2008 - The Education for Life Award was not presented in 2008.
2007 - Arbonne International - Through Arbonne University, Arbonne International brings to life the promise that they thrive on personal development. With life-skills training that focuses on the whole person, Arbonne’s distributors discover abilities they never saw in themselves. They learn how to lead with vision and confidence, communicate with clarity and optimism, achieve personal and business goals by setting boundaries, free themselves from limiting beliefs and enjoy an extraordinary family life. Available anytime, anywhere, using an MP3 player or the Internet, life-skills training is such a high priority that Arbonne’s top executives and field leaders create and present the courses. Graduates of Arbonne University come away with more than a certificate. They have the skills to be successful in whatever they do.
2006 - Mary Kay Inc. - The Money Matters for Dream Achievers CD series was created to educate the independent salesforce about the importance of good money management. This educational program encompasses not only an engaging collection of CDs, but also an abundance of online support materials, coaching guides and actual classroom education at three company-sponsored events. This program was created to help the salesforce become good financial stewards; develops a life skill that is important in all areas of life, not just a Mary Kay business; and enriches lives beyond Mary Kay.
2005 - Melaleuca, Inc. - Melaleuca, Inc., is exceptionally proud of making a real difference in the wellness of its customers and through its products and programs. Financial Freedom University increases people’s financial wellness by training business builders, friends and family on how to get out of debt, accelerate a retirement fund and pay off a mortgage in one-third the time. Financial Freedom Awards are given to those who have become debt-free through the practice of managing one’s debt and household expenses.
2004 - Stampin' Up! - Stampin’ Up!’s annual leadership conference provides training, encouragement and support for leadership-level demonstrators, which inspires them to improve their business and share their knowledge with the demonstrators in their group and area. Our two-day Leadership Conference 2003 encouraged demonstrators to achieve balance in their businesses and in other aspects of their lives. Presentation topics included time management, balancing business with other needs and obligations, and avoiding procrastination. Demonstrators completed several activities designed to help them improve their lives, including a personal time survey and values exercise. The activities and presentations allowed attendees to discover and focus on areas in which they wanted to improve. Demonstrators were offered specific, timely information they could use not only in their businesses, but also in their daily lives.
2003 - The Education for Life Award was not presented this year.
2002 - AdvoCare International - The DebtBuster "Be Debt Free" System is one aspect of AdvoCare International's ongoing commitment to improve its Distributors' lives. DebtBuster shows Distributors how to use their newfound income to pay down - and pay off - debt. It helps them to become more knowledgeable about their money and teaches them to achieve freedom from debt with simple, easy-to-use tools: an introductory booklet, workbook, motivational and support tape and newsletter. While the vast majority of Distributors simply learn from DebtBuster to better manage their finances, a small group has used the system to pay off all their bills, including mortgages, and has adopted a cash-based lifestyle. Their stories appear in Power Trends magazine, the DebtBuster publication and the monthly Advisor newsletter. Anyone can request a DebtBuster package. The only formal aspect of the program is that Distributors register before they begin; then, after paying off at least two creditors, they earn a pin. Nearly 100 pins were awarded in 2000. Since the program's inception in 1997, more than 3,000 Distributors have used the method.
2001 - HMI Industries - With dual goals of developing a career path that would take a recruit through a process of developing sales skills and business management skills, and raising the ethical, moral, and legal standards of those individuals choosing direct selling as a career, HMI created The Edge Success Program. The program is based on the concept that Education and Training presented at the "high risk" points in a Recruit's career will continually develop and motivate the individual right up to the time they open a Distributorship. The final Education program in The Edge Success Program is our Business Management Institute at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Before a potential Distributor can open an office, they must attend and graduate from this intense six-day course. Through this program, HMI knows that when a new Distributor opens their doors for business, they know not only how to sell, train and recruit - they know how to run a successful business.
2000 - Avon Products, Inc. - A vital piece of Avon's long-term growth strategy is "revolutionizing the Representative experience" by offering significant opportunities for career-minded women. Supporting representatives with high quality, professional training materials is an essential key to achieving the goal. With this in mind, Avon created a training tool that helps Representatives and other women better balance their personal and professional lives. In cooperation with Franklin Covey, Avon designed the Success by Design kit that includes a custom-designed planner, companion audiocassettes, book and user's guide. Through this program, Avon strives to help its Representatives stay organized, discipline their time and keep track of goals, business and customers.
1999 - The Southwestern Company - The Southwestern Company won the Direct Selling Association's 1999 Education for Life Award. The mission of the company is "To be the best organization in the world at helping young people develop the skills - and the character - they need to achieve their goals in life." Southwestern's training program begins with Sales School. The program emphasizes self-development, financial management, health and fitness, building strong relationships and public speaking skills. Southwestern relies exclusively on college students who sell during the summer to market its products.
1998 - DK Family Learning - DK Family Learning received the 1998 DSA Education for Life Award for its Business Guide Package. The package gives distributors an easy-to-use reference tool, which ensures that everyone from the headquarters to the field salesforce gets the same information in the same way. The package includes audio and video training modules and uses the same clean design style featured in Dorling Kindersley books. The DKFL field representatives greatly appreciate the guide; many have commented on how it makes their jobs easier and makes them feel more comfortable in recruiting new representatives. DK Family Learning's training program teaches its salesforce to educate parents to help their children learn.