Is there too much emphasis on recruitment in the direct sales industry?

[legacypc46]

I think it would be a great idea to send the thread to HO....

You all are going to make me sooooo regret posting that photo!

Joking aside, this is a great discussion. I'm too tired to coherently join in tonight, other than to say KG's comment:"..growth is pointless if it matches shrinkage" is one I hope HO takes particular note of.
I'm not a shareholder in the company, but I do have a personal stock in it's future.

:chef: leggy

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Nice post Rhonda, very well said.

Thank you.

 

[Chef Endora]

I've been pointing out since NC that the push on recruiting is eerily similar to Amway and a little scary, IMHO.

We all have different reasons for joining and belonging, and we all have different goals and desires. Not everyone aspires to be a director and a "one size fits all" philosophy just isn't a good idea, at least, in the long run.

Some people are not comfortable recruiting, and maybe they will not be comfortable being a manager. If forced to recruit without the real desire to do so, the result could be disillusioned recruits who leave as potential detractors to the opportunity.

I think there is a way to make this work, though. I'd like to see a way for someone to recruit and earn the perks that go with it, but then have the ability to pass the recruit to a director who loves to be a manager. The result could be a win-win deal for the recruiter, the director and the company, but more importantly, to the recruit.

Just my viewpoint.

I agree, KG. I already have a FT job and need the benes that go with it.
If I am making PC fit my life so I can promote it as my "fun job" then I don't want to feel pressured, or that I am missing out because I don't want to build a team of my own.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

I think the idea of giving yourself 5 years is excellent. I think it can really give you a fair opportunity. I know a bunch af ladies who joined when I did or later that have already thrown in the apron, if you will. I would love to know why. As a friend who had been with another DS company said, the expectations given to her were not something she could live up to. I think it's very important to have goals, but I think they need to be attainable given your situation. One of the ladies was told she could make $500 a month and she was thrilled. Yes I think this is attainable, but for her situation, maybe not-full-time job, a young child, and a husband. I'm just guessing, but when was she going to spend time with her child if she was doing 8 shows a month? I know that's a bit off topic, but some have wondered why the new focus.

BTW, after I left this thread last night, I got an e-mail from my Director about an offer to do intense training with our speaker from the Conference to help promote to director. It only went to five of us in the cluster and I am very flattered, but it is just not where I am right now. My goal is to fill up the calander consistently. I actually did get on the phone these past two nights and booked two catty shows, so I hope to be headed in the right direction! And just so you know, I actually do have a recruit lead that I would be happy to help along. I realize that it is truly all about her and if some points or a gift card should come my way, that's great, but she has to be ready to take the plunge!
Jessica

I decided I would need 5 years when I first signed to build my customer base and learn sales. I never sold anything before. I only work PC part time. I do feel like just in the past 6 months I'm getting to the level I want to consistently be at. It's been a lot of work getting here, but in December I made $300 going out for 3 hours one night! This month I'll be making about $800 going out 4 nights. The hard work is starting to pay off! I'm getting more consistent at getting bookings too!

Congrats on the invite for training. Even if you don't want to recruit now, you may not want to give up the training opportunity. I take any training I can get. I find the more times I hear things the more it sticks. I attended step-up before. I would love to take it again because there are some things I always need to be reminded of and hear again.

One thing I think we all need to remember is we need to know our individual goal. No matter what the company puts in front of us. I know Belinda talks about it on one of her tapes. She gave the example of a recruit who had a sales goal of $2,000 for the month. She reached $2,500 and was so happy and proud of herself. Then she attends the monthly meeting and somene else reached $3,500. She says to herself, "Oh, but she doesn't work another job like I do." Now she is upset, but she exceeded her own goal! She didn't have her goal set at $3,500. This is one of the hardest things to remember when we attend the monthly meetings.

We each need to decide our we going to go for the incentive trip or not. It is early, we have 12 months to get there! I'm shooting for level one!

 

[katie0128]

PartyLite uses "sponsor". That's not so bad...

I agree, I really hate "recruit" as well... reminds me of the military and (at least to me) sounds very harsh and formal. But "sponsor" makes me thing of AA.

I tried looking online for a better word, but couldn't find anything that sounded good to me. However, I found this really neat thesaurus... Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus

 

[fruit76loop]

But "sponsor" makes me thing of AA.

Ha ha! That is exactly what I thought!! laughing so hard my husband is looking at me weird!

 

[JAE]

How about "teammate"? I'm into teaching, playing, and coaching sports. "Recruit" doesn't bother me, but "sponsor" reminds me of AA, also.

 

[finley1991]

"sponsor" reminds me of AA, also.

I agree...

I call them future consultants (if they haven't signed) or new consultants (if they are...)

 

[dianevill]

How about "teammate"? I'm into teaching, playing, and coaching sports. "Recruit" doesn't bother me, but "sponsor" reminds me of AA, also.

LOL - you're right; never thought of it, but now that you mention it...

 

[ChefLisa]

I agree...

I call them future consultants (if they haven't signed) or new consultants (if they are...)

So simple, yet so appropriate. I love these choice of words.

We offer the opportunity to future Consultants. When she/he joins our team, she/he is a new Consultant.

Thank you Colleen!

 

[BethCooks4U]

Prospective Consultants is another possibility.

When someone joins the team I say that "Current Consultant welcomes "New Consultant" to our team. (Of course I use their NAMES. ) - I don't say CC recruited NC.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

How about "teammate"? I'm into teaching, playing, and coaching sports. "Recruit" doesn't bother me, but "sponsor" reminds me of AA, also.

Hi, I'm KG and I'm a Chefaholic.

Hi, KG!

I thought I could just quit any time and that I could control it, but every time the new catalog came out from TPC, I couldn't help myself and I just had to have one of everything...

 

[finley1991]

Prospective Consultants is another possibility.

When someone joins the team I say that "Current Consultant welcomes "New Consultant" to our team. (Of course I use their NAMES. ) - I don't say CC recruited NC.

When I put out my welcome note when someone signs I say, "Welcome Julie X. Julie was invited to join us by Mary R."

That way it reminds them that they should be INVITING!!!!

 

[c00p]

Hi KG - I'm AC.

I've been where you are and I feel your pain. My downfall is all of those blame "carrots" that TPC offers. I have no self control when it comes to earning free products.