It doesn’t really matter what names are invented for it, the actions of the majority will taint that new name just as surely as MLM and Network Marketing became so rapidly tainted.

We screw it up, then look for less offensive names to try to deflect the ensuing odium.

The current victim is “direct selling”. It’s quite misleading. Yes, network marketing is a FORM of direct selling, but only one of many forms. It’s a bit like all those so-called “Democratic Republics of…” that were anything but democratic, although they may have met met the vague criteria for a republic.

Instead of looking frantically for new names that will become promptly corrupted, why don’t we try changing the BEHAVIOUR and ATTITUDES that create that adverse public perception in the first place?

Your comments on NW and selling are interesting and one to dwell on. Whilst clearly NM is more selling than marketing in its purest sense, still I feel that it’s moved into a gray area. There seems to be an acceptable term to describe a distribution model, which has distanced itself from Direct Selling. Intellectual distribution and drop shipping are the current terms and whilst still involve selling – perhaps this is selling with a small “s” in the sense that all business involves “selling” but not all involves the exchange of product for money, but could be “selling” ideas, influence personal branding etc.

Time for a new more helpful and less misleading name.

I understand how it happens. For most, it’s simple ignorance — they’ve never run a conventional business or worked at senior management level, so they’ve never been told what the terminology means.

They hear it, it sounds impressive, so they use it — without knowing what the terms actually mean.

It’s like IMers and their “Joint Ventures”.

They’re rarely true joint ventures. They’re nothing more than strategic promotional alliances that take the deal up a notch or two from simple affiliate status to super affiliate status or “JV partner” status.

Most would be horrified if they realized that calling these deals “Joint Ventures” can leave them exposed to prosecution, litigation, fines, costs, damages and penalties… even jail time under some circumstances.

Ignorance in business is NEVER bliss!

John