What Is Multi-level-marketing Business Really All About?
What is Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), or network marketing, as it is commonly known?
Some have heard of it, some have not. Why is it much feared by some and yet adored by others? This is because there are many misconceptions about it. The misconceptions arise mainly because the people who are involved in this business are a varied lot.
MLM is actually a profession, a very viable business and is a big industry. However, due to malpractices by some individuals (out of ignorance or greed), we hear unpleasant stories of people being conned to part with thousands of dollars buying worthless products and in order to recoup their losses, they in turn con their friends. This practice is definitely wrong.
These businesses, as example above, are not true MLM businesses. They are the so-called “Get Rick Quick Schemes”. Those are illegal whereas MLM is legal. What is to be blamed are the ‘unscrupulous’ or the ignorant people behind the improper execution of MLM as a business or profession.
There are many industries, for example, the securities industry, where companies are under investigation for malpractices, but this does not imply that the whole industry is corrupt. In fact, if MLM business is carried out in a proper manner, it is indeed a very decent, honest and noble business.
Here are some of the misconceptions about this business:
1. It Is A Short-term Business, It Won’t Last
Some of my friends view this industry as a short-term business. They believe that one can make money only when the company and its products are new in the market. They are of the opinion that if they enter the market too late, it would be difficult to make money out of it. The Truth is, MLM is like any other businesses. Fundamentals are very important. For a business to be sustainable, it has to have quality products that are continuously needed by people regardless of the season, and the business model must be viable.
Therefore, if one were to be involved in a business that violates the above fundamentals, the income would be very cyclical even for a very short period of time. A good example would be a business that involves trendy or fashionable items. Once that fashion is out, then the business has to evolve to survive. This same principle applies to all businesses, regardless whether it is MLM or not. MLM can definitely be a long-term business, when it is done properly and observes the fundamental principle of business.
2. This Is Not A Secure Business
In actual fact, if we compare people working in this industry to people under employment, I strongly believe this business gives one more security than employment in a reputable company with an excellent track record. Why do I say this industry gives one more security than employment in one of those blue chip companies? Let’s look at the current trend of employment, shall we?
In today’s world, there is no job security anymore, perhaps only performance security. We hear of people being retrenched for reasons that have nothing to do with performance but possibly due to company restructuring.
Employees who have worked their entire life cannot even be guaranteed a job in their companies anymore. We hear stories of companies giving them Voluntary Separation Schemes (VSS) as a ‘token’ for losing their jobs. In contrast, in MLM business, we are our own boss. It is definite that we would not retrench ourselves. We can determine how high and how far we want to progress, and nobody can stop us.
Hence, I would rather be in the industry if I were willing to work hard for my future. Think about it, which has more certainty? YOU being in charge of your destiny or your boss? MLM is a secure business because you are in charge.
3. I Cannot Sell And I Do Not Like Selling
This is a very interesting response. We cannot blame or friends if they view Direct Selling as such. They could have been negatively exposed to this type of Direct Selling when they were young. They could have seen their aunties and neighbors going door to door to sell detergent and at times, hassling their friends to buy their products.
Perhaps they themselves felt harassed when their friends approached them to buy something they did not really need. As a result, they feel that this industry is only about selling products that people do not need.
The Truth is, everybody sells. A small kid sells to his mother when he wants to get a present. A mother sells when she wants her kids to study hard. A staff sells when he wants a raise or to avoid additional responsibility. A boss sells when he wants to get a job done. An employer sells when she wants her maid to do certain tasks. An aspiring candidate sells when he wants to get a job. A boy sells when he wants to get a date with a girl.
Everybody sells, and it is a fact, even though some of us may not agree that what is mentioned above constitutes selling. If you look around, you will find that all successful people in the world sell. It all depends on what you are selling and the degree of selling. I believe that the fundamental of these sales is that they sell themselves, and not so much their wares.
There is no doubt that this industry involves selling. However, do distributors sell only products? Of course not! We should give them more credit than that. What do we sell then? Selling products constitutes only a portion of the business activities. In my opinion, this business is about selling our values as a person, our outlook in life, our dreams. It is about selling our leadership skills so that others will follow willingly because we lead by example. It is about selling to our friends that we can chart out our own destiny and that success is within our reach.
Yes, we sell, but more than products. We are actually selling ourselves as capable and trustworthy persons whom our friends can trust and want to work with as a business partners.
About Author:
Rosli M Hanip is a part-time networker and an Internet Business Builder. He believes if one are willing to take action, shares ideas and be positive, nothing is impossible for one to achieve financial and time freedom. For more sharing of ideas, kindly visit http://www.mysimpleonlinebusiness.com/blog and to start an internet business get this ebook at http://www.mysimpleonlinebusiness.com/
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