon once said that the 'General is the Army'. When you have a team of people working towards a shared goal, you will learn much about the leader by just observing the people in the team. If you have a strong team, you have a strong leader and vice versa. When you actively build your business, people will join it and learn from you how to take the lead themselves - which is one of the characteristics of very successful networks! Don't expect more from people than you are willing to do yourself.
- 3. My Sponsors (people who brought me into the business) will build it for me - yet another fallacy. Although you can expect your Upline to work alongside you while you build your business, they will only equal your effort. They have a much larger business than you and will need to help more people than you. The best is to tie into their Training System and learn how to become a leader in your own right!
- 4. The Training System will gaurantee success - let me ask you this: are all doctors or engineers very good at their profession? The answer is a bold 'no'. I will certainly not go under the knife with some doctors I know of! The interesting thing is you can have two doctors coming from the same learning institution, but one is good and the other is mediocre at best. A training system is not a gaurantee for success, but it will definitely cause you to grow and develop. It is what you do with this knowledge that will make the difference!
- 5. Anyone can build a profitable Network - the Law of Averages says that this is just not possible. You will always have very successful people building huge networks, then some more average in success and...then some (at least we all have the benefit of gaining access to quality products). This reality is no different from the corporate world. You only have one CEO. Then you have a bunch of directors and leaders and the majority of people are employees, some of which have the prospects of becoming a CEO, but most not. The truth is that this is life!
- 6. Once built, it does not need my attention - any business of real significance requires effort. Bill Gates will tell you that. Richard Branson will tell you that. What is true though, is that Networks allow for less and less energy expenditure as the business grows and leaders develop, which eventually results in passive income with minimal effort.
- 7. It will saturate - after almost a decade in the business, I have yet to see any signs of saturation in any of the successful companies. We have built our second Network with a company that started off in 1959 and still there are no indications of saturation. Think about it: when someone says 'no' to your opportunity, it immediately dispels the theory!
- 8. I can build it all by myself - if you think you can build a Network all by yourself, your dream is probably not big enough. Zig Ziglar says that "we can have everything we want in life if we help enough other people to get what they want"!
- 9. It is easy to build a Network Business - If it was so easy, then everyone would build a network because of its enormous income potential. Additionally, we would not have two polarities because no one would be negative about the concept.
In light of the abovementioned myths, what do money-makers such as Donald Trump and Robert T. Kiyosaki have to say about Network Marketing?
Donald Trump and Robert T. Kiyosaki - A rich picture
In their highly acclaimed book, WHY WE WANT YOU TO BE RICH, Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki strongly recommend Network Marketing as a Business Model to follow. This is specifcally true if you entertain the idea of becoming a successful B quadrant business owner instead of an employee (E quadrant) or self-employed (S quadrant) business owner.
To become a successful B quadrant business owner, you need to attain the required skills, personal traits and leadership attributes of a successful person in this quadrant. The following is an excerpt from this book:
"Where could you find a business that will invest the time in your education, your personal development and building your own business? The answer is: most network-marketing businesses."
Robert further states that Network Marketing businesses are B quadrant businesses because it meets several of his criteria when looking for businesses or investments:
- 1. Leverage - Can I train other people to work for me?
- 2. Control - Do I have a protected system that belongs to me?
- 3. Creativity - Will the business allow me to be creative and develop my own personal style and talents?
- 4. Expandability - Can my business grow indefinitely?
- 5. Predictability - Is my income predictable if I do what is expected of me? If I am successful, and keep expanding my business, will my income increase with my success and hard work?
- People like Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki are wealthy entrepreneurs because of one thing: they think differently than 95% of the people out there in the market place. If they throw their weight behind the Network Marketing industry, it must be a worthwhile proposition to pursue.
If you ask my wife and I what our personal experience has been with Network Marketing, we will both conclude that we have cycled from negative to positive to negative to positive, etc. You can say that we have a 'bitter-sweet' relationship with the Network Marketing industry. We love the benefits our businesses have brought us, but we are also less passionate about what this type of business can take away from you if you are not careful.
So let's start with the disadvantages of this industry.
One of the major downsides is that you stand the chance to loose out on life balance. At some point in time in our second business, we became so focused that we intentionally or unintentionally missed out on many important family events, nights out with friends and vacations and we even shifted aside time for spiritual growth and our own health and wellness. It is crucially important to maintain a proper life balance no matter what your upline support says you should do. When we started our third business, we decided to actively pursue a healthy balance with regards to all our goals.
Another potential downside is large scale financial investment in the beginning stages of your business. It might seem insignificant in the beginning, but when you add the totals up over a few months or a year, it can be quite significant. It is in the nature of network marketing businesses to grow exponentially over time, with huge income potentials. In the beginning, though, you may see more effort going in than money coming out. What we have determined is that you must ensure that you join a company which has a compensation plan that will take care of the initial start-up cost while you build your passive income.
A third downside may be product prices. I have yet to see Network Marketing companies substantially lowering their product prices and still have enough money for proper R&D and commission pay-outs. This may scare potential customers away, but if you have a quality product with superior results (as we have discovered in the health & wellness industry), people will buy regardless of price. Also, I have realized that many, highly advanced technologies used for the manufacturing of better-than-best quality products have originated from the Network Marketing industry. Network Marketing companies need to ensure uniqueness of their product and/or process technology for long term sustainability. This is a benefit to all of us. I suggest you find a company that will provide you with a product that will benefit each and everyone you encounter, so much so that people want it and do not need to be forced to use it!
The fourth downside for us has been the attitudes and prejudices of the people closest to us. When we first got started in our second attempt at a Network Marketing Business, we were fired up by our dreams and some knowledge that we have a vehicle to accomplish those dreams. We set out to test the waters with our closest friends and family being the first on the list. Our dreams were almost shattered by some of these people and we soon realized that not all people could see the same potential in Network Marketing as we did. Personally, we almost forgot that it took us no less than 18 months of 'knowing' everything about the second business opportunity before we actually started it (remember that I had failed at the first attempt and consequently became very critical about this business industry). During that time, WE were actually the negative ones! We had to perservere through the beginning stages and today almost all of our families on both sides are involved in our third business! You need to understand that people's attitudes and prejudices are part and parcel to Network Marketing and that you have to overcome the fear of rejection to be successful.
The first 3 months of building your business are the most critical months. It is during this time that most people give up, hence a negative sentiment towards Network Marketing. Good upline support will help you cope through this challenging time as you build your confidence. What we have discovered though, is that a good, active income in terms of direct bonuses will almost always eliminate any misperceptions you may have about your ability to build a successful business, while you build a passive income. Again, it depends on the compensation plan of the company. Choose wisely.
How about the advantages?
I'd say the best intangible advantage for us has been the growth we have experienced through the Training Systems, which include books, audios/DVD's and association with the biggest leaders in the industry, particularly at conferences and seminars. We have met authors, speakers and 
businessmen like Robert Rohm, Dexter Yager, Chris Gardener (From the famous film In Pursuit of Happyness) and Robert Kiyosaki. The latter is absolutely right about the features and benefits of the personal development programs normally associated with great Network Marketing Companies. In fact, most of the books I have recommended on this website have been available for purchase at the conferences and seminars we have attended. These books are some of my favorites! You cannot read them and still think the same way as before. Charlie "Tremendous" Jones once said that 'we will be exactly the same 5 years from now apart from two things - the books we read and the people we associate with'. Sound wisdom, don't you think?
You see, it's not about building a business, it's about 'business-mindedness' being built inside of you! We need to realize that, right now, we are WHERE we are at in life because of WHO we are, not because of our circumstances. We are either victims or victors of the life we lead. Earl Nightingale said that "a man's environment is a merciless mirror of himself as a human being, and what he thinks about all day long". If your thinking is limited, you will act in limited ways and get limited results. It's a tough thing to realize, but nevertheless still true. If you do not like where you are at in life, maybe it's time to give yourself a chance and do something you have never done before: create a new ME!
The tangible advantages have been the income, the achievement of our dreams and goals and travel! For example, we have been able to visit the US on three different occassions within 18 months! All 3 trips were the result of rewards from our businesses. Maybe travel is not your scene. Maybe it's a dream home or a dream car, more quality time with your family, financial independence, looking after your retirement, helping others with their health and wellness, making a difference or just an extra few bucks a month! Whatever it is, we have discovered that it is possible for those who want it badly enough! Do you?
If you help enough people to get what they want, you will get what you want. This is the primary principle of B Quadrant businesses. If you are fearful of people or fear failure (or success), know that the Training System and association with like-minded, goal-oriented people will help you overcome any misgivings you might have about your potential! What you do with it is still in your hands (and this is probably the single biggest challenge most people face - themselves).
Relationships - We have built extraordinary and lifelong friendships with people in our business. If you desire to connect with people in a very unique way, then Network Marketing is a very good way of going about it. To this day, our best friends have been our upline leaders, who have been walking the journey with us in both of our last two businesses.
Companionship - For my wife and I, being in business together has been a blessing for our marriage. We have grown much closer than I guess many others would be after 9 years of marriage. Instead of watching TV, we communicate about the big things - our dreams and goals. Instead of wasting away in front of the box, we spend time philosophizing over the deeper things in life. For us this has been our relationship with God, how we deal with events in our professional lives and with other people, how we cope with disappointments, etc. Now I am not saying that communicating about these things is not possible for any other couple in any other situation. What I do emphasize though, is that we have declared the Smith home a NO-TV-ZONE! We believe this has made the difference. Common, it's merely a choice of the will!
I can add many other benefits, but I hope you catch the drift. We do have a bitter-sweet relationship with Network Marketing, but each time we weigh the benefits against the disadvantages, we always seem to be drawn to the opportunies inherent to Network Marketing. As a trained engineer, the figures still make sense even after a decade of being in community business. And the lifestyle is a MAGNET!
What to expect from a GREAT Network Marketing Company
The following characteristics are indicative of above average Network Marketing companies:
Product Demand - The best companies have unique products with a high consumer demand. People want the products because they add value to their lives. The product must be self-sustaining without the driving force of a network marketing business model, meaning that people must still want it in the absence of the network marketing model. If you can answer YES to this feature when you look at an opportunity, then you at least have a start!
Patented Technology - A high level of advanced R&D and patent rights on products and manufacturing processes gives a company and its business builders the cutting edge advantage, while ensuring future sustainability. If the company does not have patents on their products and/or processes, then don't join them.
Product Quality and Effect - The product the company offers must be of such a high quality and personal effect to its users that all products have a hassle-free, money-back satisfaction gaurantee, i.e. you like it or you get your money back, no questions asked. If this is not the case, stop right here. Do not waste you time any further.
Growth Potential - Does the company show signs of radical growth, nationally and internationally? Remember, a rising tide raises all ships and you will be one of the ships. You want the ability to tap into as many markets as possible! No use joining an overblown heavyweight with no vision for the future. As funny as it may seem, there are such companies in the Network Marketing industry.
Seamless Opportunity - This means that you can build businesses in all the countries the company has opened its doors, without having any geographical boundaries. You basically have an international business running from home! In today's global village and with the rise of the Internet, having a global business has never been so easy. Be careful though, some may tell you that they provide you with an international opportunity, but they neglect to tell you that building in another country requires your own, long term personal effort and physical presence for real success. They may also require you to be a leader at a very high level in the business before you are allowed to open business overseas. This becomes less cost effective, more time consuming and sometimes impossible for most. 'Seamless' really means that you can start your business today and have a global business tomorrow, with the press of a button. Your growth volume is also calculated globally. Thus, your income is global!
Fair Start-up Capital - The beauty of Network Marketing is the huge passive income potential that can be generated from a very small investment. However, some companies may require you to put down a fairly large amount of start-up cash to buy product stock and for registration fees. Rather go for a company that provides you with a fair start-up fee with added product discounts and zero registration fees, i.e. all money go for product.
Leadership Integrity - In today's corporate world, where corruption and greed are rife, the need for leadership character and integrity can not be over-emphasized. This requires that company leaders conduct themselves in a moral and ethical fashion, with their focus not being on profit at all cost, but on what's good for society and the world we live in. Profit is a by-product of the service rendered to society. Transparency is crucial. It doesn't mean that leaders are to be perfect, since we are human and can make mistakes. It does mean, though, that leaders constantly focus on doing the right things and doing things right, in alignment with the espoused values held by the company. One of the reasons we moved from the second company to our third company, was because we didn't believe that the current corporate leaders held the same beliefs and values of their founding fathers. We did not associate ourselves with their lack of integrity. Do not underestimate the value of sound leadership in the corporate structures of Network Marketing Companies. You need to know that they have your best interest at heart when they make decisions about the future direction of the company.
Credible Leadership in the Field - When you first meet your potential Upline sponsor, it may be difficult to know whether you can trust him/her or not. The first thing you can do, is trust your gut-feel. If you think that he/she is not truthful, then stop right there. However, if you are still uncertain, take the time to get to know the person and meet some of his/her upline team. The culture of the leadership team will indicate to you whether you would want to be a part of the team or not.
High Commissions & Bonuses - Our previous company paid less and less commissions over time for the product volumes created. Less and less people enjoyed the benefits of high commissions. In fact, money was made more from training and development than the product itself. This was unacceptable to us. Make sure you look for the highest paying companies. It is difficult to know what the actual pay-outs are from privately owned companies, but public companies have to declare their pay-outs annually. Do some research and find the best company to associate with! Our third company pays out about 44% of their profit to their Associates! This is currently regarded by many as the highest in the industry. Not too bad!
There are probably some other characteristics that can be added, but the above ones are considered to be the most important ones. Do your research and choose wisely.
I have already shared many reasons why we regard Network Marketing as one of the best business vehicles for achievement of your goals and dreams, despite its drawbacks. However, the final decision still remains with you.
From a rational point of view - and being an engineer by trade - the viability of Network Marketing has always made sense to me. From my perspective, the figures just work - 2+2=4. Note: for Network Marketing the potential rather ads up to 2+2=10. However, I do realize that, for most of us, rational thought will not do the trick. It will not turn you on and that's okay. Many of the best decisions in life are in fact not taken from a left brain perspective. It requires tapping into right brain activity, into the domain of creative thought.
All things being equal, this is actually what worked for us as well. We went to the Maldives for our honeymoon and had to save a bank full of money to go. One evening while sitting on the jetty, we were embraced by the beauty and peacefulness of nature surrounding us. A yacht was anchored in the bay and the waves gently caressed its belly. This was life, we thought. Rationally, we knew we could not afford such a lifestyle with our current careers. We knew we had to do something different. We started to think of options (creative thought). We came back to South Africa with a dream burning inside of us. We just needed the opportunity. We knew about Network Marketing, but this time around it suddenly made sense. It was feasible! A business was born. Our dreams became a reality: It only takes a moment to make a dream come true. It may take some time to accomplish it! But the journey is worth it!
What is your reason?
What do you dream about?
Why is it important to you?
Unless you can answer these questions with specific certainty it will be difficult to opt for Network Marketing as a vehicle. Your fears will overrule your desires.
Do you want more security for your family? Do you want to ensure a good retirement, but you're not sure how you will do it? Are you stressed out and concerned about your health? Do you desire a sense of belonging with people of like-minded stature?
Do you want to be recognized as a successful business leader (Jim Rohn started off as a Network Marketer and is now a foremost business leader in America)? Do you want to be the best you can be and can't seem to find it in your workplace? Do you want to be really, really wealthy?
Is there a need to take personal accountability for your life? To live a life of meaning and destiny? How will it look like? Do you feel the need to grow beyond what you imagine is possible for you?
Do you want to serve your community or give money to charity organizations but don't have the time or money? What will it take for you to live your dreams? Do you want to take control of your finances?
Is financial freedom something that resonates with you? Whatever your answers to the above questions, I have come to know that it is possible through Network Marketing, if you believe it's possible for you!
A journey of a thousand miles starts with one small step. Chinese Proverb
What can our Business Opportunity offer you?
- 26 paychecks per year! Yip, 2 per month over 13 business periods!
- A 6 month money-back satisfaction gaurantee on all products! There is no risk!
- A global business with an aggressive growth strategy worldwide!
- Ranked the 5th best company in America's "200 Best Small Companies" - Forbes, October 30, 2006.
- 43 patents worldwide for highly advanced nutritional products!
- Publicly traded on NASDAQ (MTEX).
- Best Compensation plan according to Direct Selling Association (DSA).
- Cutting-edge technology and research in the fields of glycobiology, natural performance enhancement, weight management and general health and wellness.
- Visionary leadership!
- Quality support and service.
- Opportunities to travel overseas.
- Seamless compensation (business income potential in all countries the company resides in).
- Company exceeded $2 billion in cumulative sales since its inception in 1994.
- Active AND passive income streams!
- A chance to take charge of your life, your health and wellness and your finances!
For more information, please contact us or visit our website!