Any Ideas? Kind of Long, Little Vent

[amy07]

I have a Consultant on my Team that is really starting to concern me. She is competitive, which can be a good thing, but now I think it is starting to cross an ethical line.
Recently she told me that her mother was trying to collect some orders for a catalog show at her office. She said her mother threw away some PC catalogs in her office breakroom for another Consultant (apparently someone else was doing a show too). She (Consultant) thought it was hilarious.
This Consultant is struggling for bookings and I have been really trying to coach her the best I can. But we all know that if they do not pick up the phone or make the contacts there is only so much we can do for them. But this really got to me today:
I know that she belongs to a local organization that has an outdoor vendor/flea market event twice a year. So, I asked her if she had called already to reserve a spot. She told me that 1. she really wasn't interested because she didn't want to get up that early and 2. that "nothing would probably come from it anyways". grrrrrr, not with that attitude.
So, I gave her a challenge to call today and get the details and let me know her decision. If she decided that she didn't want to do it, then I would call myself to reserve a spot because I'm sure someone on the team would love the opportunity. I was kind of hoping that it would spark her competitiveness a little, but I was not prepared for her response: "Well, I'll just tell you that I'm doing it, because I don't want anyone else to do it".:bugeye: I'm not sure how much longer I can hold my tongue.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I have a Consultant on my Team that is really starting to concern me. She is competitive, which can be a good thing, but now I think it is starting to cross an ethical line.
Recently she told me that her mother was trying to collect some orders for a catalog show at her office. She said her mother threw away some PC catalogs in her office breakroom for another Consultant (apparently someone else was doing a show too). She (Consultant) thought it was hilarious.
This Consultant is struggling for bookings and I have been really trying to coach her the best I can. But we all know that if they do not pick up the phone or make the contacts there is only so much we can do for them. But this really got to me today:
I know that she belongs to a local organization that has an outdoor vendor/flea market event twice a year. So, I asked her if she had called already to reserve a spot. She told me that 1. she really wasn't interested because she didn't want to get up that early and 2. that "nothing would probably come from it anyways". grrrrrr, not with that attitude.
So, I gave her a challenge to call today and get the details and let me know her decision. If she decided that she didn't want to do it, then I would call myself to reserve a spot because I'm sure someone on the team would love the opportunity. I was kind of hoping that it would spark her competitiveness a little, but I was not prepared for her response: "Well, I'll just tell you that I'm doing it, because I don't want anyone else to do it". :bugeye: I'm not sure how much longer I can hold my tongue.

you: "I'm calling them and reserving a space so the team can benefit from this opportunity. Let me know if you want to buy some of the time."

I'd plan to be there the whole time and use it as a training experience for those who show up to help.

 

[amy07]

you: "I'm calling them and reserving a space so the team can benefit from this opportunity. Let me know if you want to buy some of the time."

I'd plan to be there the whole time and use it as a training experience for those who show up to help.

I thought of that too! The only thing is that it is a private club, so I don't know if they are only offering spaces to their members. I believe the sale is open to the community at large though. Of course, a phone call is all it takes to find out for sure!

I'll give her til tomorrow morning to get back to me.

how would you handle the throwing away the catalogs? I know that she personally did not do it, but still.........Guess we can see where she gets her behavior!:yuck:

 

[pamperedlinda]

....how would you handle the throwing away the catalogs? I know that she personally did not do it, but still.........Guess we can see where she gets her behavior!:yuck:

There's really not much you can do/say about it now. It will come back to bite her one day.

 

[baychef]

There's really not much you can do/say about it now. It will come back to bite her one day.

I agree with Linda. I had a consultant that worked in our local hospital. She told another consultant on the team that the hospital was her territory. How I handled it was...1. she turned people totally off by that statement 2. I did put in my newsletter and state at meetings that one of the great things about PC is that we do not have territories. And tried to convey that to grow our business, we need to share the business and that means giving that new consultant her own shows.

I think you will find that no matter how much the mother and the consultant try to beat people into submission, she will either have to realize this and change on her own or she will unknowingly drive herself out of business.

There are subtle ways to create a team spirit but there are those that think they can get ahead by being bullies. I bet the host that put the catalogs out on the breakroom table will stick with the consultant she is working with and not switch to the mother's bully daughter for business.

 

[amy07]

thanks for the tips guys!

 

[BethCooks4U]

I thought of that too! The only thing is that it is a private club, so I don't know if they are only offering spaces to their members. I believe the sale is open to the community at large though. Of course, a phone call is all it takes to find out for sure!

I'll give her til tomorrow morning to get back to me.

how would you handle the throwing away the catalogs? I know that she personally did not do it, but still.........Guess we can see where she gets her behavior!:yuck:

I guess there's nothing after the fact that you could do but if one of my consultants told me I would act (and be) shocked. I'd ask if she ever heard of carma - I firmly believe that what goes around comes around. If you use shady tactics someone will use them on you. It's like love, the more you give the more you get.

 

[amy07]

here's an update on this gal. I've been stewing about this ever since. I know I need to address her individually, but I know me, and I really need a cooling off period first.

At my monthly meeting I do a cluster calendar drawing. Basically I draw a number from a hat, and whoever has a show booked on that date, gets a prize. If it is more than one person, then we will draw a name. If nobody has a show booked on that date, then the prize will "roll-over" to next month, so the "prize" can continue to grow. So, when I explained it, this same gal said, "Oh, I get it. Well, from now on I'm going to write my name all over that calendar" I ignored her in hopes that the others didn't hear her (and I could address her privately), but she kept repeating it. Finally I addressed her (and the Team), and said that IF I felt that someone was taking advantage of the rules then I would check dates to see if shows submitted matched the dates prior to awarding the prize.

Her greed and selfishness are really getting to me. I can now see why she is having problem booking shows - it's very easy to be turned off by her attitude.

How would you handle her? It's very difficult for me, because we are not actually their boss. We really are only their mentor, if they chose to have us. It's such a fine line, but I don't want her pissiness (is that a word) to ruin the encouraging/supportive/fun environment that I currently have at my meetings.

sorry for the rant........like I said, she is getting under my skin....

 

[pamperedlinda]

ick!

Change your meeting date and location and forget to tell her...okay, that probably won't work.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I am offering a drawing that is similar to yours Amy but what I am doing is asking them to put their show schedule for the next month down. Then at the next meeting I am drawing a date.

If the show was on my cluster calendar** (I'm trying tot get them to book ahead and to tell me!) and my IPT shows that a show was submitted for that date the person wins. If not, no one wins - I think I'll change it to have the prize grow like you're doing though!

**of course if they have a change they just have to tell me the new date.


Since so many of them are booking at the last minute I may just start drawing a date and if the tracker shows a show submitted that date they win. Then someone will win and they might get more excited to submit more shows each month...

 

[amy07]

ick!

Change your meeting date and location and forget to tell her...okay, that probably won't work.

the thought crossed my mind!

 

[baychef]

ick!

Change your meeting date and location and forget to tell her...okay, that probably won't work.

Or tell her the contest is for everyone except her!!! I feel so sorry for you AND your team.

I am not sure how I would handle this, but knowing me, I would cross the line with her because she chooses to cross the line...and certainly needs to be kicked back across.

If her "sparkling" personality is netting her zero bookings, it sounds as if this precious one could put her own self out of business. You may just have to keep it fair (not based on trust) and follow Beth's idea about checking the IPT.

Rewarding a prize on days parties were submitted in the past month may be good too. (just leave out the dates Miss Congeniality submits parties!!:devil

Let's get Carolyn, Linda, and all of us will go "Jersey Girl" on her. I'll start teasing my hair!!

 

[ChefKrisB]

I would address her personally and professionally. Let her know that while contests can be fun, and spark some competitiveness, you've observed some behaviors that are coming across a little strong. Remind her that you want to see her be successful, but not at the expense of anyone else. While she is in business for herself, it's not by herself. One of the great things about PC is that we, as consultants, are all here to support and encourage each other. I would just keep it very professional...Good luck!