| You're setting across the table from a prospect. You | | | | What is the trend? |
| show them your company's presentation as you have | | | | Are the products positioned in an up-trend? Products |
| shown others dozens of times before. And then they | | | | that appeal to retiring baby boomers are going to be a |
| tell you, "my neighbor showed me this two weeks | | | | major up-trend. An example is health products that |
| ago". You think to yourself, "If only I had gotten into my | | | | offer anti-aging factors. Eco-friendly products are a |
| company during the early days, before everyone's | | | | huge trend. Nutritional products from the ocean or |
| neighbor was in." | | | | tropical rainforests are the beginning of an enormous |
| They call it a MLM ground floor opportunity, a network | | | | trend. The public is paying more and more attention to |
| marketing start-up. It is the opportunity to get in with | | | | how and where products are grown. |
| the first distributors of the company. They are called | | | | Does it have an expandable product line? |
| the early adopters. They hear about it and have the | | | | Product lines built on a single ingredient, juice, or extract, |
| ability to think quickly and move quickly to position | | | | may go through the rise, expand, contract, & |
| themselves. | | | | decline cycle much more quickly than products with a |
| You hear the story of the one of those who got in | | | | broad range of components. Look for a company that |
| early. You want to be one of those stories. For many | | | | can adjust to changing market conditions with new |
| the start-up position seems enviable. In an ocean of | | | | product lines. |
| possible companies, it is the one that has grown to a | | | | Is the company synergistic with internet business? |
| position of preeminence in your mind. | | | | Can you market, transact business, and train people on |
| In that ocean of possibilities, the start-up MLM may be | | | | the internet? Companies and products rise to |
| a ship that it is best not-to-board because it is doomed | | | | prominence today faster than they ever have. If you |
| to sink. How would you know? Consider the following: | | | | want to reach a generation of young ambitious |
| What is the vision of the founders? | | | | marketers, you need to be prepared to have your |
| A company is only as good as its vision. Get to know | | | | content, commerce, and community online. |
| what you can about the true vision. Not just the vision | | | | Does the company offer international opportunities? |
| statement but listen to the founders speak and ask | | | | While you may not personally sponsor people |
| yourself, "Does what they are saying match with the | | | | internationally, those you sponsor may want to |
| vision statement of the company?" | | | | sponsor them. The most successful network |
| What is the experience of the founders? | | | | marketing or MLM companies go international. The |
| Have they been successful in networking marketing? | | | | emerging markets are international in places like India, |
| But, that is not all. Have them been successful in | | | | China, and the Latin American region. What about |
| leading a network marketing company? You want to | | | | Singapore, the UK, Canada, or Australia and New |
| associate with people who have good business sense | | | | Zealand? |
| and experience. | | | | Does the company offer good overall OGI? |
| What is the compensation plan? | | | | OGI stands for Opportunity & Growth versus the |
| Unless you are looking for another hobby, you want a | | | | Investment. There will be an investment of time and |
| compensation plan that is worth your effort. You want | | | | resources in a ground floor MLM opportunity. You |
| one that pays out something early on so that people | | | | want to make sure that the opportunity offers you |
| you sponsor see early progress. You want a | | | | and those you sponsor sufficient financial rewards. |
| compensation plan where there is no breakage. That | | | | You want to make sure that it offers you professional |
| is, all earned money stays with the distributors and | | | | growth to help you stay on the cutting edge of the |
| does not roll-up to the company when no one qualifies | | | | direct sales industry. Why not sit down and do an OGI |
| for it. | | | | analysis? |
| What are the products? | | | | When you examine a new opportunity or even an |
| Do they have broad or niche appeal? Are you excited | | | | existing one, make sure you can get past the barriers. |
| by them? You want products that are consumable, so | | | | Many people today blame network marketing, or |
| that you can get repeat sales from the same | | | | themselves for a perceived failure when they tried it |
| customers. You want products that are unique in their | | | | once. That may not be accurate. Barriers may have |
| ingredients or value. | | | | been the reason. |