Since the announcement of Donald Trump’s acquisition of an MLM company (Ideal Health) and some words of wisdom from the business icon about the plans he has for his latest investment, the web has been abuzz with speculation, rumors and wild guesses as to what is going to happen. Some uninformed Trump haters have even ridiculed the idea that Donald Trump has any chance of being successful in this very fragmented and sometimes immature business.
The trouble they are having is thinking within the constraints of the existing paradigm. The fact is, the very purpose of Trump’s decision to get directly involved is to change the existing paradigm. For those of you that are not familiar with this concept, it is called a “Paradigm Shift” which means that all conventional wisdom that came before is no longer valid. This paradigm shift in the MLM industry will be known as “The Trump Network”, which happens to be Trump’s rebranding of Ideal Health.
Trump has long been an advocate of the network marketing industry and has written about it in his books as an ideal way for the average American to get into business for him or herself. He talks about it on a video with Robert Kiyosaki, which can be found on YouTube. He has even endorsed companies like ACN, which has benefited greatly from plastering his image across their promotional materials. But he has never invested his own money directly into the industry. That is until now.
This investment might be insignificant in Donald Trump’s world but it is monumental in the world of MLM. One trait about Donald Trump that we can all agree upon is he never gets involved in anything halfheartedly. When he makes his move he will have an impact on everything and everyone around him. So I think it is safe to assume the things that he has mentioned about his intentions with this acquisition were not spoken in jest. So what are his intentions?
He plans to build the biggest MLM organization in America in the shortest amount of time with more than one million associates and one billion in revenue within the first two years. This is what is called a “Paradigm Shift”. The only company that is reported to have more than one million associates is Avon and it took them the best part of 23 years to get there. This will not be achieved by Donald Trump sitting back as an observer. He is going to be actively involved. We are going to see a media blitz in the coming months never before experienced in this industry. There is talk of his appearing on Oprah and Larry King (to mention just two) explaining how his new venture can “change the lives of every American”.
The wheels of the MLM industry are already turning. Some major “big hitters” are positioning themselves with the company to take advantage of this opportunity tidal wave that is inevitable. They are getting in now so they can ride this wave of fortune in the coming months and years ahead instead of being drowned by it as people in their existing organization leave to hang on to Trump’s coattails. Even the ACN people can see the writing on the wall as Trump’s future with their company suddenly comes into doubt. This is all happening behind the scenes even before the media blitz begins.
So what can the average American do with this information? The answer is pretty simple. Get on board now! We all know that the best place to be in the MLM industry is at the top, or as close to it as possible. Yes, you can make money at any level, especially with the compensation plan of The Trump Network, but the multi-seven-figure incomes that some people make will be made by those who get in early. Many of those that are MLM veterans will be getting in even as a defensive measure. What are you odds on betting that Donald Trump is wrong? What are you going to do as The Trump Network evolves into a huge magnet sucking in people from other companies in the industry as this thing grows? What if all those people you approached before with your deal that said “No!” start to say “Yes!” to the Trump deal? How long will you be able to resist?
One of the biggest impacts that the “Trump” name will have is credibility. It solves a lot of the “uncomfortables” we have always experienced. “I work for Donald Trump” is a better opener than “I sell these incredible candles”. When it comes to pyramids and products, playing the Trump card is the solution. “Do you think Donald Trump would get involved with something illegal like a pyramid scheme?” shuts people up. “I believe Mr. Trump has done his due diligence before he puts his billionaire brand on the line” covers almost every objection. People are going to join just because it is Donald Trump and have a certain pride being associated with this successful businessman. Handing out your Trump business card could even become a status symbol for many.
So this innocuous little announcement in April is going to produce a “Trump Effect” for years to come. It puts Donald in contact with hundreds of thousand of Americans, maybe millions, over the next few years and his stated hope is that he will have changed thousands of lives with his new venture. As he says it himself, “this will change the health and the wealth of thousand of Americans in these depressed economic times”. Will you be an observer or a participator?
Monday, May 25, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Donald Trump Starts An Earthquake
When we think of seismic changes to the status quo we immediately start thinking of products that were invented and which changed the way we see or do things. The obvious ones are the electric light bulb, the automobile, the radio then the TV, the telephone, the airplane and the PC etc. A less obvious one might be the introduction of the Internet.
Another less obvious one is the recent decision by Donald Trump to enter the world of network marketing. This innocuous announcement is spreading like wildfire across the web and I am predicting will have a major impact on how many companies do business in the future, both in and outside the MLM industry. When Donald Trump decides to do anything he doesn’t do it halfheartedly. If we read between the lines carefully when he says “I want to reach a billion dollars in record time” and “want to bring on board a million people in less than two years” we should take him at his word and not take it lightly.
The timing of his announcement is also important. With millions of Americans losing their jobs, there is an obvious need for them to get involved in something where they can create an income to survive. I have said for years that when in this predicament it makes a lot of sense to go sell anything to the 90% that still have a stable form of income. Network marketing has always been an inexpensive way to start your own business. A “Donald Trump” branded network marketing venture provides the most stable platform to start on such a journey.
How cool would it be to say, “I work for Donald Trump” when someone asks you what you do. His powerful brand also solves a lot of other problems that traditional network marketers constantly face. The statement “do you think Donald Trump would damage his reputation by starting something illegal” eradicates “Is this one of those pyramid schemes?” “Are the products any good?” can be countered with “I believe Donald Trump did his due diligence before he got involved”. In fact what Trump is offering to his new business associates is the ability to use his billionaire brand for an entry fee of less than $500, which includes the product purchases. This is probably the best business deal anyone will find anywhere today.
One thing is clear. Marketers with a brain are likely to flock to Trump in droves if nothing else as a defensive tactic. What happens if he does create the storm he is predicting? Do I want to be in front of that wave or chasing behind it? An important question is how will this impact the thousands of smaller MLM companies out there that are under-capitalized? Will they be able to survive as the Trump magnet draws in their people? Even some of the bigger companies may stagnate as the stampede to Trump starts to build.
He is already starting with a collection of top-class wellness products but what happens if he expands the portfolio with juice drinks and other services? Will the likes of Xango and MonaVie be able to compete? Will he build a marketing and distribution machine that will be the preferred vehicle for many other products and services? If this thing grows to the dimension Trump is envisioning it could have an impact way beyond the borders on the MLM industry. With the poor economy creating huge problems with the retail industry, crumbling under the burden of local stores, local inventory and all that personnel, they may be ripe to change their distribution model.
Whatever happens, we could be watching business history in the making. If anyone could pull this off, then it is Mr. Donald Trump himself. He has the audience, the financial resources and the business savvy to make it happen. So this little, unpublished announcement made in April 2009 could be the rumblings of a business earthquake about to happen. Stay tuned and get ready for the ride!
For more information: http://trumpnetworkinformation.com
Another less obvious one is the recent decision by Donald Trump to enter the world of network marketing. This innocuous announcement is spreading like wildfire across the web and I am predicting will have a major impact on how many companies do business in the future, both in and outside the MLM industry. When Donald Trump decides to do anything he doesn’t do it halfheartedly. If we read between the lines carefully when he says “I want to reach a billion dollars in record time” and “want to bring on board a million people in less than two years” we should take him at his word and not take it lightly.
The timing of his announcement is also important. With millions of Americans losing their jobs, there is an obvious need for them to get involved in something where they can create an income to survive. I have said for years that when in this predicament it makes a lot of sense to go sell anything to the 90% that still have a stable form of income. Network marketing has always been an inexpensive way to start your own business. A “Donald Trump” branded network marketing venture provides the most stable platform to start on such a journey.
How cool would it be to say, “I work for Donald Trump” when someone asks you what you do. His powerful brand also solves a lot of other problems that traditional network marketers constantly face. The statement “do you think Donald Trump would damage his reputation by starting something illegal” eradicates “Is this one of those pyramid schemes?” “Are the products any good?” can be countered with “I believe Donald Trump did his due diligence before he got involved”. In fact what Trump is offering to his new business associates is the ability to use his billionaire brand for an entry fee of less than $500, which includes the product purchases. This is probably the best business deal anyone will find anywhere today.
One thing is clear. Marketers with a brain are likely to flock to Trump in droves if nothing else as a defensive tactic. What happens if he does create the storm he is predicting? Do I want to be in front of that wave or chasing behind it? An important question is how will this impact the thousands of smaller MLM companies out there that are under-capitalized? Will they be able to survive as the Trump magnet draws in their people? Even some of the bigger companies may stagnate as the stampede to Trump starts to build.
He is already starting with a collection of top-class wellness products but what happens if he expands the portfolio with juice drinks and other services? Will the likes of Xango and MonaVie be able to compete? Will he build a marketing and distribution machine that will be the preferred vehicle for many other products and services? If this thing grows to the dimension Trump is envisioning it could have an impact way beyond the borders on the MLM industry. With the poor economy creating huge problems with the retail industry, crumbling under the burden of local stores, local inventory and all that personnel, they may be ripe to change their distribution model.
Whatever happens, we could be watching business history in the making. If anyone could pull this off, then it is Mr. Donald Trump himself. He has the audience, the financial resources and the business savvy to make it happen. So this little, unpublished announcement made in April 2009 could be the rumblings of a business earthquake about to happen. Stay tuned and get ready for the ride!
For more information: http://trumpnetworkinformation.com
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Donald Trump Creates MLM Surprise Of The Decade
Donald Trump is renowned for his flamboyance and his business skills but this time he surprised us all. Although he has long been a proponent of network marketing as a way to start your own business he has remained just a proponent. No longer. Donald has just announced he is going to start his own MLM company, which will in all likelihood change the face of the network marketing industry forever. It is no surprise that the new venture will be named "The Trump Network".
So this is the question: If you had the chance to go into business with Donald Trump for $299, would you? If you believe his wealth is based on his business acumen and getting some business decisions right and you had a chance to benefit personally from one of those decisions, then your reply should be a resounding "YES". Well, that moment has finally arrived, when the average American has the chance to join a Donald Trump venture and make a lot of money.
As long-time supporter of the MLM industry he is now taking that final step and putting his own money where his mouth is. After months of research, he decided to buy his way into an existing MLM company instead of trying to start from scratch (sounds like one of his usual sound decisions). He connected "wealth" with "health" and went for a company that has focused on providing top-class products in the health supplement industry. In Trump's own words he decided to help people "better their lives, their health and their financial security". To hear his own introduction to Trump Network click on the recording in the left hand column.
So this is the question: If you had the chance to go into business with Donald Trump for $299, would you? If you believe his wealth is based on his business acumen and getting some business decisions right and you had a chance to benefit personally from one of those decisions, then your reply should be a resounding "YES". Well, that moment has finally arrived, when the average American has the chance to join a Donald Trump venture and make a lot of money.
As long-time supporter of the MLM industry he is now taking that final step and putting his own money where his mouth is. After months of research, he decided to buy his way into an existing MLM company instead of trying to start from scratch (sounds like one of his usual sound decisions). He connected "wealth" with "health" and went for a company that has focused on providing top-class products in the health supplement industry. In Trump's own words he decided to help people "better their lives, their health and their financial security". To hear his own introduction to Trump Network click on the recording in the left hand column.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Seniors Catching Up Online
Teens and young adults seem to live online, but a new report by the Pew Research Center finds that other generations are catching up: Generation X primarily uses the Internet for shopping and banking; Baby Boomers for travel reservations; and the 70-plus crowd for e-mail.
The analysis released Wednesday, called "Generations Online in 2009," is based on 11 separate telephone surveys conducted between 2004 and 2008, with varied questions about Web activities, ranging from blogging to participating in an online auction to job research. The margin of error for the studies ranges from plus or minus 3 percentage points (for findings on adults) to plus or minus 4 percentage points (for findings on teens.)
"Generation Y is the most likely to be engaged in all the various activities — communication, entertainment, e-commerce and entertainment-seeking," says Susannah Fox, the report's co-author and associate director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Pew defined Gen Y as including ages 18-32.
She says Generation X (ages 33-44) uses the Internet to "take care of business," with 67% banking online; 80% buy products online, compared with 71% in Gen Y. The 33-44 age group also use the Internet for watching videos and socializing, but less so than Gen Y.
"Generation Y is starting to get into the taking care of business. They're growing up into banking online and getting job information online while maintaining the Internet's social and entertainment pursuits they probably started in their teenage years," Fox says.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Opportunity.com Launches New Website
John Reese's new service was finally released this week and we were not disappointed. The Internet Guru has put together a package to help all those inexperienced new Internet entrepreneurs get a head start with their businesses. For a very nominal monthly fee you can save yourself months of research and browsing the web trying to figure out how all this stuff works. The url is http://opportunity.com and is packed with information for both the novice and the professional alike.
As a follow-up to this service, Colin Buckingham has announced another website that has the antonym of Reese's venture and is called flopportunity.com and will be designed to be a forum that discusses the failures that so many of us have experienced when it comes to MLM and online ventures. The word "opportunity" is very positive but when you add "business" or "online" in front of it the context changes. Flopportunity.com will be a place to go to hear how to avoid all the common mistakes affiliates and associates make when they get "lured" into a new venture by a family member or friend.
It will not be a competitor to opportunity.com and in fact will have lots of links when deemed beneficial. Check out both sites.
Colin Buckingham - Global Internet Entrepreneur
As a follow-up to this service, Colin Buckingham has announced another website that has the antonym of Reese's venture and is called flopportunity.com and will be designed to be a forum that discusses the failures that so many of us have experienced when it comes to MLM and online ventures. The word "opportunity" is very positive but when you add "business" or "online" in front of it the context changes. Flopportunity.com will be a place to go to hear how to avoid all the common mistakes affiliates and associates make when they get "lured" into a new venture by a family member or friend.
It will not be a competitor to opportunity.com and in fact will have lots of links when deemed beneficial. Check out both sites.
Colin Buckingham - Global Internet Entrepreneur
Friday, May 8, 2009
"Flopportunity" - Creating A New Word
Yesterday I was reflecting on the upcoming surge of activity in the direct selling, network marketing and affiliate marketing industries and of all the incredible tools that are becoming available to the budding new business owner, whether it be in the latest word-of-mouth venture or as an online entrepreneur. It is going to be an exciting time as commerce moves more positively into this space as companies realize (finally!) that this type of marketing is the most cost effective and target effective there is. It is also the oldest form of marketing. At the same time I know that the biggest hurdle many will have to overcome to be successful entrepreneurs is the negative stigma the MLM industry has created for itself.
The very word "opportunity" puts peoples' defenses up. How can that be? After all isn't "opportunity" supposed to be a positive word? Even Webster's defines it as "a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances". But when you add words like "business" or "online" or "home-based" in front of this noun, it changes its context into something less positive. We all know the dreaded words coming out of the mouth of a family member or friend: "I would like to invite you to a business opportunity meeting tonight". We immediately scramble for any credible excuse!
So how do we change this paradigm? How do we clear the path for legitimate business opportunities so that both the suppliers and the marketers can flourish in this new emerging world of...opportunities. Well, one idea that came to me at midnight was to create a new classification to separate the good from the bad that would be immediately recognizable to any normal individual. That led me to try and find an antonym to the word "opportunity" and the best I could come up with was "flopportunity"! Now this word is not yet in Webster's but I am working on it and the definition will probably read as: "an impossibility due to an unfavorable combination of circumstances".
So this is how this will work. When being approached by that family member or friend, and not coming up with a truly credible excuse on the spur of the moment, all you would have to ask is whether this is a "business opportunity" or a "business flopportunity". This will put them off guard as you follow up with a series of other questions (which I will discuss in later blogs) to test whether they know what they are talking about. In fact, we could take this a stage further and start creating lists of "opportunities" and "flopportunities" that people can refer to to avoid making those terrible mistakes we have all made in the past in this industry.
We will allow you, the unfortunate victim, to give us feedback so that we can upgrade or downgrade both opportunities and flopportunities. A sort of consumer-run grading system. As this register starts to grow it will have an impact on the MLM industry as a whole and the suppliers will have to take notice and make sure they tread the "straight and narrow" with their overstated promises and complicated compensation plans and payouts. I can see it now. People logging on to flopportunity.com to get the real story and a truly qualified second opinion. As far as I know, this doesn't exist today.
But before you run off and try and register the domain name flopportunity.com, I have already taken it! Right now it will just bring you back to this blog but we will be working behind the scenes to create this compendium for the word-of-mouth community that could become the Dun & Bradstreet for our industry. In the meantime, come back and visit us on a regular basis as we will be posting interesting updates and articles in the meantime. See you at the top!
Oh, by the way, check out our antonym website: opportunity.com...it will be at the top of our positive list!
Colin Buckingham - Global Internet Entrepreneur
The very word "opportunity" puts peoples' defenses up. How can that be? After all isn't "opportunity" supposed to be a positive word? Even Webster's defines it as "a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances". But when you add words like "business" or "online" or "home-based" in front of this noun, it changes its context into something less positive. We all know the dreaded words coming out of the mouth of a family member or friend: "I would like to invite you to a business opportunity meeting tonight". We immediately scramble for any credible excuse!
So how do we change this paradigm? How do we clear the path for legitimate business opportunities so that both the suppliers and the marketers can flourish in this new emerging world of...opportunities. Well, one idea that came to me at midnight was to create a new classification to separate the good from the bad that would be immediately recognizable to any normal individual. That led me to try and find an antonym to the word "opportunity" and the best I could come up with was "flopportunity"! Now this word is not yet in Webster's but I am working on it and the definition will probably read as: "an impossibility due to an unfavorable combination of circumstances".
So this is how this will work. When being approached by that family member or friend, and not coming up with a truly credible excuse on the spur of the moment, all you would have to ask is whether this is a "business opportunity" or a "business flopportunity". This will put them off guard as you follow up with a series of other questions (which I will discuss in later blogs) to test whether they know what they are talking about. In fact, we could take this a stage further and start creating lists of "opportunities" and "flopportunities" that people can refer to to avoid making those terrible mistakes we have all made in the past in this industry.
We will allow you, the unfortunate victim, to give us feedback so that we can upgrade or downgrade both opportunities and flopportunities. A sort of consumer-run grading system. As this register starts to grow it will have an impact on the MLM industry as a whole and the suppliers will have to take notice and make sure they tread the "straight and narrow" with their overstated promises and complicated compensation plans and payouts. I can see it now. People logging on to flopportunity.com to get the real story and a truly qualified second opinion. As far as I know, this doesn't exist today.
But before you run off and try and register the domain name flopportunity.com, I have already taken it! Right now it will just bring you back to this blog but we will be working behind the scenes to create this compendium for the word-of-mouth community that could become the Dun & Bradstreet for our industry. In the meantime, come back and visit us on a regular basis as we will be posting interesting updates and articles in the meantime. See you at the top!
Oh, by the way, check out our antonym website: opportunity.com...it will be at the top of our positive list!
Colin Buckingham - Global Internet Entrepreneur
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Network Marketing And Affiliate Programs
These are two terms that are floating around and I sometimes get asked what is the difference between the two. The answer is simple in one way and yet complex when we start looking into the details. One of the confusions arises because some MLM companies try and escape from the “MLM” stigma and start calling themselves something else. Some call themselves “referral networks” or “direct sales” and call their recruits “affiliates”. Sometimes the term “direct selling” is used for both MLM and Affiliate programs. So what is the difference and is there any synergy that can be created between the two?
Most network marketing companies have a compensation program where the majority of the potential income will be attained by building a large network of associates. You then can earn “overrides” on the activities of your team, which invariably becomes more lucrative than the money you make from selling the products or services yourself. These “overrides” produce the enormous income that many big MLM’ers enjoy and often come in several ways. It is not uncommon that an MLM company gives you 5 -7 ways to earn income, only one of which is your sale of the products themselves.
In a true Affiliate Program you make money only from the direct product sales you make and not from any “downline” activity. In fact most Affiliate programs don’t allow a downline and if they do it is often no more than two levels. The commissions you make from your product sales may be as high as 75% so if you create a good volume it can be very lucrative. The types of products you see being sold through these programs are often eBooks and other forms of “information”. Here the margins can be high as the cost of the product is virtually zero. Downloadable software is also often sold through Affiliate programs for the same reason.
Nowadays, Affiliate Programs are very widespread and are being used by even the larger, well-known corporations to extend their sales reach. Google, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and many more all have Affiliate programs where you can earn commissions just by selling their products online. In fact when you visit any of the major retailers’ website, scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will be sure to find an “Affiliate” link somewhere.
This is a very convenient way these companies can tap into the strength of word-of-mouth advertising without actually running an MLM organization. In fact in this economic environment many of these retailers are finding this to be a much more effective way of distribution than the costs of a local store, distributed inventory and local personnel. The advantages can be clearly seen by comparing the price of a popular LCD TV on Amazon.com compared to the store price at Best Buy. It is often 15 – 20% cheaper. Amazon is not having the carry the same overhead as Best Buy.
During my research it became clear there is an advantageous connection between being involved in an MLM company and also being an Affiliate in others. As people join an MLM company they are going to need certain things to start their new business. Anything from computers to training to domain name registration, websites and business cards can all be offered through Affiliate programs. So if I sign you up for my MLM deal I will give you all my Affiliate links to purchase these items you will need anyway. Now I can create an instant income long before you do (or don’t) get active in the MLM Company. This is what the smart recruiters are doing. They then use this additional income to help promote their main MLM products.
This is one of the reasons I preach that getting involved with any MLM venture requires a strategic plan and careful preparation. I believe this plan should include getting involved with several, complementary products and/or MLM companies together with a whole list of Affiliate programs that are relevant to those businesses. In a later article I will discuss how such a plan should be prepared so that you can reach the right balance and have the right mix.
Colin Buckingham – Global Internet Entrepreneur
Most network marketing companies have a compensation program where the majority of the potential income will be attained by building a large network of associates. You then can earn “overrides” on the activities of your team, which invariably becomes more lucrative than the money you make from selling the products or services yourself. These “overrides” produce the enormous income that many big MLM’ers enjoy and often come in several ways. It is not uncommon that an MLM company gives you 5 -7 ways to earn income, only one of which is your sale of the products themselves.
In a true Affiliate Program you make money only from the direct product sales you make and not from any “downline” activity. In fact most Affiliate programs don’t allow a downline and if they do it is often no more than two levels. The commissions you make from your product sales may be as high as 75% so if you create a good volume it can be very lucrative. The types of products you see being sold through these programs are often eBooks and other forms of “information”. Here the margins can be high as the cost of the product is virtually zero. Downloadable software is also often sold through Affiliate programs for the same reason.
Nowadays, Affiliate Programs are very widespread and are being used by even the larger, well-known corporations to extend their sales reach. Google, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and many more all have Affiliate programs where you can earn commissions just by selling their products online. In fact when you visit any of the major retailers’ website, scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will be sure to find an “Affiliate” link somewhere.
This is a very convenient way these companies can tap into the strength of word-of-mouth advertising without actually running an MLM organization. In fact in this economic environment many of these retailers are finding this to be a much more effective way of distribution than the costs of a local store, distributed inventory and local personnel. The advantages can be clearly seen by comparing the price of a popular LCD TV on Amazon.com compared to the store price at Best Buy. It is often 15 – 20% cheaper. Amazon is not having the carry the same overhead as Best Buy.
During my research it became clear there is an advantageous connection between being involved in an MLM company and also being an Affiliate in others. As people join an MLM company they are going to need certain things to start their new business. Anything from computers to training to domain name registration, websites and business cards can all be offered through Affiliate programs. So if I sign you up for my MLM deal I will give you all my Affiliate links to purchase these items you will need anyway. Now I can create an instant income long before you do (or don’t) get active in the MLM Company. This is what the smart recruiters are doing. They then use this additional income to help promote their main MLM products.
This is one of the reasons I preach that getting involved with any MLM venture requires a strategic plan and careful preparation. I believe this plan should include getting involved with several, complementary products and/or MLM companies together with a whole list of Affiliate programs that are relevant to those businesses. In a later article I will discuss how such a plan should be prepared so that you can reach the right balance and have the right mix.
Colin Buckingham – Global Internet Entrepreneur
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