It’s Our Way Or The Highway | Are You Experiencing Upline Horror?
| Posted in Internet Network Marketing Business | Posted on 23-11-2010
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I just read Kim Klaver’s new blog post for today “Is MLM Really Your ‘Own’ Business?” which sparked this post of my own.
Here’s what Kim said about duplication…
1. Given the 95-97% drop out rate, who would knowingly want to duplicate activities that have brought this disaster about?
2. If we are not allowed – by the upline – to be creative in this business, can we really say we “have a business of our own”? If you must market the business or product the way your sponsor or another higher up distributor says, or fear social reprisals – like – we won’t ‘support’ you anymore, you can’t sit with us at the convention, we’ll call your downline and tell them you’re a loser, etc. etc., and, you cave in to whatever they want you to do – are you really in a business of your own?
Should your upline be allowed to tell you how to market your business?
I know this is going on because I was part of a team before where I was told by my sponsor exactly how to market my business. I was brand new to the industry back then and didn’t know any better.
There was ONE way to build – the teams way – and you were either “with us or against us.” If you did as you were told, everything was fine. But oh dear, dare you break out of the mold and try something different, you might as well have quit.
Because…
You were cut off from all support and treated like you were a leper.
This is part of the reason the failure rate in this industry is so high. There is no “one-fits-all” system. What works for you doesn’t necessarily work for me and vice versa. We are all individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. And that’s a very good thing.
Your upline/sponsor should be there to guide you and support you whenever you need help. They also should pass on any new information about the company or products. But they should never mandate how you run your business.
You should be allowed to be as creative as you want to be. Be innovative and try out new strategies. See if they work for you. If they do, then share them with your team. But leave it up to the individuals if they want to use your strategies or not.
New innovative ideas of building a network marketing business have been the ones most successful. Just think of Mike Dillard and his “Attraction Marketing” approach. Imagine what would have happened if he kept doing what his upline told him to do.
Stand out from the crowd. Be different.
In the end it’s all about duplication. And we all duplicate differently.
To Your Success…
Ilka Flood
The Enlightened Networker
P.S. Let’s hear about your experiences in the comments below. Have you ever been a victim of upline horror?
P.P.S. If you liked this post give it some lovin’ by sharing and re-tweeting it.
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Hi Ilka,
Downright outrageous stuff!
Uplines with the the “Us Against Them” mentality are the cause of the high failure rate since nothing screams Failure more than fear.
When focused on the competition, creation is stifled. Leaders know how to inspire their team while teaching them how to grow their business. Leaders are also flexible, knowing when to let go so that their team can grow on its own.
As you note if guys like Mike Dillard followed the company line we would never have innovation. Thanks goodness for creativity.
One size never fits all
Thanks for sharing and have a powerful day!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph invites you to read..3 Characteristics of a Leading Network Marketing Professional
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hi Ryan,
You hit the nail on the head when you said “nothing screams failure more than fear.” Absolutely! Fear paralyzes. We can only be creative and innovative when we are free.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ilka
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sherman Smith, Ryan Biddulph. Ryan Biddulph said: RT @ilkaflood It's Our Way Or The Highway | Are You Experiencing Upline Horror? | The Enlightened .. http://bit.ly/en0SnZ [...]
Ilka,
I enjoyed reading this post. I can definitely relate to the feeling of an upline trying to strong arm me…lol:)
J
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[Reply]
Hi J,
Glad you didn’t give in and remained unique and true to yourself
Cheers, …and happy Thanksgiving!
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka!
This is a nice post. It also relates to my experience when I started MLM a year ago. I felt like I’m still working for someone with the way that my sponsors pressured me on the way they do with their traditional system.
I would say that working with the right leaders and mentors who implements a system that allows their downline to be passionate,comfortable, and duplicable is one of factors that should be consider before joining any MLM.
Thanks Ilka for sharing! it’s worth to share!
All the Best,
Homer
p.s I’ve check-out Kim’s post, I like the way he talks about be creative and having a leadership skills.
Homer Arnado invites you to read..One Free Tactic to Drive Traffic
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Hi Homer,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! It’s very nice to meet you.
I’m sorry it happened to you too and I agree with you. Working with the right leaders and a duplicatable system makes a huge difference. You should always have the freedom of choice.
Wishing you much success!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: marcus_baker
said on 24-11-2010
Hi Ilka…
Hmm the whole duplication subject is a sensitive one. I think there are certain aspects that can be duplicated and others that can’t.
How to market is a very wide subject. What happens is that often people don’t know how they want to market until they get involved and find out.
This becomes a problem if your sponsor for instance is a PPC person and wants you to market in the same way when you have decided you want to market differently.
Where duplication is possible, is in the way the opportunity is introduced or presented and the way in which someone is signed up and trained on company specific policies and product information.
I guess it’s a topic that will always be open for debate. Thanks for sharing and happy thanksgiving to you and your family.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker invites you to read..7 Ways to be Thankful Regardless of who and Where you are
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Hi Marcus,
I agree. This is a very touchy subject. There is nothing wrong with giving a bit of guidance. When it get’s critical is when your upline/sponsor takes away your freedom to do it “your way.”
…And, of course there have to be guidelines how the company and/or products should be presented in order to stay in compliance with the FTC.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka!
Truly, I am all for creativity and less-upline-control!
I mean, there is really no hard and fast rule about what really works in a given situation so if a downline feels that what the upline is suggesting is totally bereft of any sense and sensibility in a particular group of people he or she is targeting, it is totally pointless to even do it at all.
Uplines should guide and mentor; not control and impose.
As usual, it’s another enlightening post!
Elmar Sandyck invites you to read..Overcoming Limiting Beliefs- Think- Believe- and Know That You Can Do It
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Hi Elmar,
I like the way you said this …”Uplines should guide and mentor; not control and impose.” …ABSOLUTELY!
And you’re right … Even given the freedom to do it “your way” there is no situation the same. So we need to be both creative as well as flexible in our marketing approach.
Have a great weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: JymTarrant
said on 24-11-2010
Hey Ilka,
Great post and a really important topic for many people.
Uplines should be supportive, not controlling, and a good sponsor will help you identify your strengths and plan your marketing strategy accordingly.
I actually left a company not so long ago, becasue there was simply too huge a gap between my approach to marketing and the one pushed by my upline there, not a case of control, more of mis-understandging and lack of support. Thankfully things are much, much better where I am now!
Thanks for putting this post together,
Jym
Jym invites you to read..EMLMC² – Ultimate Free MLM Leads Formula
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Hi Jym,
I think a good sponsor should be a bit like a “parent.” Helping you find out what your strengths are and give you the guidance on how to use them. But at the same time always ready to step in if you need support if something isn’t working out for you as planned.
Enjoy your weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
Hey Ilka,
This was a great post. Any person from your upline that tells you to do what they do or else they will shun you is not considered sponsoring in the first place.
I believe that duplication should be something anybody can do. If an 8 year old can do it, then this is something you should show to your team.
But if you want to try a different strategy based on that particular duplication, then by all means you should be free to do so since this is your own business.
Thanks for sharing!!
Sherman
Sherman Smith invites you to read..PROSPECTS THAT OBJECT WILL BE LOYAL TO YOU
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hi Sherman,
Amen! Absolutely! Couldn’t have said it any better.
Only by trying things will we find out what works for US and what doesn’t.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
This is awesome, I love coming to your blog to get value. You never let me down. That is why i will always come through and read what you have because it is helping me. True leader, thanks A million for sharing
kareem williams invites you to read..My Lead System Pro- Best Online Attraction Marketing Platform
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Hi Kareem,
Thanks for your kind words! I’m glad you like my blog.
Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend!
Ilka
[Reply]
Hi Ilka,
You’re exactly right. An upline should be there to offer support and help where it is needed.
They can make a great accountability partner, coach and mentor. When they try to step into the all knowing, do it my way, attitude, there’s a problem.
Susanna
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[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 27th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Hi Susanna,
You added a very important point … Your upline “can make a great accountability partner, coach and mentor.”
That’s part of the reason we choose our sponsor and the team we want to work with. But not to be dictated what to do and how to do it.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your valuable feedback!
Ilka
[Reply]
Wow Ilka, I was thinking the same thing , well I have been thinking like that for a long time now.
That is why I created My own rebellion in the first place. I love to see original people who don’t believe in the “ME Too method.” Be Yourself!
I couldn’t agree with You more, bravo!
Jonathan
Jonathan Sweeting invites you to read..How To Get Endless Free Traffic to Your Sites all Day Long Video
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Hi Jonathan,
Exactly, be yourself. Create your “own way” of marketing your business. After all it has to work for you or you may not have a business.
Cheers,
Ilka
[Reply]
Twitter: steveshoemaker
said on 30-11-2010
Ilka I completely agree with you. Your marketing should be based on your individual taste and strengths.
I think your upline should be there to guide you and your efforts not dictate. That’s not really “free” enterprise is it?
Oh by the way here is the link to the powerpoint webinar http://www.steveshoemakeronline.com/freewebinars
Take care,
Steve
steve shoemaker invites you to read..Cool Facebook Tricks- Use That Username
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
November 30th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Hi Steve,
Funny you brought up “free” enterprise. Is there really such thing these days? Aren’t we way more restricted in what we can and cannot do than let’s say 20, 30, 40 years ago?
I could extend that question to the “right of free speech”, but I’m not going to.
Hey, thanks for the link to the webinar! It’s very much appreciated.
Have a great week!
Ilka
[Reply]
Ilka
I’m going to be a bit contrarian. I rarely hear of people complaining of too much upline support or interference, just the opposite. For most people their upline is M.I.A., missing in action. They hunger for support, for a system, for some good old fachioned love and recognition.
It seems disengenuous to say “I own my own business” and then relinquish your opportunity because your “upline” was either onerous or M.I.A. We need to be careful here because distributors do look for every reason to quit. Every successful networker I know, myself included, succeeded in spite of their upline.
If you “own it” then own it. If you don’t like the way your upline is doing business then tell them to get out of your way and go do it the way you think it should be done. Chances are that they did that with their upline. You can’t do that with your boss at a job. Part of “owning” a business is to take responsibility for your own success.
Don’t be afraid to “steal” from your upline. If the system they are imposing on you is making them and others money, then take what works for you and leave the rest behind. If your upline doesn’t like it, tell them to donate their earnings from you to charity and get the heck out of your way.
Paraphrasing Nike; “Just Own It”
http://www.kevinboconnor.com
[Reply]
Ilka Flood Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Hi Kevin,
I agree with you. Leaders don’t rely on their uplines for success. They just “own” it. But the majority of networkers look up to their upline for guidance and support. They are lost without it.
It takes a very strong (and disciplined) person to search for the answers and take matters into their own hand. Most people are not born leaders.
Thank you for stopping by and for your very valuable input!
To your continued success!
Ilka
[Reply]