The AmwayTM Diamond Challenge
***
The following was submitted by a distributor who has
been at the Diamond level in Amway for more than half
of 19 years in business. This person appears anonymously
here, but is well known among North American distributors.***
Q: Do you believe that anyone can succeed in Amway?
A: I do believe that anyone can succeed in Amway. When I share the sales and marketing plan with a person, my 18 years of experience has taught me that if they choose to become a distributor, this person will fall into one of these categories:
-They may be able to sponsor others on their own and develop a successful distributorship.
-They may be able to bring prospects to someone, preferably their own upline, who will assist them in sponsoring those prospects.
-They may be completely incapable of sponsoring anyone on their own and incapable of arousing anyones curiosity to the degree that the prospect wants more information.
In cases such as this I make certain that the sponsor knows that it is up to them to help this person. If they want them badly enough to sponsor them, then they should also be willing to help them if they prove incapable of helping themselves. In Amway as with anything else there are no guarantees. But the degree to which people care about the people they are sponsoring has a lot to do with the results they get.
Q: Why has there been so much secrecy surrounding the tools business?
A: When I became a direct distributor I received a reduction in my tool invoice. I asked my sponsor "what's this?" He said "It's your volume discount - don't tell anyone." When I helped my first direct distributor to qualify, I gave him the same story on his tools when he asked "what's this?" I said "It's your volume discount - don't tell anyone." And so it went...
I think the reason it was held as a secret is because there was turmoil between Amway and private tool producers never really knew for certain that they would be able to legally continue producing business support materials. This unrest between Amway and private tool producers has been resolved, mostly if not completely. With confidence in the future of a business support material program we all (Amway and the field) feel more comfortable in full disclosure.
In my own organization we tell people right from the onset what is expected of them - what they are responsible for - and what is in it for them (i.e. volume discounts on tools as well as Amway Corporate bonuses). There are no secrets.
Q: Why are there numerous lawsuits involving Amway and various distributors? Do the plaintiffs havelegitimate reasons for suing? How do these lawsuits relate to the majority of Amway distributors?
A: The reason for numerous lawsuits is that someone obviously believes they were treated unfairly. I have no comment over whether their reasons are legitimate.
In the future there will be no lawsuits over business support materials. The Amway Distributor Association requires that a business support materials arbitration agreement be signed by a new distributor before business support materials are sold to that individual. This agreement spells out what a person can expect from a business support program and how any future disputes between distributors will be resolved.
Q: How much money do you earn on tools vs. Amway bonuses?
A: There is no set amount or ratio to determine a persons tool income verses. their Amway bonuses. If a person builds a very substantial tool business it is possible to make as much from it as from ones Amway distributorship. I might point out that it is a very rare person who builds to that level.
Q: What specific cause-effect relationships do you see between tools flow and PV/BV?
A: My own 18 year developed observation between tool flow and PV/BV is that where tools flow long term so does PV/BV and where tools do not flow long term neither does product. Tools motivate and inspire people to sponsor others and to move product. I have not seen products motivate or build anyones dream to do something extra ordinary with their life.
Q: What are some (less than obvious) reasons why a profit element may be necessary in a tool system?
A: A profit element is useful in a tool system, because as in any business which creates revenue, someone makes a profit. That we have developed a way of allowing a great many people to share in that profit is part of the incentive for ones' involvement. Also, by allowing distributors to profit from their tool business affords them the opportunity to share or give these tools to others who may benefit from the book or tapes content.
Q: What experiences, if any, have you had with alternate tools methods (i.e. no tools, or approaches much different from the Internet/WWDB/INA type systems)?
A: No Experience.
Q: Do you and/or your distributors experience consistent and predictable sales growth from your efforts by using the methods recommended by the educational systems?
A: What is consistent and predictable is that nothing happens for the person who fails to build their dream or expand their vision. Tools accomplish the dream building, belief expanding, vision creating, information passing, aspect of the business which reveals insights to those who are looking. People perish for lack of vision.
Q: What experiences, if any, have you had in other MLMs with respect to these issues?
A: In 18 years, I have never looked at another MLM. I know that people make money in other businesses but Amway is not just tools and products to me. Amway is me, my life, my passion, it's falling in love with people and sharing the hurt for those who struggle in life. Amway is the answer for people but not until they naively are willing to cooperate. If that last comment makes no sense to you, it's not a problem ... you are just not ready to listen.
Q: What is the percentage of product sales in your organization made to non-distributors?
A: I have no way of knowing or monitoring the percent of sales made to non-distributors. My best effort to answer your question (because inquiring minds want to know) would be to say "a small percentage for now that may become larger in time."
Legal Notice:
Amway is the registered trademark of Amway Corporation. The opinions expressed in this site are the
opinions of various individuals and are not necessarily those of the Amway Corporation or its personnel. This
site is NOT a product of the Amway Corporation, and has not been endorsed, reviewed or otherwise approved
by the Amway Corporation.
©1999 Fulcrum
Material on this site may not be copied, mirrored or reproduced without written permission.
Who runs this website, anyway?