Synergy Worldwide is based out of Utah and operate in the nutritional supplement MLM niche.

The company was founded in 1999 by Dan Higginson, who primarily focused marketing Synergy Worldwide in Japan.

Dan’s goal was to build a company that would help people everywhere attain better health, grow more prosperous, and support communities in need.

A year or so after launch Synergy Worldwide was sold off to Nature’s Sunshine Products (NSP), the company behind Nature’s Sunshine.

NSP own and operate Nature’s Sunshine and Synergy Worldwide in parallel, with both company’s products manufactured by NSP in Utah.

Synergy Worldwide is still run by Dan Higginson under NSP ownership, with Dan Norman serving as President.

I wasn’t able to ascertain if Higginson (right) had any MLM experience prior to founding Synergy Worldwide. His corporate bio suggests before Synergy Worldwide he was speaking professionally and consulting on personal growth and corporate management.

Some of this work probably crossed over into MLM (speakers and consultants are often hired to appear at MLM company events), which may have laid the foundation for Synergy Worldwide.

Dan Norman is credited with

many years of experience in the network marketing industry and an extensive background in all aspects of information technology.

Prior to his appointment at Synergy Worldwide, Norman appears to have been an executive at Morinda.

Read on for a full review of the Synergy Worldwide MLM opportunity.

Synergy Worldwide Products

Synergy Worldwide market a range of nutritional supplements, manufactured in-house at Nature’s Sunshine Products’ Utah facility.

ProArgi-9+

One serving of ProArgi-9+ contains 5,000 mg of pharmaceutical grade l-arginine.

  • ProArgi-9+ single-serve packets in Citrus Berry, Mixed Berry or Grape, wholesales at $70 for a box of thirty packets
  • ProArgi-9+ canister in Citrus Berry, Mixed Berry or Grape, wholesales at $70 for a 10.6 oz canister (30 servings)
  • ProArgi-9+ jumbo canister in Citrus Berry, Mixed Berry or Grape, wholesales at $235 for a 64.8 oz canister

Synergy Worldwide claim ProArgi-9+ helps ‘improve immune function, may boost energy levels, help to build muscle, and reduce adipose tissue body fat‘.

Heart Health

Synergy Worldwide claim their Heart Health products ‘will give you peace of mind as you supply your heart with the fuel it needs for a long life.‘

  • Omega-3 wholesales for $23 for a bottle of 60 soft gel capsules
  • Vitamin D3 wholesales at $18 for a bottle of 150 chewable tablets
  • CoQ10 wholesales for $20 for a bottle of 30 soft gel capsules

Core Nutrition

The Core Nutrition range has been designed to ‘address the core of your health needs with strengthening and detoxifying formulas‘.

  • Essential Greens are a mixed greens blend dietary supplement, wholesales for $39 for a box of single-serve sachets
  • Mistica is a Brazilian Acai antioxidant fruit blend drink, wholesales at $35 for two 25 oz bottles
  • Liquid Chlorophyll is ‘a rich, highly-concentrated combination of chlorophyllin (sodium copper chlorophyllin) and peppermint oil‘, wholesales at $23 for a 24.7 oz bottle
  • Vitazone ‘provides a convenient, easy way to supplement your daily diet with basic nutrients‘, wholesales at $57 for a box of 180 capsules
  • Body Guard is ‘formulated from the finest deep-sea shark liver oil to provide maximum protection against oxidative stress, boost the immune system and promote cardiovascular health‘, wholesales at $31 for a bottle of 60 gel capsules
  • Detox Plus is a herb based formula that ‘clean(s) out your body‘, wholesales at $24.25 for a bottle of 90 capsules

Weight Management

  • SLMsmart Health Shake available in Vanilla and Chocolate, wholesales at $37 for a 34 oz tub (15 servings)
  • SLMsmart Body Cleanse ‘helps rid the body of waste and unwanted toxins‘, wholesales at $30 for a box of 14 packets
  • SLMsmart Calorie Burner is a ‘powerful, thermogenic formula combines green tea with a timereleased energy blend‘, wholesales at $30 for a bottle of 120 capsules
  • SLMsmart Crave Control ‘promotes a sustained sense of fullness with a powerful blend of efficacious ingredients‘, wholesales at $39 for a box of 30 packets

Fitness

  • e9 ‘delivers energy derived naturally from healthy sources‘, wholesales at $39 for a box of 30 single-serve packets
  • ProArgi-9+ Active ‘helps support your heart health‘, wholesales at $75 for a box of 30 packets

Personal Care

  • Elemence Cleansing Foam ‘nourishes and balances with a powerful cleansing action‘, wholesales at $21 for a 4.2 fl oz bottle
  • Elemence Cleansing Gel ‘purifies and refreshes the skin‘, wholesales at $18 for a 4 fl oz bottle
  • Elemence Facial Scrub ‘provides essential deep cleansing and gentle, effective exfoliation‘, wholesales at $21 for a 3.4 fl oz tube
  • Elemence Hydrating Toner ‘gently removes any trace of impurities and prepares skin for nourishing treatments and moisturizers‘, wholesales at $18 for a 120 ml bottle
  • Elemence Bright Renewal ‘combines concentrated skin brightening ingredients with powerful anti-aging technologies‘, wholesales at $40 for a .5 fl oz bottle
  • Elemence Repair Complex ‘protects against and repairs damage caused by UV exposure and harmful environmental elements’, wholesales at $50 for a 1 fl oz bottle
  • TriAction Eye Concentrate ‘targets all visible signs of aging around the eye area‘, wholesales at $35 for a 0.5 oz bottle
  • TriAction Skin Complex ‘targets noticeable aging in multiple skin layers‘, wholesales a $42 for a 1 oz tub
  • Elemence Total Body Wash ‘cleanses, moisturizes and softens the skin‘, wholesales at $16 for a 12 fl oz bottle
  • Elemence Hand & Body Lotion ‘conditions and hydrates as it supplies vital nutrients directly to the skin‘, wholesales at $15 for an 8.4 oz tube
  • Elemence Vera Gel ‘leaves skin feeling refreshed and healthy with soothing aloe, calming botanicals and restorative enzymes‘, wholesales at $15 for an 8.4 oz tube

Synergy Worldwide products are also available at a discount via multi-buy and “elite” packs.

Note that for some reason only wholesale pricing is provided on the Synergy Worldwide website.

The Synergy Worldwide Compensation Plan

The Synergy Worldwide compensation plan pays affiliates to market and sell products to retail customers.

A strong emphasis is also placed on signing up for affiliate autoship and recruiting others who do the same.

Synergy Worldwide Affiliate Ranks

There are fourteen affiliate ranks within the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan.

Along with their respective qualification criteria, they are as follows:

  • Star – generate at least 500 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Bronze – generate at least 1500 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Silver – generate at least 3000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Gold – generate at least 4500 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Team Leader – generate at least 6000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Team Manager – generate at least 14,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Team Director – generate at least 30,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Team Elite – generate at least 60,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Pearl Executive – generate at least 100,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Emerald Executive – generate at least 200,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Diamond Executive – generate at least 300,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Presidential Executive – generate at least 400,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month
  • Double Presidential Executive – generate at least 800,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month and personally recruit at last one Presidential Executive or higher ranked affiliate
  • Triple Presidential Executive – generate at least 1,200,000 GV in weaker binary side volume each month and personally recruit at last two Presidential Executives (one on each binary side) or three Presidential Executives (can be on either side)

Joining Rank

Not to be confused with affiliate rank, when a Synergy Worldwide affiliate signs up they can increase their income potential based on how much product they order.

  • purchase 150 PV worth of product and receive one position in the compensation plan (Leader)
  • purchase 300 PV or more and receive three positions (Executive)
  • purchase 500 PV or more and receive three positions (Elite)

Commission Qualification

To maintain a Synergy affiliate membership, an affiliate is required to purchase 240 PV or more worth of product every six months.

Commission qualification is tied to the earning rank of a Synergy Worldwide affiliate:

  • Basic qualification – purchase at least 60 PV worth of product each month (Basic qualification does not retain unmatched binary volume, used to pay residual commissions)
  • Standard qualification – purchase 120 PV worth of product each month or maintain a monthly 100 PV autoship order (Elite qualification excludes the Elite rebate)
  • Elite qualification – purchase 150 PV wort of product each month (either individually or via autoship)

Retail Commissions

Retail commissions in Synergy Worldwide are paid when preferred customers purchase product each month.

The Synergy Worldwide compensation doesn’t clarify whether direct retail commissions are paid on preferred customer orders.

It should be noted the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan states affiliates can purchase product and resell it for a retail commission.

On the company-side of the business however this is counted as affiliate revenue, not a retail sale.

Recruitment Commissions

If a Synergy Worldwide affiliate recruits a new Executive affiliate they receive a $50 commission.

If an Elite affiliate is recruited, they earn $100.

A $25 commission is paid out if a recruited affiliate “upgrades” their membership by purchasing 150 PV or product in a single order within six months of signing up.

Note to qualify for recruitment commissions a Synergy Worldwide affiliate must be on autoship.

Elite Rebate

The Elite Rebate pays Elite affiliates (joining rank) a cashback when they generate over 150 PV worth of product sales or purchases in a month.

Each month 25% of any PV over 150 PV purchased for the month is paid out as an Elite Rebate.

Residual Commissions

Residual commissions in Synergy Worldwide are paid out via a binary compensation structure.

A binary compensation structure places an affiliate at the top of a binary team, split into two sides (left and right):

The first level of the binary team houses two positions. The second level of the binary team is generated by splitting these first two positions into another two positions each (4 positions).

Subsequent levels of the binary team are generated as required, with each new level housing twice as many positions as the previous level.

Positions in the binary team are filled via direct and indirect recruitment of affiliates. Note that there is no limit to how deep a binary team can grow.

A binary team generates GV through retail sales and affiliate purchases.

Each day Synergy Worldwide tallies up generated GV on both sides of the binary team. At the end of the month, and pays an affiliate 10% of GV generated by their weaker binary side.

Paid GV is flushed from both sides of the binary team.

If the affiliate is Standard or Elite commission qualified, unpaid GV on the stronger side is carried over.

Note that Executive and Elite Joining Rank affiliates receive three binary positions. Placement is one binary position at the top of the team and two directly under it (starting both sides).

This placement effectively allows a Synergy Worldwide affiliate to “triple up” on generated binary volume.

Mega Match Bonus

The Mega Match Bonus is a 100% matching bonus on residual commissions earned by personally recruited affiliates.

Note the Mega Match Bonus is capped based on a Synergy Worldwide affiliate’s Joining Rank:

  • affiliates who generate less than 5000 GV a month in weaker binary leg volume are capped at $5000 a month
  • Leader ranked affiliates can earn up to $20,000 a month
  • Executive ranked affiliates can earn up to $60,000 a month
  • the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan doesn’t mention if there’s a monthly cap for Elite ranked affiliates

Leadership Bonus

The Leadership Bonus pays affiliates up to 4% on volume generated by their stronger binary side each month.

How much of a Leadership Bonus percentage is paid out is determined by weaker leg volume for the month, plus how it multiplies into the stronger side volume.

  • generate 6000 GV weaker side volume and at least twice as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 0.25% on stronger side volume
  • generate 14,000 GV weaker side volume and at least three times as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 0.5% on stronger side volume
  • generate 30,000 GV weaker side volume and at least four times as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 1% on stronger side volume
  • generate 100,000 GV weaker side volume and at least five times as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 2% on stronger side volume
  • generate 200,000 GV weaker side volume and at least six times as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 3% on stronger side volume
  • generate 300,000 GV or more weaker side volume and at least six times as much volume on the stronger side and get paid 4% on stronger side volume

In the event weak volume is generated but not enough stronger side volume, the Leadership Bonus is paid on the stronger side multiplier.

Eg. an affiliates weaker side volume for the month is 100,000 GV but only 400,000 GV on the stronger side.

Weaker volume wise they qualify for 2% but the stronger side multiplier reduces the Leadership Bonus to 1% for the month.

Global Share Bonus

Presidential Executive and higher ranked affiliates qualify for the Global Share Bonus.

The Global Share Bonus pool is made up of 1% of Synergy Worldwide’s company-wide sales volume.

  • Presidential Executive affiliates receive one share
  • Double Presidential Executive affiliates receive two shares
  • Triple Presidential Executive affiliates receive three shares

Joining Synergy Worldwide

Synergy Worldwide affiliate membership is $24.95.

How much an affiliate spends on product when they sign up affects income potential via the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan:

  • purchase 150 PV worth of product and receive one position in the compensation plan (Leader)
  • purchase 300 PV or more and receive three positions (Executive)
  • purchase 500 PV or more and receive three positions (Elite)

These Joining Ranks affect residual commissions (multiple positions), Elite Rebate and the Mega Match Bonus.

Conclusion

There’s a bit of overlap between Nature’s Sunshine and Synergy Worldwide products, which I suppose is to be expected given the same company manufactures both lines.

That said, Synergy Worldwide’s offering is vastly stripped down from Nature’s Sunshine’s offering of over 600 products.

On one hand this reduces the marketable range, but on the other should be more manageable for affiliates looking to market the products.

Unfortunately that’s where Synergy Worldwide’s MLM offering starts to fall apart.

The Synergy Worldwide compensation plan has multiple compliance issues that cannot be ignored. These issues primarily relate to mandatory affiliate purchases, autoship, retail focus and recruitment commissions.

There’s no getting around the fact that Synergy Worldwide affiliates are paid to recruit new affiliates.

These commissions are tied to income potential for the newly recruited affiliates, giving existing affiliates a marketing angle to encourage new recruits to spend big.

Elite qualification allows you to earn all bonuses during that commission month.

You can activate three TCs and build four legs to maximize commissions.

In MLM recruitment commissions are referred to as “chain-recruitment” and are a strong indicator of pyramid scheme activity.

With “Elite qualification” the  only qualification that opens up the entire compensation plan, next we focus on how to obtain Elite qualification.

As per the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan;

The best way to qualify at the Elite level is by setting up an Autoship order 150 CV or more.

And here we have the seedlings planted for Synergy Worldwide affiliates to sign up, jump on autoship and then focus on recruiting other affiliates who do the same.

Retail sales volume is supposed to counter affiliate purchase volume, however retail clearly isn’t a focus in the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan.

For starters, the company website only displays wholesale pricing – suggesting their intended market are affiliates and preferred customers.

Weight is obviously given to recruited affiliates, with the company openly recommending recruitment as a way to earn income:

Build two “legs” by sponsoring new people into the business. These people purchase products for resale.

“People” = affiliates, which means anything they purchase is recorded as affiliate revenue.

For their part Synergy Worldwide’s affiliate Policies and Procedures states

Synergy Team Members are expected to resell 70% of all products purchased from Synergy. All retail sales should be carefully documented.

Synergy will randomly audit Team Members for retail sales.

To what extent this is being actively monitored is unclear.

Vemma had a similar clause in their policies and procedures, however an investigation by a court-appointed Receiver revealed it was poorly enforced. With no additional retail volume qualifiers in place, this saw retail make up only 14% of Vemma’s company-wide sales volume.

Synergy Worldwide also has no specific retail sales volume qualifiers, with an affiliate wholly able to advance through the compensation plan on recruited affiliate autoship volume.

Provided of course they can dodge the company’s “random” retail compliance checks.

Personally the theme of the Synergy Worldwide compensation plan felt very affiliate autoship-centric. Requiring affiliates to purchase product to qualify for commissions is a dead giveaway.

This is “pay to play” and if offered, typically how affiliates in MLM companies qualify for commissions over retail sales.

What you’re left with is an MLM company in which the majority of sales revenue is sourced from affiliates.

Following an investigation the FTC shut down Vemma for this exact reason, declaring the company to be a $200 million dollar pyramid scheme.

My gut tells me if the FTC were to investigate Synergy Worldwide, they’re unlikely to find the flow of revenue through the company to be all that different.