The MLM Revolution or Not
On December 12.08 I wrote here that I was gone and you could find me at my BeliefBusters weblog. As of now, that's half true. I'm back and you can also find me there writing about "the awesome power of beliefs" and belief.
What brings me back are a couple of things.
First, for more than 20 years I have been an "industry expert" and mlm "guru." Mis-called "The Greatest Networker in the World" because I wrote the book. Well, now, I'm becoming a real network marketer— on the phone, in the street, building a business.
I'm helping my wife start her business (because this is my life insurance policy for Katyusha and the girls). We're with the TRU Chocolate people, part of Youngevity. And I WILL speak about this and that... and my company and product... and what I'm doing and what works and doesn't... and what I love about it and hate about it... here in this weblog. And if you are afraid I will prospect your people if they come here and read what I write, then make sure they don't come here. Damn the torpedoes and stupidoes. Two and a half-weeks to diamond. Good start.
BUT, the other raison d'être is more compelling and propelling: This MLM Revolution going around like an early flu. Perhaps predictably, it is, for now, merely a common cold. But it has promise to become an epidemic.
Randy Gage didn't really start this incarnation of the revolution with his 1-minute past midnight 2009 "Manifesto." But credit where it's due, he had the ovaries to make it and take it more public than a blog here, forum thread and email there, and late night conversations leaders have their downlines never hear. I'll call him the mid-wife for the present (and Randy, Thanks for "the present.")
If you haven't yet, click here: The MLM Revolution.
Uncharacteristically, the outspoken, adult language aficionado Mr. Gage held back. And I mean really. Randy knows better than most all how to slaughter sacred cows, but he just opened Pandora's box a crack. I can only assume he means for you and me to throw the lid wide and run. So, I will.
I put together the book It's Time... for Network Marketing The most remarkable form of free enterprise ever created to celebrate what's best and right-est about this business. Book hasn't sold for schtan. Le Gage himself "hates it like poison." Such is life— and self-publishing. You CAN get a free 90-page extract off the front page of GreatestNetworker.com in ex' for your email address. (It's over on the right.) That's my part of the "What's right" side of this deal.
But the "What's wrong" part... I've avoided. Mea culprit. And man (and woman) there's LOTS of what doesn't work going around. NOT any more or less than any other business or endeavor. But that IS NOT an excuse.
The lack of truth telling, hype and bull schatan in mlm has reached (for me. You?) terminal proportions. Ex's from my own "deal":
"This is the greatest tasting chocolate in the world." Oh come on! I'm a chocolate snob. I KNOW what the best chocolate in the world is. It's Karuna, from Lithuania. (Surprised you didn't I?) So what's the big deal? False expectations kill. Any relationship based on manipulation is doomed to fail.
Now, tell me (and I do tell them, all of my "them") it's THE greatest tasting no cane sugar, organically grown, lactose-free, super-low glycemic index (diabetics can eat it) chocolate that has natural carb-blockers and fat burns, so if you eat a piece before breakfast, lunch and dinner and drink a glass of cold water you can lose up to a pound a day and it even helps prevent cavities... that'd be true (Hence TRU Chocolate). But the greatest tasting in the world. STOP!
Enthusiasm is powerful! That's why I say you gotta' love your product. It's so much easier when you do. But over-the-top unbelievable statements are crap and turn people off. TELL THE TRUTH! It works great!
And some people say we have an "Infinity Bonus" aspect to our pay plan. Pays down to 8 levels of whatevers. Hello!?! Infinity or 8-levels, which is it? The only relationship to Infinity and 8-levels is laying the 8 on it's side. Infinity in schminity. It's a great pay plan. Show it like it is.
Now, I consciously used two things from my own product and comp plan so you know that I know and I'm more than willing to tell one, two or six on myself and mine own.
And oh is there more:
In his Manifesto, Gage picks on one (only one?) trainer who peddles his books and CDs then promos-prospects his audience (and later list) about his latest, greatest program to sign up. BUT he doesn't name him. AND he should. And although I don't know who it was for sure, I'm gonna' take a stab at the venerable Don Failla. The "Napkin Presentations" is a classic. So is the hustle and it sucks.
And oh is there more:
Barely 20 year old college kid waiting on tables buys a water filter and poof! becomes an mlm millionaire. Not to mention mom and dad's Herbalife group. Whiting out sponsor's names on distributor aps and writing in your own. "Cure's cancer." The arm-twisting high pressure of "massive action" mavens and bright red upline leaders. $40,000 monthly incomes are common-place. Ugh! Crap.
Absurd income claims gotta' rate HUGE on the list of To Be Done Withs. My sponsor, Sandy Elsberg, used to use the line, "If somebody tells you he can get you to $10,000 a month in three-months or less, put your clothes back on and go home!" Get and be real.
Enough for now. Save the promise of more to come and go.
Sincerious thanks to Randy for kicking the next phase off and running. (And again, if you missed it, it's here: The MLM Revolution.)
Thanks.
I appreciate you.
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