Saturday / May 21. 2022
menu-logo menu-logo
brand-logo
Subscribe
Subscribe
Saturday / May 21. 2022
  • Read
    • Daily News
      • Financial
      • Insights
      • U.S.
      • International
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Articles
    • Company Spotlights
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Executive Announcements
    • Forward Thinking
    • New Perspectives
    • Working Smart
    • From the Publisher
    • Digital Issue
  • Listen & Watch
    • Direct Approach
    • Iconic Insights
    • The DSN Podcast
  • Attend
    • Direct Selling University
    • Global Celebration
  • Achieve
    • Global 100 List
    • CCR Program
    • Best Places to Work
    • Bravo Awards
    • Legends
  • Join
    • Membership
    • VIP Community
  • Research
    • Digital Momentum Index
    • Stock Watch
    • Stock Ticker
    • Supplier Directory
    • Resources
  • About
    • About DSN
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Store
    • Connect
  • Search
Subscribe

Letter from John Fleming, July 2013

BY John Fleming | July 01, 2013 | read / From the Publisher

Click here to order the July 2013 issue in which this article appeared.


John Fleming

Coming out of a DSA annual meeting in Phoenix gives one the feeling of having completed a most enjoyable full-course meal. As always, there were many takeaways.

The two keynote speakers, noted bestselling author Dan Pink and National Geographic award-winning photographer Dewitt Jones, delivered potent messaging focused on business process and potential. As always, industry C-level executives such as Michael Johnson of Herbalife, Kay Napier of Arbonne, Jere Thompson of Ambit, Brett Chapman of Herbalife, Orville Thompson of Scentsy, Truman Hunt of Nu Skin and John Parker of Amway, shared perspectives for the benefit of all who are on the same journey to build opportunities utilizing the direct selling business model. We also received a very positive report and outlook from the message delivered by DSA President Joe Mariano.

I always enjoy the many workshop topics, and once again, it was hard to make decisions on which workshop to attend. Most enjoyable is the opportunity to interact with the many DSA Member Suppliers who put so much effort into displaying their services and being available to the annual meeting attendees. Incoming DSA Chairman for this year Scenty CEO Orville Thompson, in his welcome to this year’s exhibitors, shared his story of how important suppliers were to the growth of Scentsy. As I walked the aisles of this year’s exhibitors, it was obvious that the products and services being provided touch every critical component of a direct selling company’s needs. Technology providers appear to be growing, which is also good news for an industry that is now using technology as well as any industry. Tools to enhance customer acquisition, convenience and retention will certainly serve the industry well.

In fact, direct sellers are so state of the art that companies can boast a certain level of quality, only a vision a few short years ago, in the types of tools being deployed and the support extended to their sales organizations. The impact of the best tools and support the industry has ever experienced will definitely continue to fuel an attraction to the business as individuals realize there may be no better way to embrace an entrepreneurial opportunity than through the vehicle of a direct selling company and the arsenal of support offered.

On my plane ride to Phoenix I thought about how I looked forward to the meeting and the many people I would have the pleasure of meeting or being in conversation with. The opportunity to network and converse with like-minded leaders of the many companies within the industry is about as precious as it gets. I wondered what Michael Johnson, CEO of Herbalife, would have to say about the challenges his company faced in 2012 from unwarranted attacks and criticisms by a hedge fund manager who was obviously intent on creating financial gain at the expense of the company—not to mention its thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of independent contractors who have chosen Herbalife’s products and opportunity. Mr. Johnson basically responded with: “Those attacks and criticisms, regardless of how unfounded they were, have made us better!” It was a very positive response to a most serious challenge one company endured and, as we know, the attack on Herbalife was another attempt to attack the entire direct selling business model.

I also went into the DSA Annual Meeting anxiously anticipating the highlights of the industry report for 2012. Here at Direct Selling News, our own research and the compilation of the DSN Global 100 had already indicated that the industry is doing well. Mr. Mariano’s presentation/industry report and perspective confirmed what we had anticipated. Retail sales in the U.S. climbed to $31.6 billion, and the total number of independent direct sellers was announced at 15.9 million. This is testimony to the growing satisfaction of the overall customer experience provided by direct sellers. The new stats certainly supported the theme of the DSA Annual Meeting… Celebrate! Read more about the stats in the DSA Update by DSA President Joe Mariano.

The industry, overall, did very well in 2012—proof to the validity of the business model and the positive economic impact direct selling opportunities have on those who choose to engage. With the type of support companies now have, as witnessed by that journey through this year’s exhibit hall, one has to believe that the industry is headed for its “best of times.” When a brand-new independent direct seller can activate a business without typical business investment levels of expense and access the tools equivalent to those of the most sophisticated distribution channel, one has to be extremely optimistic about the future!

Don’t forget, we are now in digital format in both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. If you are already a subscriber to DSN, your download is free. Enjoy reading the stories on your tablet or mobile device and share the stories with others who need to know what this industry is all about: how and why it does business the way it does. Celebrate because you and those who support you do it so well! 

Until next time… Enjoy the issue!

John Fleming
Publisher and Editor in Chief

Posted in From the Publisher
Related Articles
More coverage, new methods February 27, 2022

More coverage, new methods

Read more
The Future’s So Bright… January 30, 2022

The Future’s So Bright…

Read more
A Season to Celebrate December 29, 2021

A Season to Celebrate

Read more
brand-logo
The News You Need.
The Name You Trust.
Subscribe

Breaking global news, emerging trends and powerful stories conveniently curated to help direct selling executives stay informed, engaged and a step ahead.

  • Read
  • Listen & Watch
  • Attend
  • Achieve
  • Research
  • About
  • Connect
5800 Democracy Drive
Suite 100
Plano, Texas 75024
info@directsellingnews.com
Copyright 2022 Direct Selling News | All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT