When I was an Amway IBO, I remember at many meetings, the speaker would talk about how Amway IBOs are helping people by getting them in the business or at least by showing them the plan. Looking back, I fail to see how inviting someone into a business where they are virtually assured of losing money (in the systems) is helping them. This is also how some IBOs think that they are suddenly "better" people because they think they are helping people by being an IBO.
On average, Amway products cost more than retailers so a prospect is not helped by purchasing Amway products because they are paying a premium price. For IBOs purchasing Amway products, they are taking away from their local economy by purchasing Amway goods, although I guess you could argue that the IBO is helping Amway to succeed.
IBOs who are actively building a business usually have many meetings to attend, and hard core IBOs are taught not to miss any meetings. Therefore an IBO has less time to spend with his or her family and friends. The IBO has less time to spend at church, and less time to help with any community projects. The IBO will probably miss someone's wedding or birthday celebration because of the hectic schedule of an IBO. It's a part of being dedicated to the Amway business and the system of teaching.
While all of this activity is happening, IBOs also have less money because the voicemail, standing order, functions and books and other expenses eat away at an IBO's resources. Thus IBOs have less to contribute to charity or even for their entertainment and enjoyment.
So an honest question. How do IBOs help people by building an Amway business? How are they better people by showing someone the plan or sponsoring them into a business that nearly assures they will lose money?
Im my informed opinion, the nicer and better person is what upline teaches as a side note to distract an IBO from the FACT that they are losing money because of the defacto 100 PV and tools requirements. They also make it seem as if IBOs are "helping" people by showing them the business plan. When you think about it, perhaps just the opposite is happening. This is another tactic, IMO, that uplines use to justify an IBO's lack of progress, much like how they tell downline that they are successful just by getting themselves to a function. If you are an IBO or a prospect, please read this article carefully.
When Amway types say that their business is "helping" people, they certainly don't mean it in any financial or material sense. They mean it in a comforting sense.
ReplyDeleteIf your friend has a stiff muscle in his back, and you give him a massage to ease his discomfort, you could say that you are "helping" him. But that's not the same thing as increasing his income, or getting him a better job, or filling his bank account. It's just a temporary thing to make him feel good.
That's what Amway does. It simply pumps up IBOs with a temporary good feeling about themselves. They have a better self-image, and more confidence. But that's it. It doesn't do a thing for their financial success in 99% of the persons signed up in Amway. It's just feelgood schmoozing.
But a lot of people love that kind of fakery. That's the secret of Amway.