Network Marketing is changing

Well the headline could be applied to anything. Everything is changing. Nothing stands still. But sometimes people tend to think that there will be a new "normal" state of things. There won't.
The playing field has changed completely, will keep changing and we need to change with it.

Network Marketing. The name implies two basic functions that must be fulfilled. The "Networking" part and the "Marketing" part. This combination has huge potential.

But the generic view of Network Marketing has been different. The bad reputation that the industry has at times or certain places is partly due to obsolete high pressure recruiting methods. Traditional, old-school sales techniques have been applied to the recruiting process, leading to too many people being "persuaded" to join. That is not a good starting point for a long-term business relationship.

I think those of us in Network Marketing could learn a lot to learn from professional networkers in other fields. Networking is the art of expanding your circle of influence by people. People know people. We provide services. We offer products, solutions and a business. There are enough people that need what we have for us to find the right people without high pressure selling.

That leads to the other point. "Marketing" has not been emphasized enough in our industry in the past. Since direct selling / network marketing has acted as a direct channel to the customer, companies have seen Marketing as a support function in terms of production of catalogues and brochures.

But the world has changed. Competition is much more fierce than it was a few decades ago. Now we also compete for people's attention and time. This requires a much more orchestrated Marketing effort from the Network Marketing companies, since not all networkers can be expected to be marketing professionals on top of being the networkers.

Our Nutri5 launch has been an important journey in redirecting the company to focus much more on the retail customers and their needs. This journey will continue and we will keep developing strategies and materials that help our Consultants to build their businesses more effectively. You perform the networking function and we help with the marketing function.

Your ideas and feedback on how this should look like in the future are most welcome. We are building the future now.

The psychological effect of Shinrin-yoku proven

A study on "Shinrin-yoku", or forest air bathing/breathing, was published in Japan in 2006.

The study doesn't reveal anything that we don't already know. Science is often like that. Only a few years ago was it scientifically proven that stress has an effect on our health...

Anyway, in this study, the psychological effects of being in a forest and breathing forest air was measured. And surprise, surprise, people were considerably less stressed and more energized.

Self-evident maybe, but definitely a good reminder. I'm thinking when was the last time I was in a forest? Can't even remember. I'm sure there are some forests somewhere in the UK...

In 2007, a more detailed study was published in "Journal of Physiological Anthropology" where physiological as well as psychological effects were measured. They found that "sympathetic nervous activity was suppressed and parasympathetic nervous activity was enhanced in the forest area, and that Shinrin-yoku reduced stress levels." Blood pressure and pulse rate was significantly lower, and salivary cortisol concentration was significantly lower in the forest, among the measured criteria.


An earlier study done in Australia in 2001 covered the more abstract subject of "TRANSCENDENT EXPERIENCE IN FOREST ENVIRONMENTS". Quoted from the abstract: "The paper discusses broad classifications of transcendent experience in forest and considers the implications for understanding the spiritual meaning of nature. "

I don't visit a forest very often. But I plan to now, being reminded of their existence. So I will find some nice British forests for a weekend retreat.

But until then, luckily, I'm doing my shinrin-yoku every day, be it at work or at home. All it takes is an Air Wellness Power 5 Pro. And you have clean, energized, ion rich air.

Breathe!

Fake studies in the pharmaceutical industry

It is a well-known fact that fake studies have occurred in the pharmaceutical industry, since "profit at any cost" seems to be a philosophy among the medical mafia as I like to call them.

Here is the latest, Sven sent me this link:

Probe into faked studies rocks medical community

Ban the mass hypnosis of fear

People around you are going into paralysis mode. Don't just stay out of that culturally acceptable trance, but help to lift people out of it.

The media bombardment of how bad things are and how scared we should be is working. Sadly, we all can see this. But who is going to be the "local hero" who refuses the doom and gloom, who stands for something different and keeps believing in and offering an opportunity?

Is it you?

How will you make every moment count? And I am not talking about mass recruitment here. Not everybody is your prospect. Some people have to get out of misery and into a "neutral" mode first before you even want them in your business. And for some people the business you offer will never be the right thing for them. But you can still become the person who always provides value. Always inspires a situation. Like Michael Breen, a world-class NLP trainer puts it: "lift every situation to its highest potential". Do that as a habit. Benefits will follow.

And by the way. You urgently need to get out of the mass hypnosis if you are in one... and get into a better kind of mind set. Next week we launch our Nutri5 web site, releaset the bulk packs. Time to be too busy to worry about the econonomy! Go create a new one instead!

See you at the Nikken Conventions.

Talk and earn trust

Lately I have been studying "networking" outside of the network marketing business. The truth is that a lot of businesses are entirely built around networks in a very similar fashion to network marketing. Especially when you look at one-person businesses such as consulting, coaching, training, public speaking and a lot of free-lance businesses of various forms. Many successful people in these types of businesses started with very low or almost no financial resources and investments. Very much like many network marketing businesses start with very little cash injected as the start. But what they did start with was an intention, an offering and people.

The successful ones managed to leverage their network. They spoke with people they already knew. Started serving them, communicating regularly with them, and asking for what they wanted. Business and referrals. Not pushing their services down people's throats. But letting everyone know what solutions they could offer and what type of clients they were looking for.

Some of these consultants, coaches etc are brilliant network marketers. They follow up. They listen. They regularly stay in touch. And they don't chase. They do inform. They ask "who do you know who might need this?" And over time they build an incredible foundation of trust and a steady stream of clients.

Network marketers should adapt some of the things these people do. One of the is using your "data base" or your name list properly. Another one is keeping your communications simple. Don't make prospecting into a "thing". Talk to people! Serve them. Help them...

There is great opportunity in the marketplace. Those who serve will continue to win. No matter what the "general statistics" about our economy say.

Be one of those winners.

Mämmiä!

It must be 10 years since I last had some "mämmi", a Finnish Easter Tradition probably going back thousands of years... to the ancient times when all the Finns had to eat was pine trees, fish, rocks and rye. So it's kind of like a desert. But like a rye bread pudding. Served with cream and sugar to sweeten it up a bit. Quite an experience. Riitta in our Finance department brought some to the office today and us Finns are celebrating this fine tradition...


Anyway, Finland keeps going strong as a Nikken market. Year on year they build a stronger and stronger business. At end of March, our newest President's Club members Ilkka and Pirkko Noso (in the photo) joined me and the first Finnish PC members Jouko and Mallu Saarinen for the Finnish 3rd annual DSA Gala. It was held at the Grand Casino in Helsinki and we had some great opera themed entertainment with our nice dinner.

The Noso's have an interesting and inspiring story to share. Be on the lookout on the portal and the Summer edition of our Family Wellness Magazine to read more about how and why they did it.


Belgium is another market doing really well. In recent months they have reached a fantastic momentum and are basically doubling sales compared to the same month last year. Way to go!

Many Belgian Consultants will be recognised at the first of this year's Regional Conventions that is coming up 16 May in Paris. The Paris one is quickly selling out, so secure your tickets! Also, it is about time to secure your ticket for the Copenhagen one on 29 August as well and why not join us in Budapest on 21 November?

Order your Convention ticktes at: http://www.rhythmoflife.eu/