This morning I sent a response to a friend who wants to involve me

in his business opportunity.  I am not against network marketing per

se.  I am concerned about how a lot of those opportunities do

business.  I'm also disappointed by people who paint with too

broad a brush and lump all of them together. 

 

I even had trouble with BlogExplosion this morning because they

assumed that this blog was about a business opportunity.  If I can't

get them to accept this blog, I'll have to use someone else's services

and I certainly will encourage people to do business with people

with whom I do business. 

 

I am quite simply, a networker, in the connective sense.  I help

people meet people to further their enterprises, goals, and interests.

I don't like that so many network marketers have co-opted the term

"networker" and created a misnomer.I am also not close-minded

about network marketing, but I understand that there are many

people who aren't interested in that distribution model as an income

source for themselves.

 

Here's my edited note to my friend:

 

Hello Bobby

I honestly don't think your company is for me.  You need to
realize that I was exposed to it four years ago and chose not to
participate.  One of the challenges with network marketing is that many
people won't take no from others and so many people are soured on
network marketing in general for just that reason.  I also have been
re-introduced to the concept previously by other people I know and I've

let them know that I'll refer people to them when I come across them.

Another challenge with network marketing is that many people involved
ignore "markets".  They treat just about everyone as a potential
customer.  I am involved with a company that I feel is simple enough and
inexpensive enough that virtually anyone over the age of 18 in North

America can participate and expect to do well.  Also, the market that I am
interested in realizes that many people don't want to spend the time to
go to another meeting if they have to leave their house AND spend more
of their gas, which is not getting cheaper.  You and I may simply be
going after two different market segments.

You say that you like my knowledge about using the internet as a tool.
Does that mean you simply admire my tenacity or the aesthetics of what
I'm doing?  Or would you like to actually learn how to use the tools I
use?  One of those tools is the online contact manager I showed you 

and I use it because it's a bridge between the internet and relationship

building.  I think huge numbers of people like receiving greeting cards.

Many people already receive too many emails to give each one an

effective look, so a postcard or greeting card is a way to stand out in

their minds.  THAT'S part of an effective marketing strategy.

One thing that's huge for me is relationship.  Most companies in network
marketing don't do this right, in my opinion.  They build a system where
they essentially tell people "do it our way and don't debate."  They
need to pay attention to how their system affects relationships and
modify their way of doing business to preserve relationships.  In
relationships, we actually listen to each other, we don't simply debate
away "points".

The truth of who I am is that I want the best for you and your family,
no matter which path you choose.  I believe that the best includes in
large part, healthy relationships with friends, family, busiiness
associates, acquaintances and God.  I want you to fulfill what you're
here for.  I also want that for me and mine.

And, I honestly don't believe that all business systems are designed
with that in mind.

So, I  suggest that you read my MAIN blog.  I've said a lot there about
relationship and networking.  Let me know what you think of what you
read there.  [Yes, it's imperfect - a work in progress with warts.]

http://brbIncome.blogspot.com

Have a great day!

Charlie

 

Powered By Qumana