Today, I want to write about having integrity in your MLM Business. I’m shocked that I even need to write a post about this subject, but with all the unethical and shady crap I see online, I think it will help some of the people in our industry, especially the new people.
I once heard that there is no such thing as business ethics (thanks John Maxwell). In other words, ethics has nothing to do with business itself. As a person, you are either ethical or you aren’t. Ethical people are ethical in their business and unethical people are unethical in their business. Does that make sense?
Some people have integrity. Some don’t. Some folks will maintain their integrity no matter what. Others will ditch their integrity quickly to make a fast buck!
When you look around online integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.” If I had to put it in my own words I would define integrity as doing the right thing, being a person of your word, and never lying to others.
I should begin by telling you that no person is perfect. I’m not. Neither are you. However, you don’t have to be perfect to have integrity. Having integrity, or not, is a personal choice.
When it comes to network marketing, I do believe that most people in our industry are good people who want to do the right thing. Yes, we also have some shady characters as well. Every industry has some bad apples. Some people intentionally lie, cheat and deceive others to fatten their wallet.
Others do and say dumb and questionable things because they are ignorant. In other words, they might not even know that what they are doing or saying is wrong or unethical. I think this is where a rock solid training program comes in handy.
I have some simple advice I can share with you to help you build your business with integrity.
# 1 Do what you say you will do – If you say you are going to do something do it. If you say you are going to call someone at 5 pm, don’t you dare call at 5:01 p.m. If you say you are going to build your business big, build it big. If you promise your prospect or new team members something, follow through with it.
# 2 Make sure your actions match your words – Most people talk a big game, but when you look in their back office you will see otherwise. My suggestion is to be reserved about what you say you are going to do. Be so busy working and producing that you don’t have time to talk a big game.
# 3 Never lie, cheat or steal – This should be common sense. Do the right thing!
# 4 Never use hype, pressure or the hard sell – Never, ever pressure someone, beg someone or chase someone to join the business. You don’t need any one specific person to be successful.
# 5 Try to help people rather than think about how much money you can make from them – Take your eyes off yourself, and how much money you can make from someone else, and see how you can help them! Put yourself in your prospect’s shoes and think of things from their perspective.
# 6 Set a strong personal example for others to follow – Lead by example. Be a sterling example for others to follow, based upon what you do and say.
# 7 Stay true to your values and beliefs – Never jeopardize your own values or beliefs for anyone else, even a business opportunity.
# 8 Ensure you never say or do anything that would jeopardize your reputation, the company’s reputation or the industry’s reputation – Be a professional at all times. Realize that people are watching you. Never ever say or do anything that hurts your reputation, or the industry’s reputation. This means never badmouthing another person or company.
# 9 Treat everyone as well as you would treat your daughter or mom – Be nice to everyone you meet, even if they are a jerk. Have compassion and understanding when talking to others. Don’t be too quick to judge people.
# 10 Train your team – Train everyone on your team about ethics and integrity. I’m shocked that most companies don’t require some form of ethics training when people join their company, but since they don’t do it, it’s your job as a sponsor and upline to educate your team on what they should and shouldn’t do and say.
# 11 Never ever talk about fast or easy money – Make sure you always share the company’s earning disclaimer and give your prospect or team members realistic expectations about what they will have to do to make it big in the industry.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few things you can do to build your MLM Business with integrity. I hope you will take this advice to heart and always do the right thing.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
It saddens me to see the way the overall morals and ethics has diminished over the years. I have watched greed take hold both in businesses and in humans worldwide. It is not just in network marketing, it is in many traditional businesses too.
While we can tell people over and over about using good ethics, in some cases, just good ole lessons will be the best teacher. If people start not buying items from the culprit or filing complaints against them, they may discover that their ethics will drive them into failure. This is part of the problem, many people just do not take the time to complain. I believe if you run into a network marketer who is lying or going against ethics, he/she should have a complaint filed against them with the MLM company. The same goes with traditional companies.
If we all stand against bad ethics, they will change. That is my suggestion.
I tell everyone to lead by example and always do the right thing. You can’t control what others can do, but you can control what you do.
I completely agree regarding the point John Maxwell made about ethics. We are taught in school about ethics in business, but the fact is that ethics is more of a character issue than it is some concept that can be learned. If you are ethical, then you will be ethical in all you do including business. If you are not ethical, you will be unethical in all you do including business.
Always do the right thing and you have nothing to worry about.
Hi Chuck,
I agree, having integrity in your business also affects your business success directly and indirectly.
Being honest, avoiding hype and always trying to help others, makes people see that you’re a ‘man of value’ and more and more people will start to like you. Which in turn brings you more loyal customers.
I think tip #9 can sum it all up. Whenever you’re in doubt whether you’re doing the right thing to others, ask yourself “would I gladly do this to my daughter”.
Just do the right thing and you will never have anything to worry about. And you’ll sleep better at night.