What are they thinking? If you’re not asking this question about your salesforce, you should be! While some of your representatives will share their concerns and compliments with you, most won’t. Unsolicited feedback is important, but you shouldn’t rely upon it as your only gauge of field attitudes.
Best Products for Direct Sales
All network marketing and party plan direct selling companies are in search of new products. Some products are better suited for direct selling than others. Do you ever wonder about what the ideal product would look like? We have. In all, we’ve identified 20 attributes of the ideal direct selling product.
Direct Selling: Yes Or No?
Are you looking at network marketing or party plan selling as a possible sales channel for your company? This is direct selling. Direct selling is the umbrella term often used to describe a business with independent representatives who can earn money on their personal sales as well as on the sales of others in their downline organization….
It’s What You Don’t Know
I began my career in direct selling in 1986 when I went to work for a company that develops and sells network marketing software. My previous background was software development, so I was hired as a programmer/analyst. Within a few months, I was promoted to project leader. In those days, project leaders did everything for their…
What About Sales Tax?
If you’re launching a new direct selling company, you should be asking this question! Collection and Remittance Most businesses register for sales tax collection authority, collect sales taxes, and remit collected taxes only in the states where the business has a physical presence (a store, an office, or a warehouse). However, direct selling companies are…
Measure and Take Action!
Operators of direct selling companies need an accurate set of gauges for measuring the business. We call these measurements “Key Operating Indicators.” Without them, you will be flying your business partly in the dark! Key Operating Indicators are the most important measurements of your business. Direct selling owners and executives use these metrics to run…
How Do I Know If My Product Is Good For Direct Selling?
All network marketing and party plan direct selling companies are in search of new products. Some products are better suited for direct selling than others. Do you ever wonder about what the ideal product would look like? We have. In all, we’ve identified 20 attributes of the ideal direct selling product. You should know them…
Why Your Independent Representative Attrition Rate Is So High
The rate of attrition of independent representatives of direct selling companies is high for many reasons. Direct selling is a “sales” job, but the average person joining a direct selling company may not view herself as a “salesperson.” While people are often led to believe that it is easy and that great products are all…
Digital Products: What You Need To Know
Direct selling is a wonderful business model. Through it, independent representatives can sell both tangible and digital products. Digital products are good because the cost to the company of each unit may be very small, which is great for the bottom line. Did you know that if your company provides digital products, your company is…
What To Look For In A Leader
In direct selling, leaders must have many of the same qualities as company owners because they essentially own their own businesses. Understanding how leaders are made is important because the number of new first-titled leaders is the best predictor of the direction your company is going (up or down). Watch our video to see what…
Is Your Company A Bad Actor Or A Good Actor?
A bad actor is a direct selling company that is operating illegally, unethically, or both. How do you know if your company offers a “get rich quick” pyramid scheme or a legal and ethical direct selling income opportunity? One way to find out is to thoughtfully evaluate your company using our “Don’t-Do” list. You may…
9 Tales That Teach
Over the years that I’ve worked to improve party plan and network marketing companies, I’ve seen the results of mistakes made by others with good intentions. Admiral Rickover once said, “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” I agree. There is wisdom to be learned from…