Evaluation of a business depends upon a number of factors, these include:

Management team & company ...
Personal ability and experience of the CEO, and the team working with the CEO.... solid professional backgrounds, ethical, integrity... long-term vision for the company... financially sound (preferably debt-free)... receptive to input from the field... vertically integrated (in control of everything).... product-focused... visibility and ease of contact with CEO and management team... excellent customer service readily available when you have questions..

Product ...
consumable... high quality... has market demand... uniqueness.... efficacious... based in science.... priced right for the masses... Are the products and/or services something that people desire and will buy? .... Is there exceptional value for money offered in comparison to the competition? ... How much competition is already in that chosen marketplace for similar products?

Tools & Training ...
e-commerce websites... recorded overviews,... regular "nuts & bolts" trainings... access to back office & genealogy... Are product and marketing materials readily available to easily make professional presentations such as brochures, CDs & DVDs that get Customers Positive Attention? - - Before a customer can say YES or NO their attention must be on your offer. Are you challenged to exchange current viewpoints and methods not producing desired results, with ever-better point of views and methods that could produce more desirable results?

Timing & Trends...
positioning ahead of the major growth of the company (Is the company able to efficiently handle rapid growth?)... Is the media talking positively about the product ingredients? ... Are marketplace trends favorable for reception by enough consumers to generate high sales and profits.

Profit Margin & Compensation Plan ...
Is there enough between cost and income to create sufficient profit to warrant time and other resources invested... Is the commission plan simple to understand, lucrative, no hidden hoops & hurdles, seamless (can sponsor anyone in any country), low monthly autoship which appeals to the masses, dynamic compression, paid on dollar value and not on b.v. (bonus volume)

Time in business...
There is an old-age idea that joining any company under 5 years old is a recipe for disaster. But consider: If no-one joined anything under 5 years old, how does a Network Marketing business become 5 years old to start with?

The aforementioned factors are the most important aspects of consideration; not the amount of time that a networking business has been in operation. In most networking businesses, the start-up phase is where large amounts of money are made. The business is hot, the sizzle is starting, plus representatives and prospects are keenly interested and eager to try and buy. However, never abuse those factors because it's your credibility that will ultimately suffer, if things go wrong.

Evaluations of the most successful distributors reveals that they view growing their referral business knowledge, and earning subsequent success, as a lifelong process. They are not building for the short term success, rather they are thinking at the end for perpetual success.

That doesn't mean newcomers can't be relatively successful right away. Same for seasoned networker who is still trying to find the right formula to make it work. Keep in mind most of the foundational work has already been done by others. The challenge for most people in Referral Marketing is picking the right company with the right product, along with the system that suits their personal style, interest and skills.

A great asset of working with a mature company is that many people have already taken the arrows in the back pioneering workable business-building concepts. That can also be a roadblock, however, if you aren't provided with a simple plan that directs you in exactly how to use this knowledge. Many people who are successful can NOT explain HOW they accomplished the success. If they can NOT teach it, then new people could have many challenges in the learning curve involved in discovering what works to produce desired results.

To start, select a product or two that you feel good about. Then select two to three proven sales methods from your training materials. Concentrate on these methods, avoiding the temptation to expand. In other words, "narrowcast" rather than "broadcast" your efforts. Do the same with your sponsoring methods: Select two concepts you're comfortable with and focus on these.

The objective should be to keep the plan as simple as possible, but no simpler. In other words, don't be under-prepared, but don't also do too much. Take one step at a time. Measure your success one day at a time. Work consistently. Stay committed to your vision and goal. You will get your desired results.