Turn Downline Questions Into Leadership Training Opportunities

In direct sales and network marketing, you have the incredible opportunity to build an organization of independent distributors and receive compensation on the sales volume they generate. Your organization’s size can be in the hundreds, the thousands, the tens of thousands, and beyond. However, whether you have one distributor in your downline or one hundred thousand, you do not have enough hours in the day to answer each and every question from them. Remember, they are supposed to be INDEPENDENT distributors and an effective leader will treat them as such. If not, the leader will cease to lead and will instead slip into that dangerous condition known as “management mode.”

A more prudent way to handle questions from your downline is to turn each question into an opportunity to train that distributor. For example, if John Doe asks, “Can I sign up someone who lives in France?” then you would direct her to her back office or company website and ask her to look at the list of countries in which your company does business.

This serves a number of purposes, including:
a) John finds her answer on her own which develops self-confidence;
b) John familiarizes herself with her back office or company website; and,
c) Most importantly, John will have the opportunity to personally read the list of other open countries for potential business.

You must resist the urge to answer basic questions like this, even if you know the answer off the top of your head. It is important to train your distributors on HOW to find information so they can work as independently as possible on the small details. That way, the time you spend with them can be used productively to prospect, enroll new distributors, and to build your relationships.

Embrace the philosophy that “every question is an opportunity for training” and watch your distributors become more independent, more confident, and more productive. Don’t be a manager – be a leader!

There is a program called 180 days to greatness that is now available to the first 500 people who apply and are accepted. You can get more information at www.180daystomarketingsuccess.com This program is hands on one-on-one coaching that teaches both mind set and skill set that is required to win in any home based or multi level marketing business.

Suzanne has a successful home based business and a successful network marketer. She enjoys helping others become successful to live the life of their dreams