In 1959, two friends Jay Van Andel and Richard Devos started a joint venture to distribute consumer durables through network marketing. The business was a success and was called Amway, short for the American Way. Their first project, a multipurpose cleaner was accepted well by customers and this led to diversification in product range as well as globalisation. In a matter of 20 years, Amway had an established global presence and as many as three million reps.
Amway Products
A few of the best selling products of Amway are -
· Nutrition boosters and supplements under the brand name Nutrilite
· Amway’s beauty products come under the brand name Artistry.
· Amway has come out with Satinique, a unique formula shampoo to cater to hair-care.
· Amway offers Oral care through its popular product Glister.
· Amway was the first to use the term “bio-degradable” when it introduced its detergent SA 8
· Amway’s water purifier, Espring is effective in controlling contaminants from polluting drinking water.
· For the kitchen, Amway has come out with icook, a comprehensive range of cookware created with care.
Distributing Amway Products
Being an MLM based venture, Amway offers customers an opportunity to become an IBO and distribute the company’s products. Most customers are induced by the income prospects, bonuses promised and the company’s promise to help them earn as well as the top earners in Amway. However, often superior products also have a superior price tag as is the case with Amway.
My Honest Opinion On The Amway Business Opportunity
Your Amway product could be good, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to sell all your merchandise. Amway may have its benefits with good margins, regular training sessions that motivate reps to seek business and interesting bonuses, parties and team outings where you could have a lot of fun. However, Amway trains its distributors to follow the conventional style of network marketing; call people in your network, convince them to buy the product and join as a distributor, get leads from them and repeat the process. While this could work up to a level, the majority of reps following this routine face only rejects and get frustrated.
When this system is followed, network marketing companies succumb to being accused of adopting the “Pyramid structure” which is banned in several countries. New reps complain that in spite of putting in hard work, most of the money seems to go to people higher in the pyramid. When their initial list of contacts is over, reps get desperate and speak to just anyone they meet; cold calling and inviting strangers to meetings with offers of free gifts etc. could irritate customers who are rushing on their busy schedules.
Amway Wrap Up
Though this may seem discouraging, the flaw is not in the products or the company. It’s only in the techniques employed by distributors. My conclusion is, if you employ the right techniques, this income opportunity could be a cash cow bringing in more money than you dreamt of.
What are the right Amway techniques?
Sell your products to people who are interested in buying them. Market your business to reach these people and get them to contact you. Cold calling and arranging meetings are now outdated; get all work done through the internet. Even you’ll be surprised at how much profit you rake in. Obtain leads and contact details on the net and follow up on these to clinch your deals. All you need to do is learn how to promote your products using various online marketing tools.
