Amway Talk

Are you scared of doing an invitation or showing the plan and being asked "Is this amway?"

Don't be.

When my friend called me and started giving the invitation, I said to him "Is this Amway?" He replied yes and asked what I knew about it. I explained I'd actually been thinking about Amway and how they'd be brilliant as an internet business.

Today I was showing the plan to guy, an Australian living in Sweden, and he says "Is this like Amway?" I replied "yes, Amway's one of the companies I'm working with - what do you know about them?"

His answer? "Oh, I saw something about this back in Australia and was going to join, but didn't because I was moving to Sweden".

Is this Amway? Absolutely. You're welcome.

Even in the states this holds true. Lots of stories coming out about Amway being back, and people looking for the products at the very least. Amway holds some weight now, as least what I have been finding out.

Old IBOs returning because they heard of the new incentives, missed the team and/or are uncertain about their future.

Good time to be in business.

I like to answer the question "Is this amway?" by saying: I contract with Amway Global through (Organization/LOA's name.) Are you familiar with (Organization/LOA's name?) They usually answer 'no' or 'I don't think so.' I follow up with: You're probably more familiar with our Power Brands Nutrilite & Artistry. It will make alot more sense when we get together! (Finish booking appt.) I've had great success with this. Keep in mind however, that 90% of your closing rates will depend on how positive your attitude is & how high your belief level is in yourself & this business. Good Luck!

quixnet99 - I commented on your quote on my blog, cross-posting here:

I like to answer the question "Is this amway?" by saying: I contract with Amway Global through (Organization/LOA's name.) Are you familiar with (Organization/LOA's name?) They usually answer 'no' or 'I don't think so.' I follow up with: You're probably more familiar with our Power Brands Nutrilite & Artistry.

I feel this is very misleading. Dropping the LOS name is a way to deflect the true answer you should be giving to your prospects and customers, that you are a contracted sales representative for Amway Global.

What’s wrong in saying that?

You’re not going through your LOS to get to Amway; you signed a document with Amway Global when you became an IBO. Did you also sign a document with your LOS? Now, it’s been several years since I was an IBO, but I don’t ever recall doing so with INA (my LOS at the time). The BSMAA yes, but that’s something altogether different.

You Amway business is built by selling products, not tools. The System’s purpose is to sell tools and function tickets. “Our” power brands Nutrilite and Artistry does not include WWDB, INA, Yager, Britt, or N21 on its labels.

My point is if you’re content with hiding behind your LOS/LOS/System’s name instead of the Amway name, you’re probably not going to get far in your Amway business. Sooner or later the truth is going to come out, and you’re going to look like an idiot to your customer and prospect, who’s going to feel like s/he’s received the bait and switch.

Amthrax wrote:I feel this is very misleading. Dropping the LOS name is a way to deflect the true answer you should be giving to your prospects and customers, that you are a contracted sales representative for Amway Global.

What’s wrong in saying that?

He did say he was contracted to Amway Global

Amthrax wrote:You’re not going through your LOS to get to Amway; you signed a document with Amway Global when you became an IBO. Did you also sign a document with your LOS? Now, it’s been several years since I was an IBO, but I don’t ever recall doing so with INA (my LOS at the time). The BSMAA yes, but that’s something altogether different.

"through" may not be the best choice of words. I interpreted more as that's how he got connected to Amway Global, which is probably correct because someone likely took him to an LOA open plan.

Amthrax wrote:You Amway business is built by selling products, not tools. The System’s purpose is to sell tools and function tickets. “Our” power brands Nutrilite and Artistry does not include WWDB, INA, Yager, Britt, or N21 on its labels.

Which I think goes to show he wasn't "hiding" Amway Global at all. He even said he was contracted with them.

Amthrax wrote:My point is if you’re content with hiding behind your LOS/LOS/System’s name instead of the Amway name, you’re probably not going to get far in your Amway business. Sooner or later the truth is going to come out, and you’re going to look like an idiot to your customer and prospect, who’s going to feel like s/he’s received the bait and switch.

I'm not quite sure how saying you've got a contract with Amway Global is "hiding" the Amway name? He used both. He "dropped" the second name, as do I, because it's an important component of the business system being offered, indeed if they've been involved with Amway before it can be THE most important component.

I think perhaps you're overanalyzing one word - "through"

This is not over analysis on my part; rather, it is par for the course teaching across most Systems in Amway North America. IBOs are routinely taught to bring focus attention on the System over Amway. Even you show evidence of this teaching. Let's examine the conversation you had with your friend:

When my friend called me and started giving the invitation, I said to him "Is this Amway?" He replied yes and asked what I knew about it. I explained I'd actually been thinking about Amway and how they'd be brilliant as an internet business.

Today I was showing the plan to guy, an Australian living in Sweden, and he says "Is this like Amway?" I replied "yes, Amway's one of the companies I'm working with - what do you know about them?"

"Yes. What do you know about Amway?" is actually different from "Yes, Amway's one of the companies I'm working with. What do you know about them?" The next thing you're going to bring up is N21 and how it helps people like you build successful Amway businesses.

Until you start to get tool breaks with your System, Amway is the ONLY company that you're really working with as an IBO. Your contract is with Amway not your System. Amway, not your System, writes the checks out to you. You report Amway, not your System, on your 1099s for your taxes.

Amthrax wrote:"Yes. What do you know about Amway?" is actually different from "Yes, Amway's one of the companies I'm working with. What do you know about them?" The next thing you're going to bring up is N21 and how it helps people like you build successful Amway businesses.

I'm not seeing the problem ....

Amthrax wrote:Until you start to get tool breaks with your System, Amway is the ONLY company that you're really working with as an IBO. Your contract is with Amway not your System. Amway, not your System, writes the checks out to you. You report Amway, not your System, on your 1099s for your taxes.

I'm still not seeing the problem? I'm marketing a package deal here. Amway, n21, and me and the team I work with. I absolutely am working with N21. You can work "with" something or someone without them paying you, even if you're paying them. I could be learning to play tennis and someone says "who's your coach?" ... "I'm working with Pete Sampras". He's not paying me. Heck, if anything, *not* being paid by N21 would be evidence of a sincere belief in the benefits of the services it offers - I'm not just offering it because I make money from them.

The N21 support system is a crucial part of what I'm offering to people, it would be bizarre not to mention it.

Simply,

"Yes, what do you know about Amway?"

Some IBOs don't "get to first base" 'cause they complicate things way too much and operate out of fear that is really unnecessary. Fear that the critics of this business feed and nurture and caress and hold dear to the parts of their bodies where hearts normally reside.

Amthrax has decided to take one person's comment and do a blog post on it. Yet that's not the point of IBOFB's comment that started this thread in the first place.

The point is: The "Is this Amway?" question should not be feared. Without fear, an IBO can move past "first base" and then get in to the whole support system yadda yadda yadda stuff.

Bridgett and all:

I agree that the question should not be feared, but the problem is that many IBOs do fear that question. The System teaches IBOs to trust in the System to the extent that they include the System in their response to "Is this Amway?" IMO, IBOs are falling back on a crutch that holds no weight. Speakers on stage have frequently stated, "I have never seen anyone succeed without using a System," or "The System works 100% of the time if you follow it 100% of the time." After hearing this over and over on tapes and at functions, IBOs "believe" that the System is the secret to their success. This I believe is a falsehood that's supported by the number of successful Emeralds, Diamonds, and beyond who are no longer in the business. The System is given far too much credit when someone succeeds and not enough blame when someone quits and fails.

IBOFB - You and I both know that I have a dim view on the System. I would much rather see the Amway corporation taking a more active role in teaching and training IBOs on retail selling strategies and other business building techniques.

In conclusion, I'm just offering my two cents on this topic. Consider or ignore, it has no impact on me which way you decide.