How to recognize strategic vulnerabilities and opportunities in your business
What can we do to avoid a catastrophe like Chernobyl?
Although your business may not be facing problems to the magnitude of a nuclear plant meltdown, it’s still possible to completely miss the warning signs that the ‘wheels are coming off the wagon.”
I have found that the best way to develop a resilient response to disasters is by relying on the feedback of Devil’s Advocates.
Continue reading “7 Things HBO’s Chernobyl Taught Me About Devil’s Advocates”
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which affects millions of people to this day, is now available as a 5-part HBO mini-series.
Here is what it taught me about having the courage to speak up.
Continue reading “HBO’s Chernobyl, Risk, and the Devil’s Advocates who Kept Us Safe”
Several new Multi-Level Marketing companies have appeared on my radar, and I’ve added them to my Complete List of Direct Sales and MLM Companies Worldwide.
Continue reading “New Health and Wellness MLMs and Why They are Dangerous”
We are all familiar with terms that de-value us. Women are especially targeted in business language that is intimidating, bullying, and offensive.
In this post, I’ll share some phrases that are commonly used in business communication but which have the potential to be harmful to your brand.
Continue reading “How to Avoid Communication that is Sexist and Gender-Specific”
Direct Sales companies, also known as Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) and Network Marketing, are growing exponentially. (Check out a list with hundreds of MLMs around the world.)
But despite their popularity and far-reaching impact, the MLM business model is often predatory, unethical, and at times illegal.
In this post, I want to evaluate the Disclaimer of one MLM company to shed some light on how this model works, how these organizations view risk, and why you should proceed with caution.
Continue reading “Analysis of the Disclaimer from a Direct Sales Company”
What are you scared of?
As humans, we are biologically hard-wired to treat every perceived threat in an extreme way, with one of four reactions:
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) and direct marketing are very popular. The rate of growth of direct sales companies is staggering, especially in the healthcare industry.
Unfortunately, the MLM business model is predatory and takes advantage of people who are in vulnerable situations. Health and Wellness products sold by MLM companies are often unregulated, overpriced, and exaggerate the results.
In this post, you will see why MLM companies take advantage of our basic human needs, and actual statements they use to influence unsuspecting people into signing up.
Continue reading “Examples of the Sneaky Promises MLMs Use to Attract New Reps”
We use job titles to communicate our knowledge and expertise.
A job title conveys who we are, what we do, and how we do it… summed up in a few words.
I have noticed a trend in the MLM and Direct Sales community, where reps portray themselves using inaccurate or even deceptive titles. This can be especially destructive in the healthcare industry, because unsuspecting patients are tricked into believing the MLM rep is a qualified healthcare provider.
Sure, it can be fun to design an attention-grabbing title that sets you apart from the crowd (I use the title Strategic Risk Expert); but when it goes too far, your potential customers may be confused at best… and be harmed at worst.
When MLM reps use deceptive titles to diagnose, recommend, or provide medical care, it can result in broken trust, lawsuits, damage… and even death.
In this post, you’ll read a list of titles that are Accurate, Ambiguous, terms that Misrepresent, and some are just plain Ridiculous for MLM reps to use.
Continue reading “Which Titles to Use if You’re an MLM or Direct Sales Rep”
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) products are everywhere. They are particularly common in the healthcare industry.
While some products may provide some relief when used properly, I believe the biggest problem created by the MLM industry is their blatant misuse and disregard for job titles.
Continue reading “199 (Potentially Dangerous) Titles Used by MLM and Direct Sales Reps”
We have the power to exert tremendous influence on others.
Sometimes, people use this power to take advantage of those who are vulnerable by exerting tremendous control on their choices and behavior.
Today I want to share some insights about why Multi-Level Marketing companies operate exactly like a cult and how to build risk intelligence to keep yourself safe.
Continue reading “11 Ways Multi-Level Marketing is Like a Cult”
