These days every company claims to have a system for rapid home business success. In addition, each company claims their system to be far superior to all the rest. Although this is partly true, most companies do have a “system,” and although these systems have improved the odds of the average person being able to develop a serious income from home, there is still a key principle missing in order to take full advantage of the “system.”

That often-overlooked principle is personal development. Statistics prove that a great majority of the people entering the network marketing industry are dissatisfied employees. People who have spent most, if not all of their adult life working for a company. Because NWM brings on a dramatic change in work ethics, personal development is a major ingredient in the success of any aspiring networker.

No system will ever replace the growth necessary that needs to occur in order to effectively build, run and maintain an ever-growing organization. Too much time is focused on simply training the mechanics of a particular marketing system and not enough time is spent developing the individual. That is a major mistake that leads to a longer learning curve and high attrition.

People come into this industry with doubts, fears, reservations, feelings of inadequacies, not to mention family and friends sitting on the sidelines waiting to yell out, “I told you that was a scam.”

The good thing is personal development is a welcomed benefit. Humans have in inert desire to grow and improve. However, when we don’t address that desire, and we focus entirely on teaching the “system” we create a vacuum. And since nature abhors a vacuum, those feelings of fear and doubt quickly enter into the picture and gradually shut down motivation. Where once you had an excited new partner, you now have a doubtful, even fearful person who knows the system but does not use it.

Here are three personal development skills every networker must master along side the marketing system.

1) Goal setting: When you teach goal setting what you are really teaching is mental focusing skills. Since most employees are accustomed to following mundane work routines, setting, planning and following through on goals will be a new skill set for many people. Goal setting and goal achievement should be the primary training given to new representatives.
2) Communication: Any way you wish to slice and dice network marketing, it all boils down to being a people business. Regardless of the product or the marketing system, somewhere along the line there must be some sort of personal interaction. Developing communication skills is of key importance here. Mastering the art of creating and maintaining relationships is the essence of network marketing success. We are yet to develop a mechanical system that will automatically develop relationships.
3) Leadership: Goal setting and communication are learned skills. Once they are learned they must be passed on to the next generation. As stated above, goal setting teaches mental focusing skills. That is exactly what leadership is all about, setting the focus. Leadership in network marketing is not about sitting pretty at the top teaching marketing techniques. It’s about setting the focus for your team. Getting them to see more in themselves than they see. Getting the team to work together on a common goal. Teaching them relationship building skills. That is leadership, and that is something no “system,” no matter how sophisticated can do for us.

People today who enter NWM are looking for answers. They are searching for a better way. By all means, teach them your system. But make sure you bring out in them the desire to grow as a person. Educate them on the value of personal development. Take them by the hand and teach them goal setting, communication and leadership skills.

The best marketing system in the world will never replace the human element of NWM. Take pride in that. It’s the fastest way to network marketing success.

Author's Bio: 

Mike Martinez has been featured in national home business magazines and countless e-forums and ezines. He is a professional Network Marketer residing in Southern New Jersey. Mr. Martinez is an avid personal development coach and home business trainer. Learn about how you can develop the life of your dreams and a multiple six figure income from home. Visit his sites at www.highprofitteam.com/mikemartinez
or www.libertyleague.com/michaelmartinez