the lunch today with two young guys working in that screwed up "mlm" company was quite an interesting one. they are obviously new employees, trying to follow what their leaders told them to do: be confident and sell yourself, yet at the same time not knowing how the company really works and are prone to losing temper when we question a bit "too much". after that meeting we discovered some stuff about this so called sunshone empire (not the real name.) sunshone empire is affiliated to newtriend (not the real name), set up by mr. jakky from newtriend (not his real name.) and here is a bit of info about this jakky guy (sorry, i can't help but bad mouth him for being the idiot he is). originally a student from nus business, he dropped out after telling the dean straight in the face that the dean lives a sad life. he joined newtriend and rose quickly in its company positions, and became a "god" in that company. almost all newtriend members i know practically bow down and worship him, and have orgasmic attacks when his name is mentioned. i had the "privilege" of meeting him when i was introduced to newtriend some 3 years ago. i was said to be extremely lucky since he was always a busy guy at the top of the chain and it's incredibly rare to bump into him. he told me that i would not get a job in the future when i told him i would be studying chemical engineering. he also told me that if i could not decide whether to join newtriend immediately, he would not want me because i would be an "indecisive" guy who is incapable of great things. i noticed several people jotting down his words on notepads as he spoke.

thank God i was one who would resist when people try too hard to push their ideas on me!

back to the main story, this jakky guy has been involved in a project on wireless technology in taiwan which is sure to reap in much profits (the survey done by them had 100% positive results from the residents in taiwan when asked if they would like such a technology in their area - only thing is, there is no regulation and the sample size is unknown.) well, newtriend and other related "companies" have lots and lots of funding, enough to fund this whole project, but because the company "wants people to earn money as well", they decide not to fund everything, but leave 75% of the funding for interested people to chip in. they will put in money for the company and will get a 150% monthly rebate. note: it's not investing; it's giving money to earn a membership status in the company which will allow discounts in the company products including aromatherapy products and possibly specs-less brandless laptops. now, back to the project. it's broken up in phases, and the last phase would be the construction of the wireless infrastructure. after the construction is done, there is sure to be a profit - the company will NEVER make a loss (according to that guy in the meeting) and 800% will be given out to all its members within a certain period of time. it also has a self-created "stock price" (which isn't registered in the stock index, fyi) which is determined by none other than the company itself and it's sure to rise, but we really shouldn't call it a "stock price" because it's main purpose is to serve as an indication to other people that the company is doing really well. so the basic thing is, we are supposed to buy "lots", costing $600 each, and will get back $900 as a reward for being a member of sunshone empire, and in a few years time, we will receive back the 800% profits in instalments. of course if we want to be "gold" members we can psycho other people to buy lots as well, and we will earn even more! or if we buy more "lots" we get more rebates which is an attractive 150%! here are the problems: 1) about the 150% monthly rebate. the guy said it's because the company has a lot of money and wants to reward us. but seriously, we chip in $600 and get back $900.... what's up with that? 2) the survey itself couldn't even be trusted, how can they guarantee that there will be a profit? and 800%... that's a really ambitious estimation. 3) what's up about the self-created share price? when we brought up these issues, one of the guys got really defensive and lost his temper, and kept emphasising that it is such a good deal and that we shuldn't question it at all. and that he is "only" an agent and a partner and does not know all the admin stuff. maybe the guys are newcomers and made out the plan to be more fishy that it really is. but to have its employees telling us about such nebulous schemes but not knowing the full picture themselves already shows how shady the company is. it is not even telling its employees the truth! and people still fall for it. and it's sad because the guys seem really nice if not for their job; it's most likely due to the brainwashing from the top people that they had such priorities in their life. i really hope that guy was joking when he said he would give up his place in ntu to pursue this as a career! just for those who are considering joining an mlm company, here is a useful syllabus outline of a typical MLM company: at the end of the course, employees should learn: 1) how to set one's life goals (which is mainly to earn $$ and more $$) 2) how to speak more confidently (as in to be more persuasive in selling your ideas and earn $$ and more $$) 3) how to not slack your life away (and seize every chance to earn $$ and more $$) 4) how to make a difference in your life and not take the traditional route - normal occupations are mundane jobs getting a fixed pay, there is no chance to earn extra $$ and more $$ 5) that to be successful is to make lots of $$ and more $$ - anyone who doesnt earn as much is not as successful. i'm not self-righteous; neither am i a blue-nosed prude. i love money and it's good to have $1000000 in my wallet. but it's just not very right to let $$ change your views so drastically. while people joining mlms are completely identifiable (mostly straight out of jcs/ poly, serving ns and realise the true value of money and purchasing power, that's OK), the danger is to stay in the company for too long and before you know it, you are a changed man. fortunately, though, most people just join for the experience, and quit after a brief stint. the main villains are the geniuses who thought of these ideas - which is why i am still slightly on the side of my friend who has taped our conversation and intends to question the CAD about the legality of this company.