One thing that our Amway upline hypocritically taught the group was to be accountable. It was taught as a part of the CORE activities that were allegedly needed in order for IBOs to succeed. Now I agree that in business, people should be accountable because you can't really have working agreements or trust if someone isn't good for their word. Especially in Amway where people are a large par of the business, you cannot operate on broken trust.
Ironically however, upline seemingly takes a pass on this accountability portion of the teaching. Think about this, people are paying good money and trusting the advice of upline because they believe that they will "succeed" in Amway if they take upline's advice and carry it out. Millions of people have spent billions of dollars on Amway tools and functions. They are told this is the vital key to success. As if upline advice is an oxygen tank and the downline would perish without it. All this while there is no fruit on the tree. The tree is bare. The upline used to say look at the fruit on the tree. I wonder if they use that term these days when the tree is barren?
My old LOS, "Worldwide Group" has fewer US diamonds now than they did 20 years ago when I was an IBO. Divorces and attrition in the diamond ranks have taken its toll. Where is the success that is supposed to be churned out by the foolproof system? Amway defenders like to point out the limited success of "new platinums" while ignoring that there are few new diamonds, and probably fewer diamonds than many years ago. Amway revenues dropping about 25% over the last 3 years suggest that there would be fewer diamonds and high pins if sales and revenues are down. But to this day, not a single diamond or Amway leader that I know of has ever even held accountable for their words. We were told that "core" is the key to success and that following it for 6 months assured an IBO of going platinum. But I know of people who did what upline advised only to fail and suffer financial losses.
Since the Amway leaders claim their tools are fool proof, it seems pretty cheap to push the sales of tools so hard when there is no bonafide evidence that the tools actually work. In a recent post, I pointed out how simple Amway is. That you buy and sell Amway stuff and sponsor downline. With a business that uncomplicated and "simple", there really is no need for continued ongoing training of downline, unless the purpose of that training is simply to provide the diamonds with a nice ongoing income.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Amway Is "Simple"?
As an Amway IBO, I heard the phrase that Amway is simple. To be clear, I was told that Amway is simple, but not necessarily easy. The difference being that simple means uncomplicated, but not necessarily easy where it takes little effort. When you really think about it carefully, Amway really is simple. You buy and sell products and you attempt to "show the plan" in the hopes that others will also want to do the same thing that you are. It really is that simple.
If you are successful at moving volume and getting others to follow you, which hopefully increases your volume, then you make more money. But if Amway is so simple, it begs the question. Why is an endless amount of training heaped upon IBOs and prospects if Amway is so simple? Why is this training never ending? Why can't IBOs learn all they need to know in a single session? The answer is also very simple. Amway uplines make significant incomes from the sale of training materials, thus in order for their incomes to keep coming in, training cannot stop or the upline's income would also stop. It is also why Amway IBOs are told to never miss a meeting or functions. Or it is why IBOs are told that family or a job comes first, but in the same breath, upline says to sacrifice anything to meet their Amway obligations.
Think about it, if Amway is that simple, there is no good reason for a part time business to deman so much time and training. I won't even mention the overall lack of results which is why Amway attrition is so high. Upline profits from selling training. It really is that simple. Without the endless training, upline would suffer a massive loss of ongoing income and would difficulty in maintaining what they call a diamond lifestyle. But if you think about that also, you'll see that a diamond lifestyle is a life of debt and living check to check, diamond or not.
If you are successful at moving volume and getting others to follow you, which hopefully increases your volume, then you make more money. But if Amway is so simple, it begs the question. Why is an endless amount of training heaped upon IBOs and prospects if Amway is so simple? Why is this training never ending? Why can't IBOs learn all they need to know in a single session? The answer is also very simple. Amway uplines make significant incomes from the sale of training materials, thus in order for their incomes to keep coming in, training cannot stop or the upline's income would also stop. It is also why Amway IBOs are told to never miss a meeting or functions. Or it is why IBOs are told that family or a job comes first, but in the same breath, upline says to sacrifice anything to meet their Amway obligations.
Think about it, if Amway is that simple, there is no good reason for a part time business to deman so much time and training. I won't even mention the overall lack of results which is why Amway attrition is so high. Upline profits from selling training. It really is that simple. Without the endless training, upline would suffer a massive loss of ongoing income and would difficulty in maintaining what they call a diamond lifestyle. But if you think about that also, you'll see that a diamond lifestyle is a life of debt and living check to check, diamond or not.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
All Quiet On The Amway Front?
Just checking in with everyone. I just have a few minutes to post a new article so here I am. Seems that all is quiet on the Amway front. I haven't seen much about Amway lately. I believe their sales information will be posted soon. If anyone cares or has been following, Amway sales tanked about 25% in the last 3 years. While I cannot claim a direct explanation because Amway releases limited information, my informed opinion is that it's because Amway's market penetration has matured and has saturated.
Also, with the availability of social media and the ability to spread the word, good or bad, Amway cannot hide the practices of their distributor force. Thus getting tricked into a meeting or lied to by an Amway rep cannot go on undetected because of the Internet or social media. This could be why Amway sales are on the decline.
Even though I haven't seen any humorous or other kinds of Amway issues recently, I'm certain that there are still people on the prowl trying to recruit new people into Amway. I have friends whose kids were recruited and they asked me to talk to them so I basically showed them the "plan" and explained how the money works no how the tool system works to extract money from those pursuing the "dream". I never tell them not to join but I challenge them to look at the products and to see if they can actually sell them.
My friend'son realixed how much 100 PV would cost or require in sales and came to the conclusion that he could not afford or sell 100 PV monthly plus the cost of training and he decided Amway was not for him. But other than that, Amway has been quiet while their sales decline. I take that as a good thing. Meanwhile I am quietly following the Herbalfie saga which I may write about in the future.
Also, with the availability of social media and the ability to spread the word, good or bad, Amway cannot hide the practices of their distributor force. Thus getting tricked into a meeting or lied to by an Amway rep cannot go on undetected because of the Internet or social media. This could be why Amway sales are on the decline.
Even though I haven't seen any humorous or other kinds of Amway issues recently, I'm certain that there are still people on the prowl trying to recruit new people into Amway. I have friends whose kids were recruited and they asked me to talk to them so I basically showed them the "plan" and explained how the money works no how the tool system works to extract money from those pursuing the "dream". I never tell them not to join but I challenge them to look at the products and to see if they can actually sell them.
My friend'son realixed how much 100 PV would cost or require in sales and came to the conclusion that he could not afford or sell 100 PV monthly plus the cost of training and he decided Amway was not for him. But other than that, Amway has been quiet while their sales decline. I take that as a good thing. Meanwhile I am quietly following the Herbalfie saga which I may write about in the future.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
The Never Ending Amway Training?
Joecool is still vacationing but I'm sitting here in my hotel room with an idle moment so I thought I would drop in a new article. The subject as my title suggests, is the Amwy training that uplines (defacto) require of their loyal followers. Of course. Amway followers and defenders will be quick to point out that training and training materials are all "optional" and not compulsory. While this might be true, it is also true that training is as optional as your success. Or that upline is a multi millionaire who has been around the business and if you cannot afford to skip hearing what he/she has to say, then go ahead.
If you're new to the Amway business and hear that training is optional, but so is success. Or if you hear that your upline is a mentor whose experience you cannot afford to miss, that doesn't sound very optional if you were sold on achieving financial dreams and goals such as lifelong residual income and walking the beaches of the world. So what is an IBO supposed to do? What happens to many is they will follow through and give Amway a serious try. They make their 100 PV and participate in the training, but quickly realize that the system doesn't work and they quit. It's common for people to come and go in Amway like people at a commuter station.
When you get down to the core of the Amway business, it's buying and selling products, and getting people to join you by sponsoring them as downline. It really is as simple as that. If you stop and thinkg about what's I've just said, you will realize how right I am.
The only reason for the never ending supply of training is to ensure that upline has a steady stream of income. You see, if you really did your homework, you will realize that Amway diamonds do not make the kind of money people think. It is by augmenting their income by selling training and tools is how they attain the "diamond" lifestyle. That is why you are told to never stop consuming tools and training. Whether you believe me or not, it really is that simple.
If you're new to the Amway business and hear that training is optional, but so is success. Or if you hear that your upline is a mentor whose experience you cannot afford to miss, that doesn't sound very optional if you were sold on achieving financial dreams and goals such as lifelong residual income and walking the beaches of the world. So what is an IBO supposed to do? What happens to many is they will follow through and give Amway a serious try. They make their 100 PV and participate in the training, but quickly realize that the system doesn't work and they quit. It's common for people to come and go in Amway like people at a commuter station.
When you get down to the core of the Amway business, it's buying and selling products, and getting people to join you by sponsoring them as downline. It really is as simple as that. If you stop and thinkg about what's I've just said, you will realize how right I am.
The only reason for the never ending supply of training is to ensure that upline has a steady stream of income. You see, if you really did your homework, you will realize that Amway diamonds do not make the kind of money people think. It is by augmenting their income by selling training and tools is how they attain the "diamond" lifestyle. That is why you are told to never stop consuming tools and training. Whether you believe me or not, it really is that simple.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Joecool Is On Vacation
I just want to wish all my loyal followers a happy new year! 2017 was a good year for Joecool. President Trump's policy, whether you agree or not, has had a positive effect on the US economy and the stock market. The president's recent tax cuts seem to have been positive for thousands of workers in Hawaii (where I live) and these workers received about a 25% pay raise and a $1000 cash bonus with came right around Christmas and New Years. Anyway, I'm glad that these workers got a boost in Hawaii and on a national level, other companies raised their wages. That is far better, IMO, than president Obama's plan to put everyone on welfare.
Anyway, my blow will be on vacation as I'll be heading to Europe for 5 days followed by a short stop in Korea and Japan. I don't don't need Amway or Amway income for this dream vacation.
I'll be back close to the end of the month and if I have time, I will write a new article, but if not, I'll see you all at the end of January.
Dream vacations are great. But you don't need Amway to make your dreams come true. Since most people who get involved in Amway end up with less money than they started with, your dream are more likely to come true without Amway.
Good luck if you read this and still join.
Anyway, my blow will be on vacation as I'll be heading to Europe for 5 days followed by a short stop in Korea and Japan. I don't don't need Amway or Amway income for this dream vacation.
I'll be back close to the end of the month and if I have time, I will write a new article, but if not, I'll see you all at the end of January.
Dream vacations are great. But you don't need Amway to make your dreams come true. Since most people who get involved in Amway end up with less money than they started with, your dream are more likely to come true without Amway.
Good luck if you read this and still join.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Amway Slaves?
Some big companies and some private entrepreneurs have been accused of being "sweat shop owners". This is when they exploit their workers, often in foreign countries by having them work for a very small wage. For example, a foreign operation may have a warehouse full of women and children working all day under poor conditions for a few bucks a day. The owners of these operations can rake in the dough as they save a ton of money in labor costs. There are some big American corporations that have been accused of this.
Some uplines operate just like sweat shop owners, but in many cases, they are worse then sweat shop owners because even exploited workers earn something. At the end of the month, they have a net gain, even if it might be small. In the case of many Amway IBOs, they spend money on Amway products, and uplines take the lion's share of the rebate/bonus that is generated by those sales, and then in turn, these same uplines try to get many of their downline to also become customers of their system of cds, books, voicemail and seminars or functions. In many, probably most cases, uplines will make just as much if not more income from the system, than from Amway. Most downline IBOs would be far more profitable if they simply worked a part time minimum wage job instead of building an Amway Empire.
These same upline will also teach fierce loyalty to the system. Never miss a function. Make sacrifices to buy more books or cds, and make sure you are always looking for people to sponsor to add to the system. Joining the system almost guarantees that you will suffer a net loss in the Amway business. It is why I continue to write about what IBOs and prospects should look for when they are being recruited or indoctrinated into these systems. It is why there are so many defenders of Amway, most of whom are losing money, but think they are still successful because it is what upline teaches. If only the IBOs and prospects could just step back and look at things objectively instead of blindly believing what their upline teaches them.
I know most IBOs won't believe this, but I will say it anyway. IBOs on the system are probably worse off than sweat shop employees because they are paying their upline to do their work. At least sweat shop employees get a small salary. Upline will teach you that it is an honor to drive them around, or to do tasks for them. I saw this firsthand and have no doubt that some or all of it exists today. Many platinums works as free doormen and ushers at meetings and functions, or as taxi drivers to take the diamond to their paid meetings. Upline benefits by maximizing profits from functions. It is pure downline exploitation and I hope eventually that more and more IBOs will recognize this. It is clear for those who are willing to look at it objectively.
For most, a part time minimum wage is a better proposition than Amway.
Some uplines operate just like sweat shop owners, but in many cases, they are worse then sweat shop owners because even exploited workers earn something. At the end of the month, they have a net gain, even if it might be small. In the case of many Amway IBOs, they spend money on Amway products, and uplines take the lion's share of the rebate/bonus that is generated by those sales, and then in turn, these same uplines try to get many of their downline to also become customers of their system of cds, books, voicemail and seminars or functions. In many, probably most cases, uplines will make just as much if not more income from the system, than from Amway. Most downline IBOs would be far more profitable if they simply worked a part time minimum wage job instead of building an Amway Empire.
These same upline will also teach fierce loyalty to the system. Never miss a function. Make sacrifices to buy more books or cds, and make sure you are always looking for people to sponsor to add to the system. Joining the system almost guarantees that you will suffer a net loss in the Amway business. It is why I continue to write about what IBOs and prospects should look for when they are being recruited or indoctrinated into these systems. It is why there are so many defenders of Amway, most of whom are losing money, but think they are still successful because it is what upline teaches. If only the IBOs and prospects could just step back and look at things objectively instead of blindly believing what their upline teaches them.
I know most IBOs won't believe this, but I will say it anyway. IBOs on the system are probably worse off than sweat shop employees because they are paying their upline to do their work. At least sweat shop employees get a small salary. Upline will teach you that it is an honor to drive them around, or to do tasks for them. I saw this firsthand and have no doubt that some or all of it exists today. Many platinums works as free doormen and ushers at meetings and functions, or as taxi drivers to take the diamond to their paid meetings. Upline benefits by maximizing profits from functions. It is pure downline exploitation and I hope eventually that more and more IBOs will recognize this. It is clear for those who are willing to look at it objectively.
For most, a part time minimum wage is a better proposition than Amway.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Bad Advice From An Amway "Mentor"?
In the Amway business, most active IBOs are advised to trust their upline. To think of upline as a coach or a mentor. These upline mentors or coaches are supposed to have your best interest at heart and they will guide you to success if only you will be open to learning and doing what they advise. Many uplines, including my former uplines used to coin the term "copy" or duplicate. If you can do that you will be successful. Even the simplest of people can copy, they claim. The upline may crack a joke about getting thru school by copying. Thus, many IBOs follow exactly what their upline advises them to do.
But then uplines turn the responsibility away from themselves. Many Amway defenders will also claim that downline should not simply follow the advice of upline. They may make a ridiculous claim that standing orders and functions contain advice that must be discerned. That information they get is like a buffet. You pick and choose what you need and discard the rest. If you are a new IBO or prospect, let me tell you that is a load of guano (crap) that is being heaped on you. Your upline is touted as having experience and wisdom in the Amway business, which is why you are paying good money for voicemail, books, cds, and functions. So why would their advice be something you pick and choose? How would a new IBO know what to pick and choose?
Imagine hiring a guide for a trek in the wilderness. The guide is supposed to be an experienced outdoorsman, perhaps an expert who knows the lay of the land. So if he recommends that you eat certain plants or fruits, you trust that he is going to guide you right. Imagine eating something that made you sick to your stomach, only to have the guide tell you that he just points out plants and fruits and you have to discern which is good for you and which is not. You would fire the guide and tell everyone you know not to use that guide anymore.
But here we have these "systems" such as Network 21, WWDB or BWW that have been "guiding" IBOs for up to 20 years or more in some cases, and the number of diamonds are negligible. Sure there are some new platinums, but many tool consuming platinums have been found to be losing money or making very little money for their efforts. What's more, it would appear that Amway is losing ground in North America based on sales. One can reasonably guess that any new platinums that break are simply replacing the volume for a platinum that no longer exists or a platinum that no longer qualifies. My former upline diamond appears to have all new qualifying platinums from the time I was in the business and here's the kicker. My former diamond had 6 downline rubies. As far as I know, none of these rubies are qualified as platinum anymore, and I don't know that any of these "rubies" are even in the Amway business at all at this point.
Uplines also program their downline to take responsibility for the failure. Thus you have IBOs who did everything that was asked of them, only to fail. Yet these IBOs often blame themselves for their failure. It is my opinion that former IBOs who did everything asked of them only to fail should file a formal complaint against their LOS with the better business bureau. Amway defenders like to think that a lack of formal complaints means that the system works when clearly, there is no unbiased substantial evidence to suggest that the system works. It looks like those who succeed, do so in spite of the system, not because of.
The catch in all this is uplines skirting responsibility for the outcomes of those they "mentor" and profit from. IBOs should ask if upline really cared about their success, why do you have to pay for any help that you receive from your upline diamond?
But then uplines turn the responsibility away from themselves. Many Amway defenders will also claim that downline should not simply follow the advice of upline. They may make a ridiculous claim that standing orders and functions contain advice that must be discerned. That information they get is like a buffet. You pick and choose what you need and discard the rest. If you are a new IBO or prospect, let me tell you that is a load of guano (crap) that is being heaped on you. Your upline is touted as having experience and wisdom in the Amway business, which is why you are paying good money for voicemail, books, cds, and functions. So why would their advice be something you pick and choose? How would a new IBO know what to pick and choose?
Imagine hiring a guide for a trek in the wilderness. The guide is supposed to be an experienced outdoorsman, perhaps an expert who knows the lay of the land. So if he recommends that you eat certain plants or fruits, you trust that he is going to guide you right. Imagine eating something that made you sick to your stomach, only to have the guide tell you that he just points out plants and fruits and you have to discern which is good for you and which is not. You would fire the guide and tell everyone you know not to use that guide anymore.
But here we have these "systems" such as Network 21, WWDB or BWW that have been "guiding" IBOs for up to 20 years or more in some cases, and the number of diamonds are negligible. Sure there are some new platinums, but many tool consuming platinums have been found to be losing money or making very little money for their efforts. What's more, it would appear that Amway is losing ground in North America based on sales. One can reasonably guess that any new platinums that break are simply replacing the volume for a platinum that no longer exists or a platinum that no longer qualifies. My former upline diamond appears to have all new qualifying platinums from the time I was in the business and here's the kicker. My former diamond had 6 downline rubies. As far as I know, none of these rubies are qualified as platinum anymore, and I don't know that any of these "rubies" are even in the Amway business at all at this point.
Uplines also program their downline to take responsibility for the failure. Thus you have IBOs who did everything that was asked of them, only to fail. Yet these IBOs often blame themselves for their failure. It is my opinion that former IBOs who did everything asked of them only to fail should file a formal complaint against their LOS with the better business bureau. Amway defenders like to think that a lack of formal complaints means that the system works when clearly, there is no unbiased substantial evidence to suggest that the system works. It looks like those who succeed, do so in spite of the system, not because of.
The catch in all this is uplines skirting responsibility for the outcomes of those they "mentor" and profit from. IBOs should ask if upline really cared about their success, why do you have to pay for any help that you receive from your upline diamond?
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