Jul 06, 2007 02:18 PM
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(Updated Jul 06, 2007 02:27 PM)
I was inducted as an Amway distributor through a relative, but was first introduced to the concept by my dad in the early 1990s. To a point, I almost regret not having taken up the business back then, particularly due to the product pricing, distribution reach and product bouquet. Like with most businesses, first mover advantages can’t be ignored. Many individuals I was introduced to back in the early 1990s are reaping the rewards of this early advantage.
With the passage of time, the Amway name and now Quixtar has been much maligned. Believe me, I am as disgruntled as the other guy, but the solidity of the concept can’t be denied. When I entered the business, it was based on an incorrect portrayal of the concept. What was explained is that this is an MLM business and IBO(independent business owner) needs to create depth and width in his/her downline; IBOs can reap rewards from downline purchases and that recurring income to the tune of thousands and lakhs is possible. What wasn’t explained and was the fine print of this business is the effort that it takes to create a robust downline, often at the cost of personal time and relationships.
My upline would often talk of the rewards and benefits; the importance of making lists; getting ‘prospects’ to meetings and listening to tapes. The training, however, was incomplete, primarily because they themselves didn’t have the complete picture.
The MLM business, like other dissimilar businesses, requires consistent and dedicated effort, often extending to many hours of each day, and most often it isn’t possible to invest the required time, especially since most ‘prospects’ are in regular jobs or businesses. The other aspect is the power to convince and influence others that many may not possess. Quite often, the first call or meeting can be robotic or “stiff” – similar to receiving a telemarketer’s call.
In my humble opinion, untrained uplines and downlines are primarily responsible for their failure in the MLM business. Untrained uplines encourage new recruits to start calling their list of prospects without understanding the essentials of the business. Here in lies the trap of failure – as an IBO you must ‘know’ your strengths and weaknesses; you must study the business accurately and must be armed with knowledge and a healthy balance of information, and you must “know your product” like the back of your hand.
Some hard facts:
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you identify areas that are great and areas that need to be worked upon. If marketing or small talk isn’t your strength, get help or get out of the MLM business.
Since most MLM businesses have a negative impression in the market, you must arm yourself with information that will help counter that or facts that will add weight to your argument.
You must use the products and be convinced of their effectiveness – if not, you can’t sell them
In this business, you must be ready to burn some bridges. Since your area of influence extends to your friends and family to begin with, it is natural to think of them first as prospects. Don’t blame the business if they start avoiding you like the plague because you’ve pestered them with incessant phone calls or requests for meetings.
Lastly, ask yourself, does this come naturally to you…if the answer is ‘yes’, then you should go for it, but if the answer is ‘no’ then train and try and convince yourself – if that doesn’t help, opt out.
Lets face it, marketing or glib talk is not everyone's cup of tea. For the few to which it comes naturally are making a lot of money in this business; for the rest, see the signs and take the step that gives you peace – for or against.
