THE MIND-BLOWING WORLD OF MLM
by Robert Crisp
"20 Million Dollar Man"

MLM, Multi-Level Marketing, Network Marketing, Interactive Distribution... by any name, it is an explosive form of doing business.

In early 1975 I was approached by a professional baseball player named Bob Bolin about a possible business opportunity. On a cold February night, I was introduced to the mad world of network marketing or multi-level marketing (MLM). I had heard of the company he represented and had been approached several times before about participation but had pre-judged the industry and irrationally opted out without giving it a thorough examination.

Because of my soon to be "sponsors" stature as a major league ball-player it gave the business more credibility and discovered a wonderful career opportunity. During the last 20 years of my network marketing career, I have earned millions of dollars and have discovered that my narrow minded attitude was not too much unlike many others.

Perhaps you too have suffered form career myopia. You know, unwilling to accept that the industry or career you've chosen has gone the way of the horse and buggy or does not provide the kind of financial or personal freedom you once thought it would. A closer, less jaundiced look at network marketing might provide the answer.

The history of network marketing is filled with controversy. Like most industries, the world of MLM has gone through its own evolutionary process. Early pioneers found themselves under a great deal of legal scrutiny. Charlatans and con artists caused the industry to founder and nearly collapse. Companies like "Dare to Be Great" were nothing short of illegal pyramids. Money games under the guise of multi-level marketing were played with participants earning outrageous sums in illegal back room bonanzas.

While most participants ultimately lost, the games of chance continued until the legal community came down hard on participants and all but shut down the entire industry. Amway Corporation, one of the industry pioneers, fought a long and costly battle with the Federal Trade Commission and the legal authorities of legal states. In the end, the result is that the industry has well deserved reputation for honesty and fair play. Much of the risk has been removed through "product repurchase agreements" which guarantee participants that they can get much of the money back should they decide the opportunity is not for them. This policy, which all quality companies have, has all but eliminated the scam artists.

Globally, companies have established themselves to such an extent that estimated world-wide sales this year may reach fifty billion dollars! Certainly this is an industry exploding, not declining and down-sizing as so many are doing today.

Home-based businesses which numbered a mere ten million only a decade ago now have reached the fifty million mark (USA Today). Most of them are network marketing type businesses. Today you can find almost anything being sold by network marketing companies - clothing, electronics, vitamins, weight loss products, golf equipment, telephone services, computers, cars, travel, educational programs, and the list goes on and on.

The industry has spawned its share of heroes and harlots. Success stories abound, the beer truck driver from Rome, New York, who annually makes millions of dollars and conducts the largest business meetings in the world in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, the flat-footed cop who lives in a palace in Florida, the minister turned MLM guru who married a former nun and built one of the largest and most profitable businesses in network marketing history, the former maid who ignored the insults and advice of well-meaning friends and family to create her own niche and complete financial independence. In every town or city of any size in the U.S., you can find successful men and women who have made their fortunes in the field of network marketing.

What interest could network marketing hold for the Chairman of the Board of one of the largest banks in America, or the founder and president of one of the largest toy companies in the world? What motivates the owner of large auto dealerships, thousands of physicians, company presidents, educators, movie stars, professional athletes and entrepreneurs to get into network marketing? The answers vary, raging from financial rewards, recognition, and personal expression, to helping a son or daughter along the way to independence. Many want to create a financial alternative or develop an exit strategy for replacing high-paying careers that must some day come to an end.

Much has been written about what to look for in choosing a network marketing company. Dr. Charles King, a professor at the university of Illinois Chicago, says " The keys are 1) a well-established company 2) Products which cannot be purchased easily over-the-counter or form traditional sources and 3) Good distributor development programs". To this I would add "a strong and active, proven, upline".

This year alone there will be over 200 new start-up companies. Most of them will fail in short order. Most are under-funded, poorly managed and ill-conceived. Only a handful will survive and become viable business opportunities.

When I entered the industry, I had no idea what I was doing or what to look for. No wonder my sixth month bonus check was for a mere $3.63! Through pure luck I found myself in a dynamic and prosperous organization. While there are admittedly more companies in the game today competing for services, there are still but a few proven methods and means by which to successfully build a large network marketing downline. (These will be discussed in future articles)

Suffice it to say, choosing a company can be pretty dicey. Do you go with a more established company such as Amway. Shaklee or NuSkin? Or do you choose a well financed start-up with a good management team and strong field leadership? With older companies, you get stability and likely a longer growth curve. With the right start-up, you might be able to take advantage of the "ground-floor" syndrome. Recently I became associated with Enrich International. Enrich is a dynamic company with a great future. Inc. Magazine has elevated them to number 65 on their list of prosperous, up and coming giants. In any case, network marketing is work, study, practice, and learn. Nothing will take the place of persistent effort and intelligent planning.

Today, all around the globe, there are millions of , men and women of character and pride who are willing to risk what they are, for what they can become in the wonderful but sometimes wacky world of network marketing. These are not the dregs of society but for the most part middle class, well educated people who have been burned by the work-a-day world. Many have simply been caught by corporate down -sizing or disillusioned by an out-moded system.

Those of us who have made this industry our lives can attest to the fact that many have come and gone. Those to whom the opportunity was nothing more than a lottery ticket out of the slum. This is not an industry for the lazy or shiftless, but an industry for spirited entrepreneurs. We can also ring the bell of professionalism and assert that for those willing to work, study, and learn there is no better industry on the planet than the one we know by so many names.

So whether you go by name "Network marketing, multi-level marketing, interactive distribution.," take pride in your profession. Do your homework and discover an exciting new career! It is an industry in full bloom. If you choose to join the parade, know that many have gone before you to pave the way.

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