Vultures Go Away! An Open Letter of Apology to eFusjon Reps and Customers

Before today, I had never heard of the MLM company eFusjon.

But I saw this post from Ty Tribble, and found out that the company had basically just stopped their direct sales and MLM business yesterday, 9/1/10. Unfortunately this kind of thing happens in the direct sales and network marketing industry.

While I am very sorry for the distributors and customers of eFusjon, I am more upset by the vultures that have already set sights on their prey.

Within minutes of seeing that post from Ty Tribble, I saw tweets from people inviting distributors to join their company because their was the “best”, with the best compensation plan in the business, great customers, blah – blah – blah.

Gimme a break!

These poor people haven’t even had time to digest what has happened and you’re already trying to get them to join your company. They need at least a couple of days to get situated: there are customers to call, presentations to cancel, blogs to update, etc. And, hopefully, these “vultures” weren’t the ones breaking the news since the company just sent out an email to their distributors.

So, here’s my rant (in case you didn’t know it was coming):

Instead of trying to sign up a newly “unemployed” distributor or gain a new customer with your products, you should be trying to find out what those people need FIRST. If you didn’t have a relationship with them before this happened, you need to take time to get to know them, their goals, their needs and wants. Sending them invitations to your opportunity call and next demonstration “out of the blue” only speaks badly of the industry and your ethics. It’s really just SPAM if you think about it.
Bad mouthing eFusjon doesn’t do anything for your credibility either. While I am the first one to admit that falling for hype isn’t a good thing, I’m not going to kick someone when they’re down. By telling someone all the reasons they should join your company or buy your company products because they’re superior only leaves a bad taste in their mouth. This doesn’t speak well for you or the company you represent.
Building wealth in your direct sales and network marketing opportunity takes time. Like with anything, you should always do your research. If someone says it’s “easy money”, “ground floor opportunity”, “make money fast”, “get rich quick”, etc. stop and really think about the opportunity. If it was that great, would they have to make such a hard sell?

Now, in full disclosure, I am in network marketing and direct sales. Would I love to have an eFusjon distributor on my team – SURE! I am always looking to grow my team, but only…

IF IT’S THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM!

One of the best things about direct sales and network marketing is that ANYONE can be a success if they are willing to work hard and spend time developing their team. At the end of the day, if you choose to sponsor people into the business, you have to really want to help them achieve their goals, no matter what they are. Whether someone want’s to make a few extra dollars or replace their income, you have to support them in their journey. We don’t make any money unless they make money.

One last thought before I get off the soapbox -

If you knew someone who had just lost a spouse or significant other, would you be rushing to introduce them to your “great single friend”?

Of course not!

In my opinion, this is the same thing. Losing a business and income is a difficult thing. A true friend would be there to offer help and support, not try to make a quick buck. In the end, people want to do business with those they know, like and trust. If you have built that relationship with someone before this all happened, then things will fall into place if they want a new business opportunity.

Otherwise, it’s just your job as a friend to support them on their next journey.

OK, rant over. You can now go back to your regularly scheduled program

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http://www.marketingdirectsales.com Janette Stoll

Hi Ivette,

I too saw the post on Ty’s blog and Ty himself inserted an opportunity his company although I do feel Ty’s a good guy and giving people an opportunity. I don’t work with Ty in his business. But yes, I’m so with you on the many biz opportunity pitches. I rant about it often on my blog.

Janette
http://www.wahmbahm.com Ivette Muller

Yes, I saw that note from Ty too and didn’t exactly agree with it, but thought it was different from the people who were spamming with their opportunity.

I like Ty too and really love his stuff.

Thanks for commenting!
http://www.greganddarcy.com Greg

Nice rant! You made a good point with analogy of a death of a loved one. Most of the distributors will probably never join an MLM again!
Melissa

So true, it is so sad that some people miss the real value and intention of Direct Sales and MLM, it’s about building the relationships, helping those who seek the opportunities, and creating downlines that have integrity.

Thanks for the rant!
Melissa
http://www.WorkAtHomeSpace.com Sophia

I’m not in direct sales or MLM, but it seems like the norm these days that when a company goes down it’s fantastic news for other thriving Reps to reap the rewards and go in for the kill. I’m sure if they took a minute to stop and put themselves in their situation, they wouldn’t be so keen on other people swooping in with their sales pitches.

With many things as you have mention it has to be the right time, the right company, the right fit for them. There’s no point in grabbing someone whose head isn’t in the right place. It’s like rebounding in a relationship. It usually doesn’t work out in the long run. .
http://www.JohnZehr.com John Zehr

Great post. Lovelt blog. Love the name.
http://Ding-Neng.com Ding Neng

Interesting post:) I really agree with what you say. Too many people are trying ‘catch’ eFusjon distributors who are left behind, without giving them a real break. Haha. If we put ourselves in the eFusjon members shoes, it would be irritating to read posts about ‘My New MLM’…’My Best MLM’ again…

Thanks for bringing this up Muller

Have a great day!

Ding Neng
Ivette Muller

Exactly! I think Sophia made a great point about timing. I’m sure most of the distributors aren’t looking for a new opportunity right now because they are disappointed and frustrated. But by offering a new opportunity so soon it might take them MORE time to even start considering a new business.

Thanks for commenting Greg!
http://www.lisarobbinyoung.com Lisa Robbin Young

A couple of years ago when The Body shop at Home closed it’s doors to US consultants, I went through this same fiasco.

The fact that I was a high-profile rep (at least online) meant I had dozens of these invitations every single day for weeks. I even blogged about the whole ordeal in an effort to illustrate the RIGHT way to approach people.

Frankly, Ty blew it with his biz op insertion. He would have been better off to post it in the footer as an endnote/afterthought. Instead, it comes across as keyword manipulation to bump his bizop.

That said, the real business owners in efusjon will move quickly to a new company – and they WON’T be doing a google search to find a new bizop. They’re connected to other leaders, always leaning, always growing, and always keeping their ears and eyes open. Some companies will approach them directly with an offer to “bring their whole downline over” in exchange for some lucrative compensation. The recent Partylite lawsuit is a great illustration. A Partylite Leader held a “barbecue” where she told her whole team she was leaving Partylite – then promptly signed up the bulk of her leaders to her new opportunity at Park Lane. Problem is, PartyLite wasn’t going out of business, so they sued the pants off her for “stealing trade secrets”.

Ivette, you’ve hit on two topics that are endemic right now: vultures and company closings. Now more than ever it pays to do your research before you jump into a company, AND to brand yourself as a leader and expert so that companies (not the vultures) can woo you to their organization if something should happen to your current company.
http://www.wahmbahm.com Ivette Muller

Lisa, thank you so much for your informative reply. I hadn’t even thought of the fact that the leaders already knew other leaders in other MLM companies so if they were going to move, they would chose to go with the people they know, like and trust already.

What an eye opening example with the PartyLite leader. Such a shame and those are the types of things that continue to tarnish the reputation of MLM, network marketing and direct sales in general. True leaders don’t have to rely on gimmicks, promotions or lies to succeed.

Thanks for being such a role model Lisa!!