UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL: THE FUTURE OF NETWORK MARKETING

We could have shifted the paradigm by now … the "tipping point" if you will. We could have been one of the dominant laws of wealth-building for individuals—equal to investing in equities, real estate and traditional small business ownership. We still can. And to do so, we need to shift our vision.

Network Marketing, or Multi-Level Marketing, is NOT what some people like to call "just a compensation plan". We ARE a unique community within the Direct Selling Industry. We are a community and culture of building empires of multiple levels of sales representatives, on which we expect to be paid forever. We are not looking for another sales job. We have had those.

• Understand how and why Network Marketing could work for them;
• Admire and respect those who succeed, just as they admire those who succeed in equities, real estate and small business;
• Trust the business model based on our ethics, our candor, our commitment to build trust and respect;
• And have one primary Network Marketing business, in which they are building asset income.

This new paradigm will never exist without a shared vision and shared values. If we truly embody the core values of contribution, partnership, success and integrity we can get there.

1. A commitment to the longevity of their Network Marketing compensation model. A 100-plus year Network Marketing business plan.

2. A commitment to honor, champion and protect the sales leaders who build with you. Success is a partnership, with both parties committing 100 percent.

3. A commitment to develop the very best products possible, and to market them legally and responsibly.

4. A commitment to design and market the opportunity in a way that fosters trust, respect and an environment free of regulatory actions and negative media.

5. A commitment to respect and champion every other company’s right to compete, and every leader’s right to choose and build their empire without undue litigation intimidation and harassment.

6. A commitment to a clear, concise set of policies and procedures that spells out each party’s rights and responsibilities, and is balanced in its favor. (We cannot expect sales leaders to invest years building something that the company can terminate at any time … “at their sole discretion.”)

1. Do your homework. Find a company that honors your own vision and values, one that is responsible and commited to longevity.

2. Marry your company, for the long haul.

3. Follow your company's policies and procedures. Do not put your company at risk with unethical marketing or business practices. Check your facts. Just because someone else said it, doesn’t make it true.

4. Follow the spirit and intent of your compensation plan. Compensation plans are designed to incentivize specific behaviors and a specific culture. Undermining the plan undermines the culture.

5. If a divorce is absolutely necessary, do it with honor, integrity and generosity. When it is clear you made a mistake, get out quick and get out clean. Don’t expect to be paid to compete with your former company. There is no leadership or integrity in such an expectation. Also, don’t promote your new company at the public relations expense of your previous company. Remember, at one time you said that they were the best there was.

6. Be a "Do the Right Thing" leader. You know what the right thing is. Do that

I propose that companies adopt a set of strong Cultural Commitments … a Code that lays out their vision, their values and their commitments to be part of the solution and part of our industry’s future prosperity.