Is this the Direct Selling Revolution?

With the economy continuing to struggle and everyone from Jack and Jane to Warren Buffett giving opinions on how to fix the crisis, one must assume that it will be a while before it is “fixed” and your financial plans for the next year, five years, and potentially the rest of your life maybe much different than originally envisioned.

Throughout the history of time we have experienced major revolutions such as the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and of course the Industrial Revolution.  A revolution is a fundamental change in power or structure that takes place in relatively short period of time.

What is the next big revolution? How will the economy change? What are your ideas? Don't jump into the canyon!

Between 10-20% of companies recently surveyed plan on dropping health insurance for their employees in 2014 once governmental health insurance options are in place.  This is where the snowball picks up steam in eliminating benefits of working for a corporation.  If a company is to eliminate health insurance, the one major benefit that is too expensive to obtain on our own, why would we be naïve enough to think that they will not eliminate life insurance and 401k choices?

I recently became involved in a Direct Selling organization as an Independent Beachbody Coach which recently received the Rising Star award from the Direct Selling Association.  I became involved with them because I believe in the product and their mantra fits exactly what I believe to be the keys to healthy weight loss: Fitness, Nutrition, and Support.

However, I feel that as a Beachbody Coach, I ultimately am a commissioned sales employee.  If I work, I get paid, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid.  Additionally, I can build my own sales force by bringing in other coaches and spending time training, encouraging, and motivating them to sell.  That sounds exactly like my day job minus the consistent pay check, the benefits, and the company paid for business cards.

I personally feel that it is to the benefit of companies to implement the Direct Selling model.  One of my favorite financial coaches is Dave Ramsey and he often jokes that, “We are all paid on 100% commission, just try not showing up to work for a couple of weeks.”  The Direct Selling model is extremely attractive for the business as they move product with limited employee benefits and salary costs.  The employees are paid to move the product and keep the company profitable.

What do you think?  Have you experienced direct selling changes at your employer?  Are you involved with a direct selling company and what attracted you to them?