Monday, November 24, 2008

The Economy and Network Marketing

Following is an article concerning the correlation between the economy and network marketing. Lots of reading but quite interesting. Enjoy -- and happy selling & sponsoring!!!!

Hot Times Ahead
WHEN RECESSION HITS THE ECONOMY, NETWORK MARKETING BOOMS
By ROD COOK

If you're in Network Marketing, there's good news, and there's bad news - and the great news is that, for you, they're both good news.
In good economic times, people are less interested in career alternatives but they can easily afford to buy more consumer goods. In bad times, they crave new business opportunities. Today, we could soon be facing global recession - and tremendous worldwide opportunities for you.
The U.S. economy is cracking apart due to mortgage meltdowns and rising fuel costs (energy) that are causing great concern worldwide. Fears are that an American economic dive will hurt the entire world economy.
U.S. and worldwide, people are beginning to worry. Once they start worrying, they quit spending money. This "psychology of fear" fuels bigger recessions. I'm not saying there is going to be a depression, which is much worse than a recession. What I am predicting, based on surveys conducted by our company (which have proved exceedingly accurate over the past 20 years), is higher unemployment and underemployment - good people forced to work for less money than their qualifications would warrant. Translated: pushed to work for trashcan wages.

MLM - A Countercyclical Business
General economic theory holds that there tends to be a recession about every eight years. The entire history of the modern United States reflects this boom-and-bust cycle. Consistently, Network Marketing has grown during the "down" periods. PER CNBC CURRENT VIDEO click here
The oldest Network Marketing company we can track is the marine-vegetable (seaweed) supplement company, Wachter's, which started in 1937 near the bottom of the Great Depression. Nutrilite took off in 1945 during the economic decline immediately following World War II. Shaklee and Neolife fared well in the post-Korean War slump. Amway got a good start building with the slump in 1958. Mary Kay started with the downturn in the 1960s. This theory held true in 1992 when Alliance, Kaire, Life Plus, and a number of other companies started up and boomed (then later failed due to legal problems, partnership disputes, and mismanagement after the recession). Others like Herbalife (see chart below) went into hyper growth due to the same recession and became billion dollar companies.
Note that during the depth of the recession retail sales by major retail outlets took a dive. Direct sales (90% are MLM) jumped as store front retailing dropped like a rock! Today history repeats itself! Source: DSA and MLM Watchdog
When recession hits, those with any intelligence are going to scramble to find alternative sources of income. In their frantic searches, they are going to find that the best of all alternatives is Network Marketing.
Understanding the relationship between low-cost entrepreneurship and economics is important. During the past few years, the world economic boom has made people complacent. In the U.S., the jobless rate dropped to all-time lows of less than five percent. People had to be sick, lame, or lazy not to get a job. Hamburger flippers got higher-paying jobs, such as assembling computers, and their incomes rose. Rather than looking for an alternative to a job or seeking extra income, these folks sat around and watched television.
When recession hits, those with any intelligence are going to scramble to find alternative sources of income. In their frantic searches, they are going to find that the best alternative is MLM also known as Network Marketing.
We followed the increase in growth of several major Network Marketing companies operating during the recession of 1973-75. Companies that were not doing badly when the recession started, they had a fair amount of growth. However, when the recession came, they took off like rockets!
During the early 2000's recession (officially starting in November 2001), MLM company growth rates jumped higher than they were before the recession. See the chart below (November 2001 was the benchmark) and look at the following growth. This was due to two reasons: (1) Fear leads people to new income sources and they WORK the opportunity, not watch TV. (2) The doubt of the recession lingers in the minds of people so there is an "aftereffect". (3) During the recession the company grew a "feverant" distributor base, recruiting more new people that lead to exponential growth. Source: Alexa.com
PRESS RELEASE UPDATE 2008
Herbalife Experiencing Stellar Sales Despite Slumping Economy
3 November 2008 - Herbalife, the global multi-level/network marketing (MLM) giant reported its 19th consecutive quarter of double digit sales growth, according to a recent earnings report. The company grew sales 13.7% to $602 million in the third quarter.
The sales gains were attributed to the company’s global growth, including double digit sales gains globally. Profit margins were reported at 14.7%. Herbalife also has $33 million in capital expenditures, primarily in technology investments for distributors.
North American sales were up 23% over third quarter 2007, despite a worsening economy domestically. "In these turbulent economic times, we believe we're in a fortunate position at the intersection of health and wealth," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Johnson. Herbalife’s products are sold in more than 69 countries with more than 1.9 million independent distributors.
Another factor that fueling the growth in Network Marketing is that many Baby Boomers have put their life savings into the stock market. With the market's shaky up and down spirals, many Baby Boomers are slowing their high-flying, fast-spending ways due to meager savings except for shaky stocks. With the inevitable, cyclical decline of the stock market, they will see their retirement plan funds lose 25 to 50 percent in value. Will panic will follow? We hope not! But, Baby Boomers with good sense will be looking for secondary ways to build a secondary residual retirement income. A common phrase today is, "multiple streams of income."
Grab your hat and prepare for the next boom in Network Marketing. If you are a newcomer, study the industry closely (and quickly). If you are an old-timer, get out your contact lists for the last two to ten years. In a recession, they will be solid gold! All you have to do is get out there and help people out of their economic duress.
Now is the best time to grow your Network Marketing individual business or start your company! Whether you are a veteran or a beginning network marketer, the future is bright. Soon consumers will be looking for the best quality at the best prices. Where do they find it? In the quality products offered by your Network Marketing company .
Recession causes people to open their minds to gaining alternative sources of income. If they are still employed, they are worrying about the possibility of losing their jobs or having them downgraded. If they are unemployed, they are seeking ways to build their income without spending large amounts of money to start another business.
This writer has made millions in MLM - Network Marketing plus having owned large franchises, done business opportunities plus done import of exotic cars like DeThomaso Panteras, Lamborghinis and Ferraris. His analysis is:
MLM - Network Marketing? This field with careful selection (see MLM Detective at the MLM Watchdog) - is the last chance for the little guy to make money in America!
Heaven bless you - driven to your financial knees? MLM - Network Marketing is the ultimate "recession-proofing" for your economic life.
About Rod Cook B.s., M.A., M.B.A.: Rod is recognized as THE major researcher in the MLM - Network Marketing world on economics and MLM Compensation pay plans. His majors include many hours in mathematics giving him research tools no others in the MLM have. Rod keeps a list of over 1500 U.S. MLM companies (plus over 100 foreign companies operating in the U.S.) on his MLM Company World Directory (see www.mlmwatchdog.com) this alone is a research tool no one else has as far as what MLM compensation pay plans survive. As the MLM WatchDog, Rod can pick up a telephone and call a company owner and get a true reading. His reputation for honesty, integrity, and painfully blunt "telling it like it is" makes him an industry icon. Rod says, "MLM is the last chance for the little guy in America and for that matter the WORLD and I defend it to the death!"

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Scent Pods 101

You all should have received an email from Gold Canyon this week announcing the release of 4 additional fragrances in our popular Suddenly Scented line. That's right, Cinnamon, Apple Spice, Mulled Cider and Sugar Cookie join the Scent Pod line up, bringing the choices up to 14. Click here for the flier: http://content.ll-0.com/gcdemonstrator/ScentPodFlyer2.pdf?i=111208195016

Our unique scent pods were designed with the organized, efficient woman in mind... they feature a sleek look and are stackable, so you can easily change from one scent to another and store multiple containers in a stack. Each scent pod is 2.4ozs and costs $5.98. For any of you who are unfamiliar, the scent pod fragrance will last for about 20 hours. The wax and color will remain in the pod, but after heating for that amount of time, the fragrance will begin to disappear. At that time, simply throw it away. To help you keep track, the lid of each pod has four dots across the bottom. After each 4 hours of heating, mark off a dot. It's a smart and convenient way to know when your 20 hours is up.

Our pods and warmers are the perfect solution for customers with curious children, pets or with workplace rules. They are also great for entryways, bathrooms and classrooms. Pods have no wicks, no flames, just the quality fragrance Gold Canyon is famous for. The strength of our beautiful fragrances will permeate cubicles, office spaces and break rooms. Additionally, each scent pod is designed with a spill resistant lip.

The top label of each pod peels off and reveals instructions. You should be familiar with the Important Safeguards and remind your customers. *Never leave Scent Pods unattended while operating. * Do not touch or move Scent Pod until warmer has been turned off, cooled, and Pod wax is solid. * To avoid burns, keep out of reach of children and animals. * Do not use if cracked. * Scent Pods only suitable for use with Pod Warmers.*

These Unlit Expressions are great stocking stuffers! Spread the word and Enjoy the World's Finest! See catalog pages 30-31 for all of our pod fragrances and to review the details of our three beautiful Warmers.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Party Prep, Part II

Well, the day of the party I did a few more preparatory things I wanted to share with you...

First, my FAMILY. You're probably like me, that you chose this candle business because you wanted the flexibility to have more time with your family. So do you really want to be running around getting everything ready for a few hours before your party, ignoring the people you love most, then leave for a few more hours to have the party? No! Since I had most of my preparations in order, on the morning of my party day, I started a crock-pot meal for my family, so while I was gone they would have a nutritious meal ready. I also spent some extra time pushing my little girl in the swing and reading stories to my little boy. Doing good things for my family makes me feel even better when I leave.

When it was time to load up my display, since I bring candles for sale, I used little stickers to price everything. Having the prices in plain site will eliminate a lot of questions and save time from you flipping through the catalog to find an item. I also grabbed my shoulder bag - in which I keep my calculator, money bag and clip board.

Getting dressed, I kept having the urge to be very casual, because the party was for a relative. But I reminded myself I was the demonstrator that night, not the cousin, and I put on my slacks, heels and blouse. You can choose whatever attire you wish for your parties. When I train new demos, I usually suggest they dress up a little more than their "usual". You want to make a good impression. I finished it off with my name tag (Purchased through Town & Country).

I did remember my camera but I was so busy from the minute I got there till the minute I left there seriously wasn't a minute of time to click a picture for you guys. We had a great turn out, we played the booking game, and I got one home party, one catalog party, a "maybe" for a home party and a possible new demonstrator. Everyone loved using the Emerge products I brought to share. The party is at $472 right now and we're waiting for a few more orders.

Not relating to the party, but before I forget - I wanted to share an email I received from Kathleen Quirk this week. During this time of the Presidential election I wanted to share President Lincoln’s long list of failures. Why would I share this with you? ‘Tis the season to keep pushing and getting the most from the time left in the fourth quarter. You may be really working for a promotion by December 31.

Whatever your goal for 2008, President Lincoln lets us know to keep persevering and never get discouraged. If something is not working then try something different.

1831 - Lost his job
1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1835 - Sweetheart died
1836 - Had nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
1848 - Lost re-nomination
1849 - Rejected for land officer position
1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1860 - Elected President (success)

Take time right now to re-evaluate your 2008 goals.
Map out your plan for the next six weeks and pull out all the stops and go for it!
It is belief, positive attitude and directed effort that will make 2008 the best it can be for you!

Believing in You! ~Erin

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Party Prep

I was just getting a few things together for a party tomorrow night and I thought I'd post my preparations. It's always fun to see what someone else is doing, so feel free to copy. Hopefully, this will spark something in your own creativity to share with the rest of us. This first picture is my "on time" drawing prize. I do a drawing to open every party - it's a fun way to get everyone gathered so I can start my presentation. Only the people who are there on time get to enter, and I obtain the guests' name and contact information little entry papers. You may recognize this elegant keepsake box from our Boutique Chic line. This is the pretty blue-green box from my FAVORITE candle in this line, the brand-new Woods & Vanilla Romantique. I burn that candle in my bedroom and I always have the cute boxes leftover..... so tie it up with some satin ribbon and voila! an adorable gift box. I had a little bit of paper shred I placed in the bottom along with a car freshener. I applied vinyl lettering spelling "Simplify" to dress up the votive glass. The two tealights in the glass were leftovers out of my own package. It is simple, cute, easy low/no cost, and I think it will be a fun keepsake for whoever wins tomorrow! Use whatever you have laying around to create unique prizes & gifts. Take some pictures and share with us!
These are the gifts for my booking game. After my short presentation, we'll play the game outlined here on the blog under Karen Phelps' convention lecture (find the instructions using the labels in the right column "booking"). I wondered if all my demos knew how cute these bags are, and if you knew they're available to you through the supply orders! On Essentials, click Action/Order Entry/Supply Order and use item #96351, Small Floral Shopping Bags. You'll get a package of 20 for $5.00. They are sturdy and cute and have the Gold Canyon Logo on them so you'll look professional and all. I've also used lunch sacks tied with pretty ribbons and tissue, or reused gift bags when I'm out of the Gold Canyon bags. For these gifts, I just picked items off my shelf that were out-of-date, or that I received for free or discounted prices from previous party orders. So all 3 gifts plus my host gift didn't cost me anything out of pocket - it's stuff I had on hand. Keep your eyes open for good deals so you can do the same. For example, one of these is Emerge Start Clean Body Lather. That would cost the customer $14.98 - but I got it on a promotion about a year ago for buy 1 get 1 free. Since I had stocked up so much I decided to get it out there. It didn't cost me but she'll not only use and fall in love with it, but she's going to think I really went all out for her!! Another bag contains the Garden Sparrow Set from our spring catalog. I used them in my living room all year, but I got bored and they still looked as good as new, so instead of donating them to charity, I dusted them off, put a fresh, new tealight in each of them, wrapped them in tissue paper, and badda-bing, another booking gift. Again, these are a $15-20 value, so the guest is going to feel spoiled. This is all stuff I had on hand by chance this time. You can get by with less if you need, in fact, send me good & cute ideas for inexpensive gifts and prizes, please!

The last thing I was putting together - well it was kind of already done I just had to update a couple of things - is my guest folders. At back-to-school time every year I stock up on these pocketed folders for 10-cents apiece at Wal-Mart. I keep a page protector in it and insert the current monthly promotional flier. For this party, in the left pocket, I put Gold Canyon's Holiday Wish List (.pdf file available through email) along with the second page of November's print quality promo file (available on Essentials, click Current Promotions on home page). I also have an order form - notice it's pink! I hate wasting 1-2 copies of our invoices because I really only need the original and ONE duplicate, not 3 duplicates for crying out loud! So when I get them, I put my contact information on them and then separate half of the copies. (Half of my invoices are white and the customer keeps the canary copy, then the other half are pink and the customer keeps the golden copy.) I try not to be tacky about it - like at this party everyone will have the pink ones. Notice my business card is placed in the front of the folder. If you don't have a business card, make one! Or order through Town & Country (Action/Marketing Tools/Stationary & Logo Merchandise). Flipping the page, behind the flier I poked an invitation card with the picture side facing out. I wrote in a sharpie on the invitation "Book a show with me and receive $10 Gold Canyon Cash". You can give out the actual Gold Canyon Cash guest booking certificates instead (available through Supplies, item #96436, $2 for 20). The post-card is more colorful and candle-ish though. In the back pocket I've placed an Opportunity Pamphlet, which is a recruiting flier that has been discontinued now but I'm using up my old stuff. You could add anything there to personalize it for your guests. I also slide a catalog inside and clip a pen to the front. As guests arrive I hand each one a folder and as they leave they hand them back. Taking eight is usually sufficient, and I always carry extra supplies in case there's a big turn out.
Another thing you don't want to forget when you're preparing for a party is to get change! It's a little embarrassing when it's time to take their money and you can't make correct change. So break up a twenty or two, grab a handful of change out of the ash tray, and take it in a bank bag, cash box or envelope so you look like you're organized with your money! And don't forget to take your samples! (Right Traci????) Tomorrow I'm also taking some fall table cloths and fake fall leaves and a few of my other home decorations to make the table pretty. I'll stick my camera in and if I don't feel too conspicuous I'll snap a few shots for you guys!
One last thing I always do before my parties is raid my house for everything Gold Canyon. I have a little basket of my Homeology sprays, my Emerge products and my 1/2 burnt candles in their holders. I take it all with me - there I will share my personal products for testers and if the host doesn't have a candle to burn I'll let her pick one (or two or three) of mine to have going at the party (Don't forget to take it back home with you!!!)
You know, I'd really love for this blog to become a forum! I hope you're not all sick of hearing from me, but this is what I have to do till I get you all on board! Sign up for a Google account (take 5 seconds) and leave some comments, or email me and I'll post your ideas, pictures and comments. THANKS EVERYBODY! Party Hard!

Monday, November 3, 2008

October Recognition

It was so wonderful to see all of you in action last month! Isn't this business crazy-busy-fun in the fall? You guys brought our year-to-date team sales up to $73,121. I don't know why Gold Canyon doesn't include any of my stats in our reports - but adding my sales to all of yours we're at $80,444 as of Oct. 31. Last year we soared over $100,000 and my team goal for for 2008 was $125K... that means we have to double our efforts for November & December.

The first recognition this month goes to the first $1,000 party I've seen in a long time. I've been encouraging everyone to try for it because I sold $1,000 on my first party as a host, and haven't ever been able to top it as a demo. It's my personal goal with every party I step into. This month, Lisa Thorpe submitted a party order for $1,000.02. Way to go, Lisa!! Just so you all know, she will not only keep $250 base commission for that party, she will also recieve a 3% override commission from GC which is another $30. Plus, I'm sure she got several new customers and hopefully some additional party leads. Not too shabby! So let's talk about her host!! From October's Host Promotion she earned a diffuser of her choice, FREE, plus $150 Host Credit, plus three 1/2-off items. What a haul! Another monstrous party order came from Kathy Bull for $827.80. I asked Kathy what the secret to her success was and she replied, "My hostess had 16 people that attended so we placed all of the postcards in a basket for drawings. I gave tea lights, and a few discontinued scents. I advised everyone of our products, had a question answer session where everyone told me what they want to see in candles. When they asked I gave the answer as to how great GC are... like one question was why do candles lose their scent-I advised them on how GC scent is throughout and the different aroma's throughout the entire burning cycle. I told them our candles never lose their potency. Why do candles give off black smoke? I answered due to people don't distinguish them right-Wick dipper and trimmer were the answer. So you can see how it went from there. It was fun, and everyone got there concerns etc answered in a GC way !!"

Next we'll recognize more Simply 2 Qualifiers. The Monthly Reward of 75 Gold Dollars for submitting Fundraiser over $2,500 goes to Melanie Davis for a $3257.00 Fundraiser. The demonstrators with parties over $350 for the Simply 2 Cumulative Reward (2 new Demos + 4 Parties>$350) are: Mary Fulk, Sandra Hessert, Angie Palmer, Debra Peterson, Gina Andersen, Mary Reynolds, Ronda Strauss, Lisa Thorpe and Kathy Bull.

I'd also like to give kudos to all of the demonstrators who received orders on their personal websites this month. Many of you may have noticed the list links to our team sites in the right margin of our blog. Take advantage of this list by looking at the other sites and using what you like to improve your own. I've been working on figuring out how to get my family picture inserted in mine like Melanie has, and Megan was working on changing her font colors. Congrats to all the gals who effectively marketed their websites this month and received orders: Melanie Davis (12), Traci Rhodes (9), Mary Fulk, Megan Moreno, Gina Andersen, Lynn Hayes, Ronda Strauss, Elizabeth Campbell and Tandy Miller. Just a little note about the demonstrators whose website appears on the blog - I'm not playing favorites! These are the only ones who have shared their sites with me. I don't have access to your link through Gold Canyon. I'd love to add the rest of yours on there, but you'll need to drop me a line in order for me to do so! erin.didion@goldcanyon.us

I also want to recognize our new demonstrators, those who have been in the business for 6 months or less. Tina Knight, Hanna Modgling, Erica Aguilar (May), Tammy Neamon, Elizabeth Campbell (July), Sheridan Givens (Aug), Megan Moreno, Lynn Hayes, Tandy Miller (Sept), Zoe Mitchell (Oct). You all deserve a big hand for your efforts in getting your business off the ground.

Two thumbs up for all of our "business builders", the 29 active sellers: Kelly Ashliman, Kathy Ashton, Adrina Collins, Melanie Davis, Mary Fulk, Sheridan Givens, Sam Goodman, Sandra Hessert, Angela Ingram, Heather Mendoza, Megan Moreno, Angie Palmer, Debra Peterson, Traci Rhodes, Gina Andersen, Christine Dunlap, Lynn Hayes, Kimberly Hernandez, Shaunda Jacobs, Bonnie Lucas, Zoe Mitchell, Mary Reynolds, Ronda Strauss, Karen Thomas, Lisa Thorpe, Suzette Vildosola, Kathy Bull, Elizabeth Campbell, Tandy Miller. Keep up the great work, ladies!

And finally, our last recognition for October is for our team leaders:
Managers (more than 5 sponsors + 2 Sr. Demos): Melanie Davis, Mary Fulk; Gold Demonstrator (3-4 sponsors): Ronda Strauss; Senior Demonstrators (1-2 sponsors): Kathy Ashton, Tina Knight, Monica Vega, Lisa Thorpe, Angie Palmer, Mary Reynolds, Traci Rhodes. I need two of you Senior Demonstrators to promote to Gold so I can promote to a Gold Manager! I can't wait to see you succeed!

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!