Lost My Career Sales: A Busy Mistake That Changed Everything

[chefsteph07]

Totally agree, this is my business, not my director's.


It's not the director's job to pay attention for you. Do you see it in the director requirement's that they have to email you every time you are in the tank?

Yes, this has been around a lot longer than the new career change. At least with the new career change you no longer lose recruits when you lose your director status


I hope you are just talking personally here, because it sounds like you are talking about all directors. I know my director doesn't send out emails if "she feels like it".



BINGO!

I completely agree that it is NOT our director's responsibility to inform us of when we are going to lose our career sales. This is our business and WE should be paying enough attention to know. We are all adults here, not children! I certainly would know that I didn't submit anything last month and I HAVE to turn something in this month in order to not lose sales. Everyone is SO QUICK to pin blame on others, no wonder kids these days can't take responsiblility for their actions, they probably learn it from their parents!

 

[BethCooks4U]

I completely agree that it is NOT our director's responsibility to inform us of when we are going to lose our career sales. This is our business and WE should be paying enough attention to know. We are all adults here, not children! I certainly would know that I didn't submit anything last month and I HAVE to turn something in this month in order to not lose sales. Everyone is SO QUICK to pin blame on others, no wonder kids these days can't take responsiblility for their actions, they probably learn it from their parents!

AMEN to that!

 

[raebates]

Interesting discussion.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Yes I am talking personally. Up until June I was active every other month. I only got one e-mail along those lines to see what is up. And lately I've been having trouble getting any e-mail at ALL from her, but that is another issue.

 

[chefsteph07]

Yes I am talking personally. Up until June I was active every other month. I only got one e-mail along those lines to see what is up. And lately I've been having trouble getting any e-mail at ALL from her, but that is another issue.

Why do you even need an email to "see what is up"? Do you email HER at all? I get tired of tracking down my people! I hardly ever get emails from them, it would be nice if someone in my line would take an initiative and tell ME what is up!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I don't need it, Steph. Just saying that for SOME PEOPLE (not me, I know exactly where I am, thanks very much) it was a big step to go from pestering to nothing.

And I do not talk about communication and my director in these forums, anyway. Suffice it to say it's a MAJOR sore spot, and the reason I'm looking for something more hospitable.

 

[chefsteph07]

In one post you said that you are talking "personally" and now in your last post, you are saying not for YOU, but SOME PEOPLE. I don't get it?

It sounds to me like YOU are disappointed that you are not getting communication that you feel you need or deserve from your upline asking you "what is up" every other month.

I'm glad that you know where you are, but in your previous posts it sounded otherwise or that you needed to be accountable to someone.
Not wanting to start anything here, Intrepid. Just a bit confused is all.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I have said too much, and will PM you, so we now return to your regularly scheduled conversation.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Again, I'm not blaiming my director or PC at all. It was just my stupid mistake which I realized more than half way through the day on Sept. 1st.

I do take issue w/directors who do make a nice comission from their down line but really don't do much of anything for it. I did not sign under my current director. My org. director quit about 4 years ago. I don't get any emails, newsletters, calls etc. from her at all until it's time to ask me to do something - like bring food to a monthly meeting or do a training at the monthly meeting. I don't need babysat either, but a little conversation once in a while would be fine. She is friends w/me on FB and I'll IM her every now and then, but that's usually initiated by me. I like her, she's very nice and we get along good. I just feel her heart is not in PC like it should be. Neither is mine, but I don't have a downline. I think it's different when you accept directorship. If you're not up to doing what a director needs to do you shouldn't accept the position. PC calls you and asks you to accept that position. You SHOULD take responsiiblity for your downline. You wanted the directorship.

Just my opinion.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Again, I'm not blaiming my director or PC at all. It was just my stupid mistake which I realized more than half way through the day on Sept. 1st.

I do take issue w/directors who do make a nice comission from their down line but really don't do much of anything for it. I did not sign under my current director. My org. director quit about 4 years ago. I don't get any emails, newsletters, calls etc. from her at all until it's time to ask me to do something - like bring food to a monthly meeting or do a training at the monthly meeting. I don't need babysat either, but a little conversation once in a while would be fine. She is friends w/me on FB and I'll IM her every now and then, but that's usually initiated by me. I like her, she's very nice and we get along good. I just feel her heart is not in PC like it should be. Neither is mine, but I don't have a downline. I think it's different when you accept directorship. If you're not up to doing what a director needs to do you shouldn't accept the position. PC calls you and asks you to accept that position. You SHOULD take responsiiblity for your downline. You wanted the directorship.

Just my opinion.

Actually, no. With the new plan, you don't get called anymore, and you are automatically given the title of director once you meet the requirements. You do still have to sign an agreement, but I was paid as a director, and had the title for two months before I signed my agreement.

 

[BethCooks4U]

Again, I'm not blaiming my director or PC at all. It was just my stupid mistake which I realized more than half way through the day on Sept. 1st.

I do take issue w/directors who do make a nice comission from their down line but really don't do much of anything for it. I did not sign under my current director. My org. director quit about 4 years ago. I don't get any emails, newsletters, calls etc. from her at all until it's time to ask me to do something - like bring food to a monthly meeting or do a training at the monthly meeting. I don't need babysat either, but a little conversation once in a while would be fine. She is friends w/me on FB and I'll IM her every now and then, but that's usually initiated by me. I like her, she's very nice and we get along good. I just feel her heart is not in PC like it should be. Neither is mine, but I don't have a downline. I think it's different when you accept directorship. If you're not up to doing what a director needs to do you shouldn't accept the position. PC calls you and asks you to accept that position. You SHOULD take responsiiblity for your downline. You wanted the directorship.

Just my opinion.

I understand your frustration and I do think your director should contact you regularly. How large is her team? If it's very large they have to pick and choose who to call. I've been told by my upline since I stared to contact the top consultants, the new consultants and those performing and let the rest call you. I disagree with this and I make attempts to call everyone* but I see where someone with a large team might have to set limits. If I had a large team I think I'd try to contact everyone at least every few months and the "performers and new people" more often.

As far as making a nice commission from their downline, again it depends on the structure. People at the top and those with large teams do make an amazing commission on their downline but most of us at the D level do not, in fact if the right people in the downline don't submit we do not get any overrides on their sales, just the 1 or 2% that a SC or TL gets.



*even with my smaller team (about 25) I have trouble calling them all every month - it's more like every other and it's hard to make the calls when month after month they don't return the call or even acknowledge that I did it (more times than not I have to leave a message vs actually getting them to pick up the phone). After a while you want to just stop wasting your time trying.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

My director's team is not that large anymore, maybe as a result of her not really trying to be honest with you. Like I said I get the feeling she's just not into PC as much as she was before. I can understand that, I'm not either - we all go through cycles. I don't even have to get a call. A newsletter would be nice or a quick email to the entire group, etc. She hasn't done a newsletter in months. Again, she can contact me when she wants something from me though. She did call me one time when the sales for her downline needed me that month - this was a couple years ago.

I went to the monthly meeting on Monday and told her I lost my career sales and she didn't even know it. I told her I had a show to send in and just lost track of time. She said she usually tracks who is going to lose their career sales, and I think she felt bad. Again, I don't think it's her fault. I knew the rules, but it's something for you director's to think about if you want to track it or not. We all can run our business the way we want. We are all big girls and boys and can decide for ourselves.

 

[pampered1224]

Rhonda, what have you personally decided to do? I would really hate for this to leave a really sour taste in your mouth. However, I do understand those cycles. I ma sorry it had to happen by basically hitting you like a gun shot. Nothing worse than no warning. And yes, I do agree that if you choose to be a director, you do owe your down line some sort of support. If not, do not leave them hanging in the wind to dry. You too have an up line and should be able to work with them to help you out when it gets to much for you. I would call it irresponsible if you didn't.
Points: 1) We need to CYA because it is our business
2) Directors: You took the job with a promise to your down lines. Do not let them down. Pass the buck up if you need to back off for a time or forever. Never leave the gang hanging! NOT FAIR! We all understand needing a break.

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Hey John, I'll be staying w/PC for now. I have two shows booked and I usually get bookings at my shows. I'm not bitter w/PC since it's their rules. I just think they should re-think them. I don't care about going inactive, not being able to purchase items on the outlet, etc. I just don't think I should lose my career sales. Or I shoudl be able to get them back after maybe 6 months or a year of active sales. I left a company once and when I was hired back I got my service back after 6 months. Mine were lost out of my own stupid mistake. I really feel sorry for those who lose them due to illness or some other reason out of their control. I will stay w/PC as long as I have business, but I don't feel like I have to press myself at it anymore since I don't have to worry about keeping my career sales anymore.

Thank everyone for your thoughts. Try not to make the same stupid mistake I made! Time just got away from me - too busy right now!

 

[millthayer]

I just had to step in here! I started my PC biz because I lost my job as an Insurance Agent/Underwriter for 36 years! During that time, daily we would have clients who were late on their car insurance payments and we would make courtesy calls to remind clients that if they didnt pay by a certain date, their insurance would cancel and they would have to turn in their plates (NYS law). Well it got so that it was basically "babysitting" as these clients didnt read their mail at all (why, when they had us) and knew we would call them every time!! So I am just saying that yes, I have called my downline at times to remind them of becoming inactive, but do they return my calls or emails? Usually, No....do they come to meetings? Usually, No and I am a firm believer that attending meetings help you stay successful. I also stay a director by being an Elite Seller and you cant tell me that these consultants that ARE inactive dont remember if they had any shows this month or the last month!!! Just saying.......

 

[pampchefrhondab]

I agree w/you millthayer. There are some who don't care about their business, don't return calls, etc. I am not one of those consultants. I have been in the business for 6 years and never went inactive until now. I attend every meeting, go to conference, do training, bring food for meetings, etc. I am not a top seller, but I am very dependable. I never joined PC to be my primary job. It has always been an extra for me. It's something I've always wanted to enjoy and not feel I have to do it. Like I said, I knew the rules and really didn't need babysat - time just got away from you. You directors need to consider the consultants you are dealing with. Some don't care, others do.

I've also forgotten to pay bill before. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes it gets misplaced on my desk. I hate it when that happens as well. Life happens for people. Maybe PC should consider giving people w/a year or more of service 1 pass. I could have signed up for an extension, but that has be be done before the month is even over. You can't do it after the fact. It's just too bad because I think it hurts PC not the consultant to be honest w/you. Like I said, I'll keep doing it as long as I get shows, but I really don't care if I don't have sales every month or other month now.

 

[Sheila]

I totally agree that this is each person's business to run the way that they want. I constantly remind my downline that they don't have to do things the way that I do it, to find what works & go with it. I'm their mentor, not their boss.

But as a Director, you better believe that I watch & know who's active each month. I've gone from 3 in my downline (mid Feb) to 21 in my downline (mid Sept) - that's 18 added in 7 months. If all 21 are active that's an extra $210 in activity bonus on my paycheck. When it's 100 consultants, I'll want that $1,000 per month! When it's 500, I'll want that $5,000 per month! And that's just the activity bonus, the overrides are even more! It definitely benefits me to keep abreast of what's happening with my team. I sign into Consultant's Corner multiple times per day to check & see what's new.

Yes, Directors get notifications each month - who's inactive for 1, 3 or 6 months, who promoted, who demoted, etc. But we can also look for ourselves to see who's where as far as inactivity: Consultant's Corner>Performance Tracker>Year at a glance>Consultants inactive in prior month (from the drop down menu)>Go! - it gives us a layout of where the inactive ones are (year to date). It omits all the active consultants so that I can easily see who's already been inactive last month. At the beginning of each month, I e-mail anyone who was inactive the prior month & remind them that they need to sumit $150 in sales for the current month or loose $______ in career sales. And yes, I go look it up & give them the exact dollar amount of their career sales. I'll have my first 6-month'r at the end of Oct. She's having a complicated pregnancy & is quitting. She was nice enough to respond in the 2nd month & let me know what was up, so I haven't been harassing her on a monthly basis for months 3, 4 & 5. I have 2 who will hit the 2 month mark in 9 days. Both got a courtesy e-mail at the beginning of the month & a 2nd reminder from me 2 nights ago. I don't see it as being my responsibility to stay on top of them & submit. They've been reminded of the consequenses and it's up to them if they want to prevent loosing their career sales or allow it to happen.

But since their activity or inactivity does impact my paycheck, it's my theory that it's just good business sense to be proactive and e-mail out friendly reminders when I think there's something they would like to know.

Yes, I also do my best to keep up on New Consultant Rewards & let them know when they are close to earning another level! A lot of them will strive to meet the goal, just because I mentioned it. So doing a little extra to help can sometimes go a long way. Not only with sales, but with letting them know that I care about their success.

I have a 1 & a 2 year old at home, which pretty much makes it impossible for me to call all the girls on a weekly or monthly basis. Plus, the military just moved us from Okinawa, Japan to Tokyo, Japan in July ... so I'm still trying to unpack & get this house in order with babies in the way. E-mail is my main method of contact with my team, but I'm still try to drop what I'm doing and answer any questions that they have when one of them calls. I've not yet reached the point where I have to have them make appointments to talk to me on the phone and hope that I don't have to any time in the near future. So far, I love talking to them & hearing the excitement in their voices when they've done something like recruiting!!!

I used to train dispatchers at the Police Department, and learned a long time ago that I'd rather train one really good person who will be there for years ... than a whole bunch of short timers. Adequate training and a little attention to detail can often go a LONG way!

(((hugs))) to those of you who don't feel you are getting the type of support you want & need from your upline.

 

[Jolie_Paradoxe]

Yes, Directors get notifications each month - who's inactive for 1, 3 or 6 months, who promoted, who demoted, etc. But we can also look for ourselves to see who's where as far as inactivity: Consultant's Corner>Performance Tracker>Year at a glance>Consultants inactive in prior month (from the drop down menu)>Go! - it gives us a layout of where the inactive ones are (year to date). .

I don't get notified. The only way I know that they are 1 month and so forth is by going to Consultant Connection. It lists them in my overview.

I try and email them about their 2 months and definitely their 6 months. As you said, as a courtesy....but usually we've already spoken or touched base. So many emails that sometimes the consultants don't get to it.

I wish the program would list 2 months rather than 3 since that's the most critical one.

 

[Sheila]

The little pop-ups on Consultant are what I'm talking about when I mentioned that we get notified ...

I think we should get a 5 month notification! LOL

 

[pampchefrhondab]

Guess who called me today? Yep, my director asking me to do a training session at our meeting on Monday. I would still do the training for her, but I can't since my son has a football game that night.

Just funny how she can call me when she needs something like I said before.

 

[Jennifer'sPCKitchen]

I just lost my career sales. Granted I'm less than a year into the business, but nevertheless it still hurts and makes me question whether or not to stick with it. I was a consultant once before and received a warning from corporate about going inactive, so I thought I'd get a warning this time - and also believed I had one more month or I would have submitted my show sooner. It makes me wonder how much the company really does care about the consultants.

 

[NooraK]

I just lost my career sales. Granted I'm less than a year into the business, but nevertheless it still hurts and makes me question whether or not to stick with it. I was a consultant once before and received a warning from corporate about going inactive, so I thought I'd get a warning this time - and also believed I had one more month or I would have submitted my show sooner. It makes me wonder how much the company really does care about the consultants.

The company does care about its consultants. They do so many great things for us. There have been a couple of threads a bit more recently about this topic. Even in this thread there is some debate between whose responsibility it is to keep track of this kind of thing.

It hurts, I'm sure, especially if your career sales were significant. But the cool thing is that you still have all the other benefits, and if you're willing to work at it, you can get back to $15,000+ in no time.

 

[ShellBeach]

My 15-yr-old lost it Tuesday night when I said, "Life's not fair". Then ran upstairs and started sobbing. I started crying, too. I remember having my heart broken at feeling cheated at 15.

PC has changed their strategy in the past few years. I'm a hobby consultant, so I lost my career sales shortly after the month active/inactive thing went live. I whined here a bit, thanks for putting up with me.

Now I am of the mindset that I will no longer buy sample packages; I'll buy new product to keep myself active if I don't have any shows within 6 months. That December apron for hosting 2 shows? It's probably made in China at Foxconn and worth about $3. I don't wear aprons. It will be on the PC outlet in 2 years, or eBay, if I have to have it.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Since somebody mentioned it, I don't buy sample packages either. If I earn them, I earn them. If not, oh well.

 

[ShellBeach]

I'm talking about the 50% off new products sample packages A, B, C, D, open stock.

They are not earned. They are purchases that don't count for comissionable sales. Intrepid, I think you are hobby consultant like me too - if not I apologize - don't waste your money on the sample packages. Save your dollars and do a show consultant as host, yourslef as the only guest, order those things, do the math it works out better for hobbyists. Also there is no lying or deceivery with putting your husband or dog down as the host, which is ridiculous, but I have read here that folks do it.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I know exactly what they are. They ARE earned ... they are the SAME as the packages you get if you do well enough in Sell a Thon.

I have never purchased a sample package in my life, though I did give some thought to the open stock this year, particularly the spice TTA. Instead I had my own show and got it with the free product value. The only way I'd ever consider it is if I really wanted something for someone else as a gift.

Yes I am a hobby consultant but have never lost career sales. I have done my own shows and bought product but never enough to be the only customer. Usually it's because I have other orders that people paid $4.50 shipping and I didn't want them to have to pay direct shipping by turning it into an individual order.