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November 30, 2004
The MLM Lie
By QBlog in
CEO Norm Brodsky is a "veteran entrepreneur" who writes a business column for Inc. Magazine. In 1998 he recounted the experiences of an MLM-bound friend and the advice he gave him. The column, Multilevel Mischief coauthored by Bo Burlingham, explains why very few people get rich in Network Marketing.
The successful ones are the exceptions, however. The overwhelming majority of people who come into the network fall by the wayside. What's more, the company knows in advance that they're going to fail. It's a matter of statistics. It's part of the plan.Brodsky goes on to explain that those making money, those getting rich in MLM, are doing so at the expense of those unqualified recruits chasing a goal they can never reach.Why? Because when you strip away the hype, MLM is nothing more than a technique for finding good salespeople by promoting a fundamental falsehood, namely, the idea that anyone can be a good salesperson. All you need are the right tools.
That's not true, and the MLM companies know it's not true. Most people will never be good enough at selling to earn a living from it, let alone take home a six-figure income. To be a good salesperson, you need qualities you simply can't get from a motivational tape or a seminar--a knack for connecting with people, an ability to handle rejection. Above all, you have to enjoy selling. Most people don't.
Honestly, Brodsky's column echoes what I've been saying for over two years (except that he said it first so I guess I'm echoing him). Quixtar, and MLM, isn't for everyone. In fact, I'd guess that most people who see "the plan" aren't really cut out to be MLM salesmen. Maybe that's why so many IBOs instruct their downline to change their shopping habits instead of emphasizing the need to retail products to non-MLM customers?
Brodsky mentions that good salespeople will do well in MLM but adds that "good salespeople don't need multilevel marketing to get rich." So who does need MLM to get rich? Ask Robert Kiyosaki.
Comments
The writer you referenced is almost always a good read. I'm a subscriber to Inc. and the current builder of two very smaill businesses with my wife. I find his articles offer good practical advice.
As a former active IBO I also agree with what he says. However, good sales people in one industry don't always do well at MLM or Q specifically.
I could not have possible said it better myself. I review opportunities for a living, and Q has to be one of the biggest jokes that I have ever seen.
You can read my full opinion at http://www.alwaysresearch.com
So only good sales ppl enter in mlm, else they'll be wasting time and money.
But good sales ppl are better off in some other thing than mlm.
So MLM is for.......?
Weak minded Shmucks.....
............and I WAS one of them
"WAS" being the executive portion of the command
I should clarify, that comes across as pretty rude. I think I was a weak minded schmuck for getting involved. That was me judging myself.
I have no doubt that plenty of wonderful people get involved in this, feel the same way I did, and get out, as I did. I have no doubt that plenty of excellent folks are convinved that this is a good thing, and unfortunately, most of them will not succeed.
I have not heard of a single diamond emerging that was not in Amway, just Quixtar. Five years has passed
Not a very functional 2-5 year plan, is it?
Anyone know of a non-Amway Diamond?
Where you at Chris?I know you have a response!
Does the O'Reilly count? They were in Amway a dozen years ago and were sitting at about 0 PV for all those years. Then 2 years ago, lost their jobs, phone got turned off, car got repossessed, believed they got kicked out of their apartment, as their story go. Of course, there's the obligatory tool push. Take everything, they told the bill collectors, but leave us our cd players and our tapes. At that lowest point in their lives, they dedicated their lives to building their dream. 12 months later, they're ruby. 12 month after that, diamond.
The other IBO I vaguely remember is Tracey something, he's an exNFL player. Played safety with Atlanta Falcon during the "too-legit-to-quit" regime. Got hurt and retired a couple of years afterward. Signed up in 1999 or 2000. Went Emerald last year.
Another is a Hawaiian couple, novelty shop owner. Wife was actually in the biz 3 times before. All times were in World Wide Group. Went to all the functions and listened to all the tapes, but didn't do much. In 2000, she wanted something more from life, so asked her husband to talk to IBO about this "private franchise", as WWG called the Quixtar opportunity. The guy he talk to gave him an attitude, so he told him to kiss off. As luck would have it (yeah, right), a guy walked into his novelty shop and was looking for an eagle statue. They got into talking and as it turn out, that guy is a WWG IBO. Asked the obligatory "are you locked into what you're doing or are you keeping your options open". A couple of weeks later, this couple signed up. Made Emerald in 2 years. On the way to Emerald, they lost everything. Slept in RV. Wore the same suit. Used bubblegum to patch it. The whole sob story. After making Emerald, the bonus money paid off all their debts. Now they're looking for a house.
My Q12 got involved in 2000. Went Q-12 last year. Ruby this year. Look very good to be Emerald next year.
In my Q12's one leg (the one I'm in), one IBO signed in late 2000 and went platinum this year (3 1/2 years). He got a downline who also went platinum this year (3 1/2 year). That IBO got 2 legs who went silver last couple of months, so he's in 2/3 toward Emerald qualification. Both of his silver had been in the biz less than 2 years. Downline one of that silver is 2 other IBO, both of whom picked their noses for a year and a half. Then in April of this year, decided to "get serious". Show the plan 10-15/months. They're silver now. My sponsor picked her nose for 10 months (read: she showed one plan in 10 months, that's to me. Heck, she didn't even show me the plan. All she said was I'm involved in Quixtar, what do you know about. I told her give 3 months and I'll get back to you. 3 months later, I called up her and signed up). Then 2 months ago, she decided to get serious (15 plans/month). Now, she's solidly double eagle. Solid as in 12 wide paying bonus check with 6 legs each having 3-7 downlines.
So why all the activities? 3 reasons.
1) April was when WWG rolled out the 10-10-10 program (essentially a marketing ploy to develop volume anywhere and everywhere). Our whole group embraced it. Say what you want, but the 10-10-10 is showing promising results.
2) 2 of the O'Reilly legs are close to our group. Live in same neighborhood. Went to same school. Obviously, went to the same WWG functions. So they got talking and passed along some strategy. Real simple strategy--ignore everybody who are negative and keeping saying hi to people until you find someone who's keeping their options open.
3) I, at the very bottom, 12 deep, was generating serious volume. Nobody want to miss out on the leadership bonus, so they all worked to develop their volume. That's a lot of IBO working. I don't think it's a coincidence that all the volume creation was after April. (I signed up in March). See #1 & #2.
P.S. My group is not the only group to embrace the 10-10-10 program. My Emerald embraced it wholeheartedly. I don't believe there's a week where I don't get a Kate message about how "awesome" the 10-10-10. Every meeting with him, he always talk about how everybody must master the 10-10-10. This is the final piece. Most of his other legs are blossoming. Rumors have it that he's now in EDC qualification. This isn't something I care about, so haven't bother to verify the info.
Is this sustainable? Dunno know. I'll get back to you in 2 years. It could all blow up and everybody disappear next year. Or it could be quite a number is generating significant side income. Who knows. Time will tell.
So a half diamond out of 25 or 35k signing up every month, according to a an IBO posting here. (source!)
Good stuff.
Jen:
You seem a little unsure of the webs your're spinning. Let me get this straight:
1. Some couple actually persuaded a collection agency to let them keep their cd player and cds? Not likely when there are bills to be paid.
2. An ex-NFL player needs residual income after earning a league minimum of$250k/year? Also, there wasn't a 2-legit-2-Quit era in Atlanta.
It seems like a lot of hype and hoopla. Hit bottom, found Quixtar, turned life around. I don't buy it.
Also, it has been proven numerous times on this site that Q can't produce proof of one diamond since its launch 5 years ago.
Sorry, hon, you've been given wrong information or have misunderstood correct information.
Uh, df, read Jen's post again, I think you misread him / her. I think Jen was being sarcastic about many things. Also, s/he didn't say a Q diamond or any other wrong info?
Who is O'Reilly? Is there a website anywhere with them on it?
I see a couple lost everything on the way to emerald, based on that story. Now they're looking for a house? Lots of people who aren't emerald already have a house. Is this supposed to inspire?
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic or not Jen. It wasn't a very good argument for Amway. I think I'll remain realistic, and keep my feet on the ground instead of my eyes on the pie in the sky that a few thousand people have to go broke on before it pays off for me.
Thanks anyways.
Never said this is a good biz. Never said people sob story are inspiring. Just relaying info as it pertain to your question.
There were 2 new diamonds in WWG at this year FED. Gonser, who pioneered the 10-10-10 program. And O'Reilly. Don't know how often WWG update their profile, so check www.wwdb.biz in a couple of months to see if their profile had been added.
"Diamond" is not a mark of achievement for me, so I don't pay much attention to it. Don't know how many other new diamonds there are. I'll check iAchieve when I have time. But for me, these info are rather useless. If you're interested, I'll try to find it.
Checked out your link, nary a Gonser or O'Reilly in sight.
I'm curious as to what you mean by diamond not being a mark of achievement for you. Are you on the system of tapes, seminars, and books?
It's interesting you say that, as most people are in this business to be financially free, and any plan I have ever heard of has that as the theme of the evening.
Never even heard of a plan being shown where it's offering people an extra few bucks a month by moving products.
Never once.
Rocket:
What about the fake Atlanta Falcon? Was he on the website?
Some people really have to get their rap down before they come here. Jen should try hustling the mall crowd first.....
Is Jen really Chris?Sure writes alot like him.
She posts her email. Why don't you ask her yourself.
Yeah, Chris doesn't want to break any rules by having his email available, in case we try to infiltrate his hard drive and find out that he's not making puddles of money in Amway.
But he's enjoying his spoils of war right now, according to him.
Must have been the keynote speaker a few times lately, in between his novelesque posts.
Tracey Eaton. Portland State Vikings, 1983-5, 87. DB. Drafted 7th round by the Oiler. Inducted into Portland State Hall of Fame, 2001.
Safety. Atlanta Falcon 1991-3. Played in 16 games in 1991. Got hurt in 1992. Played in 1993. Don't know when he retired.
Too-legit-to-quit. Atlanta 1991. Glanville with his antics. Deon "Neon" in the secondary. MC Hammer on the sideline. Crush my heart that year and bounced the Saints in the wild-card game.
Some people should really get their rap down.
If your "rap was down" it likely wouldn't take 6 days to have a witty retort.
I know nothing about NFL football, but could come up with just as clever a response in 2 days, let alone 6. You must be busy showing the plan. BTW:
I'm curious as to what you mean by diamond not being a mark of achievement for you. Are you on the system of tapes, seminars, and books?
Freedom is the goal, no? Is diamond not really freedom? Or do you just like the people.
Social Club.....Business.......the lady.......or the tiger........
If this isn't a good bus., are you involved Jen? Or would I not believe you if you told me?
Actually, I'm busy at my J.O.B. 90 hrs a week will do that for ya.
Title means jack to me. "Diamond", "CEO", who gives a rip.
It's the result that matter. Net income of $1 mil/yr with enough structure that it won't disappear if I pick my nose for a couple of months. Now, that's my mark of achievement.
True freedom--$100 mil in investment throwing off a net annual dividend of $1 mil. Until then, dig.
Do I believe I can build Quixtar to where it can generate net income of $1 mil/yr with enough structure to let me pick my nose for a couple of months. Yup. Disagree with me. Why would I care?
Am I "on the system"? Nope. I'm aware of it. All of my uplines are "on the system". But I do thing as I see fit. My uplines provide whatever support/info I asked of them. But mainly, I'm by myself.
Do I believe the "system" is a fraud? Deceptive? No. I'm too brainwashed to see the "truth". Sure, if you say so. Then show me something real simple--take a collection of IBO who "worked the plan" (STP 10/week for 52 weeks) and show me all their income & expense data after 52 weeks. Don't have that data. Then you're pulling sh!t out of your @$$ to support your claim that the "plan" is a scam.
Jen- "Then you're pulling sh!t out of your @$$ to support your claim that the "plan" is a scam."
Rocket- Then let's use Amway figures. Average distributor income is $1400.00 per annum. Or did they pull that figure out of their A$# as well?
Something is up an A$# and I believe that it's someone's head if they honestly believe this rinky dink business will do what you're hoping it does.
Good Luck with that though, especially since it seems that you plan to do it retailing with about 78 hours a week left over, which you'll have to draw sleep off of as well, if you do work 90 hours a week.
I'm curious as to how you plan to do that. It would be nearly impossible if you became a system kingpin, let alone doing it off of retail sales.
Unless you couldn't care less about validating your points as well.
Do tell ;0)
I once was a IBO. I was 15 when I started. I didnt really go far with the whole thing because I was in school. But I had alot of fun with it. It made me more responsible. I met alot of people, and had alot of fun with the business. I met Tracey Eaton and his words touch people hes a good man. What makes a good sales men. Its understand your customers, a sence of humor people love a good laugh, you need a smile never look like your just trying to get cash.
Just wanted to add that the reason most people fail at anything is because they tried it in the first place. For example, when you rode your first bike, did you just hop on and start cat walking and jumping over ramps and obstacles? If you were like me when I was a child, you probably fell off and skinned your knees. Do you think that a doctor was born as a doctor and immediately started brain surgery on a patient the instant he/she could talk? No, my guess is that they had to take some form of extensive teaching and training. Look, I know not everyone can be a brain surgeon but, for the most part, most people are capable of investing the time and energy to take the proper classes and training necessary to become a doctor. However, not everyone has the will power to put himself or herself through the struggle to do so. I'm certain that not every doctor passed every test during med school either but do you suppose this means that because they failed one test that they must go home, cry, wet their pants, and become a janitor? No. I believe they restudied the material and took the test over again until they passed it. You see, the opposite of success is NOT failure. The road to success is paved with failure. The opposite of success is QUITTING! I find that most of the people that I talk to who were "involved" with Quixtar (or some form of private franchise/business opportunity program) tell me that the organization was a scam and "all they do is take your money"(of course, I've never seen them held at gunpoint while there up line steals their wallet) when actually the truth is that these individuals did not succeed because they are wimps and they quit but they are not mentally strong enough to publicly admit it and accept responsibility for their own actions.
One thing I will say, I do feel sorry for the people that sincerely invested time and income in their attempt to start a business and did not do all that was necessary to succeed. Little did they know what troubles they could have avoided if only they had a teacher, a trainer, or a mentor that had already been in their position and learned from their mistakes. That’s why the majority of the people generating wealth in the business are associated with a system of teaching and training that helps them learn a business mentality and overcome obstacles. The most powerful system of mentorship I have ever encountered is the World Wide Group organization and World Wide Dream Builders Business Education. If you like great American leaders like John Maxwell (who by the way loves the WWG and does many seminars, specially tailored for people in the association. Here is a website with his material available http://www.maximumimpact.com/) then you won’t want to miss out on the education the WWG has to offer.
To all those that strive for success and financial freedom: I bid thee fair well.
To all those that actively go out of their way to destroy the reputation of companies and organizations that they are bitter and angry against for exposing weaknesses and low self images in lazy individuals: get a life!
Hey guys the success rate on all the starting businesess in america in the first year 80% fail. No matter how good the busines is failers will always fail!
I'm 29 Years old. I live in Canada. I'm in the World Wide Dreambuilders organizaytion. I've officially been an IBO for around 10 Years.
Other than ordering some products here and there, I've taken a complete break for 2-3 years, but am now back and becoming active.
I've never really made much money, & I've seen a lot of people come and go in the business.
I've held a variety of jobs during this time period and am currently self-employed as a computer technician.
I also have parents and aquaitances that have been in half of the MLM's out there, Mannatech, Mellaleuca, Good For You, Excell, Gelennet, Nikken as well as others that I can't remember the names of.
I believe that I have some perspective on the some of these issues.
Do MLM's work? I believe that most MLM's will work if you have the commitment to make them work and realize that no valid business ever consists of just having family, friends, and aquaitances as customers. I have seen nobody "fail", (which usually means quit after talking to half of their aquaintances), that should have succeeded.
Does the Quixtar Business work? I believe that it does, possibly better than all of the rest (when doing the right things)
Do people fail/quit at other businesses? Yes they do, 50-80% of all new (small) business fail/fold/are disbanded within 5 years. In my industry I've known plenty of computer shops or guys that build computers out of their basements or friend of a friend that builds computers that have quietly disappeared.
Why do people quit / fail at the Quixtar business?
There are probably many reasons for that. For the ones that I've known in the World Wide Dreambuilders organization, they didn't do what they were supposed to do period. World Wide has a system called Core that has 9 steps. Some are daily, some are weekly, some are monthly. The most important step is called "showing the plan" which is basically presenting the business to others. (How can you get more business started if you don't show the presentation to people? It's like selling life insurance or vaccuums or computers and expecting to sit at home and having people call you up to buy it) I went to my first seminar in a long time in Calgary 2 weeks ago. The speaker asked everyone a whole bunch of questions that are related to the 9 core steps. Out of 110 people, nobody was doing all of them, maybe 10 were showing the presentation at all, and even the "easier" or "more convenient" steps had large segments of the room that were not doing them. Now ask me if I'm suprised that those businesses weren't more profitable? If these people were paid salesman for any decent company, at least 90% of the room would have been fired on the spot. (including me who hadn't done anything for 3 years, as well as having a lazy 7 years before that)
One of the many benefits of the World Wide Dreambuilders Support system is that you know what people are supposed to be doing. You can tell if your upline is ontrack or not. The system tells you that if your upline is not ontrack that you should go around them until you find someone that is ontrack. I love my upline, but I finally went around them and it was one of the best decisions ever.
The support system in the World Wide Dreambuilders actually protects you from being scammed because than everybody knows what's supposed to happen, and what's not.
Every single person that I have known that is not around anymore (upline, downline, crossline) was not following the program properly.
2 Weeks ago, my wife and I finally decided that we were going to do this thing. I've never really doubted that it worked, I was just unwilling / scared to do everything (talk to people). We started getting back into it and we're glad that we did, the World Wide Group has made a lot of changes in 3 years and we are very excited.
I hope that this has been informative and helpful. I may try and find this site later and give updates on my progress. At this point we've run 300PV for the last 3 consecutive months even though we only decided to do this 2 weeks ago.
Note: I'm a Calgary Falmes Fan, Some people just plain hate the Calgary Flames. Some people hate Quixtar too.
Oh well, Some People hate Microsoft, the USA, Alberta, Canada, (subtitute anything in here)
I dont know where to start first. Except to say that i am 18 years old, and i am already at emerald. you dont need to be "nay-sayers" on this just because you didnt succeed. im not a sales person, nor was i born to be one. i know Tracey Eaton personally, i met him through my boss who is also an emerald. (might i add, i have been in this buisness for 8 months, and my boss has been in it for 12). i am already at a retiring point in my life. try as you may to down size this buisness just because you didnt make it to where you wished to be as fast as you wished to be, but i will be proof that all it takes is the will to succeed. this isnt a get rich quick scheme where you dont have to do any work to make money, you WILL fail if that is your concept. it does take work, and time, but the pay off is much better than all that is offered in coorperate america. so think about it...if you put as much effort into growing your buisness as you did in complaining about quixtar in this forum....you would do just fine.
Help! I am being persued by a World Wide Group IBO. What am I in for if I decide to "sign on"? Please advise
LAW,
Just read the entry by JM, above, and then see what your IBO has to show you. A little of your time is worth at least some information. Then you decide.
Nobody has the right to make up your mind for you.
Your knowledge is YOUR power.
P.S.
We spent a few hours with Tracy Eaton last night. INCREDIBLE!
I think that all you people who have been bad-mouthing MLM's and particularly Quixtar should do the research. Research how the compensation plan works, first of all, and then understand the parameters that are taught by organizations like WWG, such as the 9 core steps. Are you delusional in thinking that anyone who is informed would think or say that to build a successful business in Quixtar is a cakewalk. Just like any business endeavor, this type of business requires a core set of consistent actions that are required to make it work, just like your job does too. No matter what you do in your job, there are some core things you need to do to be successful. Now, anyone who has a job for any length of time and is successful in their career, upon investigation, could probably identify what those essential core activities are. You know; the ones that can’t be left undone or failure and loss of job would result. Isn’t it amazing that somehow most people quickly learn what those things are and do them to avoid the pain and suffering of losing their jobs.
Well then, why do these same good people, after getting into a MLM like Quixtar, fail to do the few required steps to be successful there? If you look into the few required steps you will notice none of them are as difficult as what most people have to do in their jobs. The difference is that if you don’t do what is required of you on your job, you will get fired. This forces you to do them even if you don’t like to or can’t even see the benefit in doing them. You MUST or you’re DUST. On the other hand, the few simple things you need to do to be successful in Quixtar are NOT required to remain in Quixtar, only to succeed in Quixtar. Since you are an Independent Business Owner (IBO) you can leave undone anything you don’t want to do. Nobody will be breathing down your neck if you don’t do them. Your IBO status in Quixtar is not in jeopardy if you do none of them. So, most people in America having been educated in our government schools to have a job mentality and having participated in the JOB world don’t do them. They have been programmed to only do those things that are monitored, measured, rewarded and required by their bosses to keep their job. Anything that is not part of the job description required to get their paycheck and keep their bosses off their backs will probably remain undone.
However, anyone who does the core steps required to be successful in Quixtar consistently, I mean totally consistently, will have success. Success means that the business is providing some supplemental income in excess of the cost of doing business, which in business terms is called a “profitâ€. There is no reason, I repeat, no reason that a brand new IBO can’t make a profit in their first full month in the business and every month thereafter. This is the glory of this type of business. There are no other types of business that can claim that. If you personally use products from the business and get a customer or two in your first month, typically the profits from that will pay for the IBO Registration Fee and then some. If you continue to move more and more of your personal shopping over to your business and get a few more customers (only 10 required or 50PV) you will experience rising profits as that happens. Now you have a good business story to show others (Show The Plan). Some will like what they see and get involved and do what you do (about 10%), some will get involved and do little to nothing (about 10%) and some will not get involved at all (about 80%). I suspect that most of you who are bad-mouthing Quixtar were never in or were not in that first 10% long enough to do the required steps consistently enough to have success.
Anyone who takes the time to fully understand the compensation plan in Quixtar will see that it is the most fair and just plan you will find anywhere. It is ingenious how it assures that the wealth flows only to those who deserve the compensation and has nothing to do with where you are in the hierarchy of the “pyramidâ€. It is not a “pyramidâ€. It might look like a pyramid structurally on paper, but the money flow does not flow into the top of the pyramid and trickle down like most of you who criticize it thinks it does. Case in point: There are numerous examples of people in the business that aren’t even Emeralds in the business and have Diamonds, EDC’s, Double Diamonds and Triple Diamonds under them many levels deep in the so-called “pyramidâ€. Now if you think that the person up above that is not even an Emerald always makes more, as much, or even approaches a fraction as much as any of the larger businesses below, you are uninformed and need to get the facts. That rarely happens. The Quixtar compensation plan is structured in such a way that assures the income flows to where it is earned. It is quite possible that the business above all these big businesses will make less than $100 in profit in the same month that those bigger businesses below make tens of thousands of dollars. Doesn’t sound like a pyramid to me? In fact, most corporations sound more like a pyramid. Hmmm?
Let’s face it, if only one person ever made it to Diamond, then it is possible for anyone else to do it. It doesn’t matter how many haven’t made it there. Just the fact that one did it means I can do it. I don’t need to listen to those people like all you critics that never made it when I have a Diamond that will teach me how to do it because he’s done it, and never charge me a cent for his help. If you have never been an IBO in Quixtar, stop criticizing it until you have the experience to back up your claims. If you have been in Quixtar and did not succeed, you should stop criticizing also because nobody wants to hear from the loser’s locker room. Let’s hear from the Champions. The ultimate winners that have helped thousands of people change their lives in countless ways. I submit to you, that these Champions are being heard in venues much more impactful than this “bathroom wall†medium. They would never stoop to this level and neither should I.
You ARE the weakest link,
Good Bye.
Quote from above
"Above all, you have to enjoy selling. Most people don't."
That is a pretty weak statement.
I guess you can also say that Most people don't enjoy having to go to work everyday. So does that mean no one should go to work. I guess you should write a blog on reasons why no one should get a job or work for someone, because truthfully most people would rather be vacationing than go to work.
About me: I Went to college, got a degree, and worked in my Engineering profession for 7 years. I finally realized that working in my profession would at most yield a mediocre income with little freedom. In parallel with my Engineering job I decided to start my own business, and in a couple years was free from my Engineering Job with more income. However I was now working more for my business than I did for my Engineering Job, and I had less freedom. I valued my freedom more than my higher income. I then decided to close down my storefront after a couple of years, and conducted my business strictly on the internet which I am actively doing today. I now have the freedom to do what I want since I only spend a few hours a day tending to my internet orders. I'm sure you can probably find a bunch of negative things to say about my way of making a living and steal away a bunch of people's dreams of doing the same.
You see, it took me well over 10 years aside from going to school, to get to the point I am at now. And I'm not even making a fabulous living, I'm just free and able to pay my bills and have a few bucks left over. However, I am FREE! No job, no boss. And no one can take that away.
So I say, if there is a business opportunity that will allow you to leave your job, and be free, I am all for it. Who cares if it involves sales. If it weren't for sales and marketing, all the companies that you ever worked for would not exist. You have to have sales for a business to flourish. Just because you don't feel comfortable with putting yourself on the line, doesn't mean you have to put up a blog that discourages others. Who cares what the statistics say about building a business. The bottom line is that there is potential for those that pursue it.
I think your statement should have been more along the lines of: Quixtar is not an easy business to build, but if you pursue it, and don't QUIT, you'll eventually see results. Except in this case you can build this business on the side without quitting your job, with no risk.
You see when I built my traditional business, I took on a great risk by quitting my job and pursuing the business. I guess you can say I am lucky that it worked out, and I was able to transition it to the web, and leave my storefront. However, it could have gone the other way, and I would have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I would have had to get another job.
I see this Quixtar opportunity, and I embrace it. Very little money invested, no risk, and the potential to make a small income, a mediocre income, or a phenomenal income, depending on your commitment level.
Take it from someone who has worked a job, built a successful traditional business, and a successful internet business. Stop listening to people who love to criticize. The number one statement that stuck in my mind is one that came from my old boss at my Engineering Job (He was actually a great boss and leader). He said never take financial advice from someone who is not doing significantly better than you are. He also added, take advice from a millionaire who truly earned his millions, and did not inherit it.
Obviously I am not a Millionaire so you can take what I mentioned above like a grain of salt.
However there is one piece of advice I can give you. Go out and purchase some books on the Habits of Multi-Millionaires written by a Multi-Millionaire, and it will give you a different perspective on life.
I read these blogs like everyone else, I get excited, angry, and disgusated like everyone else. I wish I had the time to keep up with the blogs and defend my Quixtar business but I have much more important things to do late at night like spend time with my family and dream. I think the above comment by steve is the most down to eath true to life statement I have seen. Any business is for anybody as long as they are willing to do the work. Everyone gets the same opportunity and it is entirely up to them to put the effort in. I am tired of people saying I had a friend in "that thing" and it never worked. Or I tried it and I lossed my shirt ect. ect. Well I had a freind with a job once and that never worked for them. The difference is few jobs will ever make you financially Independent and you would have to be a Michael Jordan or your industry to ever seethe results. If I wanted to learn how to be a millionaire who would I talk to? If I wanted a wonderful family life who would I talk to? If I wanted to go out get in debt drink beer, swear at my kids, and cheat on my wife who would I talk to? If I wanted to find a way to waste my life away who would I talk to. I talk to the people who have what I want in the areas that I have interest and no one that I ever met in the 33 years on earth prior to my Quixtar business ever had what I wanted. I have a wonderful wife, 3 kids, values, morals, money, and the rest of my life to give to others looking for the same. By the Way I HATE sales. You have to be willing to do whatever you must do to get the results that you want, even if it's a small sacrifice to pay doing something you dont want to do to get it.
One thing I know is that blog writers are usually not successful business people. Usually you don't see multi millionaires as Critics. I also have found that if you quit anything you have to justify it, so keep on justifying your weak resolve...
P.S. I have a DA of Los Angeles in my upline that is now retired, a former secret service agent, who is an Emerald, and the NFL for your info means Not For Long. If you make $250k for 6 years like Traci Eaton, do you think you can live on that the rest of your life if you spend most of it to keep up with the NFL lifestyle. This blog is hilarious.
P.S.S I made $1000 last month with almost no one on standing order CD and make no money off of tools, the misinformation is your ignorance.
Hmmmm....
Read the good and bad posted here...
Sat with Tracey Eaton this past weekend and picked his brain...
Decided to give it a 'go'...
Signed up last night...
will keep you posted...
Oh yeah...BIG investment...
Less than 60 bucks...
All the above articles that state that they quit QXR... Are perfectly correct. They did not suceed because they quit, and quiters never get anywhere, unless they just get plane lucky. I would not listen to a quiter I would listen to someone that has made it. Sorry I know a ton of people with six figure incomes that were not even born when Amway was in America. Got some more news for the quiters... Amway is coming back and it is going to rock your quiting little worlds. Try not quiting next time, put on some man size boots, and win!!
America need poor people. So I really appreciate this post. Keep on discouraging. I'll have to point this site out at my next follow-up. As for those of you that are looking at this while "Researching" the big Q. Print this page, take it to the person who showed you the plan, and ask them to answer questions for you. Why? Because if they mean business they are going to do whatever to help you. Shooting you in the foot is hurting them as well (More time they need to spend contacting and etc.). This blog or creator want do that. You will not see any of the people who have posted on this blog. So deal with what you know. Someone invited you to make some money, if they're lying you will lose some time and some money. But what if they are not?
You hit the nail right on the head. I have been saying for years that the principle reason that personal-consumption based "Network Marketing" came into being was to expand the market for BSM beyond the relative few that actually retailed product.
"Can't sell ? Fine - you just sit there and and buy as much of this stuff as you possibly can, and write down the names of everyone that you know. By the way, your Standing Order Tapes start this week!"
The "consumption" model has proven to be untenable for the vast majority of people that ever become involved. But I guess that will never stop the truly greedy...
Posted by: Mike | November 30, 2004 8:17 AM