Onboarding: What Direct Selling Does Right

Bringing a new employee into the company fold is an exciting time for everyone concerned. The company is bringing a qualified candidate to the table, and the candidate is taking an important step in their career. There is a lot of talk these days about the importance of onboarding, of getting it right and giving it more attention than ever before. What Direct Selling does, and has always done since its earliest days, is made sure the new member is set up for success.

Right Under Your Nose

One distinct advantage of Direct Selling is that the next generation of distributors are current customers. The trick, though, is finding not only the customers who might fit the new role, but those who are ready to take that next step. Customers who are ardent fans of a product tend to share via social media the advantages and success they find using the product in question. Distributors who pay attention to this and spend some time communicating with those customers will be that much further ahead in not only finding the new distributor but also bringing them on board.

One distinct advantage of Direct Selling is that the next generation of distributors are current customers.

Laying a Solid Foundation

Research shows that giving new hires a sense of community not only helps put them at ease in their new environment, but also makes them more productive sooner. Within a day or so, most Direct Selling companies provide new distributors with a manual (hardcopy or digital), access to special apps and company websites, and help them get started setting up their own microsites. Many other Direct Selling organizations also offer video trainings and send emails of welcome and support that help buoy a new distributor. What all of this does is give new distributors the core information about the company they are joining and the product they are now selling while drawing them into the community.

What all of this does is give new distributors the core information about the company they are joining and the product they are now selling while drawing them into the community.

Mentoring

The close relationship forged between distributors and their customers is pivotal not just for sales, but for fostering the next generation of distributors. While the benefits of being a distributor are many, one of the most attractive for the new employee is also the one that most benefits the company. By working closely with a mentor, a new distributor quickly learns the ropes of working with customers, of fostering community, and gains a more in-depth understanding of the company, its product, methods, and mission. It builds even further on a trusting relationship and helps propel the new distributor toward reaching their goals and finding success.

Social media also makes it possible for new distributors to learn how to connect with their customers, balance real-time product experiences with photos and videos, and connect with other distributors and leaders in the field.

Building Community

New distributors can also connect with their peers via social media where success stories can be shared along with ideas for new methods and best practices. Social media tools such as Facebook or What’s App make it possible for mentors to connect with new distributors for training, conferences, or for new trainees to connect with each other. Social media also makes it possible for new distributors to learn how to connect with their customers, balance real-time product experiences with photos and videos, and connect with other distributors and leaders in the field.

Distributors are already passionate about the product or service, but events – from a local gathering to national or international company conferences – keep them excited about their work, connected with each other, and educated about new developments.

Organizing Events Large and Small

Ongoing training opportunities, especially in Direct Selling where distributors work independently from home, are pivotal for maintaining motivation, keeping product messages clear and on target, and making sure everyone is informed of new developments. Distributors are already passionate about the product or service, but events – from a local gathering to national or international company conferences – keep them excited about their work, connected with each other, and educated about new developments.

Direct Selling has understood since the very beginning what it takes to keep new employees passionate about their work and in step with both customers and the company. Doing so lays the foundation for developing future leaders who are innovative and willing to stay for the long haul.