Direct Selling Articles

Amway plans four Brand Experience Centres in Western India

2009-11-12T14:52:00.002-05:00

Amway India Enterprises Pvt Ltd, a major direct selling FMCG Company in the country, is planning to open 4 new Brand Experience Centers (BECs) in Western region of the country by the next calendar year 2010.

The company has just opened new Brand Experience Centre (BEC) in Nashik, which is spread across 2,300 sq ft. This is company’s 4th centre in the country after Kolkata, Bangalore and Pune. BEC, which offers a virtual tour to experience Amway brands, is integral to Amway’s three-point strategy offering world class products, enhanced consumer reach and growth through innovation.

“We are planning to open 4 new Brand Experience Centres in Western region by the next calendar year 2010. These centres will be located in Mumbai, Thane and Gujrat. Since Amway products are not available on retail shelf, this brand centre will communicate Amway product’s feel, features and values through live demonstrations and unlimited training. BEC is a unique experiential branding initiative to enhance brand visibility and awareness on Amway products, Achinta Banerjie, VP, Amway India (West) told Business Standard.’

Amway India has achieved the turn over of Rs. 966 crore in the first nine months (by September) of the current calendar year 2009 and expects Rs. 1,400 crore by December end. In Maharashtra, the company achieved the sales turn over of Rs. 120 crore between Jan-Sept 2009, against Rs. 95 crore during the same period previous year.

Presently, the company offers 110 products in five categories - Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition & Wellness, Cosmetics and Gift catalogue. Nutrition & Wellness products contribute 50 per cent of Amway India’s total turn over.

Nu Skin Celebrates Record-Breaking Global Convention

2009-11-12T14:44:00.001-05:00

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. concluded its 25th Anniversary Convention in Los Angeles with record attendance, record product sales and record contributions to its nonprofit foundation. The biannual global distributor convention attracted more than 12,000 distributors from the company's 48 international markets. The largest delegations of sales representatives came from the United States, Japan and Korea.

"ageLOC represents the biggest global product launch in Nu Skin history," said Truman Hunt, Nu Skin president and chief executive officer. "Sales force enthusiasm for our new ageLOC daily skin care system produced unprecedented demand with sales exceeding our most liberal revenue projections. By developing products with an understanding of the genetic basis of aging through our proprietary ageLOC science, we believe we are continuing to provide the premier anti-aging business opportunity for our sales representatives -- one that represents a 'sweet spot' by leveraging a growing global megatrend with exclusive and scientifically validated products that help people look and feel young."

In addition to the new ageLOC product lineup, the company also launched several business marketing tools including an online opportunity video focusing on planning for the future (http://www.youtube.com/nuskincorporate#p/u), new smart phone applications and an aging simulator tool to help start conversations on anti-aging products. The company's web site also received a facelift and is available at
http://www.nuskin.com.

Usana Health Shrs Drop On Revised View

2009-11-12T14:42:00.001-05:00

Shares of Usana Health Sciences Inc. dropped as much as 17% Wednesday as disappointing North American results and conservative guidance weighed on shares of the vitamin and personal-care products maker.

"I think ultimately, it was [that] the U.S. business is weaker than what people were looking for," Wedbush Morgan analyst Rommel T. Dionisio said in an interview.

He said the North American business decelerated in the third quarter following a weak second quarter.

"We believe that, compared to other vitamin direct sellers such as Herbalife and Nu Skin, Usana???s relatively high price points make their products more economically sensitive to sluggish consumer spending trends overall," Dionisio noted. "This explains why, though recruiting trends in the U.S. have remained solid, overall productivity or sales per associate has been trending down in recent quarters."

In addition, the company's expectations for the rest of the year fell short of analysts' projections. Based on year revenue guidance, Dionisio said Usana expects fourth-quarter revenue of $111 million to $114 million, compared to Street estimates of $117 million.

In recent trading, shares dropped 14.6% to $31.48 after earlier falling as low as $30.60. Shares have declined almost 22% over the past 12 months.

While shares were pressured Wednesday, D.A. Davidson analyst Timothy S. Ramey said he considers the weakness to be a "wonderful" buying opportunity. He boosted his rating on Usana to buy from neutral and maintained his $38 price target.

With the stock off so sharply "it now has enough upside for a ratings upgrade," Ramey noted. "Moreover, we saw only improvements to our view based on the 3Q. It???s a clean little company." (more ...)

Avon Calling Emerging Markets at Discount to Natura

2009-11-12T14:40:00.001-05:00

This year’s 62 percent surge in the benchmark index for emerging-market stocks is turning Avon Products Inc. into a relative bargain as investors hunt for companies that make most of their money in developing countries.

Avon, the New York-based cosmetics company, is valued at a 13 percent discount to Brazil’s Natura Cosmeticos SA, though analysts say earnings will grow three times faster through 2011. Standard Chartered Plc, the U.K. lender in India since 1858, trades at 2.1 times net assets, versus 3.6 for Mumbai-based HDFC Bank Ltd. China’s Anhui Conch Cement Co. is valued at a 21 percent premium to Paris-based Lafarge SA, whose Asian sales are expanding more rapidly.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index trades near the highest level compared with the MSCI World Index since at least 1995 after the steepest rally in 10 years. Now, with shares falling in Brazil, India and China, investors are looking for cheaper alternatives in advanced economies. Brazil’s Bovespa stock index entered a so-called correction this week, plunging more than 10 percent from its 16-month peak on Oct. 19. (more ...)

Herbalife announces new operations in Vietnam and Paraguay

2009-11-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

Nutrition and direct-selling company Herbalife Ltd (NYSE:HLF) said on Wednesday that it has started operations in Vietnam and will launch in Paraguay on 16 November.

Herbalife has opened a distribution centre in Ho Chi Minh City where independent distributors can collect products.

The company's general manager of Vietnam is Thang Nguyen, who joined the company in June.

Vietnam is Herbalife's 13th market to open in its Asia Pacific region, which is led by managing director William Rahn.

Avon’s ex-president’s odd leap to CEO

2009-11-12T14:37:00.001-05:00

Liz Smith, who was on track to succeed Andrea Jung as CEO of Avon Products (AVP), is moving to a new company and a new industry. Again.

The onetime star exec at Kraft (KFT), who made an unlikely leap from food to cosmetics in 2004, is the newly named chief executive of OSI, a chain of casual-dining eateries.

“What?!!” is a question that Smith admits she’s been asked often throughout her career. She says she follows her own guideline: “Be open to opportunity.”

There’s plenty of opportunity–and risk–at OSI, which you may not have heard of but is a giant in the casual-dining category. With 2008 revenues of $4 billion, OSI operates chains such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy’s, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Good brands, as restaurant brands go–and as Bain Capital and Catterton Partners thought when they acquired the company for $3.2 billion in 2007. But the global recession brutalized the business, which operates across the U.S. and in 20 other countries. OSI lost $739.4 million last year, and it’s been suffering serious declines in same-store sales. (more ...)

Nature's Sunshine lawsuit settled for $6 million

2009-11-12T14:36:00.001-05:00

A class-action lawsuit alleging insider trading and securities fraud by several top executives of Nature's Sunshine Products Inc. has been settled for $6 million.

The executives of the Provo nutritional supplements maker were accused of violating federal securities laws by falsifying financial statements to auditors and federal regulators, costing shareholders millions of dollars in damages.

According to the suit, the bogus statements allowed the defendants to sell millions of dollars worth of stock between April 2002 and April 2006 at artificially inflated prices.

In agreeing to settle, the company denied any wrongdoing.

Under the settlement, the company's insurer will pay $6 million plus interest to affected shareholders.

Citigroup Looks To Cash In On Primerica Through IPO

2009-11-12T14:34:00.000-05:00

Citigroup Inc. announced Thursday that it plans to sell shares of its life insurance unit, Primerica Inc., in an attempt to do rid itself of assets outside of its main banking business. The sale is expected to raise up to $100 million for Citigroup.

The decision to sell the shares comes after Citigroup was unable to find a private equity group willing to pay enough for Primerica.

"We believe this is the best separation alternative for this franchise," said Michael Corbat, Chief executive of Citi Holdings, to governing house of the Primerica unit.

The majority of Primerica's insurance risk from policies sold through the end of the year will remain with Citigroup.

While the Company has not determined how much of Primerica it will retain, it was made clear that Citigroup intends to sell the rest of the unit as soon as possible. If the demand is strong enough, the $100 million value for the sale may be increased. (more ...)

Tupperware Brands Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results Significantly Ahead of Guidance

2009-10-28T14:49:00.001-04:00

Tupperware Brands Corporation today reported third quarter 2009 sales and profit. Third quarter 2009 sales increased in local currency by 9% versus 2008, before a negative impact from foreign exchange rates of 9%. This resulted in GAAP sales that were slightly above 2008.

Chairman and CEO, Rick Goings commented, "We are pleased to report another strong quarter of local currency sales growth, which was above the high end of the guidance we gave in July. We delivered top line growth in local currency in all five segments. Our emerging markets, which comprised 56% of total sales in the quarter, were up 15% in local currency, and there were a significant number of markets with double digit increases, including Tupperware Brazil, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Venezuela and Fuller Mexico. The established markets were up 2% in local currency, continuing the significant improvement in trends as we've moved through the year. We achieved increases in a number of these markets including Tupperware Australia, Austria, France, Greece, Japan and the United States. Also important to highlight is that our large Tupperware Germany business was even with last year, reversing the negative trends we saw in the beginning of the year."

"Our management teams around the world continue to achieve sales growth by focusing on the fundamentals of our business, and we have seen both our emerging and established markets strengthen. We were able to achieve 52% local currency net income growth excluding items, which was significantly higher than our local currency sales growth primarily through our robust contribution margin from higher sales. In addition we generated $35 million from operating activities net of investing activities in the quarter, enabling us along with available cash, to pay down another $60 million of term loans" said Rick Goings. (more ...)

Herbalife to Host over 13,000 in Atlanta

2009-10-28T14:48:00.000-04:00

Herbalife Ltd., a global nutrition and direct selling company, will host its annual North America extravaganza in Atlanta, October 14 through October 18, with over 13,000 independent Herbalife distributors expected to be in attendance. The event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, with additional activities in other local venues.

Herbalife independent distributors will travel to Atlanta for several days of training sessions, recognition and celebration. According to the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the company will generate approximately $16 million for the city. Special guests include Herbalife-sponsored Indycar Drivers Townsend Bell, who took 4th place in this year`s Indy 500, and E.J. Viso, who drives for HVM Racing.

This is the second time in recent years the company is holding an event in Atlanta. In 2005, it celebrated its 25th anniversary with over 35,000 independent distributors from around the world attending.

Nu Skin Announces Research Agreements With Stanford University and LifeGen Technologies

2009-10-28T14:46:00.000-04:00

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. today announced that it has entered into research agreements with Stanford University and LifeGen Technologies, a genomics company based in Madison, Wis. LifeGen co-founders, Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., and Tomas Prolla, Ph.D., will also hold positions on the newly formed Nu Skin Anti-aging Scientific Advisory Board.

"Nu Skin has established a 25-year legacy of product innovation and our research agreements with Stanford University and LifeGen Technologies add significant fuel to our scientific engine," said Joseph Chang, Ph.D., Nu Skin chief scientific officer and executive vice president of product development. "We believe that these collaborative relationships will help us develop next-generation skin care and nutritional products from an enhanced understanding of the genetic basis of aging."

Nu Skin rises on better-than-expected estimate

2009-10-28T14:44:00.000-04:00

Shares of Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., which sells anti-aging skin-care products and nutritional supplements, rose on Tuesday after the company offered a better- than-expected estimate for the third quarter.

Earnings will come in either at 39 cents or 40 cents per share, up from 26 cents last year. Results include a penny per share in restructuring costs.

Revenue rose 8 percent to $334.2 million, helped by improvement in parts of Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of 34 cents per share and revenue of $315.1 million.

The company expects year earnings of $1.25 to $1.27 with revenue of $1.29 billion and $1.30 billion. Results include restructuring charges of 13 cents.

Analysts expect earnings of $1.29 and revenue of $1.27 billion.

USANA Launches Probiotic Plus

2009-10-28T14:42:00.000-04:00

USANA Health Sciences today launched Probiotic Plus, a new probiotic food supplement. Probiotics help replenish beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, which can aid good digestion and enhance immune function. This new product will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia/New Zealand and six other USANA markets.

"We are thrilled to be able to introduce Probiotic Plus, as digestive health and immune function lie at the core of overall health and well being," said Dr. Tim Wood, USANA`s Executive Vice President of Research and Development. "Probiotics have been one of our key research goals for years. Probiotic Plus sets the standard for shelf life and convenience and it contains a combination of the two most researched probiotic strains known. This product will bring probiotics to a new level."

Probiotic Plus contains a proprietary blend of specific strains of probiotic bacteria that are clinically proven to survive the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. Probiotic Plus is packaged in an easy-to-carry stick pack and can be taken alone or added to cold beverages or foods every one or two days to help maintain digestive health and immune function. Each stick pack is filled with 12 billion viable bacteria in a 50/50 mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LGG and Bifidobacterium BB-12. These strains of bacteria survive passage through the stomach exceptionally well and colonize the intestines effectively.

Arbonne International Donates More Than $4.7 Million Dollars in Product to Operation Gratitude

2009-10-28T14:41:00.001-04:00

Arbonne International announced today that it has made a charitable donation of approximately 1.5 million personal care products-with a retail value of nearly $4.75 million dollars-to Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to the U.S. military. This donation is the largest Operation Gratitude has received from a corporate sponsor to date and follows a $642,000 donation Arbonne made to the organization in May. Arbonne, headquartered in Irvine, California, formulates botanically based, scientifically advanced beauty, health and wellness products, distributed through an international network of Independent Consultants.

"We`re honored to donate Arbonne skin care products to Operation Gratitude to improve the lives of the brave men and women who are serving in the military overseas," said Rita Davenport, Arbonne President. "They fight to preserve our freedom and way of life and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We hope these products show our appreciation for their service to this country, and far beyond our borders. We know these products will help protect them from the harsh elements. Arbonne thanks you and salutes you!"

Operation Gratitude (www.OperationGratitude.com ) is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individual U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. The organization`s mission is to lift morale and express to all Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$100 and costs the organization $11 to assemble and ship. By the end of 2009, Operation Gratitude will have shipped more than 500,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.

Avon Foundation for Women Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-23T09:30:00.002-04:00

The Avon Foundation for Women is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a lineup of meaningful events, celebrations, and tributes. Throughout October, the Foundation will call attention to the critical message that early detection helps save lives, and raise millions of dollars for the breast cancer cause, using many vehicles and channels, including the sale of fundraising products, Avon Walks for Breast Cancer, and the annual Foundation Awards Gala, which highlights and honors advances in the fight against breast cancer and domestic violence.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/avon/37731/

Reese Witherspoon explains, "The initiatives of the Avon Foundation's Breast Cancer Crusade raise critical funds and awareness to combat breast cancer around the world. As a woman, a mother and the Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation, I am proud to lend my support to this cause not just during October, but throughout the year, whether participating in a walk, purchasing a fundraising product, or donating time or money. I hope everyone finds a way
to join our mission to promote early detection, further medical research, and ultimately find a cure for this devastating disease."

This year, the Foundation introduced three new products to its iconic pink ribbon fundraising collection: the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Tote Bag designed by Marimekko® and endorsed by Reese Witherspoon, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Watch, and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Moisturizing Soap. Each product is priced affordably under $15.00 and raises lifesaving funds for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. The products are available through Avon
Representatives or at www.avonfoundation.org. (more ...)

Avon Forges Partnership With Multi-Platinum Artist Fergie

2009-10-23T09:27:00.001-04:00

Avon Products, Inc. today announced a partnership with award-winning artist, Fergie. A bold choice for the global brand, Fergie represents the same independence, confidence and femininity that Avon promotes. Avon is tapping the multi-talented singer, songwriter, fashion designer and actress to collaborate on a fragrance that embodies her unique character and appeal.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/avon/40641/

"I'm so excited to partner with Avon to develop my first-ever fragrance," Fergie commented. "I'm always seeking out new ways to express myself, and fragrance is the perfect opportunity to share my originality and confidence with my fans, and the Avon consumer. I couldn't be happier to be working with a brand with such a strong reputation for supporting women."

"We are thrilled to partner with Fergie and feel she will resonate strongly with our Avon Representatives and customers both as a fashion/style icon and a bold, multi-talented woman," says Jeri Finard, Senior Vice President and Global Brand President, Avon Products, Inc. "Fergie is a strong, confident and unique woman who stays true to herself and her beliefs. She inspires others with the empowering message that anyone can make their dreams come true -- a message that is at the core of the Avon brand." (more ...)
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Tupperware: a party somewhere every two seconds

2009-10-23T09:26:00.001-04:00

Say “Tupperware” to anyone over 40 and you conjure up visions of 1950s American housewives gathered together at someone’s home for a chance to test and buy airtight, plastic food containers. Passe, right? Wrong.

Today, 60 years after the company was founded by inventor Earl Silas Tupper of New Hampshire, Tupperware’s revenues grew to $2.2 billion in 2008 and the sales force (of more than 2.4 million) has gone global, holding Tupperware parties in more than 100 countries, some of them as far from the US as India, France, China and Brazil.

“What we really are is a global portfolio of direct-selling companies,” says chairman and CEO Rick Goings, who spoke at INSEAD’s Europe campus in Fontainebleau as part of the school’s Global leader Series. Goings joined Tupperware in 2005, after several years with Avon - another direct-selling (albeit cosmetics and fragrance) company. One of his first moves was to add eight lines of home-sell beauty products to the company. “I understood the beauty business,” he says. “Today, Tupperware is 65 per cent of the company; the other third (comprises of) eight beauty companies, all separate direct-selling companies.” There are also children’s educational toys, nutritional products, and apparel.

(more ...)

Reliv International Opens Indonesian Office

2009-10-23T09:25:00.000-04:00

Reliv International, Inc., a nutrition and direct selling company, announced today that it is expanding into Indonesia. With the opening, Reliv now conducts business in 15 countries.

"This opening expands our footprint in Southeast Asia, where we already conduct business in the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore," said Robert L. Montgomery, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

"Our distributors in the region have strong cross-border ties among friends, families and business associates. Our distributors have been eager to develop their businesses in Indonesia, and this opening gives them that opportunity," Montgomery said.

The opening of Indonesia, which has an estimated population of 218 million people, gives Reliv distributors the opportunity to introduce the company to the largest country in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is the world's 23rd largest direct-selling market, with annual retail sales of $669 million a year by direct-selling companies, according to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations. Approximately 5.8 million people in Indonesia work as direct sellers.

Reliv's first product in Indonesia will be Innergize!®, the company's isotonic sports drink, and more products are expected to be introduced soon.

Reliv products combine a wide range of nutrients designed to work together to offer greater benefits than the nutrients would offer individually. The products have won loyal, dedicated consumers around the world.

In addition, Reliv offers an affordable home-based business opportunity along with tools, training and support to help the company's distributors succeed.

Nature’s Sunshine Products Common Stock to Begin Trading on NASDAQ Capital Market

2009-10-13T14:30:00.001-04:00

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., (NASDAQ:NATR) a leading manufacturer and marketer of encapsulated herbs and vitamins, and a publicly traded company since 1978, announced today that its common stock began trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market on Monday, October 12, 2009, under the symbol NATR.

“We are pleased that Nature’s Sunshine Products common stock has been approved for re-listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market,” said Douglas Faggioli, President and CEO of the Company. “This approval represents another important step forward for Nature’s Sunshine Products and will enhance liquidity for our shareholders. It is an important acknowledgment of our Company’s continuing progress.”

About Nature’s Sunshine Products

Nature’s Sunshine Products manufactures and markets through direct sales encapsulated and tableted herbal products, high quality natural vitamins, and other complementary products. In addition to the United States, the Company has operations in Japan, Mexico, Central America, South Korea, Canada, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, the United Kingdom, Columbia, Brazil, Thailand, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Belarus, China, Poland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The Company also has exclusive distribution agreements with selected companies in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and Norway.

Herbalife Family Foundation Establishes Another Casa Herbalife Program in Colombia

2009-10-13T14:27:00.005-04:00

The Herbalife Family Foundation established a Casa Herbalife program at La Casita de María Children’s Foundation (FUCAM) in Medellin, Colombia, to help support the center to provide good nutrition to children.

Founded in 1996, FUCAM is a nonprofit institution providing protection and development to low income, displaced, and abandoned at-risk boys and girls. Currently, 30 children, ages 1 thru 17, live there, some of whom have grown up and been in the shelter for most of their lives.

This is the 10th Casa Herbalife program in South America, and the 46th worldwide. After an initial grant from HFF, local Herbalife independent distributors and employees will support the program through volunteerism and fundraising.

HFF is a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation dedicated to improving children’s lives by helping organizations provide healthy nutrition to children at risk. Additionally, HFF often supports relief efforts in response to natural disasters.

Avon boss on the offensive

2009-10-13T14:27:00.004-04:00

The head of the world's biggest direct sales business has responded aggressively to the recession, believing it is a time to grow market share.

Reinvention is what cosmetics are all about, and Avon Products chairman and chief executive, Andrea Jung, insists that it applies to her too. "I'm a huge believer in reinventing myself all the time," she says. "You have to as a leader to stay fresh and develop new skills."

This may sound like so many business school warm words, but it is something coming from Jung, who is also a director at Apple and General Electric and was last month ranked as the second most important woman in world business. Aged 51, she's fifth on Fortune magazine's list of best-paid women, receiving $19.5m (£12m) in 2008. She celebrates her 10th anniversary in the top job at the globe's biggest direct sales business next month, making her the longest-serving female CEO in the Fortune 500.

So what exactly would she like to change? Surely there are six million Avon ladies (now called direct sales representatives) who would gladly swap places with her just as she is? Jung, a striking figure, flashes her perfect teeth in a perpetual smile. She has turned around a once ailing company by tripling profits, revitalising its dowdy image and "Ding-dong! Avon calling" catchphrase, but there have been some very tough times.

One came in 2005 when she decided to rid Avon of its "grandmother" image, shedding one third of its managers through delayering and revitalising the brand by more than trebling spending to nearly $400m-a-year.

Jung has since recruited actress Reese Witherspoon as Avon's global ambassador, brought in Yasmin Le Bon, Tess Daly, Louise Redknapp and Lisa Snowdon to front campaigns, and ploughed another $200m into sales training and internet ventures. This year, Avon responded to the recession by launching the biggest recruitment drive in its history to hire new door-to-door agents in 44 markets. It increased its agent headcount by 200,000 in the US alone in the first quarter of 2009 and says lots more are signing up in the UK too. (more ...)

DSWA Launches New Line of Products Specifically Designed to Increase Coach Skill

2009-10-13T14:26:00.000-04:00

The Direct Selling Women's Alliance (DSWA) is pleased to announce the development of two new coaching products designed specifically for the direct selling and network marketing professions: Principle-Centered CoachingTM - 2nd Edition and Coach Now!

Whether you are a seasoned leader or a new distributor just beginning to build your team, Principle-Centered CoachingTM (PCC) 2nd Edition, offers a proven method for coaching your team to success. The DSWA assists direct sellers advance their careers by providing tools for them to learn how to properly coach their team for greater satisfaction, retention and advancement. The second edition includes: expanded coaching scenarios; updated and timely content; new information that addresses today's current environment and new tips and techniques for working your own business.

The Five skills of Principle-Centered Coaching (TM) addressed in this edition include: You're the Expert Questions; Heart-Centered ListeningTM; Compassionate Feedback; Agreed Action and Accountability; and ICU Acknowledgements. (more ...)

Judge Validates Key Mannatech Patents for Technology Related to its Ambrotose® Glyconutrient Products

2009-10-13T14:24:00.000-04:00

Boston Mountain Laboratories, Inc. to Stop Manufacturing All Products Infringing on Mannatech Patents.

Mannatech, Incorporated (NASDAQ: MTEX), a global pioneer in the development of high-quality health, weight and fitness, and skin care solutions based on nutritional science, announced today the company has secured a second injunction in its ongoing efforts to protect its patented glyconutrient products Ambrotose® complex and Advanced Ambrotose™ formula.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, has entered a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction against Boston Mountain Laboratories, Inc., which bans Boston Mountain Laboratories from manufacturing or selling BML Glyconutrient Formula, Glyco-8, Glycoessentials, Glyco-Essence, Glyconutrients, MG-3, and MG-3c for the duration of Mannatech’s U.S. Patents 6,929,807; 7,157,431; 7,196,064; 7,199,104; and 7,202,220.

The courts have recognized that Mannatech is the rightful owner of the patented technology concerning “Compositions of Plant Technology as Dietary Supplements.” As part of the final judgment in this case, Boston Mountain Laboratories, plus its officers, agents, employees, and any persons acting in concert or participation with the company, are prohibited from making, using, selling, or otherwise distributing within the United States any of the accused products or any colorable imitations thereof. (more ...)

Discovery Channel to feature Regal Ware products

2009-10-06T08:51:00.001-04:00

Kitchen Fair pans manufactured at Regal Ware’s Kewaskum plant will be featured Oct. 2 on the Discovery Channel’s new show “Factory Made.”

The segment is scheduled to air during one of the two shows to be broadcast at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Central time on Oct. 2.

The Discovery Channel crew spent a full day in June filming the production of Kitchen Fair cast aluminum cookware. Independent distributors sell the Kitchen Fair line direct to the consumer via in-home sales.

One of the more challenging segments focused on the foundry where aluminum bars are melted in preparation for the casting process, said Regal Ware president and CEO Jeff Reigle.

The Discovery Channel crew spent a second day in June taping the steps involved in manufacturing American Kitchen stainless steel cookware, a new retail line by Regal Ware. The American Kitchen line is manufactured in the company’s West Bend plant. That segment will be scheduled to air later this season on the Discovery Channel.

Kewaskum-based Regal Ware Worldwide is a privately held manufacturer of stainless steel cookware.

Man Cave: Party sales for the red-meat crowd

2009-10-06T08:49:00.002-04:00

The food and drinks are ready. The guests are beginning to arrive. And the stars of the show — the products to be pitched during this Sunday afternoon get-together at a pleasant Woodstock home — are displayed on a table for all to see.

Another Mary Kay party? The Pampered Chef, perhaps?

Think again. The libations are Jack and Coke. The eats are sirloins and rib eyes. The wares are steak knives, grill brushes, wood chips and hickory planks.

And the guests? Men, and men only, in all their glory: puffing on Dominicans; watching football on the flat screen; oohing and ahhing at the latest pop-off bottle opener.

Avon it ain’t.

No, you have entered the Man Cave, primal home of gadgets and guys.

Man Cave is actually the name of a direct-sales company, recently launched by a Minnesota entrepreneur, and on this recent day, it is holding its first-ever “meating” in Georgia, hoping to sell stuff and to recruit advisors — people who cook the food, offer grilling techniques and pitch the product catalogue. Their reward: a commission on what’s sold.

The idea is to rip a page from the good ol’ girls’ playbook for home-based direct sales, which over the past few decades has become a $30 billion-a-year business. (more ...)