One of the things I was taught as an IBO was to "fake it til you make it". I believe this is probably still true today, based on my interaction with and observation of IBO behavior. If you have followed the trials on various upline leaders such as Shores or Duncan and their financials, you can likely conclude that even the diamonds can be in financial difficulty. Some former diamonds who have left the business or quit have also expressed some similar sentiments. And if you think about it, why would any diamond leave the business if you can walk away and collect residual income? You probably already know the answer to this question.
But if you examine functions like "Dream Night", where the diamonds show off pictures of mansions, sports cars, boats and jetskis, you can conclude that the diamonds are implying that all of these goodies are a part of their regular lifestyles, including the notion of waking up at noon and never having to work. I believe for most diamonds, this is just a facade, or an exercise in deception of the downline. I recall the diamonds urging the crowd to "come join us". Some IBOs want it so bad that tears roll down their cheeks as they watch the presentation. They honestly believe that 2-5 years working the system assures them of success.
The sad reality is that most IBOs, even with much effort and hard work, will end up making nothing, or if fully engaged in the system of functions and cds and books, will end up with a net loss. IBOs who stick around for a few years might see losses in the thousands or tens of thousands. All the while their upline may have been telling the group the perseverance is the key or that you will "make it" if you don't quit. Nothing could be further from the truth. There's no evidence that working hard and never quitting will result in anything but financial losses.
If diamonds and high pins are putting on a show, what about the average rank and file IBOs? I believe that many of them are also fakes. They may wear suits and talk about success but ask one of them if they actually make a net profit and you'll get more excuses than answers. The typical answer will be that it's none of your business, or that their results are not indicative of yours because it depends on effort. This is just a diversion. If someone is promoting the opportunity and then flaunting a lifestyle that can allegedly be attained through the opportunity, then the folks making the claim should be able to qualify their claims. It is normal in everyday business for potential business partners or investors to seek evidence or proof that the business produces what is being advertised. Why Amwayers believe otherwise is puzzling, but not surprising. I believe it is because many Amwayers are fakes, starting from the top.
The sad reality is that most IBOs, even with much effort and hard work, will end up making nothing, or if fully engaged in the system of functions and cds and books, will end up with a net loss. IBOs who stick around for a few years might see losses in the thousands or tens of thousands. All the while their upline may have been telling the group the perseverance is the key or that you will "make it" if you don't quit. Nothing could be further from the truth. There's no evidence that working hard and never quitting will result in anything but financial losses.
If diamonds and high pins are putting on a show, what about the average rank and file IBOs? I believe that many of them are also fakes. They may wear suits and talk about success but ask one of them if they actually make a net profit and you'll get more excuses than answers. The typical answer will be that it's none of your business, or that their results are not indicative of yours because it depends on effort. This is just a diversion. If someone is promoting the opportunity and then flaunting a lifestyle that can allegedly be attained through the opportunity, then the folks making the claim should be able to qualify their claims. It is normal in everyday business for potential business partners or investors to seek evidence or proof that the business produces what is being advertised. Why Amwayers believe otherwise is puzzling, but not surprising. I believe it is because many Amwayers are fakes, starting from the top.
All the Amway subsystems urge their IBOs to "fake it till you make it." The idea is that you should put your best foot forward in recruiting -- dressing properly, speaking intelligently, being optimistic and upbeat, and pointing out all the great possibilities in an Amway business while downplaying or not mentioning the risks.
ReplyDeleteThis sort of thing is normal in advertising and promotion, and we tolerate it because we understand that every business wants to prosper. But WE DON'T TOLERATE IT when it involves plain lying or deception.
That's the big difference. If some young schmuck tries to recruit you by saying that he's making $5000 a month even though he only been in Amway for a year, that is a flagrant lie. Or if some fat-assed Platinum tells you that he buys everything for cash, including his mansion and his private jet plane, that is a total falsehood. Unfortunately this has become such an ingrained habit in Amway that IBOs even lie to each other, telling absurd tall tales about how successful they are. It has become a fixture in the entire Amway cult-culture.
Of course the main lying is done by Diamonds and their wives at the various "functions." These things are fantasy-festivals where the lying gets out of control, but no one cares because it is simply a big feelgood celebration. The Amway subsystems make a big thing out of these functions, because they know that even if IBOs realize they are being lied to, the sheer energy of a function will keep them fired up with determination and hope, at least for another few months.
"Fake it till you make it" is a motto for the lowly IBOs. The Diamonds have their own private motto: "Soak 'em till you croak 'em."