Stephen Hassan places these types of businesses squarly in the "cult" category!
Went to an internet business convention back in April...was I being recruited to join another cult??
by Joliette 15 Replies latest jw friends
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truman
The parallels between WT mind control tactics and those used by many multi-level marketing entities are what opened my eyes to the real nature of life as a Witness. Here is the document that outlines Amway techniques for controlling their cult members salespersons. See if some of them--a lot of them--do not sound eerily familiar to what you have heard from the WTS.
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finallysomepride
There is alot of info here on the subject of commercial cults, interesting stuff as I have been in 3 mlm businesses and the all operate in very much the same way.
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DagothUr
Just do an Internet search using the terms: "Monavie", "Team" "scam"/"hoax".
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Crisis of Conscience
Ever heard of Primerica? Their products, things like life and car insurance as well as financial future planning assistance, are great.
But they got me in during a time that I was looking for extra work. They encouraged coming to their meetings for "education". I said that that was all I wanted. But slowly they started to try to suck me into doing certain activities to "build my business". I stated that that wasn't my interest.
I started to get a weird feeling everytime I went. At the time though, it was because I was worried about too much association with the world, as they had regular conventions to encourage people.
Anyway, I stopped going once they called my name to receive an award at one of the meetings. For what, since I hadn't done anything? Apparently, based on the award, I had completed something like 6 financial summaries (or whatever it was called) with different people. My "mentor" lied and told the lady in charge that I had done this. I knew right away I had to get out of there.
But I did learn one great line during a showing of a motivational business video. The lady said, 'Prayer is good, but prayer with a check is better.'
Ain't dat da troof, sista!! That's what religion is all about.
Perhaps indirectly I was already aware of cult tactics. Thanks be to the JW upbringing.
CoC
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besty
http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Herbalife_%28HLF%29
some of the MLM's are quoted on the stock market....I understand from friends that transact with herbalife at a corporate level that they are swimming in cash...
in general I believe most MLM's to be high-control - 'our way is the only way - there is no other easier path to personal prosperity - your family/friends/colleagues need this NOW'
Of course there is an argument to say that if I'm going to buy an expensive, dubious efficacy supplement from a store I may as well throw the dollars at a friend....