Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Working Together - The Time is NOW!

I have just received my fourth call today about people in multi-level marketing companies that are so frustrated they can't stand it. Frustration is a nasty emotion, and only necessary, in my opinion, as a powerful motivator to get people to stand up and take action for what they believe in. That said...

I personally believe that there has never been a better time to get involved with a personal business - Multi-Level marketing included here - than now. So many people I talk with are in companies that are downsizing or worse - closing their doors. There has never been a more strategic time to have plans B, C, and D in place. Surprisly, most don't have even a plan B. I have been recommending Robert Allen's book, Mutiple Streams of Income to more people over the last few weeks than I can count anymore. As a coach, I cannot stress enough how important residual and mutliple streams of income are. However, I have, after call number four today, come to the conclusion that not all companies are alike. Not all MLM's have the best interest for their distributors and down lines in mind.

Here's a tip: If you are involved or thinking of becoming involved in any company - make sure that you are not going to be harrassed if you decided to expand your own income streams by becoming involved in additional companies. Every product company (information or tangible prducts) that is worth it's salt should be willing to bend the rules a bit for their distributors. So many companies can benefit each other, and as a business owner - whatever that business may be - but they only want their distributors to deal with 'their' products. They want the business. This makes sense, however; when competition rules - no one wins. Instead of saying that product A is better than product B, why not try them both out to see which is a better fit for both the distributors and the customers they are selling too? Why can't you have multiple tools in your toolbox? You can't build a house with just a hammer. I understand there are legal issues with cross promoting some products and that, obviously, must be taken into account. Yet, so many mlm companies have products that benefit each other (ie: supplements, greeting card companies, and informational products).

When I work with networking groups, I always encourage the people there to work together. Compliment one another with what you each offer and work as a unit - not as individuals. On occassion, your product might not be what 'John' is looking for, but maybe your colleague's is. Refer John to your colleague. He will be happier, and he will remember you when someone is looking for what you have to offer. If you have product A, and your colleague has product B, but they work together well (ie: supplements and vitamin juices for example), work together for mutual sales as well as referrals. Welcome to the world of mutiple streams of income. Welcome to the saving grace of having plans B, C, and D.

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