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THE DIRECT SELLING TITAN THAT JUST KEEPS GROWINGSUCCESS FROM HOMEACNFUN. FAMILY. OPPORTUNITY.FIND IT ALLWITH ACN!VOLUME 15 ISSUE 5 MAY 2019GET INSPIREDEVERYDAY ENTREPRENEURSA WORLD OF OPPORTUNITYACN SUCCESSCREATE A GLOBAL BUSINESSACN CONTINUES ITSSTORIESWITH DIRECT SELLINGINTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
PROUD OF ITS PAST AND POISED FOR THEFUTURE, ACN IS POSITIONED FOR A NEWLEVEL OF SUCCESS.B YD A V I DC .J U S T I N
ACN’s TOP LEADERS EMBRACEGROWTHthrough THEHERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGESNEX TGEN INITIATIVE.15
Evolving.16 SUCCESS FROM HOMEAGILITY, INNOVATION,RESPONSIVENESSAs the world’s largest direct seller of telecommuni cations, energy and essential services for homes andsmall businesses, ACN has made its mark by providingcustomers with an outstanding value on the servicesthey need and use every day and individuals with anincredible business-building opportunity marketingthose services. As time passes and technology evolves,ACN follows suit, shedding old services and adoptingnew ones.“One of our greatest strengths is our ability to remainagile,” says Stevanovski. “Who knows where we’llbe 25 years from now, but whatever people consideressential—the things they can’t live without—that’swhere we’ll be, offering a better alternative and value.”(Continued on page 17)HOXTON/TOM MERTON/HOXTON/GETTY IMAGESThat’s the word that best describes ACN. With a richhistory that spans more than 26 years in the directselling industry, ACN has never stopped evolving inorder to meet customer needs and provide a premierbusiness opportunity. The company’s unprecedentedsuccess and dedication to its Independent BusinessOwners (IBOs) and customers has helped them growfrom a small company reselling long distance servicesto a global powerhouse operating in 26 countries acrossfive continents and with more than 4 billion in salesover the last five years.But before a ll the success and expansion, theco-founders of ACN—Greg Provenza no, Rober tStevanovski, Tony Cupisz and Mike Cupisz—decidedto never run their company like everyone else. Theyestablished ACN on simple core concepts that continueto drive the success of the company today: operate withintegrity, follow solid business practices and commit toalways put their people and their customers first.While their devotion to these core beliefs has neverwavered, the founders have never allowed the companyto become stagnant or complacent. Change is justas much a part of the company culture as their firmcommitment to their customers and IBOs.
(Continued from page 16)To emphasize that point, ACN launched the newestevolution of their dynamic company, NextGen, whichled the company to re-evaluate every aspect of itsbusiness. Absolutely nothing was off the table. Thingsthat weren’t working, were shed. And things that didwork were evaluated holistically so they could be madeeven better.With new, streamlined state-of-the-art businessbuilding tools, its best-ever compensation package andhighly coveted services, NextGen accomplishes threemajor initiatives:1. Streamline and enhance the customer andIBO experience2. Increase the number of new and existing IBOsthat make money every month3. Dramatically increase residual income—fromnew IBOs to senior leadershipM A S K O T / M A S K O T / G E T T Y I M A G E SBUTTERFLY HUNTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM“Old ways won’t open new doors,” Provenzanoexplains. “It’s time to take ACN to the next level.NextGen does just that.”“ONE OFour GREATEST STRENGTHSIS OUR ABILITY TO REMAIN AGILE.”—ROBERT STEVANOVSKI,ACN CHAIRMAN AND CO-FOUNDERIMPROVEMENTS ACROSSTHE BOARDACN wanted to enhance the customer and IBOexperience across all major touchpoints and platforms.One of the first areas it targeted was the company’sweb presence. In the past, ACN ran several differentwebsites for various aspects of their business.With NextGen, ACN consolidated their variouswebsites into a single powerful site, streamlined,simplif ied a nd capable of reaching customersregardless of where they live and how they accessinformation.To give customers the best online experiencepossible, t he new website feat ures simplif iednavigation and a responsive design that lets IBOsand customers easily find information about ACN’sservices, history, philanthropic endeavors and mediacoverage from any device.Simply put, it’s everything an IBO needs to sell andeverything a customer needs to decide—all in oneconvenient location.Training and support for new and existing IBOs werealso overhauled as part of the NextGen initiative.New IBOs receive custom communications drivingthem through each step of the training process. ACNlays out specific steps to help them hit key milestonesand progress rapidly from Day 1.ACN has also streamlined the path to initial bonuses,meaning IBOs can qualify faster and with just afew customers. All necessary tools and training areprovided right from the start.Existing IBOs can a lso benefit from the ACNDevelopment Center, a subscription based service thatprovides ongoing training as they advance in theirbusiness. Guided tutorials keep IBOs informed ofchanges. The content is relevant and fun, which helpsIBOs stay engaged and motivated.GAME-CHANGINGCOMPENSATION INCENTIVESFor IBOs, ACN has provided an opportunity for tensof thousands of people all over the world to build abusiness of their very own with fewer costs and risks ascompared to traditional business. There’s no overheadrequired to maintain inventory and no monthly quotas.But the true power of the ACN opportunity lies inhow its IBOs get paid. By offering family and friendsan alternative to the services they can’t live without,IBOs can create a business that provides them withresidual income.17
EACN WAS RECENTLY HONORED by Inc. magazine andnamed as one of their Private Titans for 2018.The inaugural list of the top 1000 Largest Iconic AmericanPrivate Companies spotlights companies that thrive ingrowth, innovation and relevance while resisting thetemptation to go public.“This is such a prestigious recognition,” ACN Co-FounderGreg Provenzano said. “This puts ACN in the samecategory as some of the most recognized and respectednames in the American business landscape.”Renowned companies joining ACN on the inaugural list areiconic and include S.C. Johnson and Levi Strauss along withinspiring innovators such as Clif Bar and Yeti.very time an IBO acquires a customer,t hey ea r n a percent a ge of t hei rcustomer’s bill month-after-month,year-after-year for as long as theyremain an ACN customer. That’s thepower and longevity of residual income. The morecustomers they acquire, the higher of a percentage theycan earn; and the more their residual income grows.Plus, as an IBO introduces other people to the ACNopportunity, and when they acquire customers, theirresidual income continues to grow.As part of ACN NextGen, ACN has changed theircompensation plan to better reward the IBOs at everylevel within the company. Included in the new planare customer acquisition bonuses for brand new IBOs,increased monthly personal acquisition bonuses fornew and existing IBOs and fast start bonuses to helpthem build teams faster. Plus, a new designation, RVPGold, has been established to reward higher-levelleaders with an additional commission.“It’s all about getting the IBOs to acquire morecustomers, which will obviously increase everyone’sincome,” Tony Cupisz explains. “The bonuses keepthem engaged in the business and give them theincentives they’re looking for.”HIGH-DEMAND PRODUCTSAND SERVICES“THIS PUTS ACNin THE SAME CATEGORY AS SOMEOF THE MOST RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED NAMESIN THE AMERICAN BUSINESS LANDSCAPE.”—GREG PROVENZANO, ACN PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER18SUCCESS FROM HOMEAs technology changes, so, too, does ACN. When thecompany first started, the mainstay product was longdistance service and the latest rage was paging services.From there, the company transitioned to digital phoneservices. Keeping an eye to the future, ACN beganoffering video communication before anyone heard ofFaceTime or Skype. Today, the company offers highdemand energy, telecommunication and essentialservices for both residential and business customers—the services customers simply won’t live without.With the opening of each new market across theglobe, ACN has adapted to new languages, new cultures
TIMELINE1993 – 2003 Establishes North American HEADQUARTERSin Farmington Hills, Michigan Offers customers its FIRST SERVICE—longdistance service—before moving on to otherproducts and services INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION begins inCanada before moving on to the UnitedKingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, theNetherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway,Finland and Italy Inc. magazine recognizes ACN as the 22NDFASTEST GROWING COMPANY within its firstfive years. Celebrates 10-YEAR anniversary2004 – 2014 INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION continues intoAustralia, New Zealand, France, Belgium,Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Poland, the CzechRepublic, Hungary, Korea and Mexico, whileopening regional headquarters in South Koreaand Mexico City Offers energy services through XOOM ENERGY FLASH WIRELESS is launched through thecompany’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Builds its own DIGITAL PHONE SERVICE NETWORK Introduces VIDEO PHONES New world HEADQUARTERS opens in Concord, NorthCarolina The Direct Selling Association honors ACN with theSUCCESS AWARD for outstanding achievement Ronald McDonald House opens in Charlotte, NorthCarolina, with support from ACN Nexera ranks ACN #3 on its list of top 25 directselling companies Direct Selling News ranks ACN as one of the top 25DIRECT SELLING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD ACN’s Co-Founders receive the Direct Selling NewsBRAVO AWARD for outstanding leadership Celebrates 20-YEAR anniversary Launches the STRIVE FOR 5 referral program, givingIBOs the opportunity to receive their essentialservices for free“WITH ITS NEX TGEN MENTALITY, ACNHAS RE-EVALUATED EVERY ASPECTOFits BUSINESS. ABSOLUTELYMOMO PRODUCTIONS/ DIGITALVISION/ GETTY IMAGESNOTHING WAS OFF THE TABLE.”and new geography, while keeping the brand andthe mission consistent. That means a deep level ofinvolvement on behalf of the founders as they continueto research and explore new markets.“Any time we launch a new country, it’s initiated atour world headquarters in North Carolina,” explainsMike Cupisz. “As co-founders, we remain steadfast inour commitment to be very hands on and to be the faceof the company in all 26 countries.”NEW PRODUCTS MEETCHANGING NEEDSAs ACN continues their evolution with NextGen,they’re offering new services, products and bundles.Their new Flash Activation and Support Team(F.A.S.T.) offers a seamless activation service forR M H C 19
TIMELINE(C ont .)2015 – 2018 PROJECT FEEDING KIDS launches,providing meals for 1.5 millionunderprivileged children withinthe first year LAUNCHES operations and opensregional headquarters in Japanand Colombia XOOM Energy expands into Canadaand Japan During a three-year period, XOOM EnergyRECORDS a sales growth of over 16,000% XOOM Energy RANKS #1 in energy and#13 overall in the 2015 Inc. 500 XOOM Energy is recognized as the2016 RETAIL ENERGY PROVIDEROF THE YEAR REVENUE reaches 4 billion over thelast 5 years LAUNCHES ACN COMPASS, the firstmobile app of its kind in the industry PARTNERS with AT&T to offer bundledservices Celebrates 25-YEAR anniversary Named one of the top 1000 LARGESTICONIC AMERICAN PRIVATE COMPANIESby Inc. magazineFlash Wireless customers. Customers can now signup over the phone in a simple 3-step process. With thisnew support service, customers are guided at everystep. ACN recognized that installation and activationoften created problems—for both customers andIBOs. F.A.S.T. alleviates those concerns by providingtechnical support from specially trained professionals.ACN has launched another ser vice, IDSea l, acomprehensive identity protection service. IDSealprovides identity theft monitoring, fraud resolution,Social Security monitoring and more for a reasonablemonthly fee. As Provenzano shares, “It’s an incrediblysimple service to provide and extremely important toeveryone. We know it is a game changer.”While these services are a great deal for ACNcustomers, they’re just part of the new streamlinedacquisition opportunity that NextGen has opened upfor IBOs.“We have developed this opportunity because wedon’t want anyone to miss their moment,” Provenzanosays. “With NextGen, the only way you lose is if you gettired and stop or life gets in the way and you quit.” 2019 – BeyondInc. Magazine recognizes ACN as a2018 Private Titan ACN NEXTGEN Launches—resulting ina total transformation of ACN, designedto propel the company into the future LAUNCHED IDSeal, F.A.S.T. Activationfor Flash Wireless with devices throughBest Buy and High-Speed InternetService with Spectrum MUCH, MUCH more to come!ANNEBAEK/E /GETTY IMAGES 20SUCCESS FROM HOME
INTERVIEWwith theCO-FOUNDERSG R EG PROVE N Z A N O, RO B E RT STE VA N OVS K I , TO N Y CU PI SZ A N D M I K E CU PI SZ“WE DON’T SUCCEED UNLESS IBOs SUCCEED.WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.”Is there anythingyou would have donedifferently over thepast 26 years with ACN?“how” we do what we do.We asked ourselves, “Howcan we do what we’ve beendoing, only better?” AndIn short, the answer is no.It’s easy to look back andOwners (IBOs) historically have shownsay you would do things differently,they’re willing to dig in and do thebut we would never wish away ourwork. What NextGen does is make thatmistakes. We are who we are, becausework less complex, more accessibleof those mistakes. A valuable lesson isand more visible.often wrapped in the form of a messywas born.From top to bottom, what doesNextGen mean for ACN IBOs?We always ask ourselves one simpleyet powerful question: is it good formistake. It’s the mistakes that makealways been part of ACN—customerthe success sweeter.acquisition, building a team,our IBOs, their customers and thecapitalizing on training. With NextGen,company? If the answer to even oneemphasis early on is improperly put onIBOs and their prospects will haveportion of that is a “no,” then it’s off thewinning, winning big and winning now.easier access to all these resourcesWe’ve always strived for long-term,and can spend more time on thetable. NextGen is about streamlininglasting success. It’s about buildingdetails of growing their businesses.A lot of times in business, thea foundation, which means havingand enhancing the customer and IBOexperiences, increasing the numberof IBOs—both new and existing—the short term but for years to come.How does NextGen set youapart from other relationshipmarketing companies?Not every decision led to an immediateRegardless of the season ACN is in,IBO. But ACN NextGen is really aboutwin. Not every decision turned outwhat truly sets us apart remains theso much more than that. It’s aboutthe way we’d envisioned. But fromsame: the simplicity of our servicesan IBO knowing beyond a shadoweach of those situations has comemodel. IBOs don’t have to convinceconsumers to purchase products theyof a doubt that they have alignedopportunities.patience to see an initiative take rootand patience to nurture it.not just forMALIJA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COMIt’s the same concepts that havefrom there, ACN NextGenWhat kind of impact willNextGen have on thefuture of ACN?In its simplest terms, ACN NextGentakes what we do in ACN andstreamlines it. Independent Businessdon’t need or can’t afford. Regardlessof the economy, people still pay a cellphone bill every month; they still payan electricity bill, a phone bill—andcertainly Internet and TV bills.ACN NextGen is not about changing“who” we are but simply re-evaluatingthat make money every month andincreasing the residual income of everythemselves with a company that isalways looking to be better and tocreate better opportunities. We don’tjust focus on the next few months oryears—we think in decades.We don’t succeed unless IBOssucceed. We’re all in this together. 21
As technology changes, so, too, does ACN. When the company fi rst started, the mainstay product was long distance service and the latest rage was paging services. From there, the company transitioned to digital phone services. Keeping an eye to the future, ACN began o ering video communication before anyone heard of FaceTime or Skype.
