A Great Debate

I was surfing the internet the other day and I found a really great discussion on another web log. I tried to put a link to it on this page but for some reason it won't work. So, if you are interested in reading it, you'll have to copy and paste this URL address into your browser:

http://www.bonniewren.com/2005/will-nutriferon-save-you-from-the-bird-flu.htm

It's kind of a hassle, I know, but well worth it if this kind of thing interests you.

Apparently the whole thread started in response to an article the owner of the web log posted about the Bird Flu. By the sounds of it, following the original post about the virus, a Shaklee distributor posted a comment stating something to the effect that Nutriferon, by boosting natural production of interferon, could help (to some extent) the body's natural immune system defeat this particular strain of virus--without the use of drugs. The discussion was one of the best I’ve seen lately for a number of reasons.

It Was Respectful

A lot of times, especially on the Internet, people get worked up when discussing things like nutritional supplements or multilevel marketing. For some reason there seems to be a lot of emotion tied up into these types of discussions. This was (for the most part) a discussion that really dug to get to the truth.

It exposed a couple of real challenges that Shaklee still has in communicating its business model

Despite decades of “Golden Rule” activity from Shaklee itself, negative connotations attached to “Multilevel Marketing” and "direct selling" still exist.

It was filled with skepticism

In fact, if it weren't for the doubts posted by the creator of the blog, it wouldn't have been worth the read. The skeptisism provided the catalyst for the discussion which in the end produced several anecdotes and facts (as well as opinions and paradigms) about the quality and effectiveness of Nutriferon, and the integrity of the Shaklee corperation.

It provided a few outstanding testimonials for Nutriferon.

And not all of them were shared by Shaklee distributors. The writers had absolutely nothing to gain personally by posting their story. Even the distributers could not gain from the posts since there was no way to contact them. Nutriferon helped one person overcome chronic sinus infections, and another beat a thyroid related autoimmune disorder.

And that made me think. There were quite a few people reading that web log that were ready to stand up and go to bat for Shaklee. A number of them didn't even sell the products. This was a web log that didn't typically deal with issues like nutrition or even wellness. It wasn't that type of blog.

But when a wellness (or sickness) issue did come up, these people seemed to come out of the woodwork to not only defend Shaklee, but even promote them as THE number one nutritional suppliment producer when it comes to effectiveness and integrity. Which by the way made them the number one MLM or direct selling company as well.

And think of this. What is the percentage of people who actually respond to articles they read in web logs? I have to bet it is pretty small. How many more people are out there that have been touched in some way by this amazing company?

Many of us tend to think of Shaklee members as this little niche (almost cult) of wellness freaks. But I think if you look around, you'll start to see the explosion of interest in an alternative to the "sick business." The drug commercials on T.V. The rising health care costs. The aches and pains that are assumed to be caused by "aging."

People aren't buying it any more. A whole new world of health is opening up right before our eyes. People are being enlightened. Those in the know appreciate Shaklee for what it has done for 50 years. And they recognize and trust and are excited about what that means for them and their health as they live the rest of their lives.


It’s really a great discussion. But be warned--the thread is quite long. So be sure you set aside some time.