Hi Keith & Dan,
Since I started all this with my post, it's only fair that I enter the debate.
I don't believe that the e-book was intended as a smash against MLM as a business model Keith, but rather as a indictment on the lack of training, and the "lies" that have been used to persuade people to sign up with many (if not all) MLM companies, in fact I believe the author still supports the MLM business model and obviously it has worked for quite a number of people.
So... the big question then is WHY hasn't MLM worked for the overwhelmingly vast majority of participants??
Well..I believe the book itself answers that question, and so if you haven't fully read and absorbed the information I highly recommend that you do so.
Some points that I'd make about MLM lies:
1) I know how I feel about being told one thing about a product and finding out something completely different. If I buy something at a store and it fails to live up to the promises I will return it or never buy again, and in some cases never use that store again. Is it any wonder then if I give someone a bunch of misinformation about an MLM that they will quit, never purchase again, and are suspicious when I approach them with something else?
2) I believe that majority of us are honest people, and repeating these "lies" (even unconsciously) presents a personal conflict within us..striking to the core, reducing our faith and belief in our activities, and this lack of faith translates into an inability to recruit, and sell, so we lose more money than we make and are forced to quit.
3) Using motivation as a bandaid to keep people involved and blinded to the truth is self serving. Certainly motivation is a good tool for any company, but if used to simply keep people in for another month, another sale, it is simply wrong. It's perpetuating the lies and hurting many people.
The book is challenging us people. It is saying that there are many great companies out there with many great products, but if we have to resort to using lies or misinformation in order to make any sales or recruit any people, then the question must be asked..is this company/product of value at all?
I have to commend Ann for finally standing up to dispel these lies, but as many will agree, much damage to the reputation of MLM has already been done. The simple fact that great effort has gone into avoiding the very mention of MLM in most prospecting scripts, emails, and sales pages, clearly indicates the reputation of MLM today.
Best regards to all..and thanks for participating.