Thread: MLM Debate

This originated in the "Fastlane Website" thread and has developed into a friendly debate. I created this thread to maintain the other as a reference source. Thanks guys.

Amway?

Do you own the pyramid or are you building some other guys pyramid?

Not hating on it, just asking a question. Maybe they are more to it than I know? Please educate me on how the site falls under the "fastlane" definition.

true that Fastlane states you should own the pyramid. I qualified that in anothe rpost earleir that I do not consider this exactly fastlane.

However Amway has changed their structure over the past few years. I know this because I looked at them in the mid nineties. In a pyramid I could not make more money than my upline. Now that is not the case. Also their prices are much more competitive. The people in my group are getting away from the "Push the program", mentality and are more about "push the products and the IBOs will come"

I know MJ is not a fan of MLM but that is not to say you cannot make money as one. If I recall correctly MJ was at one time in 6 or 7 MLM programs. What I see is that he did not apply the one trick pony principle. Im just sticking with one. Still trading in forex too but As a daily method for now until I can free myself as I got into trouble working for "the man" on that as a fastlane plan. This new venture allows me to get out in the world and network and at the same time make a profit. Its very difficult to fastlane if you do not network. Real life network. I tried with Online Virtual networking and forex but I find people to be flaky and act differently. I can show you the daily method I trade with forex too. Been having some good success with it but its too early to tell if I have just been lucky or the method is solid. Got ten more weeks to go until I get a decent sized sample of trades.

I havne t read The millionaire fastlane yet but I have purchased it. If I am successful I could author a book on it which would be considered fastlane. As I have no experience with MLM I am in no position to start one given my current situation.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

I know MJ is not a fan of MLM but that is not to say you cannot make money as one.

Sure you can. I've made money playing the lottery and pulling the one-arm bandit at the casino.

The goal of the Fastlane is to increase your probabilities -- your mathematics for creating wealth to which you are bound -- your mathematics in that venture is pathetically weak, just like in a lottery. Dare I say lottery winners are broke? Of course not; they defied mathematical improbabilities. To join Amway is to do that same.

That said, if your goal is to possibly earn extra $ every month (at probably a terrible hourly rate per time invested) then there is nothing wrong with it.

I know better than to argue the point with anyone here. I think the MLM is better than being a corporate slave. and the enviroment of people wanting to help each other is a lot better than corporate slavery also. So its a step in the right direction.

And I know I am still a corporate slave to amway. But the enviroment is a t least one I can thrive in. An enviroment that my current corporatie employer has left behind in favor of the throw the guy under you under the bus enviroment.

As I have stated this is an exercise in NETWORKING and at the same time make a profit. Big or small. That is the more important point.

I find people find me online as maybe argumentative or brash or unrefined or whatever but in real life most people like me. Its weird that way which is why I chose to exercise my networking as I have little in the way of doing that in the real world. The virtual world allows us that extra bit of anonymity to be a little more bold than we normally would in the real world or a little more anonymous too. And I need practice there . this is not and end but a means.

As you yourself have stated MJ you were in MLM yourself. Aside form the fact that it did not make the millions you had hoped for. (I am only working to replace my fiance's income which is half of mine at my JOB) can you honestly say you LEARNED nothing from the experience about interacting in the real world doing MLM?


Not sure if this belongs in this thread as it is way off the topic of links to fastlane businesses LOL

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

can you honestly say you LEARNED nothing from the experience about interacting in the real world doing MLM?

Absolutely not ... I never said that. There is great learning experience in MLM as well as networking. Sales is a skill that all entrepreneurs need, and might even be as important. I believe, if you can succeed at MLM, you could succeed at anything.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

I think the MLM is better than being a corporate slave.

I will argue that he who is the slaveowner is not relevant. You replaced one slaveowner for another.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

But the enviroment is a t least one I can thrive in.

That's great -- if the venture makes you happy and you love the process, my opinion is not relevant. Everyone is different, with different goals and happiness quotients.

While listing the site as a "fastlane website" doesn't necessarily qualify, Ill let the link stand because it is important to you, and you have been a very valuable member of this forum.

thank you MJ I wont let you down>

Tyler GOES OFF!! -- Never-Seen Video Reveals Howard Hughes Style RANT! | RSD Nation

This video is rated R... You have been warned.

I really like these guys. they taught me a lot about the real world as opposed to the keyboard jockey world.

Its real easy to sit back and tell people what they SHOULD do as opposed to what they actually did. If you can read a book and do exactly what it tells you and get the exact results that person who wrote the book did then my hat is off to you. My point is that there are certain nuances that may or may not have been translated and put down on paper. the real world is quite different than what things "ought" to be. The real world is a rough and tumble mass of chaos and you can only achieve a real understanding of it by experiencing it. Not vicariously from some book but actual experience.


Not to say books are bad. they can call out the pit falls while you are experiencing them. but as I have said about pick up. The field is KING. Doing is more important than theory. Otherwise you you are no more than Suze Orman (whose advice I also follow in regards to my 401 k . Everything is still in bonds until the train wreck is cleared.) When you combine the two it increases your speed if you do not possess the knowledge in the first place. At least this is my take on it. As I am a little older than MJ I cannot say I am doing better but my EXPERIENCE has at least led me here.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

Tyler GOES OFF!! -- Never-Seen Video Reveals Howard Hughes Style RANT! | RSD Nation

This video is rated R... You have been warned.

I really like these guys. they taught me a lot about the real world as opposed to the keyboard jockey world.

Its real easy to sit back and tell people what they SHOULD do as opposed to what they actually did. If you can read a book and do exactly what it tells you and get the exact results that person who wrote the book did then my hat is off to you. My point is that there are certain nuances that may or may not have been translated and put down on paper. the real world is quite different than what things "ought" to be. The real world is a rough and tumble mass of chaos and you can only achieve a real understanding of it by experiencing it. Not vicariously from some book but actual experience.


Not to say books are bad. they can call out the pit falls while you are experiencing them. but as I have said about pick up. The field is KING. Doing is more important than theory. Otherwise you you are no more than Suze Orman (whose advice I also follow in regards to my 401 k . Everything is still in bonds until the train wreck is cleared.) When you combine the two it increases your speed if you do not possess the knowledge in the first place. At least this is my take on it. As I am a little older than MJ I cannot say I am doing better but my EXPERIENCE has at least led me here.

That video is funny as hell. You rock for posting it I agree...my take is that Fastlane is not about going from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye. There's an acceleration period. My opinion is that EVERYONE (yes, I mean EVERYONE) who wants to run a biznas should spend a year in the trenches...selling. I'm talking about DIRECT selling...face to face sh*t. It forces you to come to terms with your own insecurities, it teaches you invaluable lessons about psychology, and it teaches you unequivocally, without a doubt, that you can go out and make some cash anytime you need to do so. That type of confidence is essential. Is it Fastlane foundationally (yes I just made up the word "foundationally"!) ? No, it's not. I completely agree with MJ that MLM is not inherently Fastlane, but it does provide important elements.

I talk to Randy Gage pretty frequently. If you know MLM, you probably know Randy. He's a huge advocate of the business model obviously, and he lives a damn fine lifestyle in MLM. So what gives? He's on top, man. He's one of the founders. He has thousands of people working for him. If you have THAT kind of opportunity, and you know how to execute on it, then MLM is Fastlane. Otherwise, you're schlepping. Every Fastlane dude or dude-ette has a schlep period. MLM is one way to get it over with. I think it's a great business model. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably join Amway at 18 instead of the path I chose. Either way, learn to sell. THAT is essential.

Yes I think we all agree it is not fastlane. Myself included. But a launch pad. I also think Suze Orman is at least a step in the right direction although once you are out of the ditch and at least a pedestrian you can begin the Journey.

As this is more for my fiance than it is for me I am being supportive in her decision. At least she wants to take control over her finances. And As I have only had a decent paying Job I cant give her fastlane advice. I see it as a stepping stone to Fastlane ideas later. Also I see my own shortcomings in not getting out in the trenches and networking it will be a stepping stone for me too.

The REAL pyramid scheme is working in a corporate world hourly or salary. You will never make more than your boss and are always subject to his or her whims.

Gotta crawl before you walk before you run before you drive before you fly.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

Yes I think we all agree it is not fastlane. Myself included. But a launch pad. I also think Suze Orman is at least a step in the right direction although once you are out of the ditch and at least a pedestrian you can begin the Journey.

As this is more for my fiance than it is for me I am being supportive in her decision. At least she wants to take control over her finances. And As I have only had a decent paying Job I cant give her fastlane advice. I see it as a stepping stone to Fastlane ideas later. Also I see my own shortcomings in not getting out in the trenches and networking it will be a stepping stone for me too.

The REAL pyramid scheme is working in a corporate world hourly or salary. You will never make more than your boss and are always subject to his or her whims.

Gotta crawl before you walk before you run before you drive before you fly.

"Launch pad" is a great way to put it. I'm a huge fan of launch pads; everyone needs one. There are a lot of ways to learn the basics of running a business. MLM is great for that in my perception, because it's very low risk comparatively. If you want to run your own company and literally have no capital or experience, getting into MLM could be a great training ground for you. Still though, not all MLM companies are created equal. The need for due diligence and tact is still very much a reality.

Hey I;ll take a chubby that can cook over a hottie that cant. You ever wonder why the skinny ones are skinny? Cuz they cant cook~! What I look for in a one Nighter is way different than a LTR.

I never personally met up with RSD guys but They helped me tremedously. Never took a boot camp. Just read a lot of their stuff and it works. Just sayin. I wasn't looking to be the best PUAH out there. just spit enough game to get me a hottie that can cook. Ill take a compatable 7 over a bratty 10 anyday.


The group I am in only allows people to speak who have made at least platinum ($7k a month profit) So I think I am in good hands.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

The group I am in only allows people to speak who have made at least platinum ($7k a month profit) So I think I am in good hands.

You know I hate to sound like a pretentious dick, but when I was fully engaged in a Fastlane business, I was earning this in ONE DAY. When you're focus is climbing pyramids instead of building them, $7K/month ($84,000/yr) sounds great but in reality, it's not a millionaire-making sum. What makes $7,000 a day? Selling 70 "Top Gun MLM Secrets Revealed!" 100X a day to the millions of disgruntled MLM'ers who are making fifty bucks per month and are fighting a congested road.

Not pretentious at all. But if im going to sell something like that I want it to be a profitable venture for both.

I would want to sell something that actually works. And if all I do is package up some theory and resell it Im no better than Suze Orman. How about a book entitled" how to bundle a bunch of crap that sounds really cool but none of which I have actually done or I really failed at it but decided to sell it to make a shitload of cash"and make shitloads of money selling it to everyone.

For some reason I still have some moral compass telling me I couldnt sell something unless I was successful at it myself.

Not pointed at you MJ as you are successful and have the right to sell your knowledge for it has a track record.

I could always go back to my "save the kittens" Book but I am afraid of what I would have to tell my daughter. LOL (still have that website)

Originally Posted by PhxMJ

Selling 70 "Top Gun MLM Secrets Revealed!" 100X a day to the millions of disgruntled MLM'ers who are making fifty bucks per month and are fighting a congested road.

Originally Posted by ^eagle^

For some reason I still have some moral compass telling me I couldnt sell something unless I was successful at it myself.

I wasn't suggesting that YOU do this ... but the so-called heavy hitters find out that selling the seminars/training/ebooks has more profit potential than the constant chug-fill-and-replenish of MLM.

Originally Posted by theBiz

This is because normally it is a scam or the product suck

True for some, but not all. I could say that the MLM's I was in, I truly believed in the product.

Hey guys -- let's keep other people's wifes and how they look, out of the conversation. It really isn't relevant and is more suited for a car/mens forum. Lets try to keep this professional. Thank you for your understanding.




Sorry MJ,

I deleted his post before I saw that you had addressed it. Let me know if you want it put back up.

Thanks

Sparlin