Friday, July 24, 2009

Amway - What Credentials Does Your Upline Leader Actually Have?

I recently read a comment from an Amway zealot on another blog. She mentions that someone's credentials must be considered when looking at information that is presented. I will comment that showing me a sports car or a fancy suit is not proof of financial success.

I find this subject ironic because not one single upline leader, as far as I know, has ever supplied bonafide credentials about themselves. The audience assumes that the person on stage has certain credentials, but do they really? I will say that certainly, if someone is wearing a diamond pin for example, that this person has at least achieved the diamond level as recognized by Amway, but the level may not be current, and the level doesn't indicate the kind of income this person earns from Amway. (Joecool is criticized for being outdated even though I was at 4000 PV at one point in my Amway career)

What many people assume is that the diamonds buy homes and cars in cash, that they wake up at noon every day and participate in leisure activities all day while the cash rolls in. I have heard from some new IBOs, that their upline makes more money taking a crap in the morning than a critic makes in a whole year at a job. That IBO became quiet when some critics offered to take that bet.

But the truth of the matter is that as far as I know, only former diamonds have come clean about their Amway income. They are the only ones who spoke of credentials and accomplishments. Even critics of Amway will often openly speak about their experiences and achieved levels in the business. In the REAL business world, showing business tax returns and credentials are a normal part of doing business. It appears that only in the world of Amway is the supply of credentials and financial statements a big secret. Now I am not suggesting that IBOs or upline leaders should disclose their financials to the entire world, but certainly prospects and some downline should be able to see what their upline is doing financially, especially if that is the basis for purchasing their standing orders and function tickets. And I refer to business (Amway and Tools) income and expenses only, not from other personal sources.

I believe that IBOs and upline leaders do not disclose that information because it would not be beneficial to them. If it were, they would likely publish it freely, just as they flash around copies of checks. IBOs and prospects should take this to heart and ask upline the tough questions.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the REAL business world, showing business tax returns and credentials are a normal part of doing business. It appears that only in the world of potential employees showing up for a job interview is the supply of credentials and financial statements a big secret. Now I am not suggesting that company presidents or managers should disclose their financials to the entire world, but certainly employees should be able to see what their manager or company president is doing financially, especially if that is the basis for working for their company in return of a desired salary.
I believe that company presidents and managers do not disclose that information because it would not be beneficial to them. Their potential employees would turn around and look for other opportunities. God forbid if they are introduced to the Amway opportunity where they can truly become who they want to become if they choose to do so! But see, not even I have asked for disclosure of financial statements from the company's president yet I went ahead to get that job. Funny, I was dumb then. Now, I haven't asked for that when I saw the Amway opportunity either. Even dumber now, can I say! But I found enlightenment in that dumbness; falling for and believing in the Amway opportunity. I'm thankful to God for being so! Amen!

Anonymous said...

Where is everyone? did everyone go back into hiding?

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm....so now I'm supposed to run to my "boss" and demand a P/L????

Wow - how weak.

I thought JOBs and IBOs were different? They're not? Do you actually have a business or just play "business".

mrmaximum said...

So long as it is getting you the outcomes you desire, than there is no issue. Not all teams cause problems and teach procedures which really hurt the IBO instead of help them. The only issue is that there are far too many teams who do not assist the normal IBO and not enough of the ones who do.

This is the main issue with Amway Global

rlaurens said...

"It appears that only in the world of potential employees showing up for a job interview is the supply of credentials and financial statements a big secret."

Exhibit number one that Amway attracts the most uneducated of the masses.
If you're offered a job, you don't need to see the P/L of the company for the same reason you don't ask for P/L anytime someone writes you a check. Besides, if the company doesn't pay, you can bring them to court.

Can you bring your upline to court when you're not profitable..?? I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I do need to see the profit/losses of the company where I apply for a job. If I find out that their debt to equity ratio is greater, I would not be interested to work for a company that may miss on my paycheck or fire me on Monday morning. The other thing is that I don't settle well with the idea of working for an hourly rate. That puts a celling on my income and my personal life. This way of making money is not for me and to be honest, I don't find it as the best way to make a living.

rlaurens said...

"Yes, I do need to see the profit/losses of the company where I apply for a job."

Ahh... so I assume in your so-called IBO bidnezz you also ask the buyer for his P/L everytime he/she paid using anything other than cash?

What a bunch of nonsense.

Do you also demand to see Amway's P/L because if their debt to equity ratio is large they might not be able to make the product anymore???

"The other thing is that I don't settle well with the idea of working for an hourly rate."

Another red herring, I see. Let's finish the discussion on the credentials and P/L first, shall we?

Gina said...

Sure you could ask a prospective employer for a P/L...but then you must have one, no questions asked, with your biz with Amway and you most certainly not only would have asked for one from Amway, but also your upline...but alas, IBO's make claim that they keep a P/L but can not present one, not know what is on one and usually think they are of the private nature so would never dream of asking upline for one....who doesn't have one anyway.

"The other thing is that I don't settle well with the idea of working for an hourly rate."

This is a silly statement...everyone, no matter their title or position works for an hourly wage. It is how we measure time spent to income. It is standard practice. If someone is working on salary you would still figure hours worked to income...the same if your are a business owner....the same if you work on 100% commission. Time is money!!!

Anonymous said...

At my dreaded JOB - I can go look at P/Ls, ROI, Balance Sheets, Liquidity statements, Revenue to Cost ratios, etc. - as they are public record.

How about you Mr. IBO???

If an hourly wage doesn't work for you - that's fine. Needing JOB wages to subsidize a money-losing bidnez doesn't thrill me much.

Are you living off only IBO revenue yet? You know, since if the company you worked for was sustaining itself on only Line of Credit, that would cause for concern.

Just saying....

mrmaximum said...

“This is a silly statement...everyone, no matter their title or position works for an hourly wage. It is how we measure time spent to income. It is standard practice. If someone is working on salary you would still figure hours worked to income...the same if your are a business owner....the same if you work on 100% commission. Time is money!!!”

Well said Gina. My wife has told me many times over and over how much she has gained and lost on certain clients on certain days. She can tell you what she made per hour after all her expenses have been accounted for. This is a basic practice in business, and even my wife knows this and uses if frequently to gauge the performance of her business.

Anon, you are trying to give yourself a false sense of importance in thinking you are entitled to a P/L as an employee. If you where as astute as you describe, then use these same practices on your upline and see what you unearth. It may be very enlightening.