Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
Last Thursday, while doing nothing out of the ordinary, my back "went out".
That is to say, my lower back began hurting. This has happened several times to me over the past 20 years. About two years ago was the most recent event.
Yeah...sure, my job requires me to do some heavy lifting and bending over and such; but on this particular day, I was just walking across the lobby floor...and ouch!
As the day wore on, I was walking slowly(er) and slowly(er) and began taking on the look of the Hunchback from Notre Bama.
Friday morning found me in bed, in pain, and in what should have been Lortab euphoria but to no avail.
The weekend was no better. I lounged around, sat, and alternated ice packs with a heating pad and hobbled about the house resembling my late arthritic mother and moaning and groaning in her similar fashion(Thanks to the wife and kids for pointing out this trait) and Monday I missed yet another day of work.
So today, I'm still home and hoping that any moment now, that whatever is pinched, inflamed, or "pulled" will ease up as it has done in the past.
But I have to say, sitting at this computer has not been one of my most frequent activities in recent days. Also, the effects of muscle relaxers and hydrocodone have no conducive effect on my writing skills, nor the pain in my lower back either.
So, like in the movie "Brokeback", I can't quit you; but don't expect a lot over the next day or two.
It seems LFI is backing off from using the Worldwide Web as a marketing vehicle.
Tre received some "inside" information from an LFI distributor and gives a good analysis of the info he received.
Life Force says,
"Not only are the results of Internet Marketing contrary to what we are all trying to achieve..."
Tre and his Goats says,
"..we believe (Life Force)has been greatly influenced by the dinosaurs in your organization that refused to change and grow in the marketplace, as opposed to being formed by the facts!"
This is the second scoop in the realm of MLM, that the cagey goatherder has brought to my attention. (His first, was his experience with 12DP)
I'm an official Bama Blogger. Bama Blogger is open to resident bloggers of the state of Alabama. Bama Blogger was started by Bruce Klaiss, known in many circles of the Net as Harper Blue.
Coming originally from the Battle Creek, Michigan area, he has resided in Alabama since 1996, and in West Blocton since 2004. Trained as a librarian, and self-trained in Web design, Bruce creates sites for small businesses and does research for clients on a private consultation basis through his own small business, Harper Information Services.
The website is to encourage traffic to member blogs and to create a community of bloggers from Alabama; all sharing their various views and opinions. Take a look around and read a few.
From my reading so far, it looks like I'm still the "lone liberal" in my state.
But, I thank Bruce for including me on the site.
UPDATE
I'm also listed at AL.com in their weblog section. AL features many more blogs and bloggers from Alabama; blogs covering a wide variety of topics from humor, day-in-the life, political and NOW the "the exploits of a self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger"
In regards to my recent postings about Quixtar and Amway Operations across the globe; I felt it important to re-iterate an important announcement from Quixtar Corporation.
"Quixtar not opening in China
Correcting a false business rumor
Recently, there has been a rumor circulating that Quixtar will enter the China market in some way, shape, or form. This rumor is absolutely false.
There are no plans for Quixtar to enter China or any other market in the world. Further, neither the resale of products sold by Quixtar nor the promotion of the Quixtar business opportunity is permitted in China.
In fact, any Independent Business Owners found selling Quixtar products or promoting the Quixtar opportunity in China or anywhere else outside Quixtar's markets will be subject to strict sanctions under Quixtar's Zero Tolerance Policy, up to and including termination of their contract.
The Quixtar and China businesses have been successful because they meet the distinctive and differing requirements of their respective markets. We ask for continued cooperation by Independent Business Owners to maintain the separation of the two businesses,(emphasis added) which will help to sustain their viability and success in the years ahead.
If you are a Quixtar IBO, or a responsible journalist and/or internet blogger on the topic of MLM or Quixtar/Amway, please do not misrepresent the Amway business opportunity and the details of operating as a distributor affiliated with Amway in Greater China.
Alticor's Amway business began in the Greater China region in 1974 when it opened in Hong Kong. It now has four affiliates. Independent business owners (IBOs) operate Amway businesses in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. In China, sales representatives introduce products to customers and provide training and support.
Amway also owns a sophisticated production facility in Guangzhou, which has ISO 9002 accreditation - a first in the chemicals industry in China.
The Chinese Health Food Association recently listed Amway China first on its list of "Top 100 Health Food Companies." Other awards include the Environmental Protection Model award (2001) and one of China's 10 best employers (2001).
*Based on 2001 sales volume in China (2002).
In the coming few days, I will continue with my articles on Amway Global affiliates including the former Soviet states, Japan, and China and their respected websites.
A reader commented yesterday on the "nice travelog" I was writing about the various Amway-affiliates websites available across the World.
Each Amway Public Information Site(or at least the ones I could read in English) contain much of the same information with certain pages varying in content with appropriate location and pricing information.
For today's "travelog", I looked at 13 Amway markets located in Europe. All of these Amway affiliates offer the MLM opportunity to their citizens. All, except France, use offline techniques, as well as the online-portal Amivo. I could not find any online opportunity for the French.
Most public Amway sites had English access, but only offered the Amivo shopping portal in their native language. Interestingly though; Greece's public site was only available in Greek, but the Amivo version had an English equivalent.
Many of the Amivo sites allowed browsing through their "visitor pages" but required registration to order. Some of the Amivo sites were not available for viewing past the "log-in" page. If you are interested in viewing an Amivo site; I refer you to yesterday's blog entry on the Amivo website in the United Kingdom.
The breadth and scope of the Amway Global Community is staggering to me, a lowly IBO. Few MLM companies in the Direct Sales industry have penetrated so many world markets and allow the lowly IBO to expand his business into these markets.
As a Quixtar IBO in the USA, I can easily expand my business into International markets with relative ease; if I have "contacts" in another country. The addition of Amivo enhancing these markets will make it even easier by cutting through language barriers in presenting the Amway opportunity and allowing IBOs to interact with their international IBOs without long overseas trips and extensive "stays" abroad.
Learning the culture and business practices of another country and broadening my horizons on different levels instills a satisfaction in me. And I have no qualms or anxiety about saying, "I sell Amway". In fact, visiting these International sites should fill every MLMer with some pride, knowing that Direct Sales overseas is respected, moderated, and regulated for the protection of the MLMer and the consumer.
I invite you to visit the sites in English, and to even look at the non-English sites just for fun.
The Amway affiliates in the Scandinavian Region address the use of Business Support Materials with language that advises potential IBOs, but does not condemn BSM usage.
In my opinion, the Corporation walks the line on this issue, but the fact that they address it for this region says to me that Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark must have extensive exposure to the motivational organizations commonly criticized by Amway/Quixtar opponents.
Amway Distributors and potential distributors visiting the public Amway/UK site will see much of the same content found on the Amway-Europe site, with specific registration fees appropriate for the British Isles. The Republic of Ireland has specific information included, as well. Individual sections of Great Britain are mentioned, except the glaring omission (for me, at least) of Scotland.
In the United Kingdom, Amway IBOs must register their Amway business as a trade at the local authorities; an idea I have advocated here in the USA. It's my opinion if an IBO maintains a business license or vendor's permit; they would be more inclined to treat their business as a REAL business with the duties and responsibilities thereof.
Amway(UK)Limited was established in the UK in 1973 and the Republic of Ireland in 1979.
Amway(UK)Limited has 23,000 renewed Independent Business Owners nation-wide.
Amway(UK)Limited employs approximately 109 people in the UK.
Amway(UK)Limited has been a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) since 1973 and the Direct Selling Association of Ireland (DSAI) since 1981.
Since 2003, United Kingdom IBOs have had access to operate their business with the addition of online ordering and business management through the Amivo website.
Like Quixtar, Amivo has visitor pages to browse and study prior to joining Amway. The site is password protected and requires registration to order and manage an Amway business.
Finally, on my review of the United Kingdom-Amway site, I have to say that I did look AND I DID FIND my required dose of video "shmaltz". The "Heritage" video was a sentimental journey down the road of Amway's history, with some great photos, and some "techno-classical" music with a "world beat".
I doubt that Amway Corporation will change its name from Amway to UK-way for those distributors in Great Britain, but Amway distributors in the United Kingdom have their own identity, as well as their own Amway independent businesses.
In case you haven't noticed; over the past several days I have been visiting and reporting on the various websites that make up the WorldWide Web of Amway.
Today, I introduce you to the initial site for Amway's Internet presence in Europe.
Amway Europe Limited is the gateway to information on the operation of an European Amway Independent Business.
International Law weighs heavily in this website with many pages dedicated to explaining the legitimacy of Direct Sales, Multi-level Marketing and becoming an Amway IBO.
"Direct selling is currently regulated in the EU by Directive 85/577/EECA "on the protection of consumers in the case of contracts negotiated away from business premises" as implemented on a national basis by the Member States. This directive grants the customer a legal right of cancellation within a seven day cooling-off period for most purchases, so the customer has the opportunity to think the purchase over and to compare both the quality and price of the goods. Some additional strict national legal frameworks have been adopted and vary from country to country, including some extensions of the seven day cooling-off period up to fifteen days. The direct selling purchase is thus one of the most protected consumer purchases available. Amway's Satisfaction Guarantee goes beyond the legal requirements in its offer to receive product returns by consumers."
Amway-Europe also has content covering the inception and history of Amway and information on how a decidely "American" company has expanded into 80+ countries throughout the World; from a small town in Michigan, USA to a true global community.
This "community concept" doesn't stop with just a mere listing of countries that Amway operates in; it goes beyond that, with what I consider a renewed emphasis on the environment.
"From its foundation Amway has recognized the importance of promoting the protection and improvement of the environment. This philosophy is reflected in AMWAY's products:
High concentration and waste reduction. Recycled packaging. Removal of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosols pre-dated international bans.
and in the manufacturing process:
Use of recycled material in packaging. Growing and processing natural ingredients at our Nutrilite farms, where no fertilizers or chemical pesticides are used. Recycling center in Amway headquarters. Scientific support of research and development.
In presenting its Achievement Award to Amway in 1989, the United Nations Environment Program recognized the company's efforts to promote environmental protection and to encourage youth to make the environment a priority concern. Amway was the second corporation to receive this prestigious award."
These facts figure prominently at all Amway affiliates in Europe. A feature I find lacking and forgotten in the USA and Canada.
Amway-Europe is also a responsible "neighbor" offering a helping hand; with a commitment to charitable organizations including UNICEF and Amway's efforts to support Tsunami victims.
Two interesting reports regarding Direct Sales are not to be missed. These reports prepared by The London Business School and Price Waterhouse Cooper detail Internet shopping trends and market saturation for the Internet in Europe. These reports would prove valuable for anyone operating a Direct Sales/MLM business in the European Union.
One thing I noticed about the site is that it lacks any video presentation as is on other Amway-related sites. If I were one of the "PR guys" up in Michigan: I'd transfer this video of European distributors to the Amway-Europe website.
For IBOs in the USA, like myself, the knowledge that Amway in Europe and Asia is strong and respected provides satisfaction that North American IBOs can still take pride in their association with Amway Corporation. Whether we say we are "in Quixtar" or "sell Amway", we truly have access to a strong international business abroad.
Amway Online: Where Business, Lifestyle, And Shopping Converge
In 1971, Amway Corporation left the confines on North America and opened its first overseas market in Australia.
This move "represented a significant first step in establishing Amway as a global enterprise. Amway Australia's subsequent growth contributed to the success of Amway's global network."
Today, 80,000 Amway Independent Business Owners operate in Australia and New Zealand.
Amway distributors operating in Australia can build a business of their own through traditional one-to-one marketing in a face-to-face manner with their "prospects", but they also have at their disposal a full service shopping portal via the Internet.
This site is similar to the North American Quixtar site; in that IBOs in Australia can buy and sell products online as well as introduce new distributors that are interested in the Amway business in Australia.
Public access of the site allows the site visitor to browse products and learn about the range of services offered by A2K, as well logging in and purchasing items. Prospective Amway business owners can also gain introductory information on the business opportunity of Direct Sales and Amway in Australia.
A2K, like its American counterpart, offers Home Care products, Cosmetics, and even Partner Stores.
Product differences from US products are subtle; such as the Nutriway line of nutrition products.
Exclusive to Australia are products like Emma Page "jewellery"(sic) and Earth's Aroma massage oils.
My opinion of the site was favorable, but found it limited in scope related to the business opportunity, with much of the responsibility still on the sponsoring distributor in Amway to "sell" the prospect on the opportunity.
This site seems much more navigatable than Quixtar, but the content is less expansive. It lives up to its slogan of "convergence" i.e. it does not stand alone.
Yesterday, I visited the Alticor website as a light refresher course on the strength of the infrastructure behind my multi-level marketing business venture.
Sure, I know that many of my site visitors are anti-MLM and anti-anything-having-to do-with-the-Amway Corporation, but there is no denying that Amway revolutionized the Direct Sales industry and brought multilevel marketing into existence and established MLM as a legal model of business.
Amway currently operates in over 80 countries across the World and most recently entered the Russian market.
Amway is no longer the "American Way", it has become "the way" that over 3 million distributors in countries like Japan, Germany, Slovenia, and South Africa have chosen to have a business of their own.
These distributors are conducting their business in the old fashion way of meeting people, making friends, and showing the business opportunity one-to-one and in business meetings. But, they are not limited to only the "Amway of the past", they also have at their disposal web technology in many of the markets to enhance and support their business.
The AMWAY website emphasizes the tradition, the history, the strength, and the future vision of Amway Corporation. Site visitors can gain further knowledge of their existing business or potential business through text, slide shows, panoramic product displays and videos.
And if you like a little shmaltz; the video I enjoyed most was the business opportunity video describing the Amway Experience as seen by Amway Corporation.
Alticor, the parent company of Amway and Quixtar, as well as other businesses, has revamped their website to include slide shows, PDF fact sheets, and a wealth of information concerning the company and its subsidiaries.
One interesting addition is a legitimate corporate media blog. This blog's initial post admits it will be a "media" blog; publishing releases and company news, but in blog format with an RSS Feed, real permalinks, and enabled, yet heavily moderated and/or edited comments.
The front pages of the revised site are new and engaging; but a few simple clicks on the different "Alticor" links in the footer of the site, can reveal the site map for the older content on the website that hasn't been changed.
While the new and interesting information; including a Historical Timeline, Current Sales Figures and detailed biographies of the management and Board of Directors of Alticor, is included at the Resource link of the site; the flaw of the site is the Flash Interface does not allow individual linking to the various topics of information.
The revamped site and the addition of the media blog are welcomed changes, in this blogger's opinion, and provide the site visitor with reasons to remain at the site and read the information available from the corporate view of the company and its subsidiaries.
It appears, however, that the Media Blog will be slow with updates. Only one introductory entry has been posted.
If you are a distributor or Independent Business Owner for either Quixtar or Amway, I suggest you pay a visit to ALTICOR, and learn a bit more about the infrastructure of the companies you represent.
If you are desiring information for more general purposes on Alticor, Amway, or Quixtar or other businesses under that "umbrella". I would advise you to start at that site and then expand from there.
Quixtar IBOs are often criticized for making grandiose claims regarding their success with Quixtar. I found two refreshing statements made by Quixtar IBOs this week.
As in most blog comments sections, the continuing conversation evolves into nothing resembling the topic originally posted. The commenter is a lady named Andrea, and she describes why she is in Quixtar:
"Thank you for being polite. Bob, ash, and nimblix. I guess I am different than most IBO's. I shop mainly with the partner stores. There are alot of things that I get through them that I normally could get at a regular superstore. I have three kids, 5 and younger that I hate to drag with me! It works for me. I live in the boonies here in Ohio and It takes me 1 hour to get to the closest Barnes and Noble. I am a teacher and enjoy the things that I can get from that store. I do not go to their website because I don't get a small kick back unless it is through Quixtar. I know a lot of people that enjoy XS Energy drinks more than Red Bull and others, and it is the same price. I am not an IBO that is in it for the all mighty FREEDOM. I just want to make a little money back. If it is extra cash for christmas great. I know someone that after the extra mark up price they still made enough money to quit that paper route. You don't have to travel far distances to tell people about Quixtar. I do not go to BDS because my team is not in this State. I do not purchase monthly tools from Legacy. I choose what I want to do. Jim70 I had to buy 8 tires for my two cars in Jan. I bought two at Walmart, and six from Goodyear a partner store through Quixtar. I drove to Good year/ Kelly store which is down the road from me and they put them on. They were the exact same price as Walmart. I did this in Jan. last mon. I recieved a $75.00 Check from Quixtar. Gee that paid for one of those tires. Did I buy anything else. Yes, new bra's from Lady grace another partner store. And sweat pants for my children from Hanes, another partner store. Make-up from Aristry, which by the way is cheaper than what I used to buy Lancome at Kauffmans. Things I have to buy anyway. Things that I have been purchasing for years. I totally agree. If you are an IBO in it to make tons of money you have got it wrong. Only the people at the top of the up-line make that. It is not impossible to get to the top but it takes alot of sacrifice, MONEY, and work. Is it something that you can afford? Probably not. What am I out? Nothing really because I do not purchase items that I do not need. My inital set up? I sold the products that I did not want, and if I do not make my monthly PV to get a check so what. I had to shop for those things anyways. I just did it at home instead of fighting with my two year old at the store because she wanted Dora. That is peace of mind. That is freedom. Smile, life should not be that complicated. Check it all out for yourself. The Good and the Bad. Ash is totally on target there is nothing wrong with doing a negative check. If you don't then shame on you for not checking. That is only common sense. My comments are not to offend anyone, and I am not saying Quixtar is the best, and that there is nothing wrong with it. But I don't think that it is as horriable(sic) as some make it out to be. You have to use caution and know what you want and don't want. For some of you it is obviously Quixtar that you don't want. And that is O.K. Posted by: Andrea at March 6, 2006 03:10 PM"
The second commentary I found regarding an IBO's "success" was from "Anon IBO"" at Unquixotic Enterprise. This blogger describes his progress or possible lack of progress and states his plans and purpose for his blog entries at Starting Point.
"...So for the starting point of this blog, it's practically a clean slate-- last year was a wash, I have yet to sponsor anyone, and have only qualified for bonus checks on personal volume.
Critical readers may be amused by this disclosure, but the irony is that the more pathetic my business is at the starting point, the more dramatic the results will be when I reach my objectives, and the more starkly obvious the correlation between effort and return. Yes, that same dreaded proportional effort-return relationship that the intellectually dishonest are loathe to concede, particularly in regards to this industry.
Given this disclosure, one may fairly question why anyone should listen to me. Obviously, you shouldn't. I have no track record. I am currently operating only on theory. I am only as reliable as your local business college professor (if they had demonstrated knowledge on running a successful business, would they be teaching for a living?)
If, in the course of this project, I demonstrate an ability to create a profitable business, I will have proved the theory in a transparent manner. Further, doing so under the advice of, and utilizing the tools available from the WWDB system will have proved the utility of that system."
I have to give these two IBOs credit; they seem level-headed with no stars in their eyes and they seem content to grow their business in a forthright manner.
I'm not sure if Andrea will be a regular visitor to Quixtar Blog, but she did good in the face of the rest of the commenters; Anon IBO is blogging regularly, and I have no doubt he will continue.
The MLM critics also despise this method of "not telling the whole story" to an MLM prospect until the prospect is actually attending the MLM company presentation.
Some MLM proponents and representatives of different MLM companies have also walked away from this approach and speak openly about their company from the very first introduction with a prospect.
Which is why I was confused when I visited What Sets Us Apart Dot Info.
Bo Short, a former Diamond distributor for Amway Corporation, started Passport, LLC but has recently joined Oasis Lifesciences. His website, Former Diamond was used to explain his experiences with Amway and Quixtar and his disgust with the Amway Motivational Organizations. His dissatisfaction with these practices led to his departure from Amway and his subsequent start-up of Passport LLC.
Short was open and honest about his departure and many of his Passport representatives and staff were former Amway or Quixtar reps as well. Their mission was to set themselves apart from the practices of the Amway Motivational Organizations.
Which brings me back to the What Sets Us Apart Dot Info site.
Obviously, Bo Short is no longer promoting his company Passport, but is actively building a downline with Oasis Lifesciences. But I'm sure he has not abandoned his contempt for the AMO practices; so why is he practicing the "curiosity approach"?
What Sets Us Apart has no information regarding Oasis Lifesciences, Passport or any other MLM, except Bo Short's former experience with Amway and Quixtar. It seems the only way to gain info on the un-named company Bo is involved with is to fill out the "lead capture" information box.
This is equivalent with the statement:
"I'm involved with some great business people in an opportunity that could make you a lot of money. Would you be interested in making money?....Good, let's set up a time and I can show you the details....Is it Amway?....No, no no, it's nothing like that."
A few months back I was flipping channels on the television and caught a familiar face and voice speaking to a large audience on my local PBS station. PBS was running one of their frequent "pledge drives" to raise money for the station.
The PBS station cut to a "break", and the announcer stood in front of the phone bank with none other than Andrews himself and they were "selling" Andrews' DVD and audio series. I say "selling", but the DVDs and audio series were, of course, a "gift" for a particular amount of money donated to PBS. There's nothing wrong with that as it is a common practice to "gift" to the donators of the organization.
What I found surprising is that Andy Andrews has taken his performance skills and speaking skills he learned while being an Amway distributor and leader of an Amway Motivational Organization to the private sector.
Andrews now promotes himself as strictly a motivational speaker and author. Also surprisingly, he makes no mention of his Direct Sales and Multilevel Marketing experience in his website biography.
Andy Andrews: The Seven Decisions Check local listings, Pledge programming - Do you know the one single decision that could literally change your life forever? Find out what's standing in the way of your dreams when best-selling author, masterful storyteller and inspirational speaker Andy Andrews reveals the seven decisions that will transform your life into a brilliant adventure of personal success. (CC, Stereo)
