July 1st 2006 Richi Roane Training Call

This page discusses the audio recording in more detail and includes memorable quotes from the leadership involved with the call.

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July 1st, 2006  Richi Roane (TMII President & owner) talks about the MadeBig site and the Beta Agent program

Richi Roane lays out details of the MadeBig site, pre-launch. Roane states that the Beta agent program was inspired by Microsoft Windows Vista beta tester sign ups. Roane mentions former Presidential Leader Mark Anthony in New Jersey, who thought that MadeBig could sign up 65,000 beta agents before launch two months later.

“You guys have no idea how big it’s going to be!” says Roane. He describes adding modules each day and then mangles the analogy about leading a horse to water.

Roane says he predicted signing up 15,000 agents before launch and Mark Anthony’s estimate could be closer.

“You’re going to have to trust me”, says Roane.

Launch is discussed and Richi says “I do not believe in training people in something that’s never been done” but then contradicts himself and says no training except if you attend the launch workshops. Those attendees will then go out and teach their network.

Richi Roane tries to defend TMII’s status as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company – he attempts to deflect criticism by poorly grouping TMII with non-MLM companies like State Farm and Amazon.

On agents who sign up but can’t network or sell, as is usual in MLM, Roane states categorically “That’s ok.” (Roane contradicted this in a rare newspaper interview in 2009, when he blamed agents and said “It’s a tough industry and sometimes when people don’t execute the program they take aim at it.”)

Roane discusses the differences between “Founders” and beta agents, such as privileges etc. Presidential Leaders Karla Roth (Pearson), John Landgon and Terry Lussier join the discussion and talk about tasks and assignments for all agents to complete pre and post launch.

“No one’s going to be upset,” promises Roane. (In fact many were upset at the launch, let alone beyond, when the entire site changed).

There follows a Q & A session on children as agents, the age limit on launch attendees and the gray area of agents who are active but under 21. More discussion of autoship and Richi says “I’m excited for you guys!”

Roane compares MadeBig to eBay and then falsely states “eBay sells nothing” (when in fact they sell sales listings and many other related services).

Everyone is encouraged to attend the launch event in Salt Lake City and Roane states “Don’t let finances be the reason you’re not here.”