Top start-up opportunities in this economy

There is still money to be made despite the economic climate according to industry research firm IBISWorld. The company identified the leading start-up opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to potentially make a profit in 2009 and beyond.

The high-growth sectors listed that apply to our industry are: e-commerce and online auctions and online tutoring. Americans are becoming thrifty with their wallets, and with the Internet offering an array of providers for every conceivable need, consumers are better able to research and compare more inexpensive options offering the greatest value. This industry’s phenomenal growth is expected to continue for the next few years, facilitated by relatively low operating costs that lead to higher profit margins for operators.

Technologically, the industry continues to evolve and improve. Secure payment systems such as PayPal and effective Web-based self-service solutions are improving business-to-consumer relations while boosting confidence and convenience regarding online shopping.

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the August 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

“The best kept secret in direct sales”

COMPANY OF THE MONTH: July 2009

Most people in direct sales have not heard about this company. Those that have know little about it and don’t realize that it is exactly the type of company they have been looking for. Yet, it has grown steadily over the years and tens of thousands of customers and business partners are using its products and are making money using their generous network marketing program.

It is far from being an exaggeration, when we say that this 14-year-old company has some of the most dynamic products in the industry and just introduced a new sizzle product that is the only one of its kind in the world! This company also has a compensation plan with one of the highest “actual” payouts in the direct sales/network marketing industry. It averages over 60 percent actual payout! The founder and CEO developed a management team that distributors can count on. The products always ship on time and the checks go out like clockwork.

If being a successful, stable, growing company with great products and compensation plan is not enough, then consider this. Its new sizzle product and improved compensation plan are now attracting the attention of industry leaders who are signing up. The company has very classy product, opportunity and training videos and marketing tools.

This 14-year-old company has been the industry’s best kept secret, but that secret is now getting out and is starting to move into a massive momentum stage!

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

Zrii – now promoting the best nutritional juice and best compensation plan

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: July 2009

Zrii has had good reasons to be excited: it has the only amalaki fruit-based nutritional juice endorsed by the world-famous Chopra Center for Wellbeing™. Zrii’s owner is also the renowned billion-dollar business builder, Bill Farley.

Now Zrii has another good reason to be excited – its compensation plan. Zrii’s flagship product is based on a 100 percent Commission Value (CV), Zrii’s new Prosperity™ compensation plan has two months of Fast Start Bonuses, a high $50,000 per profit center monthly potential, five defined generations of Matching and Enroller’s Bonuses, Business Builder’s Pools, and unbelievable Achievement Bonuses of almost $2 million – plus a guaranteed income program.

Zrii is set for a momentum stage that allows it to be proud about one more thing: achieving record growth in the direct sales industry.

This endorsement has its roots in both the quality of the product and the integrity of a friendship spanning several decades between Bill Farley and Deepak Chopra, M.D. Farley says of this remarkable association: “I’ve been friends with Deepak for years, and it was entrusted that we would do things in a first-class manner, creating a brand and a product that would hold lasting value.”

After receiving the idea from Deepak Chopra to use the celebrated amalaki fruit as a central component of the product, Farley gathered a world-class formulation team to create the product.

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

Do you have a success plan?

PUBLISHER’S PERSECTIVE: July 2009

By Dr. Keith B. Laggos

If you don’t have a success plan then you are planning to fail, whether you know it or not. So many people approach direct sales with the hopes that by just signing the distributor application they will become financially independent or rich beyond their current dreams.
I have written in my book, How to Recruit & Sell in an Over-commercialized Society (R&S), “network marketing works well, but only when you work hard.” This is more true than ever. No matter what anyone tries to tell you when they are trying to recruit you, there is only one person that you can count on to make you successful. That is yourself, of course.
Many companies and sponsors will tell you that you just have to create a warm list of your friends, family and other realms of influence. Then you are to go out and sponsor them. When these people do the same, it is called duplication and through duplication you will become rich. Sounds plausible, doesn’t it? It does work, but for a very few charismatic people. For most everyone else, it results in what is called “the NFL,” “No Friends/Family Left.” Most people on your warm list don’t want to “work for you” or be in a “pyramid scheme,” as they see it. Therefore they don’t even try to duplicate themselves if they do join. They just sit back and wait for you to make them rich. When that doesn’t happen, they say, “I told you these pyramid schemes don’t work.” Even when they try to duplicate themselves, they often share much of the same warm market list, resulting in diminishing returns. Also as you move down the corporate downline often you have less successful people with less ability trying to train the next generation of recruits. I call this “diluting the gene pool. ”
Most of the people in your warm market list are initially much better candidates for retail sales than as distributors. You will usually earn more retail profits than overrides too. Those who are interested in the opportunity will approach you when they experience benefits of your product or witness your success. That is one reason why party plan distributors, on average, earn more income sooner. They first retail to their warm market.

Warm list can be good
Making a warm list and inviting those on it to a party is a great way to start your business. This can be true in network marketing too (see R&S). Retailing to your warm market sets the perspective that this is a real, legitimate business while screening for those interested in the opportunity. The problem that party plans have is that distributors earn most of their income from retail sales directly at their parties and repeat sales after. They earn much less in management override commissions from building a sales organization than in companies with network marketing and multi-level compensation plans. Therefore they don’t want to recruit people from their local or warm market for parties that may compete with them for the same retail customers. The management overrides are not substantial enough to support long-distance marketing.
Also many of the party plan distributors are women who depend on the income to support their families. Spending their party plan income often creates a personal conflict by making these women fearful of depriving their families to further their careers. This results in many party plans remaining regional with slow growth. There are methods and strategies to overcome these challenges and I have consulted with party plan companies to help them do so.
Although the party plan companies may not expand fast, their distributors usually do earn a higher average income. This is in contrast to direct sales companies with network marketing and multi-level compensation plans. The substantial management overrides create incentive for distributors to build large national organizations. This results in fast growth, but slower growth and lower average incomes for the majority of the distributors. When these facts are combined with the practice of recruiting from warm market lists of people often not enthusiastic about the opportunity, who therefore don’t duplicate, or in other words “recruit others,” there is no wonder the turnover rate is so high.
The situation may be different between direct sales companies with a party plan marketing method and compensation structure and those with a network marketing or muti-level marketing compensation structure, but the solution is similar. All direct sales companies and distributors need a success plan.

My consulting success plan
When I do consulting work with a company or success planning training for a group of distributors, I start a success plan by first determining short- and long-term goals, including exit strategies when appropriate. Too many motivational speakers dwell on goal setting as if it is an end in itself. It is not. It is just an initial starting point that is even typically in flux, especially over time.
Then we list resources. These resources include financial, time, skill, materials and equipment, contacts, etc. We define our primary target markets for the products and opportunities. Based on the resources and goals, we create a marketing strategy, time line, budget and benchmarks to compare future performance. We use realistic projections to compare our goals, resources and marketing strategy to ensure they are in alignment. If not, one or more must be adjusted. Once the goals, resources and marketing strategy seem reasonably adjusted, this becomes the success plan.
The success plan should include aspects to ensure retailing and recruiting strategies are addressed. Market expansion, growth management, functions and responsibilities, in addition the areas mentioned above should be well defined with detailed specifics. I like to end a success planning consultation or training with the party(ies) making a statement of commitment.
Although there are a lot of aspects to a good success plan, it can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. This can be facilitated by having a survey completed by the parties prior to the success planning session. A success plan creates more than just a roadmap to success. It creates realistic expectations and commitments. It can create the confidence needed to succeed. A good realistic success plan with achievable benchmarks can encourage the effect to stay on focus long enough to achieve success. This means less attrition by companies and distributors in direct sales. This means less failure and more success. That, in turn, will create more success for everyone and that is a success plan for the industry.

Keith Laggos has been in the direct sales industry for 38 years, half of that time as a successful distributor. He is one of only three people worldwide chosen for the Hall of Fame Award. He is president of a 24-year-old, multi-level company, which he founded. He is a board member of an industry association as well as other companies, an expert witness and an industry consultant.
His publishing company is the largest in the industry and produces Network Marketing Business Journal (NMBJ), formerly Money Maker’s Monthly, the first direct sales college textbook, Direct Sales – An Overview and Higher Than The Highest Mountain, an inspirational, warm and humorous fictional account of how a Christian family’s love and faith overcome all while facing everyday challenges in today’s society. It also provides a positive example of how network marketing helps families at various aspects and junctures of their lives. Most recently, he has published How to Recruit & Sell in an Over-commercialized Society, a how-to textbook on marketing. The MLMIA, “the association for network marketing,” has awarded Laggos and NMBJ’s predecessor Money Maker’s Monthly, several prestigious awards, including its Global Vision Award, Supplier of the Year and President’s Spirit Award, among others.
Laggos has also been published and quoted in other publications and academic journals around the world. Laggos has a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science, a master’s of business degree in management and marketing, a master’s degree in economics and a doctorate (abd) in public policy analysis and a doctorate in business economics.

Training is key for this long-time networker

SPOTLIGHT ON: July 2009

I want to thank you for allowing me to share my story. You see my story is very simple, If you take a few minutes of your time, and read my story, you will then understand why I am so excited about what is going on in my life.

Teddy Letsou, who describes himself as “just a regular guy,” has never had a career other than network marketing. At 44 years old, he’s been in network marketing for 25 years and describes the industry as his “savior.” At a young age, he was invited to an opportunity meeting. He saw the power of the money that could be made, $70,000 to $100,000 per month, “the man on the stage” said. He was standing next to a Rolls Royce and told the audience, including young Letsou, that they too could own one.

Much success and a few companies later, Letsou still values his early training and passes that on to those he sponsors under him.

Now in Symmetry Direct, which he believes is like no other company and will take the industry by storm, Letsou prospects over the telephone and over the Internet via e-mail marketing. With all the equipment he owns and his servers based in Seattle, Wash., he is capable of sending 35 million e-mails a day. “I basically call or e-mail thousands of people and introduce them to what I have. I just share the product with everyone, if they like it they will come.” He went on to say, “The prospect opens up my e-mails and does some research gets completely astounded by the duplicatable system and they’re in.”

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

NMBJ’s “How to Start, Build & Manage” seminar looks at fall date

Network Marketing Business Journal (NMBJ) expects to hold an EX6, “How to Start, Build & Manage a Direct Sales/Network Marketing/MLM Company,” fall 2009 seminar, in October 2009 somewhere in the Los Angeles area. If your company is launching, has reached a growth plateau, has trouble recruiting or keeping recruits, needs new products or any other stagnation/momentum issues, you need to attend this reasonably priced seminar to get things “moving again.”

At this seminar you will learn everything you need to know to start, build and manage a direct sales, network marketing or MLM company. EX6, the seminar’s “nickname,” stands for “Excel-erate Your Business.” EX6 is not like other seminars where speakers give sales presentations. At EX6 you will learn what it takes to “excel-erate” your business!

NMBJ’s seminars cost under $100 for attendance of the two-day sessions, but doesn’t include hotel accommodations.

As with all NMBJ “How to Start” seminars, there will be a diverse collection of speakers who are experts in various aspects of the direct sales/multi-level marketing/network marketing industry. Experts in legal, software, recruiting, party plan, compensation, marketing and much more will be on hand to present their ideas and give personal consulting sessions.

Heartwarming book offers stories of inspiration

BOOK REVIEW: July 2009

Compiled by John Castagnini, an author, speaker and organizer of self-help/self-healing seminars, Thank God I …™ is the second volume of inspirational stories all based on the premise of gratitude for some life-changing event. Each installment (chapter) is authored by someone different whose life has been forever turned by a particular occurrence or eventuality that gave him or her insight he or she would never have had before.

Some of the subject/chapter titles are: “Thank God I Was Physically Abused;” “Thank God I Went to Prison;” “Thank God I Am Blind;” “Thank God I Was Fat, Ugly, Poor, Divorced, and Live in Chronic Pain;” “Thank God I Came from a Dysfunctional Family;” “Thank God I Wasn’t Who I Thought I Was;” “Thank God I Was Raised in Chaos;” “Thank God I Was a Single Teenage Mother;” “Thank God I Love Being Me;” “Thank God I Lost My Child;” “Thank God For Disillusionment;” “Thank God for Toxic Parents;” “Thank God for Accidents.” And these are just a few examples.

Castagnini himself described that the author of “Thank God My Son Died,” from Volume 1, was able to look deep enough and find all the parts that her son represented to her in her life in other people around her whom she loved. By embracing and understanding that energy and matter could not be created or destroyed, but only change form, this author came to honor the new forms of her son. When the author, a woman, missed her son, she would simply look at what she was missing and then find that present. When she discovered that she could find what she thought was missing every time, she no longer mourned his loss. Instead she carried him closer in her heart.

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

Is India the fastest growing economy of 2009?

In 2008, more new cell phones were sold in India than anywhere on the planet. Business Week reported in February that India may soon become the world’s fastest growing economy. Large and small American companies are scoring wins in that part of the world, according to The India Experts at Amritt, Inc., of Cerritos, Calif. India may increase imports by $21 billion this year and smart companies can win a piece of that business.

India enjoys a youthful, rising middle class that increasingly demands American products and services. Indian industry and government spend tens of billions of dollars on power plants, airports, machinery, training services, chemicals and more and are increasingly buying American.

Despite the immense opportunity that India presents, few American marketers understand what product, price and distribution changes are necessary for success in India, The India Experts at Amritt says.

“Self-acquired strength” – the first lesson

EXECUTIVE’S CORNER: July 2009

By Kirk Phinney • IonWays, LLC

More than two decades ago I was due to host my very first group presentation in network marketing. The meeting site was scheduled and booked, a famous North Shore Long Island restaurant landmark. More than 150 people from my construction business contact base were formally invited and I had donned my new Macy’s rack suit and tie. My sponsor (the owner of a famous healthy cookie company, his sponsor, now a famous seminar instructor) and her sponsor, you’ve surely heard of him … his name was Jerry Rubin, made famous as a 1960s radical and activist, were all scheduled to come speak to my audience on that foggy night.

I had never gotten up in front of an audience before, I was nervous as hell, but there was no worry, all of my upline were really good at all of this – it was going to be no problem. I had made all of the reminder calls, kept riding all the invited guests while at the same time keeping them somewhat curious – all the things I learned as an Amway distributor for 10 months when a PFC in the U.S. Army 15 years earlier. I remember arriving at the event location hours before the meeting and making sure everything was picture perfect. I remember setting up all the nutritional products on the display – setting up the now very outdated VCR (or was it a Beta?), and old television – you know, the tall gray-colored one like from high school on the tall rolling tower with the rubber mat and lip on the shelves.

I recall getting the two or three obligatory “cancellation calls” from a few of the committed attendants. This is what happens on Long Island’s Gold Coast – in many other places people just don’t show up. About 90 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to start I get a call from my sponsor’s sponsor, Marcia. She can’t get out of the city and she won’t make it. No problem I think, I know my sponsor Richard is driving out from Jersey, picking up Jerry on the way. It’ll still be cool. About 60 minutes before the start, a few folks, good friends, are already arriving. Then Richard calls, something about an afternoon meeting running long – Jerry of course doesn’t even drive a car so both of them weren’t coming either.

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555

Will the Renminbi replace the dollar?

By Jonathan W. Emord

China’s standard unit of currency is the renminbi. We are witnessing a dramatic change in global economics that could cause the dollar to be replaced as the reserve currency for the world. That happenstance could occur within the next decade unless the nation reverses course, balances its budget, and expands its economy dramatically.

Within the first 100 days of the Obama administration, the United States government doled out more money than it ever has, indeed more (when pre-existing overspending is taken into account) than all prior administrations combined. The world is watching as its economic foundation, centered on Wall Street, cracks and shakes, threatening the stability of every institution dependent upon it both here and abroad.

The psychological impact of the financial crisis is profound and long lasting. Historically, the world’s reserve currency (now the dollar) is replaced when an empire moves from creditor to debtor status. That, for example, is how the pound gave way as the global reserve currency. When massive debt saddled that nation by the close of World War II, the pound gave way. We are now saddled with far greater debt than the British Empire and the world is presently looking for a replacement for the dollar, mindful that we may not dig out of the debt we are in for at least another generation, if ever.

To read this article in its entirety you may purchase the July 2009 Edition of NMBJ by visiting the NMBJ Online Store or call 815.726.5555