QNET: NETWORK MARKETING A GENUINE, ETHICAL BUSINESS

QNET Tanzania Country Representative, Benjamin Mariki. 

As debate ranges among scholars, businesspeople, marketers, the media and the general public on the authenticity of direct selling or directing marketing models as genuine, ethical businesses, QNET TANZANIA, a direct marketing company that recently opened its agency in Dar es Salaam, wades into the subject, laying bare the facts about the model and clearing doubts on any notion that direct selling does not adhere to global business tenets.  In an interview with this paper, QNET Tanzania Country Representative, BENJAMIN MARIKI, answers some of the frequently asked questions about Direct Selling Model.

Excerpts:

Question: What is Direct Selling/Network Marketing Business Model?

Answer: Direct Selling is an international business concept and is defined as the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location. This model of sales is more than 100 years old and originated initially in the USA. Today, this is a US$180 billion industry globally with nearly 90 million people involved in it.

How do people involved in direct selling generate income?

People involved in direct selling earn commissions on sale of products and services calculated on the basis of the compensation plan of the company they represent.  The direct selling model offers a means for individuals to generate an income through self-employment and hard work. Network Marketing is one of the most popular methods of Direct Sales.

What is the difference between ‘Network Marketing’ and ‘Pyramid Scheme’?

Network marketing is NOT a “get-rich-quick scheme. It may be very lucrative, but it is also a tough business. Right from the start, genuine businesses will tell you that the results happen only if you put in the time and effort. Any company that promises you an easy way to riches should be regarded with caution. QNET for example, has a detailed earnings disclaimer available in its website and marketing materials.

Network marketing companies deliver quality products or services as opposed to Pyramid Schemes that have no legitimate products or services. Good network marketing companies dedicate substantial resources to research and development to create quality products that are of actual use to people while pyramids schemes do not.

QNET, for example, offers more than 30 different products in 9 different product categories. 

More so, network marketing companies have restrictions in their compensation plan in which they limit the number of people who can earn a commission through sales. This is meant to level the playing field for its members. In a pyramid scheme, the “up lines” or the ones at the top make all the money, while the “down lines” or the ones at the bottom, usually lag behind due to late participation.

At QNET, anyone can succeed irrespective of when they started and the success of an IR (Independent Representative who distributes the products) is dependent on the success of the people in his/her team.

Moreover, genuine network marketing companies have a solid training system where they place great emphasis on training their network marketers. Companies that genuinely care about their distributors and want them to succeed are the ones that provide business tools and training to help them grow their business. Organizations such as QNET have qualified trainers equipped with the expertise and experience to help their members better understand the business and products and serve as mentors and motivators to grow the business.

Last and not the least, network marketing companies have proper policies and procedures, as well as ethical marketing codes. Any genuine network marketing company aims to achieve sustainable growth by fostering a culture of ethical marketing. QNET places great emphasis on an ethical code of conduct by its independent representatives and provides them with a detailed set of guidelines on professional marketing as well as its policies and procedures.

Network marketing boasts of nurturing budding entrepreneurs; how does it empower local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses?

QNET has a very strong emphasis on training and education for our IRs. We not only focus on developing their professional skills but also focus on their personal growth and development. We believe that financial success alone is not enough. In order for us to make an impact, we need to develop people to be better human beings so that they can use their success to contribute to their local communities.

QNET partners with an exclusive training and network management company that has perfected the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ model which encourages the participants to duplicate these trainings for their own teams in their own languages. While the business trainings focus on QNET’s compensation plan, business model, products and, most importantly, the importance of ethical and professional marketing, it is the non-business training programs that are the most popular and have the maximum impact.

Topics covered under the personal development trainings include Adapting to Change, Overcoming Challenges and Rejections, Building and Nurturing Relationships, Effective Communication and even, Personal Grooming.

Training programs vary in size from small groups of 20-30 participants to more than 1000 participants for regional trainings. Global trainings run into several thousands and are conducted over several days.

A few examples of the training programs and experiences IRs can take advantage of:

Networking Seminar Series (NSS) - NSS provides networking/motivational trainings that help leverage one’s networking strategies and skills and assists in the personal and professional advancement of IRs. The event is designed to address specific needs of the network in a certain city/country.

Networking Basics Seminar (NBS) – This is a training event with a smaller number of attendees than NSS but with the same event module, approach and objectives. 

Product Training - Detailed training program that teaches IRs about all the main products sold under the QNET banner. Training can be done in small groups or as a whole day event with a larger crowd.

Webinars - QNET conducts a series of online trainings that IRs can attend from the comfort of their homes by logging into computers. Interactive sessions on specific topics such as new product launches, policies and procedures, compensation plan are conducted in multiple languages by QNET training executives.

Conventions - QNET hosts an annual global convention every year in Asia and Middle East over a 5 day period. At this convention nearly 8,000 -10,000 IRs from more than 40 countries come together to listen to and learn from training professionals and other successful IRs from around the globe. At this convention, QNET also organises a product exhibition that allows IRs to touch and feel our products, ask questions from experts and watch demonstrations.  The convention is also held at a smaller scale targeting specific regions throughout the year.

Besides Tanzania, where else does QNET have footprint in Africa?

We have made significant business strides in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Guinea and Senegal.

What kind of products and services are in your stable?

Through stringent quality controls and working with top researchers, scientists and manufacturing facilities in each field, QNET offers a wide range of lifestyle and wellness products that have proven their appeal to people around the world. From personal care, nutrition, cosmetics, home care and body, water energies, to jewelry and watches, holiday packages.

How much capital does a start-up entrepreneur need to qualify the business?

One only needs US$30 (Tsh 66,000) registration the start the business.

Direct selling is generally perceived by some sections of the community in a very negative light; when, in QNET’s view, will it eventually bee seen in a positive way?

With globalization and the breaking down of trade barriers, it’s only a question of time before the industry begins to be seen in a better light.

About QNET:

As a prominent Asian direct selling company, QNET provides a wide range of life enhancing products that are offered through its proprietary e-commerce platform to customers and distributors in over 100 countries. The company also has some offices and 3^rd party agencies in 25 countries worldwide, and more than 50 stockists, apart from localized operations or franchisees in a number of countries.

QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association of Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. QNET is also a part of the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore among others.

QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world, including football (Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club), Formula One, badminton and more, due to the company’s strong belief that the drive, passion and teamwork of sports mirrors that of QNET.

For more information, please visit QNET’s website at www.qnet.net