Yes! of course I know that MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is not a word but seeing this article in Forbes that asked the question "Is MLM a bad Word? - I chuckled because we all know that MLM is not exactly a word. What was even more funny is on reading the comments, which as usual varied across the spectrum, with regard to the issue, someone took the time to point out the obvious "MLM is not a word." Joke aside; what do you think, does the term bring a bad or good feeling to you? Does it evoke - anger, sadness, happiness, frustration maybe a fuzzy feeling? What exactly does the term evoke in you. My experience is that MlM has a way of evoking some form of emotion or other in most people. Whether their experience with the industry was personal, second hand or otherwise. Most people you meet in the Western world it seems had some interaction with the industry even if it was third or fourth hand. The instances that come to mind are the cases where people tell you with authority "my cousin's wife aunt brother lost X amount in Y MLM company. This reaction has always baffled me and over the years my emotion and response to this has moved from frustration, anger, hopelessness, helplessness to tolerance, patience, compassion, understand and pure silence in many cases.
Many MLM company in their training manuals have scripted responses for objections, negative reactions and responses about the industry or the particular company. My belief is that people should respond from a genuine place within themselves even if they borrow from the scrip provided by the company. I think it tend to set off warning bells in people when someone who just got involved in a particular MLM company boast about how much money can be made, when they themselves, in most cases, have made little or no money. It is okay to admit that one can make money in an MLM business because many have proven that it is possible. I remember having conversations with people in the industry who tell you they made X amount, but listening carefully you can discern the hollowness of the respond and deep within you know they are not being truthful. On the other hand I have had interactions with persons in the business who are making comfortable to substantial incomes and you can feel their excitement and sincerity as they try to convey to you what their MLM business has done to change their lives and financial circumstances.
Now then! where do we go from here regarding owning up about the situation with our MLM businesses. The way forward in my humble opinion is to be truthful about your experiences so far in your business. If you have not made any money, say so. If you have made money and you feel comfortable disclosing the amount then do so. Most of all avoid claiming you have earned money in your business if you have not. I think we all will feel better and be better off if we are honest in our dealings with people regarding our businesses. The reason being that if someone decides to quit because they realize that this is not the business for them then we do not have to feel any guilt. We were honest with them from the outset about what our experience so far building our MLM business has been.
Above all do not promise anyone that they will make any form of income just by becoming an associate in an MLM company. Joining does not guarantee anyone any kind of income. If you read the "fine print" on most if not all the legal MLM companies you will find that they have a disclaimer that tells you in as many words "we do not promise any form of income. Any income you make is entirely due to your understanding of the program and your individual effort..."
The main reactions coming out of discussions I've had about the MLM business model is peoples' frustration with what they feel is the unethical behaviour of many in the industry. This may well be the reason why MLM seem like a "bad word" to many people. It therefore becomes the responsibility of those of us in the industry, who see MLM as a vehicle for owning their own business and changing their financial circumstances for the better, to do the right thing. Misleading people will not help your business to grow. The people who need it and see it as a fit for their life, goals and dreams will step forward and run with it. The ones who don't regardless of the lure will turn to other avenues that are best suited to what they desire and are aspiring towards. Yes there will be people along the way that truly like the concept but for whatever reasons are unable to achieve much success in the industry. That too is quite okay, as many before me have said it many times over "MLM is not for everyone".
No comments:
Post a Comment