What is the impact of COVID19 on Direct Selling (DS) Industry? COVID-19 is an encounter on the global economy with an uncertain ending. From tapping on the true poten al of resources to the op mized governance, the impact of COVID-19 spares none. As is with any other industry, Direct Selling (DS) Industry is also affected. Indian market is yet to cope-up with the economic infla on and the st u b b o r n l y l o w e co n o m i c growth resulted by its impact. Absence of mee ngs and uncertainty about when it can be restored will have an adverse impact on direct selling industry. Many companies and leaders may perish. However, on the brighter side, society is a superorganismic structure. It adapts and evolves. Direct Selling Industry will also thrive.
OVERCOMING
COVID-19 COVID-19 is an encounter on the global economy with an uncertain ending. From tapping on the true potential of resources to the optimized governance, the impact of COVID-19 spares none. As is with any other industry, Direct Selling (DS) Industry is also affected.
How can the Direct Selling Industry cope with the effects of COVID-19? For the industry to survive without worst damage, the G ove r n m e nt h a s to co m e forward to support. It has to support the industry, companies and distributors. Interest free long-term loans should be given to DS then during this lock down period which will help companies to survive. By avoiding TDS deduc on for distributors un l a certain period will definitely help small level distributors to get more money in their hands during this period.
Mr. CA ANZAR (CHAIRMAN, INDUSVIVA)
AND
ADV. ABHILASH THOMAS (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, INDUSVIVA)
What should be the ac on plan of Direct Selling Industry post COVID-19 lockdown? There is no quick end to the situa on. Restric ons and isola ons have to be con nued. Social distancing has to be maintained. During COVID-19 the industry has to adapt and evolve. Post the lockdown, it should be able to move forward in an escalated direc on. If human beings failed to move forward from Stone Age, the
possibili es would have remained hidden. It is the responsibility of the industry to unravel the possibili es. We are expec ng a consolidaon in direct selling industry a er lock down. Unlike other industries it won't be in corporate level but in leaders' level. Many leaders may leave the exis ng companies and joining hands with more stable companies in the industry. This is good for industry. What are the successful steps taken by your Direct Selling En ty to ensure corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the benefit of the society in general? We began the CSR ac vi es on account of COVID-19 by sponsoring 100 pcs each of our own manufactured sani zers to the Central Government, and to every State Government and UTs in the Na on. We encouraged, and with the help of our distributor base could share our products having high health and immunity benefits with the Health Care Wings and police on duty. Our distributor leaders were asked to support the Government Volunteers in the area. You can imagine about remote villages in Nagaland, or Manipur, where these are highly in need. We could reach them out with financial aids. It's an honor to do genuine gestures of kindness that need no praise. On April 22, 2020, Earth Day, a na on-wide campaign which includes plan ng saplings, recycling plas c, introducing more zero-carbon foot print ideas and related in-house ac vi es was conducted under I n d u s V i va ' s G re e n P l a n e t Ini a ve. Go Green and treat the root cause, that's our moto. Have you set up an in-house Crisis Management Core team to tackle the communica on strategy for your distributor network? Yes, we have an in-house Crisis
Management Core Team, more like the strategic risk management wing , consis ng of a highly efficient group of managers, represen ng the three major departments that can work miracles through the digital pla orm. Apart from the convenonal means of communica on through Whatsapp groups or mails, Zoom conferences were implemented. We are sure that there is no communica on gap between our direct sellers and the company. We are available, always in their hour of need. That's what makes us the 'People's Company'. IndusViva has all its products cer fied by AYUSH Department, Ministry of Health, Government of India. When central government published the list of essen al commodi es that can be transported during COVID-19 lockdown, i t i n c l u d e d AY U S H c e r fi e d products, because they have valid health benefits. We got approval
from the central government and most of the state governments to deliver the products. The circulars of the Central Government also favored us in the produc on and dispatch of our products. Since we have our own manufacturing units, and R&D facili es, a high-end and stabilized means of standing strong through the lockdown, we ed up with reliable courier services that carried forward our dispatches. Our payouts are only through online transfers. They are being paid directly to the direct seller's verified bank account every week. What are the methods adopted by your marke ng team to ensure sales in tough mes? How are you tapping your Loyal Distributors/Customers in these difficult mes? IndusViva had always bolstered economic safety measures throughout the pandemic. It
implemented a handful of translatable steps to tackle the concerns of its distributors regarding the sales. The major concern is the inability of our direct sellers to go out and meet new prospects or to train the exis ng team and lead them to prosperity through one on one and team ac vi es. We began with online conferences, team mee ngs, trainings and conducted orienta ons through Zoom. We trained the Diamond Club to effec vely take Zoom mee ngs forward and it had its high impact among our people. It bought back all the confidence and enthusiasm. All suppor ng materials for the sales and trainings are provided to our distributors, for them to adapt and transform. They understood and adapted. We have already won the ba le when it comes to the loyalty and trust.
ONCE A VIVAITE, ALWAYS A VIVAITE!
For Direct Seller On The Go...