This is part II of a series entitled: Investing in Your Network Marketing Business. In the first installment I talked about the need to invest in yourself.
Today I want to address what I believe is the second most important investment in your MLM business:
Invest in Your Team
We know that one of the core values of network marketing is helping others achieve their dreams. Network marketing has always been a business of people helping people. Sadly, I see to many network marketers who allow their team mates to suffer from neglect. These marketers sign up new team members, but never take the time to know, train or empower these individuals.
This is a true sign of a network marketer out of touch with the realities of this business. When a network marketer truly understands the power of synergy in their business, the thought of neglecting a team member is unthinkable. The truth of the matter is your success is directly tied to their success. If you are not helping your people achieve, you are hurting your own business growth.
Here are some key investments that I would recommend with your team. First invest in their dreams. Help your team members define dreams that are big enough to keep them going. Help them to see, hear, taste and feel the goals that are before them. Maybe you need to take your new team member to the travel agent, car dealership or open house to help them picture themselves in the reality of achieving their dreams. This is not a one time investment either. It is imperative that you regularly bring your team members back in touch with the dream that brought them into your business to begin with.
The second investment you need to make is in their training. Too many network marketers are greeted with a congratulatory call from their upline and a list of hotel meetings to attend, but left alone to figure out the business for themselves. Invest in training your people correctly. Teach them the basics of promotion, product & presentation. Help them with the things that cause them to be fearful. Let them know that you are there to help them achieve. A person cannot be a dynamic asset to your team, unless you show them how. A lack of investment will be reflected in a lack of results.
Invest in a relationship. Take a few moments to learn about their family, their interests and them as a person. When people see that you care for them as a person and not just a position on a downline chart, they will be much more responsive to you. Keep notes in your contact database of a few personal details, so that you can follow up and ask questions that lend a personal touch to your contact.
Your greater success is directly related to the success of those in your network marketing business. It would make sense for your to make a major investment into the lives of these individuals.
In my next installment, I will cover the final investment that I believe is critical for long term success in your network marketing business.
