Great Minds Think Alike!!

As you can see, I started this blog end of Nov 2008. Quite a few topics were tossed around in my circle of friends and I was debating as to where to start.

Right at the same time many leaders in the industry also seem to have had the same or similar idea.

Randy Gage started a Network Marketing revolution with his manifesto (you can down load the same here http://networkmarketingtimes.com/mlm-manifesto/mm01d08.php )

Soon after I received a post in betternetworker from my collegue in DRA - Peter Arnold discussing the pros and cons of mlm industry along with his view of where the future may take us (read about it here www.BetterNetworker.com/forums/main-mlm-discussion-f2/mlm-its-pros-cons-future-t14801.html)

I like to add a couple of my own thoughts to the above if I may.

MLM/Network Marketing/Referral Marketing when done properly is the only win-win game in town. Unless everyone wins no one wins - customer, upline-downline and the company.

There is no place for self centered people in this industry - at least not in the long run. The saying "you can fool some of the people all the time and fool all of the people some of the time. But you cannot fool all the people all of the times" comes to mind.

I guess by now you know I love this industry and all it stands for. However, one aspect of this industry has bothered me for years now and I have been trying to figure out a way out of it.

You see the industry depends on the WOM advertising by the members of the network. Members put their reputation and credibility on the line when they promote a company and their products. Some times it becmes their passion as well. All of this is good.

The problem comes when the company shuts down or products are withdrawn etc. Our customers and team start having doubts about your credibility - especially if it happens more than once or twice.

Like Peter Arnold says we really do not have any control over product quality or service or company policy and procedures or its management. But end up taking the brunt of it when things go sour.

A solution to this aspect of this industry is very crucial for members to take this up as a profession and a long term business that will generate passive income.

Yes Peter, we need to be just marketers, trainers, motivators and mentors who bring customers and merchants together using the exponential growth potential of Referral Marketing and all its associated benefits.

Let the customer decide what they want to purchase and from whom and let the merchants decide what they want to sell and take responsibility for what they sell, how they service the customers.

I think I finally found a company who provides exactly the kind of opportunity for marketing and managing the team while bringing the traffic to the buyers club.

Check it out at http://www.glocalgeneration.com/business/global-local-channel-online-offline. It is free to join. So feel free to become a member and see for yourself.

As far as future goes it will be what each one of us want to make of it. The concept has remained the same over the past 50-60 years and has stood the test of time. Very simply put it is exactly what Bill Clinton said in his u-tube video - we not only do the business but give many others the same opportunity to do so and improve their life style - a perfect "PEOPLES FRANCHISE".

However, we leaders have to help or show the team a wa to change their life style as they start earning an income. When nothing changes or they can't change due to family or society circumstances the value of this business diminishes for them. This has been my observation over the past 20 odd years I have been in the industry. Whenever a good team member quits or stops I sit down and analyse the reasons and talk to them (I always maintain them as friends!).

Any suggestions on how we can do this is welcome.

I have been associated with this industry since 1981. During the 27 years I have come acroos two types of people who say -

1 I love MLM

2 I hate MLM

Thought would be nice to offer a platform for both groups to tell us why they love or hate and discuss one or two aspects of the industry each week.

What do you think? Good Idea?

Please do not mention any company names but keep your comments general as it applies to the industry.

Who wants to be the first one to raise a topic of interest for debate?