I’m asked this question all the time. People who are pro-MLM think I’m anti-MLM, and people who are anti-MLM think I’m pro-MLM.

I figure that, as long as I’m seen this way by both of these two groups, I’ve probably got the balance right, because I really don’t want to be seen as part of either extreme.

Extreme #1: The Pro-MLMers

On this end of the pendulum swing we have pro-MLMers for whom it’s all pure gold… at least publicly. They see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil when it comes to network marketing. It’s “all or nothing”.

Privately, of course, it’s another matter for decent, ethical, honest people. They’re concerned by their own lack of real achievement and the deception and manipulation they see going on around them. But they “keep the faith” and do as their companies and upline leaders exhort them (“don’t be negative!”) — until their integrity and consciences can finally stand no more hypocrisy and lies and they move on or quit.

Extreme #2: The Anti-MLMers

At the opposite end of the pendulum swing are the anti-MLMers for whom the mere thought of it makes them see red. They refuse to see, hear or say anything good or positive about network marketing, even to the point of rationalizing their position with specious arguments that “prove” network marketing is not a valid business model — which puts their own position beyond doubt. (Of course they couldn’t succeed, because MLM isn’t a legitimate business model!)

They’re invariably people who see themselves as victims or “survivors” who were abused and exploited by unscrupulous companies and upline “leaders” — or by thoughtless or clueless people from the first group (above).

In reality, they’re still victims. True survivors heal and move on. They don’t keep tearing at their wounds and seeking reassurance of the “righteousness” of their cause from other victims, as so often happens in “survivors” groups. They’re like “survivors” of a shipwreck who, for security and support, all join hands in a circle while treading water, reassuring each other — until they can no longer stay afloat and eventually drag each other under.

That is NOT survival. If you’re still in the water and it’s over your head, that’s delusion!

What’s the REAL cause of all the confusion?

They’re confused by my unbounded enthusiasm for the business model — and my unrelenting antagonism toward the way it’s actually done by most companies and distributor networks.

But the REAL cause of the confusion, frustration and disappointment in MLM for pro-MLMers — and the obsession of anti-MLMers with proving that it’s an invalid business model — lies in a scam that’s as old as mankind itself…

• Promising one thing that’s highly desirable, but…
• Delivering something else that’s wholly undesirable, for just one reason:
• To take advantage of the BUYER!

Let me illustrate this with a true story of a family friend, a lady who went on a South Pacific cruise.

During the voyage they made many calls into beautiful island ports. One in particular, though, was notorious for ripping off tourists. (This was due to the presence of a non-native population that had emigrated to this island nation in the past, with a culture that encouraged thievery and deception.)

The problem was so well-known that the passengers were assembled before disembarking and warned, in detail, how to avoid being scammed by this group. They were told that, if they purchased anything from a merchant belonging to this culture, they should not let it out of their sight until it was firmly in their hands.

My friend, a shrewd business woman, was tempted to buy a superb gold bracelet from one of these merchants. It was stylish, beautifully-crafted and an incredible bargain. Alert to the Purser’s warning, she watched like a hawk as the merchant place the bracelet in its box and carefully wrapped it in full view. She could see everything clearly. Satisfied, she returned to the ship.

Delighted by her purchase, she told several companions and they asked to see it. She agreed.

Imagine her dismay to discover, on opening the box, a short length of heavy iron chain weighing the same as the solid gold bracelet that she’d watched so carefully being wrapped and handed to her on shore.

It’s the exact same problem for the majority of network marketers

They buy the gold bracelet — but what they actually get is a lump of worthless chain.

Some people go into denial, like the Emperor with the proverbial “new clothes”. They delude themselves that the chain is really the gold bracelet in disguise. All it will take is some alchemy and hard work — and a lot of persistence and patience — and it will somehow transmute back into the gold bracelet once more. They seem to think that it’s some kind of metaphysical test of their faith. That, if they just believe hard enough for long enough, the frog really will turn into a princess or prince.

Others become incensed at the deception and theft — and embark on a determined quest to prove that the gold bracelet doesn’t exist — and never did.

Can you see the folly of BOTH groups?

They’re both wrong — but they’re unshakably convinced that they’re right.

So what’s the reality here?

Let me offer two more stories to explain to you…

Why 97% of network marketers (and MLM companies) get it all so disastrously wrong

If you’ve ever seen the Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner movie, “The Jewel of the Nile,” you’ll recall the scene where they escape from the palace of a maniacal Middle Eastern ruler in a jet fighter they find hidden in a street-front yard.

They climb aboard, fire up the engines, then proceed to wreak havoc in the neighbouring streets and market places. In the process, they not only destroy surrounding buildings, suck in and burn people who get too close to them and create chaos at every turn, but they damage the vehicle beyond recognition.

They have no idea of how to get control of it and get it off the ground and into the air, where it could whisk them away, quickly, to freedom.

Sound familiar?

Isn’t this like just most network marketers?

The painful reality of network marketing in the 21st century

The typical network marketer is offered a “jet fighter” but, because it has a metal body, wheels, controls, seats, windscreens and engine, they mistakenly assume that it’s a new version of what they’re used to getting around in — an automobile!

So they climb aboard and proceed toward their destination, leaving chaos and destruction in their wake, sucking people in, burning them and spitting them out. And they never, ever manage to get their new-fangled “automobile” off the ground.

In other words, they fall for one of the most common booby traps in everyday life…

They mistake similarity for difference!

They go looking for something different and end up being totally hoodwinked by similarities to things that are familiar — and assume that those similarities are the differences they’re seeking!

They’re like the legendary…

Six Blind Men of Hindustan…

There were six men of Hindustan, to learning much inclined,
Who went to see an elephant, though all of them were blind,
That each by observation might satisfy his mind.

The first approached the elephant, and happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl,
“This mystery of an elephant is very like a wall.”

The second, feeling of the tusk, cried, “Ho, what have we here,
So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an elephant is very like a spear.”

The third approached the elephant, and happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands, thus boldly up and spake,
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant is very like a snake.”

The fourth reached out an eager hand, and felt above the knee,
“What this most wondrous beast is like is very plain” said he,
“‘Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree. ”

The fifth who chanced to touch the ear said, “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most; deny the fact who can;
This marvel of an elephant is very like a fan.”

The sixth no sooner had begun about the beast to grope,
Than seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope;
“I see,” said he, “the elephant is very like a rope.”

So six blind men of Hindustan disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong;
Though each was partly in the right, they all were in the wrong!

In other words, they went looking for the differences and were so distracted by similarities that they missed the truth entirely!

Can you see now why I’m asked this question continually by both sides?

And all because I keep on saying…

“Folks — it’s not an automobile…

It’s an AIRPLANE!”

Be sure to download AND READ the free ebook on FOURTH Generation BUSINESS.

It’s all in there. And it can revolutionize the way you do network marketing — and the results you enjoy.

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