Neutralizing Negativity on the Internet

Why is Network Marketing singled out for special abuse?

Like insurance agents and Realtors, Network Marketers are independent contractors who get paid commissions for distributing products and services in the marketplace. In all three industries, the big money is made by recruiting others to join your network of distributors, thereby enabling you to earn bonuses, commissions, and overrides on others’ time and efforts. The bigger your network of active associates, the bigger your paychecks.

Heads of insurance agencies and owners of real estate brokerages are respected members of the business community. Everyone knows a Realtor or insurance agent. Yet both industries have sky-high drop out rates.

• 50% of new Realtors don’t renew their licenses after the first year.

• 85% of licensed insurance agents quit within 18 months.

Yet no one says insurance and real estate are scams. No one says you have to get in early to make money. No one says they’re illegal pyramids. Why? Because they’re accepted ways of doing business. Insurance and real estate are conventional businesses. Network Marketing, on the other hand, is an unconventional business. So people misjudge it and hold it to a different standard.

Mannatech’s executives say, the company is not limiting its activities to markets close to its Texas home. Mannatech now operates in 10 countries, with many more on the way as associates eagerly spread the news about glyconutrients to consumers. While other firms might dread the thought of dealing with a multitude of consumers with unfamiliar shopping habits, Mannatech has found that its existing business model — network marketing — works effectively in almost any culture.

What's New?

From Mannatech Inc. :

Tracking Shipments:

The ability to track your shipments from the order detail page, under “Manage my Orders,” will be linking directly to the shipping carrier for US, Korea and Japan. For Canada we will initially display the tracking number but you will be required to use that number to go to the shipping carrier’s website to track the actual package. In the near future we will add the ability to directly link to the carriers website from within your order detail page. In the near future we will also be adding this feature for Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Renewals:

We added your renewal business period date directly on the top of the “My Organization” page under “Manage my Business”. We previously had problems with some of our associates’ renewal dates that were incorrectly displaying renewal status. This problem should no longer be occurring.

Account Numbers:

We have put in place additional web queues/processors to ensure you are receiving your account number information within minutes. Also, you now have the ability to utilise the new associate account number and register another associate under them or set up their automatic order. Remember when you are on your “Manage my Orders” page you must click on your refresh button at the top of your web browser so that the new account number will be displayed.*

*There may be certain times when you are not able to receive the new account number or order confirmations within minutes and it would be for one of two reasons:
First, when the registration order goes on address hold for verification, or
Second, to serve you better, we designed the new website to minimise the down time and significantly improve the availability of your website. If you remember, the old site would not allow access to your secure area of the website and Success Tracker when we were doing maintenance. We are now able to do maintenance work on the website, Global View and Success Tracker without having to shut down your ability to use your website so, virtually, ordering and Success Tracker is available 24/7. If you are not receiving it within minutes either of these two scenarios is occurring.

Other issues that we have fixed include:

• Direct Debit in Canada ability to modify your Auto Order
• More details regarding orders in exception under “My Mannatech” and “Manage my Orders”
• Duplicate lines on Auto Order were incorrectly displaying
• Logged In Sponsor/Enroller emails are being sent out again.

MannaPages:

Another key focus for the next two weeks is around improvements to MannaPages with ability to browse products by product category and product detail pages to include Dr. Steve Nugent’s product videos. In addition, we are improving your ability to Manage Your Downline Automatic Orders. We will be adding several enhancements including a button so that you can “add” downline associate’s automatic orders provided you have their credit card details, the ability to sort the list by account number or name, and the ability to search the list.

Automatic Orders:

Also, as a reminder, you no longer have to cancel your automatic order to change your generation date. All you have to do is modify your automatic order under the “Manage my Orders” page, “Automatic Order” section. You have the ability to change your product s, shipping, billing and next generation date which can be moved out up to 3 BP’s. Remember, changes to your automatic order need to be made a minimum of 3 days prior to your next generation date.

We have heard reports regarding Associates receiving errors in ordering when they are using the browser “back” button. We encourage you to use the “previous” button when doing an order online.

Again, we regret any inconvenience caused to you and assure you that we are working diligently to remedy these situations as quickly as possible. As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we transition into our new computer system.

MANNAPAGE UPDATE – Landen Fredrick

There is a major effort under way to improve MannaPages based upon input from Associates and the survey results obtained from the field. Some initial key updates will be made to the shopping cart and product detail page including category pages and pricing. MannaPages will continue to be improved on an on-going basis.

From George

2007 is well underway… we are approaching the end of our first incentive qualifying period for the Global Incentive to China and we have seen great results! So many people have already qualified or are about to qualify for this trip of a lifetime and we can’t wait to see you there.

I would also like to congratulate Maureen Forrest on her amazing accomplishment of achieving Silver Presidential. Maureen’s journey is an incredibly inspiring one, and demonstrates the real opportunity that Mannatech offers. Mike Forrest, Maureen’s late husband left a legacy behind of which she has risen up to the challenge and continued to build the Mannatech business with enormous support from her close Mannatech Family. I wish Maureen all the best of luck for her future and encourage her to continue to draw on the strength of those closest to her to achieve great things.

2007 is all about the business building opportunity in Mannatech. Taking advantage of the here and now and utilizing Mannatech’s investment in road shows, product launches, aggressive PR campaigns and incentives to support you and your businesses move forward and become a huge success.

For the next few months we are encouraging you all to seize the moment. Over the past year we have set strong foundations for every serious business builder and we have optimistic views that everyone is capturing this momentum and committing themselves to their future goals and successes. It is the here-and-now that we all need to be taking an active part in because it is a combination of time and space that will never be repeated.

It is time to start living in the NOW – all of us are working hard towards a great future. So let’s make it happen together!

Best wishes

George Howden

Managing Director, Mannatech, Australia and New Zealand

From Sam

It was great to see so many new faces from Australia and New Zealand at MannaFest. Congratulations to all of you who earned that privilege. I'm sure you know why we put so much emphasis on these types of events. There is no better way for your new Associates to grasp the significance of the total Mannatech experience than attending a major event. By the way, each of you can encourage your group to begin making plans to attend this year's Australasian Convention in Sydney. The theme of the convention is, "Seize the Moment", which is so appropriate for where Mannatech sits today.

In the last couple of years we have solidified our core optimal health technologies and are working diligently to distinguish their superiority in the market while securing new technologies in the growing field of wellness. The latest example of one of these new technologies is the global roll out of our proprietary Optimal Skin Care System. The unique "Tensa" (meaning heavenly in Japanese) water provides the basis for a preservative-free, super hydrating skin care system that, once again, totally distinguishes Mannatech in the massive market.

Let me close with a special congratulations for Maureen Forrest for achieving Silver Presidential. Maureen has taken up the challenge to continue the building of her Mannatech business and her organisation has rallied behind her. Thanks Maureen for making the decision to continue impacting the lives of so many others.

God bless,

Sam Caster
Chairman and CEO Mannatech, Inc. USA

Seven Secrets for Stretching Success

1. Timing is important. No—it’s very important! Stretch slowly and deliberately. And do it somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted or distracted. Also, indoor stretching is best done on a carpeted surface.

2. Stretching is not a fashion show. Special workout outfits are trendy, but you can stretch effectively in any loose, comfortable clothing. And take our low couture approach even deeper by removing belts and jewelry before you begin.

3. “Do I hear my body talking?” Every day your body is different. You may not be able to do today what you did yesterday, or you may be able to do even more. Don’t push your body too hard—do only what you can do comfortably. Your body will tell you when you’ve had enough. Listen and heed.

4. Variety is the spice of stretching, too. From time to time, change your stretching routine. You’ll stay more interested that way, and you’ll find you’re stretching different muscles if you vary the stretches and their order occasionally.

5. No waiting to exhale. Relaxing and breathing are integral factors in any effective stretch. Inhale as you start a stretch and exhale as you relax. And always do it slowly for maximum benefit.

6. Find some tight places to get into. Before you stretch, take a quick physical inventory and identify any muscles or body areas that may seem tight. Stretch those areas most often and always stretch them first.

7. Compare yourself… but only to yourself. You’re stretching for your own health benefits, no one else’s. Don’t compare what you do with anyone else’s stretching routine. Like all exercise and other physical activities, stretching should help relax you and not be a source of extra pressure.

“Wait! You’re not done yet!” Besides helping you warm up beforehand, stretches will also help you cool down after physical activity. Including post-activity stretching as a regular part of your program will help you recover faster, minimize muscle aches and keep you feeling relaxed longer.

Failure to stretch is not an option. One of the nicest things about stretching is that you don’t have to go to a park or gym to do it. But regardless of what exercises/ activities you plan to do, you need to understand that pre-activity stretching should not be seen as an option or done only when you have extra time. Stretching is a requirement, and you should be very careful to make sure to begin any activity with a few relaxing minutes of stretching.

Whether your workout means testing your physical limits in the gym or a brisk walk around the block, you want to get maximum benefits from your activities and still be able to bounce back quickly. That's why Mannatech has developed our dynamic Performance Nutrition products. While hundreds of products are advertised to enhance performance, the key word for Mannatech is always nutrition. Real nutrition puts Mannatech Performance Nutrition Products in a class by themselves.

Healthy Moves

While renowned, dedicated athletes carry the Team Mannatech message worldwide, their vision is focused not on building new sports champions, but rather on your health, even if the closest you’ve ever been to an Olympics or Super Bowl is your TV screen. Good health—WELLNESS—is as important and achievable for you as it is for any sports hall-of-famer.

In Healthy Moves (from www.teammannatech.com) , you’ll find a wide range of enjoyable, fact-filled articles with information and tips you may wish to explore. You’ll also see Team Mannatech members’ stories that present insights and inspiration you may not find anywhere else. If something you read in Healthy Moves motivates you to make even one healthy lifestyle change, our mission will have been achieved.

Be sure to visit our Web site at www.teammannatech.com for more about Team Mannatech athletes, how to stay as healthy as possible and ideas that can enhance physical performance. Please contact us through the Web site if you have any comments or suggestions for future issues of Healthy Moves.

Butch Johnson, Coach

TEAM MANNATECH

A Unique Product

On August 16, 2005, Mannatech received a U.S. patent for the glyconutritional compound, Ambrotose® complex*, entitling Mannatech to prohibit other companies from manufacturing and distributing this breakthrough product.

I believe this patent will help Mannatech’s blend of naturally derived glyconutrients—sugars that support the immune system**—touch more lives than ever. Having the patent will also help protect consumers from imitationor “knockoff” products claiming to have the same proprietary formula as Ambrotose® complex.

But if you’re not a Mannatech Associate or shareholder, what is the importance of this patent to you? The granting of the patent allows Mannatech to protect its proprietary formula against infringement in the United States. You could join thousands of Mannatech Associates who are providing a growing number of wellness-conscious consumers with a patented product that supports cell-to-cell communication.** In addition, any existing or future products containing nutritionally effective amounts of Ambrotose® complex may be protected by this patent and patents pending.

Mannatech is committed to educating people about how glyconutrients can support health and making sure these products are always available, affordable and of the highest standards of safety and quality!

Butch Johnson, Coach

TEAM MANNATECH