System and method of implementing multi-level marketing of weight management products

• US 20050240434A1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Healthport Corporation (Healthport Technologies LC)
• Original Assignee: Healthport Corporation (Healthport Technologies LC)
• Inventors: Libke, Al, Wooten, Rich
• Application Number:
  US11/049,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A system and method of driving weight management product sales in a multi-level marketing environment using a body impedance data acquisition device, a weight management software program, nutritional supplements and a standardized sales pathway software program, resulting in direct sales, lead generation and new distributor sign up. A prospect'"'"'s personal information and lean body mass data are input to the weight management computer software program for determining an individualized weight management plan, where the lean body mass data are obtained using the body impedance data acquisition device. The prospect is presented weight management product packages for purchase, individualized according to the derived weight management plan and becomes a client upon purchasing a product package. The new customer is presented a business opportunity in becoming a new distributor of the weight management products and, if enlisted, is provided product discounts and sales software tools for facilitating weight management product sales.

Claims

1. A system and method of driving weight management product sales in a multi-level marketing environment using a body-impedance data acquisition device, a weight management computer software program for operating on a computer having data storage and a display, nutritional supplements and a standardized sales pathway software program, resulting in lead generation, direct sales, and new distributor sign up.

2. The system and method of claim 1 wherein the body impedance data acquisition device is for obtaining useful body composition data from the prospect and for generating prospect interest and attention.

3. The system and method of claim 1 wherein the weight management computer software program for operating on a computer having data storage and a display may be provided over the Internet or by portable data storage devices.

4. The weight management computer software program for operating on a computer having data storage and a display of claim 1 comprises an individualized weight management plan and health risk index derived from the body composition measurements and the health risk questionnaire.

5. The health risk questionnaire of claim 4 having questions comprising:

what is the number of members of the prospect'"'"'s direct family (related by birth) who have died or been diagnosed with coronary heart disease before the age of 60?

having response options □

None □

1 person □

More than 1; and

what is the number of members of the prospect'"'"'s direct family (related by birth) who have been diagnosed with diabetes?

having response options □

None □

1 person □

More than 1; and

has the prospect ever been diagnosed with any form of heart disease?

having response options □

Yes □

No; and

how often does the prospect see their physician for routine check-ups or health screenings?

having response options □

An annual basis □

Every 2 years □

More than 2 years; and

does the prospect feel that excess body fat is effecting their health?

having response options □

Yes □

No; and

how many times has the prospect been on a diet or attempted to lose weight?

having response options □

Never attempted □

1 to 4 times □

5 or more times; and

on the average, how many days per week does the prospect exercise?

having response options □

3 or more days per week □

Less than 3 □

Not exercising; and

is the prospect willing to commit to a basic Exercise Plan? having response options □

Yes □

No.

6. The system and method of claim 1 wherein the sales tools software is provided via the Internet or by portable data storage devices.

7. The standardized sales pathway software of claim 1 comprises displaying sales steps and closing information on the computer display in a step by step fashion for the distributor to present and describe features and benefit of the weight loss program to the prospect to convert the prospect to a customer.

8. The system and method of claim 1 wherein the type and dose of nutritional supplements are individualized according to an individualized caloric recommendation provided to the prospect indicating the number of daily calories and grams of daily protein intake to maintain their current weight and the number of daily calories to safely lose about 1.6 to 2.0 pounds per week as determined by prospect body-impedance data and personal information and prospect responses to a health risk questionnaire input to the weight management computer software program.

9. The system and method of claim 1 wherein the steps of implementing multi-level marketing for weight management products, enabling a distributor to successfully sell weight management products and enlist customers to become new distributors of the weight management products comprise:

a. generating prospect interest and commanding their attention using a body impedance data acquisition device to offer a free body composition analysis; and

b. the distributor and prospect cooperatively entering the prospect'"'"'s personal information and results from the body composition analysis and responses to a health risk questionnaire to a weight management computer software program, where the information is used to create a health risk index, a projected weight loss graph, an individualized caloric energy equation and an individualized weight management plan; and

c. converting the prospect to a customer using a standardized sales and closing process provided in a standardized sales pathway computer software program comprising a step-by-step protocol to support a distributor through the sales closing steps by;

i. displaying a comparison of the cost of competing commercial weight loss programs,

ii. displaying a premium weight management package having a premium individualized nutritional supplement package and a comprehensive weight management software program,

iii. displaying a mid-range package comprising a reduced variety of nutritional supplement products and a weigh management software package having reduced features and options,

iv. displaying a value package comprising a basic nutritional supplement package having only those nutritional products necessary to enable the prospect to lose and manage their weight according to the weight management plan; and

,

d. converting the new customer to become a new distributor of the weight management products by presenting a business opportunity to the customer to become a distributor for the weight management products comprising an offer to acquire the body impedance data acquisition device and enabling the customer to purchase the weight management products at reduced rates; and

e. enlisting the customer as a new distributor in real-time by displaying an on-line customer sign-up form for new distributors having a sales closing screen, and instructions for new distributor sign-up and product ordering and entering the prospects name, address, telephone number, email address, and credit card number and expiration date; and

,

f. presenting a weight reduction product sales pathway plan comprising sales tools computer software program for distributors having real-time sign up forms for new distributors, real-time ordering forms for weight management products and automatic reorder options, a multi-week individualized weight loss plan, weight loss computer software program, on-line communities and chat rooms related to weight reduction, telephone or email support and information, product information and education, testimonials from clients that have successfully lost weight, and secure email for business communication.

10. A method of driving weight management product sales in a multi-level marketing environment using a body impedance data acquisition device, a weight management software program, nutritional supplements and a sales tools software program, resulting in direct sales, lead generation and new distributor sign-up comprising the steps of:

a. inputting prospect personal information and lean body mass data to the weight management computer software program for determining an individualized weight management plan, where the lean body mass data are obtained using the body-impedance data acquisition device; and

b. presenting weight management product packages to the prospect for purchase that are individualized according to the derived weight management plan; and

c. converting a prospect to a client upon the prospect purchasing a product package; and

d. presenting a business opportunity to the new customer for becoming a new distributor of the weight management products; and

e. providing product discounts and sales software tools for facilitating weight management product sales.