Business Opportunity Presentations

I've attended 3 to 4 network marketing or other business opportunity presentations recently. Even if I received a free lunch or dinner, I'm beginning to wonder if these presentations are worth my time, particularly the one I didn't have a meal.

Let's take network marketing as an example. A typical presentation generally begins with the concept of network marketing with no regard to the guests' experience. I've been involved with network marketing off and on for several years, and during the first 10 to 15 minutes, the presenter repeats the same verbiage I've heard umpteen times in the past. I suspect that more than 75% of the other guests have heard the same thing.

Then the presenter may discuss the latest “trends” in network marketing while displaying a multitude of magazine articles and cover pages on the screen. Then the presenter will describe the products or services – which, for the most part, is fine; but then, we're called to listen to the long, drawn-out, detailed information on the compensation plan and all the many ways to achieve success, including a free Lexus and a free, 2-week Mediterranean cruise. Finally, we are asked to get together with the one who brought you.

Essentially, a presentation that could take only 30 minutes may last up to two hours. Now for some practical thoughts, in my opinion.

Your Guests: Wouldn’t it make more sense to know the background of the guests? If most of the guests are relatively new to network marketing, then, by all means, discuss the concept network marketing as usual, but if most of the guests have been in network marketing, then skip that portion of the presentation and let the person who brought the guest explain the concept afterwards.

Business Trends: If there are specific business trends which will enhance the presentation and will benefit the understanding for the guests, by all means, provide this information, but don't show the numerous magazine covers and articles showing the business concepts and trends. No one in the audience can see the fine print, and thus, the audience is glued to the PowerPoint slides, attempting to read the articles -- at least the headlines rather than listening to the presenter. If need be, the presenter can blank the screen [just by toggling the B key, a little known feature of PowerPoint for many], until he/she is ready to proceed with the slides.

Compensation Plan: Why in the world does the presenter, in nearly every presentation I've attended, go through all the details of the compensation plan? At times, the compensation plan takes up 1/2 or more of the presentation because it is usually somewhat complicated. First, a guest may be interested in knowing something about the compensation, but he/she will retain only a small percentage of the content. Why overwhelm the guests? The presenter should give the 1st, and perhaps, the 2nd level of the compensation plan in basic and simple to understand language. Then explain, "there are additional ways to build your business, but please get back to the person who invited you for more details."

Secondly, and more importantly, if the product/service proves to be beneficial to the consumers or new distributors, won't they recommend the product/service to others, and in turn, generate income? That is, the presenter should, in my opinion, concentrate on how the products/services benefit the consumer.

Training: Isn't it more logical to train the distributors to discuss the details of the opportunity and the compensation plan after a relatively short presentation? .

What do you think? I would like to hear from you