Direct Sales Association Adds New Members, Holds Annual Meeting

The Bundesverband Direktvertrieb Deutschland (BDD), Germany's Direct Selling Association, has expanded its membership with the addition of intan media service and Stella & Dot. The announcement was made during the BDD's 2016 annual meeting, which saw a record participation of over 150 guests.

Results from a market study by the University of Mannheim were also presented, indicating that the German direct sales sector experienced an almost seven percent increase in turnover in 2015. The meeting emphasized that successful direct selling goes beyond mere transactions, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs and providing personalized product demonstrations.

The annual meeting featured a "Bar Camp" format where attendees actively participated in discussions covering topics such as recruitment of sales partners, multichannel sales strategies, enhancing the industry's image, and professional training. The new members, intan media service, which specializes in subscription management and digital business models, and Stella & Dot, known for its social selling approach to jewelry and accessories, were introduced.

The BDD aims to promote industry standards and facilitate knowledge exchange among its members. The addition of these companies reflects the evolving landscape of direct sales and the adoption of new business models within the sector.