Strategic Choice Partners

  • About
  • Services
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Technology
    • Training & Events
    • Commissions & Comp Plan
    • Business Development
    • Finances & Operations
    • Executive Coaching
    • Online Reputation Management Evaluation
  • Testimonials
    • Our Clients
  • Webinars
  • Blog
  • Member Login
  • Contact

How To Start Thinking Differently About Compensation Plans

February 7, 2023 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

There’s something that’s becoming quite evident in direct selling right now: Yesterday’s compensation plan design best practices don’t pack the punch that they used to. And no wonder: It’s a completely different world now. And yet, so many direct selling companies are choosing to “tweak” their plans, adding some flashy trends on top of an otherwise outdated foundation. I get the hesitancy. Changing compensation plans is not for the faint of heart (or the weak of mind). It’s scary to move into … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Brett Duncan, Compensation Plan Tagged With: affiliate, brett duncan, comp plans, compensation plans, direct sales, modern plans, network marketing

What Norms Aren’t Worth Rushing Back to?

June 5, 2020 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

What Norms Aren’t Worth Rushing Back To?

As we all do everything we can to rush back to normal, stop and consider what “normals” actually aren’t worth rushing back to. I heard this statement on a podcast recently. It’s not a podcast specific to direct sales, but it’s a statement that has haunted me over the last 10 days or so. As we navigate our way past the initial shock and awe of the pandemic, and now settle into figuring out what to do now, I think every strategic discussion should incorporate this question as its starting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Brett Duncan, Planning Tagged With: affiliate, brett duncan, changing, COVID-19, direct sales, direct selling, multi-level marketing, normal, pandemic, rethink, transitions, work force, work-from-home

Are You Doing the Math for Your Distributors?

January 7, 2020 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

Are You Doing the Math for Your Distributors? (Because They Probably Aren’t Doing It For Themselves)

Today’s direct seller has more access to data and numbers than any generation of direct seller ever had before. Backoffices are packed with beautiful reports, dashboards are dotted with wonderful widgets and notifications, and promotions and programs are launched every day to accelerate sales and income. And yet, my experience tells me that Distributors don’t always appreciate all this stuff like I think they should. Some of the obvious perks of a new promotion often get overlooked. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Brett Duncan, Field Development Tagged With: build a strong team, data, direct sales, direct selling, field development, how to engage your sales force, math, misconceptions, motivate your team, network marketing, reports, social selling, trainings

7 Clear Signals That Today’s Direct Sales Company Must Embrace

November 21, 2019 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

7 Clear Signals That Today’s Direct Sales Company Must Embrace

Since 2015, three prominent direct sales companies have publicly faced regulatory scrutiny in the United States. While there were similarities in the issues addressed—such as multi-level compensation systems—each company faced a different journey and a different outcome. Yet, there is a commonality that we are wise to acknowledge and embrace now: Change is here; it’s our challenge and our opportunity to understand it, respond to it and embrace it. So, what do we do? What merits attention … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Compliance, Rick Loy Tagged With: assessment, audit, compliance, direct sales, direct selling assessment, Federal Trade Commission, how to have an internal conversation about the FTC decisions, how to survive the FTC actions, mlm, network marketing, review, Rick Loy

2019: The Year Direct Selling As We Know It Changed Forever

June 30, 2019 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

2019: The Year Direct Selling As We Know It Changed Forever

I know. It has quite an ominous sound. And then, it also seems a tad presumptuous and oddly grandiose. Of course, it could also just be another click-baity, news-jacky headline whipped up by a consultant trying to drum up business ;-). I guess all of the above is possible. But none of it can dismiss the point that 2019 may indeed be the year we look back and realize it all changed. Direct selling as we’ve known it will never be the same. And I think I’m OK with that. There’s a quote … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Development, Strategy Tagged With: 2019, AdvoCare, changes, direct sales, future, how can I adapt my direct selling company to the changes, milestone, network marketing, prepare

Rethink Resolutions: 9 Resolutions for Direct Selling Companies in 2019

June 7, 2019 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

Rethink Resolutions: 9 Resolutions for Direct Selling Companies in 2019

How has the beginning of 2019 been for you? As we enter the halfway point of 2019, it’s only natural to reflect on what we’ve accomplished so far, where we’ve fallen short of expectations, and what happened that we never saw coming. Every year is filled with its share of blessings and surprises. At the same time, in many ways, the first part of your year can look just like the last part of your year if we aren’t careful. Which gets me thinking about resolutions. Do you only make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marketing, Strategy Tagged With: change behaviors, create middle of the year resolutions, direct sales, goals, habits, long-lasting results, methods, mlm, multi-level marketing, network marketing, resolutions

Winning Back the Trust

January 15, 2019 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

Winning Back the Trust

In times of change, companies often find themselves at odds or even in an adversarial struggle for dominance with their field sales leaders. There are many reasons why these divisions occur, including declining sales, changes of ownership (especially when the founder(s) sell out or retire), and rising competition from other gig/part-time income opportunities. These divisions lead to a lack of trust and belief on the part of the field sales leaders and will obstruct, if not outright sabotage, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alan Luce, Field Development Tagged With: accountability, alan luce, analysis, direct sales, field leaders, how to partner with your field leaders, mlm, moral suasion, network marketing, partnership, relationship, transparency

Most Technology Problems Are Not Actually Technology Problems

October 23, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

Most Technology Problems Are Not Actually Technology Problems

Having started my career in the direct selling industry in 2002, you can imagine the swift changes I’ve experienced in a relatively short period of time in how direct selling works. I’m sure many of you can say the same. As the model evolves and adapts, we found ourselves today rethinking components of direct selling that seemed like bedrocks of our business.   Technology = Opportunity & Confusion At the forefront of these changes, you’ll find technology as an equal-opportunity … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: capability, communication, direct sales, direct selling, implement, issue, manage, management, network marketing, problems, projects, technology, think

The 7 Most Common Recommendations for Today’s Direct Selling Company

October 9, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

The 7 Most Common Recommendations for Today’s Direct Selling Company

Every direct selling company thinks of itself as extremely unique. You probably feel that way about your company, too. Your product is one-of-a-kind. Your compensation plan has unique perks. Your founder offers both special privileges and special challenges. Your culture is special and unprecedented and unlike anything you’ve ever seen. And I bet that’s all true. I just bet it’s not as true as you think it is. My experience has shown me that direct selling companies have a lot more in common … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: advice, benefit, company, consulting, direct sales, direct selling, network marketing, recommendations, strategy, unique

Our Customers Want to Know They’ve Been Heard

May 31, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners 2 Comments

Our Customers Want to Know They’ve Been Heard

There is one word that can make a huge difference for the growth and sustainability of your direct selling business when it comes to your customers. Drum roll, please! And that one word is … LISTEN!   The Easiest Way to Show You’re Listening As customers, we want to know someone is listening. The easiest way a Customer Service Rep can do that is by summarizing the customer’s inquiry.   Something like this: CUSTOMER SERVICE REP: “Let me make sure I have this right. You … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chris Clark, Customer Service Tagged With: customer service, customer service rep, direct sales, direct selling, email inquiries, listen, magical questions, network marketing, repeat, script

Avoid Bottlenecks: Make Warehouse Pick & Pack Easy

May 24, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners 1 Comment

Avoid Bottlenecks: Make Warehouse Pick & Pack Easy

Largely out of necessity, most startup companies perform all functions of running their business, including picking and packing orders. That is a good thing because this function can be one of the most time-consuming and costly pieces of operating your business. But it can also quickly turn into a costly and time-consuming bottleneck during busy times, like the end of the month, holidays, etc. However, it doesn’t have to be that way!   Streamlining Your Pick & Pack Process A … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Operations, Shipping Tagged With: bottlenecks, direct sales, direct selling, labor costs, layout, network marketing, pick & pack, process, products, save money, set up, warehouse

Momentum: Success Starts With You

May 17, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

Momentum: Success Starts With You

Just because it is the middle of the year, doesn’t mean we can’t start fresh as if it’s New Year’s Day, the infamous goal-setting holiday. Bring on the new goals, new growth and new people. Anything is possible. And how does that happen? By starting NOW and getting the momentum going!   Lead by Example! Bookings are easier when people are chatting and laughing in the company of friends. Recruiting is easier when people watch how much fun you’re having (and notice how much you’re … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Development Tagged With: ball rolling, commitment, direct sales, direct selling, excitement, leadership, momentum, motivation, network marketing

The Audio/Visual “Request for Proposal” Breakdown

May 10, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

The Audio/Visual “Request for Proposal” Breakdown

In my last blog, “Should I Use the In-House Audio/Visual Company or an Outside Supplier?," we explored the reasons for considering an outside a/v company vs. an in-house supplier. Now it’s time to deal with the RFP (Request for Proposal) document itself.   Begin with a Brief Overview Begin with a very brief overview of the event: who, what, where and when. Be specific as to dates, location and attendance. Here’s a typical overview: Typical Home Parties, the direct sales … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: audio/visual, contract, convention, direct sales, direct selling, event, lighting, network marketing, packaging crew, photos, preparation, request for proposal, sound, staging

7 Trends That Prove Direct Selling is Changing

May 3, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

7 Trends That Prove Direct Selling is Changing

For quite awhile now, we’ve all been speculating about how much the direct selling industry will change over “the next five to ten years.” It’s been a fun and poignant phrase to add to our conversations with colleagues. It’s a sentiment that has captured our sense of change, while also pointing out our lack of clarity on exactly what that change will be. It’s been the perfect thing to say when we don’t know exactly what to say.   Changes Happen in Micro-Phases In conversations, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Communications, Marketing Tagged With: buy, changes, compensation plans, direct sales, direct selling, future, industry, network marketing, sell, side hustle, trends

The Perfect Time to Capture Video for Direct Sales Companies

April 26, 2018 by Strategic Choice Partners Leave a Comment

The Perfect Time to Capture Video for Direct Sales Companies

Events are crucial for direct selling companies. Events are also a unique opportunity to capture video content because you have everyone who drives your business in one place at one time. From our years of experience in the industry, we have learned that many opportunities are missed at events from a video content standpoint. Check out our new video to learn about the 5 video opportunities you shouldn't miss at your event…     About Clark Diemer Clark Diemer leads Diemer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clark Diemer, Video Tagged With: conferences, conventions, direct sales, events, footage, incentive trips, interviews, testimonials, video

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Featured Posts

Setting Expectations: How to Achieve Excellent Customer Service

We’re Still Partying Like It’s 1999

The Fundamental Unit of Success in Direct Selling

The Easiest Thing to Sell

Planning for Growth in Direct Selling: Embracing One-Year Strategies for Success

Shaping Today’s Company To Serve Tomorrow’s Consumer


How Can We Help You?


Contact Us Now

© 2025 Strategic Choice Partners · Rainmaker Platform