Over the last 22 years, QNET has remained committed to transforming lives through its simple but life-transforming direct selling business model. In this piece, you will understand what direct selling is, the challenges the industry faces, but most importantly the awesome opportunities and tremendous impact the industry has on global and African perspectives. Additionally, you will learn how QNET is helping foster growth of the industry in Africa, empowering people economically, especially young Africans, and helping them live a better life holistically.
What is direct selling?
Direct selling originated in the United States and remains one of the main business activities of the American economy to this day. It is a global industry and one of the largely untapped solutions to the economic, health and lifestyle challenges facing Africa’s growing population today.
Global direct selling revenue reached US$180.5billion in 2019, and more than 119.9 million people worldwide participated in international direct sales in 2019 (WFDSA Report 2019) – and 5.5 million people in Africa.
Direct selling is incredibly easy. It sells products directly to the consumer without the usual long chains of middlemen or retailers. Most products sold through direct sales are usually not found in regular retail stores. This means that you can only buy through the distributor or company representative. You can do this through Internet marketing, in-person selling, direct mail, catalogues, telemarketing and other ethical marketing means.
Challenges facing the majority of West African populations
Today in West Africa, job creation is a major challenge for many governments. There is also youth unemployment. It is therefore not surprising that many West African countries have large populations of unemployed youth, with little redemption in sight.
Another dominant trend is the emergence of health and beauty consciousness, especially in recent times. The rapid proliferation of service providers such as gyms, health centres, exercise and fitness centres, dieticians etc. testifies to this. People take their lifestyles more seriously. And this only means that there is a growing market for health and lifestyle-related products and services.
Direct selling provides solutions
As previously stated, the direct selling industry originated in the United States, and for over a century it has remained one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy – generating billions of dollars each year, providing employment opportunities to millions of people and ensuring that needed products and services reach people anywhere they are. Direct selling is now practiced in many parts of the world, including Africa.
QNET promotes and supports entrepreneurship, personal development and economic growth opportunities
Through direct selling, QNET fosters the growth of individuals and small businesses and provides more financial empowerment opportunities for individuals, professionals, small business owners and workers. In a recent interaction with a group of young people, a Malian university graduate named Ali Allu said: “In the past and in parts of Africa, education was the key to success: a good job, a good salary and a better livelihood. Nowadays, while education is always a good thing, it is no longer a guarantee of success. Therefore, you have to look for opportunities and explore them. Direct selling is one of those opportunities that young people should consider taking advantage of”.
Direct selling is a credible industry, and regulators such as the US-based World Federation of Direct Selling Associations go to great lengths to adopt best practices and ensure the industry operates to the best standards. QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association of Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Spain, as well as the Hong Kong Health Food Association and Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, among others.
QNET offers a training module for its independent representatives. They are trained in entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, customer service and business development. Some of the lessons they learn are equivalent to those taught in leading business schools around the world.
The QNET Advantage
QNET has capitalised on Africa’s growing quest for education, health, wellness and beauty. With its range of personalised products, the company meets the challenges of a better lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle and well-being.
The company has also adapted its products to intercultural norms and situations, and is even willing to develop more products locally across Africa. The QNET Direct Selling Module is designed to address basic needs for financial security, healthy lifestyles, and general livelihood improvement.
Africa currently has the largest youth population in the world, and the constant search for jobs and employment opportunities, economic empowerment and a healthy lifestyle will always exist. In the coming decades, with an estimate of 200 million young people being added to Africa’s workforce, an urban population of about 770 million, and 70% Internet connected mobile subscriptions, the implication for digital commerce is clear – as a large number of people will be able to search and transact directly online through the convenience of smartphones.
QNET, one of the world’s leading direct-selling companies and partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Football Confederation (2018/2019; 2019/2020), continues to help tackle the challenges of education, job-creation, economic empowerment and improved lifestyle in over 100 countries around the world, including West Africa, through its direct selling business model.
