Wednesday, August 3, 2011

L.I.F.E. The Future Of Network Marketing-Part 1

     There has been a lot of hype around the latest and greatest idea coming out of the Team camp lately, and it hit a feverish pitch this last weekend at the Major Leadership Convention. I can only imagine how many gas station attendants were contacted between here and Ohio! The bottom line is that Team is rolling out the future of network marketing on November 1st of this year. From first glance it appears that Team is just merely rebranding their business (yet again), Team of Destiny anybody? I saw a flyer that was handed out to Team members at the Major Leadership Convention. It stated that the new "L.I.F.E." model "Rests upon three pillars of support"....because we all know how structurally sound those three pillared foundations are! These guys were engineers at one point right? I digress..... Let's take a look at these three pillars shall we. They are (in no particular order) Credibility, Competence, and Compensation.

1) Credibility - Are you serious? These "Best Selling Authors" achieved this ranking by moving their "Instant Classic" Launching a Leadership Revolution through their MLM organization! Most people "building their business" were encouraged to buy numerous copies to hand out to prospects or sell to their downlines! It was a "Book of the Month" selection, meaning everybody in their organization on "system" got it automatically sent to them, and was also used as the sign up book that a new person got when they got started in Team. Show me another author who had a force fed distribution deal awaiting their book! Show me the numbers on how many LLR books were sold outside Team, and see if we are still dealing with "Best Selling Authors".

2) Competence - "The founders of L.I.F.E. have over 100 years of combined experience in the community building profession". Wow.... over 100 years experience! They must really be good! Who knew "Community Building" was a profession? I thought this was a business? No.... only when your really good at it....then it's a "Profession"! The only thing these guys are competent at is finding new ways to drain money from the pockets of their devoted followers! New business.... so I can only imagine they will be revising the first night book. Leading the consumer rebellion....version....what....14 now? 15 maybe? Give me a break.

3) Compensation - So they are going to pay you to move CD's, DVD's, Books, and the like, to other MLM organizations, random people, and corporations? The best part is that they are going to pay "double" what other MLM's pay! Since 99% of people involved in MLM never make a cent.... what's double of nothing again...oh yeah....NOTHING! Should add up to a big pay day for the leaders of Team once again however!

     I personally can't wait to watch this train wreck of an idea unfold! My only regret is that a lot of people are going to get hurt along the way. Financially and emotionally. There are still people who I used to considered good friends, and have gone through numerous changes with Team though the years, still involved. It'll be tough to watch, however maybe......just maybe.....they'll stumble across this site! I will make future L.I.F.E. posts and updates as the sad and tragic facts regarding this "Business" come to light. And remember.....without the "F".........it's just a L.I.E.
     


13 comments:

  1. I could tell you what I think the "F" stands for, but it could easily be construed as crude.

    I wonder if Orrin Woodward would ever be open to a real interview by an objective member of the media, say like Dateline?

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  2. @ Rocket - I've been keeping an eye on your blog! You and I both know the answer to your question! No chance he would do it! Just look at the Forbes article from a while back! LOL. I remember that being promoted as a big deal at the time! "Orrin being interviewed by Forbes" ooooooohhhhhh, aaaahhhhhh! Then the article came out.....and it was never spoken about again! LOL. If you haven't read it before.... check it out here: http://www.forbes/2008/0811/050.html

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  3. I never heard of this before I stumbled upon this marketing scheme while investigating my husbands whereabouts . He is a truck driver who at one time would make his west coast run in two weeks but after MLM involvement its months before he comes home. It made me an outsider to this new cult he belonged to. It destroyed a thirty yr marriage and destroyed myself as a person. I cannot believe the people in my life who kept this secret from me all these yrs.

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  4. @Cindy,
    Sorry to hear about how this "Business" has destroyed your family and marriage. If you would, tell me how you found out about your husband's involvement with this, and how you found my blog. I'd love to hear more from you.

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  5. thanks so much for all this info. I just got a visit from someone about this tonight. I had a very weird feeling about it and did some research and found your blog.
    Thanks for saving my LIFE!! lol

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  6. @ Jen,
    Glad I could help! This is the whole reason I started this blog. I want to put my views and experiences with TEAM out there so that when people use their critical thinking skills, and actually do some research... they get some answers. If you wouldn't mind sharing some of your story as to how you were contacted etc., I'd love to hear about it!

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  7. Is there no validity at all regarding MLM?

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  8. @ Clarence,
    My latest post answers your question! Will be published this weekend! Thanks for the comment.

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  9. After reading this blog and this post, http://freedomofmind.com/Info/infoDet.php?id=524, I just want to throw up. As former, like 20 years ago, Amway distributor, this is the same old regurgitated "black-hat" marketing techniques of the modern age. I doubt the term black-hat existed back in the days of Bill Britt but it's essentially the same crap. Meetings every week, weekly subscriptions to auto-ship books and tapes (how else would the "Diamonds" make money?), major functions (another revenue source!), etc. It's an endless money pit based on a wing and prayer - and of course, your checkbook! The concept of residual income is appealing but the MLM methodology is for such a minority few, it borders on unethical. There are options to making recurring income without implementing the "3 foot rule". Puke!

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  10. Looks like it's time for more posts? Got home at Midnight last night when a friend said I needed to check this out. Every Tuesday like this? I think not. Mr. Punisher, thanks for starting this! I wish the best for you and the Mrs! I totally relate with your experiences. Had some weird feelings last night. Seemed like there were some nice people who really want to help people change the way they think about life and finance. Seems sincere. They're either great actors/actress's or they just haven't experienced the loss and pain that a program like this can truly inflict. I do believe "we" the people, need to change where we are financially, how we think about and use money. Always be on the lookout for the birds of prey! They are wonderful and Fast!! They'll take you out right away or pick little pieces off until you're gone.
    Thanks Mr. P! Your honesty and personal experience shows. Not just some mad guy who tried for a little while and started looking for excuses. I appreciate your honesty. Thank you!!

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  11. Thanks for the read Boone. Glad you were able to see through the smoke and mirrors. I couldn't agree more with you, we are all responsible for decisions, including in the world of finance. This does not mean however, that we should suspend our critical thinking, and not evaluate an "opportunity" just because we met some nice people, who treated us well, and smiled at us for a night! I made some poor financial choices following these guys for years. I paid a price in more than one area of my life. I just hope that I can help others from making the same mistake! Glad I could help.

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  12. HAHA...knew I could find this info out there...was contacted yesterday at work by a colleague. Her "upline" immediately contacted me (an employee in the same company). I smelled a MLM rat--I was once involved with Amway(re-branded as Quixtar) when I was a youngun. I did gain a lot of personal growth and development from their self-help books, etc...but never made a cent, and quit when it just ended up costing more than it was worth.

    Thought this organization seemed the same (ie slick). Then i delved into their online store, and saw the standard personal development books along side books on how to dress "modestly" and creationism and blatant christianity. That is fine...I grew up that way, but I think I'll steer clear of this one.

    Appreciate your perspective.

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  13. Steve, your thoughts about this company are right on the mark! This company is no more than a spin off, from it's Amway/Quixtar roots! Only this time instead of selling some over priced product, and then plying you with motivational CD's, books, and meetings, selling the "tools" and going to the meetings IS the "business". The "Leaders" of this organization were originally in Amway/Quixtar and were known at that time as the Team of Destiny (TOD). They then changed their name to just TEAM, separated from Quixtar and went to Monavie. We now have this train wreck of a "business" as their newest idea, LIFE. Thanks for reading and congrats on your critical thinking skills! Wish mine had kicked in a little sooner....

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