While I realize that this is not a site about Amway and I in no way am trying to make it as such-
I could not help but notice the same mindset that is demostrated in this information
As we all know Bill Bowen attempted to try and change the DOING BUSINESS AS USUAL WITH THE WT, well if you have time please read this article and the accompanying link
For what you will see are folks who have revealed HIDDEN SECRETS about their organization (WHO MAKES THE REAL MONEY) AND their attempt to try and REFORM THEIR ORGANIZATION
And as a result like BILL THEY TOO WERE KICKED OUT
The mindset of Cult organizations run deep
James
http://www.mlmsurvivor.com/TIF.htm
go to the above website and click on
TIF EXPLAINS THE TERMINATION
Quixtar Terminates 6 Diamond Distributorships
12 Others Resign in Protest
April 23, 2002
On April 19, 2002, Quixtar terminated the distributorships of six Diamonds. Their crime? Attempting, along with 12 other Diamonds, to throw a few pails of water at the Augean Stables of the Amway/Quixtar motivational "tools" business.
"Of the 18 Diamonds in Team In Focus, 6 have been terminated (Andy & Polly Andrews, Gerry & Sharon Betterman, Gayle Collinsworth, Mike & Lynn Jakubik, Ron & Melanie Rummel, John & Pat Terhune) and most of the others, when threatened with termination, have resigned."
For years, the shadow business of the Amway (and now Quixtar) kingpins has been the "system" -- the business of motivation in the form of tapes, books, functions, videos, and CDs. It has been repeatedly shown that the Diamonds make far more -- at least 80% and often up to 95% -- of their income from the "system" than from Amway or Quixtar. The system had become the tail that wagged the dog.
As early as 1982, Rich DeVos, Amway co-founder, chastised these kingpins, accusing them of running an illegal pyramid scheme. However, 10 years later, the "system" had become a way for a very few to suck millions -- even billions -- of dollars from their downline. Tool income was secret, the average frontline distributor was told that nobody made any money on tools, and everything was managed by the "wink and handshake" method. There were no contracts, and upline diamonds could change the way tool money was distributed at will.
Gradually, information about the "system" and the profit being made from it became public. In 1997, Amway acknowledged this in the BSMAA. However, it was obvious that the Arbitration Agreement was created to try and stop the flood of very public lawsuits over the tool business.
Now, in the latest chapter of the history of the Amway/Quixtar tools business, or BSMs (Business Support Materials), the company has preferred to let go of 18 Diamondships rather than attempt to curb the well documented abuses perpetrated by these "system" leaders.
MLMSurvivor has received a copy of a fax sent on April 21 to these (former) diamonds' groups, explaining their side of the situation. If their allegations are true, they represent a rather bizarre indication of the lengths that Amway/Quixtar, the IBOA, and kingpin diamonds will go to protect their major income source.
The Team In Focus Story
"Team In Focus" is a coalition of (former) Quixtar diamonds. It includes:
- Andy and Polly Andrews
- Gerry and Sharon Betterman
- Doug and Julie Cassens
- Gayle Collinsworth
- Marshall and Diana Douglas
- John and Susan Haagen
- Marc and Shelli Hellinghausen
- Mike and Lynn Jakubik
- Barry and Luronda Joye
- Adrian and Sue Lewis
- Rick and Eve Maxwell
- Bryan and Roxanne Parks
- Denny and Lori Plauck
- Todd and Brenda Rainsberger
- Ron and Melanie Rummel
- John and Pat Terhune
- Frank and Dawana Zecher
Bo and Sandy Short were part of the original Team In Focus group, but they resigned both TIF and their Quixtar distributorship in October, 2001.
According to their statement, Team In Focus wanted to conduct the tool business in a way that was fair to all participants, was transparent, and would allow them to continue to recruit without having to worry about the "sad truths" being told on the internet.
"For years, the Diamonds of TIF have tried to create an equitable situation in the tool business. There were no written policies. Consequently, it took years after reaching the Diamond level to even understand the gross inequities of the system. . . For as long as we can remember, the system dictated rewards for a few to the exclusion of many.
"TIF came together as a group to change this system and fix these inequities."
The TIF group met several times with representatives of Amway/Quixtar, including Ken McDonald, President of Quixtar North America; Bob Kerkstra, Director of Global Business Conduct and Rules; John Parker, Executive VP of North American Operations; Gary VanderVen, Manager of Global Business Conduct and Rules; and Larry Harper, Director of Business Relations, as well as various attorneys including Sharon Grider and John Pierce from Amway/Quixtar. They expressed support for what TIF was trying to do.
". . . the corporation had been looking for a solution to the BSM challenge for 35 years. . . this was the first time that the corporation has taken an active role in the support of a group seeking to fix the problem."
Bob Kerkstra
Doug DeVos, COO of Amway and Quixtar, spoke at a TIF function in Nashville and applauded the efforts of TIF. According to the TIF letter,
"Amway/Quixtar corporate representatives actually committed to pay for the development of the website to implement these solutions."
Later, they backed out. "Guys, you never had anything in writing," said McDonald.
After that, it was a predictable downhill slide for TIF. Immediately following a written request for conciliation according to Amway/Quixtar's Dispute Resolution Rules, about half the Diamond's distributorships were suspended, and their earnings were frozen. Amway/Quixtar personnel began calling those Diamond's downline Platinums to read them a "warning" letter.
"They also made calls to the downline of several Diamonds who had not yet been suspended. They said this was an accident. In some cases, when they couldn't reach the IBO, they actually read the letter to whoever answered the phone, in some cases children, friends or neighbors. They didn't say that this was an accident."
Amway/Quixtar ended the situation suddenly on April 19, 2002, by terminating the distributorships of the three ringleaders. Later that day, all other TIF founders resigned their distributorships as well*.
The letter ends on an upbeat note:
"Well, so much for where we have been. It's time to talk about where the FORMER Diamonds of Amway/Quixtar and the current FOUNDERS of Team In Focus are heading. We would reiterate to you, our friends, that our philosophy remains intact and our objectives have not changed. This is not an ending, but an opportunity for a new and brighter future -- a future created by a team. . . a TEAM IN FOCUS!
A Lot of Questions, No Answers
- Why would Quixtar want to get rid of a group of its top producers, over an issue (the tools system) that they've spent years trying to distance themselves from (or at least, they've given the appearance of distancing themselves)?
- Who owns Quixtar? It was incorporated by "members of the DeVos and Van Andel families," but it's a privately held company and they are not required to disclose information. Do some of the biggest kingpin Diamonds -- the Yagers, Britts, and their ilk -- have an ownership stake in the company?
- If Amway/Quixtar's future is important to Alticor, why isn't Doug DeVos (COO of Amway and Quixtar) on the Board of Directors?
- There was another very unusual incident up in Ada, MI last week: Dick DeVos, President of Alticor, suddenly announced his resignation. Are the two events connected?