this was one of those that i had to put out there. insert any "name of company" wether it be abbott labs, your handyman, the container store, an independent agent for a large insurance company-we all have to live to a code of ethics. some choose not to. this is the truth in all business.
so to quote one of my favs: "begin each day with love in your heart" -og mandino
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Ten Commandments of Network MarketingLet me begin by stating that I believe in the profession of what is commonly referred to as Network Marketing. I personally know many people who earn (or have earned) significant incomes in the profession. Although the industry has been in existence in its various forms for over 60 years now, the degree of ignorance that still exists in society regarding this industry is startling. With the current economic situation and high unemployment rates, many people are looking to alternative forms of revenue generation and being introduced to the industry. The many options in Network Marketing provide people with flexible alternatives. People should be congratulated for taking the initiative and being responsible enough to step up and take charge of their destiny rather than expecting someone else to bail them out!
This is a heavily regulated field that is overseen in the United States by the Federal Trade Commission. The more reputable or well established companies in this field are members of the Direct Sellers Association an organization that sets acceptable policies, practices, guidelines and standards.The longevity of a Network Marketing organization isn't all that different from any other form of business. The most recent statistics that I have, state that 85% of businesses fail in the first five years. Similarly these are the critical years for a fledgling Networking Marketing organization. If the compensation plan is excessively front end loaded and there is short sighted business planning the company risks becoming a statistic of failure.Although many would argue with me, in its highest form, Network Marketing is self employment that requires the development of well rounded consultative selling and business management skills.
I would like to offer the following Ten Commandments as rules for you to live by so that you can gain the most reward from your experience, prosper financially and maintain a proper perspective throughout your journey:
1. Thou shalt not attack people. One of the greatest criticisms of Network Marketers who get involved in the experience is that they change drastically and begin to attack people. Seemingly normal beings turn into evangelical freaks who grow vampire fangs and begin to corner the innocent and unsuspecting. Although your exuberance and excitement in some instances may attract people, you have to remember that you didn't always feel this way. Therefore, you must ease people into your new found world rather than brow beating them, backing them into a corner or attempting to mesmerize them with your new found fanaticism. People who act in this manner and don't soon learn to change their approach usually don't last very long because they alienate too many people, become frustrated with their lack of results and then quit. Engage in conversation, find a need and then fill the need with the benefits of your product, service or program.
2. Thou shalt not make false claims or pass along information that lacks credibility. If it sounds too good to be true, it often is! Get the facts, know your industry, learn about the company, the products and the compensation plan. Don't make promises about income earning potential or miracle products that you cannot back up with factual information! Don't quote people unless you are 100% clear on what was said and the context in which it was intended. Your critics and the skeptics are waiting in the wings for you to make a mistake and say something that they can call you on. Don't be guilty of giving them any ammunition!
3. Thou shalt learn to handle rejection with grace and dignity. As soon as you step out to do something that is perceived to be different, unique, beyond the scope of your peer group or outside of the bubble you call your comfort zone you put yourself in a position where others will not agree, be fully supportive, respectful, in agreement or accepting of. To think that others will automatically join you in your quest or at very minimum support you financially or in spirit is narrow minded, ridiculous thinking. Some will wait in the wings to see how you make out, others will remain neutral and others will verbally speak out against you! Count on being rejected and if you are a sensitive person, know that it is going to hurt but also understand that if you wait for everyone you know to approve, agree with and jump on board with you in any of your life choices you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment and you may as well sit at home and rot! Some will, some won't, so what, next!
4. Thou shalt become fully committed. Success is not for spectators. If you want to taste the fruits of your labour then you are going to have to first put in the labour! Couch potatoes don't become professional athletes. If you want to make it, you must participate. You must get involved in training sessions or programs, educational seminars, opportunity meetings and any other events that are made available to support you and your business. The financial investment that you make in yourself and the time that you set aside for your professional development and business building activities are the most significant signs of commitment. In addition, you must book appointments, set up meetings, share your idea (in a professional manner), walk your prospects through the introductory process and then be prepared to support them as they begin their journey.
5. Thou shalt support those that you bring into your business. Once you introduce someone else into the program, you have officially lost your right to quit! When another human being says yes to you and your business they are now counting on your leadership, direction, guidance and support. They are looking to you and your example. It is your responsibility to help them and it is the foundation of what makes this business model prosperous for all who become involved. If the compensation plan is set up in a legal and legitimate manner, the only way you earn an income is by first helping others to do so. The success of this industry is dependant upon the ability of the leadership to build and grow teams of people one person or couple at a time. People are most vulnerable when they are first introduced into the program. Help them through this very challenging time and you will increase your odds of having a long term successful career.
6. Thou shalt not expect others to make them successful. It is extremely rare in life for one human being to make another successful. It might happen in the entertainment world where one person helps another get their start or offers them some easy breaks. However, in the real world, "If it's to be, it's up to me." The credo of Network Marketing is, "You are in business for yourself, but not by yourself." Yes, there is a team and you can participate in team events and leverage the team to help you in your efforts. When you get right down to it, if you want the big prize, you wish to be recognized as one of the top dogs and become a better than average income earner in the industry then just like anywhere else in the world that you could have a profession or career, it is going to require personal sweat equity! You have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty because no one else is going to make it happen for you, thinking otherwise is a fantasy.
7. Thou shalt learn to think and act like a business owner. Over 90% of our population depends on an employer to provide them with an income, the benefits and perks associated with that income and the tools and resources necessary in the execution of their employment roles and responsibilities. This often creates a welfare mentality or a thought process that says it's someone else's job to take care of and provide for me. That's not the way this industry works! This is what we call free enterprise. Free enterprise can eventually lead to financial freedom if you treat your business like a business. You must be willing to act and think differently. You must be prepared to make some difficult and challenging choices and take a few risks. You must be prepared to make some sacrifices knowing that they are a necessary part of success in life. "Freedom isn't free."
8. Thou shalt not be disrespectful and inconsiderate of the opinions of others. You are not going to like or agree with what everyone else thinks or says about you and your business. Dale Carnegie was an expert in the field of people. Two of his famous quotes are, "No one ever won an argument." and "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." Keep these quotes in mind as you share your idea with others. Remember that people usually know enough about a topic to be dangerous but, not enough to be well informed. Many opinions are formed based on fear and misconception. Don't get into a battle of wits with an unarmed man or woman! Take the high road, be agreeable and learn the tactful art of helping people expand or realign their thinking without forcing your ideas upon them. Otherwise you will find that you are making more enemies than friends and just becoming cynical and frustrated through the process.
9. Thou shalt not complain about the effort. As a grandmother once said, "Don't tell me about the labour pains, just show me my grandchild!" Anything that is worth pursuing in life that is legal, moral, ethical and significantly beneficial takes effort. The reason Network Marketing can be so financially lucrative is because of the compounding affect of numbers. The combination of teams of people and the consumption of products and/or services can lead to huge financial rewards for those who leverage the power of duplication. Depending on the organization that you are affiliated with, the restrictions of their program, the structure of their compensation plan, the product diversity, market potential, your skill set, your drive and the degree of effort you are willing to exert, it is often possible to drastically alter your financial outlook in two to five years with these programs. It is not uncommon for those in the upper ranks to earn five year incomes that surpass what the majority of people earn in a lifetime. They accelerate the income earning curve and they certainly don't do so by complaining about the effort because it pales in comparison to the reward!
10. Thou shalt conduct thyself in a professional manner. The great thing about Network Marketing is that anyone can get into the business; the bad thing about it is that anyone can get into the business. And anyone and everyone does get into the business! That includes many people who haven't got the foggiest clue what being professional means. Let's face it for the person who doesn't work in a professional setting it can take a great deal of training and educating to help them understand what changes must take place in order to project a professional image and conduct themselves in a socially acceptable manner. A short list would include; If you are a flaky, unreliable, scatterbrained individual then change! Otherwise you are only going to annoy and blow people out! Get grounded, get your act together, stay focused and quit hopping from one business to another! If you work in an environment where the daily commentary is comprised of a colourful collection of four letter words, clean up your vocabulary! This is a people business and you will be blowing people out faster than you can put them in because of your offensive language. If you've never been educated on how to dress in a professional manner then get some advice from a trusted source, first impressions make a big difference. Grooming and personal hygiene matter! Professional people care about themselves and pay attention to the little details like hairstyle and/or cut, clean shaved faces (for men) tasteful application of makeup (for women), clean and trimmed fingernails and the list goes on. Plan, prepare and practice for any meetings that you will be conducting and ensure that all your resources and tools are in presentable condition.
This list can obviously continue on as this is a course all on its own. If you wish to be taken seriously and gain the respect of your teammates then learn what it takes to become a professional!In many ways the internet is a powerful and positive resource for information. I often use search engines when I am doing research or attempting to better understand something. Unfortunately, the content is poorly policed or regulated. Therefore, much of what is said about Network Marketing organizations is negative and originates from individuals who had a bad experience and wish to alert others. Some may have legitimate cases and others do not. For those who have a legitimate reason for voicing their concern it is understandable. Beware however of those who either didn't know there was a set of rules to follow or did and ignored them and therefore turned a potentially positive experience into a disaster by their own hand. This person is dangerous! They have a problem admitting their actions or inactions were the primary reason for failing. They will point a finger and blame without noticing that there are three fingers pointing back at them. They are no different than the person who purchases an exercise bike and then blames the bike for their poor health or broken down physical condition. There is nothing wrong with the bike; the problem lies with the operator!
arted this blog, it was to help give me focus and help me process all of the amazing and hard things i was learning. it comes from who you surround yourself with. what you are willing to give.
