Increasing entrepreneurial engagement and persistence through education and training in a virtual organization with global operations: an innovation study

The global economic crash of 2008 prompted many people to explore new entrepreneurial opportunities, including many who avoided traditional businesses and, instead, pursued multilevel marketing organizations. Many multilevel marketing organizations turn over 100% of their distributors annually. As a result, a significant issue was the persistence of these new entrepreneurs and their ability to overcome business challenges and remain engaged. This innovation study interviewed 12 seasoned global distributors in an international multilevel marketing organization. The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and skills, motivational, and organizational needs necessary for seasoned distributors to train new distributors based upon best practices principles in a standardized manner. The study confirmed several assumed needs. Specifically, findings from the 12 seasoned distributor interviews showed that seasoned distributors need to have a systematic method for providing entrepreneurial and leadership trainings to distributors to ensure they are able to lead their own global teams. Seasoned distributors also need to see the value in developing entrepreneurial and leadership trainings and prioritize education and training for their global teams to keep them engaged. An extensive literature review of engagement confirmed the negative impact of disengagement on the economy and on society. As a result, the proposed solution, a lead-the-leader training program, addresses the confirmed needs and is critical to the success of the entrepreneurs in the multilevel marketing organization. The dissertation concludes with a detailed plan for implementation and evaluation of the lead-the-leader training program.