MLM - Network Marketing Blog

Amway a finalist for the Governor's Service Awards

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From Opportunity Zone:

Amway was nominated nominated by KaBOOM!, for the Governor’s Service Award. This is the second year in a row that one of our nonprofit partners nominated us. The award recognizes "individuals, organizations and companies that are working to improve the lives of others here in Michigan."

The Service Awards were presented at the Governor’s mansion in Lansing. Which is pretty cool, no matter your political persuasion. After the hour drive and I.D. check at the door, we walked into the backyard of the mansion and the program began. One by one, each nominee was called to the stage. Among them was Dawnlynn Suttorp, Amway Volunteer Coordinator.

As the Governor and the emcee, began to speak about the nominees and what this award means, it brought to the forefront just how many people, organizations and companies here in Michigan are willing to give of their time, talents and treasures to help others.

As Dawnlynn stood on the stage, I began to realize how much our employees do. Week after week, we see Amway employees mentoring, helping at local camps, building playgrounds, cooking meals for families with children in the hospital and so much more.

It’s really humbling to remember how special these volunteers are and what a great place we work for. Amway truly has a commitment to our communities here in West Michigan and around the globe. And while we didn't win this year, recognition by our community partners means so much.

Read more...

If you enjoyed this mlm blog post, then follow the MLM Blog on Twitter...

Amway Australia Chooses Best Job In The World Island for 2010 Conference

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

Amway has chosen Hamilton Island as the site for the Amway Australia 2010 Conference. Hamilton Island is the site for the "Best Job In The World" contest that awarded one lucky winner the job as caretaker for Hamilton Island for six months.

Amway Australia general manager Michial Coldwell cited the success of the "Best Job In The World" campaign as the tipping point in choosing Hamilton Island as the site for the Amway Australia 2010 Conference.

Here's an excerpt from the story at the The Australian:

More than 34,000 entries from almost 200 countries were submitted and media coverage about the campaign has been valued at more than $200m. At the same time, an estimated three billion people have been exposed to the campaign.

The campaign, which began with simple press ads in newspaper classifieds looking for applicants for The Best Job in the World -- being a caretaker on Hamilton Island for six months -- used websites, YouTube and was an extension of the government's existing Islands of the Barrier Reef campaign.

Mr Morris said that the campaign had attracted attention by offering an experience money can't buy. "It was a hook to gain media and consumer interest," he said.

Mr Morris said while the campaign had been launched in one of Tourism Queensland's core target markets, the UK, it has transcended international boundaries by bringing a massive return on investment in Europe, North America and south east Asia where travel partners such as airlines offered special deals linked to the campaign.

Hamilton Island has already benefited with increased tourist numbers and Amway Australia choosing it as the destination for its 2010 conference.

Last month, Amway Australia general manager Michial Coldwell said publicity surrounding Best Job had tipped the balance in Hamilton Island's favour.

Mr Morris said interest in the outcome of the promotion was so high 22 international and domestic media crews attended the announcement of the winner on Hamilton Island.

If you enjoyed this mlm blog post, then follow the MLM Blog on Twitter...

South Korea Drives 32% Increase in Immunotec Sales

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From Yahoo Finance:

VAUDREUIL-DORION, QC, June 23 /CNW Telbec/ - IMMUNOTEC INC. (TSX Venture Exchange: IMM) (the "Company" or "Immunotec"), is engaged primarily in the development, manufacturing and marketing of health and wellness products which are classified as dietary supplements or natural health products focusing on the immune segment of this growing market. These products are distributed and sold in Canada, United States and South Korea through a network marketing system and in other countries under exclusive distributorship agreements.

Read the details...

If you enjoyed this mlm blog post, then follow the MLM Blog on Twitter...

Amway Global Helps Food Bank

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From The London Free Press:

The eight-day London Cares curbside food drive handily exceeded its target for 2009.

The drive, which ended Friday, supplies the London Food Bank, which set a target of 75,000 pounds or 34,000 kilograms this year.

The generosity of Londoners produced 83,730 lbs., or 38,000 kg., putting a smile to food bank co-director Jane Roy’s face.

“It was amazing,” Roy said. “We were quite surprised and happy.”

She said there were concerns about the final two days of the drive and how rainy weather might reduce donations.

Thursday, in collection Zone A, was a record one-day haul, with 20,770 lbs. (9,440 kg.) collected from the Byron area.

Curbside collection and from grocery stores was up 4% from last year.

The London Cares drive is important because it stocks shelves at the food bank until Thanksgiving.

Roy said business at the food bank is up 20% this year.

Included in this year’s numbers was a donation of 5,000 lbs. (2,272 kg.) from corporate partner Amway Global.

In 2008, a record 99,000 lbs. (45,000 kg.) was created by an unprecedented donation of 23,000 lbs. (10,455 kg.) from Quixtar Canada.

Read more...

KBank Joins Hands with Amway in Thailand

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

Dr.Prasarn Trairatvorakul (second from left), KBank President, and Mr.Preecha Prakobkit (second from right), Managing Director of Amway (Thailand) Ltd, jointly launched the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system for Amway bill payment service which aimed to provide enhanced convenience to more than 1 million Amway Business Owner and Member across the country. The press conference was held today at KASIKORNBANK, Pahol Yothin Building.

This from ThaiPR.Net.

Amway Arena Network Dims

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

This just in from the Orlando Sentinel:

FOR SALE: 367,000-square-foot arena. Great location in downtown Orlando. Seats up to 18,000. Upholstered chairs. 26 antiquated skyboxes. Parking for 4,200. Air-conditioned. Asking price: $90 million. MUST SEE!

The city of Orlando has joined the scores of homeowners trying to unload property in a lousy real-estate market. Next year, like the thousands of abandoned properties all over our region, Amway Arena will go dark and begin the long, lonely wait until its eventual date with the wrecking ball.

And the credit crisis has more than tamped down the enthusiasm of developers who once yearned for the chance to snap up the old arena and re-imagine the large swath of land as a virtual clean slate in the heart of the city.

It has snuffed it out.

"The current and near-term economic reality is that you are looking at 50 to 60 acres of developable land with a pretty big price tag on it, and there aren't any developers with the pocketbook for that right now," Craig Ustler said. "Based on current demand, you cannot support a reasonable mix of education, commercial, office, residential and public uses."

Amway Operates Like Mafia?

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

Here's a quote from Notre Dame Law Professor Robert Blakey:

“It is my opinion that the Amway business is run in a manner that is parallel to that of major organized crime groups, in particular the Mafia. The structure and function of major organized crime groups, generally consisting of associated enterprises engaging in patterns of legal and illegal activity, was the prototype forming the basis for federal and state racketeering legislation that I have been involved in drafting. The same structure and function, with associated enterprises engaging in patterns of legal and illegal activity, is found in the Amway business.”

Read more at the AmwayBlog ...

Does anyone have any opinions on this? Speak up!

I'm not buying his "GoodSella" theory. Are you?

Amway President Doug DeVos Receives Direct Selling Industry Award

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

This just in from Amway:

ADA, Mich.,June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Amway President Doug DeVos has been given the Circle of Honor award from the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF).

DeVos received the Circle of Honor Tuesday, June 2 at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C. during the annual meeting of the Direct Selling Association (DSA). The Direct Selling Education Foundation established the award in 1988 to recognize persons who've provided outstanding leadership to the foundation through their personal efforts, involvement and commitment.

"I am thrilled to receive this prestigious award," said DeVos. "For years, I have been active as a DSEF leader, and I've been highly committed to helping the DSEF grow and increase its global impact by enhancing the scope of its programs. I am honored that my colleagues in the direct selling industry fully appreciate those efforts."

DeVos is a major international figure within the direct selling industry. He has served in all the leadership capacities of DSEF and DSA including the roles of board chairman, and is past chairman of the board of directors for the U.S. Direct Selling Association. He also is the current vice-chairman of the World Federation Direct Selling Association (WFDSA), and serves on the WFDSA CEO Council.

The Circle of Honor is the DSEF's highest honor. Past recipients have included direct selling industry leaders, academics, and consumer advocates who have been strong supporters of the foundation and its mission. Amway co-founder Rich DeVos was a recipient in 2001."Doug has been a leader, a visionary and a voice of reason for the foundation," said Doris Christopher, chair of the DSEF, and chairwoman and founder of The Pampered Chef. "He understands the value of the foundation's unique work on behalf of all of our companies - from the smallest to the largest. And he is carrying on an important family tradition that goes back to the foundation's establishment 36 years ago."

`

Amway Celebrates 50 Years Of Direct Sales

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From mlive:

GRAND RAPIDS — More than 1,000 high-ranking distributors, as well as the company's top executives from around the world, will descend on West Michigan this week as Amway marks its 50th anniversary.

They can expect rousing speeches, big-name entertainers — Sting performs a private show next Sunday — and plenty of smiles among the elite entrepreneurs who took the dream of two guys from Grand Rapids and made it their own. 

While the faces, languages and hometowns will be global, Amway is much the same now as when it marked its 25th anniversary — only bigger.

A lot bigger.

In 1984, the Ada-based company chalked up sales of about $1.2 billion, mostly in the United States.

In 2008, the family-owned business had $8.2 billion in sales around the world, making it one of the nation's 50 largest private companies, according to Forbes magazine.

It's hard to overestimate the effect of having a company with Amway's global reach and deep community roots planted in West Michigan, said Birgit Klohs, president of The Right Place Inc., an economic development agency started by Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel.

Read more...

Former Secretary Builds Amway Sales Empire In Asia

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From The Grand Rapids Press:

Powerful people have a certain quality, a serenity that comes from not needing to be loud or demanding to get their way. What they want done gets done.

You recognize it as soon as you meet Eva Cheng, the woman who runs Amway in China and Southeast Asia.

She walks into a room softly. Smiling, she settles into the corner of a sofa for her interview.

Her diamond earrings sparkle in the morning light. Her suit is elegant in navy and white. A native of Hong Kong, she speaks perfect English.

You can easily believe Forbes magazine ranked her among the 100 most powerful women in the world last fall. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sheila Bair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. chairwoman, led the list for 2008.

What's surprising is how far she has come from a humble start -- a young mother who took a job as a secretary in Amway's small Hong Kong office in 1977.

With a business degree, she liked the idea of working for an American company: "I thought I would have a chance to learn by reading everything that came into the office. You learn a lot if you are diligent."

When her boss left, there were only four employees left. The managers from Ada "looked around -- there was a receptionist, a part-time bookkeeper and a warehouseman -- and they asked me to take over," she said.