MLM destroys ties among close friends<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The emergence of Multi-Level Marketing ruined a
\nfriendship. MLM companies such as CNI, Amway, Avon, Sara Lee and
\nFortune have crept into established companies and usurped the
\nloyalty of their employees.<\/p>\n
The other day, an old friend of mine approached me and,
\nstaring at my fogged-up glasses, asked, \"Do your glasses fog over
\noften?\" Since I thought he was really concerned, I responded
\n\"Quite often. By the way, how have you been doing?\" I tried to
\nchange the subject, but he was intent on my glasses.<\/p>\n
\"You know there's a spray that can prevent the fogging.\"<\/p>\n
We hadn't met for quite a while so I didn't want to let him
\ndown. \"Oh, I never knew. Where can I get that?\" I asked.<\/p>\n
My friend then got busy in his bag and said, \"Fortunately, I
\nbrought a sample.\" Curious, I waited for him to stop rummaging in
\nhis bag.<\/p>\n
\"This product costs Rp 9,000 but I can give you a 10 percent
\ndiscount,\" he said while pounding away on his calculator trying
\nto calculate the discounted price.<\/p>\n
Alas. My friend was selling. I began to feel uncomfortable. A
\nmeeting with an old friend had been ruined for the sake of a
\ncouple of thousand rupiah. Since I was more irritated than
\ninterested, I excused myself.<\/p>\n
A few days later, I happened to meet a former roommate from
\nBalikpapan. I was glad to see him looking well and obviously
\ndoing well. But when I tried to build a conversation, I was
\nisolated as he boasted about his achievements. He now manages a
\nMLM company.<\/p>\n
\"My moonlighting income exceeds my salary from this company!\"
\nhe crowed. \"It's three times as much as from the oil company I
\nhave worked at for 15 years.\"<\/p>\n
\"How?\" I asked, beginning to develop an interest.<\/p>\n
\"I now manage the East Kalimantan market for a MLM company,\"
\nhe continued proudly.<\/p>\n
I immediately felt uncomfortable and attempted to change the
\nsubject, \"I hear you just got back from vacation.\"<\/p>\n
\"Right. You know I got a pin from the top American manager
\nwhen I stopped over in Jakarta before going home. I was proud to
\nbe one of the very few decorated,\" he said, preening.<\/p>\n
He didn't display a pinch of loyalty toward the oil company
\nwhich had paid for his air tickets the last 15 years. Loyalty
\nsold for a pin.<\/p>\n
It sickened me to know that the oil company provided him with
\nEuropean car, a big house, schooling for children and other perks<\/p>\n
\"Why don't you resign from the oil company then?\" I asked, not
\nbothering to hide my annoyance.<\/p>\n
\"I will when I've got 20 times more than what I earn from the
\noil company.\"<\/p>\n
\"If you want to be a manager, just sign on to be on my
\ndownline,\" he continued.<\/p>\n
Since many of my fellow employees work in the MLM business, I
\nunderstood the term \"downline\" as someone under the person who
\nsigned them up. I left him without saying good-bye.<\/p>\n
The MLM business is a parasite. Those who are proud to be MLM
\nmanagers use established companies to pay the phone bills and
\npost as well as getting a customer list -- all, of course, on
\ncompany time.<\/p>\n
It also ruins friendships by creating people who launch into
\nsales pitches before saying hello.<\/p>\n
-- Wisnu Pras<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mlm-destroys-ties-among-close-friends-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }