MLM’s or Misfits Lacking Management Skills
MLM’s or Misfits Lacking Management Skills
I am sure there is not one person in the US that has not been approached by someone trying to get you to join a Multilevel Marketing company. Avon, Quixtar, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Home Interiors are just a few that come to mind.
You go to a meeting or a show at someone’s home. You are shamed or coerced into giving a show yourself to help the hostess and possibly buy something you really didn’t need or want just because the consultant pushed you to buy. What is wrong with this picture?
I have always had a method of sales that if you want the product I am selling I will sell it to you. No pressure. Just recently I became involved with a company that shall remain nameless. I loved the products so I joined to sell to get what I wanted at a better price. Unfortunately, the “director” that is supposed to help you by guiding you through the program and helping you when needed, turned out to be a little “Hitler” in a skirt! I honestly do not believe in the corporate world that there has ever been someone as demanding and overbearing as this girl is.
This MLM was supposed to be “your own business’. Yet, I have been harassed and mutilated emotionally to sell, sell, sell…with the ultimate goal being that the “director” will make her quota. I have worked in the past years under people like this woman that were never so belittling and abusive.
Selling for these companies is supposed to be fun and help folks make extra money. When you run into one as this person is, it makes you feel that all MLM’s are this way. If you are motivated by money, you will increase your sales without the abuse, shame and harassment. Why should a person be expected to alienate their friends and family to make a perfect stranger points or money to win a trip or a car or whatever it is that the main company is promising?
I know there are good people with good intentions, leading others to make money in the MLM’s of the world without being abusive or harassing. The biggest problem is that if you happen to get sucked in by one of the bad one’s, you have to drop out of the program for a set amount of time before you can rejoin under someone else. Doesn’t seem right or fair, that one should have to work with someone like this if they find them offensive and then be penalized in their own “business” if they want to be under a different leader.
Directors or leaders in these businesses are untrained and sometimes unprofessional because they are in their positions due to their own sales, not because of their knowledge or expertise in handling people. Therefore, before you jump into any MLM, ask to speak to some of the people under the person that is trying to recruit you and see how that person works before you sink your time and money into her “unit”. Make sure that all in her unit are satisfied with the direction they are given. Then if you get positive feedback, go ahead and participate. Otherwise ask to meet some others to join under.
This is going to be your business and your money. Therefore, you should have a say regarding who you work with to attain the goals you are seeking. If you don’t research these people thoroughly, it can cost you a lot of time and money.
Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well.