IBOAI's Contract with Quixtar

[The following addresses the multiple questions and misinformation about the IBOAI's contract with Quixtar.]

Our contract is exactly as it has been since 1994. Negotiations are ongoing as to the contract, which renews every two years. The goal is to make sure that the IBOAI Board, the Corporation and the families continue to partner in the best interest of all IBOs, regardless of their LOS or LOA.

Comments

[Tex]

This assumes those on the IBOAI Board actually have the interests of the IBO's in mind when they sit on the Board. I have seen much more evidence of tool price fixing and massive profits via the tools to believe this is possible.

[Moderator: Tex, a healthy interest in the ethics and honesty of Board members is prudent, particularly given the reported behavior of some now former Board members. However, if there is evidence about CURRENT Board members of the type you report, Tex, you should definitely deliver it to Quixtar, attn: Rules Enforcement. Otherwise you're just slurring all current Board members without providing any specifics whatsoever.]

[MichMan]

Your comment is very non-informative.

Is the IBOAI contract in jeopordy of becoming a month-to-month contract?

If so, was it in retaliation to the IBOAI vote against returning to the Amway name? Or to the "no-confidence" vote against the corporation?

[Moderator: We think the comment is very clear. The contract is under negotiation. And while a contract is under negotiation, smart negotiators don't discuss details publicly, nor do they speculate.]

[MichMan]

>>>Moderator: We think the comment is very clear. <<<

That statement MIGHT be clear to those who have read the 1994 IBOAI/AQ contract.

Most of us haven't.

Can we get the 1994 contract posted on your website?

[Moderator: Contracts are not public information. If you have a specific issue that you think should or shouldn't be in the contract, please address that to any or all Board members by writing to pr@iboai.com, Attn: ____]

[Tex]

Moderator,

There is ample evidence, via the numerous tool profit related lawsuits over the years, the knowledge of what different groups charge for tools, etc., statements by former Emeralds and above, for Quixtar to take action. Some tool companies charge less for CD's, but make it up with higher cost to use their web site, to cloud the issue.

For definitional purposes, tools include tapes/CD's, books, all meetings (including opens, seminars, and major functions), web sites, voice mail, etc. Basically, any money that flows from the IBO's pockets to the upline's pockets that does not go through Quixtar first.

The bottom line is it is the corp's turn to back off the stated policy of instructing the tool companies not to share the tool profits with their IBO's, and tell the upline to do so, and allow the free market of IBO's purchasing the tools to determine the correct price.

It is the IBOAI's turn to show some backbone and confirm the policy of being instructed by the corp to not tell the IBO's how much money a typical Platinum and above makes on tools, and why the tools are not priced lower. I don't want to see the price comparisons with other motivational suppliers, that is an old, tired, and completely inadequate argument. These other companies have marketing costs far above what the upline has with their captive IBO's. These other companies do not claim to be "business partners" and "teammates" with the IBO's, as the upline does.

Most IBO's don't mind total cost recovery, most won't mind a modest profit, and some will even want tool prices higher so there is more for them when they get to Platinum and above. I have already challenged the various Quixtar blogs with this appropriate tool profit disclosure, and have discussed it with the rules department. So far, all I have received is the "corporate line", telling me there are disclosures (totally inadequate, in my opinion) and IBO's are considered to be retail customers for the tools.

This is TOTALLY different than the "business partner" and "teammate" relationship the upline pretends to have with their IBO's.

I will send an e-mail to Rules Enforcement, but there are no written rules being broken, as far as I can tell. What is missing is honest and ethical business dealings, an issue that will continue to damage the credibility of the IBOAI Board and the corp until it is resolved.

You can fix everything else, but this issue is by definition the biggest one, as the vast majority of profit is made on tools, while simultaneously causing massive losses to literally millions of Distributors and IBO's over the past several decades.

As a start, the corp needs to take a position on the 1983 "Directly Speaking" recordings, where co-founder Rich DeVos was troubled if tool profits exceed 20% of the uplines' Amway profit. This was a problem then, and it is a bigger problem now.

Please don't tell me "things have changed over time...", because they have only changed for the worse, as the knowledge of this issue has grown, and will continue to grow, thanks mainly to the internet. That is like saying, in 1860, "slavery is an old problem from the 1600's, we've moved beyond that now." Do you remember your history as to what occurred in 1861?

You have attempted to place me in a Catch-22 situation. You demand specifics to take action, then decline to reveal the very specifics that would prove my point. What is most disturbing is the specifics are my money flowing to my "teammates" and "business partners" back pockets. This cannot and will not stand.

[rdknyvr]

Tex, it will be interesting to see if there are new procedures put in place around initial training for new IBOs through Quxitar U, and at what point BSMs can be sold to them. One of the flaws in the private tool/motivational systems has been that they were accepted by Quixtar as a substitute for Rule 5.3.3, although that rule itself requires the sponsoring IBO to provide training and motivation regardless of whether the sponsored IBO participates in BSM activities. Personally, I think the penny has yet to drop on this, and the next couple of months may restructure that whole side of the business to ensure absolute compliance with the letter and the spirit of current or possibly pending FTC regulations.

But to get back to the point of the IBOAI post that started this thread, every two years they renegotiate their contractual relationship with Alticor, as they are doing right now, and the claim by some TEAM bloggers that Alticor canceled the contract and was disbanding the IBOAI can only be interpreted as deliberately misleading, and intentionally destructive toward the great majority of us who want to continue on with Quixtar.

[LM]

If the relationship between the IBOAI and Quixtar is the same, does that mean they have not been consulting with the IBOAI board for their approval on major changes like being implemented since 1994?

[Moderator's Question: Huh?]

[Chuck Lia]

Moderator,

Good heavens, is it REALLY that hard for you guys to answer a simple question? Heck, I'm 100% on the company's side in all this, but sometimes you folks amaze me.

To say the IBOAI contract is exactly as it has been since 1994 and renews every two years says virtually nothing (once again you folks are incredibly adept at being vague and less than forthcoming). The obvious follow-up question from any intelligent person would be: "Then what were the parameters of the contract in 1994 if it is the same today?" To which we hear:
"Contracts are not public information. If you have a specific issue that you think should or shouldn't be in the contract, please address that to any or all Board members by writing to pr@iboai.com, Attn: ____"

So the contract between our representative organization, the company, and the founding families is not available to us, but we are to completely trust that everything is as it should be in Camelot?! In light of the current legal state of affairs I would think the company and the IBOAI would be far more transaparent and forthcoming with us than they have been. Their unwillingness to do so breeds more and more lack of trust and even greater concern regarding the actual dynamics of the business relationship between the IBOAI, Quixtar-Amway, and the Founding Families. I would have expected far more from you folks.

Chuck

[Moderator: Chuck, you must have missed our OTHER response about the contracts, which was: The contract is under negotiation. And while a contract is under negotiation, smart negotiators don't discuss details publicly, nor do they speculate. ]

[NPR]

Just because the IBOs still want the board doesn't mean that Q/A can't disband it like they did to some very large IBOs. I hope they don't, but does the board have any real influence when it comes right down to it? They didn't want to change the name and it happened, and they want better pricing and there is no budge!

[Moderator's Note: Quixtar can't disband the IBOAI. Period. It can only choose not to have a contract with the IBOAI, but unlike an IBO business' contract with Quixtar, IBOAI does not need Quixtar's approval to exist as an organization.]

[Tex]

LM,

The IBOAI Board does not approve changes.

Moderator,

I think what he was actually asking was the Amway question. If the Board was not consulted on this change, does this mean they also won't be consulted on other, future changes?

[Moderator: The "Amway question" was one of the few changes the Board hasn't been consulted on in advance, most likely because it was made at the Families level, not the Quixtar level.]

[Chuck]

Moderator,

You said, "Chuck, you must have missed our OTHER response about the contracts, which was: The contract is under negotiation. And while a contract is under negotiation, smart negotiators don't discuss details publicly, nor do they speculate."

I didn't miss your "OTHER" response. My question asked for no information about the dynamics or issues related to the contract currently under negotiation. My question in a nutshell reworded was, "If the current contract (not the future one currently under negotiation) is the same as the contract back in 1994, what did the contract in 1994 stipulate regarding the nature of the relationship between the IBOAI, the company, and the Founding Families back then?" The answer to that question would tell us where the IBOAI is today in relation to Quixtar and the Founding Families. It has nothing to do with where the two organizations may be after negotiating a new contract. I have to think that both organizations know the particulars of the current contract, but in light of the event of the past three weeks, maybe I'm wrong.

So again, the question in my earlier post has absolutely nothing to do with the current contract under negotiation, thus I think you may have missed my point. Years ago Rich De Vos used to discuss the relationship between the ADA (pre-IBOAI) and Amway (pre-Quixtar) openly in many venues. It appears we may have lost our way since then as we seem unable or unwilling to talk as openly today as we did back then about similar topics of concern.

I may be wrong, but if my memory serves me correctly (and I admit, it may not!) one of Rich's talking points in his "Ten Points That Make Amway Special" speech/tape pertained to the special and unusual nature of Amway's legal contract and working relationship with the Amway Distributors Association. Perhaps that kind of relationship no longer exists...

Chuck

[Moderator: The contractual role of the IBOAI vis a vis Quixtar is to serve as an advisory body, not a decision-making body. It has always been so and will continue to be so. Some people have falsely communicated that the IBOAI could somehow veto or control Quixtar -- not so. No more than, as in an analogy we already provided on other comment, an Automobile Association could veto or control what an Automobile Manufacturer could do. ]

[Tex]

Moderator,

Regarding the "Amway" question. Thanks. That was a real and reasonable answer.

[Moderator: Thangyou...thangyouverymuch....the Moderator has left the building now....]

[concernedIBO]

I keep seeing ongoing discussions about tool costs but no specifics.

Quick comparison

Internet Svcs (Yager) TEAM (Woodward)

cd price $7.oo $6.00

books retail retail

major convention avg $100/tkt $90/tkt

seminars $18 $25

opens $5 $5

website $14.95/month $45/year

The profits Emeralds & above Platinum & above
(requalify monthly)

Personally, I agree that Rich DeVos was right. Therefore the Yagers need to slapped/censured also!!!

Additionally, I personally believe that IBOAI does not do an adequate job of representing the IBOs in the field. Our opinions are not asked, it seems you have to be Emerald or above to be heard, so at renewal this year I might not continue to support the IBOAI with my money.

[Moderator: We respect your right to do as you choose.]

[David]

Thanks IBOA for putting in work to communicate to the outside world. Very impressed that you'll seem to be reading every comment, and replying were appropriate. It is fantastic to see a two way dialogue going on between you'll and the field. In the long run this will strengthen all our businesses. Cheers

[Moderator: Thanks, David. That's what blogging is all about, interaction. Those who don't think the IBOAI listens seem to miss the point of what we're doing here! "

[ken shinn]

You cannot see the forest for the trees--Tex and most of you old Amway distributors! Amway was the free enterprise business in the manufacturing industrial age--Quixtar was trying to be the Biz in the informational internet age--Ecommerce-Wellness-direct sales--distribution-remember "business at the speed of thought". Newsflash--prices too high-When IBOs go online to try to find something competitive (most women within the first three days)they cannot do it!-Free enterprise in America-I listented to the principled moral reverent speeches for years from Greg Duncan, Bill Britt and his personal diamonds (you know who you are)-I would have followed him into battle! Ron Puryear,Paul Miller's diamonds I have thousnads of tapes and spent fifteen of the best years of my life see-sawing in PV width and fattening your pockets with tapes and functions--I received my reward--What has been your reward and where is this company headed--1 billion per year for seven years-sounds like my business was a microcosm for the quixtar business --slap mud on the wall and see how much sticks. By 2002 only sales I was making was at wholesale to get the PV because people quit buying because of price!!!I did have customers--double X- detergents and specialty cleaning products--Stagnant growth and here we come Amway again--Peggy Britt say it ain't so! My suggestion--disband the IBO board all together since the moderator says you are like a triple A auto club as it compares to a dealership! That is as weak as puppy stuff. Britt you could get something done back before Q. Has your power diminished with several of your diamonds personal lives playng out in public damaging their credibility and more importantly their Christian witness? I am praying for them and you for God to grant you the wisdom to "stand in the gap"! The fatherhood tape was very powerful! Free these IBOs including me, I paid the price,q has said recently we cannot make it in anothe MLM nobody ever has--(pre internet)! Oh we will make it in something and thank you for teaching me how to persist until I win!

[pvbvguy]

Lets try to read the tea leaves on what is going on here.

According to the moderator; the IBOAI contract is periodically renewed, renegotiated, etc. Those negotiations are ongoing as the present contract expires in November.

On the various blogs, team guys are claiming many things about the board: including Quixtar is disbanding it, the board should have defended the people who have brought a lawsuit against this whole enterprise, the board has had its power taken away by Quixtar and the IBOAI has a conspiracy going against certain IBO's....

We know that board members who were affiliated with team took confidential information and are attempting to use it in a lawsuit against this business. If you read the lawsuit it would appear that the leaders affiliated with team were planning this for a very long time.

Now lets all put ourselves inside these IBOAI board meetings for the last few years. I'll bet the tenor of these meetings must have really been something. It would appear to be obvious that the majority of the board members did not agree with the team guys assessment of the current situation. My upline was a former board member and he has explained that there was often disagreement between the company and the IBOAI board members but that the spirit of the two parties was that they would stay committed to this business and work things out for the betterment of the IBO's. It appears that somewhere along the line, (who knows when?) the team affiliated guys didn't buy-in to that concept.

I'm not saying that some of their concerns weren't valid, but at some point they started to develop a pretty elaborate exit strategy. The question we need to ask is why did they develop this exit strategy? Are they really men of principle and character or is it possible they were doing it, to try to protect something they might be losing????? I doubt we'll ever know for sure.

We should all try to read between the lines, because that is where the truth really lies with this whole thing. What we do know is that there are negotiations going on with the board over a future contract with Quixtar. I'll also venture a guess that the future board meetings are going to be a lot more productive and pleasant than board meetings during the last couple of years.

Prediction: I look for big things coming out the IBOAI as this business moves forward and a much more productive, positive relationship with the company

[Chuck Lia]

Moderator (Jonathan?),

Thanks for the clarification to my post of 8/27 @ 7:39pm. Much appreciated. Please understand, not everyone on these blogs is trying to take the company to task on every issue that comes down the turnpike. Many of us have a real heart for the company and simply want a better understanding of the dynamics at work between Quixtar/Amway, the Founding Families, and the IBOAI Board that may significantly impact all IBOs at some point in time, perhaps sooner than later. Simple, clear answers -- rather than vague non-answers -- go a long way in helping us gain that understanding. Thanks again.

Chuck

[Moderator (yes, it's Jonathan this time around. There are two of us, but I'm the primary): We strive for simple clear answers but, unfortunately, evolving situations and/or legal issues and/or privacy considerations sometime preclude us being as specific as we'd like. Thanks for your patience!]

[William]

re: attn: Rules Enforcement

I do have audio evidence of high level IBOs whose LOSes are represented on the IBOAI board using business materials as a forum for political and religious preaching.

Quixtar doesn't take much action, and my e-mail to the IBOAI was ignored.

I too am an active IBO expecting to reach Platinum Qualification next fiscal year, but I really think some reform in business practices will help us grow.

Leaders (such as IBOAI) have not been forthcoming in explaining if some changes will happen as part of the transformation i.e. using tools to promote religious/political views, making tools MANDATORY for startup (look at the business plan of most LOA's, it is presented as mandatory to pick up a starting kit, etc). Practices that directly break Quixtar rules.

Will such practices change?

I am not a "Critic", I own a business powered by Quixtar and I'd like to move forward and help many others do the same.

Moderator, do you ahve any comments on this, or if I send a more detailed e-mail to the IBOAI will it be read this time?

[William, if you have proof of wrongdoing by high level IBOs and you believe it's been ignored, resend it to pr@iboai.com, ATTN: Moderator and I guarantee you it will be relayed to new Quixtar President Steve Lieberman for attention.]

[Tex]

William,

I don't think the heavy political and religious emphasis is against the rules. I have also seen the same things, mostly at major functions, and although I generally agree with most of their views, I find it inappropriate to push these issues as strongly as they do.

The standard response to virtually any questionable practice, not just religion and politics, is, "When you get to Diamond, you can make the changes you want.", which I find repulsive. But remember the Golden Rule, those who have the gold make the rules. But then the internet came along....

I know there have been "reminders" against these practices in the Amagram/Achieve magazines over the years, but this has done little to reduce the problem. The only tool companies that have openly agreed to not over-emphasize religion and politics are those that are accredited, which covers only 3 of them, MMP, eFinity, and Prosystem One.

There is only tool system, other than mine, that I am aware of that openly says the vast majority of the profit should come from Quixtar, not the tools. That group is iteamusa.com. I talked with the leader of iteamusa, Brad Doyle several weeks ago, and he thought accreditation was "imminent", but it hasn't happened yet.

I think the plans are to make accreditation mandatory in order to have access to the QBI bonuses, but have not heard of any rule changes. Also, accreditation in its current form does little to provide transparency to the IBO's regarding the level of tool profit, as it only requires contracts for those who qualify for the profits, generally Platinum and above.

[jthompson]

The same thing that made America the most prosperous country is the same thing that made Amway the most prosperous Network Marketing company in the world - FREEDOM - including freedom in religion/politics

Re: religion/politics - (don't know if this puppie will be posted! :)

I cannot be separated from my faith. "Introducing new diamond Johnny Thompson!!!!"
"Now jt, please share how you did it!"

I can not honestly stand on a stage telling my success story without giving credit to whom credit is due #1 - because that is where i derive my strength, wisdom, and power to succeed. #2 that is where i receive (and millions of others in world) instructions on how to live life on earth.
Corporate America does not ask Muslim women to remove their clothing that is part of their religion.

I am not sure what different organizations do.... but successful people usually have very strong political and spiritual views (life philosophy) that is their motivation behind their actions.

At the same time - relating is very important so most ibo leaders I have met don't scare people away up front by preaching their bible... yet at the same time you really don't get to know someone’s core beliefs and success philosophy until you know their beliefs about God, People, and Government.

I am not for Amway acting like a communist government controlling what people can say.

I have yet to meet a non-religious person in my life. One of the most popular religions today is "New Age" - go to a Tony Robbins seminar and you will discover his core beliefs about God. Go to listen to Steven Covey intimate event and you will hear his views of God. The more personal you get access to a person, the more their views come out.
Listen to your boss talk at a Company meeting; you will very quickly discover his religious views.

The incredible success of Amway is proof that people all over the world want FREEDOM in every area of their lives and want to gives\ others the opportunity for freedom.

I was sponsored into this business by a HINDU, I was a NEW AGE dude, and I didn't like most Christians I met! I was “not religious” as I so thought.
I went to Amway meetings run by muslims, hindus, and christians. My first function, b/c thousands of us came from all over the country, missing our Sunday worship sessions and not wanting to get lost in a big city searching for a church...we decided to hold worship services in our hotel rooms and hotel meeting rooms. I went to the Hindu service my first function - i was the only white dude there. It was cool - they talked about Kharma's and etc...
Eventually i found people i respected, they shared the good news of how JC died in my place (he took my penalty so I could take his reward) and rose again.... how I could become a New Creation, receive the life and nature of God inside me, and be free from sin, be part of the family of God, and live a bodacious life. It sounded good to me so my views started changing. This “religion” affects every part of life.

Now teaching a couple sales techniques to sell or recruit is not the key to Success in Amway or in business. My dad is head trainer for a billion dollar Company. When I listen to him teach, he does not spend all his time on techniques. He talks about Attitude and about mental toughness. My dad understands that WHY is more important than HOW. Fact is that peoples beliefs about God, People, World – are the sources of their motivation.

Whether your name is Buffet, Gala, Gates, Cuban, or Yager – in this business or outside this business… if you go listen to them speak in an environment where they are very transparent, sharing from the heart about where they receive their strength… their “religion” will always show up in their words if you are listening.

Point being - if amway "removed" peoples freedom from being who they are (including their Global Beliefs about God, People, World that effect every thought, action, and decision they make) then Amways success will quickly vanish.

The same thing that made America the most prosperous country is the same thing that made Amway the most prosperous Network Marketing company in the world - FREEDOM - including freedom in religion/politics

[Moderator: The problem is that some IBO leaders have basically said "Believe in the same Higher Power I believe in if you want to succeed." It's that type of communication which results in Amway/Quixtar being called a cult and/or a front for religious proslytizing. I don't think anyone involved in this biz thinks it's bad to be spiritual, to be religious, in whatever form. But some folks have gone too far and it gets the entire business in trouble. And this is being published because you weren't trying to proslytize :-)]

[David]

Moderator

Re: rules violations

You mention that material send to your email address will be reviewed and actioned, this was regard to political/religious views. Does your comment also pertain to other rules violations, such as reffering to the business as a sponsoring only business, represent Amway as a clearing house or other rule violations......

And does this cover other markets? (I am not in the North American Market)

I wrote a letter about 2 years ago, outlining my frustrations and rules violations etc, cause I actually read the rules of conduct for the first time after 10 years in the business! I sat on the letter for 18 months until the UK issue came up (not from that market either) cause I thought that Amway may have its ears open to the issue(s). After a major revision (taking out heat, and trying to be solution focused) I sent the letter.

Well after 6 weeks of not hearing anything - not even a thank you for your letter reply, I emailed them, not a nice thank you for information, were working on it. 6 weeks after this, I emailed them as asked - how about some discussion on the issues raised. I got back a terse email saying that they had nothing further to say, and if they did they would get back to all IBO's.

Unfortunately I have just moved and through out three sack fulls of tapes - no longer have tape player in my cars, and I I no longer purchase BSM's I wouldn't have access to all that documented material. So the above questions are a bit redundant. Also adding to this redundancy is that fact my upline diamond quit (before his distributorship was terminated by the company for rules violations) so we moved systems. HOwever the new system had the same flaws / issues / rule violations that the old one had so we didn't purchase any other the new BSM's.

So all in all it is rather a moot point. But I am rather peeved that one can invest 8 years and $100 000 in a business and how no dialogue about things that were wrong with anybody that could fix it.

I am not surprised that there are so many negative things about the wonderful opportunity on the web, if people have a bad experience and no body is interested in it, or fixing the problem, they are likely to get bitter and vent in the public domain. (like this posting, with negative stuff in it, has now just come into the public domain.)

Thanks for listening IBOA team, like I mentioned in my previous comment, you guys actually seem interested - I hope that over time this results in positive action, that makes the business a better opportunity.

I look forward to where this discussion goes will you'll. Apologies for the long posting....

[Moderator: David, we mean what we say. Rules violations hurt everyone in the business, in North American or anywhere else. If you have evidence of clear rules violations and you think Quixtar or Amway or Alticor has been unresponsive, relay them to pr@iboai.com, Attn: Moderator and we will absolutely make sure it gets in the right hands. ]

[William]

JThompson,

Hi, how are you. You misunderstood my post. I am not anti-religion/anti-politics. I am against using a business forum to bash those of different beleifs. Don't you see the difference? Saying on stage "I've never seen a Democrat go Diamond" or "evolution is Satan's work" or those that want the war in Iraq to end are "unpatriotic un-american", etc is offensive to those that might have different beleifs. Not only is it offensive, it directly affects the business of others. There is a time and place for that.

A business talk should be 1) Inspirational 2) Instructional or 3) Motivational. Cheerleading for political parties is NOT that. Nor is ranting against the evils of science or whatever. Especially, when people haven't paid their money to hear that. There is freedom of religion and politics, but also freedom from religion and politics.

Some IBO leaders are rather hostile ("Flush that stinking job" or "if your friends or families wont' do this business, they are LOSERS!"). Don't get me started on the anti-gay bashing. Where's the love?

We could be so much bigger if we'd relax or just chill out instead of setting up this us vs. them mentality. The world is not our enemy. Nobody is out to get us, and we shouldn't go at people like that.

I'm an African born guy that leans buddhist, mentored by a couple from India in which the husband is catholic and the wife is hindu. I know about multi-culturalism.

Last of all I'd like to thank the IBOAI for setting up thsi forum. You should advertise yourselves, 99% of IBOs don't even know that the QBlogs or this blog exists.

[jthompson]

I think William is writing very respectfully and i like his opinions.

My background spiritually (not raised in christian church, but tad in catholic) is probably more like yours than like a Dexter Yager or many of the christian ibos in America.
In fact, i think the New Age movement (packaged around truths of the benefits of natural foods, etc...) has its success b/c of the failures of the church. Most churches only preach "Fire Insurance" and i once worked for a radio station, went to 50 different churches in a year - Religion has created a lot of Condemned people with low self-images.... "I'm just a sinner saved by grace"

Here is why i don't want a diamond on stage to be forbidden from sharing their convictions... ex: Evolution from Ameba vs Created in Image of God

When I go diamond (obviously i have a lot of maturing and changing to make happen) I will want to tell people that they are special, they were created in Gods Image, they have creative power in their thoughts, words, and actions...
People have crummy SELF-IMAGES and the only thing powerful enough to overcome the lies that make people feel like evolved animals and living selfishly (survival of the fittest) is the truth of Creation.

1. Self-Image effects attitude, activity, and altitude in this business
2. What people are taught by church, teachers, co-workers, school, etc... forms their philosophy and Self-Image
3. Most people have low self-image and people don't outgrow their self-image in amway people business
4. Each IBO must ask - how can i raise their self-image?
5. A christian will say "Preach them the Good News of JC" ("he who knew no sin was made to be sin for us, so we could be made the righteousness of God in him" OR "New Creation in Christ old things have passed away, all things are made new" or "...created in Gods image, after Gods own likeness")

Now at most functions i have been to they are quoting tons of scripture like i am here.... they save that for optional sunday morning service...

Hitler believed passionately in Darwins theories... its one of the foundations of a doctrine of selfishness. Amway is build on helping others and being a giver.... its Servant Leadership.
Hitlers philosophy (he loved science) of evolution will not work in this business.

I think an ibo ought to share passionately what they believe but then go and serve a person who is different in love... making their service/love a witness....
i agree ibos/diamonds ought not to use their power as leverage against ibos that have different faiths....

[jthompson]

i don't think Jonathan and Alan want us to advertise this blog -- they dudes are working hard enough already for us! :)

[Moderator 2 comment: Jonathan and I both enjoy the challenge. Thanks for sticking with us. And we'd love you to advertise the blog! Alan]

[Conan]

Below is a blog between TEX and JEFFREY in It's Not About One Issue in the Ada-tubes blog on July 9th

Jeffrey said:
July 9, 2007 7:10 PM | #
One of the things that really bothers me is that A/Q has a
"no compete" rule.
We cannot be in another competing business. This makes sense to a point because it may cause confusion with downline IBOs and can divert the attention of an IBO trying to build his/her business. I have even considered joining Fuller Brush so I can offer their entire line to my customers, but I think that would be a rule violation, so I haven't. But, A/Q is in violation of one of their own rules. If there is a no compete rule for us, it should also apply to the company. Access proudly proclaims they develop and manufacture products for "third party" companies that are available out in the marketplace. Several years back on a tour convention, we walked through a warehouse to get to the next phase of the tour and passed literally thousands of cases of Brand-X mouthwash. I was dumbfounded. I did, however, wait until I got back in the car to vent my feelings. It wasn't pretty. Recently, Alticor bought Laura Mercier cosmetics; an absolute direct competitor to Artistry. This makes no sense to me. All this does is make the company less dependent on IBOs. I know that the company has probably done it to create stability for the employees so there is no fear of layoffs. But Steve and Doug need to go back and listen to Rich DeVos on his "Ten Points That Make Amway Special" tape: "This company has no other customers but YOU! (IBOs.) We have no other source of income but YOU!" During this transformation, the company needs to divest itself of any outside businesses and third party contractual agreements and focus on one thing: the success and profitability of the Amway Independent Business Owner. _________________________________________________________________Tex said:
July 9, 2007 10:30 PM | #
Jeffrey,
No need to get upset over the mouthwash, just mention the brand and get the facts in the open. Amway should openly respond they have broadened their product line and then use some of the profit to bring down the prices for the core products,

loosen the non-compete rule, or live with the noise that will be created as a result.

The Rich DeVos statement is a position from decades ago, things change over time, and nobody ever said the rules that apply to us apply equally to Amway.

So Tex are we for or against loosening the non-compete rule? You always talk about credibility. You should watch your own.

[Ros]

Hi jthompson and William,

Thank you for sharing your views so thoughtfully. I agree that we should always have the freedom to share our personal story. This is very important as it will allow others to relate and give hope to them.

Will everyone relate with yours or my story, no of course not. That is why we recognize everyone who has achieved, from the newest 100PV to the newest Crown Ambassador - all are important - and all have a different story to share and some will relate to one, while some will relate to others, each is unique. "If they can do then, then maybe I can too!"

I also agree the stage or other forums are not the place to preach that one must believe in a specific religious faith or political party to succeed, evidenced in the fact that there are people from all walks of life who have succeeded at all levels in this business.

Obviously an optional worship service or private worship meetings are different, where those who choose to attend can share and worship together. Though I believe even this is still not a political format.

And of course, no one should ever insult or put down someone else’s personal beliefs. We are here to inspire, uplift and encourage.

And one last thing, when you two reach Diamond (and with great attitudes like yours - I believe you will achieve it), I will be there at Diamond Club welcoming and celebrating with you both!!

“Let’s all congratulation and welcome to Diamond Club, new Diamonds ...

- Johnny Thompson

and

- William

We’d like you both to share a little of your story with us ...”

If you listen, you can hear the applause ...

Sincerely,

Ros