When I was an Amway Independent Business Owner, I would frequently see my upline diamond driving around town in a business suit. I used to wonder why he would continue to work if he could simply walk away and earn residual money. My sponsor explained to me that the diamond only works because he cares about his downline and wants to assist them in their endeavours. There are two probable scenarios: either the diamond is labouring to assist his downline out of genuine care, or he is working because he has no choice! The only difference is that the diamond now works the night and/or graveyard shifts, as many independent business owners (IBOs) are establishing their businesses after they finish their day employment. ** Furthermore, it should be noted that my old upline diamond slipped to the emerald level around 2005 and has subsequently regained his diamond status. And this diamond has relocated from Hawaii to Washington State (perhaps because of a lower cost of living?).
Now, Amway has previously indicated that the average diamond (non-founders) earns approximately $150,000 per year in compensation. Even while that is a respectable salary, after taxes and the payment of essential expenses like as medical and dental insurance, the average diamond certainly lives a very middle-class lifestyle. Take into consideration the fact that a big percentage of a diamond's revenue comes in the form of an annual bonus, which means that a diamond's monthly income may be rather low. It is possible that diamonds earn additional cash through speaking engagements, as well as through the sale of standing orders and performing functions. However, the diamond's revenue from speaking engagements and other occasions is contingent on his or her continuous appearances and efforts.
So, how likely is it that a diamond will be "free"? After much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that a diamond is not free, and that he may really have to spend more time sustaining his group than if the diamond worked a 9-5 job. (One could argue that the responsibilities of a diamond are preferable than those of a 9-5 job, for example.) For starters, a diamond must stay up with his or her personal group in order to continue to qualify for bonuses. Because of Amway's terrible retention rate, I am very certain that a diamond spends a significant amount of time recruiting individually sponsored IBOs in order to sustain this group. Additionally, a diamond must assist his six or more groups of downline platinums in order for their enterprises to remain viable, or else risk losing his or her accreditation. My old diamond status was downgraded to emerald, but it appears that I was later re-qualified to diamond status. In order to keep up and coming movers and shakers motivated, a diamond must also set aside time to recognise and reward them. When I was deemed a prospective up and coming pin, I had the opportunity to spend time with my upline diamond. Due to the time commitment, diamonds may be spread thin at times as a result of all of this activity.
A diamond must go to a variety of parties and speaking engagements in order to maintain his or her tool income stream. In addition to double a diamond's income, the additional income also increases the amount of spending the diamond and his family incur, especially if the diamond and his family travel first class and/or take extravagant vacations to demonstrate the diamond lifestyle.
After analysing predicted revenue and expenses, I can only infer that a diamond most likely lives a middle-class lifestyle and works as hard as a man with a 9-5 job, with the exception that a diamond works nights and weekends instead of days. Ruth Carter's book provides a compelling depiction of this phenomenon (Amway Motivational Organizations: Behind The Smoke and Mirrors). Despite having a net salary of more than $300,000, the diamond in the book lived in debt, could barely pay his mortgage, and was constantly on the move from one function to the next, according to the storey. If you live over your means, having a large income is meaningless.
According to my observations, diamonds may be busy at the diamond level than the typical Joe who has a 9-5 job. The only difference is that the diamond works the night shift instead of the day shift. Is this the kind of freedom you're looking for?
0 comments: