Network Marketing ~ what’s the Buzz?
With the economic downturn subsequent retrenchments and layoff’s happening weekly, people are looking at their options and many are considering the idea of starting a part or full time business from home for the very first time.
So what’s the buzz on this “Network Marketing” industry?
I remember well showing someone the door of my Pharmacy in Franschhoek about 10 years ago when the chap tried to “sell” me on the concept of joining what I was convinced was some “Pyramid Scheme” because that’s what they all are – or aren’t they??
A few years later I was a little more chilled because I was now feeling the effects of trading “time for money” behind the Pharmacy counter.
I remember the night I stood up from the couch to go to the kitchen at 8:30pm and my 5 year daughter said “Bye Dad, see you later!” This one moment made me realise that things had to change!
In 2007 I heard about a product line that could positively impact my patient’s lives and decided to do some research hoping to order and sell them through my business.
To say that I was more than a little perturbed to find that these supplements were only distributed person to person, is an understatement but I decided to put my perceptions in my pocket and attend a gathering of people at a local hotel to hear about both the products and the opportunity.
I have to say, I was probably more ready to attend than I actually realised because the moment they mentioned the words “Residual Income” and how one could build a passive income over time by helping others in a Team effort, I was hooked!
Now for the “get rich quick scheme tyre kickers” out there – sorry, but Network Marketing is definitely not for you!
This is a profession that if taken seriously can radically impact your life and the lives of others around you – but it takes persistent effort and why shouldn’t it?
So let’s look at the classic Cashflow Quadrant that Robert Kiyosaki is so well known for and how Network Marketing fits into that picture.
E = Employee = you have a JOB (which really isn’t that bad at all in this economy)
Advantage: You getting paid money ~ many don’t have that privilege
Disadvantages: Someone tells you when to start, when to end, when to go on lunch, take your holidays, limited time off to watch your kids play sport and an income that 99% believe is well below what they are worth.
S = Self Employed = you have a small business e.g. Pharmacy owner, dentists, plumber, accountant etc
Advantage: You are the Boss and can now dictate your hours and time off. You have the ability to earn a really nice salary which YOU pay yourself.
Disadvantages: YOU are the Boss and there is usually no worse Boss than yourself. You know all that stuff about time off, watching the kids play and nice salary – all possible but be careful because as an S owner you are now the first one in the office, the last to leave and yes, you normally pay yourself LAST rather than first!
Of course this is not always the case and if you are self employed and have managed to do all of the above you get a Gold Star!
What distinguishes an S (self employed or Small Business owner) from the next category B (Business Owner or Big Business Owner) is the answer to a simple question.
If you as a business owner were to step away from the business for that years Safari you’ve always wanted to take~ would your business and profits increase or decrease in your absence?
For the most part – if it would decrease you are in the S quadrant.
B = Business Owner = Where you own a large company that pretty much runs on its own because Systems have been put in place.
This B quadrant is where someone wanting to start their own part time business would ultimately fall into.
In the S quadrant most are still trading time for money. One hours work = One hours pay.
In the B quadrant, we begin to build a Team based around duplicatable systems that afford us passive income over the long term.
One may compare an E or S person to a “Bucket Carrier” whose own efforts fill up his or her own well.
The B person has over time dug the ditch and laid the pipe with a Team of people and can now enjoy the ongoing flow.
Those that have great B businesses can then end up Investing (I quadrant).
My concerns:
When people enter the Network Marketing field they are generally told that it’s “easy”.
It’s not easy – it’s simple! Big difference!!
If you are teachable, follow the systems and don’t recreate the bus like most of us did at first, it’s really simple but it does require concerted effort.
Most treat Networking as a hobby and then when they get paid as such, they wonder why or claim that “these things don’t work”.
Imagine a Franchise owner spending the money they do to purchase their business and then poking it with a stick ~ not likely!
Conclusion
If you are looking to move into the B quadrant and start your own part or full time business with:
- No stock (Not interested in piling up stock in my garage thank you very much!
- No Staff – other than your cellphone and computer and they cannot take you to the CCMA – wahoo
- No Set Income – The sky is the limit and you are remunerated in the fairest way possible – by building a team of friends who all use the product and recommend it to others.
Let’s connect and I will share with you about a business that ticks all these boxes:
- Global – build a global business from the comfort of your home!
- Groundfloor – Always nice to find a company that has been around for a few years but has a groundfloor revolutionary product that everyone can use and benefit from.
- Very affordable – often the “silent killer” is the high monthly costs associated with the product lines; not so with ours!
- Repeat Business – why wouldn’t someone use a product monthly that allows them to Brand their business, win prizes, play games, enjoy educational videos, build a community through Smart Chat, Smart Chirp and Smart Mail to name but a few of the incredible features we have!
I look forward to connecting and sharing with you about my own “4 years to Freedom” plan.
Sean Willard
Speaker, Coach, Author, Pharmacist & Network Marketing Professional
www.abundantlife.smartmediamagazine.com
Skype: seanwillard
+27 823354174
