Usually when I think of a social justice cause, I think of
ending racism, equal pay for women, improving our
inner-city education, and fighting for the civil rights of
marginalized people. But the other day, it dawned on me -
network marketing is an opportunity for social justice.
To explain, let me break down the traditional structure of
a retail business using a fictional company for clarity.
Let's say that the company "Gizmo" has a product called
"Gadgets." Gadgets are sold at stores called "The Gidget
Emporium." Let's also pretend that the owner and manager
of one particular franchise store is named Jeff, who has
three employees.
So Gizmo makes the Gadgets, packages them, and sends them
to a storage warehouse. Jeff purchases the Gizmos from the
company (at wholesale prices) for his store: The Gidget
Emporium. The Gadgets are shipped from the warehouse to the
Emporium, where they are marked up to retail price. Jeff
sells the Gadgets at the store, where customers buy them at
retail price, and drive them home in their cars to use them.
Jeff must sell his products at a high enough price to make
a profit after paying for his expenses, which include:
* Rent, heat, lighting, and maintenance of the Gidget
Emporium building.
* His employees salaries and benefits (hopefully)
* Advertising for his product
* His own salary
Other costs include shipping from the warehouse to the
Emporium, fees for payroll companies, licensing, property
taxes, hiring and interviewing costs, etc.
The reasons why this system is not socially just are many.
First, the three employees are most likely not making
living wage, with little chance for advancement, promotion
or management experience. Second, the shipping from
warehouse to store, as well as the gas used to drive these
products from store to home, are releasing pollution into
our environment.
Third, and most importantly, the Gadgets are being marked
up to retail price to cover the costs listed above. Higher
costs for necessary goods make the cost of living higher
for struggling families. Routine household items are
costing more for the average consumer, and most of those
costs are being funneled to large corporations or
organizations. The advertising Jeff is doing is benefiting
TV companies, newspaper companies, and advertising
agencies. Trucking companies, payroll companies, and
utility companies are also getting a piece of the raised
prices. These big corporations do not pass those profits
on to their employees, who are not likely to be making a
living wage. There is also more likely to be
discrimination, sexism or other prejudice in the hiring and
promotion process of a large corporation. Most of the
executives are upper-class white males, who can afford high
retail costs of goods.
Can you spot the problems in the above example? Let's take
a look at how network marketing tends to create more
socially just systems.
If Gizmo Corp. was a network marketing company, Jeff would
market the products to people he knows and people in his
community, who would purchase the products directly from
the warehouse. In network marketing, advertising costs are
reduced or eliminated, there is less transportation
pollution, and Jeff has a much more fulfilling job -
talking to people about Gadgets instead of managing a
store, inventory and employees. Members can buy products
at reduced rates, and instead of the mark-up benefiting big
corporations, Jeff gets a piece of the profits.
The most profound social justice principle at work in
network marketing is the ability of anyone from any
background to make an unlimited salary with no formal
education. All that Jeff needs is an entrepreneurial
spirit, a willingness to take risks, determination, and
some support/training from the Gizmo Corp and his peers.
He can set his own hours, choose a way of working that fits
him best, and be able to work from home to raise his
children.
Even as part-time income, network marketing can create just
enough extra income to invest, save, or get a(nother)
degree, making upward mobility and financial stability
possible.
My realization has given me yet another reason to introduce
my business to others, knowing that I am helping people
create financial freedom and providing better products at
lower prices without the guilt.
Join the social justice movement and start your own network
marketing business!
Do Good and Be Well,
Colin J. Turner
----------------------------------------------------
Colin J. Turner has been an entrepreneur with a conscience
since the age of 17, and is a regular blogger and writer
about doing well in your business while doing good in the
world. He has become a mentor and trusted source for
information on Network Marketing and Home Business.
http://www.marketingsystemforsuccess.com
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