network marketing: global trends

THE LURE OF A BEACH LIFESTYLE

A lifestyle of the rich and famous is a common image projected by many network marketing leaders. It is extolled in video presentations. It is acted out at “major events” held in exotic resorts. It is seductive…a heady experience. We attend in droves, in hopes of an epiphany on the road to riches. We listen to the dream, with hopes the dream now includes us.

These sessions do inspire and encourage…but, if what follows is financial and relationship stress arising out of unreasonable business expectations and overextended  expenditures, the inspiration backfires. A promise of vast, easily-acquired wealth, is seductive and destructive; both for the new person, and for the leaders who are under pressure to uphold the persona.

OH – NO – ANOTHER NETWORK MARKETING BANKRUPTCY

If there is an elephant in the network marketing boardroom, this certainly is it!

MATERIALISM AS A MEASURE OF SUCCESS

Network marketing grew up in the United States in a pervasive culture of materialism.

Top performers are held up on pedestals. They may arrive in white limos and be-jeweled gowns, march across stages with photos of their multimillion dollar homes, their multiple cars, beach vacations, beautiful children, flashing on screens behind them, as they sit  lounging at home, while the cheques roll in.

IS THIS TRUTH?

Not a bad picture, you may say…who wouldn’t aspire to it? It has been truth for a small number – less that .5% actually.

The problem comes when the story being told is that everyone can easily have this, in a short period of time. It is true, there is nothing standing in the way of that level of success – but, no different than success in traditional business, only a few become heads of huge corporations. Many more in traditional business make a good living and manage their money carefully…so it is, and should be, in network marketing.

THE DREAM IS IMPORTANT – BUT SO IS KEEPING YOUR FINANCIAL FEET ON THE GROUND

Chasing the possibility of riches, or maintaining the illusion of a wealthy lifestyle, has taken all too many into bankruptcy, or to the brink of bankruptcy. Relationships have been strained, if  not totally destroyed, and not just at the entry levels.

I have seen people, who were making six figure incomes per month, head into divorce and bankruptcy because of that insatiable hunger in the belly of the beast of greed that keeps driving them to spend more and more. They keep buying ever bigger homes, more vacations, wanting to generate an even more opulent lifestyle to attract others to the dream.

Let’s be truthful about what we can realistically expect in this business, and reasonable in setting our financial goals. It will be to our advantage and earn us credibility in the business world.

LET’S GET TO THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MONEY

New recruits are all too often approached with the lure of riches, status, and an opulence, easily attained.  This wealthy lifestyle  is promoted as the norm, promising to be within the grasp of all who sign on the dotted line.

It is a culture of untruth (not really ‘out and out’ lies) about how much money the leaders and the majority of people are making. The mystique tempts one to fill up credit cards, borrow from family, or anyone who will lend money, so they, too, can prematurely flaunt wealth.

Most companies also have levels of achievement based on volume. The rush to hold the crown (often the levels are named after precious gems) and gain status by being part of the stage parade at these higher leadership levels, propels many to overspend, thus losing sight of the need to build a business that will generate sustainable income.

I once heard a top distributor speaking  to a large crowd in a training session suggesting that when you are asked, “How much money are YOU making?”…you should simply reply, “You wouldn’t believe it.” The crowd laughed… knowingly.

WE ARE IN CRISIS NOW

The timing to make a consciousness shift in network marketing  is critical and addressing this issue is part of the shift. This industry provides a legitimate option to survive and thrive in the current economic crisis. In case you are still buying into the “song and dance routine” that we are just experiencing a little market blip and will soon hit bottom and rebound, you need to look at the numbers.

THE NUMBERS SUGGEST A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY

Here are some interesting global facts. Credit default swaps now total 683 trillion while real global production is 63 trillion of global GDP -  (The New Financiers by Hazel Henderson) . A complete financial system redesign is necessary to find our way out of this crisis. Network marketing could be a player in that redesign, if we are ready to revolutionalize this outdated six decade-old model and be honest about what you can expect from doing business in this way.

IS THERE MONEY TO BE MADE?

The network marketing model is one way to  financial security. Unfortunately, security is not achieved when one is living the lifestyle before the money is earned. And that is the culture the industry has perpetuated, believing that flaunting the outer trappings of success will attract more participants. Some people do make very serious money in network marketing. Many make very good incomes and manage that money well. And many more, find great satisfaction aside from the money…through relationships and association with like-minded people.

WHAT IS THE REALITY?

• What if you could replace your current income and gain the freedom of owning your own business…would that be worthy of your time?

• What if you could pay down your debt with a few additional hundred dollars per month...would that be worthy of your time?

• What if you had an additional $1,000.00 per month from your part-time network marketing business? And what if you invested it in other sources of residual income, diversifying and creating sustainable personal wealth …or perhaps even took a vacation?…would that be worthy of your time?

• What if you were part of a company that connected you with like-minded people from around the world…would that be worthy of your time?

It’s about impact and global contribution. It’s about transparency, honesty, sustainability and contribution…the money will follow truth and passion for service.

Let’s give the facts about money, be fiscally responsible, focus on building customer-based residual incomes and promote the intrinsic values being in this business holds for everyone.

Let’s be honest.

Let’s be transparent.

Let’s use an approach to marketing that is about real abundance.

Let’s use Social, Relationship and Environmental Marketing to attract people to the industry using personalized, reasonable expectations of success.

BLESS BLESS
JUDY BERG

contact: attractingsuccess@soulabundant.com
Organizational Behaviour Consultant
Network Marketing Consultant and Trainer
author: Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness
more about: www.wellnaturallyinternational.com www.soulabundant.com
Judy’s book can be ordered from her website www.soulabundant.com.  Special prices for bulk orders upon request. Seminars and retreats customized to the needs of your group or organization.