Hello Platinums,
As Emeralds and Diamonds across our Region do the last minute things they must to pack and prepare for their journey from Istanbul to Venice on the fabulous Seabourn Spirit I’m reflecting on some of the fantastic things I’ll be able to share with them as we cruise the Agean and Mediterranean seas. It will be a great forum for sharing exciting business news and our plans for the future with your leaders. Normally, this would occur simply as a matter of course but recent events in the UK and the US have created a sense of uncertainty amongst some. Also, competitive organisations, and sadly some IBOs associated with them, are building on that uncertainty to encourage IBOs to give up their place in their line of sponsorship and to leave Amway. Fortunately for all of us this activity is confined to a limited number of organisations.
I’d like to take this opportunity to make sure you have the facts at your disposal and not simply misinformation and untrue statements traceable back to a small group of leaders. Here are answers to some of the questions that have been asked of me in the last couple of weeks:
Q: Will Amway be introducing the English business model in Australia?
A: We have no intention of implementing ‘UK like’ decisions on the business in Australia. We are keen to see what the consumer marketplace is demanding of us in Australia and then meet those needs. Of course the fact that a government anywhere in the world would threaten to close Amway’s operations, which is what happened in the UK prior to the favourable High Court outcome in May this year, is of huge concern to all of us and something that we need to protect against ever happening again. We can do this by promoting transparency in the business, and by ensuring a market presence where IBOs have an opportunity to earn a reasonable income through both their performance bonus and retail commissions.
Q: Is Amway opening Business Centres as ‘shops’ to bypass IBOs
A: We are and will remain a business opportunity company. Our Business Centre strategy is NOT about opening “shops” and bypassing you, it’s about improving Amway’s image and reputation with a bricks and mortar presence and building a sense of local community across all lines of sponsorship.
Q: I’ve been told Amway is going to ban all tools. Is this true?
A: No, this is not true. BSMs have a role in the business but they must be aligned with the direction of the company, supporting the overall business and transparent to the marketplace. We recognise the value of tools and meetings as contributors to the growth and well-being of the business.
Q: What is Amway’s plan for the future?
A: This is one of the most exciting times ever to be part of this fabulous business opportunity. We’ve been challenged by Doug DeVos and Steve Van Andel to transform the business, not into something different, but to transform it from the US$7 billion business it is today to a US$12 billion business in the future. We’re incredibly excited to be a part of bold plans to grow the business and already we see the fruits of their vision.
• Major sponsorships to reinforce key Amway brands including Asafa Powell, the World’s Fastest Man, Ronaldinho, the No. 1 Footballer in the World, Liu Xiang, China’s No. 1 hurdler AND watch this space for a major announcement about local sponsorship of an incredibly popular sporting celebrity whose name is well known to all of you.
• Exciting new product developments like Artistry Essentials and Simply Nutrilite. These launches have proven incredibly exciting in Amway North America and we’re working hard, now, to bring them down-under.
• At a local level we have some really exciting things to share with your leadership on the Seabourn Spirit. Those plans include the introduction of a new product with exciting celebrity endorsement, the sponsorship I’ve already mentioned, changes to some of our product pricing that you will be excited about, and a whole raft of other initiatives for the short, medium and long terms. We are conscious of the need to constructively consult on any change, and your leadership will be instrumental in developing our joint plans for the future so that together we can ensure the things we do will help take this business to even greater heights.
The future is exciting as the Amway Business Opportunity approaches its 5th Anniversary; its size, it’s history and values combine with the many millions of people around the world who are IBOs to ensure that while other businesses come and go Amway will still be around to celebrate its 1th anniversary in 259.
Best wishes,
Michial Coldwell