Direct selling continues to perform strongly in Europe, despite the global economic crisis. Statistics compiled by Seldia and the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) show a growth in sales in the European Union of 8.1 percent in 2010. Read more.
There are many reasons people get involved with direct selling, and we have talked about them all at some point or another—the ability to work from home, flexibility, extra income, the opportunity to build a career on your own terms.
The direct selling industry prides itself on providing the opportunity for anyone to change their life. I am proud of many aspects of our industry. After nearly 20 years, I remain steadfast in my belief that no other industry provides the opportunity we do for any individual, regardless of their background, personal or financial situation, to create the business and life they desire. We change lives on a bigger scale and more frequently than any other industry. And while I believe this to be true, I challenge all of us to look at ourselves and our organizations to consider what our real commitment is beyond the vehicle for change. Is providing the vehicle enough?
Throughout the varying stages of our careers, as practicing dermatologists, product developers, entrepreneurs and businesswomen, time and again, we have experienced our greatest successes when we allowed ourselves to be guided by our passion, particularly when that meant “doing it better by thinking outside the box.”
Imagine this scenario. A team coming off a Super Bowl win learns its head coach is stepping down during the offseason. Surely, this represents a daunting challenge. They’re faced with the prospect of entering the next season with the entire league gunning for them—and they have to do it without the architect of their Super Bowl victory. Can they possibly expect to repeat as champions under these circumstances?
In November of this year, I was listening to an interview on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered program. The interview was with Charles Handy, founder of the London Business School and a management consultant whose work has inspired me for some time.
A Humble Beginning, an Enduring Commitment XanGo LLC started from quite modest beginnings. I recall the planning days back in 2002. XanGo’s founders—Joe Morton, Aaron Garrity, Gary Hollister, Gordon Morton, Kent Wood and myself—sitting around the conference table hammering out business details and making a commitment to giving back, just as soon as we turned our first profit.
Next month I’ll celebrate two important milestones—my 54th birthday and the 35th anniversary of the day I was recruited into direct selling by a man wearing a polyester leisure suit with white platform shoes.
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