Learning by word of mouth is powerful! Good network marketing happens by word of mouth. Yet that power of hearing by word of mouth is why a few people doing bad and ugly things give the stigma of bad. The stigma of a few can stick to an entire group.

Good network marketing is by regular people who start a business. No specific background is required. No particular sensitivity or level of personal development, either! Whatever one does by word of mouth spreads. The good, the bad, and the ugly!

Systems are in place for good network marketing. Helpful people are available to help get that powerful “by word of mouth” going. Personal development is encouraged and supported. Everyone has resources to tap. The stigma of those who don’t hurts those practicing good network marketing.

Yet we all move at our own pace. We take our own path in how we choose to learn to act in business. We are responsible for ourselves. We must step out of our comfort zone to succeed. We must take on the role of learner, of apprentice. Not everyone is ready or able to do that! Good network marketing requires that we support each baby step.

Some people get on track, use their system, seek and accept help. They may go fast or slow, but they move forward. Others sink into “analysis paralysis” and try to learn everything before daring a single action. They may never get started by word of mouth because they never open their mouth.

Others do not want to learn anything! They do not want to grow. They do not want to dream. They can be hurtful and painful to be around. We prefer to avoid associating with them, don’t we?

We use a business model. Like all things in life, there is the good, the bad, and the ugly. The stigma of people who do the bad and the ugly tarnishes us. These statements apply to any type of business! They are not specific to our industry and business model.

The Good
1. High integrity, good business practices
2. Useful product that delivers what is promised
3. Quality control in place and effective
4. Prompt, friendly, effective customer support
5. Well supported, well-trained, persistent, consistent, friendly, kindly, effective distributors
6. Strive to under-promise and over-deliver

The Bad
1. Questionable business practices
2. Product does not do what is promised
3. Ineffective efforts to fix or track problems
4. Poorly trained and/or unsupported customer support
5. Unsupported, untrained distributors who pressure folks
6. Flat out over-promises and under-delivers

The Ugly
1. Lack of Integrity: deception and lies
2. Product does not work and may be dangerous
3. No effort to fix or track problems
4. Slow, unpleasant, abusive or non-existent customer support
5. Pushy, unpleasant, abusive distributors scamming people
6. Promises a lot but delivers little or no value

One way to remedy the situation is by focusing on good network marketing together as an industry. Good network marketing by word of mouth is powerful. When the outside world begins to view our industry without the stigma of those who are doing bad and ugly? That fact will spread quickly too!

There is another way to remedy how the outside world views our industry. Other industries have used it: regulation! Business does not usually seek regulation. Yet, regulation is what many other industries have had enforced upon them. Do we need regulators to get good network marketing? I hope not! Yet, that depends on how we as an industry behave, doesn’t it?

Good companies and good network marketers can move to support one another across the industry. We can contribute by noticing what is the good, the bad, and the ugly. When we may slip up ourselves, or see our team slipping, we can act. When we notice our suppliers slipping, we can speak up. Point it out to them. When we want to spread good network marketing practices by word of mouth to one another, we can use the internet in videos and articles. Good network marketing is not alone in the stigma of a few. Many industries hit bumps from bad and ugly behaviors.

As good network marketing people, we can actively work to improve the situation, beginning with ourselves. People can remedy the stigma of anything when we act together. Alternatively, regulation by outside parties can force change. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” As we build our industry, let us each strive mightily to become a part of “the good” and to help our teams to do the same.

Yours in Sucess!