Sometimes I think this column is too serious. I know making money can be a solemn subject and avoiding losing it can be an even more earnest concern and maybe these topics should be addressed in a solemn and sedate way. But I have to confess, that by the time you read this, I will be floating, thousands of miles away, completely carefree, on an airbed in the middle of a turquoise kidney-shaped paradise under the sun. Probably with an intravenous supply of vodka and coke and some very grave concerns of my own about whether it’s time to reapply my sunscreen. This impromptu departure for a more civilized climate has sent me off on one of those “My goodness how lucky I am, how fortunate all networkers are not to have bosses and how truly blessed we are to be able to work anywhere we choose”. Especially if the anywhere in question, is the terrace of a villa with beautiful views.
This was brought into focus for me particularly clearly last week. I decided I’d had enough and some sun was called for and rang a good friend to ask if she’s like to come on holiday. Her response of “I don’t think I can away with that little notice”, really surprised me. This woman is a serious professional who runs her own, very successful conventional business. She has a good staff and frankly, for a fortnight -- about 9 full working days -- I’d have thought they could have managed! Not the case apparently! Which made me realise this really is a side of network marketing that we don’t promote anywhere near widely enough. Even Paul, the editor of this magazine when I phoned to tell him I’d be away said, “AGAIN!?” Actually, I thought I’d been very restrained this year. What he’s going to say when I go away next month and then return for a two full months application before taking off for our usual month in Portugal I don’t know!
You may be forgiven at this point, for wondering why I feel the need to share my holiday plans with you. Well, I’m sure that most of you, like me, find that your network is the most portable part of your working life. I only do about 10 or 12 hours a week in mine. That gives me the income I need to pay for all my holidays and a lot more besides. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t actually do anything except networking and some writing about it - but I found that 10 hours a week is the time mine takes. And whether I do those 10 hours here or somewhere rather warmer really makes no difference.
As my friend, rather sourly, pointed out to me, it’s all right for me. Because when I’m away -- there are plenty of people in my upline and organisation who are as competent, if not more so than I am, to help anyone in my downline that might need assistance. And, like you, I do the same for them when they’re away.
Perhaps we should make more of this fact? Promote it to the traditional business community who spend their time alternately sweltering and freezing, but always, tied to their businesses, in a way that we rarely are.
Let’s tell them that networkers do all the same things other people do -- except they do them at a time and in a place that suits them -- not as dictated by someone else. And what do they get paid for lying in the pool answering the phone. Or logging on and returning a few emails or faxes? It varies. If they’ve built their network over 1-3 years anything up to £500 an hour, a few a lot more. I do agree that if they’ve only just started (6-12mths) then anything from £10 to £30 an hour is realistic. I’ve been in my current network 18 months. I get around £125 an hour while I’m on holiday and yes, out of that, I need to pay my assistant who deals with the mail, checks the answering machine and processes my mail order retailing at my home.
Can all networkers be as totally idle as I am? No. Some of them, (haven’t we all in our time) still work with companies that put on endless trainings, meetings and events and demand that people attend them which can waste a lot of time on something that doesn’t actually earn any money but does consume huge amounts of time and money. Remember there are now, and only ever have been, three things that earn you money in networking: 1: Retailing product to customers. 2: Expanding your network 3: Teaching your people how to do the first two! And it really doesn’t matter where you do them from. Mention it to your prospects this summer and watch your recruiting rise. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to pack my suntan lotion.

This article was originally published under the title “Making Money while soaking up the Sun in the UK in Business and Premises magazine May 1998. ©1998 ESG