posted July 22, 2004 08:50 PM
No way. I tend to remember things like that. But it's even more disturbing when the "basher" is in a similar, competitive line of work. Very third-grade behavior, and it sure doesn't make me want to sign up!
posted July 23, 2004 11:20 AM
It's very unprofessional to talk bad about another business and it makes "you" look bad.
I also think it's unprofessional to talk bad about a company that you work/worked for. I've seen that happen alot on the forum's. If you have something to say about a bad experience with them fine, but when you start searching for threads regarding a company just so you can bash them, it's time to move on.
posted July 23, 2004 12:06 PM
As a past manager I remember well, the first thing that would get a potential employee crossed off the list was if they were talkign negatively about their past companies. Negativity in general is very annoying to me. I especially like to believe that in the wahm businesses we are all truly moms helping moms and that is hard to do when one or two are bashing the others. NOW I would like to point out that giving your opinion or factual information is not bashing or being negative. We are also here to help new people coming in and if they ask advice about a company and we have had negative experiences with that company we have an obligation to be honest and tell them about it.
Connie
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posted July 23, 2004 12:29 PM
I think this is bad business as well. I often see posts about *scams* and it really gets to me. I would never call anything a scam unless I (or someone I knew personally) had money stolen from them by a company. I know that all companies are not for all people and if it doesn't work for one person does not make it a scam.
posted July 23, 2004 01:08 PM
Two ways to look at this.
Objective analysis of a business opportunity or posting one's experience in a business is sometimes the key to keeping others from making a costly mistake. Like it or not there are scams on the web. There are companies/individuals who target inexperienced people and take their money--when that person has little opportunity to recoup it. In that respect there is an obligation to inform people of the alternatives. It's their choice to listen -- or not. It should never be personal.
However more and more I realize that many people are not interested in success, they are looking for a magic solution to financial problems. And they sadly do not care about what works and what will not work. Those people get involved in business opportunites without doing their homeword and become angry when challenged. They wear blinders to the facts.
Objectivity is essential in looking at the pros and cons of any opportunity or business.
It only becomes a problem when it becomes personal.
<<Objective analysis of a business opportunity or posting one's experience in a business is sometimes the key to keeping others from making a costly mistake. Like it or not there are scams on the web>>
That is a very intelligent comment Joyce.
I hope that my post yesterday regarding Melaleuca didn't cause anyone to think that I was calling Mela a scam, because I'm clearly not.
Some people become emotional and read between the lines...that's beyond my control.
I posted my commment originally because this forum and others are saturated with Mela reps and it saddens me to see people I know offline looking into this opportunity, or if they are involved, continuing to pursue it with all the negative publicity. It's challenging enough to "make it" in this business without having to fight against that.
As I said, I am an advocate for the entire Network Marketing industry and I make it a personal policy not to be negative about anyone else's business...
I certainly hope I didn't come across as a Mela basher. Because I don't think Melaleuca is a bad company. And I think that some of the Mela bashers simply failed and want to point the blame.
I have never been involved with Melaleuca, as a business or as a customer...I had experiences with the products because a good friend I had 12 years ago used them.
I certainly hope my comments were not misinterpreted.
quote:Originally posted by Carrielee: I hope that my post yesterday regarding Melaleuca didn't cause anyone to think that I was calling Mela a scam, because I'm clearly not.
...
As I said, I am an advocate for the entire Network Marketing industry and I make it a personal policy not to be negative about anyone else's business...
I certainly hope I didn't come across as a Mela basher. Because I don't think Melaleuca is a bad company. And I think that some of the Mela bashers simply failed and want to point the blame.
I have never been involved with Melaleuca, as a business or as a customer...I had experiences with the products because a good friend I had 12 years ago used them.
I certainly hope my comments were not misinterpreted.
Carrie
If you make it a personal policy never to be negative about anyone elses businesses, yet make a post about Melaleuca, you certainly are not coming across that way.
There is no purpose to making such a post. It serves nothing. When people come here asking about Mela, they are immediately pointed to the controversial threads so they can make their own assessment.
It only serves to be a reflection on you, and if that was not your intention, it may be in your best interests as a network marketer and business builder not to start posts like that.
People are interested in YOU, how you are, what your values are, not what negative press you can give another company.
I'd rather get to know you by a positive post somewhere.
posted July 24, 2004 01:10 PM
Nevermind, that was rude. lol
My point? Being supportive to other moms also means being honest about business opportunities, and I thought Carrie's post was very fair and informative.
[This message has been edited by hilie_e (edited July 24, 2004).]
posted July 24, 2004 02:31 PM
I have operated in the business world for over 25 years. I have owned message boards for over 9 years. Some would say I've had considerable success, it did not always come easy.
The first hard lesson I learned was not to take business personally. To look to professionals for advice and to pay attention to the bottom line (net profit).
I do business with people all over the world. Different cultures and different methods of acceptable business tactics. And it's taught me a lot.
Simply because you have basic knowledge of something doesn't make expertise and the world wide web has made it possible for people who have no experience or expertise to put up websites, cruise message boards and take your money.
I've seen people put money out based on blind ads, hyped up material, newsletters with nothing to recommend them but good copy. Most of those people would never do business under these terms in real life.
Message boards are the world's worst place to spend your money without thorough investigation and documentation of claims and expertise.
Any company that allows this type of advertising, promotions or blind advertising should be held responsible. But they don't. They make millions of dollars based on the gullible people willing to 'sign-up' and part with often hard earned money for little return.
These companies pay millions of dollars to learn how-to target the right audience and how-to pull the emotional strings of those targeted.
It's nice to be nice, but being nice doesn't mean you can't be smart about business.
posted July 24, 2004 02:34 PM
Integrity in business? The responsiblity for having integrity lies with the companies and people who are doing the selling.
Having integrity means being 100% trustworthy, putting your intent out there and not selling inferior products--no matter what they are--service or merchandise.
No company with integrity would use blind ads or lack of disclosure.
posted July 24, 2004 08:37 PM
Sounds like we all agree!
I have been in a position before where someone was bashing me, in order to gain the customer over me. It was tempting to bash back (heck, I would have considered it "self defense") but I still refrained from saying anything negative.
Why? Because I honestly believe that if I am saying something negative about some other company (or, especially about a fellow rep in my company) then it would only end up making me look like the jerk!
I've met those jerks out there, and I think they do a fine enough job of broadcasting what jerks they are, all by themselves. They don't need my help!
And, so, "no" I would not conduct business with someone who feels the need to bash the competition. We can "compare" but that can be done in a factual way as oppose to mud slinging. Can't it? A true professional will know the difference.
------------------ Mellonie The Traveling Vineyard
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posted July 22, 2004 08:36 PM
