Specialists urge the youth: Engage in direct selling
There are 3.8 million people engaged in direct selling in companies connected with the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP), resulting in an estimated P25 billion in sales last year. The figures were announced in a recent press conference by the DSAP at Gotti’s Restaurant in SM Megamall.
The press con was held in connection with the just-concluded exhibit at the mall’s Megatrade Hall.
“We are planning to come up with more exhibits,” says Bong Valenzuela of Forever Living. “The members are sharing their practices in promoting direct selling to students.”
Beth Añana of Symmetry Phils. cites the livelihood exhibit known as Lakbay Hanapbuhay for students outside Metro Manila, including college students who have a job: “Because of the global economy, we are offering an alternative, part time or full time. This will augment lifestyle change.”
There are at least half a million graduates every year, notes Ador Bonquin of Amway Phils., “and we are offering direct selling as a career. We used to focus on Metro Manila but not now. We are reaching out to the youths in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and now Baguio during the school break. Our objective is to tap them (as direct sellers).”
Valenzuela points out that “there are a lot of direct selling companies and we (at DSAP) teach them the right principles of direct selling and marketing. The business is long term, not just short-term.”
A discordant note was struck when pyramiding was mentioned.
“We are working against pyramiding,” Valenzuela says. “A lot of companies claim to be legitimate and hire people. But we are trying to work against that, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry.”
Bonquin observes that one does not need to have a huge capital to be a direct seller: “You have a choice. You don’t have to put up a warehouse. You’re the boss. Your income will come from having a business in retail.”
And he dangles before the group the possible rewards of being a direct seller: “Bonuses, you get to travel and see the world. Incentives, a car, education for the children … but you have to have a capital. It depends on the package.”
On the other hand, Valenzuela says direct selling can be a legacy: “The parents start the business, and then turn it over to the children.”
The marketing aspect should not be ignored.
“If you want to be successful, there must be something unique, something attractive about the product,” he states. “Look at the sales and marketing plan of the company. It should not be just based on bringing in people.”
The economic crisis should be looked at as an opportunity, opined lawyer Victorio Dimagiba of DTI’s Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection: “As a direct seller you may lack income. You may not need it (the product you are selling) but maybe your friends and neighbors do. So, whether in crisis or not, the opportunity is always there.”
