The New Class of Networkers by Rod Nichols

If you had attended an opportunity meeting 15 years ago, you would have seen primarily blue-collar workers and homemakers. You would not have seen physicians, attorneys, CEOs, CPAs, or owners of businesses. In the 1990's that all changed. Network marketing still attracts people from all lifestyles and occupations, but the new breed of networker is the white-collar professional.

In the December issue of Success Magazine there is a front cover article titled We Create Millionaires. Near the beginning of this article, author Duncan Maxwell Anderson states, "There is a new class of entrepreneur breaking into what used to be considered a working-class industry. White-collar pioneers are bringing established professional and social networks, new technologies, and new credibility to network marketing. These are people who already have career options and adequate incomes. The attraction here is the promise of becoming both financially independent and achieving control over their lives."

The upper class occupations are becoming excellent candidates for network marketing. Let's analyze why. How about the physician. He/she works 10 to 12 hours a day and may even be on call 24-hours a day. Changes in the way insurance companies pay, dramatic increases in malpractice insurance, and increased competition has decreased the annual salaries of many doctors. Plus, they are finally realizing that although they earn $200,000 a year, it's linear income. As long as they are working, they get paid. Doctors, like many other professionals want the same financial security, but want more time freedom. They want to spend time with their families, enjoy hobbies, and travel just like the rest of us. They have the money to do it, just not the time freedom. Network marketing offers them the perfect opportunity.

Let's look at some other reasons. How about corporate downsizing. Millions of jobs are being permanently eliminated every year. These are lower level jobs, but rather middle and upper management jobs. Traditionally these positions were always very secure. Not today. So, there are many former top managers, who are used to making $100,000 a year or better, in the unemployment lines or out looking for an opportunity to recreate that income, but with better security. Also, all those middle and upper managers who still have jobs, but because of the downsizing have to work twice as hard for the same amount of money. They are starting to look for options. Again network marketing has the answer.

The white-collar professional will bring credibility to our much maligned industry. As people like Dr. Denis Waitley, Brian Tracy, Robert Allen, and Dr. Jack Pfeifer join the ranks of network marketing, people begin to look at this business differently. The naysayers look and wonder why Dr. Waitley, a world famous author and lecturer would get involved in one of those "pyramid schemes." All of a sudden, they see it differently and maybe even discover that network marketing is a legal business that is literally sweeping the country.

Network marketing is the only business that offers low risk, high upside potential, and the opportunity to create a very high walk-away income. This is attractive to the professional who is making good money, but working long hours. The next 10 years we will see a literal flood of professionals into network marketing, making it the greatest distribution industry ever.

Rod Nichols has been involved in network marketing since 1979, as a successful distributor, consultant, trainer, and author. He has built large networks and full time incomes with several companies. Recently he was contracted to write a book on network marketing by Oasis Press. Successful Network Marketing for the 21st Century is now available in bookstores throughout the country. He has also published an 8-page recruiting booklet, Would You Like to Dig In My Goldmine? and publishes a monthly newsletter titled NETWORKER. For more information e-mail RhinoRod@aol.com.