Every Living Goods agent receives 2-3 weeks of initial health and business training. Agents are trained on all key health topics, including diagnosing, treating and recognizing danger signs for referral. Agents are also trained on important aspects of running a business such as managing working capital, calculating profit, and record-keeping. Finally, agents are trained in best practice sales skills, counseling, and communication. After new agents are deployed, our Branch Managers visit their agents at least monthly to monitor performance, review records, inspect inventory, and provide ongoing health education and business coaching. Agents also attend one day of training every month to review key health or business topics, discuss operational issues, hear about new policies and learn about new product offerings.

Quality control begins in training. Our training course effectively works as the last stage of our screening process. Agents who perform poorly in training, are late or absent, or have weak test scores are terminated. Once training is complete agents operate in a probationary period for 30-60 days, during which time their activities are limited to conducting their initial home surveys and providing health education. Upon satisfactory completion of training and initial fieldwork they receive an inventory loan to begin selling products. In addition to separating out weak agents, this process also builds trust in the community.