Amway Talk

ss3251 wrote:

Ros wrote:As has been discussed and debated many times, the value of BSM or other ‘life-enhancing” materials is not in the cost one pays for it, nor what was earned by the persons who produced it.

The true value is that which we each choose to place on it, and what we choose to do with it. The value which you receive may be significantly more then what I received from the same, and likewise I may receive greater value then you with other materials. It's of our own choosing.

Another observation I've made, the value we place depends greatly on our personal growth and timing as well as our willingness to receive it.

Perhaps we (I) need to mature in certain areas before receiving the true blessings and values that are waiting for us (me). (Personal experience.)

Very well put Ros!!

Thank you ss3251 for your thoughtful comment, it warms my heart.

- Ros

MichMan wrote:

ibofightback wrote:Actually, it's quite common for University professors to promote books they've written themselves, and quite obviously profit from.

Untrue.

That practive is illegal in many states. Most universities either prohibit the practice or STRICTLY regulate it.

For instance, here is one university's policy:

"Textbook Royalties
Faculty members who assign books or other materials which they have written, edited, or published and from which they receive royalties or other remuneration may not profit financially from the purchase of these materials by their students (Operations Manual, III-17.17(3)). The faculty member must either refund the money to the students who purchased these materials or make other arrangements to avoid profiting from the students' use of the materials. Faculty may, for example, transfer the remuneration to the University, one of its units, or The University of Iowa Foundation (e.g., for a student scholarship fund)."

http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/faculty/teaching/new_textbooks_etc.shtml

There is a huge conflict of interest and potential for abuse in these situations. Same story in the Amway business.

MichMan,

While there is certainly an element of truth in what you say, if our main focus is on what "we" think is wrong with “others” and not on what "we" should be doing, then aren't we allowing others to determine our destiny and not taking personal responsibility for our own lives?

Just a thought.

- Ros

MichMan wrote:Both groups tried to make the money transparent and to let more people "in" on the profits.

At what level should people share in whatever tools profits exist?

Prior to achieving that level, do you think someone should be concerned with the tools policy and profit disbursement, even though we can certainly all agree that it is the Amway business that should be the primary goal of business development?

Do you think tools produced by non-qualifying pins are of less value than qualifying pins?

Is it fair to say that if you do, an independent company (non related to Amway at all) producing tools would be doing so at an even lesser value?

Should this independent company be bound to lower costs and/or lower profit margins than an IBO developed tool system?

My opinion is that IBOs having not yet achieved a Platinum should be

1) Focused on developing their Amway business

2) Participating in system to the extent they feel they glean value for their dollars

3) Happy that some Never-Was-In-Amway-And-Never-Built-An-Amway-Business entrepreneur isn't trying to teach them how to do it

4) Preparing themselves for the time they DO reach Platinum and beyond if they intend to leverage the training and support of the existing system, or create their own, because unless you want a full-time job, you're gonna' need one.

Ros said it best, and I can't for the life of me figure out why system tools critics refuse to allow for someone finding value in the system, and doesn't need to know the details of the profits that system generates to do so.

MichMan, interesting, I wasn't aware that had been made illegal in some places. In any case, it's a significantly differetn situation, in that text book purchases are essentially compulsory and required text books are set by the lecturer.

In Amway the purchases are not compulsory and what is purchased is decided by the purchaser.

Ros wrote: if our main focus is on what "we" think is wrong with “others” and not on what "we" should be doing, then aren't we allowing others to determine our destiny and not taking personal responsibility for our own lives?

Just a thought.

- Ros

I believe that rank and file ibos will be MORE empowered to take personal responsibility if they know the truth about the bsm money being made by their upline diamond who is promoting the "new and improved" bsms.

We need to create an environment where they are EMPOWERED to take responsibility, if indeed we expect that from them.

ibofightback wrote:MichMan, interesting, I wasn't aware that had been made illegal in some places. In any case, it's a significantly differetn situation, in that text book purchases are essentially compulsory and required text books are set by the lecturer.

In Amway the purchases are not compulsory and what is purchased is decided by the purchaser.

Which is why there is a greater disparity between people who make something of the material and those that do not than even in a college setting, where I am told the numbers of measurably "high-achievers" is surprisingly small vs. the enrolled population.

It is also why the material in our business is much the same stuff, presented differently, because the system leaders GENUINELY try to reach out to each and every participant, no matter where they are personally.

It's not one audio and one book; "here it is, take it or leave it."

It's, "try, try again."

At least how I choose to see it.

MichMan wrote:I believe that rank and file ibos will be MORE empowered to take personal responsibility if they know the truth about the bsm money being made by their upline diamond who is promoting the "new and improved" bsms.

You still haven't explained why you think someone would take more personal responsibility IF they knew these things.

Doesn't your assertion oppose the very essence of "personal responsibility?"

ibofightback wrote:MichMan, interesting, I wasn't aware that had been made illegal in some places. In any case, it's a significantly differetn situation, in that text book purchases are essentially compulsory and required text books are set by the lecturer.

In Amway the purchases are not compulsory and what is purchased is decided by the purchaser.

Textbook purchases are not compusory either.

It is the conflict of interest and huge potential for abuse that is as the heart of the matter.

MichMan,

Am I to understand that some people have not built a profitable, sustainable business, despite their drive to do so for their own goals and dreams.

That some of these same people believe they are paying for tools they find little or no value in?

That this select group could suddenly turn their business around, not because of their own personal goals and dreams, but if only they knew how much profit their system leaders make?

I'm gonna' need help with this one...

Wearyeyed wrote:

MichMan wrote:I believe that rank and file ibos will be MORE empowered to take personal responsibility if they know the truth about the bsm money being made by their upline diamond who is promoting the "new and improved" bsms.

You still haven't explained why you think someone would take more personal responsibility IF they knew these things.

Doesn't your assertion oppose the very essence of "personal responsibility?"

If someone is encouraged to look under the hood of a used car, have it looked at by their own mechanic before they purchase it, they will take more responsibility for the purchase than if they take the salesman's word for the condition of the car.

In the same way, ibos should be made aware of the vast profits of bsms versus the actual business. Then they can evaluate if the REALLY need the new tools or if the LOAs are promoting them for self serving reasons.

With knowledge comes power. But Diamonds don't want to give up either.