Are There Enough Masculine Incentives in Pampered Chef?

[pchockeymom]

The no jeans policy is one of the very first things my recruit told me cuz she knows I'm a jeans gal. She's been a consultant for 18 years. In our business guide it states we are to wear "business casual attire" which my recruit instructed me means no jeans.

 

[Sheila]

I think if they offered an alternative of PC Dollars it would be a GREAT solution! Even for the women who don't want a certain incentive. I didn't even try for the December apron because I knew I wouldn't wear it. If they had offered an alternative option of PC Dollars, I probably would have worked to earn it.

 

[Chef Bobby]

The no jeans policy is one of the very first things my recruit told me cuz she knows I'm a jeans gal. She's been a consultant for 18 years. In our business guide it states we are to wear "business casual attire" which my recruit instructed me means no jeans.

I try to think the way the guests might be thinking. Do I want him in my house entertaining my friends. I try to wear what would please anyone.

 

[skaugchef]

The no jeans policy is one of the very first things my recruit told me cuz she knows I'm a jeans gal. She's been a consultant for 18 years. In our business guide it states we are to wear "business casual attire" which my recruit instructed me means no jeans.

I know this is the rule for conferences but I never heard this as the rule for doing shows.

 

[Dutchess]

I agree completely - I never wear the apron, bc I cant stand aprons, I like the idea of having customers wear aprons. I always do an interactive show!!And the web sites being less pastel would be great too. I am personally a red, blk and silver woman. I love the darker colors and would love our sites to reflect our personalities a little more.I have a guy looking to join my team this month, he is already a chef and is looking forward to earning more and teaching his skills. So all of these ideas I know he will appreciate as well

 

[pcsharon1]

I don't even know where my denim apron is but I used to have my hosts sign and date my apron. They loved it and it made it more unique. Actually, the apron I first had them sign was the one that came with my kit........it was brown and the denim was a huge improvement.

 

[wadesgirl]

I think if they offered an alternative of PC Dollars it would be a GREAT solution! Even for the women who don't want a certain incentive. I didn't even try for the December apron because I knew I wouldn't wear it. If they had offered an alternative option of PC Dollars, I probably would have worked to earn it.

I was going to say if they are going to offer men a PC$ alternative they need to offer it to everyone! There are going to be some incentives that work for women and some that don't. It really is a personal choice.

As far as jeans, I like to look professional and put together. I don't get all dressed up to the nines but I will wear a nice pair of dress pants or khaki (cords in the winter) and a nice top. I was trained as a new consultant to never wear jeans to your shows.

 

[pampered1224]

Dressing in "casual business attire", nice slacks like Dockers and a polo shirt is considered to be a standard "comfortable" look in the business world. There is a certain air one wears when dressed comfortably but nicely. It portrays a look of money and pride without being pretentious. No lie, that was a definition I found once a while ago. We want to look like we are comfortable in our jobs, have a bit of money, and that we take pride in our selves and our jobs. Jeans have always been considered WORK clothes. Not that you can not look good and confident but there has always been that stigma that jeans represent the down trodden and taken advantage of. So no, you do not have to look that way at shows, you can go in jeans. You then have to live with the message that is received by guests. And I say it that way because we know that you are representing your business in a business like manner but, jeans can send the opposite message to guests. It is just not considered business, by any business, to wear jeans. It is considered to be too overly casual to make that earlier statement.

 

[wadesgirl]

Dressing in "casual business attire", nice slacks like Dockers and a polo shirt is considered to be a standard "comfortable" look in the business world. There is a certain air one wears when dressed comfortably but nicely. It portrays a look of money and pride without being pretentious. No lie, that was a definition I found once a while ago. We want to look like we are comfortable in our jobs, have a bit of money, and that we take pride in our selves and our jobs. Jeans have always been considered WORK clothes. Not that you can not look good and confident but there has always been that stigma that jeans represent the down trodden and taken advantage of. So no, you do not have to look that way at shows, you can go in jeans. You then have to live with the message that is received by guests. And I say it that way because we know that you are representing your business in a business like manner but, jeans can send the opposite message to guests. It is just not considered business, by any business, to wear jeans. It is considered to be too overly casual to make that earlier statement.

For me it takes just as long to put on a nice pair of slacks as it does a pair of jeans so why wouldn't I want to look a little more professional. I don't think I put off any of my guests of thinking about the business by the way I dress.

And I also have to wear jeans and t-shirts to work, layers in the winter because it's so freaking cold in here. I love the chance to dress up and look good!

 

[raebates]

It is just not considered business, by any business, to wear jeans. It is considered to be too overly casual to make that earlier statement.

This discussion comes up every year as we get ready for NC. I am convinced it's a regional thing. I do secretarial temping. Many businesses in our area consider nice, dark, dressy jeans to be appropriate for business casual wear as long as they're paired with other business-like pieces. Since the HO states "no denim" for NC, I wear slacks there. As for what to wear to do shows, I think that really depends on your customers. I wear nice jeans and a PC logo-wear top to my shows. I have never felt under-dressed. If I were in an area where people were mostly more dressed up, I'd definitely dress accordingly.

 

[Jules711]

I think it's regional too. I usually wear jeans in the winter (again dark wash nice jeans). Sometimes I wear skirts or capris, whatever I'm into wearing at the time in the summer. Those are the two seasons here. No Fall or Spring .

If I dressed up, it wouldn't be natural for me and people definitely treat me like I have a successful business, but I'm also super approachable and fit in with them. I don't want to separate myself from the group. People love my shows because they are so laid back. Me too.

I agree that jeans can be very casual and even grungy, but a nice pair of jeans can actually look better than a pair of slacks if they fit well. I do think the the color of our denim apron is very casual though. I don't use it either. I use on of the 10 or so aprons I've earned. Of course, my faves are pink, but I have a black one with red lettering that I love too.

Ahh...the benefits of running your own business. I love it!!

 

[jimgass]

With jeans, i think that it depends on the group and the jeans. I would never wear my beat up old jeans with the rips in them from PacSun at the mall to do a show in. I am thinking of doing a grilling themed show this spring, and I have a pair of nicer jeans that I can wear with leather shoes, a belt, and a polo or button-up and have more the "weekend grilling" look.Thus far, however, I've worn pressed khakis, polished black dressy clarks, a pressed blue oxford, and my favorite bowtie (right now a brown and blue paisley Vera Bradley).I think dressed is best for a standard kitchen cooking show, as, if nothing else, it says "i took the time to prepare for this event, and as such care about what I'm doing."

 

[pampered1224]

I worked for a company for 10 years that was strictly business casual. NO JEANS! Even it was 20 below outside, you simply put the long johns on first. So it may be a regional thing. I don't get out much so it is hard for me to say. So yes, I have been trained to think only in terms of slacks and polo shirts. In fact so much so, I do not even own a button down shirt!