Viv is a utility and repair subscription primarily based MLM alternative.
The corporate relies out of Connecticut within the US and headed up by CEO Cami Boehme.
So far as MLM goes, Boehme’s Viv company bio is mild on specifics however does present some information and figures.
Cami brings depth and breadth of expertise to Viv, as a former board member and Chief Technique Officer of a $744 million vitality firm, and a former Chief Working Officer of the 59th largest direct gross sales firm on the planet.
The unnamed firm above is Viridian, of which Boehme (proper) was a “accomplice” of and Chief Working Officer.
Viridian was additionally utility primarily based MLM alternative, mixed with a journey low cost providing.
In December 2017, Viridian abruptly introduced it might be terminating MLM enterprise operations from March 2018.
Sadly it wasn’t till March itself that it emerged Viridian had been beneath investigation by the Massachusetts Lawyer Normal’s Workplace.
The Massachusetts AG’s Workplace had been investigating Viridian over the usage of “misleading advertising and gross sales techniques” to rope shoppers into “expensive contracts with excessive electrical energy charges”.
On March twenty ninth The Massachusetts AG’s Workplace introduced the conclusion of their investigation, leading to a $5 million greenback settlement with Viridian.
Based on her LinkedIn profile, Cami Boehme bailed from Viridian in November 2017.
Boehme was appointed CEO of Viv in December 2017, the identical month Viridian introduced the pending termination of its MLM operations.
Learn on for a full evaluation of the Viv MLM alternative.
Viv Merchandise
Viv combines utilities with third-party service subscriptions.
Utility associated merchandise featured on the Viv web site embody;
- AutoPilot – automated provider switching service dealt with by Utiliz (solely obtainable in sure states)
- Industrial Photo voltaic – photo voltaic set up supplied to companies by means of “business consultants” and “trade companions”
- HomeSecure – dwelling safety providers supplied by means of Alliance Safety
Pricing for Viv’s utility associated providers isn’t offered, which is honest sufficient because it’s extremely depending on what’s required from the shopper and which state they reside in.
Viv bundles third-party subscription providers beneath “Way of life Companies” branding.
Way of life Companies could be bought individually or bundled for a 50% low cost (min 3 providers);
- Conseal – id theft safety for $29.99 a month
- CreditWatch – credit score monitoring service for $19.99 a month
- CloudCache – cloud backup service for $14.99 a month
- Getaway – entry to a journey low cost portal for $29.99 a month
- MediCall – cellphone and video physician consultations for $29.99 a month
- TechRescue – phone-based tech assist for $19.99 a month
- RoadSide – roadside help for $19.99 a month
The “Even Higher Bundle” combines all seven providers for $69.99 a month.
The Viv Compensation Plan
The Viv compensation plan revolves across the acquisition of factors.
Viv associates purchase factors month-to-month by way of the sale of Viv utility and subscription providers as follows:
- AutoPilot Residential – 1 to three factors
- AutoPilot Industrial – 5 to 50 factors
- Way of life Companies – 1 to 12 factors
- HomeSecure – 7 to 10 factors
The Viv compensation is mild on specifics, however I consider factors rely from an affiliate’s personal purchases, gross sales to retail prospects and purchases by personally recruited associates.
Group factors is the sum complete of an affiliate’s private factors and that of their downline.
Viv Affiliate Ranks
There are an undisclosed variety of ranks throughout the Viv compensation plan.
Together with their respective qualification standards, they’re as follows:
- Guide 20 – generate and keep 20 private factors a month
- Guide 40 – generate and keep 40 group factors a month
- Guide 80 – generate and keep 80 group factors a month
- Promoter 160 – generate and keep 160 group factors a month
- Pacesetter – recruit and keep six Buyer Level Bonus certified associates, who every have recruited two Buyer Level Bonus certified associates, who every have recruited one other two Buyer Level Bonus certified associates
Companion and Government ranks are detailed in Viv’s compensation plan materials, nonetheless particular qualification standards shouldn’t be offered.
Buyer Level Bonus
Every time a Viv affiliate generates 30 new retail buyer factors, they obtain a $75 bonus.
For each 30 retail buyer factors generated in a Viv affiliate’s first 60 days, the Buyer Level Bonus is elevated to $150.
A residual $50 is paid out when a personally recruited affiliate qualifies for a Buyer Level Bonus (notice the receiving affiliate will need to have certified for the Buyer Level Bonus no less than as soon as).
Direct Fee
Viv associates obtain a direct fee on the sale of providers and subscriptions to each retail prospects and recruited associates.
Full direct fee charges aren’t offered, nonetheless the Viv compensation plan does present a $150 HomeSecure fee instance.
Residual Commissions
Viv pays residual commissions by way of a unilevel compensation construction.
A unilevel compensation construction locations an affiliate on the high of a unilevel group, with each personally recruited affiliate positioned straight beneath them (degree 1):
If any degree 1 associates recruit new associates, they’re positioned on degree 2 of the unique affiliate’s unilevel group.
If any degree 2 associates recruit new associates, they’re positioned on degree 3 and so forth and so forth down a theoretical infinite variety of ranges.
Slightly than present specifics, Viv’s compensation plan materials as a substitute gives common examples.
One such instance cites an annual $874 fee if two associates are recruited, who recruit two, who recruit two and so on. down 5 ranges of recruitment.
That is primarily based on every affiliate throughout the 5 instance ranges producing 20 factors every.
If 30 factors are generated, the annual residual fee will increase to $1120.
Rank Achievement Bonus
Viv rewards associates for rank qualifying with the next one-time bonuses:
- Guide 20 – $20
- Guide 40 – $40
- Guide 80 – $80
- Promoter 160 – $100 ($200 if achieved inside 60 days of signing up)
- Pacesetter and better – not offered
Era Pay
The Viv compensation plan materials mentions Generational Pay however fails to supply any particular info.
That mentioned, sometimes a technology bonus pays on quantity inside outlined generations in a unilevel group.
Management Swimming pools
Viv’s Management Swimming pools include month-to-month company-wide income that’s distributed to associates primarily based on particular qualification standards.
Bonus swimming pools cited in Viv’s compensation plan advertising materials embody
- a 2% Founders’ Circle pool;
- a 2% Companion Pool for Platinum Companion and better ranked associates; and
- a 2% Government Pool for Silver Government and better ranked associates
Becoming a member of Viv
Viv affiliate membership is $199 or $99 with the acquisition of a $69.99 Even Higher Bundle.
All Viv associates should pay a $99 annual price after their first 12 months of membership.
Conclusion
Viv makes an attempt to current itself as having one thing to do with the “gig financial system”.
By definition, the gig financial system is
a labor market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work versus everlasting jobs.
Yeah, not likely seeing how promoting solar energy to companies, advertising a utilities saving app or promoting service subscriptions matches into that.
My first impression of Viv was that it was a continuation of Viridian. After digging just a little deeper although I discovered that to not be the case.
Viridian bought utility providers itself, whereas Viv’s strategy is an automatic app comparability.
The technical distinction is that Viridian locked shoppers into contracts, which most of the time had been overpriced.
If Utiliz works the best way it’s marketed, then Viv associates ought to obtain aggressive utility charges. Do take into accout it’s a must to think about any charges Utiliz would possibly cost on high of service although.
The photo voltaic service I don’t know as particulars aren’t offered. Probably not certain how essential the photo voltaic providing is anyway, as I think about particular person Viv associates will wrestle to land important enterprise accounts.
Native companies may be an possibility however cost-benefit evaluation would possibly show prohibitive.
Shifting onto Viv’s service subscriptions, clearly these usually are not designed to be subscribed to individually and even two or three at a time.
At $69.99 for all seven subscriptions that is just about the one possibility that received’t go away you feeling ripped off (relative to the price of one or two subscriptions). And that’s clearly by design.
The hazard right here is that Viv will, for probably the most half, wind up being an MLM firm filled with associates paying $69.99 a month.
With an equal quantity or higher retail exercise going down, this isn’t an issue.
Bother is Viv’s compensation plan doesn’t require retail gross sales on any degree.
Viv associates that do attempt for retail gross sales are rewarded with a direct fee, residuals and the Buyer Level Bonus.
Except for the Buyer Level Bonus, every part else could be achieved by signing up, taking out a $69.99 month-to-month subscription after which recruiting others who do the identical.
Though not explicitly clarified in Viv’s compensation plan materials, I consider an affiliate’s $69.99 month-to-month Even Higher Bundle subscription hits required 20 level month-to-month minimal.
And that brings me to disclosure concerning Viv’s compensation plan.
The corporate does have a web page on its web site devoted to the “alternative”, however no specifics are offered.
By all means maintain the compensation plan video, nevertheless it must be supplemented with a full copy of Viv’s compensation plan. Ideally with direct entry from the Viv web site.
There are various holes in our breakdown of Viv’s compensation plan and that’s as a result of the data is solely not publicly obtainable.
Not ok guys.
Trying ahead, I additionally assume Cami Boehme in all probability wants to elucidate her well timed departure from Viridian.
I’m not suggesting something amiss (exterior of Boehme holding a key government position in an organization that was ripping off shoppers), however for anybody doing their analysis the unexplained timing isn’t an excellent look.
From the skin trying in it actually seems Boehme had some notion of what was up, bailed after which lower than a month later emerged with a brand new firm in the identical MLM area of interest.
All of that mentioned I’m undecided the place this is able to match into the Viv web site (maybe a paragraph integrated into Boehme’s company bio).
Hell for those who’re studying this Cami we’d even be completely satisfied for a retelling of what occurred within the feedback beneath. Simply to make clear the air, in any other case it’s at all times going to hold over Viv’s launch.
One factor I used to be impressed with was Viv’s 90% refund coverage. Should you join you’ve thirty days to determine whether or not Viv is for you.
Thirty days isn’t lengthy sufficient to generate important revenue for most individuals not leaping from one other firm, nevertheless it’s lengthy sufficient to get a style of Viv as a enterprise.
Earlier than you do this although I’d suggest two issues. Strive the providers for a month or two and see for those who truly use them.
If not then there may be an issue with the providers with respect to retail viability, which is an issue.
If Viv’s services and products try, you’ll subsequent need to run your potential upline’s retail numbers.
Being a points-based compensation plan, fortunately that is straightforward sufficient. What you need to discover out out of your potential upline (the affiliate you’d be signing up beneath), is what number of retail factors they’re producing every month versus their very own spend and that of personally recruited associates.
Keep in mind retail prospects usually are not associates. If somebody has paid the affiliate price, even when they’re not advertising Viv, they’re nonetheless an affiliate till their membership expires (yearly).
What you need to see is a roughly even-spread of retail factors versus factors generated by way of affiliate purchases – ideally tilted towards retail exercise.
If nearly all of factors generated are from affiliate exercise, that affiliate is working their Viv enterprise with a deal with recruitment.
Worse nonetheless, Viv runs the chance of working as a pyramid scheme if the observe is wide-spread.
Definitely the corporate’s personal advertising suggests this may be the case.
All through Viv’s advertising there’s a heavy emphasis on “serving to two, who assist two, who assist two” and so on. and so on.
That is, in impact, “recruit two, who recruit two, who recruit two” and so on. and so on.
And keep in mind, that is what Viv pitches as a “first objective” or “beginning plan” for brand new associates.
There’s no point out of retail gross sales, casting doubt on what the main target of an affiliate shall be as they construct their recruits beneath them.
One remaining thought I’ll go away you with, which is relevant to all service-based MLM corporations, is to remember the fact that nothing supplied by means of Viv is exclusive to Viv.
You’ll be able to join Utiliz your self, solar energy by means of whoever and even the service subscriptions, offered you may work out who the provider is.
The one benefit you would possibly get by means of Viv is a reduction, primarily based on what number of providers you join.
Doubtlessly cancelling any low cost out is the necessity to pay commissions. And that is of explicit relevance to something to do with utilities, which by itself is a extremely aggressive market.
Not deal breakers by any stretch of the creativeness, however essential factors to maintain at the back of your thoughts as you undergo your personal analysis of Viv.
In abstract; consider Viv’s providers your self first, confirm retail factors are being generated after which proceed with warning.
Good luck!
Replace twenty seventh January 2020 – Owing to adjustments to their compensation plan, BehindMLM printed an up to date Viv evaluation on January twenty seventh, 2020.
Replace fifteenth Might 2021 – Viv made adjustments to their compensation plan in late 2020.
Consequently BehindMLM has printed a 3rd up to date Viv evaluation.