We welcomed more than 200 Founders Council members and other attendees to our World Headquarters this week, and we did it in grand style. Check out some of the photos on our Amway Facebook page. And if you missed the live stream of their arrival courtesy of our Amacam, the replay is available here. Watch for more coverage in the weeks to come!

The 2013 Founders Council began today in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Tomorrow we welcome them to our World Headquarters. Here are some fun facts. Did you know…

Have you ever wondered how a global company with over 21,000 employees operating in more than 100 countries and territories handles the challenge of Information Technology? Take a look…

Last week marked the fifth annual Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups, bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and improve the human condition. Global Entreprenership Week is recognized in 120 countries.

From the Dutch government’s recognition of the important role played by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in its country to 17 connection meetings between Latina entrepreneurs in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and Chile, each participating country designs local and regional events to inspire others and help them explore their own potential.

It was the first year Guatemala celebrated GEW, and proponents in Indonesia used the week as an opportunity to try to change and improve its country’s entrepreneurial culture.

Global Entrepreneurship Week happens only once a year, but here at Amway, we celebrate our distributor force – the entrepreneurs that inspire us– every day.

Earlier this year, when the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) announced its new Global Statistical Report, our industry celebrated documented growth in both the number of direct sellers worldwide and the sales dollars they generated.

But the good news goes even deeper. According to a WFDSA blog post, written by Amway Consumer & Market Insights Lead Judy Jones, sales for our industry were up in all major regions. In Asia, they were up by 12 percent. In Europe, 4 percent; and in the Americas, 11 percent.  

In addition:

• Sixteen of the the industry’s top 22 countries reported sales growth in 2011.
• Two new countries entered the list of those reporting annual retail sales over $1 billion USD:  Turkey and Indonesia. 
• Three of the top five direct selling markets are categorized as emerging economies, including Brazil. This shows the propensity for direct selling to bring citizens to higher levels on the economic ladder.  

Certainly, the numbers tell an optimistic story – but it’s not the whole story. For that, the WFDSA publishes socioeconomic impact studies, covering the contributions our industry makes to the betterment of individuals, families and communities.

Here’s a bright note that doesn’t often make reports on employment conditions in the UK: self-employment is at an all-time high of 4.16 million.

Direct selling is part of that growth, with nearly 400,000 people working in the industry – and contributing £390 million annually to the UK economy. Just this year, Amway UK has seen 26 percent more people signing up to start an Amway business.

Direct selling often is called recession-proof, offering an income opportunity even in tough economic times. It also appeals to budding entrepreneurs, and to those looking for a flexible second income option that works around other commitments.

New shopping concepts are attracting more people to direct selling as a convenient shopping solution, too. Amway UK is pioneering a new kind of sophisticated retail experience at its refurbished London Flagship Experience Centre, where consumers can try products before they buy.

Such innovations help Amway business owners grow their businesses…a bright note all its own.

Our guest blogger is Pam Hunt.

Earlier this summer, Amway Poland participated in the Federation of Consumers Conference along with representatives of Poland’s Parliament, the European Parliament, consumer advocates, employers’ organizations and several business associations.

The conference was held to discuss new regulations proposed by the European Commission that would change methods of settling consumer disputes with companies selling goods and services inside Poland and via online, cross-border transactions.

What made Amway an ideal panelist? Our Code of Conduct; existing consumer and distributor satisfaction guarantees; and commitment to our industry’s Codes of Ethics prove that sufficient protective measures can – and do – exist when companies commit to self regulation.

Our partnership with the Polish Direct Selling Association (PSSB) and its other member companies was also lauded as an example of how entrepreneurs, working together, can positively impact consumers’ rights when they actively set and follow standards for ethical behavior, resolve disputes in a timely fashion, and tackle potential ethical issues head on.

We’re serious about the work we do - and the policies we keep in place - to protect consumers from Poland to India, Thailand and the world over. Being invited on stage to discuss these efforts is just the icing on the cake.

In the last year, Amway China was recognized for its corporate citizenship efforts and earned honors as a finalist for the US Secretary of State’s prestigious 2011 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE).

Now, Amway China has become the first direct seller to win the China Best Customer Service Award, widely recognized as the benchmark for corporate customer service.

Haier Group, 360 Buy, China Life Insurance and China Merchants Bank joined Amway China in this elite group of 2012 award winners.

‘Secret Customers’ evaluated the companies by testing more than 30 indicators of customer service through experiences in-store, online and telephone hotlines.

The awards are granted by the China Information Industry Association and China Association of Trade in Services.

We have great news.

Since 1996, Amway has offered quality consumer goods and our business opportunity to the people of Greece.  

Despite the country’s economic crisis, our business is steady.

And after a ceremonious ribbon cutting with Deputy Mayor Nikolaos Alepous, our employees and distributors are proud to announce that Amway Greece – now 16 years old – has opened a sparkling new headquarters. 

Located in the bustling Athens suburb of Maroussi, our new base of operations is designed with our distributors in mind – to help enthusiastic entrepreneurs build their businesses.

The brightly lit, colorful experience center and training facility provide distributors with an elegant space and contemporary tools to introduce different consumer segments to our nutrition, beauty and home products, and the Amway business opportunity. This exciting business site also serves to strengthen the brand of Amway – ranked as the #2 direct seller in Europe.

In the past two weeks, 15 training sessions have been conducted, and hundreds of distributors have invited their customers to show off the new space.

Congratulations to our friends in Maroussi! This is great news, indeed. 

Amway Co-Founder Rich DeVos was inducted into the Direct Selling Association (DSA) Hall of Fame in 1979. That year, Trivial Pursuit was launched as a board game and Blondie and the Bee Gees topped the U.S. musical charts. Two of Rich’s sons, Dick and Doug, were in their teens and 20s.

Yesterday, Dick and Doug also took their place among those who’ve dedicated the most time, effort and devotion to our industry. The Hall of Fame Award honors individuals who have given significant years of service and have made considerable contributions to DSA, Direct Selling Educational Foundation (DSEF), and the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations; and have shown commitment to the future of the entire sales channel.

It is considered the industry’s highest honor, but it wasn’t the evening’s only acknowledgement.

The DSA also bestowed, for only the second time in history, its Lifetime Achievement Award. It was given to Rich for the remarkable contributions that he, along with Jay Van Andel, have made to the industry over the years.

DSA President Joe Mariano fittingly ended the evening’s celebration with these words: “May we all continue to change lives, make the world a better place, and inspire entrepreneurs – the dreamers and the doers who move our industry forward and keep it strong.” At Amway, we certainly plan to. After all: Like father, like sons.