WAHM Forums

We had a thread on here about doing the biz for residual or right now money-- well gonna throw another one out there!


What do you think are the benefits of doing this biz so fast that you dont bother with results, parties, getting personal shoppers(wholesalers) or things like that....


Been seeing this alot in this area- someone joins - makes DM in first 2 wks of signing up- then goes AM either by end of first month or early into second month then rvp right after that- mainly only teaching as soon as you sign up sign up 2-3 with XXX amount of volume getting you to DM first or second wk of joining- then have them do same thing- they are skipping over what I think is to me a vital part of our company- the products and sharing them with others out there---


My question is - is there a point where this backfires or not? This is not meant to be a negative thread just looking for different viewpoints esp from those of you who have been around and what you have seen happen.

I can't help but feel this is a deck of cards. For me personally, I would not want to build my business soley this way. I want my consultants to know how to sell ALL our products and service their customers. I have been posting on another board about this, and I am getting emails from some people who have already signed up, got the ball rolling, but have NO idea how to explain our compensation plan, maintainence, or even what 1/2 our products do. Somewhere along the line, someone is not going to be able to recruit so fast. Then what happens? If the bottom falls out, it is going to slowly trickle to the top. Just my 2 cents.

See Barbara that is what I am thinking! What happens! I know for a fact that I know more about the products as a whole and different ways to use them than my upline and the new recruits- I am in no way bragging but I have taken the time to listen to learn and burns, do AU , etc....


I pride myself in being able to really talk to a client about the uses for the products for different reasons- not just here is our awesome foot creme for your feet-- so much more you can do with it if you know all the different things you can use it for!


So guess your 2 cents are my 2 cents as well- or maybe we make 4 cetns together!

It bothers me that there are teams doing this. People are signing up prospects with $xxxx and teaching to do the same, but where do the clients fit in? Or are there any even? To me, the find 4 thing is what you do to build a team, but in searching for those four you are finding clients and building a client base. I too look at that "method" as a house of cards, even the slightest little bump and the whole thing comes toppling down. Like I've said before, I don't let anyone sign up with $xxxx unless they have already had some type of experience with direct sales and getting themselves out there and facing possible rejection that does come along with this industry. If it's someone who has never had to pick up that 100 pound phone and call people, or comfortably start a conversation with strangers on the basis of "making a sale" then I would not have them start with a large order before they have clients. If, on the other hand, it's someone who has been through the "wringer", so to speak, then more power to them!!


smileys/smiley4.gif

What do you think are the benefits of doing this biz so fast that you dont bother with results, parties, getting personal shoppers(wholesalers) or things like that....





I would have to agree with everyone else about it being a deck of cards. It sounds a lot more like the P word than a legitimate business. Which scares me for the rest of us.


I don't find it surprising though. When you have a business like this where making so much money in a realtively short amount of time (Even doing it in a couple of years is short) it is going to attract people that take even shorter shortcuts. The bigger we got the more you could see it coming, only a matter of time.


Somewhere in those lines the philosophy of the company has gotten lost. It wasn't taught. It is the uplines responsibility to make sure the foundations are being taught correctly & passed down to each generation. Then if it breaks somewhere it's got to be corrected, reeled in. The only way for uplines to know that is if other ICs that see it let them know. That's just not happening fast enough. The power of multiplication can work too fast sometimes.

Actually, I am in one of those lines which shows people how to move quickly. To me, it makes sense because everyone is using the products also, it's just a way that people can try before they buy, which does make people more comfortable with their decision. My problem has been finding people who can afford the start up cost of buying the gold bags, so I'm starting to rethink the whole idea for myself. There have been many people who this "try before you buy" approach has worked for...I'm just not one of them. My question to you guys is, how have you gotten your business to grow and what kind of "start up" costs are people that you're dealing with comfortable with. Does that make sense? If not I'll elaborate.


Thanks for your help!

I would rather have a solid foundation that will support my organization. I think we need to celebrate each personal discount consultant that signs up as well as biz builders. I truly believe it takes a mixture of both to build that solid foundation. If we are doing our job, sharing the opportunity & products with everyone we possibly can, we will pick up both along the way. Some people may not "get it" for quite awhile if ever but I still want them to be using the products and benefiting from them in the meantime. The amount people start with will vary depending on the person, their desire, & their situation. I welcome anyone who wants to be involved & will match them on their efforts & how they want Arbonne to fit into their lives. It might be the occasional reatil order, personal discount consultant, parttime biz builder, or fulltime biz builder. Again, if we are doing our job, we will find all kinds that I mentioned as well as no's.


All in all, it's a numbers game. You have to play to win.

Sound good Teresa. When biz builders do come in, what options do you offer them? I'm sorry if I'm sounding repetitive, I'm just grasping for something that will work for me, so far I haven't found it, but truly believe in A**** and the opportunity.


Thanks again!

That is the biggest problem with this new approach - finding people who are willing to make the same investment. I think it is a wonderful idea to let people sample the products before they buy. This can easily be done with a sample pack. All that the buying 4-8 (8 womens, plus 4 mens sets in my nation is pushed), is boost volume for your upline. It takes alot of people doing the same thing to make a difference financially for you. The approach is getting alot of negative feedback now that there are hurt consultants that were never trained properly. They bought there 4 sets, and could not find anyone else to do the same. They were left behind in the wave for quick success. I am just not willing to leave anyone behind so I can make a quick buck. I believe in the "idea" of the results approach, but I don't like what it has turned into - a bunch of greedy consultants dreaming of their mercedez and stepping over anyone that will not invest in 4-8 sets. There are so many people that want to do this business. When someone wants to come into the business, you give them every option available, explain the benefits of each, and let them decide what is best for them. Some can only afford the $29, and want to sell to earn maybe their RSVP, or retail profit to buy product. Great! Then you match effort for effort and help them get there. Some can buy their RSVP right away! Great! I usually encourage buying samples, instead of the sets. For the price of 1set set, they can buy 100 samples. No, I don't get volume, nor do they, but it is not about me. Now, some can afford the results set. I only encourage this if they know of 4 people right off hand that would LOVE the product and probably buy that very set. Or, they know for sure of 4 who would do this business with them. I explain this purchase qualifies them for 1st step District, but I make sure to explain what it takes to maintain District. Again, I explain the benefit of each option, and let them decide. Too many times, people are being told not to even bother if they cannot make the big investment since that's what it takes to be successful.


You believe in the opportunity, so share the opportunity with everyone, not just those who can afford it. Your business will grow slower than the "fast track", but it will be steady and you won't have to worry about your downline not being able to keep up. Because once it unravels at the bottom, it will work its way up to the top. Hope this helps!! Edited by: bbrown1226

Metoo-I am at work & my notes are in my laptop at home. I will get back to you once I am there this eveneing or over the weekend.


Barbara-I think we are saying the same thing...basically. I didn't say anything about a specific approach or that anyone shoud invest in a certain number of kits. I did say "The amount people start with will vary depending on the person, their desire, & their situation." I agree that we need to have full disclosure and I do that. I also said "I welcome anyone who wants to be involved & will match them on their efforts & how they want Arbonne to fit into their lives." To me matching their efforts does not equal the amount of money they spend, it is their desireand the amount of activity they put forth whether it be with samples, demo sets, or the number of people they are talking to.


On a side note, I have not had a ton of experience signing up biz builders, I only have 1 and she uses samples which is fine with me. I would not however talk someone out of buying 6-8 sets if theyhavea wide circle of influence or they say they have 10 people they candrop off to right off the bat. To me this is also part of full disclosure, it's not just reserved to allowing the people who want or need to start smaller know that they can. Along with this, training them, working alongside them is as crucial as working with someone who started with less. I think every new biz builder who is taking his/her biz seriouslyis entitled to hands on training as they grow.


I have not been working my biz consistently due to a full time job & other time constraints which for me is reflected in my numbers. I am however going parttime at the end of April so that I am able to pursue Arbonne fulltime & still have time with my family. I have n doubt that at that time, with consistent activity & effort on my part, that my organization will grow in all aspects.

Teresa,


I am sorry! I meant the message for metoo! We DO have the same approach and philosphy!


Metoo, if it comes across too harsh, it is just misdirected b/c I have major issues with the way my upline approaches the business.

Teresa- congrats on being able to go parttime in your job! With your attitude I have no doubt that you will be successful....


I have been pushing my biz trying to get it going while still working around my family- I have 4 kids! and baseball season is kicking off here so that means 4 late afternoon/early evenings of ball games plus 1-2 practices thrown in a wk, not to mention ballet , tap , jazz and tumbling each wk--- cant imagine having a job outside the home as well!


But we will prevail!!!! and be blessed for it!

Barbara-Thanks for clearing that up...I was scratching my head trying to figure that out.smileys/smiley36.gif


Leah-Thanks! I am sooo looking forward to it. It goes into effect the week after NTC. I fell in love & was married by 18 & had 3 children by the time I was 21. I had my 4th the day after my baby turned 16.They are all now 8, 24, 26, & 27 along with3 grandchildren. Havingthree was a challenge, I couldn't imagine trying to jugglefour little ones all at the same time. Kudos to you! One of theplusses (sp?)to having a full schedule is you are in contact with a huge number of people. Finding the time to work them in is the real challenge, eh? This is one of the reasons I am crazy about the approach that Hannah Dugan has found successful. You do it in chunks of time around your family & schedule.


Good luck to us all!

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Actually, I am in one of those lines which shows people how to move quickly.





Metoo,


It’s not necessarily the moving fast that I have a problem with. I don’t do parties myself &amp; use a version of LGS/Results. (No name for the approach I use) Though I do think for some people they can move too fast for their own good. It’s the breakdown of the foundation for this business. That is the knowledge part of it.


People have got to be learning about the products. It may not be necessary to know off the bat why something works the way it works. But everyone needs to know what makes our products different. What the philosophies are in formulating our products. And to be learning as you can about the products do for you. How can you tell someone that they need to switch to using our shampoo if you don’t know why it’s different? Granted, some people will never ask…they’ll just try it &amp; see how their hair feels but some people will ask. If you don’t know that we have over 350 products people can use then how can you show them that they can switch stores &amp; get the majority of their personal care needs through us? That’s what I have issues with, people not making sure their downline is getting the training they need.


People need to understand how the comp plan works. What people need in order to promote. How the performance account works. Etc etc. We have <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Arbonne</st1:PlaceName> <st1:Place w:st="on">University</st1:place></st1:place>, we have the learn &amp; burns. It’s not like the uplines have to train them personally on the products.


I have the same philosophy as Teresa. I do have a problem with people telling people how much they have to sign up for with the retail products. That is against policy. I do have a problem with people not telling prospects that they are only required to sign up with $29. That is against policy.


However, I don’t have a problem with people signing up with a large order so long as it was their decision. And as long as the IC has explained to the prospect all aspects of making the decision of how much to sign up with. It is our job to explain the ripple effect of their sign up amounts. It is our job to make sure they have proper expectations with this business. It is our job to make sure they understand this is a business &amp; as such it does take $$ to get the proper tools, be it demo sets or sample packs. I don’t care if my prospect signs up with $100 retail order or $2500 retail order so long as they understand everything that foes with it &amp; they made their own decision based on what’s right for them.


You ask about what kind of start up package do people buy in order to get started with &amp; how do we make them comfortable with that. My Nation gives the examples of 6, 10, &amp; 12 packs. They are more than welcome to do less, buy one, two, four…whatever. We explain how we use demo sets &amp; why. We explain that 70-80% of your downline will do what you did. We explain ripple effect. We explain what it means for the big picture of your business if you start with a $500 order (you’ll go slower &amp;/or need to talk to more people) vs. if you sign up with a $1500 order. The math is just what it is. And I do not feel right deciding that for them Cassandra &amp; I typically agree on everything but this is one place we differ. I understand the reasoning behind not letting someone without any experience sign up with a big order. However, I do not know what that person is or isn’t capable of when it comes to business. And past experience isn’t always an indicator. If they are going to be self employed then they need to be able to make those kinds of decisions for themselves. It is not my place to decide if they can handle the ramifications of a big order or not, I’m not their parents or their spouse. It’s my job to make sure they understand what they are making a decision about &amp; everything that goes with that.

sorry, I used the wrong word "not letting" them sign up with a big order... it's not that I don't "let" them, I just don't "coerce" them into it.


and you are right Jennifer, past experience isn't always the best indicator


edit to add... not saying that you coerce them Jennifer, just wanted to be clear on that... just we all have heard the horror stories of people not signing anyone under them unless they place large orders... Send them my way!!! all they need with me is $29smileys/smiley36.gifEdited by: cassandra

Wow, I didn't mean to open a can of worms! Sorry! I really appreciate all the posts, although my heads kind of spinning! I just really want to make this work and haven't been able to figure out a way to do that yet. Everyone I've approached about the business and it's been more than I can count, on an average 2 a week for quite some time now, has told me that they couldn't afford it. I've explained that you don't have to start out with all of the gold bags, but once the "cat is out of the bag" and they see those numbers, they kind of get that deer in the headlights look. My upline doesn't seem to have a problem getting people to start off with all those gold bags, but I do, and I really don't know where to go from here. Thanks for listening!


Teresa-thank you in advance for any info you can send me!

Metoo, I have had the same situation with the number of sets, that whole thing "start big and work down from there" doesn't work for me too well either. The ones on my team who are biz builders worked up to it from coming in as a personal use consultant and falling in love with the products and after a few months decided to become biz builders.

I too had somone call me from another nation today about this. Her upline suggested she invest in 10 sets and start from there. She called me to see if we hold meetings. Her upline is in another state, and I think she is confused as to what to do now. I feel bad I can't help her, but we do the party approach. I can tell you it does work (parties). I found 6 serious BB and made 1st step area today with onlya few BB. I started in Jan. I feel like I know about the products, and have taken the time to invest in my BB.


The other's launch next month. All of them were found at parties, and they liked that theydid not have to invest a lot of money. I guess everyone has a method that hopefuly works for themsmileys/smiley9.gifHeidi

My good friend and I have been discussing this very topic for the past week. We are trying diligently to make sure our team is educated--stressing that they all complete Arbonne University and listen to the Learn N Burns so they get the foundation of the product knowledge they need to build a good business that will last. How ironic that you are all concerned about this, too--we have really been talking about this a lot recently. smileys/smiley1.gif

sorry, I used the wrong word "not letting" them sign up with a big order... it's not that I don't "let" them, I just don't "coerce" them into it.


and you are right Jennifer, past experience isn't always the best indicator


edit to add... not saying that you coerce them Jennifer, just wanted to be clear on that... just we all have heard the horror stories of people not signing anyone under them unless they place large orders... Send them my way!!! all they need with me is $29smileys/smiley36.gif





lol, I know you know me better than that but thanks for the clarification. smileys/smiley1.gif


Yes, we have all heard the horror stories, unfortunately. I find it so irritating.A part of me also has to wonder if maybe the person is betteroff being turned away so at least they don't end up in a situation where their worth is only determined by their volume.I just hope that at some point they are introduced to someone who will show them the true A*** way.

Wow, I didn't mean to open a can of worms! Sorry! I really appreciate all the posts, although my heads kind of spinning! I just really want to make this work and haven't been able to figure out a way to do that yet. Everyone I've approached about the business and it's been more than I can count, on an average 2 a week for quite some time now, has told me that they couldn't afford it. I've explained that you don't have to start out with all of the gold bags, but once the "cat is out of the bag" and they see those numbers, they kind of get that deer in the headlights look. My upline doesn't seem to have a problem getting people to start off with all those gold bags, but I do, and I really don't know where to go from here. Thanks for listening!


Teresa-thank you in advance for any info you can send me!



Don’t worry, you didn’t open anything. This discussion has been around a long time. First, that’s great that you have been approaching people so consistently!
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Have to ask, how are you letting the “cat out of the bag” with prospects? And how are your beliefs? Do you believe &amp; understand the logic behind buying packs? If you don’t that comes through. Are you gradually going though the progression &amp; then making sure they understand the reasoning &amp; logic behind it?

There are going to be some who just really can’t afford it. Then there are going to be some who could afford it but don’t believe in it enough to say they can. If a person truly understands the vision of what this can do for them then they won’t have a problem with buying whatever amount they need to be successful in the timeframe they desire.