Absolutely not. It is true that some of the largest MLM companies, such as Amway, Mary Kay, Avon, Tupperware, and Herbalife are experiencing extraordinary growth abroad. The first wave of mega international success occurred in 1990s Japan.
Post 2000, leading direct selling companies looked to the emergence of China. And interestingly, those companies needed to adapt to doing business in a country that does not formally approve of the MLM marketing model. The result was the creation of legions of distributors who drove customers to thousands of retail stores around China.
But don’t short sell network marketing in America quite yet. First, MLM has its roots in America. We invented it. In a world where cheap labor may draw away manufacturing jobs, it is well recognized that America can excel at activities that are not found elsewhere: innovation, technology, marketing, and finance.
And MLM fits in that category – it is truly a great American export. No other country continues to spawn new MLM companies that span the globe and dominate the network marketing and direct selling industries. And at home, it remains vibrant. In an era where the “watchwords” are “entrepreneur,” “networking” and “small business,” MLM fits right in.
Thus, the first decade of the new millennium saw an authentic home-grown industry or channel of distribution in direct selling that accounted for more than $30 billion in sales and the involvement of more than 15 million individuals. Like baseball, America is MLM’s home stadium.
Readers may find the following articles helpful: “MLM Consulting: How to Build a Successful Direct Selling Company” and “MLM Consultant: International – Singapore and Asia: Open for MLM Business.”
Check out our educational MLM videos or see how you can get an MLM Startup Manual for free.
