I'm on Board the Director Express!

[pamperedlinda]

My May is going pretty good! I have a recruit lead from my 4/24 show who is signing later his month after she moves. I have another girl from my 5/3 show who is supposed to sign tonight. I'm very excited that my team is growing.

I FINALLY have the team structure to regain my directorship - they just all need to sumit! When these two sign I will have 7 active lines with 1 TL and 1 SC! I'm very excited that this could be the month! I have issued a challenge to my team for everyone to be active this month. I'm giving them tickets for shows submitted, extra tickets if the show is $500 or higher, and even more tickets if they subnit before the 15th. I have plenty of stuff in my stash that I will let the winner pick from. I hope it works!

Fingers crossed

 

[NooraK]

My May is going pretty good! I have a recruit lead from my 4/24 show who is signing later his month after she moves. I have another girl from my 5/3 show who is supposed to sign tonight. I'm very excited that my team is growing.

I FINALLY have the team structure to regain my directorship - they just all need to sumit! When these two sign I will have 7 active lines with 1 TL and 1 SC! I'm very excited that this could be the month! I have issued a challenge to my team for everyone to be active this month. I'm giving them tickets for shows submitted, extra tickets if the show is $500 or higher, and even more tickets if they subnit before the 15th. I have plenty of stuff in my stash that I will let the winner pick from. I hope it works!

Fingers crossed

I'm so happy to hear things are going well for you, Linda! Make sure you keep us posted on the progress.

 

[lesliec]

Ok, I officially went to DE on Saturday and was so pumped and then had a bad show on Sunday. I wasn't confident and some of the ladies were a bit gripey.
I have had my pitty party and I am done.
I have two shows next week that I am working on, and I am off to make three more booking phone calls. Kids are down for naps and I will check back in when my phone calls are done.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

My May is going pretty good! I have a recruit lead from my 4/24 show who is signing later his month after she moves. I have another girl from my 5/3 show who is supposed to sign tonight. I'm very excited that my team is growing.

I FINALLY have the team structure to regain my directorship - they just all need to sumit! When these two sign I will have 7 active lines with 1 TL and 1 SC! I'm very excited that this could be the month! I have issued a challenge to my team for everyone to be active this month. I'm giving them tickets for shows submitted, extra tickets if the show is $500 or higher, and even more tickets if they subnit before the 15th. I have plenty of stuff in my stash that I will let the winner pick from. I hope it works!

Fingers crossed

Good idea for motivating them to submit!

I think I may do that tonight at my meeting. I'm holding my first Training/Cluster meeting here tonight. I have 13 on my team...11 lines...I just need to get both Sr. Consultant lines to submit this month. They ALL have shows on the schedule...I need to motivate them to follow through!

Does this mean that you will Walk again at Conference, Linda?

 

[peortega]

I attended DE on Saturday and am really pumped. Need to work on my confidence and initiating conversations. I am afraid of being perceived as pushy. I also need to work on not being afraid of the phone but I am determined to make it happen in the next 90-120 days (being realistic for me)!

My goal is to be SAHM to my 15month old daughter and that is my incentive. I look forward to the continued inspiration this forum and group of wonderful cheffers has to offer me!

Blessings,
Priscilla

 

[pamperedlinda]

Good idea for motivating them to submit!

I think I may do that tonight at my meeting. I'm holding my first Training/Cluster meeting here tonight. I have 13 on my team...11 lines...I just need to get both Sr. Consultant lines to submit this month. They ALL have shows on the schedule...I need to motivate them to follow through!

Does this mean that you will Walk again at Conference, Linda?

I hope it works for you Becky!

I don't know if I get to walk again - I'll have to find out about that. But...I WILL HAVE A RED RIBBON!!!! I will and I will go to the director luncheon! (I've been using a picture of the dessert we had at Director luncheon 2 years ago as my motivation screen saver.....)

 

[lesliec]

Ok, just made 3 phone calls, left one message, one rang and rang then a few clicks (will call back in a bit), and got one booking!!!!! So excited. I have 2 shows next Thursday that I need to prepare for, but would like to get some more on the calendar for the following week.

 

[pamperedlinda]

The girl I met at my show Monday night just signed!!!! woot woot
She's an adorable 18 y/o who is getting ready to go to culinary school to be a chef. She is so excited too...so am I!!

 

[lesliec]

Way to go Linda!!!! Isn't it exciting when they are so excited!!!!! Great time to help her set her sights on being a director!!!!

 

[pamperedpals]

Ok, just made 3 phone calls, left one message, one rang and rang then a few clicks (will call back in a bit), and got one booking!!!!! So excited. I have 2 shows next Thursday that I need to prepare for, but would like to get some more on the calendar for the following week.

The girl I met at my show Monday night just signed!!!! woot woot She's an adorable 18 y/o who is getting ready to go to culinary school to be a chef. She is so excited too...so am I!!

Way to go ladies! Keep it up.

 

[esavvymom]

ya'll are making me so jealous! I wasn't able to go to my location. It filled up in less than 48 hrs and I was hoping they'd open up more slots but they never did. *I didn't sign up right away because of timing/babysitter uncertainty.*
Oh well!Good job to everyone who's making it work!!! Keep sharing your words, what you are doing, successes, etc...it's helpful to others even if you don't realize it.

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I need to go back and look at my goal sheet, to get myself motivated again. I have an interview Monday with a guest from a show last night. She had great questions. Before I asked her, she said she thought she wanted to be a consultant. She has a 1 and 3 year old. Her only concern is making time for them and the business. I suggested making one day a week her PC show day. She has Sat. available with hubby home. Any suggestions for SAH moms that I could give her about the business and balancing little ones. I think the one day a week things should work for her.

 

[NooraK]

Let her know that while there are things that she'll need to do to keep her business moving, like phone calls, it doesn't take hours. Focus on the 3-2-1 plan and tell her how she can make contacts out and about, and fit in phone calls while the kids nap or are otherwise occupied for 15 minutes or so.

 

[NooraK]

I made calls using my MailChimp report last night. No luck on any bookings, though.

I was able to get a hold of the host whose show is still open. She still didn't have the orders, and wanted to hold off until Saturday again. I reminded her that she didn't want to keep her other guests waiting for their products, so she said she'll get the orders today and call me.

I didn't have time to try and call my recruit lead that was supposed to come to the meeting. Then again, I don't want to pressure her too much.

I did have a good coaching call with a host for June. I incorporated a lot of the tips I picked up on my TS CDs as well as the ones I got from training on Tuesday. She's very excited, and I even remembered to ask her about the business. She said she might consider it, but she'd like to see how the show goes. I'll still have several chances to talk to her about it before the show.

I really wish I could find two people to host shows for me before the 15th. I have to follow up with my two catalog shows today. Hopefully at least one will pan out to something.

I'm starting to get frustrated again because I'm not making any headway in booking shows. I wanted to be able to follow the plan from DE, which meant I needed to book 8 shows for May, and I'm already a week in without anything new on my calendar. It's hard not to feel like people are ignoring my calls when so few pick up when I call. All I can really do though, is keep working on it, cross my fingers, and hope for the best.

 

[lesliec]

Keep your head up Noora. You have been such an inspiration to me. May is a bit of a tough month with graduation, sports, school functions, etc. I am in the same boat, but am trying to make the most of it. I am crazy busy and am trying to get things all together and figured out for my family......
It WILL turn around and you WILL get bookings.

 

[NooraK]

Thanks Leslie

I didn't do too many calls last night. What I did do, was send messages on Facebiook. I have a bunch of contacts that I don't, for whatever reason, have a current phone number for, but am friends with on FB. So last night, I went through my friends list, and sent quite a few people the following message:

Hi _________,

I've received a challenge to try something a little different. I'm looking for someone to host a show either Wednesday or Thursday next week (the 12th or the 13th). I know it's short notice, but I've been learning some new tips for successful parties, and have been challenged to put them into action.

Would you be available and willing to call up some friends for an evening of fun and food with Pampered Chef?

I got a bunch of "sorry, I can't" responses, but I did get one who said 95% sure for Wednesday! She asked me to give her until Saturday to be sure. Hopefully it'll stick, I really want to pick up the pace.

Today, I didn't do anything. I'm taking the day off to get older, and I'm not going to do any PC calls today. Well, except trying to get a hold of my host from April 25th to close her show. DH and I spent a relaxing morning with DS, then dropped him off with the babysitter for a few hours and went to see a movie.

 

[suzipooh]

My May is looking great,..I'm getting bookings for July,...but NOTHING for June...ugh!
The recruit lead I have been working with signed with "Blessings Unltd." I'm happy she found something that is a good fit for her,...(sigh).... I have another lead that keeps saying "not yet ~ but keep me on your list" ....so hopefully one day the timing will be right for her.
I put together 225 PC "goodie bags" for the Melting Pot restaurant to add to their Mother's Day give away bags...hopefully something will come from that
I have 3 May shows coming up that are completely out of my circle and I'm hoping to make some connections at those shows that will lead to June bookings and new recruit leads.
I saw a great idea on here about a "PINKO" HWC fundraiser and I'm planning on hosting one myself at the end of May.
I really, REALLY want to make my PC business my full time gig. I have 10 more days of school and then SUMMER! I don't think I want to go back in the fall......
Thanks for inspiring me and keeping me accountable.....

 

[NooraK]

No progress on the recruit front. I took Friday off to get older, spent Saturday cleaning up around the house, and Sunday was Mothers' Day, so I didn't do much toward my business. I did get my April 25th show closed and submitted, but that's about it.

I need to check in with my leads to see if they're going to culminate into anything. I also need to check in with that one positive response from my FB message to see if we're on for Wednesday. I also got another message back last night from someone who said he and his wife are busy with her graduation, but he wants to know more about how the parties work.

I also found a pile of mail in the garage while cleaning, with the payment from a customer who had bought some Snowman Platters in early March. Not very happy with DH on that one, since he knows how panicked I was when I realized I hadn't received it, and specifically asked him to see if he had gotten any mail that didn't make it into the house. I had been under the impression that she had sent cash, so I had just written it off, but I actually got a check, so I'll have to call her today to make sure it's OK to be cashed.

 

[NooraK]

Not much progress in the last couple of days. I did very few calls yesterday and today, because I'm once again at that point: I don't know who else to call, and I don't want to keep bugging the same people I've already left messages for.

I did speak to two recruit leads today. One lives in Nashville, and I've been in contact with her for about a year. She's had a lot on her plate with her husband's job, uncertainty about whether he'll get relocated, three other businesses she's currently involved in and so forth. Her house had water damage from a burst pipe in January, and she's slowly been getting things fixed up. I spoke to her at the beginning of the month and sent a catalog show packet so she could sell some pink prodcuts. If she wasn't preoccupied before, she certainly is now. Her house got flooded AGAIN, and some of her neighbors' houses even had water up to their rooflines. She doesn't feel comfortable asking people to order stuff, but I told her she could turn the show into a fundraiser, or donate her Free Products to someone in need. She liked that idea, and will get back to me this weekend on what she might want to do. She also said that she really would like to start selling PC, but it's just not something she wants to add to her plate right now.

The other recruit lead is the gal down the street. She apologized for forgetting about the meeting last week, and I apologized for forgetting to call and remind her. She's currently dealing with a medical issue with the exchange student that is staying with them, and in the next month she's got one student going home, two more coming to stay plus vacation with family and with friends. She didn't specifically mention signing up, and I didn't want to specifically bring it up because of how the conversation was going.

It doesn't look like I'll be able to get two shows in by the 15th. I do have two shows next week, though. I'm hoping to be able to build enough consistency into my schedule, that I'll have two shows every week, and I won't have to worry about promotions tied to specific dates. DH did say he's got two people at work who are wanting to buy the DCB, but I'll have to see if that comes through. He wants to help, but because he's a manager, he doesn't want to be overly pushy, which sometimes translates to him forgetting to follow up. I keep telling him to just get me the contact information of anyone who expresses interest in ordering or a show, but I haven't gotten him trained to that point yet.

 

[NooraK]

I've been slacking on my calls in the last few days. I just haven't been able to find the energy to get through my contacts list to find people to call. Last night I spent a good chunk of the evening getting invitations ready for the fundraiser I'll be doing June 5th. My host said that she's still trying to get her other two daughters to put their guest lists together as well. I'm really looking forward to it, and it just hit me that this'll count for SAT!

I did speak to one contact on Wednesday night that I hadn't spoken with in a while. She used to work here at the bank, and has ordered from shows others have hosted. When I first spoke to her a few years ago, she said she had recently lost her full-time job (she was here part-time), and used to do TW, so she might be interested in PC. I actually never got a hold of her since then, but I've seen her open my newsletters, and I've occasionally left messages.

When I spoke with her again the other night, she said she'd be interested in hosting a show, but her son had recently moved in, and she had excess furniture in her living room, and literally does not have room to host. She is on a waiting list for a larger apartment, and I also offered my own home, and she said she'd think about it as things settle down. She said she was concerned that she might be laid off from her current full-time job the next day. She's still interested in the business, but just isn't in a spot to think about it right now.

I did also get another response to my FB message. She's a past host and said her calendar is full for the next month or so, but maybe July. I let her know that my July will be a wait-and-see situation, but that I'd check in with her in June.

Tonight, I work until 6:30, so DS will probably be in bed by the time I get home. Maybe I'll get some calls in before it gets too late to call anyone.

 

[peortega]

Still plugging along. Making calls and trying to get shows booked. So far three catalog shows and one cooking show. Need to go back and reread my notes from DE.

 

[suzipooh]

This is my last week at school (YAY!)
I'll try my luck at another $1000 Mystery host catalog show. I've done this the past 2 years in June with great success.
I am supposed to have a show tomorrow night,... but have not heard from the host -gah! I hate when that happens! I'll call her AGAIN tonight and see what's up.I have another show this Friday that I hope to get some good leads from. I have 3 more May catalog shows to close,...but still NOTHING booked for June
I guess I need to make friends with the phone!

 

[NooraK]

My host for Thursday texted me last night to let me know that she has to reschedule, because she forgot an appointment she has at 6:30. I'll be talking to her today at work, and hopefully I'll be able to get her back on my calendar for the following week. If not, then the first week of June, and that'll count for SAT.

My host for Saturday just said she's got 5-6 confirmed yeses for her party. I reminded her to go ahead and keep inviting up until the day of the party.

I sent out the invitations for the lists I have for my June 5th fundraiser yesterday. I spoke with the host this morning when dropping DS off, and she said she'd sent an email to everyone letting them know the invitations are on their way. She's also working on getting her other two daughters to put together their lists, and is considering sending her daughters' friends messages on facebook.

I need to practice my booking and recruiting seeds in preparation for my upcoming party. Hopefully I'll be able to drum up some new business from them. I had good luck with my Full Service Checkout at my last two parties, but I need to plant more seeds. I'm thinking of writing up some note cards to set on my table to flip over as I plant the seeds.

 

[loreo]

I am supposed to have a show tomorrow night,... but have not heard from the host -gah! I hate when that happens! I'll call her AGAIN tonight and see what's up.

Try using thse script from the handout. It will let her bow out gracefully and give you a good rep

 

[suzipooh]

Thanks,...she emailed me last night and we're still on for tonight. She said she has 6 confirmed,...we'll see how it goes...I did not make friends with the phone last night... I made friends with the couch instead I know, I know..... only I can make it happen.... I WILL get a June booking at my show tonight...

 

[suzipooh]

so, the show was ...ok. I did get a June booking and I have a potential recruit,..so,..yay!
I have another show this Friday, again completely outside my circle so I'm hoping to get another June booking or 2 and hopefully a recruit lead or 2
I sent out an email for my annual June "$1000 mystery host show" and have takers already yay! I already have them all set up online and will get packets out to them this weekend. I'm planning on closing that by June 7th. Two of the participants are "heavy hitters" so I'm hoping for a pretty good show.
I'll also be putting catalogs and coupons in the teacher's mailboxes at school tomorrow....
Still have not made friends with the phone,..but I got home from my show too late last night to be making calls ~ so I have a good excuse ~

 

[NooraK]

Gah! I just go the following email from my recruit lead:

I wanted to let you know that I found out about a week ago that one of my friends is in Pampered Chef. Her cluster meetings are right over in [nearby subdivision]. So, I went ahead and signed up under her. I'm sorry! It just worked better for me and my friend this other way. I am having my kickoff show on June 7th at 6pm. Feel free to drop by! I would love to have you.

Talk to you soon!

I have to admit, I haven't been the best at following up, and I don't know if it would have made a difference anyway if the other person is a friend of hers. I've really not done any of my calls for the last couple of weeks. I just feel like I don't know who to call, because I don't want to keep bugging the same people.

My show from the 22nd is still open. There were 4 guests in attendance, the last of which didn't show up until I was completely done with my whole demo and wrap up. The show was supposed to have started at 3:00 PM, I didn't leave until 6:30. The last arrivee and another guest were just sitting there browsing through the catalog and chit chatting. I asked the other guest a couple of times if she was ready and she said she was still looking. She ended up not even ordering anything.

I'm all fine with someone not ordering something. I was frustrated though that they kept me waiting like that, giving me the impression that they were going to order. I mean, the Host is a wonderful person, and a friend, so I don't mind hanging out, but I hated leaving my family at home waiting on me. I left the house with $55 in orders. I got another order from a mutual co-worker the next day which brought the total to $125. I let the Host know she needed another $25 just to make this a show. She brought me one more order on Thursday. For $12.50! And to top it off, one of the guests from the show called yesterday to say she'd put the Pizza Roll & Crust mix on her order instead of the Beer Bread she wanted, and when she found out it'd be $2.50 more, she asked to take the whole thing off her order.

This whole ordeal has been so frustrating, mainly because I really wanted this Host to have a great show. I'd done a show for her a couple of years ago when I first started, and that one wasn't too great. I booked this one right after I came back from DE, and I thought this would go so much better. She never did give me a useable guest list (all of the addresses were missing house numbers), and I don't know if she really called all of her guests. I know she enjoyed the get together aspect of the show, so I hope that's sufficient so she's not upset about the minimal reward she's earning. And of course, with only four guests, only one of which I really got to talk to (since one left early and two didn't order at the show), I don't have any new leads either.

I have a fundraiser coming up on the 5th for DS's baby sitter, and I'm feeling much better about this one. They're all (Mom & 3 grown daughters) very excited, and very dedicated to the cause they're raising funds for. I've already gotten one $131 order online, so I'm hoping for a good turnout. I also have a show for the 10th, and the Host says she's filled out much of the 2 page guest list I gave her, I just have to get her to give it to me.

I'm really trying to focus on the positive, this email I just got just didn't really help much. But I'm glad I have you guys, you understand. I get to let it out, which makes it much easier to Bless & Release.

 

[pamperedlinda]

Ya'll, keep plugging along - it WILL happen! I haven't been posting much in this thread because I tend to jinx myself but......as of Friday night at 11:35pm....I REPROMOTED!!!!! woot woot, I'm so excited. It was down to ONE consultant submitting a show....and she came through for me. I gave her $60 in order to help her out, turns out she didn't even need them, she got more orders on her own.

 

[NooraK]

Congratulations Linda, I'm so happy for you!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Congratulations Linda, I'm so happy for you!

Thanks Noora! I've got my fingers crossed for you and am rooting for you. You can do it :chef: