As a Wharton graduate, I have serious issues with anyone who can even take a neutral stance about this "business".
I've went on the day of observation and watched as a "leader" presented himself as a "community representative" selling coupon books. This is right after it was made clear that these books are being sold to promote the companies in them. This happened at Champion Marketing in Fairfax, VA. I also saw 2 other names on the door. Consumers were told to make out their checks to All-Star Executive.
A legitimate business is proud of their trademark and all affiliated companies. They would not respond to complaints by saying, "Well, that was just a bad owner." They have a responsibility to monitor their partners and take aggressive actions against anyone who would tarnish their image by acting against a clearly defined code of ethics. I'm talking about serious legal action against anyone who uses misrepresentation. The fact that there is no code of ethics or clearly defined policy means that they neither support nor condone actions taken by "owners". If a franchise owner at McDonalds advertised jobs falsely, misrepresented their products as charitable contributions or any other unethical behavior; McDonalds would sue them and take precautions to prevent this in the future. Of course DS-Max will not explicitly tell owners/managers/distributors to lie and cheat. It is the fostering of an unethical environment, the tacit support and the way DS-Max maintains deniability that makes what they are doing much worse than being an outright crook.
Owners, can you break off from DS-Max? Many big companies started as a subsidiary of another company. Sometimes they merge with other companies and the owner becomes rich in a buyout. Can you do this?
A legitimate company would not act with such a lack of class towards former employees. People move on. My ex-employers understand that I did a job for them, learned what I could and pursued another opportunity. They don't insult what other people do for a living.
The people who get called "9 to 5 cows" are critical to our society. A society doesn't need door-to-door salesman and people that manage them. I've never had a problem buying items or switching utility services. I have stores and the Internet. Doctors, teachers, construction workers and other workers add value to our society. They have learned actual skills. Lying and knocking on doors is not a skill, little kids can do that. You should not be proud that you have a system that anyone can do. You know what else anybody can do? Sell their body. At least those people are honest about the "business opportunity". A pimp teaches a few common sense selling strategies and he has much more financial independence than a DS-Max "owner". It is illegal, but so is soliciting without a license.
A legitimate business is a constant negotiation between employee and employer. You and the company agree to salary, benefits, vacation time, working hours and other conditions before starting. DS-Max chooses to circumvent this by hiring "independent contractors". If you are independent, then why show up to unpaid training? Of course this training is simply chanting and false motivation. If I own my own business, I can be as negative as I want. I can tell employees the truth straight up. I can choose my own hours. I can dress however I want to. I can do anything I want within the boundaries of the law.
A legitimate business does not alienate a person from their family and friends. They would also want healthy employees, both mentally and physically. They would encourage you to think before accepting a position with them. They would pay a premium for long hours and take aggressive measures to prevent high turnover. They wouldn't just promise future wealth, they would improve the living conditions for every position in the company. They make an investment in their employees and accept responsibility.
Owners talk about this great opportunity and financial independence. You want opportunity? Bake a cake and sell it for profit. Perform a song and sell it online.invent something new. Study and learn actual business skills. You want financial independence? Save money from your job and trade stocks. Buy a building, put in the physical labor, get the proper authorization and rent it out. How many of my suggestions involve misleading people?
If you owners are so rich, how about posting a verifiable balance sheet? If there are so many "success stories", then how about some proof? I will agree to meet you in person, look at your pay stubs and accounting documents and then you can tell me how worthless my Ivy League education is.
Even better, let me come to your office and show me that you operate ethically.
Clifton
Waynesboro, Virginia
U.S.A.
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