What's Your System?

This is one of the most important questions you should ask someone when they are sharing their network marketing business with you. They should be able to tell you quickly (1) what it is, (2) how it works, and (3) answer "the big question" of whether it duplicates. I don't care how extraordinary their products are, how impressive the credentials of their owners are, or what amazing things are happening in the company. If you don't get the right answers to this key question, you might want to turn the other way and look for another opportunity.

Having a system that duplicates is the difference between success and failure. It is imperative that there is a systematic way to share your opportunity, enroll a prospect, get them started, and mentor them on the best path to grow a successful business. Then, they should be able to teach the system to someone else. To create true passive income, one of your primary goals as a network marketer is to "develop leaders, who go on to lead others who lead." At some point you must be able to take yourself out of the equation so you can continue to prospect and develop new leaders. However, if there is no established, proven system in place, this will not happen.

Having a system that duplicates is the difference between success and failure.

There are various definitions of the term "system" out there, but this one seems to resonate the most within the network marketing profession: "A system is the procedure of putting people through a very predictable process, hoping for a predictable outcome."

When evaluating a company or a potential business partner's system, here are four questions to keep in mind:

• Is it Simple? The system must be so simple that anyone can do it, yes, even an eight-year-old. If it's too complicated and has too many moving parts, it will cause confusion. Confusion leads to frustration, which leads to limited results. This is the point at which a new business partner inevitably quits. A major reason why people fail in network marketing is because they are not sure what to do once they enroll. Simplicity in your system is a key ingredient to help keep your business partner from becoming another network marketing casualty.
• Is it Scalable? What is important here is that there are there progressive steps one follows within the system. These steps should be clear and make sense to your team members. For instance, once you've completed Step 1, you know how to go to step 2. When that's completed, step 3 is clearly defined and waiting. The process should be very easy to follow, and easily repeated.
• Is it Internet friendly? In today's world of Internet supremacy this is a no-brainer. Your system should be accessible from anywhere in the world. In this profession, and with today's technology, we have the exciting opportunity to potentially create an international business from the comfort of our homes. For instance, there is no need to move to Asia to launch your business there, due to the Internet and various communication tools that are readily available today. You need to be able to use your system from anywhere in the world. The Internet and your system should have a harmonious relationship so that your business doesn't "skip a beat."
• Does it Duplicate? There is no doubt that this is the most important question of the four. No matter how unique your system is or the amount of clarity it has, it's got to duplicate! This can be determined by its track record. Find out what its success rate is. Ask how long your potential enroller has been using it. Find out who's having success with it – veterans, rookie network marketers, or both? Answers to such simple questions will provide you with a clear answer on whether or not the system duplicates. As a side point, it is important not to confuse the terms "systems" and "tools." The two terms are different, but related, components. Tools are not the system, but rather are a part of the system. Remember, the system is going to take you through a process of steps in order to achieve the desired goals. Part of that process will involve using marketing tools that will be incorporated within the system. Hopefully, the company you are reviewing has excellent marketing tools in place, which are necessary ingredient to a successful system.