Many people come into Network Marketing because they have been approached by a person, often someone they know, and invited to join the company that person belongs to. Others have used products that they like and want to share the benefits with others by distributing them. A third group is attracted by the concept of MLM and seeks out a suitable opportunity.
Regardless of how the seed was sown it is vital that it is provided with fertile ground, with all the right conditions to allow it to flourish. Only you can judge whether one company offers a greater chance of success than another; but what criteria should you use to decide? This article is an attempt to make the task easier by suggesting what you should look for. I hope you'll find it helpful.
Company History
Look for a company with a significant track record, at least ten years in business. Twenty years would be better, and longer, better still. Look for evidence of year-on-year growth in sales, even during periods when the wider economy has been struggling. Find out, if possible, how long the senior figures in the company have been in place. A consistently growing company, with a worthy track record and a stable management team is more likely to offer the opportunity for you to be successful too, not only now but for years to come.
Company Structure
Is the company privately owned or is it quoted on the stock market? A publicly quoted company, however large, is always a potential target for take-over, with all the uncertainty about its future that follows. Does the company have much, or any, debt? Large debts have been a major cause of company failures, including some famous names. Look at the company's assets; a strong asset base provides further assurance of a company's long term future.
Company Reputation
Here we have a problem. Network Marketing is the target for much negative criticism. Some of this is justified but, most often, is based on the behaviour of a few companies, or even a single company. Then again, every company comes in for some criticism some time. We don't condemn the auto industry as a whole because Toyota had to recall millions of cars. At the same time we still buy and use cars despite their contribution to Global Warming. All industries produce "costs" and "benefits". Within those industries some companies behave better than others. It is important to take a balanced view and look for the company that is doing the best job overall. There is no such thing as the perfect company. One good indicator is the trade association(s) the company belongs to and its standing within them.
While on the subject of reputation, and this may surprise you, don't automatically go with the company you've heard of. Some companies are big in your country but global pygmies. Some companies are big in their home country but may only just be getting off the ground where you live. Also, a company whose name is widely known in a particular country may be so because it is close to saturating the local market. Market saturation is a potential problem, although it takes much longer to achieve than many commentators would have you believe. My advice would be to pick a company with an impressive history but one which you, and or most of the people you meet, haven't heard of.
Product
From a strictly commercial standpoint you don't need to be selling the best product, or range of products, to be successful. I will be put my cards on the table, allow myself to insert my value-judgement here, and assert, firmly, that you do need to be selling the best product. Leaving aside values for a moment, selling the best product will give you more confidence, and probably make you feel better. Speaking for myself, however, I could never be persuaded to sell the second best product, even if I made more money that way.
The company you associate with must be committed to selling product. If little or no product is reaching the market the company is operating a scam. It is an indication of good faith if the company requires its distributors to sell, to consumers, a minimum amount of product each month to qualify for the rewards they receive for recruiting and supporting new distributors. Also, in my opinion, the company should not reward distributors for "selling" product to other distributors, a form of pyramid selling.
Training and support
When you start in this business you are a rarity if you already know what to do and how to do it. You need training, coaching hand-holding and support in varying degrees throughout your career as a network marketer.
Check out the training offered by your company. Does it cover all the bases? Is it close enough to home that you can attend mostly without a night away from home? Are there online, audio-visual and printed training resources to supplement face to face training? Does your chosen company have recognised accreditation for its training? In the UK this would most likely be the Investors in People award.
At least as important, if not more important, is your sponsor, the distributor who inducts you into the business. Here you have to make a judgment. Is he or she committed and will you be properly supported. This is a difficult call to make but the wrong sponsor with the right company is far worse than the right sponsor with the second best company.
The Compensation Plan
This is how you get paid; just a little bit important then? These vary greatly from company to company and I would not presume to comment on the plans individually. In a subsequent article I will describe the broad alternatives and attempt to provide some insights on how you might appraise them.
I have been an Independent Distributor for a major MLM company for five years. To hear more about MLM and other work from home opportunities visit
http://networkmarketingfacts.blogspot.com/
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