Looking back on my IBO days, I can now chuckle at some of the strange things we did, and I have reason to suspect that my former LOS, WWDB, still teaches some of this, as well as some other large groups. Some people have referred to the Amway business as cult-like or having cult-like tendencies because of some of these behaviours. If you identify some of these activities, you may be part of an unethical organisation, and you should ask harsh questions of your upline, as well as reconsider or reprioritize your involvement in the company.
One of the things we were informed was that we had to submit to our upline. Our group was instructed that upline would never intentionally lead us astray, so we should put our trust in them and never undertake anything without first consulting upline. After all, upline had a lot of experience and was likely to know everything. Some of the things that were checked upline were getting married, buying a car or a house, and even something as simple as buying a camera. The upline stated that there was no harm in checking upline before making a purchase because someone upline might have suggestions on how to obtain a good bargain on a camera. Upline, I'm guessing, didn't want you spending your disposable income on anything other than standing orders and functions.
Meetings that start late. Our upline was big on late meetings, with many of them taking place after midnight. It was probably a display of devotion and allegiance to the upline and the institution. Most people were irritated by their occupations since they had to get up early to get to work. It made me angry with our upline because the meetings didn't teach us anything and only made us fatigued. Time was always crucial to our upline, but it was never important enough to make him show up on time for his own late night meetings. Sleep deprivation is another cult-like aspect.
Secrets. We were either informed it was none of our concern or handed a photocopy of a 5-year-old bonus check that someone upline may have received whenever we inquired about how much income uplines may have earned. Upline flaunted photographs of sports vehicles and mansions as proof that the firm was successful. Of course, we now know that some WWDB gems had their homes foreclosed on, and that one renowned triple diamond had bankruptcy proceedings. Looking back, I believe many gems have mortgages, which would not be a problem if these leaders didn't scoff at the folly of taking out a loan. That diamonds may be used to buy anything, including houses, in cash. Because he won't buy a property unless he has the funds, my erstwhile sponsor still lives in a run-down leased home. As a physician, I find my former sponsor's viewpoint on home ownership absurd. Because of his devotion to the system and its functions, his oldest kid, a son, grew up without his parents.
Losing money is considered a win. Our company was repeatedly taught that losing money was a sign of success. Because we were investing in our futures, it was a success. That the industry is primarily about friendships rather than money. I guess upline taught this because everyone was losing money, so it was comforting to hear that success was on the road, and that we were all nicer people who were on their way to success if we simply went to more functions and bought more standing orders. People who sold part of their personal belongings in order to attend a function were educated. Clearly, these people were not encouraged to run their firm on a shoestring budget. Upline even claimed that going into debt was fine if it was for the purpose of investing in the business or purchasing additional function tickets.
While some of these activities appear strange, I believe they are the result of upline guidance that was intended to redirect their downline's money into tool purchases. It's the only conclusion I've come to. So, what's your takeaway?
You've probably come across the phrase "upline" before if you've ever been involved in a company that engages in multi-level marketing (MLM). The individual who brought you into the company and who is positioned above you in the organizational chart is known as your upline. They are the ones who will instruct you and provide support, and in exchange, they will receive a percentage on any sales you make. On the other hand, not every upline is made equal. There are situations in which your upline could come across as odd or even poisonous. The following are some indications that your upline might be a little out of the ordinary:
They put you under pressure to purchase more things than you are able to afford.
One of the most common gripes people have about multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses is that in order to "stay active" in the business, you are required to purchase a particular quantity of goods each month. It is a warning sign if your upline puts pressure on you to buy more goods than you can reasonably afford or tells you that you need to "invest" in more product in order to be successful.
They give you unachievable expectations regarding the amount of money you can generate.
MLMs are infamous for making exaggerated claims regarding the amount of money that may be earned through participation. However, if your upline is promising you that you'll be able to quit your day job within a few months or that you'll be a millionaire within a year, this is certainly an exaggeration. If your upline is offering you that you'll be able to quit your day job within a few months, this is likely an exaggeration.
They will try to encourage you by using scare tactics.
Some uplines try to motivate their downlines by appealing to their sense of fear. They might tell you that if you don't work hard enough, you'll fail, or that if you don't stick with the program, you'll never be able to realize your aspirations. They might also say that if you don't work hard enough, you'll fail. Working in this manner can be both demotivating and unpleasant at times.
They try to dissuade you from seeking counsel from other sources.
It is a warning sign if your upline advises you not to listen to anyone who is not part of the multi-level marketing community or that the only people who understand the business are other people who are involved in multi-level marketing. Before settling on a course of action, it is critical to conduct one's own investigation and to consult a number of different sources.
They make it difficult for you to participate in activities or training that are not associated with the MLM.
Because some MLMs believe that attending outside training or events is a waste of both time and money, they actively prevent their members from participating in such activities. Attending conferences, seminars, or networking events that are not associated with your MLM can be an excellent opportunity to enhance your knowledge and connect with people working in your field.
They will make you feel bad because you are not working hard enough to keep up with them.
Some uplines utilize guilt as a driving force in their business. If you don't produce enough sales or recruit enough new members, they can tell you that you're not doing enough or that you're letting down the team. They might also tell you that you're letting the team down. Working in this manner can be extremely toxic, as it can lead to feelings of burnout as well as resentment.
It's crucial to take a step back and evaluate the situation whenever you notice any of these warning flags occurring in your relationship with your upline. Consider whether the expectations that are being placed on you can be considered reasonable, as well as whether the promises that are being made can be considered realistic. It is also essential to keep in mind that your upline is there to support you and not to exert any kind of authority over you. If you are participating in a multi-level marketing opportunity that makes you feel uneasy or dangerous, it is acceptable for you to leave that opportunity and look for one that is more in line with your beliefs and objectives.
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