It's Just Money

So, what's the problem with Multi Level Marketing scams (er, business models)

Recently, I wrote a post about the product, Mona Vie, which is sold through a Multi-Level Marketing system.  In case you are not familiar with the product, it is a super juice of some sort with exotic ingredients, such as Acai Berries and Kyrptonite.  I questioned the ability for the juice to cure all the ailments that is claimed by the many distributors out there, and the viability of the business model to actually make money for those same distributors.

The number of comments on that post was pretty incredible.  Many of the comments, not surprisingly, defended the quality of the juice.  The juice was credited with healing, curing or aiding in the following areas:  multiple sclorosis, weight loss, joint pain, high blood pressure, mood swings, something about ORAC values in Leukemia cells, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, arthritis and gas reduction.  I'm serious.  It does all this.  Read the comments for yourself.  They don't lie.

Of course, there were comments that defended the business model, and in fact the MLM business model in general.  Frankly, being a money blog, this is what interested me.  I could give a damn about the juice.  If it tastes good, doesn't kill people, and can sell, maybe I'll sign up to make some money.  But do I really want to be one of those MLM people out there?

So, here were the arguments in favor of multi-level marketing.

Street Fair Business Ideas?

Last weekend, my Fiancee and I took a short trip down to San Diego.  On Sunday we went to the Carlsbad Street Fair.  It sounded like a cool way to spend a Sunday.  We could check out the arts and crafts that people were selling.  Take in the sights and smells of Kettle Corn, Polish sausages and frozen lemonade.  We had no idea how large the Street Fair would be.  According to the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, it is the largest single day street fair in the state of California.

We were surprised by the wares that people were hawking.  There was relatively little arts and crafts.  Rather, most of the goods appeared to be professionally manufactured.  Many appeared to be small business owners.  There were a few community or school related organizations doing fundraisers from raffle to bake sales to a variety of packaged products.  Mostly, it appeared that it was just some local folks spending a Sunday outdoors, making a few extra bucks.

Which, of course, got me thinking...  How can I get in on this?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

It's a classic interview question.  Not the most creative question ever, but you may still get it.  Do you have a response prepared?  Whether or not you are in the process of interviewing for a new job, it's a question you should be asking yourself on a regular basis.  The intent behind the question is very different from the interviewer's perspective than it should be from your own.

The interviewer is trying to understand a couple of things about you. 

The Ultimate in Branding

What company is the ultimate in branding? We can all name the most recognizable brands in the world.  American Express, Walt Disney, McDonald's.  These companies are undeniably among the best known brands in the world.  But I don't consider them the ultimate in branding.  What criteria do I have for the ultimate in branding?  The brand should be such a leader in it's industry, so dominant in the product or service that the brand name and the product itself are interchangeable.  This is a list of my favorite brand names that often replace the actual name of the product they replace. 

In fact, I'll make it a top ten list.