From Allan Demers
Over the years I have heard people tell me about ground floor opportunities, only to find out that the only ground to be found was 10 feet under. The problem at hand is that "ground floor" is a perception (how someone views a particular opportunity), rather than a definition (conditions that must be met to be considered ground floor). Wouldn't it be great to have an independent review board that would define standards and then periodically rate MLMs to determine the level of conformance.
The investment community, outside of MLMs (other Business Opportunities), do have Associations dedicated to defining and reinforcing industry practices, ethics & standards.
Why is it that MLM Business Opportunities do not get the respect and dedication that they deserve. It could be the MLM is still in its infancy and has not yet been recognized, or possibly because it is so loosely defined, you have a huge population of loose cannons that are shooting aimlessly around at their friends, relatives, and anything that moves. In either event, there is a urgent need to once and for all develop the ethics, standards, and professionalism that our industry needs and deserves. Continuing on the path which we are on will only take to future chaos and possibly extinction.
Well, I was recently brought into a "Ground Floor" MLM, and would like to start a discussion on "is this ground floor", and "does it get any better than this".
Company
Financially sound (no debt). MLM Experienced Management Team, all with a history of developing and building huge MLM organizations internationally
Industry
30 Billion Industry, and growing. Few, if any, MLM companies focus on this industry (to my knowledge)
Product
Consumable, competitively priced at both wholesale and retail. Customer can see & judge results immediately (unbiased, easy sale). High quality, easy to differentiate.
Marketing
MLM option provides up to 8 levels of overrides. Three market penetration programs, 1) direct to customer, 2) at wholesale to retailer, and 3) through MLM Distributors. Full market support (marketing material, 800 numbers, conference calls, coop advertising, etc.) Product test marketing in Canada with phenomenal results
Opportunity
Company's grand opening in U.S. was July 4, 1994. Not uncommon for Distributors to move 3 levels in first month. It is easy for Distributors to sell product and make money. Repeat sales 70 to 80% monthly.
This is the best I've ever seen and I have been in the business for over 10 years with some of the largest, most successful MLMs. Does anyone feel that this is not ground floor, or does not provide a huge opportunity? Can anyone beat this?
Appreciate your time in reading this and welcome any comments.
From Victor Jasin
Yea I'd have to say by the description in your summary here it does very much meet with the classic subjectivity of what most of us deem to be a "Ground Floor" Opportunity.
IMO one needs to go a couple of steps deeper. Without knowing the specifics of what you speak of here, I still think some of the missing factors are:
Not always that easy, as the shrewder the founders, the more they will publicly want it to look like a long runner and all the time have all kinds of offshore accounts and profit share and compensation plans that take huge chunks of cash out of the business on an ongoing basis, vs. re-investing or protecting assets and funds with trusts, long term financing and conservative compensation packages for the executive and founders based on more secure long term performance vs. quick short term cash extraction.
Tough one to check out in your due diligence, but if you are really interested, getting a good business law attorney to do some due diligence for ya might open your eyes a little.
If ya look for some of the above factors diligently you might see the writing on the wall. Are the endorsements or bought spokespeople new to the endorsement scene or are they commonly the first to jump at a big buck marketer that'll pay em well for their endorsements.
Ultimately I really don't see that there is a whole hell of a lot to lose. Ground floor opportunities IMHO are the way to make the BIG money and do it fast. If ya limit your personal exposure as to investment and commitments and don't tell your boss where to go and burn your employment bridges, then you really have everything to gain and very little to lose by trying.
On the other hand if on a point of principle and just a commitment to sound clinical/academic forecasting and predictions, there is a lot more homework that needs to be done than was indicated in the post that this is in response to.
Most people like to take a lot of time to look for failure points and if there are one or two vague ones, it's easier to sit back and say, "yup this ones' headin for the ol high speed crash and burn". Well even in these type of scenarios there is a lot of money to be made. You can often make your first 6 figures in the first 12 months in these kind of deals. If you play it right and don't start living the high life (like I did) expecting the pot of gold to be never ending, then you can walk away 6 figures richer and wisely invest the money elsewhere.
You don't have to build it on the backs of a lot of basements full of product. Lets face it with the liberal return policies the regulators insist on these days, you just about have to be an idiot to not be able to move, liquidate or sell in the normal course of business, the inventory you invested in for a profit, or in the worst case scenario, a simple dollar for dollar recovery. That IMO is as limited as risk is going to get in a scenario that potentially offers the kind of returns ya can get on the wave of a new ground floor superstar.
Keep in mind, just being there doesn't make it happen either. You have to be prepared to take on the startup with a vengeance, obsession, fanaticism and level of energy like nothing you have ever done before. The big money comes from the SPRINT or the quickest out of the blocks. With that comes profile, money and reputation that you can often carry on to other things even if this one doesn't fly for as long as you had hoped. It is a VEHICLE not a SECURED JOB OR PENSION here folks. Understand the limitations and seek to take the gains on short term and if they happen to continue over the long term then its gravy.
I've done this on 3 previous occasions on exactly a "Ground Floor" scenario. I am a firm believer in that being the HIGHEST earnings potential FOR THE RIGHT PERSON. If you aren't up for the pace or can't get 110% into the project from the get go, then don't sit back and make the MLM/company the scapegoat for the failure of your dreams. It's there if you plan, and create realistic goals based on who you are, what your experience and abilities are.
Having a passionate well visualized dream is not enough. You have to be able to transfer that PASSION with a sustained energy, enthusiasm and disciplined and constant time plan. You have to understand the statistics of your goals to the T. That is how many contacts to get X recruits and how many recruits to get X number of high income earners or big volume legs in your organization. You should be able to break this down on a weekly and daily objective. Be honest, be prepared and willing to accept more criticism, rejection and frustration than ever before in your life, but also understand that your drive and level of energy output cannot be hindered. You are going to have to STICK TO IT and DO IT no matter what.
If you try this kind of ALL OUT strategy on a ground floor scenario for a minimum of 12 months with the kind of effort and output that comparatively is only like maybe 3-5 others out of a hundred distributors you know, then maybe you are on the right track. Don't wait for an upline or company to give you the magic formulas and training. If thats the case in terms of what you need or are looking for, then don't pick a ground floor op.
If you are a pioneer and can feel confident with or without the support and guidance of someone around on a regular basis then you have the markings of a potential happy camper in a land of "beacoup de bucks". Under these circumstances I'd have to say if what was said about the MLM in the post are true then go for it if you are a pioneer self starter independent type. You rookies and casual MLMers with limited energy who see yourself as NORMAL or AVERAGE, it can't hurt ya, but don't think ground floor by itself brings the rewards. Ya gotta roll up the sleeves and dig in like no one else around ya. Then IMHO dreams can come true and then some.
Server space provided by Hurricane Electric