Learn, Grow & Prosper

Due to a comment made by Terry Conti on Adrienne Smith’s post (here’s the comment link), I thought I’d take a little look at Pyramid Schemes and perhaps clear things up for those who don’t know.

The Pyramid Scheme.  Some scumbag with a ‘money making program’ collecting from the little guys who work away, in the hope of earning some money.  What’s being promoted?  Pay-up and we’ll tell you!  And, to top it off, people actually have paid or are paying a monthly fee for this um ‘money making program’!  I mean really, how damn stupid can ya be!

Wikipedia says:

“A Pyramid Scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public.”

Let’s leave the cyber world for a moment.  You get up every morning, tottle off to the office, store, factory, where ever it may be you spend your 9-5 working day.  At the end of the month you write out a cheque and give it to your Boss!  Right!  Like hell you do!

The whole point of you wanting to do Network Marketing is to earn money.  And that is exactly what can be done → if you do your homework. 

Just like any other trade you might step into, you have to learn it.  You make inquiries to find where is the best college to do your studies or firm to complete an apprenticeship.  So why oh why would you not do the same on the Net?

→  Do Your Research, investigate into things, learn and get in the know first, before you step into anything and go whipping out your credit card!

And any money you do part with, should be on tangible goods and/or services, resources, tools, training etc.  Things which you need and will use.

Here is a site I came across, Consumer Fraud Reporting.  One page Pyramid Schemes, How They Work will show more details and here they have listed some names of sites known to have been prosecuted and others who’ve been issued warnings from one or more governments.

So, like Terry said, no – Network Marketing is not a Pyramid Scheme.  But, do be aware, there are Pyramid Schemes on the Network.

A little bit of triva for you, also retrieved from Wikipedia, which I thought this was interesting …

“Most commonly, the salespeople are expected to sell products directly to consumers by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing. Some people use “direct selling” as a name for MLM, although MLM is only one type of direct selling, which started centuries ago with peddling.”

Another interesting thought (this one direct from me – dangerous!)

If Pyramid Schemes are a scam on the Internet, where does that put the system we live in?

  President
Vice President
Parliament Ministers
Tax Paying Civil Servants
 Tax Paying Private Sector Workers

Hmmm

The big question now is … Should I do my housework now or go and meet my pal?

Julie

On the 31 December I was awarded the Sunshine Award by Barry Wells.  That just topped my year off with a blast and to be stepping into a new one carrying this Award with Pride!  Whow!   I could not believe it, to be given this award by someone I have actually learnt so much from and look up to.  I’m so chuffed, if I was speaking this I’d be stuttering and stumbling.

Thank you Barry, thank you so much. 

What is the Sunshine Award?

There is no prize or trophy attached to this award.  It is about recognising bloggers whose positivity and creativity have inspired yourself and others in the blogging community.  There are three little rules attached as a receiver of the award and they are …

The 3 Rules of the Award

1. To thank the person(s) that gave the award.
2. To Answer 10 questions.
3. Pass the award on to 10 deserving bloggers.

 
So again, I thank you Barry  …

The 10 questions

1. Favourite colour → The colours in the rainbow.
   
2. Favourite animal → Cats because they’re independent, clean themselves, bury there own wastes and are good hunters.
   
3. Favourite number → 3, I’ve no idea why.
4. Favourite drink → Mornings, coffee.  Afternoons, tea.  Evenings, red wine.  Hot summers day, a cold beer
5. Facebook or Twitter → Twitter
6. My passion → Life.
   
7. Giving or receiving gifts → Giving.  (Although, I do like to receive occasionally as well)
   
8. Favourite day → Friday.  End of the working week, beginning of the weekend.
   
9. Favourite flower → Daisy
10. Favourite food → Ooh, long list here.  I’ve no one particular favourite.  One pet hate mind – liver.

 10 Deserving Bloggers To Pass The Award To

♠  Ian Ieba:  I met Ian around the same time I started my blog in a membership site which unfortunately, due to circumstances out of the members control, we were blocked from communications within the membership lounge (all members that is, just to put that straight!).  Anyways, luck for me, I followed Ian’s blog and advice along the way and through Ian, I have met some wonderful folk and learnt so much.  Ian gives so much to his readers and he’s an all round great guy.

♠  Barry Wells:  Ian directed me to a video tutorial of Barry’s regarding a plugin if I remember rightly.  Since then I have visited Barry’s blog regularly, as he has mine.  Barry is another person who’s a real giver.  He has some great tutorials, encourages, supports and has a terrific sense of humour.

♦  Adrienne Smith:  Adrienne, she is the ray of sunshine herself.  Adrienne has a kindness that’s hard to put into words.  Where she finds the hours in her day to give her time to so many people just boggles me.

♦  Dawn Kay:  Not only does Dawn offer her services and help to her readers and friends, she regularly shouts out others before herself and her blog is a fun place to visit.

♦  Dee Ann Rice:  Dee Ann has some great stuff on her blog.  If she’s ever had a jam, she’s right there telling all about it, what to do to prevent it happening or how to fix it if it has.  And Dee Ann’s been to my country

♠   Terry Conti:  Dear Terry’s father passed away towards the end of last year, and I’ve heard, along with doing a day time job he’s looking after his Mum justnow as well.  And you know what?  Terry still manages to find some energy to get around out there offering kind words of support to others putting a smile in their day.  So, here’s one for you Terry  

♦  Nikki Stephens:  Nikki always gives me the feeling I’m about to land in some wonderful, exotic place and after reading her post (or more, listening to her videos) one looks up and expects to see a pina colada sitting next to you.  But that, you’ll have to get yourself, what you will get from Nikki will be some great posts.

♦  Kathy Dobson:  Kathy has put together some great videos and information + some wonderful inspirational videos & music to share with her readers.  She also runs the odd competition with super duper prizes, something for everyone to keep their eye on.  And I just love Kathy’s gravatar, it’s the cutest picture.

♠  Christian Hollingsworth:  I don’t visit Christian’s blog as much as I should, but I do follow his tweets.  Now, this young lad is a great inspiration, especially to young people.  I just loves the photos he pops up and his music is wonderful.

♦  Sally Neill:  Sally’s blog is another one I don’t visit often enough.  I’ve watched quiet a few of her videos and have one of her books (which I read in one sitting the first time!).  Sally has helped alot of people, one thing I have taken from Sally and that is learning to build confidence.

Okay, so that’s me done.  If you haven’t already, it will be well worth your time to visit all these people.  Until next time, do drop me a line.

Take Care Now
Julie