In the world of network marketing, most distributors don’t quit because they lack the desire. They join hungry, believing in the dream. However, when momentum falters and systems fail, many begin to lose belief. The hidden barrier to growth in network marketing often lies not in product pricing or compensation plan changes but in inefficiency and wasted time.
The true obstacle to growth in network marketing is inefficiency—time wasted on customer service issues, technical glitches, and unanswered corporate requests. These inefficiencies are referred to as muda in Lean thinking, meaning waste. In network marketing, waste directly impacts belief, momentum, and ultimately, duplication.
Time lost to inefficiency saps motivation, making distributors question the validity of the dream they signed up for. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Most people assume that change must come from the top. However, leaders in the field can ignite transformation today by adopting a proactive mindset. You can start by modeling Lean + AI principles within your team:
Kaizen (Continuous Improvement):
Don’t wait for the perfect system to emerge. Lead by example and encourage your team to continuously ask, “What’s one thing we can improve today?” By eliminating small inefficiencies in onboarding, communication, and events, you can achieve quick wins that rapidly add up to greater results.
AI as a Field Enabler:
Technology can be a powerful tool for saving time and increasing efficiency. Use automation tools such as AI chatbots for FAQs, scheduling bots for team calls, and content generators for daily posts. Demonstrate to your team how these tools can free up their time for what really matters: building relationships and having meaningful conversations.
Self-Funded Reinvestment:
By streamlining systems and processes, you’ll save time and money. Reinvest those savings into your team—whether it’s funding Zoom accounts, providing product samples, or sponsoring recognition events. Show your team that this principle works in practice, creating a ripple effect that others will follow.
Corporate support is essential for growth in network marketing, but the best partnerships are built on alignment, not tension. Leaders have a key role in bridging the gap between field and corporate teams:
Bring Solutions, Not Just Complaints:
When raising issues with corporate, always pair your concerns with solutions. For example, if you identify a wasteful process, propose a concrete change. “Here’s where the inefficiency lies, and here’s one AI tool or process tweak that could resolve it.”
Model Speed:
Speed is essential in maintaining momentum. If your team can pivot quickly in response to new challenges, show corporate how to mirror that speed. Urgency breeds action.
Celebrate Transparency:
If corporate admits to a challenge, reward their honesty by keeping the field calm and supportive. A transparent environment fosters trust, and when both field and corporate are aligned, momentum stays strong.
When both the field and corporate embrace Lean + AI principles, the results become undeniable:
Faster decision-making.
Leaders duplicating systems and not frustrations.
Savings reinvested into pay, tools, and recognition.
A culture of trust and momentum that retains leaders in the long term.
Momentum in network marketing isn’t a mystical force; it’s the result of efficiency, alignment, and belief all working together. Leaders who model Lean + AI principles don’t just see faster growth—they set the standard for corporate to meet. When both field and corporate adopt this mindset, duplication accelerates, retention increases, and the company enters a true renaissance.
By continuously improving, automating the trivial, and reinvesting in what truly matters—people—network marketing leaders can eliminate inefficiencies and create lasting success.
Peter Griscom is a seasoned network marketing executive, entrepreneur, and technologist with a proven record of driving transformation. As President of It Works! and Chairman of Van Dyke Acquisitions, Peter has revitalized underperforming companies and positioned them for sustained growth. His modern, results-driven approach to problem-solving has helped thousands of distributors and corporate leaders achieve peak performance. Peter continues to inspire the network marketing industry with his visionary leadership and strategic insights.
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