They will continue to work the business if their downline continues to work the business. This is why a balanced emphasis on product retailing and recruiting is so important. Distributors who build a downline are far more likely to continue to be active than those who do not. Promote contests and competitions which can be won by everyone. Avoid 'top ten' contests where everybody loses except the top 10 performers.
Higher percentages are possible with high product margins.
These plans often assume most people already understand terms and principles of MLM or can at least learn them quickly. This is most definitely not the case. While experience is essential when designing compensation plans, one must never forget that ordinary people are the ones who must be motivated by it. If new recruits aren't motivated early, they quickly fall away. The more complex a plan becomes, the fewer people it will motivate.