About a month ago I received a call from a “top network marketer” that had just joined a new opportunity and wanted me to drop what I was doing and join them.
Now as you get more successful in the industry, these calls will become more frequent and on the surface can be flattering.
However, on this occasion, the last thing I would use to describe this call would be flattering.
You see, the individual just assumed that since they had left their previous opportunity and taken most of their organization with them to the new opportunity, then I would naturally do the same.
Problem #1 – I wasn’t interested in a new opportunity. In other words, I was not a good candidate.
Problem #2 – This individual without even asking whether or not I was interested, just started to “sell” me on the opportunity and what they could do for me “when” I decide to move over to the new opportunity.
This of course led to...
Problem #3 – The discussion of “raiding” my existing organization, as well as, the compensation I would receive as a “signing bonus” from the new opportunity. You see, they were going to pay me six figures just to move over with my team... interesting... but highly unethical!
Needless to say, I thanked them for thinking of me and ended the call.
What is this “Raiding” Recruiting Strategy?
This recruiting strategy is when someone decides to actively pursue another network marketer’s team with the sole purpose of having them come join them at a new opportunity.
This marketing strategy has been taught for years to unsuspecting new recruits as a fool-proof method of building your organization.
This strategy has been used within the same company, as well as, against other companies within the same direct selling industry.
This strategy is at epidemic proportions and directly impacts all areas of the direct selling profession.
How does this recruiting strategy negatively impact my credibility?
The moment you begin to communicate to your existing team about an opportunity that does not have anything to do with the existing business, your credibility goes down the proverbial toilet.
Any leadership relationship that you have created will dissolve.
Remember one important factor, just because you think it is a good opportunity does not mean that your down line will think the same way.
On another note, I am pretty sure that none of your down line gave you permission to contact them about “another” business opportunity.
The same goes for other network marketers currently at another opportunity. If you advertise and they actively pursue the advertising, then I believe that they are fair game. However, if you are contacting them without permission, such as calling genealogy lists as an example, then I believe this to be unethical.
How does this recruiting strategy negatively impact the credibility of the network marketing profession?
This type of strategy really takes a bite out of the credibility of the entire profession.
Now you might be saying, “So what, that’s not my problem.”
Well, unfortunately we all are part of the same community and thus are painted with the same brush.
What solution is there for this recruiting epidemic?
First of all it is important to note that I am not suggesting that it is unethical if you choose to move to another opportunity. I am only suggesting that it is unethical if you try and take your team with you.
Now as for a solution, my suggestion is instead of adopting this type of strategy, you actually learn how to attract the right people to your opportunity.
Learn to add value to others without the thought of getting anything back in return. Who knows, perhaps you next great leader in your business will call you.
Kevin D. McNabb has been a professional network marketer since 1985.
During this time he has been able to build an organization in excess of 60,000 people in over 37 countries. His goal is to help create 100 millionaires through network marketing.
For more information regarding Kevin McNabb (The Responsible Network Marketer™), please see kevinmcnabb.info/myblog/
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