The Ten Commandments of Network Marketing
I. Thou Shalt Never Quit Under Any Circumstances
It is always our objective to assist others in achieving their goals. However, it is a fact of life that most people are quitters … thus we must anticipate widespread attrition. Because of the roll up factor, everyone who perseveres will ultimately end up with a strong downline consisting of primarily successful executives. When our strongest people quit, we should not become discouraged but rather should send them a “thank you” note for doing such a wonderful job of insuring mature wealth. We should be especially pleased each time our company faces a publicity crisis or product problem because at that time only the wisest distributors will continue the program.
II. Thou Shalt Not Be Tempted By Other Graven Dealeths
Once we’ve gotten into a solid company we should never yield to the temptation to even explore other multi-level companies. Most companies, especially in the formative years, enlist public relations experts to create inordinate amounts of hype. Big dollars, easy pay plans, minimum qualification requirements, and ground floor opportunities frequently lure even the most sophisticated multi-levelers into other deals. Avoid them like a plague because 99% of them will be down the drain in one year. No one has ever succeeded in achieving vast wealth while participating in more than one multi-level deals simultaneously. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you will be the first. You won’t.
III. Thou Shalt Not Break the Commandments Of Thy Home Office
There is always the temptation to figure out little loop holes in order to attract new distributors. However, it always erodes our integrity in the eyes of our downline and will eventually result in the loss of our entire organization. The home office will consistently take away the downline of those who seek to circumvent the policies and procedures for the sole purpose of personal gain. What profiteth a person to gain new customers if he loseth his entire downline in the process?
IV. Thou Shalt Enroll Forever and Ever
Even the most prominent Fortune 100 companies would be bankrupt in six months if they ever quit hiring new employees. The notion that we can build our downline for one year and then retire is nonsense. While we may certainly slow down after recruiting six or more Associates, it is critical to continue recruiting every month for as long as we remain in network marketing.
V. Thou Salt Leadeth By Example
We should consistently strive to be the very best distributors in our downline. If we are to be respected as the coach of our respective teams, we must strive to recruit, buy, sell, and develop more Managers than anyone below us. Too many executives are living by a philosophy which says, “There go my people, I must follow them. I’m their leader.” Set an example by creating high personal standards and then accomplishing them.
VI. Thou Shalt Not Nit Picketh
Too much analysis causes paralysis. Many distributors become overly concerned with learning everything there is to know about the company’s rules and products. They sit down with a sliderule, back issues of Consumer Report, magnifying glasses and the company sales kit and try to shoot holes in their company and products. A certain amount of product knowledge combined with a general understanding of company policies and procedures are certainly important. But the smart distributor will avoid nit picking every detail and instead seek to recruit and train in the skills of effective building.
VII. Thou Shalt Not Coveteth Thy Neighbor’s Recruits
Every person in every city is a potential distributor. If we happen to learn that a potential new recruit has already been approached by another person concerning the business, we should always encourage that individual to sign up under the person who introduced him/her to this opportunity. There are certain exceptions, namely when there is a personality conflict or the new recruit literally refuses to sign up and be sponsored by anyone other than you. That seldom is the case, however, it borders on absurdity to expend valuable time and energy struggling with other distributors over a person who may or may not even last one week in the business. Remember, once you’ve stabbed another distributor in the back, it is virtually impossible to recapture his respect. This world is full of potential distributors, so don’t waste your time on a person who can’t even make a decision.
VIII. Thou Shalt Not Be Discouraged By Rejection
We live in a nation, indeed a world, where most people are content to live out their lives sitting on the pity potty amid the stench of mediocrity and dexification. To dexify is to defend, explain and justify. Unfortunately, most people spend much of their energy seeking to find rational defenses, explanations and justifications for subjecting themselves and their families to lives of boring mediocrity. As professional multi-level marketers, we should expect half of the people we approach to be negative and ultimately reject our opportunity. The other half may try this business, but ninety percent will fail. Expect rejection and don’t let it discourage you. Always keep in the front of your mind that even one strong executive on your front line can easily pay you $20,000 per month. That’s a “thousand pound dog …” a big deal.
IX. Thou Shalt Always Feed Thy Mind With Uplifting Thoughts
“Garbage in, Garbage out,” as the saying goes. Purchase positive thinking books and tapes. Use motivational biographies and stories of others who have succeeded. Why read newspapers and watch television newscasts when you know you will only be subjecting yourself to crime, poverty, death and destruction? Set goals for yourself and your family. Purchase travel magazines and target special places in the world you would like to visit. Test drive automobiles you would one day like to own and take your family to “open houses” in neighborhoods you feel most desirable. Most of the people who have experienced considerable success have done so in their worst economic conditions. We do so because we are winners. Remember, even in an environment where 99% of the people are demoralized – the other 1% have no competition if they maintain the right attitude. During the great depression more impoverished people became millionaires than any other four year period in America’s history … while more millionaires than ever before committed suicide. It was all just a question of focus.
X. Thou Shalt Keep Thy Priorities In Order
God first, family second, business third. How much would you be willing to pay just to see one sunset if it were not freely granted you each evening. Show me an individual who has a drinking problem, ulcers, or a lousy outlook on life and I’ll show you a person who has his priorities out of balance. Biographies of the most successful people who ever lived have taught us that our focus should be first on our own personal spiritual growth and capacity to love. Next they should be on loving and treasuring time with our families. Last should be business. Those who ruthlessly pursue wealth and power at the expense of their families do so at the risk of losing their most precious commodities. If you seek first the serenity and peace of mind which just naturally flows out of meaningful relationships, then all the other things will be given to you. Shoving religion down the throats of other people has never been our goal. However, experience has taught us a very significant fact of life. Each of us is born with a huge, “God shaped hole” into which we can never successfully cram anything material. Nothing fills or serves to fill the hollowness which exists in the lives of people who have not learned to put God and family above things and money. Daily take a fearless personal inventory and if your priorities are out of balance, reorganize them immediately. The primary value of network marketing is the fact that it affords us the opportunity to invest more time in the more meaningful pursuits of pleasing and serving those whom we love most. Don’t miss that.