DSA: Not Just Another Acronym

Back in 1910, a national association was formed to look after the needs of direct selling companies. Its mission was to create an image for direct selling as a respectable profession by making sure ethical business methods were observed in the industry. Today, that organization is known as the Direct Selling Association (DSA) with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers. The Association supplies its members with: 1) resources to help grow their companies, and 2) professional support from other members of the industry. It serves as a collective voice—a lobbyist and advocate–for its member companies and the industry. More than 200 companies belong to the DSA.

I like to say that there are three “Ps” to DSA’s role on behalf of our member firms:

to protect them, to promote them, and to police them. DSA is dedicated to

protecting the marketplace for direct selling companies, to promoting direct selling

as a viable method of product distribution, to serving our member companies by providing a complete range of services and benefits through our independently administered Code of Ethics, and to police the industry on behalf of the consumer

and the distributor.

                                                            Neil H. Offen

                                                            DSA President and CEO

The policing aspect of DSA’s mission consists of ensuring that the marketing of products by member companies and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service in regard to consumers. Every member company of DSA pledges to abide by the association’s Code of Ethics, which states that member companies will not make misleading claims that could mislead consumers or prospective sales people.

All applicant companies must complete a one-year review period to demonstrate their compliance with all provisions of the Code of Ethics and then maintain it afterwards. The DSA logo displayed by member companies is a pledge to “do right and make a situation right in the event a problem arises.”

DSA’s Code of Ethics is enforced by an independent code administrator not connected with member companies. This individual works to resolve any complaints to the satisfaction of the involved parties, and has the authority to determine solutions. DSA member companies concur to honor the administrator’s decisions.

DSA Services

DSA’s services are specifically geared to meet the needs of direct selling companies, their staff specialists, and their sales forces. The Association provides information and education to direct selling professionals. It also works with Congress, numerous government agencies, consumer protection organizations, and others on behalf of its member companies and the direct selling industry.

Among DSA’s array of services it offers to members, there are a number available to the public online. Check them out at dsa.org:

·         Calendar of Direct Selling Educational Events. DSA conducts meetings, conferences, and seminars covering a variety of direct selling issues. Executives with both member and non-member companies may attend DSA’s educational programs.

      Direct Selling Member Company Search. This search allows you to view a list of all DSA members. It helps you find a company that sells a specific product or service. It also provides information on direct selling company opportunities.

·         DSA by the Numbers. This feature includes industry statistics; sales force demographics; worldwide data, including that from previous years.

·         DSA Press Releases.These enable you to keep abreast of DSA’s efforts in the industry.

·         Direct Selling in the News.Industry news coverage from the past seven days is included. You can also see all articles published for the year in the News Archive.