About the Author:
Few people in the direct sales/mlm industry have achieved the credentials of Dr. Keith
Laggos. Dr. Laggos is not only respected for academic achievement in economics and
marketing, but also for his hands on practical accomplishments in the direct sales
industry. Having started his experience in direct sales as an Amway distributor in 1971,
he has gone on to hold corporate and management consulting positions. In 1986, Dr. Laggos
founded the leading trade journal in the industry, Money Maker’s Monthly,
where he has served many years as publisher and editor in chief. He went on to found the
newstand magazine, Wealth Building, that focuses on industry issues, as well as the
Direct Sales Journal, a journal focused on the issues of corporate management in
the direct sales industry. Along the way he has lectured extensively at trade meetings and
in the university setting. He has co-sponsored the well received multi-year industry
conference series, The MLM Entreprepreneur Series as well as the corporate oriented
series, Starting and Running the Successful MLM Business. He brings to the
practical world of direct sales impeccable academic credentials, including a masters
degree and Ph.D in economics, as well as an M.B.A. in management and marketing.
The Book:
His first academic book, Direct Sales An Overview, is a seminal work in the direct
sales industry. It is the first comprehensive college textbook on the direct sales
industry. For those who are seriously interested about the business, this is essential
reading.
The book methodically dissects direct sales as a method of distribution. Almost 200
pages, alone, are devoted to a detailed discussion of the various types of direct sales
compensation plans, traditional, uni-level, matrix, stairstep/breakaway and matrix. Along
with excellent illustrations, each type of plan is outlined with respect to its unique and
differentiating features, its goals and objectives, as well as its strengths and
weaknesses.
The book provides an excellent chronicle of the history of direct sales from the
earliest time periods through multiple stages leading to the present. In addition to
covering the development of the U.S. direct sales industry, the book explains the
phenomenal growth of the industry on a global scale. Beyond structure itself, Dr. Laggos
focuses on product considerations as well as issues of technology and media impact on the
direct sales industry.
Chapter 6 of the book is written by contributor, Jeffrey Babener, of mlmlegal.com,
legal counsel for many of the leading companies in the direct selling industry. The focus
of the chapter is the legal environment of the direct sales industry, discussing leading
cases and legislation at both the federal and state levels.
Dr. Laggos has penned this as the first of a series of five college level textbooks on
the direct sales industry. When the series is complete, it is his intention that the
series will offer a comprehensive standardized curriculum to those marketing majors who
wish to focus on direct sales.
Rating:
Out of five stars, this book deserves a five star rating. Dr. Laggos has made a
tremendous and enduring contribution to the direct sales industry. |