My name is Phil Zulli and I want to offer some comments on the significant events that are happening with Seasilver this week. Once you understand the history of these kinds of actions, and the way Seasilver has responded to the challenge you'll be excited about our future.
I have been a full-time networker of nutritional and natural health products for more than 18 years, and a national trainer since 1989. I produced and hosted the top recruiting conference calls for some of the fastest growing companies in the early 90's. I have also served as VP Sales for an MLM company, and I do consulting work for the industry. I have experienced first hand what happens both out in the field, and inside a company during the ups and downs of the network marketing process.
I am a brand new Seasilver distributor. I joined last Thursday June 12th, so I have no downline or customers to protect. And no one from Seasilver asked me to write this. My comments are unbiased, based on my years of experience.
I finally made the decision to join Seasilver after watching its growth for 3 years. I am excited to be a part of a solid well-run company, with a truly beneficial whole-food organic product that has captured the imagination of the American consumer. I have always been a strong advocate for natural health, it is my passion.
My marketing challenge in recent years has been to create an awareness of, and desire for, quality nutritional products in a marketplace where cheap, inferior products sell off the shelves in Wal-Mart and local supermarkets like hotcakes.
As I watched Seasilver explode in sales 2000% in the last two and a half years I was impressed. It's not just the product; it's the total package. Seasilver's remarkable attention to servicing its customers and distributors has set a bold new standard in our industry. The compensation plan is simple to understand, provides up-front money without ripping people off on "training" expenses, and provides a very significant residual income for anyone who consistently works the business by introducing new people to the product. And the smart investments on infrastructure, like multiple distribution centers and phone centers, ensure the long-term vision.
Seasilver is an amazing 21st century company!
I write this to speak to visitors to this forum who are trying to understand what this FTC action means to their business. I want to tell you that I am Certified by the American Nutraceutical Association to train MLM distributors and others on proper marketing methods and language under DSHEA, the Dietary Supplement Education Act of 1994.
It is my opinion that the marketplace in general has become very lax regarding claims made for nutritional and natural health products. There are many companies that are way over the top when it comes to health claims. Seasilver was not singled out because it's claims were the most grievous violation of the written laws, they are not. This action comes because of Seasilver's high visibility and success in the marketplace.
Also remember this; it is not an issue of whether the claims are true or not, it is simply an issue of whether the law permits it. There is a big difference between those two things. I believe that Seasilver's health claims are true.
There is also a difference between claims made by the company, and claims made by distributors in the field. The internet has given an international voice to anybody who can type. As distributors, we must respect the law and protect our opportunity. If you have a website that promotes Seasilver, please remove all claims and testimonials until the company approves your site. And please comply with requests to send your brochures or literature back to the company for replacement if asked. These things will help us get back in business quickly.
FTC again announced this year its intention to clean up false claims made on the internet. This is a good thing when it actually protects the innocent people who use the internet to make buying decisions. The action against Seasilver is a part of this larger campaign to send a message to all companies. Seasilver, by virtue of its phenomenal growth, was an irresistible target. When Seasilver reaches its agreements with FTC regarding labeling and marketing materials this week or next, it will be back to business, with a smooth clear road ahead of us. That is exciting!
I am glad it happened now. It is very common for big nutritional MLM's to go through this process. I personally experienced it with Herbalife, Nikken, and a few others. Amway and Nu-Skin had their share of regulatory challenges as well. And all are billion dollar companies now. Seasilver will weather this storm more easily than those examples, I predict, and we will return quickly to bringing the Seasilver Foundational Health Program and opportunity to the consumers, who need it badly.
Be proud to be a part of the Seasilver phenomenon. Be happy that this inconvenience to us happened now instead of later. Be patient in these next few days while the details are being worked out. You know what Seasilver is and what it can do, and that won't change. The wonderful contents of the bottle were never in question; just the marketing materials. Remember that some of these regulators still reflect the same thinking as the pharmaceutical companies did 20 years ago; that nutritionals don't work. Today, of course, the pharmaceutical companies are starting up nutritional divisions as fast as they can. I wonder why the big pharmaceutical company owned nutritional companies never get caught up in regulatory action? Hmmmm
Seasilver will still give the same powerful results as it always did. We will still be able to tell people about its unique benefits. The major change will simply be the specific language we use to tell the Seasilver story, and the company will tell us exactly what is permissible.
I am more excited about the coming years with Seasilver than I have been about anything since the beginning of my career. I encourage you to keep a positive perspective and do your best to make sure that your distributors and customers who are concerned about the FTC complaint have all the facts. On the FTC website it states clearly that "The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant actually has violated the law. The case will be decided by the court." That court date is next Thursday and when Seasilver is given the chance to defend itself, this bump in the road will be behind us. The new labeling is already being printed.
The phenomenal growth of Seasilver is supported by the vision and actions of Bela Berkes and the excellent team he has assembled; but it is driven by us, the distributors. It is our enthusiasm for the product results, our desire to help the people around us understand the power of this foundational health program that has made this growth possible. Don't lose that enthusiasm to a regulatory action based on the FTC complaint. Remember the results you have seen with your own eyes and felt in your own bodies. And get ready to share that knowledge with everyone you can.
Most importantly, don't forget how it made you feel today when you thought it was over. Go back to work next week with a new appreciation for this wonderful opportunity that we have to really change peoples lives. I can tell you that it is rare, and precious.
Best wishes to you all as you help others to discover the wonderful benefits of Seasilver!
PHIL ZULLI
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