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[Jim Kerr Contribution Level: 2]

I know all companies and opportunities have great aspects to them but I was wondering what the ultimate network marketing opportunity would look like.

Would it be product or service based?
What would the owners be like?
What industry would it be in?
What type of compensation plan would it employ?
Who would be the target market?
What components would it have and which would be thrown out the window?

I figure if such a company were ever to be built that the experts here would know how to do it.

[Deborah Tutnauer Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 4]

I was just speaking with my mentor about this exact subject. We were discussing the positives and negatives of a particular compensation plan and product and then brainstorming as to what the "fixes" would be for the negatives. This particular gentleman has been in this industry for 42 years and has a wealth of information and insight. One of the the main focuses of our conversation was on a compensation needing to reward people at all levels, beginners in the company, top earners in the company and all those in between. In addition, it has to create retention. It is far better to have a downline of 625 people of which 500 remain active, than to have a 2000 person downline of which 500 remain active.

Yes, people stay with a company if they truly value the product. But if they cannot make money, they may remain only customers and never duplicate. Given that network marketing is a sponsoring and duplication business, this is a key. It does not matter how many bells and whistles and conventions and slick marketing materials a company has. It must have integrity, honesty, a good/unique product and a very fair compensation plan.

[Tim Flowers Contribution Level: 2]

I'd have to say that the perfect mlm doesn't exist and most likely never will. You see, we all have different ideas as to what works and what doesn't.

Some people will do well selling vitamins, while some people will do well selling telecom. Some people will think a forced matrix plan is the way to go, but others will swear by a binary plan. And on and on it goes.

It comes down to the pay plan and product that fits you as an individual. That's why it's common for people to change companies several times before landing at the one at which they make their fortune.

But you do need to make sure the company you join has safe, effective products, an efficient and productive marketing system, and a management team with experience that really cares about the distributors.

Tim Flowers

[Forest Marie Contribution Level: 4]

The perfect MLM may exist for you or me, but it can never exist for everyone.

It's all about preference.

Forest

[Jim Kerr Contribution Level: 2]

I fully understand that individuals may feel that they have the perfect opportunity. I am referring to the totally objective things that are really not debatable. Things like:

Low cost of entry
The distributors would have leads coming to them
Distributors don't have bug friends and family
Everyone needs or is currently spending money on that product
etc.

[Kate Baer Contribution Level: 1]

Low cost of entry
The distributors would have leads coming to them
Distributors don't have bug friends and family
Everyone needs or is currently spending money on that product
etc.

I had the same questions when I found out that the company I was with did not fit the perfect company criteria.
The company must have:

1) Management that at least had made it in the MLM business as distributors before they started in the company Management , so they can train the people, not the recruiting sharks that they HIRE to represent the company. Also I believe that there should be a system other then - Make your List System - for leads generation. I hated asking my friends who are not interested in MLM to join or try the products. The people who are looking to for a home business are the leads I want. I have found a system and I am happy to say that it works. I am just starting but I have about 10 leads over the last 2 weeks.

2) Before I would look at the cost to join I would look at the products that company offers. Is the timing right and there are people who are currently in need of those products. Do some research here! What about the cost of the product? Is this company making it hard for you to make profit on your retail sales? Wholesale vs retail price must be the same otherwise you are loosing your customers to ebay and amazon.coms. Is it a product that you would buy if there where no business opportunity attached to it?

3) When I look at the comp Plan I want to see some numbers. My mentors thought me to ask 2 questions.
How many active distributors do I need in my down line to have a walk away residual income of 10k per month - not including bonuses? The company I am with - I only need 300-400 users/distributors, whichever comes first! Do I know where to find 300-400 people - No !- That is where the SYSTEM is needed ( see #1)
If I bring $500 worth in regular month to month business how much will I get paid? In my case $50-$100. You want to be with a company that pays part time folks. Remember the 3.5 people that an average MLMer brings in?
Simple enough...Right? Well, not if you have to first qualify... Look for Hoops that you have to Jump through before you get your check.... Also I think you should get paid on every single person that is buying the products not (lesser leg) . That is just my opinion.

4) Then there is a cost to start a business... If the company wants you to pay them $500 for a website, then I would think again. If it is a consumable product, then it's should be discounted... If there is a monthly cost for a cookie cutter website , then you are one of many people who is generating an income for your company without them actual doing anything, becouse there is no cost to replicate a website! Also a renewal Fee? I am not sure you should be charged for working for someone... Is your current employer charging you to use the computer or phone? NOT!

I know I've missed something... See this video for more info...
http://katebaer.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2379443%3AVideo%3A13

[Shane Enochs Contribution Level: 1]

I'm going to go with Kate here.

When I look for a company, I try to figure out whether or not the company is a five pillar company.

1) Company Management Experience and Integrity
Does the people who started the company actually know how to build a successful downline? Do they only have the BARE MINIMUM for their corporate office, so that more money can go to the distributors?

2) Timing in the Industry and in the Company
You don't want to get into a company that just started because you want to make sure it has some staying power. You also don't want to join a company that's super old, because no company lasts forever.

3) Great Product for a Great Price
I think this is the only industry where you can buy an $8 bar of soap... Anyway, make sure the product is good (I suggest looking for a CONSUMABLE product), and it's reasonably priced. Would you buy that product for that price if there was no opportunity attached to it?

4) Compensation Plan where the average person can get a check
Make sure you fully understand how you're going to be paid. I bet you've never got a job without knowing the amount you are going to be paid, have you? Then why on earth would you join an MLM without knowing EXACTLY how you're going to be paid, and what you have to do to cut a check. A lot of compensation plans aren't built for certain personality types, so make sure you're able to fully maximize the compensation plan before checking that little box.

5) System to Teach and Train Everyone
A lot of people recruit, recruit, recruit, but never actually train their downline.
You can swim, right? Awesome. Why don't you go try to swim the English Channel? WHAT?! What do you mean you can't do it? I thought you could swim!
Folks, you need training. If you don't have any, please get with me and I'll be delighted to train you myself, no matter what company you're in.

Anyway, that's what I look for.

[Nathaniel Johnson Contribution Level: 6]

For me there are a few factors that really attracted me to my specific business. It answered the few broad but penetrating question I usually ask myself. And when I do I take into account that there is no 'prefect mlm'.

But one that fits me at least should be one that,

-has an actual company behind it
-has the right look and feel to it so it attracts the right type of MLM leads (not the ones who are expecting some automated system to do all their work for them)
-a compensation plan that is different from the rest
-involves members who speak/work/think/ together all the time.

[Joyce Jacobsen Contribution Level: 2]

Does "The perfect MLM" exist? Probably not, even though when I first started out I thought I was in the ultimate one - only to find out their products were inferior. Next company had superior products but the compensation plan had flaws. My current company - I think has all the bells and whistles I am looking for - but maybe for some it will be missing a few. It's not consumable -not all companies are, but it meets the rest of your needs. Just my 2 cents.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Joyce Jacobsen
http://4LifetimeFreedom.net

[Ricardo Gonzalez Contribution Level: 2]

Very good information! All your imput is great and you have said it so well that there is very little to add if we want to stay in the basics. I've just remembered those Kennedy words "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country"!

In MLM there are variances and many sides as to which is the perfect MLM. It takes two sides: the business and the businessman/woman. A good combination of both is the key to a perfect MLM! You can transform your MLM and make it the best while all the babies whine about it! Take a look at companies like Amway, Herbalife, Mary Kay, etc. Are the big earners a bunch of crooks? NO! Of course there has always been some incidents of bad reputation but a large chunk of these successful entrepeneurs tool an opportunity and made a fortune out of it! They did it, not the company!!!

What are we all doing here at BN? We are trying to make it big and learn how to reach our dreams! A perfect "fantasy" MLM would do that for you while you sleep, eat and watch TV. A real MLM demands your energy and work in order to take you to the lifestyle you always dreamed of!

Work smarter....and harder!