From: bglazier@buffalo.asd.sgi.com (Bill Glazier)
Newsgroups: alt.business.multi-level
Subject: Re: Nuskin
Date: 29 Sep 92 01:41:49 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.


 
|> > Nuskin was, and probably still is, another Utah based ripoff/scam sponsored
|> > by get-rich-quick artists.  They'll say anything to get your money.
|> 
|> Here I have to disagree strenuously.  I got out of NS because I felt the
|> business program was far too difficult for any reasonable person to succeed in.
|> But their products were and are superb, their business ethics are top-notch,
|> and overall they're an outstanding company.
|> 
|> There *were* a few distributors that took advantage of a few poorly-designed
|> aspects of the NS business plan to front-load a bunch of people.  This was
|> the cause of most of NS's publicity problems last year.  But the company
|> itself is one of the best I've ever seen.

I am no expert MLM-baiter.  I am too busy with more positive aspects of my
existence.  But it seems I always hear, in any defense of an MLM company, 
an apology for certain 'bad apples' who taint the whole program.  Perhaps
the nature of MLM is just that:  it is too easy for less than ethical people
to make a quick killing on the unsuspecting public, no matter what the
intentions of the founders.  I won't accept the counter argument that 'well, all
business is like that'.  I believe the vast majority of people have a very poor
experience with MLM.  If the vast majority of people had very poor experiences
with all careers they enter, the unemployment rate would be 75%.  It's 1/10th that number, in a very bad economy.

But let me use your specific situation.  You got out because, in your words
'a reasonable person could not succeed'.  Well, I don't see how an outstanding
company with exemplary ethics can create a business where, just to succeed (not
even excel) you need to invest an 'unreasonable amount of effort'.  How could a 
company like this continue to succeed?  Only because the rewards at the top for the people that perpetuate these kinds of business opportunities are so
great.  They create slick, carefully crafted marketing presentations to hype
the possibilities.  They use a lot of human potential psychobabble to 
attract a constant influx of new 'devotees'.  They chew them up and spit them
out pretty darn quick.  They take the money and on to the next program.  And they
all seem to come from Utah (if someone could explain this phenomena, I would
be greatly indebted).   
 
|> 
|> It really annoys me when people pass judgement on a company, and publicly
|> spout their misinformed opinions as gospel truth, based on hazily-remembered
|> (and most likely incorrectly-formed in the first place) opinions developed
|> 4 or 5 years ago.  It's unfounded invective like this that gives the general
|> public a bad perception of a lot of fine companies.

Since this 'convert' I am speaking of was a close relative, I spent more
than a few passing moments analyzing the proposition.  My memory is quite
clear.  I read the marketing materials.  I watched the videotape.  I even
used the shampoo. I spent hours pleading with this person not to get involved.  
    
|> 
|> I'd suggest you be a bit careful about tossing around such libellous 
|> statements.  If *I* were Nu Skin, I'd sue your butt off.

Perhaps that is the only way to scare off people like me with opinions
that disagree with the reality they have a finacial incentive to evangelize.
Maybe that says something about the motivations and ethics of the people involved.
I get angry at many companies when I am provided poor service or product.  Usually
the response is to figure out how to make me happy, not how to sue me and shut me
up.  A truly great business is one that goes out of its way to make all its
important constituencies happy:  its employees, its distribution channels,
its customers, its owners.   HP is a great company.  

Most MLM companies care only about the owners.  Based solely on the data you have
provided me, NuSkin is NOT a great company.



Caveat Emptor:  These are my personal opinions, and should be considered as such.
I personally have never joined an MLM organization, and don't expect to for the
foreseeable future.  Nor do I expect to begin hosting 'No Money Down Real Estate"
Seminars, or begin a second career as a born again televangelist.  I respect
any person who works hard in pursuit of a goal.  I despise those who benefit
from false promises made to others.  
 
Newsgroups: alt.business.multi-level