My “Success Team” has identified five key areas we call the “5 Pillars to Success”. I’m happy to send anyone with interest a free, one page summary report that highlights all the details. Like a chain with a weak link, ALL five areas are critically important. If there’s just one weak “link”, it’s impossible to reach the readily achievable dream of long-term residual income, financial freedom, or early retirement.

The first “Pillar” is: Company LEADERSHIP. Do they have Ethics, Integrity, and Proven Experience?

There are many potential ways to come up with answers to that question. But one of the best is to STUDY their “Policies & Procedures”. All distributors are supposed to read this document before joining. But I’m amazed at how many I talk to on a regular basis that never actually read their company’s “P&P”! That one document can tell you more about a company’s honesty, integrity, and intentions than anything else I know of.

I’ll freely admit, for most of us, there are a lot more FUN and seemingly productive things to do. But if you start reading some of these company documents, you might be amazed at what you discover. This industry is not immune to the greed and corruption already well publicized in the corporate world, and some well known companies have some shocking “secrets” in their company “P&P’s”.

Talented salespeople and con artists can tell you lots of things to appeal to your emotions. But true network marketing is NOT a sales business, and facts are in “black and white” in the “P&P”. You don’t have to be an attorney to read and understand some of the better ones. On the other hand, if it’s written in such technical language or ‘mumbo jumbo’ that it’s difficult for a layperson to understand, that may be an early red flag.

Some of the questions you’re looking to answer are: Is it fair? Who does it protect more - the company or the independent distributor? Does it favor one over the other? Does it allow “walk-a-way income” - or are there requirements or key words in it like “ongoing” - recruiting, training, sponsoring etc.? Are their “loopholes” to unfairly steal your commissions someday?

You might be surprised and disgusted by some of the true horror stories of successful distributors who’ve been unfairly robbed by unethical or unscrupulous companies. And this isn’t limited just to “fly by night” companies. Sometimes it happens with well-known and popular companies you’d never expect it from. But in most of these cases I’ll guarantee the distributors involved never read the company “P&P Manual”, or didn’t pay close attention to some important clues.

Another important area that can give insights into a company’s “integrity factor” is the compensation plan. While there’s probably no other area with more confusion and misunderstanding, a little study and research can go a long way. Comp plans drive BEHAVIOR in the field! That one, simple, but little known fact, explains a lot of unsavory things that happen in the industry. And it’s critically important to understand.