When I was an Amway IBO, I heard the saying over and over. Never quit, success might be right around the corner. There were countless stories by diamonds and emeralds of how they were on the verge of quitting but stuck it out and somehow "made it". I also heard stories about why people should not quit because even if you were told "no" a thousand times, the next prospect might say "yes" and turn your entire business around. This mindset is almost like a gambler who thinks the next hand or the next roll of the dice will suddenly start the beginning of a good run. While Amway is not a game of chance, I find it telling that the success rates of IBOs is lower than the chances of winning a game of chance.
I believe these are all heartfelt stories. However, I believe that many stories are embellished and made to order. Or in other words, made to fit a standing order. If you listen carefully to many of the standing orders, you will notice that the higher pins were consistently sponsoring people and generally achieved the platinum level in 18 months or less. There are exceptions of course, but the majority of stories I heard seem to have had the same theme. Those who were destined for success achieved some significant level in less than 2 years. And that's life. Some people will have a greater propensity for success than others.But for IBOs and new recruits, if you aren't constantly bringing in new people to the open meetings, and sponsoring new people, then you are very unlikely to ever achieve much in Amway. Statistically, less than one half of one percent ever reach platinum. Thus, if you are unable to grow your organization or group, then you are unlikely to be that one who "makes it". Success is not around the corner as some uplines will have you believe. If you take 100 "no's" and then someone finally says "yes" then chances are that person who said yes, will "do nothing", or do little and wind up quitting. Chances are that person won't sponsor anyone or show anyone the plan. Chances are that person won't even be in the business a few months later.
It might be a good idea for IBOs to take a step back and take an unbiased look at their business and their business activities. Is your group growing consistently? Is your volume increasing each month? Are you able to get people interested in seeing the plan on a consistent basis? If you answered "no" to any of these points, then you are unlikely to progress and achieve anything of significance in the Amway business. Not quitting only keeps you invested in tools and functions, which the diamonds handsomely profit from. Why do you think they always teach never to quit? Sometimes quitting a business and doing something else is the best business decision you can make. It doesn't mean you quit trying to better yourself. It just means you might need a better vehicle to achieve success.
One important thing for people to note is that there are many ways to achieve your financial goals and dreams. Amway is probably not the best vehicle for most. The numbers speak for themselves. If less than one half of one percent ever reach platinum, where allegedly, IBOs finally break even or a see a small profit, then I would say your chances of success are better elsewhere, even if that is a second job. The average "active" IBO earns about $200 a month according to Amway. Considering all IBOs, then the average income is probably about $100 a month. You can earn much more than that working 4-5 hours a week at minimum wage.
Is success right around the corner? I doubt it.
2 comments:
The percentage of successful Amway IBOs hovers between .5 and 1.5%. In other words, between 98.5 and 99.5% of Amway IBOs never make dime in the business.
Compare this with the rule of thumb that most military commanders have for an acceptable level of casualties in combat. If a unit's casualties begin to approach or exceed 30 to 40%, the standard procedure is for that unit to be relieved from front-line duty as soon as possible. Leaving the unit in battle when the casualties have reached that level, often means that the unit will have a collapse of morale, or (like the French Army in 1917) refuse to go into combat.
So Amway has a casualty rate of 98.5 to 99.5 % (IBOs failing to make any money). From a military standpoint, the best thing to do would be to shut down the entire racket immediately.
The fact that Amway and it totally corrupt AMO subsystems continue to operate means one thing: Amway is not designed to help low-level IBOs. It's designed to make the upper levels of up-line rich. The IBOs in Amway are just cannon fodder.
Even some of the .5 or 1.5% can appear to be making money, but they too can lose money because of business expenses. In the 80's or 90's, there was a book called "Amway Motivational Organizations, a look behind the smoke and mirrors", written by Ruth Carter. She had direct experience with a diamond couple that looked uber wealthy and appeared to be the pinnacle of success. But they were actually in debt because keeping up the appearance of wealth is expensive. The couple made a net income of over $300,000 from Amway and tools, but they were in debt, owed taxes and just appeared wealthy. Pretending to be wealthy to sell the dream can be expensive.
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