At a Loss: Struggling to Stay Motivated in Business

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The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a business consultant dealing with difficult hosts during fundraising events. The consultant expresses frustration after a host, initially enthusiastic, changes her attitude and questions the consultant's approach to securing future bookings during the demo. Despite the consultant's efforts to explain the benefits of bookings for the fundraiser, the host remains dissatisfied, leading to a tense email exchange. Additionally, another consultant shares a similar experience where a host canceled a show without communication, resulting in a harsh response to the consultant's inquiry about the cancellation. Both consultants highlight the emotional toll such interactions can take on them, especially given the reliance on these events for income.Support and advice are offered within the thread, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and maintaining composure in the face of negativity. Encouragement is given to take the high road, with suggestions for how to respond to difficult hosts while still advocating for their business interests. The conversations ultimately reveal the complexities of managing client relationships in a sales-oriented environment, alongside the necessity of resilience and a positive outlook when facing adversity.
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  • #31
Ok - Debi says to send it...DH says to send it...DH's attitude on this one is basically "Send it, close her show and be done with her...she's causing you too much stress and she is not worth it"
He's right.
I am sending it...although I think the paragraph about the $$ and %ages is a bit unclear and I need to clean it up...help?
 
Wow - you are so eloquent! The only thing missing is the phrase "Bless Your Heart" (southern-speak for "kiss my ass" "your an idiot" "f*** off" ) ....but then again, you aren't a southerner so all is good! Go for it.
 
I think you explained it well and even included examples. I am with your DH...send it, close the show, and be done with her. You've got better things to do than be abused by her.

Deep breath in...slowly let it out!
 
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  • #34
Ok - I have been tweaking it a bit...and yes, Linda, I would love to say "Bless your heart" to her but the Jersey girl in me would take over and I woudl end up telling her to go &*(^@&*@^ herself. LOLHere's the tweaked version...I think I am getting a bit bitchy...feedback please?Dear Joan,I am so sorry to hear you had to have surgery. I had no idea. I do hope that you're on the mend ASAP.I had a great time last week at your show and hope you did as well. You did a wonderful job gathering together a crowd of people to support your FUNdraiser cause. Too bad more people weren’t able to join us but we have until the 29th to collect orders and let people know it’s not too late to participate.When I received your email after the show, I was quite surprised to hear you were upset...especially after all the praise, applause and hugs from you at the end of the evening. Let me try to explain. When anybody goes to a show, due to the high quality products, generous host benefits and (hopefully) the fun they have, having a show of their own is a natural progression of the business. Even if I said nothing about anyone having their own show, on average 2 to 3 people at every show I do book a show of their own. People only have so much money budgeted to spend, especially in this economy...so in many cases it does not take away from the current show when they book a show of their own. When it does take a few $’s away, as in this case, it isn't something we can control. But, if you look at the numbers, it makes more sense: consider that 10% of an average $50 order would earn the charity $5.00...Karen's friend's order was for a $12.50 scraper, that would have earned our charity $1.25 (once your show hit $1000 in sales, then it would have earned the charity $3.13). Pampered Chef gives you $3 for each booking – so at the level your show is currently at, you're ahead by $2.75. Even if you turn in the orders from your bank friend, bringing the show total to over $1,000 and raising your benefit to 25% (from the current 10%), it's only a 13c difference...The $9 we raised by getting three bookings (Martha, Karen and your future show) is the equivalent of a $90 order.Our goal was to raise as much money as we could for the Humane Society. With only 7 guests in attendance (one who left within the first 5 minutes of the demo, and a second who left without ordering, only to return at the end of the evening to place an order...so we only had 6 ordering guests in attendance), securing bookings was a guaranteed way to earn more money for the charity. Our goal was to raise money for your charity...I did everything in my power to help you do that.If I can explain it any further, or assist in any other way possible while you continue to gather orders and raise your funds, let me know. Again, it was a pleasure doing the show with you and your friends and I can’t wait to see how big your check(s) will be from Pampered Chef and me once the rest of the orders come in!As for Marcia's broken stone, I would be more than happy to help her get it replaced, but I need her contact information in order for the company to look her up. Please get back to me with her first & last name, address, and phone number. What I will then do is call Pampered Chef, have them try to track down the order, and then arrange for her to send a piece of the broken item back so that they will send her a new one. Last we spoke you said you had about $500 in orders from someone at the bank. Do you still want to apply those to the fundraiser? I know that both Emily and Mary Elizabeth took catalogs with them with the intention of collecting orders from their friends and/or co-workers to help the Humane Society. They were both under the impression that they could collect orders until the 29th. Once we close out the show, the orders should arrive within about a week to ten days. Also, did you want to take advantage of your host benefit? You can get the 2qt Collapsible Serving Bowl for 60% off. Please let me know.Again, I am sorry if you felt I was trying to hurt your fundraiser. In actuality I was doing everything I could possibly do to help you raise MORE money. With only 6 buying guests in attendance, there was only so much I could do. I hope you're feeling better soon.Fondly,
Carolyn
 
Looks good. there's a typo though - 4th paragraph:

......People only have so much money budgeted to spend, especially in this economy...so in many cases it does not take away from the current show when they book a show of their own. When it does take a few $’s away, as in this case, it isn't something we can control. But, if you look at the numbers, it makes more send: consider that 10% of an average $50
 
  • Thread starter
  • #36
pamperedlinda said:
Looks good. there's a typo though - 4th paragraph:

......People only have so much money budgeted to spend, especially in this economy...so in many cases it does not take away from the current show when they book a show of their own. When it does take a few $’s away, as in this case, it isn't something we can control. But, if you look at the numbers, it makes more send: consider that 10% of an average $50
Click to expand...

Okay - Debi says it sounds too defensive and there is no need to "go there" with the hugs stuff and the "with only 6 buying guests" stuff.
Now I am torn...I need another opinion - anyone else on here tonight?? We need a tie-breaker - LOL
 
dannyzmom said:
Okay - Debi says it sounds too defensive and there is no need to "go there" with the hugs stuff and the "with only 6 buying guests" stuff.
Now I am torn...I need another opinion - anyone else on here tonight?? We need a tie-breaker - LOL
Click to expand...

I actually like the original one better. Kill her with kindness and let HER to the ONLY idiot!!!!
 
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  • #38
ok - I fixed the typo...where are the rest of you ladies...I need helllllp!!!!
(and a glass of chocolate milk)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #39
Okay - I got a good suggestion from Debi to add this somewhere...where can I add it?"as you know, having as many guest in attendance is the best way to guarantee a successful show.."
 
dannyzmom said:
ok - I fixed the typo...where are the rest of you ladies...I need helllllp!!!!
(and a glass of chocolate milk)
Click to expand...

I agree with Deb and DH...send it and be done with her. I PM'd you my version in case you want to use it :devil::D:devil::D:devil::D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #41
Wait - you agree with Deb and DH? Debi likes the original, DH says I should send YOUR version :devil::cool::devil::cool:
So...which is it???
 
Carolyn, whatever version you send, I am impressed. Very well done.
 
dannyzmom said:
Wait - you agree with Deb and DH? Debi likes the original, DH says I should send YOUR version :devil::cool::devil::cool:
So...which is it???
Click to expand...

If you send the version I pm'd you, we could both be arrested!!!:devil:
 
I think all of it sounds good. I'm no good at this stuff because when I've been in similar frustrating situations, no matter what I write, it doesn't sound good to me. Good luck and keep us posted!
 
I like the original version. Less things for her to turn around a pick at you.
Well thought out, more than I would do and good luck! ((HUGS))
 
Carolyn, Did you send it yet? If not just do it (original was fine). I personally would try to be as unwordy as possible (giving her as little ammunition as you can). Stop stressing about this and let it go. Hopefully you can send it in on Monday and be done with her.

CONGRATS on the recruit! WOO HOO! What a way to make lemonade!


I want to also thank everyone who had such kind words to me about my host interaction. It is amazing what words can do. I am still amazed that people think we can read their minds/know what's going on in their lives without them telling us anything. I also can't believe that people don't even consider that we might have lives and issues in them too.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #47
Okay - done. I just sent the following version:

Dear Joan,

I am so sorry to hear you had to have surgery. I had no idea. I do hope you're on the mend ASAP.

I had a great time last week at your show and hope you did as well. You did a wonderful job gathering together a crowd of people to support your FUNdraiser cause. Too bad more people weren’t able to join us but we have until the 29th to collect orders and let people know it’s not too late to participate.

When I received your email after the show, I was quite surprised to hear you were upset. Let me try to explain. When anybody goes to a show, due to the high quality products, generous host benefits and (hopefully) the fun they have, having a show of their own is a natural progression of the business. To be honest, even if I said nothing about anyone having their own show, on average 2 to 3 people at every show I do book a show of their own.

People only have so much money budgeted to spend, especially in this economy...so in many cases it does not take away from the current show when they book a show of their own. When it does take a few $’s away, as in this case, it isn't something we can control. But, if you look at the numbers, it makes more sense: consider that 10% of an average $50 order would earn the charity $5.00...Karen's friend's order was for a $12.50 scraper, that would have earned our charity $1.25 (once your show hit $1000 in sales, then it would have earned the charity $3.13). Pampered Chef gives you $3 for each booking – so at the level your show is currently at, you're ahead by $2.75. Even if you turn in the orders from your bank friend, bringing the show total to over $1,000 and raising your benefit to 25% (from the current 10%), it's only a 13c difference...The $9 we raised by getting three bookings (Martha, Karen and your future show) is the equivalent of a $90 order.

Our goal was to raise as much money as we could for the Humane Society. With only 7 guests in attendance, one who left within the first 5 minutes of the demo, and a second who left without ordering, only to return at the end of the evening to place an order, securing bookings was a guaranteed way to earn more money for the charity. Our goal was to raise money for your charity...I did everything in my power to help you do that.

If I can explain it any further, or assist in any other way possible while you continue to gather orders and raise your funds, let me know. Again, it was a pleasure working with you and I can’t wait to see how high we get the show and how big your check(s) will be from Pampered Chef and me!

As for Marcia's broken stone, I would be more than happy to help her get it replaced, but I need her first and last name as well as her contact information in order for the company to look her up. Please get back to me with her first & last name, address, and phone number. What I will then do is call Pampered Chef, have them try to track down the order, and then arrange for her to send a piece of the broken item back and they will send her a new one.

Last we spoke you said you had about $500 in orders from someone at the bank? Do you still want to apply those to the fundraiser? I know that both Emily and Mary Elizabeth took catalogs with them with the intention of collecting orders from their friends and/or co-workers to help the Humane Society. They were both under the impression that they could collect orders until the 29th. Once we close out the show, the orders should arrive within about a week to ten days.

Also, did you want to take advantage of your host benefit? You can get the 2qt Collapsible Serving Bowl for 60% off. Please let me know.

Again, I am sorry if you felt I was trying to hurt your fundraiser. In actuality I was doing everything I could do to help you raise MORE money. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Fondly,
Carolyn

Will let you know how she replies
 
I think that sounds great! Less defensive but still getting your point across. Now, get her show closed, then bless and release!!!
 
Sorry I missed this....my vote would have been for the original as well. Sounds like she has other issues in her life that she is taking out on you. Hang in a couple more days and be done with it. {{{HUGS}}}
 
The $9 we raised by getting three bookings (Martha, Karen and your future show) is the equivalent of a $90 order.
Click to expand...

WHAT???!!!:eek: SHE has another show booked with you? You are a brave woman... :angel:
 
bethcooks4u said:
I want to also thank everyone who had such kind words to me about my host interaction. It is amazing what words can do.
Click to expand...

And from me, you are welcome, Beth. And it is even more amazing that people don't realize how hurtful their words can be. A simple "I'm sorry, I haven't been feeling well." goes a long way. And mind reading...we all must get better in this area!!! We'd all be trillionaires if we could do this!! :money::grumpy:
 
bethcooks4u said:
WHAT???!!!:eek: SHE has another show booked with you? You are a brave woman... :angel:
Click to expand...

Give the darn booking to Karen!!!! Fast!!!:eek:
 
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  • #53
bethcooks4u said:
WHAT???!!!:eek: SHE has another show booked with you? You are a brave woman... :angel:
Click to expand...

She was talking about having a mother/daughter show with her girl scout troop in the fall...you know, back when she was all huggy and lovey with me. I am fairly certain she has changed her evil mind about that. I will address that in our next email - I will NOT have PC give her the extra $3 for booking it unless she firms up that she still wants to do that --- and then I'll hand that show to Karen!
 
dannyzmom said:
i will not have pc give her the extra $3 for booking it unless she firms up that she still wants to do that --- and then i'll hand that show to karen!
Click to expand...

bbaaaahhhhh!!
 
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  • #55
Oh...My...God.
So, she calls me this morning all cheery as if she hasn't been beating the crap out of me via
email all week.
She tells me she has orders from her friend at the bank (these would be the orders she originally told me were totaling $500) and she wants to mail the checks & cash to me...the orders total...drumroll please...$31.00
Then she tells me that Karen called her inviting her to Karen's kick-off show and asking if she could borrow some of Joan's PC tools and Joan doesn't "feel comfortable lending my tools out" -- uh, hello, Karen is YOUR friend...YOU need to discuss this with her!!! So I explain to her that that's between the two of them and if Karen needs to borrow tools and she is not willing to help her out, I am sure we can find a PC team member in her area who'd be happy to help her out.
Then...THENNNNNN...she says to me "I really don't care for the bowl at 60% off and since you got two bookings and a new team member out of my event, I would prefer for you to give me the Master Scraper and the Mega Scraper."
?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!!?
I very calmly explained to her that it is the company that determines what the host special is for the month and that I am not at liberty to change that. So she says "Well, can't you just give them to me as a gift?" I took a deep breath and told her that I make way less commission on a FR than I do on a regular show and given what her FR turned out to be, I didn't even break even. I have two children to feed and a mortgage to pay...so, no, as much as I would looooove to give her such an expensive gift (bless her heart), I cannot do that.
What do you want to bet I will get ANOTHER nasty email from her in the next 24 hours???
 
dannyzmom said:
Oh...My...God.
So, she calls me this morning all cheery as if she hasn't been beating the crap out of me via
email all week.
She tells me she has orders from her friend at the bank (these would be the orders she originally told me were totaling $500) and she wants to mail the checks & cash to me...the orders total...drumroll please...$31.00
Then she tells me that Karen called her inviting her to Karen's kick-off show and asking if she could borrow some of Joan's PC tools and Joan doesn't "feel comfortable lending me tools out" -- uh, hello, Karen is YOUR friend...YOU need to discuss this with her!!! So I explin to her that that's between the two of them and if Karen needs to borrow tolls and she is not willing to help her out, I am sure we can find a PC team member in her area who'd be happy to help her out.
Then...THENNNNNN...she says to me "I really don't care for the bowl at 60% out and since you got two bookings and a new team member out of my event, I would prefer for you to give me the Master Scraper and the Mega Scraper."
?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!!?
I very calmly explained to her that it is the company that determines what the host special is for the month and that I am not at liberty to change that. So she says "Well, can't you just give them to me as a gift?" I took a deep breath and told her that I make way less commission on a FR than I do on a regular show and given what her FR turned out to be, I didn't even break even. I have two children to feed and a mortgage to pay...so, no, as much as I would looooove to give her such an expensive gift (bless her heart), I cannot do that.
What do you want to bet I will get ANOTHER nasty email from her in the next 24 hours???
Click to expand...

OMG.....psycho!!!!

Keep us updated!!
 
Oh my Carolyn! You are kidding, right??? :yuck::yuck:
 
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  • #58
pampmomof3 said:
Oh my Carolyn! You are kidding, right??? :yuck::yuck:
Click to expand...

Nope...dead serious.
I wish ya'll could have heard the tone with which she "asked for" (read: demanded) free gifts from me.
 
WOW! Just.... WOW!!!!
 
:yuck:TOTALLY shaking my head!!!!:yuck:
 
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