MonaVie Launch New Weight-Management Range, And Go To War With Herbalife. But Who Will Win?

• MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – The Wellness War
• Appearance
• Reputation
• The Products
• The Distributors
• MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – Which Is Best?

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife

MonaVie are launching a brand new range of weight management products called MonaVie RVL, which look set to drag Herbalife into a pitched battle for supremacy. Many doubt whether there is room for both companies on the same playing-field.  Must one perish in a bitter battle to the death?

In this article, we look at both MonaVie RVL and Herbalife weight-management products, and compare them on appearance, reputation and performance, before assessing the impact that the Wellness War could have on Distributors from both sides.

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – Appearance

MonaVie RVL is currently in the pre-launch stage, but so far the products are looking impressive. A striking and stylish package design makes the products look slick, modern and appealing, and they are the sort of thing that every fitness fanatic is going to be more than happy to be seen carrying around with them to the gym or fitness club. The vibrant orange logo strikes a startling contrast with the deep black background of the packaging, and makes the products jump off the page when you visit the website.

Compare this to Herbalife’s rather uninspiring package designs, and MonaVie seems to have stolen an early lead. Herbalife’s products are sold in medicinal-looking containers which give connotations of a visit to the hospital or the drug store. Whilst this lends an air of authenticity and reliability to the Herbalife products, it is unlikely to give them an aesthetic edge over their MonaVie rivals. In the same way as an aging batchelor may look enviously over his shoulder at his younger, dynamic and virile love-rivals, Herbalife’s products can appear slightly antiquated when confronted with the confident and self-assured new kid on the block that is MonaVie RVL.

If it was a beauty contest, MonaVie would win hands-down. But this is people’s health we are discussing here, and surely the performance and reliability of the products are far more important than the packaging? When it comes to performance, age and experience can mean everything. MonaVie might have the energy and the spark, but do they have the substance and staying-power to be able to take on the giant of the weight-management industry?

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – Reputation

Herbalife is endorsed by many serious athletes

OK, so let’s start with the current industry leader, Herbalife. Herbalife have been setting the pace in the health and wellness industry for years, particularly since current CEO Michael Johnson took over the company in 2003. Johnson and Herbalife have invested a huge amount of time, effort and capital into the science behind their products, in an attempt to make them as effective and beneficial as possible. Nobel Prize-winning scientist Louis Ignarro is amongst their team of nutritional experts and product developers, and the Herbalife products are endorsed by athletes all over the globe, including the LA Galaxy, Barcelona and Valencia soccer teams.

This is the level that MonaVie RVL will have to aspire to if they are going to take over the crown from Herbalife as the leading supplier of weight-management solutions. The MonaVie business has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years selling their patented acai berry health drink, but this is a new venture for them and they have work to do if they are to prove that they are serious about competing with the best.

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – The Products

Herbalife offer a much wider product range than MonaVie at this stage, with MonaVie only offering 3 products compared to Herbalife who offer multiple. So let’s take the three new MonaVie RVL products, and compare them to the most similar product offered by Herbalife. How do they compare?

Nutrition Shakes

Herbalife sell a nutrition shake called Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix. It is advertised as a ‘healthy and delicious meal replacement that provides essential nutrients and quality ingredients, proudly backed by scientific research’. Every shake contains 20 different vitamins, minerals and nutrients, as well as being a source of fiber and protein. The Shake can be bought in a number of different varieties including regular tubs, individual packets, variety packs, allergen free and ‘instant’.

MonaVie RVL’s version is simply called Nutrition Shake Mix, and is a mixture dense in nutrients, but with half the normal calories of an average meal. MonaVie have remained true to their roots by including their signature ingredient, the acai berry, in all of their formulas, so each MonaVie RVL Nutrition Shake also nourishes you with the antioxidant power of more than 10 servings of fruit and vegetables.

Metabolism Boosters And Dietary Supplements

Herbalife offer a metabolism booster called Total Control, which builds energy and alertness, as well as increasing the speed of your metabolism, helping your body to lose weight. The Total Control product should be used in conjunction with an active and healthy lifestyle, and plenty of exercise.

The MonaVie RVL Range

MonaVie RVL’s Dietary Supplement has the same aim – to boost the metabolism allowing you to burn more calories when exercising. The product, it is claimed, accelerates the metabolism naturally, aiding the reduction of body fat. Like in all MonaVie products, the powerful acai blend contained in the mixture contributes to the overall health benefits of the product.

Snack Bars

Herbalife’s Protein Bars are chewy bars made from soy and whey, designed to be consumed as satisfying yet healthy snacks. The bars contain protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are intended to sustain your energy levels and appetite without leading to weight-gain. Like most Herbalife products, they offer a choice and a bit of variety, coming in three tempting flavours – chocolate fudge, chocolate coconut and peanut butter.

MonaVie RVL’s Snack Bars ‘indulge your taste buds without compromising your goal weight’. They feature 24 vitamins and minerals and, as always, are packed full of antioxidants. As yet, the bars only come in one flavour – berry.

As MonaVie’s RVL products are brand new, and still only in the pre-launch phase, it is very difficult to measure which products, if any, are the best. Herbalife certainly stock a much fuller range, and have a greater variety of styles and flavours to choose from, but MonaVie benefit from being new and fresh, and hold the advantage of the fact that people will be keen to try out their products simply because they are new and exciting.

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – The Distributors

The problem for both Herbalife and MonaVie Distributors is fairly obvious. MonaVie’s decision to expand into the weight-management sector will lead to increased competition and more people competing to sell similar products to the same customers. Because of this, it is even more important than ever to identify your target market and grab the bull by the horns, before someone else gets in there before you and starts taking everybody’s money. If you’re not fast you’re last, as they say. In this increasingly intense battle for supremacy between MonaVie and Herbalife, marketing your product and seeking out those who want your product will benefit has never been more important.

So what do the Distributors think of their rival’s products? Well, one MonaVie Distributor told us that she wasn’t worried, and said “it’s not the company or products that make life easier or harder, it’s the commitment from the individual. 6 billion people in the world – enough customers and distributors for everyone!”  A Herbalife Distributor we spoke to echoed these sentiments.  Both believed that their product was excellent and that they would have no problems selling it to others, regardless of  the competition.

This may be true to an extent, but one of the first things you need to learn in order to be successful in MLM is that of the ’6 billion people in the world’, only a TINY minority will have any interest in your product. One of the major mistakes that unsuccessful network marketers make is when they try to convince people to buy their product. People shouldn’t have to be convinced; if you identify and focus on your target market correctly you will find people who are looking for your product, and are ready to buy.

MonaVie RVL vs Herbalife – Which Is Best?

In the end, the real war is not between MonaVie RVL and Herbalife. The real war is about you overcoming your weaknesses and breaking free of the shackles of the old, tired methods of selling an MLM product. It doesn’t matter how much competition is out there, and it doesn’t matter which product looks better or appeals more. It all comes down to you, and your ability to position yourself as the market-leader in the health and wellness industry. Regardless of whether you favour MonaVie RVL or Herbalife, the key to your product succeeding is you and your ability to effectively market your goods.

Shaklee and Melaleuca are also involved in the war of the health and wellness companies. To find out how these two companies compare, read Melaleuca Vs Shaklee – The Battle Of The Brands.

To read more articles about Herbalife or MonaVie, visit our Article Directory

• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: Product Ingredients
• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: Business Structure
• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: Money Making Opportunity
• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: Safer For The Environment
• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: Price Comparison
• Melaleuca vs Shaklee: The Verdict

Melaleuca has been in operation since 1985, and have built up a global empire. The company specializes in natural health and wellness products for personal grooming, household use, pets, children etc. Melaleuca is one of the fastest growing companies in America and has experienced a high level of success. One of their main competitors is fellow network marketing company Shaklee. Shaklee have been in operation since 1956, and also specialize in environmentally friendly products for both personal and home use. Although their product range is distinctly smaller than Melaleuca’s, Shaklee still poses as a major threat to the company. But which is the best for you? Which company is the safest? The cheapest? The best for business development? Read on to find out.
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Like Melaleuca, Shaklee’s products are based on natural ingredients. Shaklee has two important principles that must be adhered to when selecting products:

1. Ingredients must be as natural as possible.

2. Ingredients must reflect the most recent scientific and technological advances.

Like Melaleuca, Shaklee support their natural and naturally derived ingredients with scientifically formulated ingredients if a natural alternative is not possible. Their scientifically formulated ingredients are thoroughly tested to ensure bioavailability, purity and potency.

In terms of which company is the most “natural”, it would appear that they are evenly matched. They both pride themselves on the high quality and standard of their ingredients. The advantage Shaklee has over Melaleuca is that a list of their products’ ingredients seems to be easier to find. Shaklee clearly differentiate between natural, naturally derived and scientifically formulated ingredients, and also show which category every single ingredient used belongs to. Melaleuca seem to be less upfront about their ingredient lists, and don’t make it clear what the difference between natural and naturally derived is which can leave the consumer slightly confused.
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Both companies belong in the network marketing industry, and so they have pretty similar structures. Melaleuca’s distributors must remain as customers and commit to spending a certain amount every month on Melaleuca products in order to be eligible for commission. Shaklee’s model works in much the same way:

“Just three clear steps to earning the rewards of a great living:
1. Use Shaklee products to make yourself healthier. Easy enough.
2. Share the products with others. You’ll want to.
3. Mentor others to do what you’re doing. Paying it forward pays you back.”

A key difference between the two companies is that as a Melaleuca Executive you are not involved in selling products to the end-consumer; you are merely recommending them to the company. As a Shaklee distributor, you are selling Shaklee products direct to the customer. Just as though you were a grocery store, you buy the products at wholesale prices and sell them to customers at a retail price, usually a 15% mark up.

Both companies’ distributors are required to purchase a certain amount of products every month. Melaleuca is purchased for personal use, whilst Shaklee is for resell. The Shaklee model seems to be risky. There is no guarantee that you will sell the products purchased, which could leave you with a large amount of unsold stock in your garage, and no profit.

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The Melaleuca structure requires the least effort- you simply introduce a customer to the company, and will earn commission from their monthly sales provided you both spend a certain amount. From doing relatively little work, you can earn a small, monthly paycheck. You may not make much, but you won’t loose any either. Initially, it is harder to make money with Shaklee, as you msut buy the products upfront meaning before you’ve even sold anything, you’re already on a loss. There is no guarantee that you will sell any of your products, and so making even a small amount of money could be a difficult task.

Whilst it may be easier to earn a small residual income from Melaleuca, if you want to develop your business and start earning serious cash, then you need to commit to growing your down-line. It is expected to be as difficult to develop your business with Melaleuca as it is with Shaklee.

Melaleuca pay you a steady rate of commission on every generation of your down-line: 7%. With Shaklee, you are earning roughly a 15% margin on every sale, which is obviously more appealing. However, as said above, Shaklee presents a higher risk, and so whislt you will earn a higher rate, it could be harder to acheive.
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Melaleuca pride themselves on manufacturing products that are safer for the environment. Their ingredients, when possible, are taken from sustainable, natural resources, and have a firm stance against using chemicals that pollute the environment. Many of Melaleuca’s products are concentrated, or super concentrated, meaning less packaging, water and shipping is required, and all of their packaging is compatible with the majority of recycling facilities. Melaleuca also use reusable plastic bins in their manufacturing process and recycle what they can whenever possible.

Shaklee also do their best to protect the environment, and were the first company to be Climate Neutral™, meaning they operate with a net zero impact on the earth. Shaklee has been widely commended for their commitment to protecting the environment. Their product, Basic-H®, was chosen as one of the first official Earth Day products, and in 1998 Shaklee became a Charter Partner of the U.S. EPA’s Climate Wise Program. In 2008 the company was added to the Top 20 Retail Partner list by the EPA Green Power Partnership in recognition of being a top purchaser of green power. It is clear thatprotecting the environment is a large part of Shaklee’s organization. It appears however, that Shaklee do not produce super concentrated products, meaning that perhaps they are using unnecessary water, energy and packaging.

It is difficult to decide which network marketing company is more environmentally friendly. Melaleuca seem to do more to ensure their products are as ecological as possible, whilst Shaklee seem to concentrate a larger proportion of their energies to improving the general environment. Both are doing their part, and should be commended for their efforts. But in terms of who’s the most ecological? It is too hard to say.
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This article provides quite a thorough price comparison between many Melaleuca and Shaklee products, and it appears that, on average, the two companies are quite evenly matched. However, many of these products are no longer in production, and the document is also not laid out in a clear consistent manner.

The following prices were taken on 13/10/2010 direct from companies’ own websites (based on Regular Price- not membership prices)

Immune Support Supplements
Melaleuca: Activate Immune Complex Immunity Booste. 60 Capsules. $15.50
Shaklee: Nutriferon. 60 caplets. $45.90

Household Cleaners
Melaleuca: Tough & Tender All-Purpose Cleaner. 16 fl.oz. $8.50
Shaklee: Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. 16fl.oz. $12.50

Sports Drink
Melaleuca: ProFlex20 Shake- Dutch Chocolate. 15 servings. $24.50
Shaklee: Cinch Chocolate Shake Mix, Canister. 15 servings. $48.00

Prostate Support Supplements
Melaleuca: ProstAvan Prostate Support. 30 softgels. $24.50 ($49 for 60)
Shaklee: Saw Palmetto Complex. 60 softgels. $43.80

Lip Treatment
Melaleuca: Lip Treatment. 0.123 oz. $21.00
Shaklee: Lip Treatment SPF 15. 0.15oz. $7.90

As you can see, the companies are still relatively evenly matched in terms of price. Some products are cheaper with Melaleuca, some are cheaper with Shaklee.

Melaleuca has a larger product range, and includes essentials such as dental products, which Shaklee omits. You may find it is more convenient for you to shop with Melaleuca, or you may find it more cost effective to buy the bulk of your products from Shaklee and top them up with grocery store brands as and when.
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So which is better for you; Melaleuca or Shaklee? Well, it depends. There is no black and white answer, no “Melaleuca is definitley the better company”, as both offer different things. In terms of the business opportunity, both companies provide you with a chance to create a prosperous business and generate a high level of income, but in different ways. Regardless of which one you choose, make sure you go in prepared, with a structured strategy to ensure success!
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