In an era of corporate mergers, rising gas prices, acquisitions, and downsizing, many people are looking to become home-based business owners—for good reason. They may also hold the title “independent home-based business associates” or “marketing distributors.” The bottom line is that an increasing number of people are looking to work from home to take control of their lives instead of being at the mercy of a boss or a shaky market. That desire follows active research for the right business, which means looking at various models that will invariably expose the researcher to a common business distribution channel; Marketing online.
It is a very beneficial model for both the Corporation and the Marketers. The Corporation does not employ marketing muscle, and therefore is able to implement some of those savings into a very interesting and attractive commission structure for its independent home-based business marketers. Marketers, in their view, will benefit from a very low cost to start a home based business where all the homework has been done.
An in-home representative of a network marketing company will have the financial benefit of not having to worry about market research, product development, manufacturing, licensing, product positioning, or branding, to name a few. some expensive and time consuming requirements to start any business. Rather than building a business from scratch, they can enter an established, systemized structure where advanced training and support systems are often provided by their chosen head office, and they can get started quickly with minimal experience required. It is to the corporation’s advantage to guide and train the marketing force because they are the people who do the initial work that leverages its efforts to achieve its sales goals. This same leverage is not only beneficial for the company but also for each marketer because in addition to participating in the sale of products, you will also be rewarded for helping to develop the “Network” of marketers. Any salesperson who sponsors another will typically benefit from that salesperson’s efforts in one way or another depending on the compensation plan designed by the corporation.
In fact, that compensation plan is meticulously crafted by the corporation in an effort to make its business model the choice in a field where many home-based business models compete with each other. There are a wide variety of options and this is very advantageous to the potential home business owner because it invites a corporation to offer attractive benefits to attract and retain their salespeople.
So what should home business seekers look for when doing their due diligence?
– Make sure you are dealing with a corporation and not a business association. The corporation is responsible for the product/service, so any license or permit is their responsibility, as well as any liability. You represent what they have to offer and are therefore more or less an extension of them, sort of like a marketing arm or independent contractor. Look for a true corporate structure and chain of command and responsibility: who is the CEO, the president, the vice presidents, etc. Who deals with products/services, support, training, technology, research and development. A corporate structure is readily available and outlines the responsibilities of everyone in the structure, and you, as an independent product/service marketer, will know who to contact if you need help.
– Search for a systematized approach. Most home business seekers have no prior trading experience and therefore need to rely on an established method of operation that represents minimal experience.
– Seek support to be guided and trained in your start-up efforts. The system can be assisted by technology that reduces learning; however, you still need to learn the system because there will be work involved. This is called sweat equity.
– Look at all the steps you are going through and the interaction you are having with the person introducing you to the business and remember that you will be taking the same actions to run your business. That’s a great way to gauge if you can and want to do the same. That is what brings us to duplicability. You must be able to do what your sponsor does and the people you sponsor must be able to do what you do. To cater for most people this duplication happens with a minimal set of skills to begin with, the system must make up for the lack of skills and experience, though it will build some along the way through the sweat.
In conclusion, network marketing is a win-win situation between the corporation and the marketing force. The corporate structure will show you who is in charge of the direction, development, marketing, technology and support of the business you are considering starting. Once you see yourself in this business, make sure you can trust a system, that it is fully supported, and that you can leverage your efforts through duplication. We haven’t mentioned any products or services here, but that would be another topic altogether.
For answers to any questions, feel free to contact me–
pierre trudeau
