If there's one thing that we, as professional network marketers, should all do, it is to read is and understand our MLM company's policies and procedures.
The policies and procedures manual will tell you everything you need to know about the integrity of your company's management team and just how important YOU really are to them.
Unfortunately, a lot of us skip this crucial step when we sign up to become distributors.
We skip it because our sign up was based on the trust and relationship we already have with an existing distributor.
Or We skip it because we're blinded by the excitement of being able to start our own business.
Or we skip it because we're not really expecting to be successful.
Whatever the reason, this is a crucial step that has major consequences down the road.
First and foremost, the written policies and procedures are your contract.
They define the relationship between you and the company.
They are written by lawyers hired by the company.
They are written in the company's interests, not yours.
They are written to protect the company from you.
Before I go on, let me say this...
If you value your future and value your freedom, you WILL read your company's Policies and Procedures, because if you don't, you will pay the price.
So with that said, let's take a look at some deadly MLM policies and procedures.
Here is a common termination clause found in many companies...

The Company at its sole discretion, may terminate any distributor at any time, with or without cause

What does this mean to you? I think it's pretty clear that the company is saying that they can end their relationship with you whenever they feel like it without giving a reason.
They can kick you out if they don't like your new haircut! Here's a subtle and interesting one about your "ongoing" commitments...

Regardless of level of achievement, you have an ongoing obligation to promote new sales to new customers and continue to service your existing customers

Yes, customers are the lifeblood of our business in network marketing and we should provide them with good customer service.
This policy doesn't sound too threatening until again, you look at it over the long term.
Essentially what this clause is saying is that you can never retire from building your business.
You can never take a year long vacation because you have an obligation to find new customers.
Most companies that have an annual renewal fee that they charge you to maintain your position in the compensation plan have this clause...

This is a one year contract and must be renewed every year on the date of the anniversary

Do you still think you own a business? Do you really? You see, a contract is open ended.
When your contract ends after one year, the company is free to do whatever they like with you.
They can choose to renew your contract, or they can choose not to.
This clause effectively reduces you to a contacted sales representative for your company - a promoter, not a business builder.
Again over the long term, you may have built a large downline and a substantial monthly residual income.
Well, if the company chooses not to renew your contract, you lose it all, and there's nothing you can do about it! A lot of people who've fallen in love with their company always say, "oh these are great people who are running the company, they would never enforce these policies on their distributors" Well, If they're not going to enforce them, why are they there? You have to look at it over the long term.
They may not enforce today, but they are going to enforce them when they need to.
Companies make dumb decisions and do dumb things and someday they may need the money that they give to you to pay for their mistakes.
There are many more, but these deadly policies and procedures have caused more network marketing horror stories than you can imagine.
But you won't find too many them on the internet because companies won't let ex-distributors slander them publicly.
They often have P & P clauses against that too.