UNDERSTANDING MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING (NETWORKING 101 SERIES-II)

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT NETWORKING

At the mention of Network Marketing business lots of Nigerians flee. Their running away could be as a result of bad experiences or wrong information and mis-information about the business. Many of us cannot tell the difference between 'Ponzi' schemes and networking marketing. In fact, I think ponzi schemes (which many have fallen many victims) is part of the reasons why network marketing has such a bad name in many Nigerian minds.The key reasons why this business concept, though amazing, is not working for many Nigerians are a function of what they have been told or seen especially from the unsuccessful persons. Some of the impressions include:

An External point of view (An average Nigerian not interested or have lost interest in Networking)

 

1. Network Marketing is all about HAWKING DRUGS. 

Response: All things being equal, no genuine marketing firm hawks drugs, i.e. if they are selling drugs which i strong doubt. What many persons perceive as drugs are actually food supplements.

2. Networking is about using people to enrich a very priviledged few. 

Response: Actually, this is not true especially if you understand the nature of the business model. It is pyramidal in nature just like any organization that have very few people at the top with huge benefits and the lower you go, the less benefit. The difference between a genuine networking model and an average corporate body is that, firstly, any one can get to the top at any point in time in the former as there are no hard and fast rules. It is strictly performance base. While in the later, promotion is a function of several things amonsgt which age, certificate, connection, aggressive ambition are factors that determines where one will end up in the percking order.  These persons whom you think are enriched or using people actually worked for it. And if you do your homework well, you could be part of them. it is not 1 + 1, it is actually a gradual thing. The problem with Nigerians is that, we are  money-conscious such that everyone wants fast money. Put N5 to get N10 at the expenses of others whom you think you outsmart.

3. Many persons have been swindled, used and dumped in the name of Networking.This is actually not a misconception but a serious challenge.

Response: The very few who have been swindled by ingenuine networking firms or greedy nigerians who work with genuine networking firms,  have used their experiences as a yardstick to shut down on networking. I wouldn't blame them. This form the bulk of the major resisitivity to the Networking business model. But,it does not remove the fact that, there are persons making it real big in this Business model. The difference is this, they were lucky to get the right information from the right persons, they took time to understand the business model and work towards achieving their dreams amidst the negativity.

An Internal point of view (An average Nigerian who was coerced and deceived into  Networking) 

In as much as Nigerians are willing to do anything to make money, there is something most persons fail to do. Understand the modus operandi of whatever they are getting into. According to Eric Worre, Many persons who are in this category are either Posers or Amateurs. And sooner or later, they will fall out of the business. Why? lack of patience, lack of understanding, unteachable mentality, selfishness and greed. Other things that lead to failure and misconception include:

4. They don't work as a team. Everyone is working independently and selfishly striving to outdo each other

Response: Networking is Teamwork. Teamwork is networking. immediately anyone in your team begins to loose focus, it will affect the growth of virtually everyone in that team. And for it to work, the nigerian mentality of ME, I, MYSELF must be exponged to be WE, US, OURSELVES.

5. They partner with Network Marketing Company with big but shallow reward schemes

Response: This is a very genuine challenge. And this usually crops up when one finds it difficult to develop his/her team. It is expected that before you join any networking business firm, do your background check them. Know their conpensation plans and  more importantly, what kind of products do they sell, can YOU use the product? take note, i did not say, can you sell them?

6. Many persons claims they cant do marketing of products

Response: When i usually hear this, i laugh inside of me. why? because just as man is a political animal, so is man a naturally instinctive marketing officer. But, we fail to be realistic. Our problem is not telling people about the products, Our challenge is simply, TRUST ISSUES. Do you actually believe that the products can do what is ascribed to do? have you actually used it to boost your confidence in it? There is nothing being used or useful in life, if it is not recommended. Whatever product or goods or services you engage today is a function of recommendation by someone you know physically or some place you heard it recommended. And you bought it because, you have been told of its efficacy. So, marketing or recommending a product is not the problem, but your trust level in the product and one more thing, your ego.

7. The products are too costly especially when we have its equivalent very cheap here.

Response: This challenge is a Nigerian challenge. We like cheap things and we do know cheap things do not only last, they are of poor quality and worst still have negative health implications on us. So the question is,would you rather have something that would help you maintain your health, improve it at some quality cost or use cheap and degrading products piling up decay and illness in our bodies till it manifest such a way that, it will cost us extremely much to regain health. That is a matter of one's choice to make.

8. You'll just sign up to a network marketing business and money would keep flowing into your bank account while you sleep all day and hang out with friends. 

Response: If you don't understand the products you're promoting and don't know how the model works, you're only flushing your money down the toilet. Network marketing requires knowledgable,  smart and goal-oriented people. Now you may not fit into all of the aforementioned but you can make yourself fit, if you deem it fit. If you are determined to succeed. networking is like any other business that requires one's time and effort but not as much as other kinds of businesses. it is passive in nature and more importantly. You do not need physical presence but you need human presence because, that is your capital.