Welcome

Thanks for taking the time to visit our blog ....

 Why the strange sounding title ?

Back in 2008 at the FM Cosmetics U.K. Ltd National Conference, in his keynote presentation, Stuart Walden told the audience that it was the first time he had shared the platform with a networker who looked like an accountant, (Steven Bourne) and an accountant who looked like a Druid. I was that accountant  .....

 So, why write a blog on Networking Marketing ? And why now ?

It's now over twenty years since I was first introduced to the concept of Network Marketing when the sister of one of my daughters friends invited me to take a look at Amway. Personal challenges meant that the time wasn't right for me then, but in 1994 I met Jan who had already built several successful network marketing businesses. 

The search began for a suitable opportunity for us to work together. Thus began a long term love-hate relationship with Network Marketing.

I LOVE the simple concept, and the fact that it offers a truly equal opportunity for anyone who is prepared to put in the effort, and commitment, to build themselves a solid sustainable business.

I HATE how that simple concept has been used and abused for the past twenty years, by hypocrites  interested only in lining their own pockets at the expense of those who merely want to provide a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

In 1994 Jan and I were asked to join a new opportunity, Christian Monet, a company specialising in fragrances. I told her, in no uncertain terms, that I had no intention of becoming involved in selling anything, let alone perfumes !!

However she quickly explained that the key to success was building, training and motivating teams - something I not only had a lot of experience in - but absolutely love.

Sales is product driven - if you want to succeed in Sales study your product.

Network Marketing is PEOPLE driven - if you want to succeed in Network Marketing best study people !!

The key principles of Network Marketing are Leverage and Duplication , you can't have effective Leverage unless you have effective Communication - and you can't have effective Communication unless you understand people.

 So, why start this blog now ?

In February I reached 65, and could finally "retire. Jan and I had made many plans for 
our retirement - but her health means that these are no longer possible. Being carer for Jan takes up much of my time - but I do have a lot of time where I simply need to be "on hand" . I felt that it was time to focus on a project I've had in mind for a few years now, in short I needed a new challenge.
 
Since 1994 I've studied the industry, and I've had the privilege of working alongside some great networkers, observing how they built their businesses. I've also had the misfortune to meet a few networkers whose methods might have made me a fortune had I not been more concerned with sleeping well in my bed.

 They usually offered something for nothing, which turned out to be nothing for a whole lot of something. Using the "hard sell" fear of loss close, they stampeded people into the opportunity, "rode the wave" , pocketed the cash, and moved on to the "next big thing" leaving a lot of people "high and dry" ... the annals of Networking are littered with the names of opportunities which only lasted only months, or perhaps a year.

Since starting work in 1964 I've helped people start, manage and grow their businesses both working with sole traders, and as part of the senior management team in a number of large companies. And I couldn't for the life of me see, why, working in partnership with a reputable company, with quality, value for money, consumable products, and a simple but effective marketing plan, which rewarded everyone fairly for their efforts, an average person who worked hard shouldn't be be able to build a solid, sustainable business.

To say that the "heavy hitters" disagreed with me would be an understatement. They were unhappy with my questions, branding me arrogant and unteachable. You can read more about the "Network Marketing Vampires" by clicking here ....

I've lost count of the number of opportunities we looked at between 1994 and 2007. Most were American based, $$$ signs , niche market product, and compulsory auto-ship, and we were assured that if we didn't get in at the beginning, we would regret it for the rest of our lives. The reply to everyone was the same. Give me a call in six months and let me know how you are doing. S'funny really we never heard from them again :-0

In 2007 we found the company we are still with today. I suppose I could have simply knuckled down, and continued to build that business using all I'd learned over the past couple of years about Attraction Marketing, Expert Marketing, Invitation Marketing, and Social Media.

But the truth is that I have something to prove and something to share.

I want to share all the information, tips and ideas,  I've gathered over the past twenty years, not just about sMarketing , but about understanding people and building teams.

And I want to prove that, in these uncertain times, it is possible for anyone , irrespective of age, gender, race or creed, irrespective of financial circumstances, education, skills, or experience to build a successful, solid, sustainable business with Network Marketing.

Henry David Thoreau is said to have written ... 

"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."

This blog is "my song" , and I am now free to sing it ...

I invite you to join me on my quest

Mike Pendragon
March 2013








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