I'm Sitting With Doris at the New Director's Breakfast!!

[jwpamp]

Laura & Janice-

First, congrats on your success! You sure deserve to be at those tables!

A question--do either of you have young children that you stay home with? I really want to get on the phone more b/c I realize that's where the money is (getting bookings, customer care, etc.) & decided that I would contact every customer about their products. ....I really want to build a team this year & have a lot of shows & I know the phone & working my biz is the way to do it, but I haven't been able to figure out the best use of my time with having kids here all day. I always feel like I'm playing catch up!

I am NOT the one to ask about doing the buisness with small children, mine are 25, 24 and 16. However, I have heard some great advice from my own Director to other moms with young children:

• 
  Ask the moms that you are sitting for to take YOURchildren for an hour or 2 twice a week so YOU can do your business calls

• Have a special box of toys that the child can play with ONLY when you are on the phone

• Have hubby watch the kids or put them to bed twice a week! It's NOT babysitting, it is tending to THEIR OWN CHILD

I applaude people who do this business with children or another job, but where there is a will, there is a way!

As far as talking to your hosts, I personally talk to them 3-4 times BEFORE the show, spaced over the weeks before the show. I make sure I know WHAT they want from the show, who they are asking, using the Host Info Form COMPLETELY!! You SHOULD know what the guests do and what they like (are they cooks, SAHMs, working outside the home, etc). I tailor each show to the crowd!

Stick with it and fix what isn't working....always adapting is the key!

Good Luck!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Thanks! I think I need to talk to the host more about her guests. I don't do that too much. I'm finally getting over a phone phobia (used to be REALLY bad--I wouldn't even call my husband's house when we were dating--I always made him call me), but when I first started the biz, I always felt like I was inconveniencing them when I called & so I tried to keep it short & to the point of recipe, benefits, etc. I need to slow down & get to know them!

I guess the phone time thing will just have to be a problem until my daughter & any others that come along the way are older. My husband is WONDERFUL & knows I need to work my biz & will watch her whenever I need him to. But when I hear a crying child calling my name b/c she wants me to put her to bed, I can't concentrate on what I'm doing anyway. She's only been doing this the last month or two (seemed to coincide with my business growing-hmmm), so hopefully it's something that will get better & I can use my evening business time more effectively.

The day time just isn't going to get better. I can't trade sitting to get more phone time. My sister works full time--she's just recently gotten Fridays off & used to work 8-5 Mon-Fri, so my DH was home when she was & he watches DD. The other nephew I watch only part time, but I have the one full-time, so I can't ask her to watch DD AND my nephew--it's my job. I guess I'll just have to realize I can't get much or any PC stuff done during the day. Maybe I should get Belinda Ellsworth's Power Hour cds to use the time I have more effectively while the kids are young.

 

[PChefAbey]

What about during nap time? I have a 4 yo and a 2 yo and thats when I make my phone calls during the day. I also make calls at night when my hubby is home or if he is working I make them after I put the kids to bed.

 

[Pampered Laura]

My kids are in school M-F from 7:30-3:00...yes. But I am room mom for one, art 2 go teacher for the other, have gymnastics and sports to shuffle to, as well as normal "SAHM" duties like cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.
We all have our excuses. I could use a million different excuses as to why I dont have time to make phone calls - believe me, I've mentally tried them all LOL. I just really want my business to work for me, and so I'm finding time to make it happen.
My upline director has older kids now, but when she first started getting successful, she was a single mom with more than one child at home. Another Director in our cluster is a mother of 7 children most of whom are still at home. Another Director in our group has 2 kids under 6 at home and she finds time to make her business work. My mantra: If they can do it, so can I!

 

[chefkatie]

Congrats LadiesI got a call from Susie Lite asking me to sit at a reserved table at the Upper Level Director Dinner. She said she couldn't tell me which table yet, but to find her and I would be directed to my seat?!?!? I'm really excited to find out who it is with and what it is for.

Janice, who is your executive director? Diane Engle is my director and I am speaking at the pre-conference workshop as well. Just wondering if it is the same workshop. I am talking about "Relationships" with your team members.

Katie

 

[pamperedgirl3]

What about during nap time? I have a 4 yo and a 2 yo and thats when I make my phone calls during the day. I also make calls at night when my hubby is home or if he is working I make them after I put the kids to bed.

If I can make calls during the day, I do them during nap time. With having the younger one part time, he's often coming or going during nap time, so they aren't all three always asleep at the same time. But I try. No different than if I worked out of the home all day!

I guess I'm just going to have to stop trying to have a "perfect" time to call b/c there isn't going to be one. The hardest thing I've had to deal with in this biz is managing working at home with having young kids at home who don't understand why you need to be alone. I was a teacher before (& didn't have my daughter, either), so any phone calls, etc., were done at school in the lounge & work I took home got done when I wanted it to. Don't have that convenience at home! I just want to be professional & I hate when my customers can hear kids in the background--plus it's distracting to me. It's great in the summer b/c hubby can take my daughter outside. Perhaps you're right Laura, maybe I'm trying to make excuses for not calling! I guess customers will just have to realize that I work at home & so my family is going to be there! Also, maybe it was harder b/c we were getting ready for Christmas & the day seemed like it was over faster. This is only my 2nd year & I wasn't as busy last year so I didn't notice.

Ok-need to get a new mindset for the new year---make those calls when I can & stop waiting for the perfect time!!!!!! Thanks ladies for helping me see that I was just trying to find excuses for my not calling--I didn't realize I was doing that. But I just need to call!!

 

[jwpamp]

I got a call from Susie Lite asking me to sit at a reserved table at the Upper Level Director Dinner. She said she couldn't tell me which table yet, but to find her and I would be directed to my seat?!?!? I'm really excited to find out who it is with and what it is for.

Janice, who is your executive director? Diane Engle is my director and I am speaking at the pre-conference workshop as well. Just wondering if it is the same workshop. I am talking about "Relationships" with your team members.

Katie

Yep, that's the one Katie! I saw your name on the list, too! How exciting!!

My Exec Dir is Sherri Carr.

 

[fruit76loop]

CongratsI am sure you have all figured out now that it is the TOP new director's who get to sit with Doris and Marla at NEW director's breakfast! There are only 2 reserved tables at the breakfast and boy does it feel great to sit at one! I sat with Marla last year! Congrats and enjoy your time with those amazing women!

It is always so fun to get to sit with Marla, Doris or your upline Director! I have sat with Chris Manion many times and always feel so priveledged to have a reserved seat! Amazing what a little thing like a reserved seat can do for us! Like they say...it's not the momento but the moment!

Cant wait to see all of you there!

 

[Jilleysue]

That's awesome..CONGRATS!!! You must be psyched. Take pics...TONS OF THEM

 

[gilliandanielle]

For those of you who make calls during nap time- does anyone ever answer?? I try to make my calls during naps (1-4pm) but all I get is machines. My kids are in bed around 8:30, which seems too late to start calls and thinking of my DH attempting to put them down is laughable. I just always feel like I am "barging in" on their family time by calling in the evening.

 

[MGG]

I have 2 little guys, 2.5 yr and 1yr 4 months. I only make naptime calls if it is a hostess that I know will be home or a lead (I hate repeat calling so I try to avoid not getting ahold of someone). I then call in the evening anytime I get a window from 5-9. The way I organize it is I have a lead sheet with me all the time. Spare moments (they are few but they are there) I make a call. For customers I pick a show and carry around the file folder. I write notes on their home office receipt copy (I only submit via PP). Once everyone from that show is "checked up on" I file it away again. Sometimes it takes 2-3 day to call ALL the guest from a show, but it is the best way with "the boys". I make about 5-7 calls a day. With customers I think of answering machine calls as a mini-commercial (I just got that from Ilene Meckley). I also e-mail the anwering machine people (in case they have an issue and prefer to deal with it via email) and then log it to call back in 2 weeks. Saturday morning is also a great time around 9:00am because most everyone's home and my DH can be with the kids. Sat show crate & materials are packed and in the car Friday night.

 

[Koolotus]

Gillian
I sometimes feel the same way. But I have found that when I call and they are busy, or don't want to talk, they tell me. Othewise I just keep in mind that I am doing them a service, that they asked for so unless the vibe is different, me and my happy face will just keep talking.
I know sometimes I can talk myself out of calling because I think people might be eating or putting the kids down or whatever, but when I really am honest with myself I just know I am making excuses because I don't want to call that night.
Could be the same thing with you.

 

[legacypc46]

Janice,

You mentioned a show attendance average of 15-20 people. How do you achieve that? Your host coaching must be great!

 

[legacypc46]

Janice,

You mentioned a show attendance average of 15-20 people. How do you achieve that? Your host coaching must be great!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

Janice,

You mentioned a show attendance average of 15-20 people. How do you achieve that? Your host coaching must be great!

That is wonderful! Do you help your host make a list of at least 40, or have other coaching you say to get that high of attendance?

 

[pamperedgirl3]

For those of you who make calls during nap time- does anyone ever answer?? I try to make my calls during naps (1-4pm) but all I get is machines. My kids are in bed around 8:30, which seems too late to start calls and thinking of my DH attempting to put them down is laughable. I just always feel like I am "barging in" on their family time by calling in the evening.

First of all--are your kids ASLEEP from 1-4???? How do you manage that!!!! I can hardly get my daughter to sleep an hour! She used to sleep 2 hours in the morning & 2-3 in the afternoon, but when she cut the morning nap the afternoon one went down to 1-2 hours (usually closer to 1).

I don't usually get answers during nap time unless I know the person stays home & also has young kids that nap at that time! My daughter goes to bed at 8 & has been wanting me to do it the past month, so I am either going to try to "disappear" at bedtime so daddy has to put her to bed (she's ok unless I'm there & then she wants me to do it), or make calls from 7:15-8 & then put her to bed & try to make calls until 8:30 if I can. If not, 45 minutes is better than nothing!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Gillian
I sometimes feel the same way. But I have found that when I call and they are busy, or don't want to talk, they tell me. Othewise I just keep in mind that I am doing them a service, that they asked for so unless the vibe is different, me and my happy face will just keep talking.
I know sometimes I can talk myself out of calling because I think people might be eating or putting the kids down or whatever, but when I really am honest with myself I just know I am making excuses because I don't want to call that night.
Could be the same thing with you.

I totally know that I am making excuses for not making calls at night. I just feel like that is family time. I am all fired up and excited to make calls during naps, but no one answers. if I leave messages no one calls me back...ever!

 

[gilliandanielle]

First of all--are your kids ASLEEP from 1-4???? How do you manage that!!!! I can hardly get my daughter to sleep an hour! She used to sleep 2 hours in the morning & 2-3 in the afternoon, but when she cut the morning nap the afternoon one went down to 1-2 hours (usually closer to 1).

I don't usually get answers during nap time unless I know the person stays home & also has young kids that nap at that time! My daughter goes to bed at 8 & has been wanting me to do it the past month, so I am either going to try to "disappear" at bedtime so daddy has to put her to bed (she's ok unless I'm there & then she wants me to do it), or make calls from 7:15-8 & then put her to bed & try to make calls until 8:30 if I can. If not, 45 minutes is better than nothing!

My kids are awesome sleepers. I think it has to do with me being so lazy, so they just kinda got used to it. They are 3 and 20 months. They go to bed between 8-9pm every night and wake up around 8-9 in the morning. We eat lunch between 12-1 and they take a nap after that. Both have their own child proofed, toy filled room, so I hear them playing sometimes. By the time they actually fall asleep and wake up, it is 4 pm!!

I am going to be screwed when the baby comes and I don't get a break anymore, LOL!!

 

[ChefAggi]

Congratulations Janice!!

Enjoy every second of it!! I"m sure we will hear all about it when you come home!

Cheers

 

[pamperedgirl3]

My kids are awesome sleepers. I think it has to do with me being so lazy, so they just kinda got used to it. They are 3 and 20 months. They go to bed between 8-9pm every night and wake up around 8-9 in the morning. We eat lunch between 12-1 and they take a nap after that. Both have their own child proofed, toy filled room, so I hear them playing sometimes. By the time they actually fall asleep and wake up, it is 4 pm!!

I am going to be screwed when the baby comes and I don't get a break anymore, LOL!!

Maybe when my daughter goes to a big girl bed I'll have better luck. My nephew is a huge sleeper--he goes down at one & I usually have to wake him when his dad gets here at 4. But my other nephew & my daughter only take about 1-2 hours each day. Well, better take what I can get.