Episode 15: How the Direct Selling Industry is Changing

In this episode of Direct Approach, Wayne is joined by John Parker, Chief Sales Officer and Regional President West of Amway.

The Amway name is widely recognized as a pioneer in direct selling. Founded in 1959 by Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, the company has more than $8.5 billion in sales, has landed in the No. 1 spot on the DSN Global 100 List for nine consecutive years, and ranks third on DSN’s Digital Momentum Index. Today Amway operates in over 100 countries and territories around the world and, in 2021, Forbes Magazine ranked it as the 49^th largest publicly held company in the U.S. based on revenue. 

John Parker joined Amway in 1993 right out of college as a Distributor Relations Sales Manager. He’s spent his entire 29-year career with Amway and today, as Chief Sales Officer & Regional President West, he is responsible for Amway’s global sales strategy and operations, and oversees distributor incentives and recognition, field leadership development, and global training and education. He also has P&L responsibilities in seven global Amway markets and is on the U.S. Direct Selling Association Board and Executive Committee, where he served two terms as chairman.

John’s breadth and depth of experience makes him uniquely positioned to provide insights into the direct selling industry and the changes it is experiencing. In this forward-looking episode, John and Wayne look at the important role entrepreneurs play in direct selling, the importance of diversity and inclusion, the value of work/life integration — and how leaders must provide the model for others to follow —how social media and the gig economy are shaping the future for direct selling, and what John believes is the best way to create a dynamic environment that attracts the next generation of leaders and sellers.

Watch the video below or listen to the podcast.