Hi doLL,
Yes, it's Direct Sales or MLM. And I do understand that these 3 letter words will "scare" all people away.
Haha, I was one of them.. very very skeptical and very very resistant initially. But my whole concept change when my family and I tried on some items and it really improve our health. For there onwards, I trust the products is effective. (Don't judge book by its cover).
Back to MLM. Well, it will depend on your perception on MLM business.
MLM involves in our daily life, just that we did not notice it. For examples, saleman selling car. They earn commisssion with our purchases. Only difference is that their compensation plan is different. They have fixed salary, variable commission,bonus and benefits. But MLM biz, only have variable commission and bonus. These income can only be earned if decided to join their business and hit their sale target.
Another typical example of MLM biz is, freelance insurance agent (AIA/NTUC/Great Eastern etc). Insurance share the same compensation as us. Products are also spread by the word of mouth but why do we still buy from them. Simple, our perceptions.
Traditionally perceptions :
- need to maintain monthly target, if unable too, pump & pump own $$ to maintain
- products may not be good but compensation is plan is good
- pestering people to buy & buy after each purchase made
- fast investment , fast return
For me, I just treat it as "business to consumer". Pay $85 for lifetime membership with company product as free gift (worth $250) for us to try and get a distributor price. Then we will revalue to sell at a fixed retail price set by them. If you're working with a stable job, this residual income can help me to minimise household burden. Even if in the future you're not doing the business, you can still keep the membership card to purchase their items at a discounted price. It's our choice if we want to continue or join the business plan. If one is not comfortable with the plan, they can still enjoy the products with discounts.
For example, Tupperware. Do you know, they have also diverse their business to MLM in the recent years by engaging housewife in promoting their products to consumers like us. I just got to know recently. Went to the marklet for breakfast and saw this group of anunties gather around buying tupperware. So i am curious and went to see. Their leader is actually updating them with new products. All have shopping lists. Haha, strong customers base.
And of course, they are some people who did the MLM business in an unethical way, that maybe where the wrong perception came about. As long as we do it the correct way, customer and friends will still support us because they worn it and proven that products are effective.
Hope this helps, apologise for the long winded mail.