Network Marketing deserves a Second Look.

by John Howlett

Most people some time in their lives have been approached by some one who is in network marketing. Many times it's a good friend, neighbor and even a relative. I guess these people don’t believe in the
theory that it's not good to do business with relatives.
I know I have been approached quite a few times and in most cases I knew it immediately. Why? Because it sounded like as if they were reading off a script and they were. It just wasn't natural the way two good friends would normally talk to each other...
The first time for me was about twenty five years ago. A college friend of mine named Mary Ellen called me one evening with a rather strange opening to the call. It started something like “Hello John its Mary Ellen, I have a business proposition I want to discuss with you and Ann” and on it went!
My response was really! I smelled it immediately. It was a rehearsed, scripted speak. Truthfully, I was disappointed in my old friend. Although I never told her, it was the approach that she used. It bordered on deception. After all we were good friends, not business associates, if Mary Ellen's approach was not so mysterious who knows what may have happened?
Network marketing has been around a long time and suffers from a bad reputation. Much of it is unfounded. Like every business category it has had some bad people and scams. It has also had some tremendous success stories. Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Amway and Market America a company who has been around for 17 years and has had an amazing 64 continuously successful business quarters. That is an unbelievable feat of accomplishment for any company. There are not many fortune 100 companies that can make that claim.
The trouble is many people come and go in network marketing organizations. They get frustrated and quit way too early in the process. They think it is an easy way to make a dollar. They don’t understand it is a business and businesses take time to build. I suspect some of the fault is a direct result of some independent contractors “distributors” who represent these companies.
In an effort to build their business within these organizations they over promise prospective team members. They bend and
exaggerate the truth only to frustrate and add to the high drop out rate of a prospective network marketing person. It's the ultimate “get rich quick scheme” and it still works as a ploy to recruit people.
On the other side of the equation you could also say the people who get involved should also do a little homework or due diligence as business people say. They should not be so gullible to be taken in so
easily. This process adds to the negative image of many Network Marketing organizations.
How unfortunate because many network marketing organizations have a tremendous business model. Many people have made a great living and drastically changed their life style after a few years in building
their business enterprise. There are not many businesses that you can get into that allow you an opportunity to start a business with less than $2,000 dollars. There are not many businesses that you
can start part time until you build your business and then can safely walk away from your current job.
So the next time a stranger, a friend or even a relative talks to you about a "great business opportunity" keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say. If they suggest going to a meeting for more
information do it. It can be well worth the investment of your time especially if you would like your own business someday. This business can help you be financially independent and in control of your own
time. Forget all the rumors you heard from friends and even relatives who failed. This can be your big chance to change your life forever. Network Marketing deserves a second look.