Comments on: Sponsor Shopping in Direct Sales: Right or Wrong?

By: Heather Masson

Heather Masson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:27:06 +0000

Hi Ivette ~

I’m loving your blog, and I just nominated you for an award. Stop by and pick it up at:

http://athomewithheather.com/work-at-home-lifestyle/it-seems-ive-been-given-an-award

Thanks,
Heather
.-= Heather Masson´s last blog ..It seems I’ve been given an Award =-.

By: Sponsor Shopping in Direct Sales: Right or Wrong? : WAHM BAHM people shopping

Sponsor Shopping in Direct Sales: Right or Wrong? : WAHM BAHM people shopping — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:37:01 +0000

[...] More here: Sponsor Shopping in Direct Sales: Right or Wrong? : WAHM BAHM [...]

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:38:57 +0000

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This post was mentioned on Friendfeed by Ivette Muller: New Blog Post: Sponsor Shopping in Direct Sales: Right or Wrong? http://bit.ly/4rw100…

By: Harriette Jasper

Harriette Jasper — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:16:54 +0000

Great post!
I have been on all sides on this one. I have been ‘interviewed’ several times. Sometimes chosen, sometimes not. I also was a consultant with my company in another country & had to re-sign when I moved back to the USA. You bet I sponsor shopped & thought long & hard on who to go with. But I didn’t go after the deal-I guess my mind didn’t even go there. As a leader overseas in a very new company (they were well established in the US), I was struggling with what to do with my team. I contacted a successful person in our US company & for 2 years she treated me like a member of her team. That helped make my decision when it was time to start over in the US.
Family makes it all tough as well. I’ve seen both sides of this as well.I think that should be a case by case basis. I’ve lost potential team members because at the last minute they find out someone in the family is in the company. Often that was totally fine, however, several still expected me to train, support & recognize them because their relative was only in for the discount. Some training & help was OK, I have always been willing to help every consultant on our team or not, but spending hours answering every question can become a burden. So I would recommend finding out what that family member’s plans are and if she is pursuing the ‘business’ at all.
I think in all cases the potential new person should ask some of those kinds of questions of their sponsor, whether they are family or not.
.-= Harriette Jasper´s last blog ..Washed Out Faces? Turn off the Flash =-.

By: Ivette

Ivette — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:18:04 +0000

Great points Linda! I agree, if your sister or best friend is a consultant with a company you want to join, you need to sign up with them. I believe that if you want to be a success, nothing will stop you – even if your sponsor is not helpful. There are direct sales trainers like Jen Fong, Lisa Young and Jackie Ulmer, that can help you be successful no matter what business you are in.

By: Linda Stacy

Linda Stacy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:54:10 +0000

I’m someone who recommends interviewing more than one potential sponsor. I think it’s important to find a sponsor who has similar business goals, whose leadership style is compatible with your needs, and who has developed a marketing strategy that can help you reach your goals. Interviewing should be done responsibly and fairly, and each potential sponsor should be told that you are interviewing others.

I agree that starter kit deals and finding the most successful consultant in a company aren’t the best strategies. I also agree that someone who invited you to join a business should be first on your list of potential sponsors.

Of course, like everything, there are exceptions… if your sister or your best friend is a consultant for a company you’re joining, I wouldn’t recommend looking elsewhere. I think you’re best bet is to sign with her.
.-= Linda Stacy´s last blog ..Private Label Rights – Mom Content =-.

By: Ivette

Ivette — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:05:45 +0000

Great points as well Jen, thanks for your comments! I value your opinion and agree that as a potential recruit, you did need to have a sense of security knowing that your sponsor can support you in the business. I think most people can tell when someone is truly offering the opportunity to help someone make money and start their own business vs. just trying to get recruits to build their downline.

I’m so glad that I have met and followed you on Twitter!

By: Jennifer Fong

Jennifer Fong — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:17 +0000

Great post!

I think it is critical to be sure that you will receive the proper support from the person you choose as your sponsor. However I think it’s also important to note that if someone invites you to join the business, and then you “sponsor shop” and wind up signing up under someone else, that’s a bit more challenging of an issue. Unless you feel that you WON’T be successful under a specific individual, that person has made the effort to invite you, and has obviously gotten to know you enough that they know the opportunity may be a good one for you. I think it’s important to realize that the first person that invites you should be the first person you consider when choosing a sponsor.

You do identify some great qualities that all sponsors should exhibit!

Jennifer
.-= Jennifer Fong´s last blog ..Preaching Politics and Religion through Social Media as Part of Your Direct Sales Business =-.

By: Ivette

Ivette — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:37:42 +0000

Thanks for responding Shelly! So glad to hear I’m not alone . I really value your insight, knowledge and hard work in direct sales. So glad to have met you on Twitter!

By: Shelly

Shelly — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:35:41 +0000

Great post!

I do not see anything wrong with sponsor shopping if it is done for the right reasons. (ie. looking for someone they can personally get along with, looking for someone local to them, etc)

However…I see a lot of people running around online contacting 3 or more reps with the same company…trying to get a DEAL on their sign-up costs. I really hate that and won’t play that game. You are absolutely right, a lot of reputable companies will not allow their consultants to discount the start up kits but you will find folks who do it anyway just so they can beat out their competition and get another team member.

I am actually working on a blog post/article about discouting kits and giving away free kits and how it hurts the DS business.

Anyway, I agree with the points you have made in your blog post.

Shelly