Changing Face Of Network Marketing In India – Honesty And Integrity The Key For Success

The way people are doing business nowadays has changed all over the world, especially when we look at network marketing in India. Values and ethics which have been mostly visible earlier have become a cornered piece in today’s time. The face of network marketing in India has got totally changed over the years. Need of the hour is to have prudence, humility, ethics and the interest for common good.

If the first 13 years are any indication, then this century has a very high probability of going down in history as the “century of corruption, frauds, and extortion”. A series of high profile companies scandals unfolded this decade – Enron, subprime mortgages, LIBOR rate rigging. Corporate leaders are now making news for all the wrong reasons and are losing their dignity. Some among them are Rajat Gupta, an Indian and exDirector of Mc-Kinsey and Company, Bob Diamond – the former CEO of Barclays Bank’s who was implicated in LIBOR Scandal. Both Diamond and Rajat were well-known in their respective industry for their supreme business acumen and wisdom. They were praised for their extraordinary intellect and their quality of work. Their organizations stocks grew rapidly in market under their leadership. So what went wrong? What got these gods into these problems? It was not their lack of ability and intellect but lapse of their moral principles and values. Yes, the things which we take for granted can cause greatest of downfalls in the context of network marketing in India.

Examples of Failed Network Marketing in India

Now let us talk of some people who used network marketing in India in a different way. Snap shot of Rajat Gupta case – It was a fateful day on the October the 26th 2011, Rajat Gupta, an Indian, Ex Director of Mc Kinsey and co. and also one of the most informed and serious personalities in the financial and banking field, known for his services he offered to the company, was convicted and arrested on the charges of insider trading. He was accused of releasing inside information of his company to his close friend Raj Rajaratnam. Raj was running a huge hedge fund of $9 billion. Raj was also sentenced and sent to jail along with his close accomplices. What was wrong in it? Rajat’s telling company information to his friend was definitely wrong, but more wrong happened when his friend Raj used this information as an opportunity to make some hefty earnings out of it, which led to fall of company stocks and thereby affected its indirect and direct sales. Rajat would have never ever imagined that, his small mistake would earn him so many miseries.

In India, with the stock exchanges, the so called “Dalal Street”, the insider trading is very prominent and its magnitude and scale is limitless. Take the case of the next door real estate developers, who by bribing the government bodies and authorities, unfairly and unjustifiably extracted out the master plan of the government development plan and beforehand bought the real estate in bulk to be sold off to buyers at a later stage at very high premium. This is also an example of an insider trading where the product’s price is unduly raised without letting the end user know anything about it. This is example of relentless dishonesty, greed and materialism. People tend to become extremely dishonest when they hold a position of power. Dealing with trickery and falsehood is like a wild horse; your initial ride can be until you are thrown away from it.

When I hear all this, I get a feeling of rage. I get insomniac and my blood boils with anger. I feel like hurting someone really bad. I wonder how these people become so selfish and greedy, that they put their own jobs at risk to earn extra money. On the top of all this, it’s even harder to believe, they like what they do and don’t want to change.

“Change” – Newest Mantra of Network Marketing in India

Yes, you interpreted it right, in the context of network marketing in India, change means sticking your neck out, break the norm and start questioning the normal. Do not be a follower but be a change leader. Acknowledge the problem and please do something. Dishonesty and cheating is now becoming a part of us. It is getting ingrained in our system. Don’t let that happen. As Vivekananda had said “could mud be washed with mud”? Could “blood be washed with blood”. The answer is No. So, why just not so simple direct selling for the organization and earn accolades rather than using illicit means of gaining money.

To tame and harness dishonesty in the long run, you need wisdom that gives you ethical clarity and sense of purpose.

May I have got it all wrong, may be my hope & optimism are misplaced, and I am just like them; an odd loser. To tame and harness dishonesty in the long run, you need wisdom that gives you ethical clarity and sense of purpose. When wisdom provides the moral compass, sticking to correct values become more potent. Clearly, at this point we need some change leaders who can act and also lead with maturity and wisdom.

In the current times, only few corporate leaders relentlessly and intuitively follow and appreciate the value of honesty and integrity. My personal role models are Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Ratan Tata, Narayan Murthy, Oprah Winfrey, John Mackey who have not defaulted from their ethical moral position even once in their long corporate career. All these people have actually contributed a lot in the establishment of this school of thought and leadership and the evolution of network marketing in India.

What To Do, How To Inculcate All This In Network Marketing In India?

Considering all these aspects of network marketing in India, it seems desirable to be an honest and value driven leader and it really is. In this complex and uncertain times, when we stick to our principles, we not only experience remarkable success but also feel capable and strong, operating at the top of our game. Both honesty and strong values help achieve both sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. It brings meaningful growth and eternal prosperity to not only individuals but also to the organizations they lead.

The issue is simple. You must get rid of dishonesty and corruption from your own system. You will have to play a very crucial and pivotal role in implementing it. I am very sure you don’t have a personal inclination in corruption. May be money and power holds very little significance for you. But unbound compulsions to maintain a certain lifestyle and regular assurances to family for a decent livelihood compels you to compromise on the moral front and forces you to commit undesirable acts or crimes.

It isn’t easy to change things but its need to be done. And all of you need to take a chance and take bull by his horns and control it. Remember it’s your responsibility to correct the changed face of Network Marketing in India. Nobody else can do this, except you all.

The brutal question I am going to ask you people is, “are you guys up for this new face of network marketing in India??”

By Tarun Gupta

Golden Rules of Network Marketing

Many memories stir in my mind while writing about this topic of Network Marketing, as today I would like you all to turn your attention to a real life story of my closest uncle. I have attempted to capture the facts about the Golden 5 Rules of Network Marketing as objectively as possible. This story is around the time of 2002, when my uncle used to be in his young days and a bright manager in one of the fortune 500 multi-level product company, based in Gurgaon. During the same time, I got an opportunity to work with him on a small assignment. His eloquence and forcefulness clearly made him the most liked and admired one in the organization. Mind you, he isn’t from the IIT/IIM pedigree but certainly was a gifted one.

My First Encounter to The Golden Rules of Network Marketing

After finishing my project, I was invited by him for a Sunday breakfast at his house. I still remember, it was a very joyous welcome and he was also in his highest spirit. After settling down, using the privilege of being a close uncle I felt entitled to ask him candidly out of pure curiosity, about his philosophy, his tools for success. Speaking to me not as a manager but as a friend, he proudly introduced me to “5 Golden Rules of Network Marketing”. At the same time, he warned to keep it safe and never to let it part away. “What does it mean?“ was my immediate reaction. He paused and smile. He said it’s as simple as interacting with 5 new people every week. I remember quiet distinctively thinking to myself “It’s not my cup of tea”. I was totally divided and confused.

My Mentor In This Miraculous Journey of Network Marketing

To follow this rule of network marketing for him, was not at all tough and complicated as it sounded like. Over the years he’s been training himself for this, so now it became very easy for him – he said. He used to spend most of his time actively engaging with his clients, reaching to employees at all levels, even down to sales level. He ensured he had his interaction with atleast 5 different employees, 5 different clients and 5 different colleagues every week, specifically through community gatherings. On the top of it, he also would march and strive shoulder to shoulder with the people he used to meet. Deep love for people, showing empathy with others was sunk in his soul and dominated his mind. By simply following this golden rule over years, he had built a massive group of network marketers both inside and outside his organization.

That was nearly 11 years ago, I am not at all astonished to know that he is now the designated CEO, a business owner of the same company. He got hold of the key to success before anyone else which made him a successful business person and it is certainly worth awe and admiration.

In order to gain ground, to gradually move forward, to turn his dreams into reality, he effectively leveraged the strength of his large network, engaged with them and built a strong foundation through their support. He had an eye to find out business opportunity in interactions he had. Above all, neither the high corporate rank in management nor the fat bank balance of businesses helped him, but a strong network of people like him, some entrepreneurs as well, their support, uplifted his heart and gave him contentment, comfort and stability.

The Pyramid of Golden Rules of Network Marketing

These rules have never deserted me and till date it stands forth, for my own experience as the most extraordinary rule for social success.

• Keep a count of number of new people you meet in a week. Always strive hard to reach out to other individuals. The golden rule is that you should have minimum 5 meetings or engagements lined for a week. The key is to remain visible and always available to your existing as well ever increasing relationships/network be it your friends, colleagues and contacts.

• Work hard reaching to others. There is no short cut scheme to it. Some people think building a network requires 16 hours a day, so to speak, attending meetings, always being at their service, attending long phone calls, going for regular social parties, long night outs either at the cost of spending unnecessary money on various product in market. Always do remember, if you are slogging, and working hard then you are not doing your job well.

• If I may change to corporate metaphor, please do not take networking as a target. Building a network of friends and colleagues is truly about creating and nurturing relationships. It’s about how you use your personal tools to connect with others. Always trust your instincts and ask yourself, if you enjoy doing it or not. Through means of enjoyment you will yield results which are good commission, better than you have ever planned or expected.

• I am sure, many a times, you won’t be able to connect either mentally or emotionally with every one you meet and talk, it is understandable that not everyone can enter the circle of your life, but the wise thing is to not to deny them but keep them at a distance with a gentle nod of recognition.

• Plan your strategy and note down your objective on how to proceed with network, you will surprisingly find plenty of hours during the day to do what needs to be done. The bigger your network is or more social connections you have, the more opportunities you will get to make even more new connections.

As Robert Metcalge once said “The value of a network grows proportional to the number of its users. The same principle holds true in expanding and growing the pool of relationships. The bigger and larger it gets, more rewarding and attractive it becomes. The pace of the network also grows proportionately to the strength of the network.’’

Anyhow, I have no hesitation in declaring that it would be an arduous act requiring intense preparation but certainly worth attempting. I hope just like me you would also not part away with these 5 golden rules of Network Marketing in your life. What a remarkable and unique way to look at life – Isn’t it? How much I owe to him is beyond my power to express today. Truly speaking, there’s a lot to be learnt from his way of life for each one of us. I wish him all the very best in all his future endeavors.

POOL YOU LUCK and SHARE THE FORTUNE

 By Tarun Gupta