Network marketing is turning out to be a pretty reputable and successful business model. And important people are saying so.

1. network Marketing on the Rise M a y - j u n e 2 0 0 9
contents
Elevating the Profession In thIs Issue:
“netwoRk MaRketIng Is…”
American Thought Leaders on the Network
Marketing Profession
the golden age of netwoRk
MaRketIng
A Conversation with Randy Gage
PRofIles:
Judy O’Higgins: License to Retire
Rosie Spiegel: Playing Big
Lynn and Richard Huber: The Slight Edge
Plus:
Shannon Denniston: Paint Your Online
Portrait
Scott Ginsberg: The Value of Being
Approachable
Josephine Gross: Back to Basics
Art Jonak: Facts Tell, Stories Sell
John David Mann: Gold and Twopence
Kim Marcille: Your Personal Economic
Stimulus Plan
Jim Penny: Networking’s Latest Acronym:
RIRO
Wendie Pett: Power by the Hour
Chris Witt: Speak Up
Richard B. Brooke, Collette Larsen,
Jerry Nichols, Karen Phelps: How can
we elevate the networking profession?
VOL 8, ISSUE 3 MAY-JUNE 2009

2. lead stoRy
“Network Marketing Is...”
American Thought Leaders on the
Network Marketing Profession
L
ast fall, as Wall Street blew up and the economy melted down, a number of large network mar-
keting corporations posted some of the largest sales figures in their history. Even as millions of
people saw their savings evaporate and stock portfolios disintegrate, network marketers world-
wide were quietly taking stock of their businesses and asking, “Are we okay?”
In the main, the answer appears to be a cautious yes: network marketing historically has been to
some extent countercyclical, faring relatively well at times when the economy at large does poorly. Still,
to find adequate comparisons to the economic panic of today one has to look back to the 1930s—a time
when network marketing had not yet been invented. So how are we doing?
For this issue, we assembled a panel of American thought leaders to give us their thoughts on the
state of the profession. The consensus: our current economic woes may well bring about a historic up-
surge in the popularity of the network marketing model. — J.D.M.
john assaraf Bob Burg
Many people have the wrong What I admire most about the
idea of what network market- noble profession of network
ing is; the truth is that the busi- marketing is that one succeeds
ness has evolved significantly in only by helping others, by add-
the last twenty years. There are ing value to their lives—and for
those who will shy away from that matter, adding value to the
network marketing because of lives of many. I also love the fact
its past, and then there are those smart ones that anyone with a big enough desire to better
who will make their fortunes because they can their lot can succeed in the business if they are
forget the past and see the future. willing to work hard, and be consistent and per-
In network marketing, the power of your sistent.
connections and determination allows you to The network marketing model in conjunc-
build a highly successful business without the tion with a high-quality product or service pres-
traditional costs of going into business on your ents an unparalleled opportunity for people to
own. The products, systems and ability to gener- thrive. In this economy? Perhaps especially in
ate a great income and lifestyle make a power- this economy.
ful combination for those who want their share Bob Burg is coauthor of the
of the American dream. Wall Street Journal bestseller The Go-Giver
John Assaraf is coauthor of the
New York Times bestseller The Answer
2 Networking Times

3. seth godin Michael gerber
Network marketing works Network marketing [provides
when it’s not about you. It a] purely democratic, highly
works when it is about the entrepreneurial, deeply au-
customer. Not sort of about the thentic and simple model for
customer as a way of helping successful living. In network
you, not kinda about the cus- marketing, your success or
tomer when you imagine how your failure is completely up
they could act like you and become part of your to you. . . . [In network marketing,] you’re not
downline. No, it works when it is generous and in the business of simply selling products or a
transparent and true. business opportunity, you’re in the transforma-
If someone buys from you because they are tion business.
a friend or because it’s easier than avoiding you, Michael Gerber is author of the
that’s not about the customer. New York Times bestseller The E-Myth
Here’s my dream for you: find a product and
a price and a story that people choose to seek dc cordova
out. Discover a niche that people would miss if Network marketing is the most
it disappeared. Offer an experience that’s about innovative system for the twen-
more than money, more than making a living ty-first century of connectiv-
and more than recruiting a new salesperson. ity, networks and relationships.
When you bring joy and utility and trust to peo- Obviously the marketplace is
ple (at a fair price), they’ll embrace you. ready for it. Done correctly, it’s
Seth Godin is author of the a win-win for all concerned.
New York Times bestsellers The Dip and Tribes DC Cordova is CEO of Excellerated Business Schools
Ivan Misner
Though we cannot control
stephen M. R. covey the economy, we can control
To me, the most interesting di- our response to the economy.
mension of network market- Networking can keep your busi-
ing is the focus on building re- ness alive and well during an
lationships of trust. All parties economic downturn; you should
must be able to trust one an- never let a bad economy be your
other, or nothing moves forward. excuse for failure.
Accountability, transparency During the last recession, I watched thou-
and other high-trust behaviors clearly flow out sands of businesspeople grow and prosper, be-
of your character and competence, which in turn cause they made a conscious decision to refuse
help to improve, solidify and create better re- to participate in a recession. They succeeded by
lationships. Those relationships are powerful developing their networking skills and learning
fruits that enable you to enjoy greater collabo- how to build their businesses through word of
ration, a better reputation and shared accom- mouth—an important key to success and the
plishment. most cost-effective form of advertising there is.
When done well, network marketing is the While others are looking at problems, those
speed of trust in action. of us looking for opportunities will not only get
Stephen M.R. Covey is author of the through a bad economy but will prosper.
New York Times bestseller The Speed of Trust Ivan Misner is author of the New York Times
bestseller Truth or Delusion? and founder of BNI
May/June 2009 3

4. sen. orrin hatch Views from Past Issues
During these difficult economic The following are excerpts from interviews con-
times, there is no doubt that ducted over our past seven years of publication.
the entrepreneurial spirit of
network marketing companies Vic conant
and its sellers helps keep the As good as the products are in network
American dream alive. It is this marketing, they are really secondary
same spirit that will lift our to the personal development. Go to
country out of our current economic crisis. The any network marketing convention:
hard work, tenacity and boundless energy of our what are they talking about? They
country’s direct sellers never cease to amaze me. talk about the freedom they’re enjoying, the fabulous
We need you now more than ever. growth they’re experiencing, how wonderful their re-
Orrin Hatch is a six-term (and current) Republican lationships are, how much they’re learning about life
Senator from Utah and former Chairman of the Senate and about themselves.
Labor and Human Resources Committee It’s not the supplement or the skin cream that did
that. Sure, in many cases, you do have life-changing
products. But what’s really changed is their entire life.
nido Qubein (Oct 02)
Network marketing rewards Vic Conant is President and CEO of
Nightingale-Conant Corp.
human potential, individual ef-
fort, collective support and posi-
Paul Zane Pilzer
tive action. It is a magnificent
More than any other business, network
form of living free enterprise, of
marketing starts with the core: not with
experiencing success and signif- the product or the service, but with
icance, and of enjoying the fruits helping other people by teaching them
of victory. It is also a way of growing as you pros- how to succeed, regardless of their edu-
per, a way of learning as you serve, and a way of cation or what business or field they’ve been in.
sustaining recurring income as you live. What’s so exciting about network marketing is
Nido Qubein is president of High Point University that you can offer this opportunity to anyone, and peo-
and chairman of the Great Harvest Bread Co. ple can maximize the value of their life experiences
instead of having those life experiences limit their op-
portunity. (Aug 03)
chris widener Paul Zane Pilzer is author of the New York Times
In today’s economic uncertainty bestseller God Wants You to Be Rich
and turmoil, network market-
ing has become an even more sharon wilson
People who are attracted to network mar-
viable option for those who
keting tend to be more open; they’re al-
want to be their own boss, earn
ready “outside the box” thinkers, looking
a substantial full- or part-time for a better way … a way that gives them
income, and find more time free- a better sense of balance. This goes hand
dom to pursue the things they really love in in hand with an inquiry into more spiritual values.
life. Now more than ever, you can take your fu- I think network marketing provides a fertile
ture into your own hands by starting your own ground for spirituality. The concept of network mar-
business and earning substantial profits rather keting itself is all about creating an opportunity for
than relying on traditional wages determined collaboration, for win-wins, for everyone achieving
by someone else. their dreams. (Aug 03)
Chris Widener is author of the Sharon Wilson is founder of the
New York Times bestseller The Angel Inside Coaching from Spirit Foundation
4 Networking Times

5. david Bach
denis waitley, Ph.d. The simplicity of network market-
Network marketing is a tremen- ing is that you find something you
dous way to cross boundaries and deeply believe in, then use it your-
eliminate prejudice. This business self and tell other people about it.
offers an opportunity to transcend I believe God put each one of
cultures, geography and even be- us here to do something special. Most of us aren’t
lief systems. It gives you the opportunity to deal doing whatever it is we were put here to do, be-
with your global neighbors around the common cause we’re living paycheck to paycheck. Network
idea of being more self-determined. It gives you marketing is a chance for you to make a little ex-
the opportunity to eliminate or at least sidestep tra money, and with that, to buy your freedom. Do
hierarchies—politics, ethnicity, culture, any bar- that, and you’ll spend the rest of your life doing
riers—and do business with one another, directly what you were put here to do. (Mar 05)
and globally. It doesn’t really matter whether you David Bach is author of six consecutive New York Times
bestsellers, including The Automatic Millionaire
speak the language or whether you eat differently
or pray differently. (Jan 04)
Denis Waitley is author of the New York Times Robert kiyosaki
bestseller Seeds of Greatness Network marketing teaches basic,
critical life skills. It teaches peo-
Brian Biro ple how to overcome their fears,
The beauty of network market- how to communicate, and how to
ing is that if you are an effective handle rejection and maintain
coach, if you really do build people persistence. This kind of education is absolutely
and help them break through their priceless.
fears, it becomes a complete circle Here’s what I tell people: “Even if you don’t
of success. You feel great, they’re going to do bet- like it, stay with it for five years and you’ll be bet-
ter, that feeds your business and your income— ter equipped to survive in the real world of busi-
and you’re also providing a model for this person, ness. And you’ll be a better person.”
who’s now also going to become a coach. The people who are successful in network
You don’t have to be the most articulate; you marketing have a spiritual cause. They genuinely
don’t have to be the most educated; you don’t want to help better others’ lives. If you don’t have
have to be the greatest speaker. (Apr 04) that, if you just want a paycheck, then work for
Brian Biro is author of Beyond Success the post office! (Mar 05)
Robert Kiyosaki is author of the
#1 New York Times bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad
cameron johnson
In the past few years, the model
t. harv eker
of affiliate marketing and click-
The unusual and wonderful thing
through plans has helped legiti-
about network marketing is that
mize the model of network mar-
everyone around you is work-
keting for a whole new generation.
ing to help you grow, instead
Network marketing is huge. Word of mouth is the
of trying to keep you down! In
best form of advertising. (Jul 04)
Cameron Johnson is author of the international
what other business do you have people mak-
bestseller You Call the Shots ing $50,000 and more a month—and they’re
willing to tell you exactly how they did it?
(May 05)
T. Harv Eker is author of the #1 New York Times
bestseller Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
May/June 2009 5

6. Lead Story
scott allen
Network marketing has so obvi-
ously been such a successful busi- frank Maguire
ness model, there’s a good deal I believe America’s economic fu-
here that mainstream networkers ture, the health of its commerce
can learn. and service, is rooted in effective
The top network marketers know that the network marketing. People are
three-foot rule is not what you do. If there is a sick and tired of the deprivation
three-foot rule, it’s this: Anybody within three of human dignity they experience at the hands
feet of you is worth getting to know a little better. of so many of today’s corporations, which in the
(May 06) past ten years have scooped up all the quid for the
Scott Allen is coauthor of The Virtual Handshake guys on top, leaving behind some very talented
and is Entrepreneurs Guide for About.com people without a future.
Network marketing is turning off the spotlight
jim turner of working for a corporation, and turning on the
The significant thing that people floodlight of the greatness that we all have within
often miss about network market- us. I love what you’re doing in network market-
ing is that it’s in the vanguard of ing, because you’re creating an opportunity to af-
a major consumer movement, in fect the self-esteem of many, many people. You’re
which consumers and producers giving people hope and providing a launching pad
are merging and becoming the same thing. for them to discover their own greatness.
In a way, multilevel marketing companies I think network marketing is potentially the
are the first generation of what Alvin Toffler calls greatest economic opportunity that has ever ex-
prosumers [producer-consumers], because the isted. (Sep 06)
marketing network is also the customer network. Frank Maguire is former senior executive for
Every individual produces and consumes; it’s like FedEx, KFC, ABC and American Airlines
breathing—exhale, inhale. The more balanced you
can be in production and consumption, the better Bob Proctor
your life is. And the more people who are balanced The beautiful thing about network
that way, the better the society is. marketing is that it is the most
There are now some fifteen million people in moral form of compensation there
network marketing [in the U.S.], and this is mak- is. And it follows the very best
ing a huge difference in the maturation of what it income-earning strategy: you’re
means to be a consumer, because you are by defi- leveraging yourself and you’re providing great
nition playing a more involved role in the produc- service. You’re waking people up. You’re showing
tion / consumption cycle. people how to spend their days doing what they
If you made this the leading story of what love to do, while at the same time earning an ex-
multilevel marketers are doing, it would really cellent income.
help fuel the further growth of the community. Properly executed, network marketing gives
And in doing so, you could easily become a sig- people time and money freedom. It gives them lib-
nificant part of the majority of households in erty, which is their birthright. (Mar 07)
America. (Nov 06) Bob Proctor is author of You Were Born Rich
Jim Turner, Esq. is cofounder of Swankin & Turner and
Chairman of the Board of Citizens for Health
6 Networking Times

7. gregg Braden
Every species in nature ben-
efits from cooperation. When
Brad sugars they behave cooperatively, they
The reason I think network mar- consistently produce more off-
keting is the best business for so spring, live longer and live more
many people is that you don’t have successfully. And [researchers have] found the
to learn everything about business same thing within indigenous human popula-
to start. You don’t have to learn tions throughout the world: longevity and qual-
production, shipping and so many other aspects ity of life increases when they cooperate in the
of business. You’ve got to learn sales, marketing gathering and sharing of food, water and other
and team-building. If you can get those three resources.
things down, you’ll be all right. The same principles apply in business: the
Your first year in network marketing is your more we can cooperate, the better we’ll do. That’s
apprenticeship. If you don’t make any money in what network marketing is all about. (Jul 08)
your first year, who cares? You’ve spent a year Gregg Braden is author of the
learning the trade. (Jul 07) New York Times bestseller The Isaiah Effect
Brad Sugars is author of Billionaire in Training
dr. leonard laskow
Barbara Marx hubbard Network marketing is really
I like network marketing be- about love. What makes network
cause, at least to some degree, it marketing more successful and
transcends the current competi- in many ways more efficient than
tive system. It’s about synergistic many other forms of marketing, is
leadership, that is, leadership that that it’s based on one-to-one relationships.
facilitates and empowers rather than dominates Most successful network marketers sooner
and controls. or later recognize the role of connectedness or
I don’t think we’re going to have peace if we relatedness—which is to say, love—in network
don’t piece together the emergent potentials of marketing. The top people in networking are
our system. The pieces need to be networked— very much in touch with their hearts.
and that brings us back around to network mar- The heart’s intelligence is the recognition of
keting. I think it is prefiguring global intelligence. the oneness and the unity of all. If a business is
(May 08) going to be successful, it’s ultimately going to have
Barbara Marx Hubbard is author of to come down to a recognition of unity. (Nov 08)
Conscious Evolution Dr. Leonard Laskow is author of Healing with Love
For FREE full color reprints of this article, go to www.NetworkMarketingIs.com
May/June 2009 7

8. “Networking Times follows in the tradition of the great og Mandino, and the
magazine that he published for years. he knew that to win in life, and especially
in networking, you need a steady flow of positive, inspirational information.
Networking Times is that flow. subscribe today, and have two friends do the same.
together, we can change the networking profession—and the world.”
—Bob Proctor
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