Industry leader Eric Worre, coined a phrase I love to repeat. “It’s not what you can do that matters but what duplicates.” As an noted author, speaker, networking leader and mlm millionaire I 100% agree with him. We all know that duplication is magic. It’s THE key to building a stable team, long term growth and a thriving organization. But if that is the case and Eric is so right, why then is there such a massive statistic of failure that still persists in our great industry? In this blog post I will address the top 4 fatal errors many reps and leaders make which cost them fortunes. I’ll also highlight 5 core principles that all duplicating leaders do without fail. I firmly believe it’s not so much a question of are you duplicating, but are you duplicating properly?

From day one when a rep registers, enrolls or is sponsored into a network marketing opportunity, it begins. The process that cannot always be seen starts taking shape. Usually how a rep is brought get started  is how they themselves will build. So goes the head so goes the tail. While this seems harmless and logical, it can be the biggest hindernace and challenge that rep will ever face in their mlm career. You see it’s not the negative or even skeptical prospects that poses the greatest threat of success for reps. On the contrary it is not being taught from the start ‘how to duplicate properly’. So here are 4 corrosive thought processes you want to avoid and how to tell you if you’re not duplicating properly.

The Well-Meaning Lone Ranger Mentality. This rep or wannabe  leader sees growth one way. Only produced by themselves. They view their business as a solo sport instead of a posse business. They feel compelled to do everything their way to the degree where they control everything. There is little to no communication and their upline leaders are the last to know. They tend to be all managerial and less leader. They use pressure rather than people skills and intimidate instead of inspire. At the end of the day the very thing they have mastered is ultimately what they are left with -themselves. You definitely do not want to build a lone ranger business.

Re-inventing the wheel and short-cutting a proven system. There’s always room for creativity, change and innovation, but the non-duplicating rep is obsessed and  tries to re-invent or outdo something already proven, working and getting results- and all for a wrong motive. Many times it is not even for results, it’s merely for the personal . I’m the first to endorse improvements but change just for change sake creates confusion and confusion stops growth. Change is truly best when needed. However when the selfish motive for that change is made just for approval or validation, you have a rep that is overcompensating for a serious void that something else needs to fill. Understand that network marketing IS the short cut from having to work 45 years by simply working smart 2-5yrs. If someone claims to have a better idea or method, ask them to show you their results (first) before you alter in any way the success of what you’re doing.

Leaders’ Egos that get in the way of their own growth. This by far is one of the biggest pitfalls and perpetrators of mlm demise. The leader who cannot get his ego in check. It’s too big and in the way all the time. They refuse to work harmoniously and cannot seem to remain inclusive and embrace the contribution of others on the team. Typically what happens is a inter-personal situation comes to a boil and that leader either costs others their dream or they foolishly blow themselves out of the water and opportunity.We all have egos as leaders which is why we seek entrepreneurialism but the problem arises when for some they grow over-sized and unhealthy that they inevitably get in their way of success.

Deliberately breeding confusing in your team. Of the previous scenarios outlined, this one has got to be the most foolish and blatantly stupid. While no leader guilty of this violation would ever admit they willfully intended to kill their momentum and stunt their growth, it has been done far to often. For most it comes from a place of over zealousness and introducing too many ideas and multiple programs to their team. Sadly there are few who out right succumb to pure greed and reckless ethics. Either way this slow acting poison tends seep everywhere and leads to this: massive confusion, lost focus, distracted vision, demolished dreams and reduced retention. But by obeying this 1 cardinal rule, you’ll be golden. “Never use or take advantage of your team for profit but rather train them to duplicate, build and teach and you will reap the proper benefits a network marketing business done right produces.”

Now that we have given you what doesn’t duplicate properly, let us outline for you the 5 healthy thought processes of true duplicating mlm leaders. These habits and solid ethics are so evident that you cannot help but see them demonstrated without fail in any top producers regardless of company. See if you identify the following  in yourself

1. Duplicating leaders do first what the team hasn’t done or won’t do. These reps do what everyone else talks about doing. They prioritize and do the income producing activities and never the the busy non-producing kind. They never make excuses and are always first to apply new information and trainings. They know one speed and that is lead.
2. Duplicating leaders don’t wait for but take leadership. These reps are not waiting for a feeling. They create the feeling. They do not believe in a special breaks or luck or chance. They are guided by the fact that of another leader has done it (if they duplicate) they an have it too.
3. Duplicating leaders don’t wait for things to happen. They are not passive. These reps are pro-active. They see their actions as powerful ones. Not transactional ones ony but transformational ones that lead to futures being altered and generations being impacted. They know if they wait or fail to do, a life may prevented from being affected powerfully.
4. Duplicating leaders constantly communicate to their leaders. These reps know the true art of communicating. Keeping the lines above all across their team and above all with their upline leaders. They know that what they do, will be duplicated and if they set a bad example of not keeping their leaders in the loop, the same fate will befall them downline. Talking on regular basis with their upline leader keeps the information flowing and unity strong in their businesses.
5. Duplicating leaders are always positive-minded. There is not one of these reps who has team growth and organizational success that promotes negativity or negative energy. As a matter of fact they constantly work on their mindset with positive mental attitude books, attending events and stay in coaching so that the best of personal growth flows into and out of their organization. Show me a top producing duplicating leader and I’ll show you a positive person.

Now you have the clear guidelines of “what not to do” and “what to do” to remain or become a truly duplicating leader. Remember Eric’s quote “it’s not what you can do that matters, it’s what duplicates.” Make today the first day of the rest of your career in network marketing, where you will begin duplication PROPERLY!

Erwin & Eva Mcken
5Star Directors
Toronto, Canada