Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Fake Diamonds?

 One of the things I distinctly remember being taught at a function was to "fake it till you make it". This was to give the impression of being successful. It was said that you are going to be successful because of Amway so you may as well act the part. I believe this is taught today as well. Amway IBOs like to make an impression on prospects so the want to appear successful. It is also a part of why IBOs wear suits. They want everyone to be under the impression that they are in a multi million dollar business. Guess what? WalMart is a multi billion dollar business but their employees don't wear suits!

What I find really interesting about this is that I honestly believe the biggest fakers are probably the diamonds. In the past several months, all over the country, there were functions called "Dream Night". A function with a sit down dinner where the diamonds and other Amway heroes show off slide shows of mansions, jets sports cars, golf club memberships, fabulous vacations, and shopping sprees. I honestly believe that many of the diamonds are the biggest fakers out there. A diamond income, which seems big, and supplemented with tools income, most likely cannot sustain the lifestyles portrayed in these functions. Simple math bears it out.

A diamond income (non Q12), even with tool income might be $250 or $300K. While that may seem huge compared to a working stiff who earns %40K or $50K per year, keep in mind that a diamond business has many expenses. How much do you think it would cost a (diamond) family of four (4) to travel to say 5 or 6 functions, first class? Four people flying first class say from Hawaii to California would cost over $1000 per person, round trip. A diamond who speaks at functions would make several of these flights each year. Thus this particular business expense (if the diamond flies first class) would eat up a significant portion of a diamond's income. Keep in mind that the $250 or $300K I spoke about is before taxes and business expenses.

Then, much of that diamond income goes to taxes and business expenses? I challenge IBOs to sit down and figure this out. After taxes, medical insurance and business expenses are taken into consideration, I would guess that a diamond lives a very ordinary and middle class lifestyle. Amway advocates will argue that this is without a 9-5 job, but an Amway business needs constant attention as IBOs up and quit every day. Some who do sign up never do a thing. Replacing IBOs is a never ending task. It is why you do not see or hear of any diamonds who "walked away" to collect residual income forever and ever.

Here's another take on fake it till you make it. Isn't this simply lying and hoping you will one day succeed?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow. I'm jealous.

When I was in URA, our "Dream Night" had just been rebranded as "Winter Conference". The IBOs were told that that Amway told URA that they couldn't use that term.

But the reason why I'm jealous is because at least you guys in WWDB got a sit-down dinner. In URA, we were only allowed to have Amway snacks and oftentimes, we were not even allowed to bring any food and drink into the ballroom. We were lucky to have pizza as our only outside meal but even many of our hotels decided to stop pizza delivery.

And you are right about faking it. I remember when our Q12s would take their annual trip and post trip videos on the app (that we of course had to had to pay for monthly because Heaven forbid we couldn't be texted). They talked about "FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY!" Yet, one of their first videos would show some low or no-pin sucker giving them a ride to the airport under the guise of "car time with your mentor." I guess those going on the Q12 trip were too cheap to pay the $12 a day in parking at Dulles Airport.

Oh, and being jammed in the middle or back of an airplane in a 3-3 configuration in Basic Economy doesn't exactly preach of "first class" to me either.

I hope IBOs can see through this facade. Once you take a step back and observe things, it's easy to see how fake everything is.