|
|||
|
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU START
|
Are you considering the idea of becoming an Encoura Agent?
Below are a few questions for you to think about before you join. They can provide some perspective on a number of concerns regarding the MLM industry and where Encoura stands with the subject.
Click on the question for details.
1. Are you currently using the types of products being offered by Encoura?
The types of products Encoura offers are some of the most commonly used items in and around a home. We offer these types of products because most people find value in purchasing them. We believe it is a good idea to build a business with products that most people use and want to purchase again and again.
2. Do you feel Encoura’s prices are reasonable compared to similar quality products?
Try to remember the natural ingredients when comparing Encoura’s products. Many brands will use the words "Natural" or "Organic" on the front label to mislead consumers into believing they use all natural ingredients. Take a look at the back label. If you see a number of long chemical looking type of words, the chances are real strong that the ingredients are not real natural. For a fair comparison check out some of the brands with truly natural ingredients.
NOTE - If you are on a web site and they do not provide a full list of ingredients, there might be a good reason the don't. Think about it; offering pure natural ingredients is a big benefit as a selling point. Companies that really do offer pure natural ingredients want to show you the proof.
3. Would you purchase Encoura’s products as a retail or Advantage Customer?
If you do not see enough value in the Encoura products to want them even at a retail price; you might want to reconsider your involvement as an Agent. Most Encoura customers value the idea of quality ingredients and supporting a smaller local business entity.
4. Do you feel that you or anyone could lose money by becoming a customer?
Most often a person is already purchasing the types of products offered by Encoura. So they are already spending the money somewhere. A customer should believe that the products they purchase, regardless of where they make their purchase, are a good value in exchange for their hard earned money. If it is not a valuable exchange, it should not take place anywhere.
5. Would you feel comfortable recommending the products to others?
Recommending a product you like to a friend is a natural thing to do. If you like the product, there should be nothing uncomfortable about it. And that is why we place so much of our attention on offering quality products that people will enjoy using. We hope you will enjoy them enough to recommend them to others.
6. Do the products appeal to a large group of customers?
The natural product market is growing. Smarter consumers are demanding products that are healthier for their bodies and better for our environment. We believe our products will have a strong appeal to a large and growing consumer group.
7. Do you feel it is a good idea for you to create another source of income?
Think about the economy and where you currently stand in the financial arena. If you are loaded with money and feel secure about it, don’t bother wasting your time in building another income source. But on the other hand if you are not real sure how long you would last if your current income stopped, it might be a good idea to start building something on the side of what you are currently doing.
8. Can you make a good income by generating customers or is recruiting required?
Encoura has many more customers than Agents. That may be because we listen to our customers and their satisfaction is very important to us. It could also be because we place the largest single reward to our Agents on creating and taking care of customers.
Also, recruiting other Agents is not required to become an Agent but creating customers is a requirement. We believe an Encoura Agent should show an intent to profit. There should be no other reason for a person to become an Agent. Creating customers is the most profitable activity an Agent can be involved with so we require this activity.
9. Would you want to be involved in encouraging others to create another source of income?
If you believe that it is a good idea to have a "Plan B" to fall back on if times get tuff, then you should have no problem promoting that idea to others.
10. Is an expensive start up kit or training package required?
No. It is free to sign up as an Encoura Agent and there are no training kit requirements. Many companies do require these packages and there are some good legitimate reasons for offering them. However, for many companies these requirements act as a big source of revenues and profits. We believe that keeping it easy and inexpensive for people to get started will bring rewards to everyone in the long terms of business.
11. Are you required to purchase an inventory as an Encoura Agent?
No and for a very good reason. Because we offer real natural products, we discourage large inventory purchases. Products with real natural ingredients are similar to fresh produce, like apples, and they do not have a long shelf life due to the mild preservatives that are used. Having a large inventory would not be a wise idea for any Agent. We suggest that Agents and customers make monthly purchases of the items they need or have used up.
12. Do you feel that you or anyone could lose money by joining as an Agent?
If you do, please tell us about it. We have tried to put together a program to eliminate any financial risks in being involved. We also understand that we may be so close to the forest that we cannot see through the trees. So please help us if you see any place where a possible financial risk or loss of money might arise. Click here to tell us about any financial risk concerns you might have. We will do our best to address your concerns and make changes if needed.
13. Are you obligated to make a certain amount of sales each month?
No. There are no minimum monthly purchases an Agent must make. Obviously some volume has to be required for an Agent to earn a bonus. Why? Because the government says so and we certainly want to stay legal. But our qualifications are very easy requirements to achieve. Aldo, to determine an active status we do have a 6 month minimum volume but again our minimum requirements can easily be met with Customer or Agent purchases.
14. Do you feel like Encoura is being deceptive in any way regarding the opportunity?
We certainly hope not. We try to be open and clear about how money is earned by our Agents. We do not make any income claims or promises and you should not find to much puffery or hype on our web site. If you do feel we are being deceptive in some way, please click here to let us know so we can address your concerns.
15. Do you feel like you would lose friends by building an Encoura business?
This is a huge concern for some people and we want to take some time to write about it. Good relationships are essential for a happy life. Please don’t alienate a good friendship because there is really no need to do that. Some people think that all MLM companies grows by exploiting a person’s relationships. In some companies this idea might be true but we certainly hope this idea is never found within the Encoura Team. EVER! Encoura is about creating and growing friendships. You do this by listening to the needs of others and doing what you can to make life a little easier for them.
People are not stupid. An Agent should simply share the Encoura idea with someone then let them ask questions and make their own decision. High pressure, belittling, exaggerating and all the other scheming that can go on are foolish. All those manipulative tactics do is create distrust and destroy relationships. It is not worth it so don’t do it.
Building an Encoura Team should not divide families, friendships, churches, civic groups or anything. Lifelong friends should not become "prospects." Your neighborhood should not be viewed as "a market" and a church should be kept as a house of worship, prayer and fellowship with like believers.
Let people be who they are. If you believe you have found a good thing with Encoura, we agree with you. But not everyone will and that is okay. Encoura will not be for everyone. People do have a life, goals and other things that interest them. That is a healthy thing. Believe in what you have to offer with Encoura but realize that the timing must be right for others to have an interest.
When you share the Encoura idea with someone and they are not asking for more information or showing any interest, it means they are not looking for the opportunity Encoura offers. Stop the conversation and move on to something else. It does not mean that you are wrong or have to try to convince them that you are correct. It simply means that they might not be interested at this time; some other time maybe. Be a friend and keep the door open to them because time can change things.
The main point is that building an Encoura Team should never damage a good relationship with anyone. A bad relationship is another story but don’t change your motives with people. In building relationships, you should always be looking for ways to make life a little happier for all parties involved. Please try to keep this in mind when sharing the Encoura idea.
16. Do you understand where the income is coming from and does it seem legitimate to you?
If you are wondering where the Agent bonus money comes from let us help by giving you a general breakdown.
We want to be clear by saying the only time money is earned by an Encoura Agent is when a product has been purchased by a customer. Money is earned by Encoura Agents through creating customers for the products offered by Encoura and never for simply recruiting other Agents.
As a customer, the profits from your purchases (about 20% - 30%) will go to the person who has introduced you to the Encoura products and store. This is about the same amount of profit you would give to any other retail store. The retail stores uses these profits to pay for rental space, inventory, displays, employees and many other store related expenses.
As a customer, the profits from your purchases (about 20% - 30%) will go to the Agents who have trained the person who has introduced you to the Encoura products and store. This is about the same amount of profit you would give to any other wholesale marketing channel. The wholesale marketing channel typically pays for advertising, warehouse space, employees, shipping and many other logistic needs.
As a customer, the profits from your purchases (about 50%) will go to the manufacturing and facilitation of the products. In a traditional marketing channel about 40% would go the manufacturer and about 10% would go to a manufacturer’s representative. Both industries, MLM and traditional distribution, maintain about the same profit percentages in the distribution of the products.
Some people have taken an issue with the MLM industry for spreading the marketing profits out over many levels. Most traditional distribution channels spread the marketing profits out over 3 – 4 levels whereas MLM typically spreads it out over 5 – 8 levels.
When you dig into the details you will find that the key difference is not in the level of profit distribution but in who receives the profits. In traditional distribution channels the marketing profits go to larger business entities who divide it among their employees and shareholders. The MLM industry sends it back to reward many levels of individual’s efforts.
NOTE - Some people working in the bottom levels of the traditional channels feel that the profits are not divided fairly based on efforts and performance. They also feel that there is very little chance for them to move up the achievement ladder in the traditional system.
Encoura's compensation or pay plan is the same for everyone involved and is based solely on performance. If someone wants to earn more, they can at any time and do not need to ask anyone for permission.
17. If your mother was looking to create an extra income, would you feel comfortable sharing the Encoura idea with her?
This may be an odd question but the answer says so much. We feel that the Encoura income opportunity should be so respectable and legitimate that you would enjoy sharing it with your mother. You see; if Encoura is a bad deal or takes advantage of someone and leaves them worse off for being involved, no one would feel comfortable sharing it with their own mother. We hope you feel so encouraged with the Encoura idea that you would tell your mother about it. That is, if she were looking for quality products or an income opportunity. Remember, we don't want to pursue the people who are not interested in the products or looking for an income opportunity . . . and that includes mom.
|
