College first to offer degree in multi-level marketing
Judging from the increasing calls I get these days, a tight job market and a desire to earn a bit of extra cash seems to be encouraging even more people to give multilevel marketing a try.
In case you missed it, multilevel, or network marketing, is a business structure in which salespeople are compensated partly based on how many other salespeople they can recruit.
Although a few distributors make a killing and some a living, the thousands at the bottom of the pyramid generally struggle to break even. As a result, the churn rate in most MLM setups, which critics label as nothing more than pyramid schemes, is pretty terrible.
But help is at hand.
Kansas-based Bethany College is now offering students a chance to spend four years learning not only how to succeed as a Melaleuca or Amway distributor, but how to do it right.
“Entrepreneurs have not been taught how to correctly use network marketing,” says Bethany’s Robert Carlson. “This has led to many using unethical, unsustainable, and nonproductive network marketing business models. We want to fill the education gap and teach students how to use the foundations of servant leadership to successfully and honorably operate a network marketing business.”
Fine words indeed – providing you’re in on the ground floor.
What’s your experience with network marketing, either as a distributor or customer? Is it all a cultish pyramid scheme or a low-cost way to own your own business?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
* Follow Gordon on Twitter here.
Posted by: healthy mom | Jun 6, 2021 11:15:42 AM
I have been with Herbalife now for over 9 yrs and have seen many rises and falls in my business. From about 1 yr into starting, it has generated enough for me to live on and the biggest thing I see is people coming in thinking it is a get ricj quick scheme..... to succeed you have to work long hard hrs - and maybe thats where the education gap can be filled... come in to a solid company (like Herbalife - NOT a new 'ground floor' opportunity) with a track record of proven consumable products that people will use over and over, be prepared to work your tail off (just as you would with any business) and you CAN succeed. It has enabled me to stay home with my 3 kids and I would do it all again in a heartbeat (am still doing it in fact!) herbal-nutrition.net/selinah
Posted by: Mike | Jun 6, 2021 12:00:39 PM
I've been with ACN for over a year now and like Healthy Mom says there are ups and downs for sure but in the end it's all so worth it. I've had the pleasure of being mentored by the best from all walks of life who bring their own personal touch to MLM's.
More post secondary schools should at least cover MLM's in their business ciriculum even if for a little bit. There are amazing opportunities out there but I'd say 95% of them approach it as a get rich quick scheme which is never the case (yes there are exceptions and I've witnessed a few myself).
Now what kind of person would I be if I didn't toot the horn of my business?
ACN deals with essential services throughout 60 countries including phone, internet, cell phones, and energy. No inventory to keep, no pressure to sell. Second to none compensation plan!
I'd like to read more MLM stories!
Posted by: alcal | Jun 6, 2021 12:22:11 PM
I can tell you my experience with the MLM company known as World financial Group (WFG) It was a nightmare. My x-wife spent 5 years chasing this crazy dream, she so believed in the managers/ promoters and all their positive thinking and no negativity allowed attitudes. MLM's recruiters are usually family,friends or neighbours and she was recruited by our neighbour who exhibited a huge positive attitude. Historically and Sadly thats the hook that recruiters use over and over. Unfortunately government does little to stop the conspiritor's of this scam known as MLM.Rumour has it MLM is well connected and donates lots of money to political parties.
I think that WFG is owned and controlled by Aegon of the Netherlands. I think Transamerica Life is also owned and controlled by Aegon and manages WFG operations in North America.
My x-wife was a IBO a so called Independent Business Owner with WFG for 5 years, never could make a profit even after pouring her heart and soul into the promotion. The stress and frustration eventually took a toll on our marriage and we are now divorced. Anyone considering MLM as an opportunity should think real hard.It won't be easy to avoid MLM once you are a target , these promoters are very slick to say the least.
For info on MLM see. www.mlm-thetruth.com and www.pyramidschemealert.org
Posted by: Martin | Jun 6, 2021 12:36:08 PM
MLM = Money Losing Morons.....
Posted by: Alberto | Jun 6, 2021 12:52:19 PM
cultish pyramid scheme?? Its funny how we are so critical of what we don't know. Most people dont even know the definition of a pryamid scheme. The main point of one it that the person at the bottom can not make more than the person above him or at the top. Sounds like coporate America to me.. As for the cultish behavior once again look at all the brown nosing, team huddles, office politics, dress codes and commuting back an forth all around at the same time. All of this is during times that are testing and at the same time getting worse. We are all stuck in a industrial revolution state of mind amidst the information age. I have been with a Group that uses AMWAY as a distubrutor. Not a PART of Amway but in partnership with them. Through out our two years I have put the equal amount of effort I have in my carrer(Sales) to this business. With this I was able to pay off all my debt, my wife is a full-time home maker, and within a year my goal is to leave my indusrtry and be a full time husband and father. The outcome of free enterprise is much better than the coporate world. I did my research and found a system that works with proven sucess. In the end I leave you with this. Will you work your life away working for some one else to live their dreams(boss, CEO) or will you step up and look for something that works to create your dreams into reality(business owner). You choose, But I put my wife and families dreams 1st, and now im making it happen and no one can take that away from me.
Posted by: Dale | Jun 7, 2021 4:04:16 PM
The first thing you can teach your students is that there is a distinct difference between multi-level marketing and direct sales. In direct sales even the newest representatives can make a lot of money. I have been been in two direct sales companies. First cosmetics and now for 25 years Fifth Avenue Collection...beautiful jewelry. When you have to convince someone to buy your product (such as weight loss, cosmetics, vitamins etc) , then you may find direct sales very difficult. But when you have a product like, Fifth Avenue Collection, that as soon as your customer sees the beauty THEY WANT IT...you have the makings of a successful home based business. Most people do not realize the potential in this kind of marketing and quit at their first hurdle. Direct sales, such as Fifth Avenue Collection, can and does make the most ordinary person wealthy.