Improving the New Web: Feedback and Solutions from an Advanced Director

[almondfarm]

Another thing that I would like to be able to do is add the replacement parts to a customer order on a show (as non commissionable, and non counting towards guest sales) but at least to save some of the direct shipping that now applies to them.

 

[finley1991]

Less clicking and saving.

No requirement to click ok when we do save

Less clicks to get to consultant connection

There will be less clicking when all consultants are on the new web. We have to click so much at the moment because we are running on both websites at the moment. Thankfully that will go away. HTH!

 

[Nanisu]

Seriously? They want constructive CRITICISM???? How about just keeping a log of the calls they receive, that should be enough. Or look on the loops. I know they are looking, I've gotten calls....The whole thing is ridiculously slow and cumbersome, I cannot imagine using it when I have a huge show to put in, I am dreading it. I will NOT actively recruit until this is fixed. They need to scrap it and start again, with consultants and IT people this time and not a focus group. Band-aid on a sieve is what they have now.

 

[cookingwithlove]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I appreciate it. I will let you know if anything productive comes out of it tomorrow.

 

[PCJenni]

Wendy, my call had nothing to do with the web... did yours?

 

[cookingwithlove]

My call was just after yours. They wanted us to start with something positive and that took us to 10:30. They started late, I guess they were still on your call. The new web was like the elephant in the room that nobody wanted to talk about. It was mentioned breifly at first, but then someone got on a diatribe about the trips and lowering the earns, bringing back the gift card, being able to earn buy ins for kids. Good stuff. Then the new web was mentioned and the various points were brought out. Fixing the tax rates, being able to print receipts, the tediousness of hitting the submit and update to get to the next step in the process. I actually told Jean that I was a bit offended in her call to the Upper Levels when she told us the New Consultants were loving the new web. I told her it felt like a slap in the face to the seasoned consultants. The last thing that was brought up was the Lead System and that the leads should go to someone who has a firm grasp on the entire business, not just to someone who got luck and sold $1250 one month. They cut the call just after 11 am. So while I had more I wanted to say, I couldn't because there was not enough time.

 

[PCJenni]

our call got started late because they gave us the wrong call in number. The web was mentioned but basically it was "yeah we know it isn't working, yeah we are working on it, yeah we know it isn't the tool we had anticipated it would be"

 

[Sequeemamma]

So what exactly do you think the purpose of the call actually was?? All that hype to you all, and nothing really constructive happened? Did they just need a pat on the back for maybe doing something right? Or are they trying to see how many upper levels are on their way out?

I'm personally quite disappointed by your report. I know they are in quite a pickle here. But it seems like the end is near. I feel like we're on the Titanic with the same inevitable results.

 

[PCJenni]

I think they genuinely are aware that things are not going fantastically based on sales and recruiting, coupled with the web disaster, lack of trip earners. I think Chairman's Circle might have hit them hard. My NE said on a call today that when they were shown the product that was going to be given for sending in 2 shows in July, they all told them absolutely that was not a good idea. So they changed it, added the QSP for sending in shows before the 15th etc. I think they were looking to us to see where we are at. They know the web isn't working. Marla said that they are painfully aware of the issues with the web. I sent a follow up email with my concerns about the change in the lead system. Both the 1250 for everyone and the lack of leads that have been generated. I also said that I think directorship has been eroded with the changes in the career plan, increases in trip points etc. TL title is worth nothing now... 1 or 2% commission is about $25 a month to someone with a TL title..that's it.. all they get how much of a motivation is that really??

 

[cookingwithlove]

I sent a follow up email too. I like the idea of bringing back the gift card for the first level earners. It was my first stepping stone towards a trip. I also let them know that I was concerned with the cost that is associated with the new web change. Everyone will have to purchase/own an iPad in order for their businesses to run smoothly. An Android pad is not guaranteed to work and forget using a phone at a show. I also expressed my concerns over the new lead system. My NED told me that Marla is very upset about how the New Web has failed so spectacularly and if she could she would fire everyone. Leadership will be interesting.

 

[PCJenni]

the gift card was the stepping stone for me too!I said the same thing

 

[pamperedlinda]

the gift card was the stepping stone for me too!I said the same thing

I loved picking up my gift card at conference every year! It's a wonderful incentive for the consultants who don't do this business at a level to earn a trip, it made me feel like I had accomplished something special too!

 

[baychef]

Jenni and Wendy, thank you so much for sharing and your honesty. They have a wonderful company and some of the changes you have all mentioned her are great. I agree with the gift card. We used one towards a trip to Florida (it was great to take in February when it is still cold up north) and one to ring in New Year's in Ottawa, Ontario.

Wendy, I am glad that you mentioned the call to the Upper Levels. Yes, we must stay positive, however it must be balanced with reality.

The lead system has netted me several online sales, but ZERO leads...from May through July? And nothing is wrong? Really? I did a search last week but don't do as many as I have. Consultants that are 60 to 70 miles away were given for an address that is less than a mile from my house. As Judge Judy says...don't pee on my leg and tell me it is raining!!

 

[Nanisu]

My NED told me that Marla is very upset about how the New Web has failed so spectacularly and if she could she would fire everyone. Leadership will be interesting.

I don't know about firing everyone. that is counter-productive. I'm all about fixing issues rather than wasting time placing blame...who cares? Just get to the point where it works better.

You know, I think one of my biggest issues with the lead system is that they just don't seem to give a rip about how many of us are offended by it. I personally told someone in upper management that slowly, over the past couple of years, being a director really doesn't mean anything any more and I personally feel kind of kicked to the curb. I KNOW people are telling them this, and the reaction is "tough, we are doing it this way". How hard would it be to change that back?

I told this person that I believe that directors are the bread and butter of this company, and that they are spending so much wooing and ooohing over both the new people and the upper-level achievers that those of us in the middle are somewhat disrespected. I told her "not everyone goes to the store for the newest and latest food, or filet mignon, but everyone goes for bread and butter. We are the company's bread and butter and we are not hardly accounted for". This person's response was ----BUPKIS!!!!--nothing.

I hope they work this out. I'm sorry that sales and recruiting are being impacted, but maybe just like our personal lives, sometimes it may take a crisis or big event to make us take stock of our priorities, maybe this will cause them to re-thing some things. The new web is cool (when they get it working), but I for one could have seen them spending $$ on some other things first.

 

[PCJenni]

well said Nancy! I sent a follow up email with this as well..

 

[DuenFounnyHok]

the gift card was the stepping stone for me too!I said the same thing

Yeah, I have been doing this for over 12 years. With the requirements for trips when I first started, I would have earned serveral by now. The 'carrot' keeps moving just out of my reach. I would at least most likely earned gift cards almost every year. I have been jumped on this before, but I just don't care about the trips any more. I would love it if they brought the cost on the high end of the trips down and spread that money around in the middle a little more.

Sandi

 

[PCJenni]

It was made clear on my call that the cost of the trips has increased for the company so the points go up. It was also made clear that they need to recognize and reward more than the top 1 or 2% of the company

 

[Nanisu]

Of course the trips have gone up. Duh. Everything has gone up. I have an idea: get more affordable trips and reward more people with SOMETHING than the top 1% with dream-of-a-lifetime trips every year. Quite frankly, if I am doing $15-20K a month I can probably buy my own trip to Ireland.....