aDay in the Life of Laura... Lol!

[AJPratt]

I have a show Friday. When do you collect the orders? Do you walk around and chat and then do it? I find that some people are just in a hurry to get home.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Laura, Congrats on your success! It's been amazing to read your threads lately & I'm so glad you've been doing well! If people are jealous of your achievements, let that motivate THEM to do better too!

I have a question about your closing. Do you do this before they eat? Do you ask the host ahead of time for an extra chair, because many of my shows only have enough chairs for the guests, if that! After you give your talk, do you stand up & start cleaning up, etc??

Sorry for the questions, but I'm a visual person so I have to see in my head what you do!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I don't feel as though I give a negative view of the business opportunity, but it hasn't been for me all that it's been for you. I know part of your success with your recruiting is your excitement. Some of mine has fizzled out. I'm feeling a little cynical. I still LOVE to do the parties and I LOVE LOVE the products, but I don't know. I guess some of my passion is gone because I see what I want, but something (I know it's me, but I don't know how) is blocking me from getting there.

You're not alone. I've been doing this 2 years & have 1 recruit. She was an outside order who mentioned to the host she was interested. She joined in Feb & hasn't done any sales yet, so I really don't even consider her a recruit. She won't answer my emails (moved & this is the only contact info I have now).

My background is teaching & I was excited to promote because I wanted to help others. But I've had such a hard time with it that I think some of my passion has fizzled out too. I'm hoping conference will light a fire b/c I just can't seem to get into a groove with recruiting talks, etc., at my shows, so now I just barely even mention it anymore. My sales & bookings are fine, but it's just the recruiting that has been a struggle. I only have ever even had many one handful, possibly two, of people even show interest in this. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Pampered Laura]

My husband for the most part is supportive, but he is now telling me he wants me to go ahead and start teaching because "this Pampered Chef thing just isn't going to take off". We both realize that to see any real money you have to promote. It is just not happening for me.

This is sad that he chose to say that... even though it may be how you (and he) were feeling, there is nothing about The Pampered Chef that CAN'T take off unless you don't want it to take off. There is no requirement to be someone in particular before you can be successful in PC. It's not happening for you, because you're not making it happen.

I don't feel as though I give a negative view of the business opportunity, but it hasn't been for me all that it's been for you. I know part of your success with your recruiting is your excitement. Some of mine has fizzled out. I'm feeling a little cynical.

Here's my take on this... please don't take it the wrong way, because when I was going through a negative patch in my business I didn't recognize it. It lasted about a week before my husband gave me a slight "nudge" and basically told me to "get a grip".
You may not THINK you have a negative attitude about your business, but you certainly may. Sometimes we don't see it in ourselves. This business is the same outline for every single consultant. We go to shows, look for red flags, and ASK people. That's the basics of recruiting. The consultants who say "no one gives me a red flag" don't know what to look for. The consultants who say "no one is interested" are asking the wrong people. There *is* something that's holding you back in your business...but it's hard to determine what that is from a couple of paragraphs. I'd really suggest having your Director or other upline (or another consultant that has an opinion that you'd respect) attend a couple of your shows and analyze what the hang up is. Maybe include your directors on a 3way recruiting interview phone call. There may be a negative tone in your voice that you're not catching on to that someone else may see.

Something else very important to recognize is that while you may very well not be "negative", are you "positive"? Or are you just "ho-hum" about the whole thing?
Look at it this way: If I'm inviting you to go to a hamburger joint that I say "yeah, there's this place down the street I go to eat. I go there alot and it's okay. Maybe you could stop by there and grab a burger sometime."
Would you be jumping up and down excited to go?? Prolly not.

But, if I say "Oh my gosh! There is this hamburger joint that I know about that has the most delicious hamburgers EVER and their customer service is fabulous. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before! You have just GOT to come with me so I can show you!! I would love to know what you think after you give it a try!" Wouldnt you be a little more excited?

When I started my business it wasn't for the money (and good thing) and it still isn't. I started to earn the products for free. My director immediately began pushing me towards directorship.

This is a huge eye opener for me... should be for you too. This business is NOT about what your Director wants. So your Director pushed you. Either she doesn't know what your goals are (have you told her?) or she thought you said you'd like to be a Director and she's simply trying to help you get there.
Either way, you don't have to do what she wants you to do. She can light a fire under you, but she can not fire you.
You need to decide exactly what YOU want from The Pampered Chef. If YOU want to be a Director, go for it. If you're content with where your business is right now, then that's what you go for. Whatever it is, write out YOUR goals. Like literally put it down on paper with pen. Don't just THINK it... write it down. Everything you do for your business (talking on the phone, going to a show, preparing host packets, etc) should be working towards that goal in some way.

Directorship is not all about money either.
Some people want to be a director for more free products. Some want it because they truly love helping other people start their own business. If it's not about money, that's great. For a lot of us, it's not about the money either. You need to figure out what your "why" is. What is your big reason for doing Pampered Chef? What is the REAL reason...the one that you have to really dig down deep in your heart for?

I wanted to please her so I took all sorts of recruiting training and classes. I have the information, but I don't have the "skills".

You have the same skills as any other top recruiter out there. You have 2 ears for listening to others' needs, and a mouth to ask them "Have you ever considered joining The Pampered Chef?". All those Circle of Honor recruiters? Those are the two needed skills that they also possess --- they just USE those skills to reach their goals. None of those top recruiters grew up and said "I wanna be a Pampered Chef top recruiter when I grow up!". They simply saw a goal up ahead and went for it. You can do that too, there is NO reason that you can't. If you WANT TO.

So, you have the skills and the information. You know HOW to recruit. You need to know WHY you want to recruit (or do you want to?). Maybe you just simply need a little more passion, maybe a more positive attitude for your business...even when it is not going the way you want it to.... and an absolute goal in mind to aim for. THAT is the combination that will get you where you want to go. Wherever that may be.

And that is ALL up to you, m'lady.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

After that last post - I TOTALLY understand why & how you have succeeded Laura! Thanks for making me think more deeply about my motivation and my own road-blocks!

 

[Pampered Laura]

I have a show Friday. When do you collect the orders? Do you walk around and chat and then do it? I find that some people are just in a hurry to get home.

Depends on the dynamics of the show... but typically I sit down with them after my "demo" and before I explain the prize drawing slips. I hold them in my hand and have everyone gather around so that I can explain "how the drawing works". While they're listening, I tell them I have these slips, and they will need to fill them out, BUT there is a question on there that I want them to take seriously..........

After the prize drawing, I take orders while people are eating or mingling, or whatever. I have my laptop set up before they get there, so most of the time I find that people put their orders on my laptop if I'm busy chatting with the guests.

 

[Pampered Laura]

I hope you are going to have time to join us other Cheffers in the lounge Sunday or Monday night! I'd love to meet you IRL! I love your energy!

I'll be there on one of those nights... or both. Depending on where my team is going!

 

[Pampered Laura]

I have a question about your closing. Do you do this before they eat? Do you ask the host ahead of time for an extra chair, because many of my shows only have enough chairs for the guests, if that! After you give your talk, do you stand up & start cleaning up, etc??

Details details details!
I will sit on the floor if I have to, I don't care. I just want to be "at their level" and not be the SALES PITCH person when I'm talking to them about this. After I sit with them then yeah, I will get up or go along with wherever that part takes me. Last time, a couple of girls were fighting with each other over which month to host a show, so I had to get my calendar and let them have at it while I talked to the host and answered some of her questions in front of the other guests

Oh and... I have been really trying lately to make my shows look EASY. So, I usually only have to clean one dish and maybe a knife if I'm doing the pork tenderloin. EASY = Doable to those guests who are really considering what I do.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Details details details!
I will sit on the floor if I have to, I don't care. I just want to be "at their level" and not be the SALES PITCH person when I'm talking to them about this. After I sit with them then yeah, I will get up or go along with wherever that part takes me. Last time, a couple of girls were fighting with each other over which month to host a show, so I had to get my calendar and let them have at it while I talked to the host and answered some of her questions in front of the other guests

Oh and... I have been really trying lately to make my shows look EASY. So, I usually only have to clean one dish and maybe a knife if I'm doing the pork tenderloin. EASY = Doable to those guests who are really considering what I do.

Sorry--like I said, I'm a visual person!!!

Thanks for the info. I have been working on my recruiting, which is one of two areas of my biz that have been frustrating. (The other lately has been finding time at home for PC--it was easy when DD was 5-12 months old, but has been getting harder & harder as she's gotten older--now 2.) I've done the Step Up class with my NED, which helped b/c I learned red flags & such--which I TOTALLY missed before! I've also been working with my director on this too. My problem is when I've tried doing the recruiting talks, etc., at shows, it just came across so staged & fake sounding. But I like they way you put your talk & how you kind of stop the show to sit & chat with them. I have a show next week that I want to try it at--so thank you!

 

[pckrissy]

Laura,
You are SO INSPIRING!!! I really wish you were in wave 2 or I was in wave1!!
Thanks for all of your tips and advice. My goal for this year was to reach Directorship and I did! yea! It is TPC in recruiting for next year and you have inspired me...I hope to meet you one day, hopefully on a PC trip! You are AWESOME, don't let anyone tell you different! You have great energy also!
Have a blast at conference!! Enjoy all your glory!

 

[JAE]

Yes, Laura, this has been quite inspiring and educational. It's so much better when you can just be yourself and be okay with it. That is what it sounds like you are doing. Maybe, I'll meet you at conference. It will be great to put faces with names.
JAE

 

[amy07]

Laura, thanks for sharing so much info. And you're right, it is all stuff we know, but you broke it down and made it that much more clear for me! No wonder you have accomplished so much in your biz!

 

[lacychef]

THanks for all your insight Laura! Enjoy all the spotlight you get, cause you deserve it By reading all the advise here, I am sure you are a great director!

 

[MomToEli]

Laura,

I'd love to take you to breakfast one morning while we are in Chicago, if you're game. My treat.

And I wonder if you sound anything like I've decided you sound like

 

[Pampered Laura]

Um, a Texas Valley Girl? Probably so! Haha! Ooomm breakfast. You have this girl all figured out, that's fo sho'!

 

[heat123]

Wow Laura, is all I can say! I wish you were a cooking show live person on CD so we could purchase on supply order to see how you do our shows! Or do a workshop at confrence! You are so inspiring!

 

[pamperedbecky]

Laura,
You ARE so inspiring!! I'm sure we'll see your name LOTS in the company and you totally deserve all that attention (even if it feels weird to you!!! )

I have shows Thursday and Friday nights and I"m going to try a different approach...especially with how you do the drawing slips. I usually do my why bag somewhere in the five minutes before I wrap up and do the drawing, but I love the idea of sitting down amongst them and explaining the slip and especially saying there's one portion in particular I really want them to think about. I love that laid-back approach. NOW I just need to get some of my leads to take the leap and actually DO it!!! That's exactly why I"m taking the conference workshop "Getting from Maybe to Yes" because that's the predicament I'm in. I have a whole bunch of leads, but they rarely go anywhere. I'd say I even have about 5 pretty hot leads, but helping them see the big picture and helping them understand if they start NOW they'll get more out of it by the end of the year is just not happening.

I also loved your post on having a non-negative/"ho-hum" attitude about the biz vs. having an inspirational/motivating/positive attitude about the biz. GREAT words!! I may have to borrow some of that wording when I run into the same situations with some consultants.

Thanks so much for sharing!! I know it takes time to sit down and do that, but it's well worth it for all of the people you're inspiring!! Way to go!!!

 

[Pampered Laura]

You guys are so sweet. I don't have any more wisdom than any of you. Thank you for giving me a forum to put in to words what I do!

 

[MomToEli]

Um, a Texas Valley Girl? Probably so! Haha! Ooomm breakfast. You have this girl all figured out, that's fo sho'!

Pick the day ... any day but Monday. I have to catch a bus to the HO at 6:30.

Do normal people really get up at 6:30 am?!? I am very spoiled

 

[Pampered Laura]

Oh you're too sweet! Actually, on Monday I have the Director's training event in the morning and Day 2 is our general breakfast w/recognition for RUFTH/HWC achievers (I think?) and day 3 is general breakfast also, but I promised my downline that since this is the only breakfast I'll be able to eat WITH them, I really should. You are so sweet to ask me though. How about if you see me, come say hi and chat with me for a while! 2am in the hallways of the Hilton or at a piano bar will probably be a good place to find me at nighttime. LOL

 

[Pampered Laura]

And... I'll have my CS pin on! (thanks Ann!)

 

[MomToEli]

That will work. I am always interested in chatting with people who are doing what I'd like to be doing. So, look for the crazed woman with the note pad in her hand - wearing a CS button, too, of course

 

[Pampered Laura]

Ha I'm trying to figure out a way to describe how to look for me... umm... a really hyper redhead w/funky highlights that probably laughs way too much? LOL!

 

[DebbieJ]

Laura, I'm revisiting this thread preparing for my show tomorrow. I'm guessing your demo is pretty casual and short, too and that you are really just "one of the gals" with everyone. Can you share more about that? It seems like you've already set the stage pretty well throughout your show to lead up to your closing.

Do you do a set opening? How do you talk about bookings? Product Collections?

I'm dense--I need more info here.

 

[Chef Kearns]

Laura, thank you so much for responding to my post. I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I was selected to take the survey and since then my eyes have been opened to how I truly feel about my business. I think I'm a little shocked.

After discussing it with friends and family and praying about it and talking with you guys I think the best course of action for me is to change my goals. Right now in this stage of my life I cannot put as much time and energy as I need to for my current goals. I need to shift gears. Yes, I want to be a Director, but I am threw with obsessing over it. I want to get back to the fun! I think that will make the biggest difference in my recruiting. I am not a gal that can do more than 5 shows a month at this point. It is not working. I cannot at this point make CC calls everyday. I just need to change my goals to be realistic for my reality.

 

[AJPratt]

Chef Kearns: I know what you mean, this is a tough time for me. I decided that I just want to do a couple of shows a month and not worry about anything else. And, guess what? I recruited one who BTW has 9 shows dated. LOL I also have a host now interested. And, one of my inactives has a catty show. Go figure. SOmething about once you give up. LOL So, c'mon... give up with me, look how much better you'll do!! LOL

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Just bumping this up to ask you to wish me luck...I'm trying out the "casual" approach for the first time at my show tonight! I'm making the 10-minute tenderloin, which I figured was a good recipe to try to sit down at the end since it's so short. Usually I kind of pass over talking about recruiting because I feel they want to eat & go home (even though they are always eating no more than 45-60 minutes after the show start time).

I'm also going to add something else in & see how it works. When we do our intros, I'm going to sit down then too. I figure this is a great time to get away with it since I'm 6 months pregnant, so it won't look too weird! By the time I have the baby, all my hosts will know I sit down at the beginning & the end! I have always felt weird (like a teacher) standing while they go around & say their names & such. So I figured this was a good time to just put both together & sit down at intros & closing.

Anyway, wish me luck!!!! The host has already given some red flags & I'm planning on talking to her before the show too.

 

[heat123]

Just bumping this up to ask you to wish me luck...I'm trying out the "casual" approach for the first time at my show tonight! I'm making the 10-minute tenderloin, which I figured was a good recipe to try to sit down at the end since it's so short. Usually I kind of pass over talking about recruiting because I feel they want to eat & go home (even though they are always eating no more than 45-60 minutes after the show start time).

I'm also going to add something else in & see how it works. When we do our intros, I'm going to sit down then too. I figure this is a great time to get away with it since I'm 6 months pregnant, so it won't look too weird! By the time I have the baby, all my hosts will know I sit down at the beginning & the end! I have always felt weird (like a teacher) standing while they go around & say their names & such. So I figured this was a good time to just put both together & sit down at intros & closing.

Anyway, wish me luck!!!! The host has already given some red flags & I'm planning on talking to her before the show too.

Good for you! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Pampered Laura]

Good luck!!

 

[chefjwr]

Workshop Maybe to a Yes. I am taking that too. I have trouble just getting the recruiting leads--sad huh? I am taking the workshop 9 a.m. 7/11. Anyone else taking it at the same time?

Julie