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Reimagining the Back Office as a Revenue Driver
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Reimagining the Back Office as a Revenue Driver

Modern direct sellers are driving value to the field leveraging usage data

By:  Connor Hester
The benefit of segmentation is that it provides clarity to the product team on what data sources they should use to collect feedback and information.
The direct selling industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation as companies seek innovative ways to support their distributors.  The back office has historically been used as the primary tool for distributors to manage their business, but as many direct sellers can attest, it has not always kept pace with the rate of technological change.

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May 1, 2021 0 comment
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FTC Hints at Strategy Shift with New Rulemaking Group
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FTC Hints at Strategy Shift with New Rulemaking Group

Is the Commission saber-rattling or moving the goalposts?

By:  David Bland
The (FTC) is saying ‘we’ve got other tools,’ but what they are hoping for is that Congress will act. —John Villafranco, Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
At a time when the FTC should be contrite for having been caught for abusing its power, they’re doubling down. —Kevin Thompson, Partner, Thompson Burton PLLC
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) focus on its power to punish continued in recent weeks as it threatened the use of punitive action against its favorite targets. The Commmission’s latest announcement has important implications for industries under its scrutiny, including the direct selling channel.

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May 1, 2021 0 comment
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Legal Battle Is Brewing Over Independent Contractor Rule
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Legal Battle Is Brewing Over Independent Contractor Rule

DSA-supported lawsuit challenges President Biden’s attempt to roll back Trump’s rule

By:  Dave Rauf
The DOL’s effort to rescind the final rule runs counter to the realities of the modern economy. —Evan Armstrong, Founding Member, Coalition for Workforce Innovation
We will continue working with the Administration and Congress to ensure direct sellers are clearly classified as independent contractors under all federal laws. —Brian Bennett, Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy, Direct Selling Association
An array of business groups are suing the U.S Department of Labor over its decision to rescind a rule that would set parameters for when companies—including direct sellers—could classify workers as independent contractors. At issue: a Donald Trump administration regulation published in late January, about two weeks before the White House was set to switch hands, making it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors. The rule marked a major victory for the direct selling channel, along with gig economy companies specializing in ride-sharing and food delivery.

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May 1, 2021 0 comment
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Good Chemistry for Direct Sellers Finding Success with CBD
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Good Chemistry for Direct Sellers Finding Success with CBD

Companies large and small reap rewards of hemp reclassification and new cannabinoid discoveries

By:  Stephanie Ramirez
“I would say that our company had a massive part in bringing about the federal legislation in 2018 that changed the Farm Bill.”  Blake Schroeder, CEO, Kannaway
“We make it easy to customize your core nutrition, and CBD has just been one of those things that has been a great fit.”  Ryan Montgomery, CEO, Reliv
According to a recent Direct Selling Association (DSA) consumer trends study, the health and wellness marketplace is changing rapidly. Direct sellers must continuously raise their own bar with a consistent flow of new products and communications to meet consumer demand for the latest natural compounds and plant derivatives. The rising implementation of new product lines mirrors the latest technological advancements in agriculture and chemistry. 

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May 1, 2021 0 comment
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Getting Real with Pure Romance President & CEO Chris Cicchinelli
Direct SellingFeaturesGetting Real InterviewsNews

Getting Real with Pure Romance President & CEO Chris Cicchinelli

How openness to change propelled Pure Romance to the next level

This month, SSN interviewed Chris Cicchinelli, president and CEO of Pure Romance, where he leads business development, operations, sales, and marketing. Cicchinelli started working at Pure Romance to help his mother, company founder Patty Brisben, grow the business. It is now the world’s largest in-home/virtual party company of its kind, with revenue over $250 million today. By:  David Bland Founded: 1993 Location: Cincinnati, OH Website: pureromance.com   SSN: You have a book coming out, The Secret Is You. What was your inspiration to write it? What was the most important thing you wanted to convey? 

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May 1, 2021 0 comment
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Texas Pulls Plug on Energy Direct Seller Griddy
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Texas Pulls Plug on Energy Direct Seller Griddy

Electric wholesaler succumbs to historic winter storms

By:  David Bland
No choice but to power down. —Michael Fallquist, CEO, Griddy
Griddy turned their customers into amature energy traders, because they were fully exposed to the market. —Rob Snyder, Founder and General Partner, Kynect
Texas-based direct selling electricity provider Griddy was abruptly banned from the power market on Feb. 26, capping a chaotic two-week period for the 4-year-old energy retailer brought on by historic winter storms no one was prepared for.  The storms not only paralyzed the state of Texas but drew national attention to its deregulated power grid, as well as to the tenuous relationship between electricity retailers, consumers, and operators in the Lone Star State.

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April 1, 2021 0 comment
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Positive Outlook for Public Companies
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Positive Outlook for Public Companies

Tupperware, Herbalife, USANA, Primerica lead 2020 growth; LifeVantage stumbles

By:  Dave Rauf

Tupperware

Tupperware’s turnaround story continues to evolve. The maker of food storage containers, kitchen goods and beauty products reported its second consecutive quarter of year-over-year sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to recently released earnings.  Fourth-quarter revenue and profit were both up in the three-month reporting period. And company executives say they’re more confident that improving financials are a sign the direct selling giant is on the path to recovery after years of revenue declines and falling stock prices.

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April 1, 2021 0 comment
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New Strategies Emerge from Months in Lockdown
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New Strategies Emerge from Months in Lockdown

Direct sellers rewarded with new insights after adjusting to challenges of pandemic

By:  Claire Wilson
We are coming to learn that the in-person aspect isn’t as important as we thought it was. —Sean Eggert, CEO, Hanna Shea Executive Search
COVID-19 forced many changes to commerce over the past 12 months. With the rollout of vaccines and a gradual return to normal social interactions, business practices will begin to shift back as well. 

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April 1, 2021 0 comment
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