Incentive Trips No Opportunity for Some

[wadesgirl]

I was disappointed when they added the recruiting requirement. My first year in the business I earned Level 1 when there wasn't a recruiting requirement. When they announced the new incentives the next year I didn't think I could make it. But then I thought well I might as well try! And I got that plus the one from last year! I would love to earn a trip and plan on working towards it. Will I make it? Maybe? Who knows but (my favorite quote for the year): If you aim for the moon and miss it at least you land in the stars. Which means even if I don't earn the trip there will be so many more positive things that I may earn or learn this year through my business!

 

[loreo]

I was disappointed when they added the recruiting requirement. My first year in the business I earned Level 1 when there wasn't a recruiting requirement. When they announced the new incentives the next year I didn't think I could make it. But then I thought well I might as well try! And I got that plus the one from last year! I would love to earn a trip and plan on working towards it. Will I make it? Maybe? Who knows but (my favorite quote for the year): If you aim for the moon and miss it at least you land in the stars. Which means even if I don't earn the trip there will be so many more positive things that I may earn or learn this year through my business!

That's a great attitude- and I love the quote too!

 

[pampered1224]

I so agree that these trips are majorly a wonderful gift from our company. I know they are not a right. But with HO being so "goal" orientated, they sort of took that goal away for a lot of people. And I know that it is obtainable for most 9 to 5ers. I also know as I was not a typical 9 to 5er. My hours were never set in stone. My general hours were from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. BUT I also had to be at home at 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday every night to run our day end procedures. And there were many times it would be Monday through Friday so our collections department could do collection calls later into the night. And Saturdays and Sundays were the days I went in to run updates or yearly letters or special projects. And most times these were not preplanned. You did them when the requesting department was ready for them. I found many consultants were in positions that had started running OT shifts that were mandatory as the companies they worked for were very much not hiring new people but the work still needed to get done. And most of them too were told the day of or the week before a weekend OT stint. How do you plan for that? So basically what those people hear, as my recruit did and she told me this, was that if you want to do PC and earn anything major - you can't work a full time job that is unpredictable. We don't live in that type of economic climate any more. When they say "jump" you simply ask how high! I had to cancel several parties, actually 9, last year because of "extra" stuff I needed to do for work. I missed the free NC by $5000. Do you know that with my show average and had I been able to do those shows, I would have gotten it even though I was laid up for two months. It was totally obtainable for me. I set my sights on it in January and worked my butt off to get there. Now, if I had been employed still, my January and February would still have been lean so there is no making up for that as I work almost every weekend in those two months. Then in March and early April I loose another 4 weeks of productive parties. Then again in June and August. Those I could predict. But then again, I never knew when the report runs would actually occur date wise. So... that is why I brought it up. I see both sides and I do understand HO and I understand what you said Carolyn but have you really seen the totality of the other side? Unless we actually walk in someone elses shoes, we can not clearly see what they are facing. It is easy to say "Well I work 40 hours a week and I can do it". But I can say to that I work 40 hours a week and I can't do it. Why? Because from week to week I only knew APPROXIMATELY when I could do parties or not. I never could book far out and booking in close from one party to another seemed not to work for me. So... Tell me the words please to use with this recruit to explain that even with a screwy schedule, she can make it to Toranto at least. I am very open to suggestions.

 

[Liquid Sky]

Tell me the words please to use with this recruit to explain that even with a screwy schedule, she can make it to Toronto at least. I am very open to suggestions.

Does she work the same schedule as you? If you come the the "recruiting table" with more of a negative take on the trip levels this year then so will she. She will have to decide for herself how bad she wants it and will make it happen. Everyone earns the trips differently...my AD earns them (level 4) by August every year. Another AD (above me and my AD) kicks major butt to earn the trips the last 5 months of the year. Yes, she does killer back to back shows and sells and recruits her brains out..but that's just how she operates every year. One is slow and consistent, and the other takes it easy then gets the fire lit under her and makes it happen under the gun. If earning the trips is your recruit's "why" then communicate to her that ANYONE can earn any trip they want, and it's up to the individual to determine if they WANT to earn it. "That's the cool thing! In PC any consultant at any level can earn trips! You don't have to be up to a certain "level" to get priority picking of your destination!" (meaning D's and above get to go on trips...etc)It does not make sense to tell her (if you had been telling her or what not) that it's a shame b/c prior years there was a lower "level 1" and then they threw recruiting requirements in. It all doesn't matter. It is what it is and you, as her recruiter, are there to help her reach her goal(s). Try not to let your opinions (dislikes) about the certain promotions deter her decision making...b/c you will find she will not sign (more than likely) and you two will never know if she could have earned a trip. I hope this all makes sense. It's kinda like that saying that if you had a horrible day and you are on your way to a cooking show to leave all that mental junk at the door before you walk into the hosts home. Same goes for recruiting. There are things that we all have "beefs" about (personal choices/feelings) and don't hand that over to the potential recruit. She wants to earn a trip? SHE CAN! You will help her reach her goals and lay the path for her to reach it. :thumbup:

 

[dannyzmom]

Does she work the same schedule as you?

If you come the the "recruiting table" with more of a negative take on the trip levels this year then so will she. She will have to decide for herself how bad she wants it and will make it happen. Everyone earns the trips differently...my AD earns them (level 4) by August every year. Another AD (above me and my AD) kicks major butt to earn the trips the last 5 months of the year. Yes, she does killer back to back shows and sells and recruits her brains out..but that's just how she operates every year. One is slow and consistent, and the other takes it easy then gets the fire lit under her and makes it happen under the gun.

If earning the trips is your recruit's "why" then communicate to her that ANYONE can earn any trip they want, and it's up to the individual to determine if they WANT to earn it. "That's the cool thing! In PC any consultant at any level can earn trips! You don't have to be up to a certain "level" to get priority picking of your destination!" (meaning D's and above get to go on trips...etc)

It does not make sense to tell her (if you had been telling her or what not) that it's a shame b/c prior years there was a lower "level 1" and then they threw recruiting requirements in. It all doesn't matter. It is what it is and you, as her recruiter, are there to help her reach her goal(s). Try not to let your opinions (dislikes) about the certain promotions deter her decision making...b/c you will find she will not sign (more than likely) and you two will never know if she could have earned a trip.

I hope this all makes sense. It's kinda like that saying that if you had a horrible day and you are on your way to a cooking show to leave all that mental junk at the door before you walk into the hosts home. Same goes for recruiting. There are things that we all have "beefs" about (personal choices/feelings) and don't hand that over to the potential recruit. She wants to earn a trip? SHE CAN! You will help her reach her goals and lay the path for her to reach it. :thumbup:

Very well put Caressa!!!

 

[mscharf]

Tell me the words please to use with this recruit to explain that even with a screwy schedule, she can make it to Toranto at least. I am very open to suggestions.

I think it is a misconception you have to do a ton of shows to earn a trip. I earned level 2 Disney, in my first year of business, and I only did 41 cooking shows this year. Anything is possible!
I don't focus on the trips when recruiting. Find out their WHY and focus on that!! I do talk about the EXTRAS PC rewards us with on a small and large scale, but they are just that... EXTRAS!

 

[esavvymom]

My take is this....was I disappointed that the first level was "so high"? Yes- a little, but I decided to look at the numbers and see what it would take for me to get Level 2! (Aim for the moon!). Surprisingly...if I can do the 2 shows a week average, increase my SHOW average at those said shows, and then throw in 3-4 catalog shows a month...It could likely happen! Now- of course, the recruiting- I'm shooting for 10 to get the points....but if I'm doing 8-10 shows a month, I'll be in front of alot of people....average at my show is 10...so about 80-100 people every month. If 1 person per month between now and November signed up, I'd have my 10 people!I know my first goal to start getting this ball rolling is to improve my Customer Care!! Then I need to get my phone scripts on paper and in front of me so I can be on the phone more regularly. Will I make Maui? I hope so, but if I miss and get Toronto- I'll make that a wonderful trip with my family (I'm looking at it for Niagra Falls personally...not so much the city.)I think it's great that some directors are offering extra incentives- because it only helps THEM, since their team will be motivated and sell (which helps the director!). THe cluster I was with (hospitality) when we saw the video- no one said anything about the trips!! It was weird. You could almost sense the thoughts going through everyone's minds...but I want to achieve something. Worst case scenario....I build my business up, have nice fat commission checks and earn all of the OTHER Fabulous incentives throughout the year (hopefully including free NC for THIS year!) and if I don't make the trip, I'll probably have a better poised business for the next one.Play with the numbers....you might surprise yourself. It can't hurt to try, right?? Keep a POSITIVE attitude about it for your recruits, too....otherwise, you won't have many recruits trying too hard! (which will impact your paycheck too!) Encourage them to do their best to build their business and get the other great incentives. If they start mid-year, help them build the business up so that starting the beginning of the next year, they have a foundation in place for earning what comes in 2012. They'll still have the other incentives to work for even in the later months of the year- think of all we've had this year, like totes, Sell-A-Thon products, and even PC Bucks which can be used for NC and other things. Ok...I'll stop now.

 

[susanr613]

I'm sorry you guys but quite honestly...they don't HAVE to give us anything!!!
Do your 9-5 jobs offer you free vacations???

THIS IS A GIFT!

If you don't think you can earn it - then focus on ALL THE OTHER GIFTS they offer us throughout the year - almost every single month they are running incentives from free products to logo wear to NC registration and PC dollars...go for those.

I have been on level 2, 3 and 4 trips and I can tell you there are TONS of people on those trips who have 9-5 jobs on top of their Pampered Chef businesses...I have seen Chiropractors, accountants, nurses, teachers, day care providers and then some on these trips. If they can do it, so can each and every one of you.

If you want something bad enough, you'll do whatever it takes to earn it. How badly do YOU want it?

Two great points made here - first that the trip is ON TOP of everything else we earn - commission, free products and other incentives during the year. Second that ANY goal is attainable if you are willing to think outside your box and work your patootie off.

Right around Christmas, Oprah featured a woman from Africa who was not allowed to be educated, was married very young and abused by her husband, and lived in a small village. When she was in her 20's with 3 - 4 kids, she met a woman from Heifer Intl, who told her anything is attainable. She proceeded to earn bachelors and masters degrees and is on track to earn her PhD. She and her children live in the US, and she divorced the abuser and remarried.

When you read about those situations, it makes earning a trip seem either trivial or attainable. You choose and let that guide you.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." ~ Author Unknown

I agree. But please, let me add a personal one of my own.

"People who believe it CAN be done should go full speed ahead, and not waste time assuming that everyone can do what they can do."
Me

In other words, I would never, ever, ever take your goals away from you. Please do not set goals for me, and chide me for meeting expectations I find unreasonable for me and my situation.It is YOUR LIFE, and YOUR WAY! Not YOUR LIFE and SOMEBODY ELSE'S WAY. I can relate to John. I too work a full-time job with very odd hours, frequent second shifts, special projects and weekend shifts. I can GUESS as to what weekends I will be working but I have been wrong in the past. It's typically one or two weekends a month.I, too, am grateful for regular ongoing incentives. I can't meet them much of the time, however, and that is OK with me. For instance, this is the first year I have not made November sell a thon. Not because I did not have two November shows, but because I did not have them in the time frame set for me. Only because my Nov. 26 host agreed to have her show submitted as a December show did I meet any SAT level at all!But even that is more than my previous product line gave me ... I remember having to sell thousands in a given time period just to get a small selection of the new product line ... and it was always in a month when it was HARDEST to sell!John ... I would tell your recruit to strive for other incentives aside from the trips if she's daunted by the requirements. There are plenty of carrots aside from this one.

 

[cookie325]

In other words, I would never, ever, ever take your goals away from you. Please do not set goals for me, and chide me for meeting expectations I find unreasonable for me and my situation.

Di, I was not attempting to chide you for saying that the trip is unattainable for you or set goals for you, as is apparent if you read my post. Only you know your personal situation and what you're capable of. As I said, that is a quote that I tell myself daily when I think it can't be done, because in reality, I know it can. My message was simply to share with others how I have often told myself that I couldn't do it and how I am not allowing myself to indulge in any more negative self-talk this time around. As has been said before in other threads, whether you think you can or think you can't - you're right.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I wasn't speaking directly to one person ... just making a general statement. There seems to be an epidemic in our society of people assuming that others can do things just because they can.Then again my day/night/evening job is in a profession that ranked poorly (185th on a list of 200 jobs) in terms of income, outlook, stress and other factors. I'm wondering if John and his friend are Ironworkers, Roustabouts or Stevedores!

 

[dannyzmom]

An observation that makes me wonder...
I notice consultants both on this board and on my own team who spend a tremendous amount of time complaining and being negative. These are often the same people who "can never get a booking" or "can't earn trips" or "have a hard time reaching even level 1 of sell-a-thon." So...this observation makes me wonder - do these same consultants give off negative vibes at their shows, too? Because I am sure that if they do, that explains why they struggle with bookings and meeting goals. I had a consultant on my team years ago who was a whiner, a Debby Downer...I went with her to one of her shows and along with the rest of the guests couldn't wait til the evening was over. She was negative even at her show...it was no wonder she got no bookings and ended up leaving the business. She has since tried 2 other direct sales lines, got laid off from her day job and now does in-home daycare.
I guess it all leads back to what what Nicole said earlier - whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right.

 

[baychef]

I certainly do not want to turn this into a "my plate is fuller than yours" but here is a very brief discription of my life, my life with PC and my goals.

My full time job is a school food service director overseeing 50 employees in 8 self prep kitchens who feed 3800 to 4000 students a day. I also work all but 4 weeks in the summer (only about 10 business days are off in a row...4 of which are spent going to Chicago). 60% of our students are children of the Fort Drum Army Post. Their brave parents are either serving in Iraq or Afghanastan while the other parent is home keeping the home going and raising their beautiful children. With every child in and out...paperwork is required and lots of it. There is a constant swinging door of families moving.

Then, I do (and love) PC. Friday, Saturday and Sundays. I also have a team of about 10 active out of about 20. 2 Team Leaders and one 2nd gen TL. Many Sr. consultants. Have been in 10 yrs. have earned a trip card, 7 day Caribbean cruise, Disney, Atlantis, 3 day Caribbean cruise.

Then soon I will be generating letters for a small family business of renting 2cottages for the summer for the family. In May I will spend several days spring cleaning both the size of small homes with lots of unhappy spiders when I arrive. My out of town brother and I had a 100 foot seawall put in...my half...paid for by my commissions. Every Satuday I will be cleaning a cottage for the next rentors (long story, but right now I have all expences and no income from this).

I assist my parents with their doctor visits and many other things. And I have a 19 year old who although does not live in my house...I still love him and help raise him. (he has been on 3 of my earned trips)

My PC goals for 2010:
Promote to AD
Hoping to earn the first diamond on my ruby ring
Silver level to Hawaii

This is one of my dream trips that I have been hoping for. I am really digging in and will enjoy every bit of it. And my commission check will be helping buy one of my Dad's hearing aids.

"Incentive" Hawaii is a HUGE carrot and I will do all I can to earn it. It will take all of my efforts.

I understand that the bar has been set very high. But I also look at companies that have gone under in the past year. Home Interiors, Big Yellow Box and now At Home America is "re-organizing". Tastefully Simple re-aligned their levels and recruiting. It looked very much like PC. Times ARE tough and I want PC to survive just as much as I want Hawaii.

I am in agreement with Carolyn. Now I have to go warm up my phone!

 

[pampered1224]

OK. Points seen. You know that is very true. I think I did not see everything I needed to see from my fellow consultants to make a clear determination here. I am now wondering if the ones that were disappointed in the levels are the ones who are negative thinkers. Oooooo yuck! I just did a hypocritical move! I am not walking in their shoes either so I DON'T know why they were so upset. Geez! What a dope! Get out the wet noodles Carolyn! I know I have a negativity but that was built into me by my own work conditions. I hated that I had no control over my schedule and had to cancel parties to keep my full time job. But I was too scared to say "I can't I have something else to do." So that said, I think I know what to say to my gal about it. I think she was so focused on the BIG CARROTS - she has known me for almost 5 years now and knew most of the details of those incentives - that she has forgotten about all the little carrots I have gotten. Which are obtainable, which are neat and great to work toward. I know I love the spurts of energy and the challenges to myself it takes to get them. And there is nothing wrong with setting the bar higher as it gives us a reason to reach higher. Yes, for sure, there will be people who will never think they can do it. But then again, there will be people who will always try too! I just have to let her know about all the little stuff that can come her way!

 

[urbnk8]

I think what some of us are saying is that we understand our own situations and the reality of such a high goal. I KNOW it CAN be done with a full time job, etc...ABSOLUTELY. But, I know what my priorities are and I know I can't work full time, do PC "full time" and still see my children and take good care of my family. If I can get enough shows to quit my full time job, then great! I will go for it! I would LOVE that!

I understand also that the incentive trips are exactly that...incentive trips. They want to entice us to sell more and recruit more. Obviously. But we are saying that it would be nice if there was an incentive to make those of us who know what our limits are to work a little harder within our own means.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Carolyn, if that comment was addressed to me, I will have to address it quickly and say NO. Maybe I am guilty of not making enough calls ... maybe I have a fear of being pushy, but no, I'm not negative at my shows. I just fell into a trap where I did far more catalog shows than live shows (which work better for my schedule) and it is biting me in the tail. This is something I realize and intend to work on in the new year.Also ... this is the place I come to VENT. Often it is a safe place for that. I said very little about the trips until I saw that others felt the same way, because trips have never been a big goal for me anyway. And you bet I complained about Sell a Thon, because this is the first year they changed the requirements and it seems like they are getting more and more stringent. My first year, you could submit a late November show by the 4th or 5th of the month and it still counted, by the next SAT they started the "hold and submit" rule, and this November was the first year they required all level 1 shows to be in by Nov. 15 to count. I felt like PC was changing the rules in order to hand out less free product and hoped I was wrong at the same time! But at no time did I whine to my November hosts that they were costing me these products when they dragged their feet. I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties and played the hand I was dealt!I do appreciate the encouragement people are providing on here to strive for the trips, but those of us who feel like selling $4,000 a month each month need other goals, and thank heaven PC provides them! Sometimes I meet them, sometimes I don't but I keep on keeping on. Meanwhile, as a single, the job that pays my bills and the job that gives me (increasingly cruddy) health insurance is the one I will focus on ... even if it means being cynical for a living!

 

[baychef]

Incentives of all kinds with PC are much tougher to earn. For most of my PC career, we earned the same incentives but had to submit that in a given month no matter when the show was held. The incentives are much harder to earn, no doubt. Times are tougher and so is keeping a company our size going.

And you do have to set priorities and strike a balance with family, etc. One of my consultants wanted the trip to Disney so badly. She has one teenager, two under the age of 4. She does not have a full time job outside of the home, but her husband has been deployed since last August. She and the family keep in touch through Skype. It is 5:30 am in the Middle East when it is 9:30 pm here. So when the kids are settled for the night, she talks to him. She is active in her church and likes to scrapbook. And she hosts our monthly meeting in her home.

She doubted if she would get this trip, but with encouragement from her husband, her recruiter and myself, she dug in and went for it. She literally had black circles under her eyes and was going to stop doing parties when her husband came home for R & R for 2 weeks in Dec. He said no...she still needed to do parties, that they would have time together and he could catch up with the kids. She earned it and to see her so excited to get rewarded for her hard work was awesome. His tour ends the last part of May or early June...just in time to go to Florida on the trip.

Venting is fine and we all do it. Encouraging each other and helping find ways to help someone get by hurdles benefits everyone.

I realize too that if something happens in my life such as an illness, etc. all my plans would change. But for now I am going to push a little harder each day and if I don't make it, I know I will have tried all that I am capable to do.

 

[dkitten13]

I for one appreciate you doing that. I've never earned any of the levels in the 2+ years I've been with The Pampered Chef, I certainly start off the year with high hopes for myself. I'm kind of undecided if I want to REALLY go for it or not, because I'm not sure that even at my GREATEST effort, I can get to that point. I've got it in my head that I want to try for it, and just closed a show today for triple points, but I just think too realistic.

I think it is very helpful to people like me to have a slightly lower goal to try to attain. If you make the lowest level feel unattainable to people, they may just think "Why bother!?" Of course, I know all the other benefits of being successful with PC...commission, products, smaller incentives along the way, etc. But the bottom line is, you are still watching people around you go for these big things and you feel left in the dust.

I think that my director and her director who work together for our cluster meetings realized this. They actually put together 3 more levels below bronze for us to earn.

Emerald level...dinner for 2 up the North Shore of Lake Superior
Next level (I forget the name)...dinner for 2 and hotel night's stay up Lake Superior OR
room at the local Indoor Waterpark hotel with wristbands for 4
3rd level (also forgot the name)...Room at the Waterpark Hotel down by Mall of America for 4 or something else I can't even remember...

Okay, so my recall of the levels is not so great...but I believe they are 15,000, 20,000, and 30,000 points (not counting double/triple point rewards). This seems TOTALLY attainable!! At least I have SOMETHING to look forward to!

But obviously not all directors will offer this. I am very lucky!

Thank you John, for your efforts and for thinking about the rest of us!

How fantastic!

 

[dannyzmom]

Carolyn, if that comment was addressed to me, I will have to address it quickly and say NO. Maybe I am guilty of not making enough calls ... maybe I have a fear of being pushy, but no, I'm not negative at my shows. I just fell into a trap where I did far more catalog shows than live shows (which work better for my schedule) and it is biting me in the tail. This is something I realize and intend to work on in the new year.

No, it was not directed at any one person specifically. Like I said, it was a general observation not only on this board but within my own team as well.
Negativity breeds negativity, plain and simple.

 

[susanr613]

Once again, I have to agree with Carolyn with regard to the negative attitude being pervasive. You may not even realize that you are projecting it. I have asked my director to come to one of my shows and do a check on me, as I think I let my non-so-perky attitude about recruiting show through. She has not found the time and I have not followed up recently.

When all else fails, I remember that The Pampered Chef is a business and ultimately their goal is to make a profit. That drives the good stuff (great training, lots of job aids, lots of smaller incentives through the year) and not not so good stuff (focus on recruiting, higher and higher requirements for the incentive trips).

 

[pampered1224]

Wow sorry folks! I never expected this to get so well, nasty. I am going to say something. There is this thing that negativity breeds negativity. It is true. I have been through a major ringer in the last year and a half between two major illnesses, a bankruptcy and loosing my job. But I also should note here, that reality, those uncontrollable REAL LIFE negative things, also breeds negativity. I have a prescription for an anti-depression med to prove it. My life experiences show that we do not always have control over our own lives. When you work for a company and all you see is the floor falling from underneath, you do what you need to do to make that work. PC was my only real refuse from reality. And I am going to ask this, are bags and dark circles under ones eyes, near exhaustion or ending up so sick that you had to be laid up for 9 weeks because you pushed it to earn any level worth it? Well, guess what? My issue with the new levels is this, now I can work it but for 100s of others who are working a full time to literally save their butts, they no longer have PC validating them and their hard work. You know they ain't gettin anything at their full time! I mean be real here, $4000 plus a month with a weird FT schedule? Nope. And recruiting, I mean come on. Those of us who had no idea how to control our own lives and businesses, simply shy away from that. How can I help someone start their business if I do not have the organization or time needed to run my own? I have seen that first hand and I hear it all the time from other people working other full time jobs. I guess a lot of us looked at PC as a safe fairy tale company to work for. With these new levels and making all the incentives harder to achieve, what with the specific hold and submit dates, and requiring recruits and raising the bar on a lot of things, well, reality is setting in and PC is looking more like a real life company. The romance is over. I remember when sell-a-thon levels started at $1250. We had until the middle of the month to submit those parties. That meant we had time to do a party on the last day of the month and not rush a host to close the party that night. I had a host do a party on January 6th for me to get triple points. She was a little aghast when I asked if she could close by the 8th or 9th and get me her order by the 10th. It is hard to explain to hosts who have been doing business with you for 9 years that the rules have changed. So real life, different times and rules that change are now the reality. As the winds of a new reality blow our way, so shall the forces of fairy tales blow away. I mean, those lower levels were the only pat on the back that some of us ever got. Sad but true.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I wasn't accusing anybody of being nasty and for the record, want to say that I appreciate the things that have been said here! I just wanted to address it if it WAS aimed at me ... and I'm so glad to find out otherwise!

And Ann E. ... WOW about your consultant! If ANYBODY deserves Disney, THEY DO! In fact, if I HAD earned Disney and found out about a family like hers, I would have HAPPILY re-gifted it to them!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

Who's earning the dots catalog bag? I am. Second show of the year tomorrow! There are so many incentives throughout the year. As a teacher, I started my PC business, for the perks. No one gives me bonuses or free gifts. I wanted that. Yes, I would love to go to Maui, but I set realistic goals for myself. I'm getting a free trip to Canada! A FREE trip! I know I can do this. It will not be easy with $400+ a month, but it will be a challenge I've set for myself. I would have loved to do Maui, but with my show average, and schedule with working FT I chose Canada. I'm not looking at it negatively. I believe once I get a taste of a trip, I can work for another.

 

[sandilou]

I have been with PC for about 10 years. I am discouraged because the 'carrot' is just a little bit farther every year. I think the first couple years, it was in the 20,000 range for a travel award for the 1st level -- not quite there. The next couple of years I was really close and I think I earned a gift card. Then I finally earned enough in sales one year, but I had to have a recruit that year, so nothing again. Last year I earned level 1, whew! Last week I sat at the meeting with a new recruit and about fell out of my chair when I heard the requirements. I will somehow have to double my business from last year -- my highest ever. Yep -- my bubble burst. I know its a gift or bonus, but I agree, maybe something not as 'big' so more of us could enjoy the rewards would be nice. I am going to do my best to get to that 1st Level, though.

Sandi

 

[MLinAZ]

As I was thinking about this thread today, before the majority of the posts even were written, I had just one thought. It must be incredibly hard for HO to plan incentives, from what the incentive will be to what the requirements will be to earn them. Why? Because the reality is it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to please all the consultants.

Having worked in retail I learned that you just have to decide what you want to offer and stick with it. Some customers will love it, others will hate it, but you'll hear it from all of them believe me!

There are thousands and thousands of consultants, all with different situations, different goals, shoot, even different travel preferences. They are promoting the 3:2:1 plan and the requirements for the levels fit into that plan. They picked 2 very different locations for the trips down to whether it's accessible by land travel, climate, need of a passport, etc. And yet, still clearly not everyone is happy.

I have to say that if I was on the group that plans these trips, I'd be DEVASTATED to be reading how unhappy people are and how they think Toronto is not a good choice, etc. They worked hard to plan these trips, I don't know any of them but I'm sure they did.

My goal is to earn Maui. I'm off to a hideous start for the year, I work full-time, have kids, etc. etc. just like many other consultants, but I'm going to try my darnedest because I figure, if i don't at least try, then I'm definitely not going!

 

[baychef]

John, I was only talking about the woman's circles under her eyes as something I noted. She told us she was fine. She never got sick. She is the only parent physically there right now and trust me...her children come first! I was just making a point that when someone wants it bad enough they will reach harder. For me, I wanted Paris and London...but I knew I couldn't put into it what I needed to acheive it. I still tried but some years you just don't make it or the circumstances aren't right.

As I was thinking about this thread today, before the majority of the posts even were written, I had just one thought. It must be incredibly hard for HO to plan incentives, from what the incentive will be to what the requirements will be to earn them. Why? Because the reality is it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to please all the consultants.

Having worked in retail I learned that you just have to decide what you want to offer and stick with it. Some customers will love it, others will hate it, but you'll hear it from all of them believe me!

There are thousands and thousands of consultants, all with different situations, different goals, shoot, even different travel preferences. They are promoting the 3:2:1 plan and the requirements for the levels fit into that plan. They picked 2 very different locations for the trips down to whether it's accessible by land travel, climate, need of a passport, etc. And yet, still clearly not everyone is happy.

I have to say that if I was on the group that plans these trips, I'd be DEVASTATED to be reading how unhappy people are and how they think Toronto is not a good choice, etc. They worked hard to plan these trips, I don't know any of them but I'm sure they did.

My goal is to earn Maui. I'm off to a hideous start for the year, I work full-time, have kids, etc. etc. just like many other consultants, but I'm going to try my darnedest because I figure, if i don't at least try, then I'm definitely not going!

Well said!!

 

[Chef Kearns]

I told myself I wouldn't comment here, but I'm not listening!! LOL

Here's a bit of background on me so you know where I'm coming from. I have been with PC for 6 years. I started it as a hobby. However, I loved the little carrots that were presented every so often. That's what made me stay even though my husband travels for his job (almost every week), I was in school when I started with a full class load, and our third child was 10 days old when I signed up. I was happy doing 2-4 shows a month. Doing that I was able to earn the Level 1 gift card for 3 years in a row! I was so happy and excited. Earning a trip seemed impossible!! Oh, fyi in the past 6 years we've moved 3 times and had ANOTHER baby!! I knew that the Disney trip would be coming around again, it was the incentive trip when I started. I knew I wanted to earn the trip! You know what I did? I stretched myself and earned Miami. I didn't really care about going to Miami, but I knew I wanted Disney! I had to see for myself that I COULD earn a trip. That made getting Disney (a trip that I wanted) so much easier to set my sights for. I still didn't earn the Disney level I wanted (but I'm going, baby). If that Level 1 hadn't been available to me to earn I'm not sure I would've ever considered really working towards a trip. Being able to track my earning for Level 1 (gift card) I was able to see where I was and what I could do to increase my efforts to earn a trip. I am sad that they've removed that level.

Now, while I am sad that it's gone I do believe that you've to to keep going. What are you going to do about it? This is the way it is NOW! You've got to put on your Big Girl Panties and deal with it! Venting and being upset is good for a minute. Turn this energy into action. If you still think a trip is impossible or you are not motivated by the destinations then set other goals for your business. Your goal could simply be not to miss a monthly incentive. Or to beat out your sales from last year, or to have your highest recruiting this year, or to stay green every month!! I don't know what your business looks like now, but this trip shouldn't make one iota of difference as to getting the job done.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I told myself I wouldn't comment here, but I'm not listening!! LOL

Here's a bit of background on me so you know where I'm coming from. I have been with PC for 6 years. I started it as a hobby. However, I loved the little carrots that were presented every so often. That's what made me stay even though my husband travels for his job (almost every week), I was in school when I started with a full class load, and our third child was 10 days old when I signed up. I was happy doing 2-4 shows a month. Doing that I was able to earn the Level 1 gift card for 3 years in a row! I was so happy and excited. Earning a trip seemed impossible!! Oh, fyi in the past 6 years we've moved 3 times and had ANOTHER baby!! I knew that the Disney trip would be coming around again, it was the incentive trip when I started. I knew I wanted to earn the trip! You know what I did? I stretched myself and earned Miami. I didn't really care about going to Miami, but I knew I wanted Disney! I had to see for myself that I COULD earn a trip. That made getting Disney (a trip that I wanted) so much easier to set my sights for. I still didn't earn the Disney level I wanted (but I'm going, baby). If that Level 1 hadn't been available to me to earn I'm not sure I would've ever considered really working towards a trip. Being able to track my earning for Level 1 (gift card) I was able to see where I was and what I could do to increase my efforts to earn a trip. I am sad that they've removed that level.

Now, while I am sad that it's gone I do believe that you've to to keep going. What are you going to do about it? This is the way it is NOW! You've got to put on your Big Girl Panties and deal with it! Venting and being upset is good for a minute. Turn this energy into action. If you still think a trip is impossible or you are not motivated by the destinations then set other goals for your business. Your goal could simply be not to miss a monthly incentive. Or to beat out your sales from last year, or to have your highest recruiting this year, or to stay green every month!! I don't know what your business looks like now, but this trip shouldn't make one iota of difference as to getting the job done.

LOL - that's what I was trying to say in my post in my roundabout way...

 

[almondfarm]

I have to agree, that this is an INCENTIVE trip! That means it is to push us all to earn it.
I LOVE the trips! Like many others I also work full time and have a family, I almost did not earn the Disney trip because I was not accountable to myself or my business for a great part of 2009, but because I love these trips that my husband and I would not take on our own, I pushed myself to have my highest sales month ever in Dec. '09 and help my new recruit who signed on Dec. 23 do her first shows and qualify by Dec. 31. I made a lot of excuses for why I couldn't get to 52,000 trip points in 2009, but realized that the only one I was making excuses to was myself.

I think that Pampered Chef is extremely generous and I can't wait to see you all in Maui!!!

 

[baychef]

Chef Kearns and Chef Becky...well said! My reaction when I saw the higher levels? This is one of two of my dream trips (I have already earned my first destination) and the incentive is higher. Guess I better figure out how I am going to earn it because I will do everything in my power to get it.

John, I know full well what you mean when you say you feel like one more thing has been heaped on!! For me, I looked long and hard at "my plate". What I decided is that I like all that I do...exhausting as it can be. So I had to remind myself what I wanted and not how hard it was going to be to do what had to be done.

This trip incentive has made me organize myself better and utilize my 30 minute ride to work and back each day. Yes, some days I need to tune out and listen to the radio on the ride home. It has energized me instead of discouraging me.

So far in one week I have been able to recruit a consultant, give support to a downline consultant, book a party, confirm a show just by utilizing my ride time better. I don't do this every day, but I think when you want something that you know will be a stretch, you look at if there is something more you can be doing in your business that would make it not so far out of reach.

Someone in my Exec. Director's downline just submitted $11,250 in sales this week. No, that is not a misprint! I will be finding out more details later. She is not a top company performer but is consistent with her business. She said she would share more later but said that she planted a seed last year and kept watering it all year long.

What I did was hold an online sale, booked 9 parties in this month and would like to fill in one more. Guess it I am trying to get around my hurdle...look for a bigger carrot picker!

If anyone likes Belinda Ellsworth, she has a new CD on "Recognizing and overcoming self-doubt" I highly recommend it and have sent a copy of it to my seasoned downline and those that may think something is not possible.

And you are right, not everyone is going to be able to make it. If I make it to Toronto...I agree...I will still go, it is a free trip. Or I will take the gift card. Toronto is only a 5 hour drive for me and it is not as attractive to me.