The Future of Business
If you’re squeamish at the notion of direct or network marketing, you are not alone. Back in the 70s, pyramid schemes and less-than upfront companies (which shall remain nameless) did a good job of setting that tone. But what better way to maintain control over the marketplace than for big corporations to generate that kind of negative buzz? They are happy when their consumers turn away from opportunities that threaten the exorbitant wealth of their executives. Plus if you think about it, all big companies are pyramid schemes; one big rich guy at the top, and the rest below him (usually making a pitiful salary in comparison.)
Today, though, things are changing rapidly. The advent of the Internet, not to mention digital video recorders, is making traditional media advertising like television commercials a thing of the past. How many people actually sit and watch the commercials anymore? You fast-forward or flip the channel. Savvy consumers toss their junk mail and hang up the phone on telemarketers; the biggest problem now is online spam, and now even most of that goes into my junk mail folder or Akismet.
This article, “Why Corporations Fear Network Marketing”, gives a clear, up-to-date overview of the booming industry, as well as tips for looking for the right one to join. Look for a company with a low initial investment. Keep in mind franchises like fast-food can cost upwards of $100,000; if you can get started on your own business for even a few hundred dollars, you could do very well, especially if the product is something people are going to use anyway. Also many great new network marketing business models don’t require you to carry any inventory. Redistribution of wealth among a company’s own clients is a big incentive for me because I am so disillusioned about seeing these mega-companies with executives making billion dollar bonuses at the same time they are laying off thousands of low level employees. Passive income becomes a great incentive, and the power of referrals pays off big down the line.
Look for a company with reasonably priced products and wide market appeal; high tech products are in this category, as with cell phones and internet access, and now VoIP and video phones, most people eventually buy these things themselves anyway. Your company should also offer free or inexpensive training and require only a small monthly investment; with Liberty International, for example, the training is free and if you refer three people, your monthly costs can also be free.
The article finishes by saying pretty much what I believe about the future of business, “While network marketing is not for everyone, I do believe that it will be the advertising model of choice in the future. The fact that so many highly respected companies are already borrowing from network marketing tells me that we aren’t far away from acceptance.
I wouldn’t be surprised if major corporations start to see losses of market share to these kinds of companies. It might already be happening. It would be hard to know because the news is sponsored by big companies. Since network marketing companies don’t advertise, it is much harder to know what is going on in the industry.”
