Happy New Year! It’s here!
As we start any new year there is always much to reflect on and many new goals and objectives to strive toward. Because of you, we know the stories we tell will continue to keep all informed of the realization that even in the most challenging of times our industry will continue to demonstrate, through the opportunities offered, that growth in its many forms is still the foundation upon which the direct selling channel is built.
As we thought through the previous year and debated the focus for our January Cover Story, we rapidly came to agreement that there would be no better way to start the year than to do a story on the most important asset of the direct selling channel of distribution, the independent contractors whom many of you refer to as your consultants, distributors, representatives, promoters, or brand partners. The voice of our magazine is typically one of sharing with you, our readers—executives within the industry—information that will be useful to your thought process and day-to-day decision making. In this issue, the voice of our Cover Story is not targeting you but those who often look for descriptions and definitions of direct selling and those who choose it in their quest for solutions.
It’s a story that looks into what the motivations of a direct seller might be. Our goal in writing this story was simply to put into a brief article what the industry knows, but what others still seek to understand. We think you might want to share this story and you can easily do so by going to the website, copying the link to the story and sending it to your audience, internal or external.
Our Company Spotlight took us on a visit with our friends in the U.K. who are motivated by much of what is happening here in the U.S.A. Kleeneze was founded on an idea first started here in the U.S., and now the company has its sights set on growing their business by 10 times and becoming billion dollar club members. They attribute their reset of strategy to some of the accomplishments of their U.S. role models.
In this month’s Financial Section, Doug Lane, former Wall Street analyst, gives us his perspective on the past year and specifically his view of the major publicly traded companies. We appreciate Doug’s contributions to this publication and look forward to more as we continue through the year.
In this issue, we also pay tribute to a legend we lost this fall who inspired millions to believe in themselves. Through easy to understand messages, great delivery and passion for what he believed in, Zig Ziglar was a giant of a man who got his start with a direct selling company. Over the years, Zig grew to become a strong advocate of the direct selling business model. I can remember vividly reading See You at the Top and wondering why this information was not provided in schools. I also remember so many driving trips when my companion, who spoke to me through the audio tapes I would listen to, was none other than Zig. Like so many of you, our lives are richer because of what Zig Ziglar gave through his life and his work. I know you will appreciate the tribute in this issue.
Save the date, April 3, 2013! We look forward to hosting the fourth DSN Global 100 banquet and recognizing the top 100 direct selling companies in the world. The event has grown each year with over 500 industry executives attending last year. A classy evening of dinner and programing will also include recognition of special achievements during 2012.
When we first decided to take on the project of identifying the top 100 direct selling companies in the world, we settled on a basic objective: Serve the industry by recognizing those companies that lead the way and pave the way, providing a global audience with the best information ever gathered, which identifies the top 100 direct selling companies in the world. Direct selling and network marketing companies, perhaps more than ever, serve those from all walks of life who pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Sometimes that opportunity may be to simply earn the needed dollars to be able to make it through the month but often it becomes a life-changing experience. We now live in a world where the conversation about jobs is being held in every mature market on the planet. The word “opportunity” should also have its place right alongside the word “job,” and the DSN Global 100 list serves to identify those companies that lead the way in providing opportunities.
Don’t forget April 3, 2013! We hope to see you there! On behalf of all of us affiliated with Direct Selling News, we wish for you a Happy New Year and… we hope you enjoy the issue!
John Fleming
Publisher and Editor in Chief
