Direct Selling and the EU

Is the EU's stance on Direct Selling softening? After previous concerns on legislation and where the European harmonization would take the Direct Selling industry, there are now some signs that give hope to the Direct Selling community that EU politicians might be realizing the value of what we have to offer.

According to Richard Berry, the Director of FEDSA (The European Federation of Direct Selling Associations), the European Commission now supports Direct Selling due to how the industry supports three major areas that are high on Brussel's priority list:

- Coping with worsening job security in EU
- Widening gender attention to female and older age
employment and self employment
-The need to improve the business skills of the EU
population and encourage entrepreneurial activity.

Which other industry could support this better? And add to this the wellness concerns of an aging population and you have one company that is perfectly positioned - Nikken.

A recent Socio Economic Impact Study conducted, in co-operation with FEDSA, in seven EU Member States, by the international market research organisation, Ipsos MORI involved interviews with 2800 direct sellers and the companies with which they worked.

Ipsos MORIs study reveals that over 83% of these direct sellers are women, 70% are aged over 35 years and 30% are 50 years old and more.

Richard Berry states:
"This age profile is higher than those in conventional employment in Europe - a fact that is now appreciated and welcomed by the European Commission. Another valuable research finding is that 70% of all the direct sellers interviewed, for whom direct selling represents their first experience of business, reported that it significantly improved their lives and personal development. This is crucially important in encouraging entrepreneurs."

The study follows new FEDSA research which shows that directselling is now a € 20 billion industry, offering opportunities to nine million independent direct sellers.

To be the most respected wellness company in the world

Mr Bob Richards, President of Nikken Global, inspired us all this week with his powerful message. With meetings in Turkey, the UK, Holland and Hungary during the last week, he met with hundreds of Consultants and shared his vision for the company:

"To be the most respected wellness company in the world."

Simple, powerful and backed up by numerous strategic initiatives, this vision is what guides Nikken as we proceed into a new era of growth and momentum. Sales are up, recruiting is up and excitement is building. Nikken has never been better positioned to take opportunity of the wellness revolution and the distribution revolution, two forces that are shaping our society and changing the way we work and do business.

One of the supporting pillars of this vision is the creation of the Nikken Research Institute. The activities of the Nikken Research Institute include publishing white papers on topics related to complementary medicine. You will hear much more of the institute in the future, I'm sure...

Below a shot from one of our several meetings in Apeldoorn, Holland on Wednesday 7 November.

More money

There we go again! You have sold thousands and thousands of Sports Bracelets so that we can give another big donation to Autism Speaks.

Our contributions are doing a lot for this charity and their representative expressed their sincere gratitude on Monday 5 November, when President of Nikken Global was in Milton Keynes on a visit and we took the opportunity to hand over the second cheque to Autism Speaks.

Over 20 000 EUR this time again, totalling our contribution to more than 47 000 EUR. Well done everyone!

But we are not only contributors of funding. Autism Speaks has also started to do research on how our products can benefit the quality of life for those affected by autism.