This morning I saw in my inbox that a company had offered a million dollar sign on bonus to a top leader.
This was reported by Ted Nyuten on business for home.
Here are the top 3 reasons I think stuff like that can be a problem.
Reason #1 – An MLM sign on bonus or special deal has a very high probability of turning into a Bribe.
Before having any success in Network Marketing, I worked at an auto auction.
My job was to visit the dealerships and get the managers to consign cars & come visit our auction.
This was all fine and good until I found out that the accepted process was to “Grease” the managers at the stores.
This meant you would slip them a hundred dollar bill with a wink and a hand shake in expectation that they would give you more cars, or come to the auction to buy.
This always made me feel sick inside & it’s one of the reasons I left the car business.
After thinking about why this practice wasn’t good, I realized that we were basically paying the new car store manager to make decisions for the dealership that were in alignment with HIS best interest and not the best interest of the Owner and customers.
This is what a bribe does.
When and MLM Leader joins for a special deal, there’s a good chance that this money/special positioning, etc… will be a HIGH influence factor in all of there words from that point forward RATHER than having the people who they are trying to lead & their best interest at heart.
Reason #2 – I believe leaders should be willing to do what they ask their followers to do.
Napoleon Hill talks about this in the book Think And Grow Rich.
Good leaders won’t ask their followers to do anything that they themselves wouldn’t do.
When a leader takes a special deal… It’s almost like saying to his/her people…
… This comp plan is good enough for you but it’s not good enough for me.
Reason #3 – It contributes to an in authentic message & makes it hard for people to make good decisions.
Corporate America pays sign on bonuses and that’s fine.
MLM/Home Business is NOT corporate America.
Our message is freedom, lifestyle, unlimited reward based on your ability to learn/ grow and produce via ‘the plan‘ we lay out for people.
Preaching one plan while following another yourself is completely inauthentic in my opinion.
It also makes it hard for people to make good choices for their family.
It’s already confusing enough for people.
But when one guy says “Hey, look how much money I’m making here”…
(and this amount includes monies and positions that are NOT available to everyone)…
The new rep is FRAUDED into a decision based on a false picture that was painted.
Yes, Kevin Thomspon, well respected MLM Attorney calls this Fraud.
The Bottom Line
Companies and leaders can do what they want.
I’m responsible for me and for me & my family….
I take a stand against this type of thing. I’ve been offered bridge money, special positions and secret payment plans from company owners and I’m grateful to say that every time, I’ve turned it down.
If we want to look like Washington DC in a few years, then by all means, go ahead and allow personal favors, extra bonuses, special deals to influence our behavior.
If we desire from life something MORE than money.
I challenge you to take a stand with Kevin Thomson, myself and the many others leaders who are happy making a bit less money in return for the privilege of preaching an honest message to the people.
What do you think?
I agree with you 100% Paul. I have been around the industry for many, many years and have seen this happen. And you know what, it always comes back to hunt that person who did not have best interest at heart. I have watched big leaders bring his entire team over to a new company or a company who was trying to create momentum, by getting paid big money to do so. Then another deal comes along and he drags his team over to another company. And who do you think is benefiting, not the team, its the leader. This practice disgusts me and must stop because a lot of struggling people are looking for an opportunity for a better life and lifestyle and are deceived my false momentum. IT WILL CATCH UP WITH THEM!
My final words, don’t be deceived my headlines like . Breaking News: Dubli Pays 1 Million Signon Bonus To Top Leader. It should make you want to run and get as far away from it as you can.
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the comment.. I believe it does come back to haunt people. If you believe in the law of compensation, harvest, etc.. there’s no way it cannot.
ha ha.. thanks for you thought on the headline. Appreciate you Bill.
Outside of the weird ethics from earning a sign-up bonus, and not disclaiming it – how can you expect to build a team that recruits successfully too. Not saying the playing board can’t have advantages when you take action, that future members may not have… but it must be pretty significant it’s a fight to speak about that type of advantage openly.
For sure Brian.. Great thoughts. Appreciate what you stand for.
You’re right on all counts as far as I’m concerned, Paul. The MLM industry doesn’t have a good reputation with a lot of people to start with. No need for anything can can make it look worse.
Thanks Luc. And you’re right… we’re already starting out with not the best foot forward… no need to make it worse than it already is. 🙂