Neil Spiers, Vice President of Herbalife North Europe and Africa, recently visited South Africa to celebrate the company's success in the region and launch a new product line. During interactions with over 1,800 distributors, Spiers emphasized the importance of ongoing training and support provided by Herbalife to motivate distributors to succeed. Herbalife has expanded operations in South Africa by opening new distribution centers, nearly doubling its staff, and sales are growing at a double digit rate despite economic challenges. Spiers attributes Herbalife's success to the drive and motivation of its direct sales force.

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Herbalife Vice President, North Europe and Africa,
Neil Spiers was recently in South Africa to celebrate
the success of Herbalife in the southern African
region and to launch Herbalife’s high performance
sports nutrition range, Herbalife24. Despite his busy
schedule, Spiers represented the company with an
energetic and vibrant attitude.
During his stay, Spiers interacted with
approximately 1 800 international distributors
at different levels in the company. Herbalife’s
distributors that attended the conference received
training to improve their sales techniques and top
performers were rewarded for excellence. All direct
sellers receive ongoing support and training from the
company. This motivates them to excel and improves
their ability to reach new customers and expand their
presence in the market.
Herbalife is opening new sales avenues in southern
Africa. Improvements have been made to increase the
product penetration into the markets. The company
has embarked on an expansion programme and new
distribution branches have been set up in Ladybrand
and Durban, nearly doubling its staff in the country.
According to Spiers, the global nutrition company
has enjoyed significant successes over the past year
because consumers have responded exceptionally
well to the products. Despite challenging economic
conditions, its base is 20% larger than it was last year.
He says,“Herbalife sales are growing in double digits.”
Herbalife is placing an emphasis on reaching as
many consumers as possible. Spiers explains,“We
are the country’s best kept secret and are looking for
new direct sellers to help us open sales streams and
dominate the local market.”
He attributes the company’s success to the
motivation and drive of its direct sales force.“The
direct sellers recognise they are the ultimate
entrepreneurs because all the earnings they make are
100% their own.”
Herbalife offers a financially rewarding business
opportunity to those choosing to become Herbalife
independent distributors, and high-quality products
to people seeking a healthy life. It aims to change
people’s lives by providing the“best business
herbalife celebrates success
by Aiden Sookdin
ÜNews
Spiers
Neil

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clients. Herbalife representatives do not use hard
sales tactics, rather the success of the sales force
depends on constant interaction with customers.
“We do not think of ourselves as salespeople but
confidantes in whom our customers can place
their trust.”
In South Africa, there are many successful
Herbalife distributors that come from different
backgrounds. However, Spiers warns,“It does not
matter where they are from, we expect all our
distributors to conduct their business by adhering
to our rules and regulations, and the laws of their
respective markets.”
There is no reason entrepreneurs with strong
business ethics should not consider direct
marketing. The start-up costs are relatively lower
than a traditional brick and mortar establishment
and the amount of money you make depends on
the amount of time and effort you are willing to
put into the business opportunity.
Spiers says,“You are only as good as the people
you are working with.”Entrepreneurs considering
business opportunities should be very selective
about the company they choose to partner
with. Herbalife has strong controls in place and
encourages entrepreneurs to find direct selling
and multi-level marketing companies that partner
with regulatory authorities such as the Direct
Selling Association of South Africa.
Herbalife plays an active role in a large number
of industry trade organisations, including the
World Federation of Direct Selling Associations,
the Federation of European Direct Selling
Associations and more than 40 national direct
selling associations.
Another important aspect to consider is the
length of time the direct sales opportunity
has been operating in the market. Entrepreneurs
should partner with a respectable organisation
that has the ability to prove its longevity in
the market and places an emphasis on
protecting consumers. S
opportunity in direct selling and the leading nutrition
and weight-management products in the world.”The
company is driven by the needs of its distributors and
inspired by their stories.
The success of a direct sales business is driven by the
sales person’s ability to sell the products. According
to Spiers, there are a number of factors that define a
good direct seller’s personality. The most prominent of
these are the need to become an independent business
person and the ability to recognise and capitalise on
opportunities in emerging markets.
Good distributors also have a natural ability to interact
with people and build strong relationships with their
10 facts about Herbalife
1. HerbalifewasfoundedinLosAngeles,California,
byMarkHughesin1980.
2. InJuly2002,thecompanywasacquiredbyan
investorgroupledbyWhitneyCoandGolden
GateCapital.
3. InApril2003,MichaelOJohnsonjoinedthe
companyasCEO.
4. Johnsonhadspent17yearswiththeWaltDisney
Corporation,wherehedemonstratedasuccessful
trackrecordasaleaderandmanager.
5. ThecompanyhadnetsalesofUS$2.7billion
in2010.
6. ItispartoftheUS$118billionworldwidedirect-
sellingindustry.
7. HerbalifehasbeenoperatinginSouthAfricafor
16years.
8. Itsproductsaremarketedin80countriesbya
network of2.5millionindependentdistributors.
9. HerbalifehasitsownNutritionAdvisoryBoard,
madeupofleadingscientists,doctorsandexpert
nutritionists.
10.ItisafoundingmemberoftheInternational
AllianceofDietary/FoodSupplement
Associationsandafoundingmemberandboard
memberoftheEuropeanResponsibleNutrition
AllianceandtheCoalitiontoPreservetheDietary
SupplementHealthandEducationAct.•
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