A number of years ago (back in 2014), Forbes.com contributor Robert Laura wrote an article investigating the Network Marketing industry entitled "Would You Join A Multi-Level Marketing Company For Retirement Income?" which was published on Forbes.com here.
Whether you refer to it as MLM, Multi Level Marketing, Network Marketing or Direct Selling, either way one of Robert's key points in the article was his prediction that this industry was set to explode into one of the most significant trends, and he stated several strong arguments as to why this should be the case.
Fast-forward a few years to today and history has proven Robert's prediction to be absolutely correct - Network Marketing has absolutely been on an upward trajectory over the past few years, in terms of numbers of people involved, sales turnover generated, and standards & professionalism in the industry. The companies, products, regulations, people and overall integrity within the Network Marketing industry have all advanced, and much as the franchising industry evolved from early shady practices to where today half of every high street or shopping mall comprises franchised businesses that are accepted and trusted by all, so it is that more and more people are coming around to seeing Network Marketing as a credible business model that they can utilise to achieve their various goals in life.
So, here we go with the five reasons to start paying attention to Network Marketing
1. THERE IS A GLOBAL NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME
As people get to retirement age, most realise they are not prepared. Many have little-to-no savings or investments, and routinely assume that they will just live on Social Security or some other government retirement plan. The problem in relying on this is that no one ever contemplated that MOST people would live into their 80’s or even beyond. An amazing statistic to consider is that if you make it to 25 years of age, your average life expectancy is 85. And this life span will only continue to extend further over time, further exacerbating the problem.
Almost every pension plan is underfunded around the world. Record low interest rates haven’t helped. The hard facts of the times we live in today are that you CANNOT rely on any other organization or government to take care of you in retirement. You will be expected to work longer and delay taking benefits as pension fund managers make desperate attempts to stretch fund assets as far as they can go for as long as they can before finally calling in the administrators when they cannot hide from their insolvent situation any longer. The same for government pension and welfare programs - the sheer number of pensionable age people in the population will be simply too costly to support as they outnumber those working and paying taxes.
All of this means there is a massive need for supplemental income. The ability to add £1,000 or £2,000 a month will double MOST retirees monthly incomes. This extra money will transform their retirement experience. These FACTS will continue to drive people into credible Network Marketing companies. People aren’t going to dig ditches at age 70 or 80, but they can open their mouths and share about products, opportunity and community.
2. THERE IS A NEED TO BE ACTIVE AND ENGAGED
As already covered, people are living a lot longer today, and in the future even longer still. Being involved, active, and engaged in something is one of the most important aspects of continuing a life worth living. There is a social connection and sense of belonging when you are a part of a movement that is filled with elements such as positivity, empowerment, personal improvement, and helping other people.
3. THERE IS A NEED FOR A MORE EFFICIENT BUSINESS MODEL. IN THIS BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION AND REWARD ARE BALANCED.
In a credible Network Marketing company with a well structured compensation plan, there is no such thing as being overpaid OR underpaid. Participants get paid in direct proportion to what they produce in terms of product sales to customers, creation of a network of people doing the same thing, and leadership development. As a Network Marketing Professional with a credible company you get paid exactly what you’re worth – no more, no less.
By contrast, in the corporate world, people get paid all of the time without producing! That makes network marketing inherently more efficient. Efficient business models will be models that win going forward.
4. TODAY THE WORLD IS A NETWORK
The world has literally transformed into the Network Marketing business model. And it continues to do so as technology evolves and the internet brings us closer together. Individuals are connected to three times as many people today compared to before the advent of the internet and social media. The world has moved to Network Marketers, and for those of us in this industry with the right company, the future is incredibly bright.
5. THERE IS UNPARALLELED GROWTH POTENTIAL
We are seeing unparalleled growth in this industry right now. When you stop to think of the future of Network Marketing, think of these parallels:
In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s (after WWII) the concept of a franchise business gained traction. In a franchise, you rent the business model that someone else (Franchisor) has perfected. One of the very first franchises was started by John Pemberton in 1886 when he created a beverage with a secret recipe and licensed bottling territories to others. This became Coca Cola. Rexall Drug Stores and even General Motors started out as Franchises. As in any new industry or business model there are abuses by unethical promoters and business persons (think of the robber barons and anti-trust regulations). By the 1960’s franchising was getting a black eye. Deceptive sales practices, double selling the same franchise territories to different persons and financial insolvency of the Franchisor were rampant. Eventually, in 1979 federal regulation came into play. The unscrupulous and under-funded Franchisors went away and the legitimate players who complied with the FTC regulations changed and became giants. (Think Subway, McDonalds and others.)
Today, franchising is viewed as a completely legitimate industry. It has created many millionaires — it’s become a phenomenon.
Network marketing started in the 1930’s in the United States, and since that time only 22 companies have achieved $1Billion in annual sales (at the time of writing - 2017 data here). Over that same time hundreds of thousands of companies have started and failed. Anytime you have a new industry like this, it can be like the Wild West.
The same process that happened in Franchising is happening with Network Marketing. The crazy Wild West days are going away. The 2016 FTC settlements with Herbalife, Vemma & FHTM introduced new federal guidelines and regulations that will become the standard that all Network Marketing companies will be expected to comply with in the future. Companies with ethical management that are willing to comply with these guidelines will become the Subway’s and McDonald’s of the industry. Change is happening, and it is happening right now in the Network Marketing industry.
THE FUTURE IS EVEN BRIGHTER BECAUSE:
22 Companies over $1 Billion Annual Revenue - The perception is shifting. We are really just hitting our power band. Network marketing is coming to its maturation stage. People are figuring out what successful business models are and Network Marketing is one of those at the top. Old business models don’t work like they used to and everyone knows it (think about Woolworths, Barratts, La Senza, JJB Sports, Comet, Clinton Cards, Peacocks, Kodak, Jessops, Blockbuster, Virgin Megastores, HMV, Jane Norman, Phones4U, Austin Reed, BHS, Maplin, Toys R Us - where are they today?)
Technology is massively on our side — We can talk to anyone we want, anywhere in the world, anytime we want, for as long as we want; FOR FREE.
We will see $20B, $30B & $40B Network Marketing companies in the coming years because the golden age of Network Marketing has arrived.
FINAL THOUGHTS?
If you are lucky enough to learn about this industry and be part of it working with a legitimate company, your future is going to change. More importantly, you will affect the lives of potentially millions of people in the process. That is something worth investing your time in.
